On March 25, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was briefed on the establishment of the Tashkent International Financial Center, the launch of the International Center for Digital Technologies, and the introduction of Islamic finance mechanisms into the banking system. “Many international companies, having assessed regional risks, have already begun exploring new markets. For us, this is a
On March 24, a Roadmap for cooperation in nuclear and related fields between Rosatom State Corporation and the Atomic Energy Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan was signed in Tashkent. An additional agreement to the contract for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan was also signed. The documents were signed
French Alliance in Bishkek is holding the Francophonie Spring in Kyrgyzstan, from 25th March to 12th April 2026. The program includes educational, cultural and entertainment events, dedicated to the diversity and creativity of French language and francophone cultures, according to the Delegation of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic. This year’s festival theme is “Women and Francophonie”.
The Government of Kazakhstan has approved the National Project “Development of Coal-Fired Generation.” The document defines Kazakhstan’s energy security strategy until 2030 and is aimed at eliminating the deficit of baseload capacities, demand for which is growing significantly amid industrialization and the development of the digital economy. The growth of the IT sector, the establishment
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Ministry of Emergency Situations, has introduced an innovative technical solution aimed at expanding population coverage by Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for emergency situations, UNDP Uzbekistan has announced. As part of a pilot initiative, special alert broadcast devices have been installed in mosques located near populated
In recent years, the policy of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has been aimed at developing the tourism sector as one of the key drivers of the country’s economy. As part of ongoing reforms, visa procedures have been simplified, visa-free regimes have been expanded for citizens of many countries, transport and hotel infrastructure is
On March 24, a meeting was held between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, Zheenbek Kulubaev, and the Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Feridun Hadi Sinirlioğlu, as part of his first visit to Kyrgyzstan following his appointment. During the meeting, the parties held detailed discussions
The energy sector is a strategic focus of Turkmen-Chinese cooperation, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said in an interview with the Chinese television channel CGTN during his visit to China this month. The text of the interview was published by the Turkmen Foreign Ministry.
On March 23, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on priority nationwide projects in the field of ecology and environmental protection for 2026–2030. The presentation outlined a range of initiatives aimed at improving air quality, expanding green spaces across cities and regions, enhancing environmental education and culture, and strengthening the scientific and practical foundations for
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $200 million project to help Uzbekistan modernize transport infrastructure in the country’s Surkhandarya region. It will contribute to the creation of new jobs and businesses along a reconstructed section of the M41 regional road corridor. The project will also support the authorities in implementing comprehensive reforms
Since the beginning of 2026, 3,335 ethnic Kazakhs have returned to Kazakhstan and officially received kandas status, a designation for ethnic Kazakhs returning to their historical homeland. In total, since gaining independence in 1991, 1,168,200 ethnic Kazakhs have resettled in Kazakhstan for permanent residence, according to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection. Almost half of
Children in large families eat less than in households with just one child, and the difference can be quite significant, finprom.kz reports citing data from the Bureau of National Statistics on average consumption of basic foods in families with different numbers of children for the fourth quarter of last year. The more children, the less
The Central Bank of Uzbekistan expects consumer lending growth to remain high (around 30%) in 2026, despite high interest rates. The main drivers of demand are rising household incomes and the realization of pent-up demand for mortgages, car loans, and microloans, Tashkent Today reported. According to the Central Bank, the volume of loans to individuals
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has proposed a balanced “middle path” strategy that could provide a solid foundation for the modernization of Central Asia’s power sector. This approach would ensure reliable and affordable energy supply, significantly reduce the carbon footprint, and enable a smooth energy transition that benefits the region’s economy and meets climate commitments.
For Tajikistan, the accelerating loss of glaciers is a deeply existential issue. The country is home to more than 60 percent of Central Asia’s glaciers, which cover around 6 percent of its territory and serve as a critical freshwater source for the region. These glaciers sustain agriculture, hydropower, ecosystems, and the livelihoods of millions of
On March 23–24, the city of Samarkand will host the “Dishes of the East” festival for the first time. The event is organized to widely promote the rich traditions of Eastern cuisine, showcase its unique flavors and cooking culture at the international level, as well as to support the development of gastronomic tourism and increase
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is providing financing of up to US$ 15.4 million to Uzbekistan’s leading brewer, UzCarlsberg. The Bank’s third equity investment in the country since 2020 will help UzCarlsberg to expand its production capacity and increase the sustainability of the country’s food sector. The proceeds will be
A survey shows that Kazakhstan’s new Tax Code with an increased value-added tax (VAT) has led to growing anxiety among the population, with most respondents saying that the tax changes negatively impact their standard of living and cause growing expenses, making a significant portion of the population cut spending on basic items, including food, clothing,
Central Asia Capital, a Bishkek-based private equity fund, in partnership with the Russian Export Center, has launched a political risk insurance program for Russian investments in Kyrgyzstan. According to Central Asia Capital, the new program is aimed at safeguarding investments against political risks, including restrictions on fund transfers, currency inconvertibility, expropriation of assets, trade sanctions,
Following a long-standing tradition, a gathering of members and friends of the Eurasian Creative Guild (ECG) and Hertfordshire Press took place in London, celebrating the spring festival of Navruz. The evening began with a guided tour of Fitzroy House Museum and, under the leadership of ECG Chair Francesca Mepham, smoothly transitioned into a traditional English
