Kyrgyzstan’s non-observed (shadow) economy, excluding the agricultural sector, accounted for 19.5% of GDP in 2024, marking a 0.3% increase from 2023’s 19.2% but a 0.7% decrease from 2022’s 20.2%, according to the latest data from the National Statistical Committee. The Committee reports a steady decline in the shadow economy’s share of GDP over recent years, estimated
For more than twenty-five years, I have worked to build cultural bridges between Uzbekistan and the wider world. As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, a translator of Uzbek literature, and the founder of Suhbat LLC, I have dedicated a significant portion of my life to introducing Uzbek voices to English-speaking audiences. In 2019, that work
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is helping to meet growing demand for industrial infrastructure in the renewable energy and logistics sectors in Kazakhstan and across Central Asia by supporting the operations of Sarens Kazakhstan. The EBRD’s loan of up to €25 million (in KZT equivalent) to Sarens Kazakhstan, a fully owned
For the first time ever, pomegranates, quinces, and persimmons from Uzbekistan have been exported to the United Kingdom as part of the latest shipment of Uzbek agricultural products, official information agency Dunyo reported. A total of three tons of produce was delivered via Uzbekistan Airways on the Tashkent-London route late in December. The exporter responsible
A 45-container China-Europe freight train loaded with photovoltaic modules belonging to the China Energy Engineering Group has departed from the city of Xi’an, Azerbaijan’s AZERTAC state news agency reported. This is the first train to depart from China via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, or the Middle Corridor, in 2026. The train, which departed on
In his New Year’s greetings to the people of Uzbekistan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev declared 2026 the “Year of Development of the Mahalla and Society.” In Uzbekistan, mahalla means a neighborhood or local community and is a key part of civil society. Mirziyoyev stated that in the new year, “we will improve the infrastructure of thousands
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Alibek Kuantyrov and Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakh Invest National Company JSC Madiyar Sultanbek on December 30 held a working meeting with Xu Jie, General Director of Xinjiang Lihua (Group) Co., Ltd., according to the Kazakh Foreign Ministry. During the meeting, the parties discussed the
Eurasian Star wishes its readers peace, good health, and new opportunities in 2026. In the new year, we will continue to help you explore the political, economic, and cultural diversity of the vast Eurasian region.
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has released a new report, entitled “China and the Eurasian Region: Analysis of Investment Flows based on EDB Monitoring of Mutual Investments”. The report provides detailed information on mutual foreign direct investments (FDI) between China and 13 countries of the Eurasian region (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia,
Mobile services are becoming a key channel for accessing public services: since the beginning of 2025, Kazakhstani citizens have received more than 51.5 million services online, almost half of which were delivered via the eGov Mobile application, according to the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. As of today, around 90% of public services
A delegation from Iran, led by Jabbar Ali Zakeri, head of the country’s railway administration, has visited Afghanistan to explore connecting Iran’s railway network to China through Afghan territory, TOLOnews reported. The primary focus of the project is the Herat–Balkh railway corridor, considered a vital transit route that would link Central Asian countries and China
On December 30, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev inspected energy facilities under construction on the territory of New Tashkent, which is currently under construction. The modern trigeneration technology allows to simultaneously ensure the city with the heating and cooling, spending twice less energy than traditional sources. Production processes in traditional heating plants or cooling systems are
A China-built modern railway was put into operation last week in Georgia, a key transit country for cargo and passenger transport between Asia and Europe, Xinhua reported. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishvili, Director General of Georgian Railway Lasha Abashidze and about 150 guests attended the inauguration ceremony
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has published the Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Trends 2025/2026 report, focusing on foreign direct investment dynamics across countries in the region. According to the report, by the end of 2025 Kazakhstan became the largest recipient of investment in new (greenfield) projects in
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan, the Karakalpak Research Institute of Agriculture, and the Rice and Grain Association, convened an international roundtable on “Combating Soil Degradation in the Aral Sea Region and Adaptive Agriculture.” The event brought together leading agricultural experts from Uzbekistan and Russia, representing
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is helping micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Uzbekistan to improve their access to green finance and promote green innovation by providing fresh funds under its Uzbekistan Green Economy Financing Facility II (GEFF II Uzbekistan). An EBRD loan of up to US$30 million (€25.7 million) under
With the strategic support of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Turkmenistan continues its cooperation aimed at strengthening the national healthcare system and creating preventive, accessible, and digitalized medical services. As part of this collaboration, an advanced tuberculosis screening technology using artificial intelligence (AI) has
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has presented its Macroeconomic Outlook for the Bank’s member states for 2026–2028. EDB analysts expect aggregate GDP growth across the seven member states to reach 2.3% in 2026, with most countries maintaining high levels of economic activity. In 2026, GDP growth is projected at 5.3% in Armenia, 1.8% in Belarus,
In his Address to the parliament and people of Uzbekistan on December 26, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev identified ensuring environmental balance, advancing green energy, and promoting the sustainable and rational use of water resources as a strategic priority for the nation. Reducing harmful emissions According to the President, in order to mitigate the environmental impact of
On December 26, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev addressed the Uzbek parliament and the people of Uzbekistan. According to the President, significant achievements have been made in all spheres in 2025. For the first time in the country’s history, gross domestic product exceeded $145 billion, exports increased by 23 percent, reaching $33.4 billion, and the gold reserves exceeded
