On October 2 in Astana, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan hosted the jubilee award ceremony for the winners of the 10th Annual International Contest “Kazakhstan Through the Eyes of Foreign Media”. This year, by decision of the jury, the works of journalists from Armenia, Belgium, Pakistan, the United States, and Uzbekistan were recognized
In the vibrant tapestry of global tourism, Umedjon Saidov, National Expert in Tourism Development and General Director of Somon Travel LLC, shines brightly by unveiling Tajikistan’s hidden treasures. From scholar of international relations to orchestrator of the Dushanbe International Tourism Exhibition (DITE-2025), held September 18–20, he blends cultural reverence with strategic brilliance, elevating sites from
As tourism in Kyrgyzstan is becoming a driver of inclusive growth, women’s empowerment, and sustainable development, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) provides comprehensive support to the tourism industry. The regional project “Aid for Trade in Central Asia,” funded by the Government of Finland, demonstrates that a system approach to tourism development can transform local
On October 1, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held the first meeting of the Council for the Development of Artificial Intelligence. Tokayev emphasized that without the development of artificial intelligence, it is impossible to withstand global competition. He stated that digital systems and artificial intelligence have become essential for the country’s sovereignty and a driving force
Chairman of the Investment Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Gabidulla Ospankulov and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Kazakh Invest national company Madiyar Sultanbek met with Chen Guanfu, Vice President of Chinese corporation POWERCHINA. The parties discussed opportunities to expand POWERCHINA’s participation in investment projects in Kazakhstan in the fields of
Exporters and transport operators crossing the Dostuk border – the main border crossing between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan – are set to have a smoother experience and shorter waiting times, with the launch of the Electronic Queue Management System (e-QMS), the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan reported. The digital platform, developed by the International
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is contributing to the optimization of international transport routes by supporting upgrades of key port infrastructure in Kazakhstan. A financial package of up to €45 million provided by the EBRD and the European Union will finance an increase in cargo handling capacity at the port of Aktau, Kazakhstan’s
A new crypto fund, Alem Crypto Fund, has started operating in Kazakhstan. It was established by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of Kazakhstan, managed by Qazaqstan Venture Group and registered within the ecosystem of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). The primary objective of the fund is to make long-term investments in
Kyrgyzstan has begun construction of two major tunnels at the Soek and Ashuu-Suu passes on the Barskoon-Bedel highway in the Issyk-Kul region. The Barskoon-Bedel highway, whose construction began on August 27, is a key section of the future Barskoon-Uchturfan-Aksu corridor that will link the Issyk-Kul region with China’s Aksu prefecture in Xinjiang via the Bedel
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and improving access to finance for young entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan by providing a loan of up to $7 million (€6 million) to local microlender Arnur Credit. The loan is extended under the EBRD’s Youth in Business (YiB) programme for Central
Uzbekistan’s exports to Afghanistan exceeded $873 million during the first eight months of this year, TOLOnews reported with reference to the Uzbek National Statistical Committee. According to Afghanistan’s National Statistics and Information Authority, the country’s exports to Uzbekistan stood at more than $28 million over the past six months. The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and
Deputy Chairman of the Board of Kazakh Invest national company, Madiyar Sultanbek on September 26 held a meeting with a delegation from the Jiujiang Economic and Technological Zone (China), led by Deputy Director of the Executive Committee Luo Gomin. Following the negotiations, the parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding providing for the development of joint investment
On the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 26, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, Zheenbek Kulubaev, made a statement at the High-Level Plenary Meeting dedicated to the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. Kulubaev emphasized
On September 26, Ambassador of the European Union to Uzbekistan Toivo Klaar delivered a lecture to students of the Tashkent State University of Economics, focusing on the growing economic partnership between the European Union (EU) and Uzbekistan, the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan reported. Addressing the students and faculty, Ambassador Klaar highlighted Uzbekistan’s
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and the Export-Import Bank of India (India Exim Bank) have released a joint research report, entitled ‘Exploring Trade and Investment Relations between India and Central Asia: Unlocking Economic Benefits’. The report analyzes the untapped potential of cooperation between the two dynamically growing economic centers. The report lists Central Asia and
Since 2023, China remains a key trading partner of Kazakhstan, accounting for more than 20% of the country’s total trade turnover, according to analysts at the Association of Financiers of Kazakhstan (afk.kz). In the first half of 2025, Kazakhstan-China trade grew by 5.9%, reaching $14.9 billion. However, the growth was only due to Kazakh imports from
According to the latest figures published by the National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, the country’s foreign trade continued to decline, with a decrease in both exports and imports. In January-July 2025, Kyrgyzstan’s foreign trade totaled $8.7 billion, 6.4% down compared to the same period in 2024. Exports decreased by 13.3%, amounting to $1.5 billion, and
To expand access to finance for underserved entrepreneurs, IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—and DAVR-BANK have signed a $40 million loan agreement to boost lending to micro and small enterprises (MSEs) across Uzbekistan, with a focus on women-led businesses. The initiative aims to promote inclusive economic growth, empower small entrepreneurs, and create jobs. The
Madiyar Sultanbek, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakh Invest national company held a meeting with Yeonsu Oh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the South Korean company Microbus Co., Ltd. The parties discussed opportunities for the establishment of a modern industrial park K-Smart, which will integrate manufacturing, logistics, and educational functions; the development of
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is contributing to the development of green energy infrastructure and Uzbekistan’s long-term decarbonisation goals by supporting the operations of Techno Cable Group (TCG), which specialises in the manufacturing of copper and aluminium electrical cables used in the electricity infrastructure and renewable energy projects. TCG, which currently produces
