The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and the Ministry of Finance of Tajikistan have signed an agreement to finance the construction of the first section of the Labijar–Kalai-Khumb highway. The project is of strategic importance for the development of the country’s transport infrastructure; it will strengthen transport links between the districts of republican subordination and the
In the first quarter of 2026, Kazakhstan’s foreign trade reached $32.9 billion, an increase of 10.5% compared to $29.8 billion in the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Trade and Integration. The growth confirms the increasing role of high value-added products in the country’s exports, which grew by 9.4% to $18 billion
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has officially opened its representative office in Uzbekistan. The opening of the representative office in Tashkent was a logical step following Uzbekistan’s accession to the EDB in 2025. The Bank is now commencing full‑scale investment operations in the country. Nikolai Podguzov, Chairman of the EDB Management Board, stated: “In the
Kazakhstan is taking steps to support products labeled “Made in Kazakhstan” not only in retail chains but also online platforms. The Ministry of Trade and Integration has prepared legislative amendments strengthening the rules for promoting domestic goods both in offline retail trade and e-commerce. According to the proposed legislation, online marketplaces will be required to
Kazakhstan has begun exporting its oilseed products to Iran through the Caspian Sea in a move capable to increase supplies and diversify export routes, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. The first shipment of rapeseed oil was sent from the Kazakh port of Aktau, marking an important step in strengthening Kazakhstan’s position in oilseed
Specialists from Russia and Uzbekistan are currently conducting technical and economic studies for the trans-Afghan railway project, TOLOnews reported citing Russian Railways. The project aims to establish a railway corridor linking Central and South Asia through Afghanistan. Sergey Pavlov, First Deputy General Director of Russian Railways, said during a meeting of the Railway Transport Council
The World Bank Group’s Board of Directors on May 14 discussed a new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Kazakhstan for fiscal years 2026–2031, aimed at supporting the country’s transition toward a more diversified, competitive, and resilient economy. The framework is structured around three outcomes: 1) strengthening connectivity and infrastructure services; 2) enhancing resilience through improved natural
Of course, the transition of the Former Soviet Republics from Communism to Market Economy witnessed a dramatic fall in infrastructure spending. Consequently, different republics progressed at different speeds, though with an increasing realization that such spending is necessary to develop their economies. Ironically, it is their western counterparts who are arguably underinvesting in their own
According to a study by the Scientific Research Institute of Family and Gender, in 2025, there were an average of 175 divorces per 1,000 families in Uzbekistan. Experts note that this figure is significantly lower than international standards, confirming the stability of family values in the country, Tashkent Today reported. Comparison with some post-Soviet countries
On May 14, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a meeting on measures to expand industrialized intensive orchards across the country’s regions. Uzbekistan is consistently implementing measures to develop fruit and vegetable cultivation, expand the production of export-oriented products, and increase rural incomes. Today, the country has 572,600 hectares of orchards and vineyards, generating annual exports worth
Aziz Abdukhakimov, Adviser to the President of Uzbekistan on Environmental Issues and Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, met with the leadership of Vision Invest and SUEZ to discuss the implementation of a project aimed at establishing a high-tech industrial waste management cluster in Uzbekistan, the National Committee reported. The project
On May 13, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev approved proposals to ensure high-quality and safe passenger services, as well as increase the efficiency of the Tashkent metro. The growth in the population and the number of visitors to the capital, the expansion of the city, and increasing demand for public transport require taking metro development to a new
Kazakhstan’s economy is expected to remain resilient over the medium term, though growth is set to moderate following a period of strong demand-led expansion, according to the World Bank’s latest report Kazakhstan Economic Update, Strengthening Skills to Unlock Productivity. After a robust 6.5 percent expansion in 2025 — driven by strong domestic consumption and a one-off boost
The first return shipment has been organized along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) from Türkiye to China via Kazakhstan. KTZ Express, a subsidiary of Kazakhstan’s national railway company, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), in collaboration with Türkiye’s Pacific Eurasia Lojistik Dış Ticaret A.Ş. sent a container train from Türkiye to China via Kazakhstan, according
Turkmenistan has put into operation a new dry cargo vessel, Gadamly. This historic event is expected to strengthen Turkmenistan’s position in the Caspian Sea region as an important transport and transit corridor. Built at the Balkan Shipyard in Turkmenbashi city in collaboration with Koryo Shipbuilding Industry Technology (Republic of Korea), Gadamly is designed for the
On May 11 in Beijing, during his state visit to China, the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon held a meeting with the heads and representatives of Chinese companies. Rahmon presented Tajikistan’s favorable economic climate and extensive opportunities, and called on Chinese companies to actively cooperate and participate in the country’s dynamically developing economy. Following the
The Governor of Uzbekistan’s Fergana region, Khayrullo Bozorov, met with Stanislav Kushnir, the founder of the U.S. company Sayat LLC., to discuss the implementation of an investment project in the Fergana region aimed at generating alternative thermal energy through the disposal of medical waste. Sayat LLC specializes in the construction of plants that produce alternative
Uzbekistan Airports JSC and Allied Biofuels FE LLC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support future cooperation on the supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and e-Sustainable Aviation Fuel (e-SAF) in Uzbekistan. According to Allied Biofuels, the agreement marks an important milestone in the development of Uzbekistan’s sustainable aviation fuel ecosystem. It supports the country’s ambition to become a regional hub for cleaner
The China-Europe Railway Express has made 130,000 trips by May 9, 2026, marked by the departure of a freight train from Zhengzhou, capital of central China’s Henan Province, bound for Hamburg, Germany, Xinhua reported. Total cargo value has exceeded 520 billion U.S. dollars, according to the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. The company said
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has joined the Foreign Investors Council (FIC) under the President of Uzbekistan as a full member. The FIC is an advisory body under the President of Uzbekistan, established to attract foreign direct investment and improve the investment climate. Its members include leading international financial institutions and major foreign companies operating