The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a 90 billion tenge ($173.6 million equivalent) loan to Otbasy Bank JSC to expand access to affordable housing finance for women and offer green mortgage products for low- to moderate-income households across Kazakhstan. The Promoting Inclusive and Green Housing Finance Project will provide residential mortgage financing to more than 2,000
In accordance with a Presidential Resolution of March 25, 2026, three new national natural parks have been established in Uzbekistan and the territory of one existing park has been significantly expanded, according to the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change. The Ovjazsoy – Moviy Toglar and Pskem national natural parks have been established in
China’s General Administration of Customs has confirmed that Kyrgyz frozen fruit are now allowed for export to China after the registration of local frozen fruit producers with the China Import Food Enterprises Registration (CIFER) system, according to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry. Importantly, a separate quarantine permit, as for fresh
The Central Bank of Uzbekistan and the Asian Development Bank presented the results of a joint study of the financial situation of the population. The survey reflects the subjective perception of economic stress and the coping strategies of citizens, Tashkent Today reported. Key findings of the study: • 44% of respondents stated that their income
Small enterprises in Uzbekistan’s capital are announcing their closure. The number of posts on social media about the closure of stores, cafes, restaurants, and photo studios is growing. Owners cite a sharp decline in profitability amid rising costs as the main reasons, Tashkent Today reported. The key factors putting pressure on businesses are rising rental
The Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan has approved the Regulations on National Natural Heritage Sites of Uzbekistan. The document defines the status and categories of national natural heritage sites, sets out the procedure for compiling their official list and establishes rules for carrying out construction activities within these areas, according to the National Committee on
The first meeting of the Afghanistan–Uzbekistan Trade Council was held on 26 March at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan in Tashkent, with the participation of the heads of the chambers of commerce and council members from both countries, TOLOnews reported. According to the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, during the meeting,
On March 25, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was briefed on the establishment of the Tashkent International Financial Center, the launch of the International Center for Digital Technologies, and the introduction of Islamic finance mechanisms into the banking system. “Many international companies, having assessed regional risks, have already begun exploring new markets. For us, this is a
On March 24, a Roadmap for cooperation in nuclear and related fields between Rosatom State Corporation and the Atomic Energy Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan was signed in Tashkent. An additional agreement to the contract for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan was also signed. The documents were signed
The Government of Kazakhstan has approved the National Project “Development of Coal-Fired Generation.” The document defines Kazakhstan’s energy security strategy until 2030 and is aimed at eliminating the deficit of baseload capacities, demand for which is growing significantly amid industrialization and the development of the digital economy. The growth of the IT sector, the establishment
On March 23, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on priority nationwide projects in the field of ecology and environmental protection for 2026–2030. The presentation outlined a range of initiatives aimed at improving air quality, expanding green spaces across cities and regions, enhancing environmental education and culture, and strengthening the scientific and practical foundations for
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $200 million project to help Uzbekistan modernize transport infrastructure in the country’s Surkhandarya region. It will contribute to the creation of new jobs and businesses along a reconstructed section of the M41 regional road corridor. The project will also support the authorities in implementing comprehensive reforms
Children in large families eat less than in households with just one child, and the difference can be quite significant, finprom.kz reports citing data from the Bureau of National Statistics on average consumption of basic foods in families with different numbers of children for the fourth quarter of last year. The more children, the less
The Central Bank of Uzbekistan expects consumer lending growth to remain high (around 30%) in 2026, despite high interest rates. The main drivers of demand are rising household incomes and the realization of pent-up demand for mortgages, car loans, and microloans, Tashkent Today reported. According to the Central Bank, the volume of loans to individuals
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has proposed a balanced “middle path” strategy that could provide a solid foundation for the modernization of Central Asia’s power sector. This approach would ensure reliable and affordable energy supply, significantly reduce the carbon footprint, and enable a smooth energy transition that benefits the region’s economy and meets climate commitments.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is providing financing of up to US$ 15.4 million to Uzbekistan’s leading brewer, UzCarlsberg. The Bank’s third equity investment in the country since 2020 will help UzCarlsberg to expand its production capacity and increase the sustainability of the country’s food sector. The proceeds will be
A survey shows that Kazakhstan’s new Tax Code with an increased value-added tax (VAT) has led to growing anxiety among the population, with most respondents saying that the tax changes negatively impact their standard of living and cause growing expenses, making a significant portion of the population cut spending on basic items, including food, clothing,
Central Asia Capital, a Bishkek-based private equity fund, in partnership with the Russian Export Center, has launched a political risk insurance program for Russian investments in Kyrgyzstan. According to Central Asia Capital, the new program is aimed at safeguarding investments against political risks, including restrictions on fund transfers, currency inconvertibility, expropriation of assets, trade sanctions,
A regional online service center of ZTE has been officially launched at IT Park Uzbekistan. The new center will deliver modern digital services and technical support to clients in Uzbekistan, Central Asia, and Europe, according to the Uzbek government’s website. The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Digital Technologies, Sherzod Shermatov, who noted
Uzbekistan is a country in Central Asia that has undergone significant economic liberalization since President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took office in 2016. It is a doubly landlocked and a lower-middle-income country. The government’s “Uzbekistan 2030” strategy aims to achieve upper-middle income status by the end of the decade through private-sector development, foreign investment, diversification beyond commodities,
