The Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kyrgyzstan, has begun developing the country’s first unified methodology for master planning growth hubs. To implement the Programme of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic on the formation and development of growth hubs
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $250 million financing package for Uzbekistan to improve municipal infrastructure and services for residents and businesses in 16 districts and cities across the country through the Livable and Productive Cities Program (LPCP). Over half of Uzbekistan’s 37 million people live in cities, a share expected to
On December 15, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was briefed on the ongoing work in the water management sector to increase energy efficiency, develop research potential, and strengthen international cooperation. Plans to replace outdated and energy-intensive pumping units with modern, energy-efficient ones, were reviewed. For instance, in Karakalpakstan, there are 274 pumping stations that irrigate over 185
Kazakhstan has prepared an Export Roadmap for Processed Oilseed Products for 2026–2028. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the Roadmap includes steps to expand the raw material base, modernize processing plants, develop logistics, and support farmers. The main goal is to increase the export of processed oilseed products—sunflower oil and sunflower millcake, an important component
U.S. Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Carson Relitz Rocker emphasized the strategic importance of critical minerals and rare earths in the global economy at the 2nd Annual International Mining and Metallurgical Investment Forum in Dushanbe last week, according to the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan. Chargé Relitz Rocker highlighted Tajikistan’s abundant mineral resources as a key opportunity for sustainable
The project board meeting of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) project “Enhancing the resilience of the local population and promoting green, inclusive development of the most vulnerable communities in the Aral Sea region” convened last week in Tashkent in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan and the Council of Ministers of the Republic
On December 12, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev participated in an International Forum in Ashgabat dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the proclamation of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality, the International Day of Neutrality, and the declaration of 2025 as the “International Year of Peace and Trust”. The event, chaired by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, was
On December 11, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian participated in the Kazakh-Iranian Business Forum in Astana. Tokayev reported that last year, bilateral trade exceeded $340 million. “We agreed to significantly increase trade turnover between our countries, with the goal of reaching $1 billion initially and $2 billion in the next stage.
The cover story of the latest issue of OCA Magazine’s special edition, OCA People, features Mariiam Tobokelova, an outstanding Kyrgyz musician and komuz player, and a veteran member of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London). OCA Magazine is a quarterly magazine published in London since 2009 by Silk Road Media Group with the support of the Eurasian Creative Guild. After
Kazakhstan is launching an export hub in Southeast Asia. The national export development institute QazTrade and the Malaysian company Kaztera have signed a memorandum of cooperation under which Kaztera received the status of the official operator for promoting Made in Kazakhstan products in the ASEAN market. This partnership gives Kazakhstan direct access to one of
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $250 million loan for Uzbekistan to support a program aimed at expanding equitable access to student financing in higher education and in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) (the EduImkon Program). Over the next three years, this program will help strengthen the student financing support
Afghanistan’s economy is expanding for the second consecutive year, supported by low inflation and stronger revenues. However, rapid population growth, a widening trade deficit, and persistent poverty continue to weigh on the country’s outlook, according to the World Bank’s latest Afghanistan Development Update. The report provides a comprehensive assessment of recent economic developments and the medium-term
On December 10, the United States celebrated the handover of its 16th shipment of food assistance to Uzbekistan, continuing long-standing cooperation in health and humanitarian support, the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent said. The latest delivery includes 131 metric tons of vitamin- and mineral-fortified lentil and vegetable mix valued at $448,000 and is set to benefit
The European Union has disbursed a EUR 7 million grant to the Government of Uzbekistan in support of the continued implementation of the country’s Agricultural Development Strategy 2020–2030. The announcement was made by EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan Toivo Klaar during his meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov. The meeting provided an opportunity to
The European Union and Tajikistan on December 10 marked the successful completion of two newly constructed pipelines in the city of Istiklol (formerly Taboshar), an important milestone under the EU’s long-standing commitment to improving environmental safety and addressing uranium legacy sites in Central Asia, the Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan reported. The opening ceremony,
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is extending a loan of up to US$ 70 million (€60 million) to Hamkorbank, a major private lender in Uzbekistan. Provided in the synthetic local currency, the loan will be used to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across the country. MSMEs create about
Kazakhstan’s Satbayev University, a technical university located in Almaty, has signed an agreement with the French energy company Total and the University of Lorraine for the launch of an educational program at Satbayev University to train personnel for the Mirny wind energy project in the Zhambyl region. The document was signed by Samgat Yermekbayev, First
Great Britain’s Kurash wrestlers produced some fine performances at the Paris International Tournament, achieving a gold and a bronze medal. This prestigious event, held in honour of the birthday of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, took place under the embracing shadow of the historic Eiffel Tower. The iconic tower was beautifully lit for the
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is extending a financing facility of up to US$ 50 million (€43 million) to Ipak Yuli Bank to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Uzbekistan, improving access to green finance and stimulating green innovation. The package consists of two complementary components designed to
At a Government session on December 9 chaired by Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, the current water management situation was reviewed. Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev reported on the risks of the upcoming growing season and the preventive measures to ensure irrigation water supply for farmers. He reported on the results of working trips
