On June 9, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was briefed on measures to expand the adoption of digital solutions and artificial intelligence technologies in the mining and geology sector. The mining and geology sector plays an important role in the country’s economy. In 2025, enterprises in the sector accounted for 20 percent of total industrial output. Artificial
Construction of the first container ship with a capacity of 780 TEUs for Kazakhstan has begun at Azerbaijan’s Baku Shipyard. According to the Kazakh Ministry of Transport, the project is a collaboration between the national maritime shipping company Kazmortransflot and Abu Dhabi Ports Group. It will build two modern container ships designed for transporting containerized
On June 8, the Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan, Laziz Kudratov, met with the US Assistant Secretary of Commerce, David Fogel. The parties discussed the current status and future prospects for expanding bilateral trade, economic, investment, and industrial cooperation. It was emphasized that the United States remains a key partner for Uzbekistan, with
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the government of Kazakhstan are extending their long-term strategic partnership that will help to boost investment and drive forward reforms in the country, the EBRD said. The enhanced partnership framework arrangement (EPFA) between the EBRD and Central Asia’s largest economy was signed at the Bank’s 35th Annual
Companies owned and managed by women, households and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Tajikistan will have new growth opportunities and better access to green technologies and climate adaptation measures thanks to fresh funds provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The financing package of up to US$ 15 million (€12.9 million)
As part of the OpenAI delegation’s visit to Kazakhstan, a meeting was held with Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of Kazakhstan, Zhaslan Madiyev. The parties discussed cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence, the implementation of joint educational initiatives, the deployment of ChatGPT Edu tools, as well as future
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan will gain more access to long-term financing following IFC’s commitment of up to $10 million to Highland Central Asia Fund II. The investment will support job creation, private sector growth, and the development of the region’s private equity market, said IFC, a member of the World
The World Bank Group’s Board of Directors on June 3 discussed a new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for the Republic of Tajikistan for fiscal years 2026–2032. The new framework supports Tajikistan’s efforts to accelerate economic transformation, strengthen resilience, and improve living standards through private sector-led growth leading to job creation. The CPF brings together the full
Central Asia and Mongolia will remain resilient to geopolitical shocks and record the highest growth rates of the EBRD countries of operation in 2026 and 2027, according to the latest Regional Economic Prospects report published by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The economies of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are projected to grow by 5.6 per cent
Trade between Afghanistan and Russia saw significant growth in the Afghan solar year 1404 (March 2025-March 2026) compared to the year 1403 (2024/25), TOLOnews reported citing the Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce. According to statistics from the ministry, the total value of bilateral trade increased from $296 million to $590 million, indicating that trade
Afghanistan’s trade with Central Asian countries reached more than $1.27 billion in the first five months of 2026, including around $74 million of Afghanistan’s exports, TOLOnews reported citing the Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce. According to the ministry, dried fruits, fresh fruits, talc stone, vegetables, medicinal plants, and various types of juice are among
EuroChem, a leading Russian and global fertilizer producer headquartered in Switzerland, has launched a new sulfuric acid plant in the Zhambyl region of Kazakhstan with a production capacity of 800,000 tons per year. The new facility is part of EuroChem’s broader investment project in Kazakhstan. The Phase I included the launch of a phosphate ore
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan have signed a memorandum of cooperation under the Technical Assistance Fund (TAF). The document is aimed at supporting exports, product certification and the development of non-financial instruments for Uzbek businesses. TAF funds will be used for projects that help local
Kazakhstan’s agricultural exports to China increased by 82.4% in the first three months of this year, reaching $550 million. In 2025, Kazakh exports grew by 35.3% to $1.43 billion. This was announced at a meeting between Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture Yermek Kenzhekhanuly and Liu Huanxin, head of China’s National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration
Afghanistan’s economy continues to grow modestly – with real GDP estimated at 4.8 percent — despite regional tensions and border closures, driven in part by strong domestic demand and the return of millions of Afghans to the country. Yet this growth is not translating to better living standards or higher incomes. Rapid population growth of
Kazakhstan has launched the Rain Enforcement Program aimed at increasing water levels in reservoirs and providing more irrigation water to farmlands in the country’s arid southern region that experiences chronic water shortages and limits during summer growing seasons. According to the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, the program is designed to mitigate drought
Kyrgyzstan and China have launched a strategic project aimed at increasing coal exports to China. Kyrgyz and Chinese officials last week attended a time capsule-laying ceremony in the village of Nura in the southern Osh region to mark the official launch of the project with a total investment of $430 million. The project is being
Today, Uzbekistan stands among the fastest-growing e-commerce markets in Central Asia. The sector reached USD 1.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 1.8–2.2 billion by 2027, according to the Uzbek Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade. Market development is supported by 32.7 million internet users, the widespread adoption of digital payment solutions, and the steady expansion of logistics
Local officials in Afghanistan’s Bamyan say Uzbekistan’s private sector is planning to invest in potato production in the province, TOLOnews reported. A delegation led by the head of Uzbekistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Private Investment, during a meeting with the Bamyan governor, pledged to cultivate 40 metric tons of potato seeds on agricultural land in
The Third Uzbekistan–China Interregional Forum is being held on May 21 and 22, in China’s Xi’an. Under the theme “Shared Modernization through High-Quality Development,” the forum has brought together nearly 2,000 participants, including representatives from ministries and agencies, regional administrations, academic circles, business associations, leading companies, and entrepreneurs from both nations, according to the Uzbek