On February 2 in Astana, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) hosted a joint Investment Forum aimed to explore proposals for enhancements to Kazakhstan’s investment legislation and to highlight important achievement supported by the USAID Kazakhstan Rule of Law Program, implemented by the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI). The
Kazakhstan ranks 8th in the world in the development of online services. In 2023, 50 million services were provided online and citizens received 92% of services without leaving their homes, the Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan, Bagdat Musin said, summing up the results of Digital Almaty-2024 forum held last week.
A meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council was held in Almaty on February 2, attended by heads of government of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) member countries — Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. Kazakhstan Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov reminded that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the signing of the EEU Treaty. Today
As part of the VI Digital Forum Digital Almaty 2024: “Industry X: Digital Evolution of the Future,” a panel session on the topic “Quality of Communication and Tariff Increases” took place on February 2. The panel session began with discussions about the “250+” project, in which mobile operators created infrastructure for high-speed mobile internet access
Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov has ordered to fully modernize the Bishkek thermal power plant after an explosion at the old plant on February 2 left parts of the capital city without hot water and heat. Three workers of the power plant were seriously injured in the explosion. President Japarov visited the plant as its staff
The first SCO Digital Forum was held on February 1 in Almaty, gathering the heads of ministries and agencies of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states responsible for the development of information and communication technologies. The SCO includes China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. In his welcoming remarks at the forum,
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have agreed to speed up the issue of opening an additional checkpoint for freight vehicles on the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border, as well as to strengthen cooperation in the water and energy sector. This was the result of the meeting between the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Alikhan Smailov and the Chairman of the Cabinet
On February 1, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan hosted a presentation of ongoing and planned US grants in the area of economic development. The event, organized together with the US Embassy in Tashkent, was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Muzaffar Madrakhimov, Director of the US Agency for International Development
Afghanistan’s acting Minister of Defense, Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, met with Abdulsalam Azizov, the head of Intelligence and Border Services of Uzbekistan, to discuss border issues, strengthening bilateral relations, and economic and transit cooperation, Afghan broadcaster TOLOnews reported on February 1. At the meeting, the Afghan minister said that the Islamic Emirate’s security forces are
According to the latest findings from the “Listening to Kazakhstan” survey conducted by the World Bank and presented at a roundtable in Astana on January 31, around 70 percent of Kazakhstan’s citizens express satisfaction with their life – a number that has remained the same since the start of the survey in 2021. This survey, conducted in
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on January 31 approved $25 million for the Higher Education Quality and Innovation Project for the Kyrgyz Republic to help improve the quality of research and strengthen labor market alignment of higher education programs. “The Higher Education Quality and Innovation Project is fully aligned with the National Development Strategy of
There are no political contradictions between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, Jeenbek Kulubaev, said during negotiations with the Deputy Prime Minister-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Murat Nurtleu, who was in Bishkek on an official visit on January 29th, 24.kz reported. Minister Kulubaev emphasized that Kazakhstan is an
The Global Gateway Investors Forum in Brussels on January 29-30 marks a pivotal moment in EU-Central Asia relations, particularly in enhancing transport connectivity. European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis’ announcement of €10 billion in investments underscores a commitment to sustainable development in Central Asia. With a focus on transforming the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, the
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Health, the National Scientific Center of Phtiziopulmonolgy (NTP), healthcare professionals, international donors, community leaders and medical representatives, on January 30 in Almaty held a capstone event to celebrate the achievements of its regional Eliminating Tuberculosis in Central Asia (ETICA) activity in Kazakhstan. The
Kyrgyz presidential spokesman Askat Alagozov told RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service on January 30 that President Sadyr Japarov will take part in the next presidential election scheduled for 2026. A day earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Edil Baisalov said that during a recent meeting with Japarov, the latter mentioned he will seek a second term. According to amendments
From February 1-3, Kazakhstan’s business capital, Almaty, will host the Digital Almaty 2024 forum, entitled “Industry X: The Digital Development of the Future”. Now in its sixth year, the forum will bring together government officials from Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) countries, leading experts, and entrepreneurs from around the world, said
The Global Gateway Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity opened on January 29 in Brussels, bringing together high-level representatives from the European Commission, EU Member States, Central Asia and Caucasus countries, and Türkiye. At the forum, European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis announced that European and international financial institutions will commit €10 billion in support and investments
As part of the Kazakhcreative groups’ tour in France, the Consulate General of Kazakhstan on January 27 organized a concert featuring the chamber-instrumental ensemble “FORTE TRIO” at the premises of the Association of European Parliamentarians in Strasbourg. The eminent Kazakh band presented to the residents and guests of the “European and Christmas capital” with masterpieces of world classics and
On January 27, a meeting was held between the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the managing director of the consulting company Goetzpartners Emerging Markets GmbH Vladimir Mathias and the senior advisor of this company Hans Gerd Prödel. The parties discussed construction of industrial facilities
The Board of Directors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved a new strategy for Uzbekistan, setting out the Bank’s priorities in the country until 2029. The Bank’s strategic approach to operations in Central Asia’s most populous state will be based on activities in three areas: supporting decarbonisation, greater water efficiency and cleaner energy; developing
