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
A regional online service center of ZTE has been officially launched at IT Park Uzbekistan. The new center will deliver modern digital services and technical support to clients in Uzbekistan, Central Asia, and Europe, according to the Uzbek government’s website. The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Digital Technologies, Sherzod Shermatov, who noted
The European Union and the International alliance for the protection of heritage (ALIPH) have launched 29 cultural heritage projects across Central Asia to safeguard endangered tangible and intangible heritage from the impact of climate change, following a highly successful Call for Projects that elicited 233 applications. This initiative is co-funded for a total of EUR 1.5 million, wherein
In settlements located near former uranium mines, the third phase of a project aimed at minimizing environmental risks, improving emergency preparedness, and strengthening the socio-economic potential of pilot communities has begun. The activities are carried out within the framework of the project “Stakeholder Engagement for Uranium Legacy Remediation in Central Asia. Phase III,” implemented by
The capital theatre this week hosted the annual Nauryz Ball attended by heads of foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in Kazakhstan. The event, organized as part of the Nauryznama decade, served as a platform for cultural diplomacy, symbolizing unity, creation, and renewal, according to the Kazakh Foreign Ministry. Opening the gala evening, Aida
Uzbekistan is a country in Central Asia that has undergone significant economic liberalization since President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took office in 2016. It is a doubly landlocked and a lower-middle-income country. The government’s “Uzbekistan 2030” strategy aims to achieve upper-middle income status by the end of the decade through private-sector development, foreign investment, diversification beyond commodities,
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is providing a loan of up to €25 million to support the investment program and working capital needs of RG Brands Group, Central Asia’s leading beverage producer incorporated in Kazakhstan. The loan will help RG Brands to expand its operations in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, and
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture has announced updated figures of the country’s grain export. During the 2024-2025 marketing year (September 1, 2024, August 31, 2025), Kazakhstan exported 15.3 million tons of grain and flour, 60% more than during the 2023-2024 season and the highest figure over the last 20 years. Since the beginning of the current