Kyrgyzstan and Central Asian Investment Holding, a subsidiary of Turkey’s İhlas Holding, have signed investment agreements on the construction of the Kazarman and Kokomeren hydroelectric power plant (HPP) cascades in Kyrgyzstan with a total capacity of 2,217 MW. The documents were signed on August 11 by Kyrgyz Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibrayev and Ahmet Mücahid Ören,
On August 12, Uzbekistan adopted the Water Resources Management and Irrigation Sector Development Program for 2025-2028. Given the water scarcity in the region, its rational use is a pressing task. In Uzbekistan, constant attention is paid to this issue: irrigation networks are being repaired, and water-saving technologies are being introduced. During 2020-2024, 60 trillion UZS
On August 12, Kazakhstan Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov chaired a meeting on the implementation of the President’s instructions regarding the development of artificial intelligence (AI). Nine key areas outlined by the President were reviewed, including the introduction of AI into real sector industries, public administration, and healthcare; the development of an AI and digital transformation
On August 11-12, celebratory events dedicated to the Day of the Caspian Sea were held in the Avaza National Tourist Zone in Turkmenistan. The Scientific-practical conference entitled “The Caspian Sea – Sea of Friendship and Peace” was moderated by the Director of the Caspian Sea Institute Myrat Atajanov. The event was attended by official representatives
This year, the Voices of Friends: Poetry & Art almanac takes on a special resonance. Its pages are dedicated to the anniversaries of two great enlighteners whose legacy bridges cultures and eras — Abai Kunanbaev, the Kazakh poet, thinker, and reformer, and Igor Savitsky, the legendary collector and guardian of Central Asian art. This almanac
On August 11, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev listened to proposals for combating the shadow economy. It was noted that in the past, high administrative pressure and excessive interference in business led many entrepreneurs to fear operating openly. In recent years, large-scale efforts have been undertaken to reduce the tax burden and eliminate bureaucratic barriers: the
The third round of political consultations between the foreign ministries of Kazakhstan and Serbia took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan in Astana on August 11. Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Arman Issetov stressed that Kazakhstan considers Serbia as an important political and economic partner in Europe. He expressed Astana’s readiness to
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce reports a significant increase in trade between Afghanistan and China. According to the ministry, trade between the two countries reached $541 million in the first seven months of this year, TOLOnews reported. A large share of Afghanistan’s imports from China includes cotton textiles, solar panels, electronic devices, and mobile
A new partnership has been launched between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Business Development Bank (BDB) of Uzbekistan, marking a promising step forward for small and medium-sized businesses across the country, according to UNDP Uzbekistan. This partnership between BDB and UNDP aligns national goals with global expertise to support Uzbekistan’s SMEs, especially
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Alibek Kuantyrov held a meeting in Astana on August 8 with Chairman of the State Committee on Investment and State Property Management of Tajikistan Sulton Rahimzoda. The meeting took place as part of the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Kazakhstan and
As part of his working visit to the Zhetysu Region on August 8, Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu held meetings with the leadership of China’s leading corporations – China Minmetals Corporation and CITIC Construction Co. Ltd. The discussions focused on the implementation of joint investment projects in key
The special issue of OCA Magazine dedicated to the Jizzakh region of Uzbekistan caught the attention of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, as evidenced by a letter from the Prime Minister’s office. “When the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom holds a copy of OCA Magazine and sends a letter with feedback to
In the first five months of 2025, Kazakhstan’s revenues from foreign trade decreased by 9.2%. If in January-May 2024 the country earned $32.8 billion from exports, then in the same period of the current year the figure was $29.8 billion, more than $3 billion less, finprom.kz reported with reference to data from the Bureau of
Both international analysts and Kyrgyz government officials warn that the continued GDP growth in Kyrgyzstan could be a sign that the economy is overheating. This is evident from the advanced growth in real incomes, rising inflation, labor shortages, and decreasing exports. According to the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development’s (EFSD) “Regional Economic Outlook. Summer 2025,”
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on August 7 approved the First Competitive and Inclusive Tajikistan Development Policy Operation (DPO) to support the country’s reform programs aimed at further opening the economy to competition, creating favorable market conditions for private sector development, and strengthening the public sector for better service delivery. The DPO is a $50 million
Addressing the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in Turkmenistan on August 5, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev spoke for the need of coordinated action to expedite the development of international transport corridors and infrastructure. Mirziyoyev advocated accelerating the preparation and implementation of the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan railway construction project. “Converging this promising corridor with the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan
Despite opposition from environmental activists, the government of Uzbekistan has approved the construction of the Sea Breeze Uzbekistan resort at the Charvak reservoir in the Tashkent region, granting the investor a land plot on a 25-year lease with an extremely low rental fee. The project, led by Azerbaijani developer Emin Agalarov, will include recreation areas, beaches,
Gabidulla Ospankulov, Chairman of the Investment Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, held a meeting with Li Xiangdong, Deputy General Director of Tianjin Youfa Group, and San Wenxu, Deputy General Director of Hong Kong Friend International Cooperation Co., Ltd. The parties discussed an investment project to localize steel pipe production in Kazakhstan.
Uzbekistan has launched its first online platform designed to promote anti-corruption awareness among people with hearing impairments: www.s-access.uz. The platform provides access to essential legal information in sign language, supports users in recognizing corruption in everyday situations, and helps develop skills to assess the reliability of information, the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan reported.
On August 5, the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries opened in Awaza, Turkmenistan, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders under the theme “Driving Progress through Partnerships”. This landmark event aims to address the unique challenges faced by the world’s 32 landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), home to over 600 million people, and accelerate
