In line with the key objectives set for the development of the tourism sector through 2030, Uzbekistan plans to increase tourism’s share in the country’s gross domestic product from the current 3.5% to 7%. This will drive economic growth in related sectors and create new jobs, according to the Tourism Committee. In addition, a sharp
The National Research Center for Infectious Diseases (NRCID) was officially opened in Almaty on January 16. It is a key facility established on the instruction of the Head of State to strengthen the country’s biological security system. The establishment of the Center became a systemic response to the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and
Tajikistan is set to implement its first large-scale solar energy project with a total installed capacity of 500 MW. On January 13, an investment agreement was signed between the Government of Tajikistan and Ayon Energy LLC for the construction and commissioning of two photovoltaic power plants: a 250 MW solar power plant in Asht district
Kazakhstan’s state-owned railway operator, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), has secured up to $300 million equivalent in Swiss-franc-denominated financing from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and Standard Chartered (SC) for a project aimed at strengthening Kazakhstan’s rail efficiency and increasing its role as a regional transit hub, according to IFC.
On January 14, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed plans on increasing energy efficiency. According to international experts, Uzbekistan is among the most energy-intensive countries. In particular, almost 50 percent of the final energy consumption in the country accounts for the buildings, and the energy consumption per square meter is several times higher than in European countries.
This year Kazakhstan will continue diversifying its agricultural crop areas to reduce its reliance on wheat monoculture and expand the area under highly profitable crops for processing into products with higher added value. At a government meeting on January 13, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov announced that in 2026, the total area under crops
Kyrgyzstan has taken another step in the provision of its citizens with subsidized mortgage housing. In a ceremony on January 12, attended by President Sadyr Japarov, new owners received the keys to 1,080 mortgaged apartments as part of the second phase of the Muras residential complex construction in Bishkek. It is a project of the
To expand the coverage of geological exploration of the country’s territory using modern geological prospecting methods, the Government of Kazakhstan is launching a new stage of subsoil research this year at a more detailed scale. Twenty projects were developed last year to carry out geological surveying at a scale of 1:50,000 over a total area
On January 12, the President of Uzbekistan issued the Resolution “On measures for the establishment of the Fergana tourist and recreational zone.” The decision aims to effectively utilize the tourism potential of Fergana District, activate the resource capacity of mountainous areas, widely involve the local population in service and entrepreneurial activities, increase the district’s investment
In 2025, Kazakhstan’s automotive industry demonstrated its best performance ever. The country produced 171,144 vehicles of all types (passenger cars, buses, and trucks), a 17.8% increase compared to the previous year (145,290), according to the Kazakhstan Automobile Union. Passenger cars traditionally dominated the production, with 158,944 vehicles manufactured in 2025, up 19%. Production of commercial
Kazakhstan ranks fourth in terms of the number of enterprises with foreign capital in Uzbekistan, following China, Russia, and Turkiye, Dunyo information agency reported citing data from the Uzbek National Statistics Committee. As of December 1, 2025, 1,199 enterprises with Kazakh capital were operating in Uzbekistan. The majority of Kazakh-invested enterprises are concentrated in trade,
On January 12, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed plans of the country’s oil and gas company, Uzbekneftegaz, to increase natural gas reserves and production volumes, as well as to intensify geological exploration. In 2026, Uzbekneftegaz must increase the daily production of natural gas from 66 million cubic meters to 70 million cubic meters and produce not
In 2025, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the national railway company, transported for export 11 million tons of grain, a record high volume over the past 10 years and a 33% increase compared to 2024, according to KTZ. Grain export transportation to Central Asian countries increased by 30%, reaching 6.3 million tons. Exports to Kyrgyzstan
A new investment attraction mechanism, the “Availability Payment,” has been introduced in Kazakhstan to accelerate the development of industrial zones and create sustainable conditions for the long-term presence of investors. The pilot project is being implemented in West Kazakhstan Region on the territory of the Eurasia Cross-Border Trade Center industrial zone, where 17 investment projects with the participation of foreign investors are
On January 11, Uzbekistan celebrated the Day of Nature Reserves and National Parks. This date serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving nature, rare species of plants and animals, as well as natural landscapes and ecosystems. According to the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, the total area of protected natural territories
According to the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan, the country’s external debt as of October 1, 2025 totaled $75.4 billion. This includes $37.4 billion of government external debt and $38 billion of borrowings by private and state-owned enterprises without a government guarantee (corporate debt). According to international classifications, Uzbekistan’s government debt level
In 2025, QazTrade, a subordinate organization of the Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, continued implementing its export acceleration program. The program aims to comprehensively prepare Kazakhstani companies for entering foreign markets and covers the entire exporter journey: from initial assessment and training to supporting negotiations and concluding export contracts, according to the Ministry.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is promoting further growth in domestic production of pharmaceutical products in Uzbekistan by supporting the operations of leading local manufacturer Nika Pharm. Nika Pharm will use the EBRD loan of up to US$ 20 million to restructure its balance sheet and upgrade equipment and facilities in
At a government meeting on January 6, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov stated that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has declared 2026 the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence in Kazakhstan, and the government’s main goal is to introduce advanced technologies into all sectors of the economy, according to primeminister.kz. According to the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and
The Center for Economic Research and Reforms has released an analysis of poverty levels and household incomes in Uzbekistan for 2025, Dunyo official information agency reported. The analysis was prepared based on a study conducted by the National Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan in collaboration with the World Bank. According to the study, the poverty rate