Navruz originated in Central Asia and a number of Eastern countries in ancient times, when Zoroastrianism reigned here. Gradually, it acquired its own forms and outlines. It was enriched by new customs, rituals, and the experience of everyday life and it turned into a tradition. The answer to the question about the age of Navruz
Xinjiang Lihua (Group) Co., Ltd., one of the largest cotton-industry companies in China, is building a cotton-textile cluster in the Turan special economic zone in the Turkestan region of southern Kazakhstan. According to the Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture, the project is developing a full production cycle — from cotton cultivation to the production of finished
The World Bank has approved an additional financing of $11.45 million to support the Kyrgyz Republic’s efforts to improve the quality of primary health care services across the country. This funding will complement the ongoing Primary Health Care Quality Improvement Program, which is jointly supported by the World Bank, the German Development Bank (KfW), and the
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan jointly convened the Second Coordination Meeting of the Sustainable Economy and Finance (SEF) Working Group on March 20 in Ashgabat, UNDP Turkmenistan reported. The participants of the meeting, representing the Government of Turkmenistan and the country’s diplomatic community, were informed about the current
Cardiff University has announced the establishment of a new campus in Astana, Kazakhstan, set to open later this year. This milestone marks a significant step in the university’s ongoing global development and its commitment to delivering world-class education in Central Asia. According to the Kazakh Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Cardiff University Kazakhstan will
On March 22, in Baku, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kyrgyz Republic to Azerbaijan Maksat Mamytkanov took part in the ceremony of handing over 10 fire trucks provided by Azerbaijan free of charge. This step is aimed at strengthening the material and technical base of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic
From March 14 to 20, the Uzbek Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade organized the second monitoring visit of the European Commission delegation to Uzbekistan as part of the GSP+ system. In April 2021, Uzbekistan was granted beneficiary status under the Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+). This status allows the country to export more
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is providing a loan of up to US$ 10 million to Empire Manufacturing Kazakhstan (EMK) that will enable the company to begin coffee production at modernized facilities and create jobs. The EBRD’s senior loan will help EMK commission, build and equip a new coffee-processing facility
On March 21, the UN General Assembly adopted the Resolution “Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan.” The resolution recommends that the territories of neutral countries should be used for peace talks, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry reported. Introducing the Resolution, Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the United Nations Aksoltan Atayeva emphasized that the status of permanent neutrality is
An educational and amusement theme park, SilkRoadLand, may appear in Uzbekistan, becoming the world’s first oriental edutainment park and an attractive tourist destination. The following article by Taina Kaunis, originally published in the latest issue of OCA Magazine, reveals the details of this fascinating project: The modern world, despite certain economic and political tensions, supports
A grand event dedicated to the celebration of International Nowruz Day took place at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on March 18. The event was attended by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, heads of diplomatic missions, staff of the UNESCO Secretariat, and representatives of the Kyrgyz diaspora in France, the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry reported. The Ambassador
According to the Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture, over the past five years, Kazakhstan’s agricultural exports have grown by 51%, reaching $5.1 billion in 2024. The geography of exports covers 66 countries. The main sales markets remain the neighboring countries of Central Asia, Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries (Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia), as well as
On March 19, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade Laziz Kudratov held a meeting with Timothy Smart, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Great Britain to Uzbekistan. The discussion focused on key issues related to trade, economic, and investment cooperation, as well as the coordination of the event schedule for 2025. The parties emphasized
On March 16, the Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Kingdom, Ulan Djusupov, participated in a roundtable discussion on Central Asia and a cultural program organized by Cambridge University with the support of the embassies of Central Asian countries. The roundtable gathered ambassadors of Central Asian countries, the Ambassador of Azerbaijan, Lord John
On March 17, as part of the official visit of Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon to the Russian Federation, a virtual ceremony of the start of construction of two important social and humanitarian facilities in Tajikistan was held in the Kremlin. Rahmon and Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the construction of the State Russian Drama Theater
The strong partnership between Uzbekistan and the EU has been further deepened during European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela’s visit on March 18, with a strong focus on advancing Global Gateway cooperation. The visit focused on expanding digital connectivity, promoting sustainability and job creation through critical raw materials and developing the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor to
On March 18, Kazakhstan’s capital hosted the first meeting of the Association of Investors of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states. The founding meeting was attended by representatives of government agencies, as well as more than 20 investment agencies and funds of the SCO member states, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry reported. The participants of
On March 17, as part of his official visit to Japan, Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Takeshi Iwaya. The parties discussed key issues of enhancing political dialogue, as well as deepening trade, economic, investment, and cultural ties. The
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union are helping to improve water conveyance infrastructure for better water resource management, promote sustainable agriculture and create new jobs in Kyrgyzstan by financing the reconstruction and automation of a section of the Western Great Chui Canal, the EBRD announced. A financial package of up
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union are promoting sustainable water resource management and agriculture by financing upgrades to existing water conveyance infrastructure in Kyrgyzstan and helping to build new infrastructure in this area, the EBRD said. A financial package of up to €37.96 million, consisting of EBRD loan of €26.93
