The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is supporting the development of small businesses owned or led by women and the deployment of green technologies in Kyrgyzstan by providing a financial package of US$ 8 million (€ 7.6 million) to the country’s major microlender FINCA Bank Kyrgyzstan (FINCA). The package will consist of
Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakh Invest national company Yerzhan Yelekeyev and Director of Harvest Agro Holding LLP Daulet Uvashev have signed a framework agreement to implement a large-scale agro-industrial cluster project. The project envisions the conversion of 150,000 hectares of pasture and grazing lands into irrigated agricultural land using underground water and modern water-saving technologies
On June 1–2, the Second Uzbekistan–China Interregional Forum was held in Samarkand, strengthening the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and China, enhance interregional cooperation, and expand investment and business ties. The forum brought together more than 2,800 representatives from the business communities, government bodies, regional administrations, as well as academic and educational institutions of both countries.
Afghanistan’s power company Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) announced that discussions are ongoing with Turkmenistan over the roadmap to begin work on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) Power Transmission Project in Afghanistan, TOLOnews reported. According to company officials, Turkmenistan has committed to implementing the project, and once completed, Afghanistan will annually receive between 300 to 350 megawatts
At the 7th ECG Film Festival, which ended on May 27 in London, several participants from Kazakhstan were awarded prizes. Organized by the Eurasian Creative Guild and serving as a cultural bridge between Eurasia and the British audience, the festival was held at the Lumiere Romford cinema and brought together films and authors from 23
Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Labor, Social Security and Migration Ravshanbek Sabirov last week in Bishkek met with Hitoshi Kanamori, President of IM Japan, the largest organization that accepts foreign technical interns in Japan, to discuss opportunities for organized employment of Kyrgyz citizens in Japan. The Kyrgyz side expressed its readiness to ensure proper training of skilled
On 30 May 2025, the first Central Asia + Italy Summit was held in Astana with the participation of Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov, Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic Giorgia Meloni. The leaders exchanged views on
The Second Uzbekistan–China Interregional Forum will be held on June 1–2 in the city of Samarkand. This large-scale event aims to strengthen strategic partnerships, foster interregional cooperation, and expand investment and business ties between Uzbekistan and China. The Forum is expected to bring together over 1,500 participants, including representatives from business communities, government bodies, regional
Kazakhstan continues to deepen its capabilities in key sectors – from digital technologies and AI to clean energy and value-added manufacturing, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at the Plenary session of the Astana International Forum on May 29. According to Tokayev, Kazakhstan is making significant progress in digital transformation, reflecting its desire to become an IT
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni paid an official visit to Uzbekistan. On May 29, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Meloni held talks in Samarkand. The parties noted that trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Italy has grown almost threefold in recent years, the number of joint ventures and projects has doubled. Mutually beneficial
The Kazakhstan–Italy Business Forum was held in Astana on May 28. In his welcoming remarks, Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov highlighted the significant role of the business forum in expanding trade and economic ties between Kazakhstan and Italy. He noted that the strategic partnership between the two countries is dynamically developing thanks to the efforts
As part of Kazakhstan-France Business Forum in Astana on May 28, 15 bilateral agreements were signed between government bodies, national companies, and business entities of the two countries. The agreements span strategic sectors such as energy, healthcare, technology, logistics, agriculture, education, and sustainable development, Kazakh Invest reported. One of the key documents was an Investment
On May 26-27, Dubai, United Arab Emirates hosted the second ministerial roundtable on advancing the construction of the Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant (HPP), an ambitious regional initiative being jointly undertaken by Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. The project aims to enhance regional cooperation regarding water and energy resource management in Central Asia. The Kambarata-1 HPP, with a
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved $60 million in financing to support the first phase of the One Health Program in Central Asia. The financing package includes a $30 million concessional credit for Kyrgyzstan and a $30 million grant for Tajikistan to help strengthen their capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to priority
On May 27, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev listened to reports on the ongoing work to expand the drinking water supply and sewage services in the country. Today 81% of all cities and villages in Uzbekistan have access to centralized drinking water supply, and the sewage system coverage is 20%. In the current year, it is
As the renewable energy sector in Central Asia grows, so does the need for a skilled and inclusive workforce to support it. In response, the OSCE and the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) officially launched the OSCE Regional Task Force on Education for Just and Inclusive Energy Transition (RTEET) in Central Asia with a kick-off
Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry has begun the first-ever agronomic testing of citrus and olive crops, including oranges, mandarins, olives, and kumquats (a type of orange). Seedlings have been brought from Turkey for experimental planting in the Kadamjai district of Kyrgyzstan’s southernmost Batken region, where the agro-climatic conditions are most favorable
Under the auspices of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Astana International Forum 2025 will take place from May 29 to 30, as it continues its mission of fostering cross-border dialogues on international diplomacy and cooperation. Against a backdrop of global disruption and polarization, the Forum will bring together government leaders, business executives, and
During the opening ceremony of the 20th Western China International Fair, Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, stated that the Islamic Emirate has created a secure environment for investment in Afghanistan, TOLOnews reported. Muttaqi said that foreign traders and investors can confidently conduct business in the country, adding that Afghanistan, with its vast natural
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the government of China, through the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), will provide nutritious school meals to more than 100,000 children in Kyrgyzstan. This marks CIDCA’s first multilateral initiative in the country and in Central Asia through its Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund. To launch
