According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Uzbekistan annually consumes 23% more water than nature can replenish. The country’s “water stress” level has reached 123%, officially confirming that the crisis has moved from prediction to reality, Tashkent Today reported. The situation remains uneven in the Central Asian region. Turkmenistan recorded
In China’s Fujian province, discussions were held regarding the localization of production and the launch of new Chinese enterprises with investments of up to $1.2 billion in Kazakhstan, according to the Kazakh Ministry of Trade and Integration. This was announced following the visit of Kazakhstan’s Minister of Trade and Integration, Arman Shakkaliyev, to Fujian province.
In 2025, microcredit organizations in Kyrgyzstan issued loans totaling approximately $983 million to more than 1.685 million recipients, according to the latest data released by the National Statistical Committee. Compared to 2024, the number of microloan recipients increased 1.5-fold and the amount of microloans issued grew by almost 32%, reflecting the growing role of microfinance in a
The situation on Kazakhstan’s roads has been deteriorating in recent years. According to the Legal Statistics Committee of the Prosecutor General’s Office, while 13,300 road accidents were recorded in the country in 2020, last year there were more than 36,100 road accidents, or 2.7 times more. However, the number of vehicles has not increased significantly
The President of Uzbekistan has signed a decree on developing a rapid response system for a sharp deterioration in air quality. By the end of 2026, the country will legislate an action plan that includes both protective measures for the population and restrictions for businesses, Tashkent Today reported. The planned measures include: • Alerts: prompt
As part of an official visit to China, Kazakh Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev participated in the “Export to China – SCO Selection” forum, which became one of the key platforms for promoting Kazakh exports to the Chinese market. Opening the forum, the Minister emphasized that Kazakhstan views China as a strategic partner
On April 1, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in a tree-planting event as part of the nationwide “Yashil Makon” initiative and launched the National Dendrological Park project. The National Dendrological Park is being established in Tashkent on an area of 108 hectares. This year, an in vitro laboratory, as well as centers for medicinal plants,
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
