The Board of Directors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved a new strategy for Tajikistan, setting out the Bank’s priorities in the country to 2030. The new strategy reflects the EBRD’s commitment to supporting Tajikistan’s economic transformation through a comprehensive approach that combines financial investment with policy dialogue and technical assistance. In
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and the Smart City State Unitary Enterprise at the Dushanbe Executive Authority have launched a project to develop a digital platform for an electronic map of Dushanbe. The project is supported by the EDB Fund for Digital Initiatives and aims to create a unified digital environment for urban infrastructure management. The platform
On October 1, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held the first meeting of the Council for the Development of Artificial Intelligence. Tokayev emphasized that without the development of artificial intelligence, it is impossible to withstand global competition. He stated that digital systems and artificial intelligence have become essential for the country’s sovereignty and a driving force
Chairman of the Investment Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Gabidulla Ospankulov and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Kazakh Invest national company Madiyar Sultanbek met with Chen Guanfu, Vice President of Chinese corporation POWERCHINA. The parties discussed opportunities to expand POWERCHINA’s participation in investment projects in Kazakhstan in the fields of
A new crypto fund, Alem Crypto Fund, has started operating in Kazakhstan. It was established by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of Kazakhstan, managed by Qazaqstan Venture Group and registered within the ecosystem of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). The primary objective of the fund is to make long-term investments in
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and improving access to finance for young entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan by providing a loan of up to $7 million (€6 million) to local microlender Arnur Credit. The loan is extended under the EBRD’s Youth in Business (YiB) programme for Central
Uzbekistan’s exports to Afghanistan exceeded $873 million during the first eight months of this year, TOLOnews reported with reference to the Uzbek National Statistical Committee. According to Afghanistan’s National Statistics and Information Authority, the country’s exports to Uzbekistan stood at more than $28 million over the past six months. The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and
Deputy Chairman of the Board of Kazakh Invest national company, Madiyar Sultanbek on September 26 held a meeting with a delegation from the Jiujiang Economic and Technological Zone (China), led by Deputy Director of the Executive Committee Luo Gomin. Following the negotiations, the parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding providing for the development of joint investment
Since 2023, China remains a key trading partner of Kazakhstan, accounting for more than 20% of the country’s total trade turnover, according to analysts at the Association of Financiers of Kazakhstan (afk.kz). In the first half of 2025, Kazakhstan-China trade grew by 5.9%, reaching $14.9 billion. However, the growth was only due to Kazakh imports from
According to the latest figures published by the National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, the country’s foreign trade continued to decline, with a decrease in both exports and imports. In January-July 2025, Kyrgyzstan’s foreign trade totaled $8.7 billion, 6.4% down compared to the same period in 2024. Exports decreased by 13.3%, amounting to $1.5 billion, and
To expand access to finance for underserved entrepreneurs, IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—and DAVR-BANK have signed a $40 million loan agreement to boost lending to micro and small enterprises (MSEs) across Uzbekistan, with a focus on women-led businesses. The initiative aims to promote inclusive economic growth, empower small entrepreneurs, and create jobs. The
Madiyar Sultanbek, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakh Invest national company held a meeting with Yeonsu Oh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the South Korean company Microbus Co., Ltd. The parties discussed opportunities for the establishment of a modern industrial park K-Smart, which will integrate manufacturing, logistics, and educational functions; the development of
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is contributing to the development of green energy infrastructure and Uzbekistan’s long-term decarbonisation goals by supporting the operations of Techno Cable Group (TCG), which specialises in the manufacturing of copper and aluminium electrical cables used in the electricity infrastructure and renewable energy projects. TCG, which currently produces
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) expects the Central Asian economies of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to grow by 6.1 per cent on average in 2025, according to its latest Regional Economic Prospects report, published on September 25. This solid growth is supported by strong industrial output, robust domestic demand, investment,
The government of Kazakhstan and the Global Methane Hub on September 24 signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation in reducing methane emissions through national planning, monitoring, and regulations. The agreement underscores Kazakhstan’s commitment to identifying and mitigating methane emissions across all sectors, beginning with large-scale methane leaks in its oil and gas operations.
A ceremony was held in Astana on September 24 to launch the construction of an integrated agro-industrial complex for deep processing of grain and legumes. The event was attended by Minister of Agriculture Aydarbek Saparov, Mayor of Astana Zhenis Kassymbek, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alibek Kuantyrov. The project is being implemented by Kazak
Tajikistan has achieved remarkable progress in reducing poverty over the past decade, according to a new World Bank report. The Tajikistan Poverty and Equity Assessment says the national poverty rate declined from 56% in 2010 to about 20% in 2024. Over the same period, the share of the middle class increased more than fourfold, from 8% to
A meeting was held in New York (USA) on September 22 between Askhat Khassenov, Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas company KazMunayGas (KMG), and the leadership of U.S.-based technology company LanzaJet — CEO Jimmy Samartzis and Vice President of Commercial Operations Stefan Tiyon. The parties reviewed the results of the
Kazakhstan has for the first time exported 50 tons of wheat flour to the U.S. According to Kazakhstan’s QazTrade Center for Trade Policy Development, Kazakh flour is already available on Amazon and Walmart under the Eurasian Legacy brand. On Amazon, the product is priced at $14.50 per 1.36 kg package and is positioned as
Boeing and Uzbekistan Airways on September 22 announced the single largest order in the airline’s history as the flag carrier plans to acquire up to 22 787 Dreamliners. Uzbekistan Airways’ purchase of 14 787-9 airplanes, with options for eight more of the ultra-efficient jets, will modernize its Boeing widebody fleet while supporting nearly 35,000 U.S.
