Authorities in Russia have once again proposed sending immigrants who have received Russian citizenship to fight in Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry has increased the size of payments for those who sign contracts to join Russian troops fighting in Ukraine. An article published by Radio Azattyk (RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service) reveals how Russia lures Central Asians
Kyrgyz government spokesman Nazirbek Borubaev said on July 30 that 94 percent of the 972-kilometer Kyrgyz-Tajik border had been agreed upon by officials from the two Central Asian nations, RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service reported. Borubaev added that discussions between Kyrgyz and Tajik officials on defining the remaining sections of the border will be held on August
The implementation of the National Project “Comfortable School” was considered at a meeting in the Government on 29 July under the chairmanship of First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar. As reported by the Kazakh Government’s press service, the National Project “Comfortable School” provides for building 369 schools of a new format for 740 thousand pupils
The Youth Camp, organized within the framework of the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) programme on strengthening community resilience and regional cooperation to prevent violent extremism (PVE) in Central Asia, was launched on July 29 at Suleyman Demirel University (SDU) in Almaty. In Kazakhstan, this initiative, funded by the Government of Japan, aims to empower
Uzbekistan’s Central Election Commission announced on July 26 that parliamentary and local elections will be held in the Central Asian nation on October 27, RFE/RL’s Uzbek Service reported. Those up for election include 150 members of the parliament’s lower chamber, the Legislative Chamber; 56 members of the upper chamber, the Senate; and 65 members of the Supreme
According to Kyrgyzstan’s National Statistical Committee, in 2023 trade turnover between Kyrgyzstan and China amounted to $5.433 billion, including Kyrgyzstan’s exports at $80.5 million and imports at $5.353 billion. In January-May 2024, bilateral trade amounted to $2.712 billion, including Kyrgyz exports at $38.8 million and imports at $2.673 billion. Chinese statistics on trade with Kyrgyzstan
The President of Uzbekistan earlier this month signed a resolution “On measures to implement the investment project for the production of alternative thermal energy from medical waste”. The project will be implemented by a U.S. company, Sayar LLC, which has established a project company in Uzbekistan, called Sayar Green. An Investment Agreement has been signed
Russian human rights defender Valentina Chupik says new legislation on migration adopted by Russia’s State Duma this week will dramatically restrict the rights of labor migrants, Current Time reported. Thousands of men and women from Central Asia regularly come to Russia as migrant workers and provide a financial lifeline to those back home. Speaking to
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) says it has signed a transaction advisory services agreement with the Government of Kazakhstan for its Hydropower Development Program. ADB’s mandate is to work with the government to conduct pre-feasibility studies, assist in preparing auction documents and a template power purchasing agreement, and attract competitive offers to crowd in investors.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is promoting greater use of green technologies and creating growth opportunities for small firms in Kazakhstan by providing a financial package of US$ 60 million (€55.3 million) to the country’s major private lender, Bank CenterCredit (BCC). The package consists of a loan in Kazakhstan tenge equivalent to US$ 30
The Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Thailand, Arman Issetov, on July 24 met at the Thai Government Office with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Phumtham Wechayachai to discuss the implementation of the agreements reached during the recent visit of the Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Murat Nurtleu, to
Some 3,400 Tajik migrant workers have not been allowed to enter Russia and turned back to Tajikistan from Russian airports over the last six months, the director of the Tajik Civil Aviation Agency, Habibullo Nazarzoda, told reporters on July 24, RFE/RL’s Tajik Service reported. According to Nazarzoda, Tajik citizens were not allowed to enter Russia
Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov on July 22 attended the opening ceremonies of two small hydroelectric power plants (HPPs) in the country’s southern Jalal-Abad region. One HPP, Kok-Art, is located in the Suzak district of Jalal-Abad region. Its construction began in August 2023. The plant has a capacity of 6.8 MW and an estimated annual electricity
During the summer season, traveling to Borovoye resort by train has become even more popular among tourists in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan’s national railways company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) said that in June, 49 thousand passengers were transported to this picturesque place some 200 km north of Astana by electric trains, a 30% increase compared to June
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it has approved a $50 million policy-based grant to help the Government of Tajikistan foster a climate-responsive business environment and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the country. The Enabling Climate-Responsive Business Environment Improvement Program aims to transform Tajikistan’s business environment, including through digitalization, reforms to increase exports, improving infrastructure
Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has agreed with the presidential commission on clemencies to reject a pardon request filed by Karim Masimov, a once-powerful politician who was prime minister twice and is now serving 18 years in prison on charges of high treason and attempting to seize power during unrest in 2022, RFE/RL’s Kazakh Service reported.
Construction of the Surenata mining plant was launched last week in Parkent district of Uzbekistan’s Tashkent region, the Uzbek Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology reported. When completed, the new plant will produce 2.4 million tons of ore and one million tons of iron ore concentrate per year. China’s Limaomaoli Metal Company is expected to
According to the Kazakh Ministry of Transport, Kazakhstan’s airlines have transported about 5.5 million passengers since the beginning of this year, an increase by 17% compared to the same period last year. Today, domestic flights in Kazakhstan are operated by six airlines on 53 routes with a frequency of 640 flights per week. The state
Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov last week signed amendments to the Law “On Sustainable Development of the Ecological and Economic System of Issyk-Kul,” his press service said. Passed by the Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament) of the Kyrgyz Republic on June 12, 2024, the amendments allow private ownership of recreational facilities (hotels and guesthouses) at Lake Issyk-Kul by
The official opening ceremony of the Astana Genetic Center laboratory of the Chinese company BGI Group took place on July 19 at the National Center of Biotechnology in Astana. Kunsulu Zakariya, advisor to the President of Kazakhstan on Science and Innovation; Akmaral Alnazarova, Minister of Health; and Saule Sabyr, First Secretary of the Investment Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan
