The cover story of the latest issue of OCA Magazine’s special edition, OCA People, features Mariiam Tobokelova, an outstanding Kyrgyz musician and komuz player, and a veteran member of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London). OCA Magazine is a quarterly magazine published in London since 2009 by Silk Road Media Group with the support of the Eurasian Creative Guild. After
Kazakhstan is launching an export hub in Southeast Asia. The national export development institute QazTrade and the Malaysian company Kaztera have signed a memorandum of cooperation under which Kaztera received the status of the official operator for promoting Made in Kazakhstan products in the ASEAN market. This partnership gives Kazakhstan direct access to one of
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $250 million loan for Uzbekistan to support a program aimed at expanding equitable access to student financing in higher education and in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) (the EduImkon Program). Over the next three years, this program will help strengthen the student financing support
Afghanistan’s economy is expanding for the second consecutive year, supported by low inflation and stronger revenues. However, rapid population growth, a widening trade deficit, and persistent poverty continue to weigh on the country’s outlook, according to the World Bank’s latest Afghanistan Development Update. The report provides a comprehensive assessment of recent economic developments and the medium-term
On December 10, the United States celebrated the handover of its 16th shipment of food assistance to Uzbekistan, continuing long-standing cooperation in health and humanitarian support, the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent said. The latest delivery includes 131 metric tons of vitamin- and mineral-fortified lentil and vegetable mix valued at $448,000 and is set to benefit
The European Union has disbursed a EUR 7 million grant to the Government of Uzbekistan in support of the continued implementation of the country’s Agricultural Development Strategy 2020–2030. The announcement was made by EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan Toivo Klaar during his meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov. The meeting provided an opportunity to
The European Union and Tajikistan on December 10 marked the successful completion of two newly constructed pipelines in the city of Istiklol (formerly Taboshar), an important milestone under the EU’s long-standing commitment to improving environmental safety and addressing uranium legacy sites in Central Asia, the Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan reported. The opening ceremony,
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is extending a loan of up to US$ 70 million (€60 million) to Hamkorbank, a major private lender in Uzbekistan. Provided in the synthetic local currency, the loan will be used to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across the country. MSMEs create about
Kazakhstan’s Satbayev University, a technical university located in Almaty, has signed an agreement with the French energy company Total and the University of Lorraine for the launch of an educational program at Satbayev University to train personnel for the Mirny wind energy project in the Zhambyl region. The document was signed by Samgat Yermekbayev, First
Great Britain’s Kurash wrestlers produced some fine performances at the Paris International Tournament, achieving a gold and a bronze medal. This prestigious event, held in honour of the birthday of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, took place under the embracing shadow of the historic Eiffel Tower. The iconic tower was beautifully lit for the
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is extending a financing facility of up to US$ 50 million (€43 million) to Ipak Yuli Bank to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Uzbekistan, improving access to green finance and stimulating green innovation. The package consists of two complementary components designed to
At a Government session on December 9 chaired by Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, the current water management situation was reviewed. Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev reported on the risks of the upcoming growing season and the preventive measures to ensure irrigation water supply for farmers. He reported on the results of working trips
On December 9, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed plans on financing for cotton and grain cultivation, as well as a new subsidy system for the agriculture sector. A total of 34.2 trillion soums is planned for the cotton and grain cultivation, subsidies and other expenses next year. Additionally, there are plans to attract an extra $200
SOCAR (State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic) and Uzbekneftegaz, Uzbekistan’s oil and gas company have launched a joint exploration project in the Ustyurt region in Uzbekistan’s Karakalpakstan. The Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) for the exploration, development, and production in the Ustyurt investment blocks (Boyterak, Terenqquduq, Birgori, Kharoy, Korakalpok, and Kulboy) was signed in July
Governments of five Central Asian countries could raise GDP per capita by 6 to 14 percent above projected levels by 2050 by increasing investments in children’s health, education, and development, according to a new report released by UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund. According to “Generation 2050 in Central Asia,” the Central Asian region has
The World Bank Group has released the Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) for the Kyrgyz Republic providing a comprehensive roadmap toward helping the country reach its socio-economic goals and build economic resilience. Kyrgyzstan continues to experience more frequent and intense storms and landslides, severe heat waves, and droughts, which present real costs to the
The Anti-Corruption Agency of Uzbekistan on December 3 hosted the presentation of the National Integrity System Assessment (NISA) of Uzbekistan — a comprehensive study evaluating the country’s anti-corruption framework and its alignment with international standards. The event gathered over 80 participants, including senior representatives of the Government of Uzbekistan, such as the Ministry of Justice, General Prosecutor’s Office, Supreme Court
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and Eurasian Logistics Park (ELP) have launched one of Kazakhstan’s largest Class A warehouse complexes. Covering more than 50,000 m2, the facility will become a key hub for e-commerce and international trade in Central Asia. The EDB began financing the project in 2024, providing KZT 16.6 billion to construct the Eurasian
On December 5, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in a ceremony marking the launch and start of construction of new energy capacities and infrastructure facilities. By pressing a symbolic button, the President launched the operation of 42 energy facilities and the construction of 21 new projects. The event was attended by Minister of
On December 5, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting with the heads of leading Chinese companies to discuss expanding cooperation and advancing joint projects aimed at introducing modern technologies and engineering solutions in the energy sector. The growing interest of Chinese companies in implementing projects in Uzbekistan was noted with satisfaction. This year
