The following article by Roger Holland, Founder & Managing Partner of a leading property advisory firm, published in the latest issue of OCA Magazine, provides an insight on Central Asia’s growing real estate market: For many, the housing and wider real estate markets have had a miserable year. Interest costs have increased alongside inflation of
According to the World Bank’s representative office in Uzbekistan, Tashkent recently hosted a presentation of the World Bank’s new report analyzing current migration trends, challenges, and opportunities in the Europe and Central Asia region. The report highlights that labor migration remains one of the key sources of income for millions of citizens in Central Asian
On March 27, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev listened to a government report on the fulfillment of tasks aimed at the development of nuclear energy in the country. Over the past five years, due to the implementation of a number of major energy projects, electricity production in Uzbekistan has increased by 30 percent and reached 81.5
The European Union and the five Central Asian countries reaffirmed their strong political commitment to strengthening engagement and deepening cooperation during the 20th EU-Central Asia Ministerial meeting, chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, on March 27 in Ashgabat. The Foreign Ministers of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as Deputy
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic have signed a technical assistance agreement to develop a pre-feasibility study for the Suusamyr-Kokomeren HPP Cascade Project. This agreement builds on the ongoing cooperation between the Bank and the Ministry under the Memorandum of Cooperation signed in December 2024.
The Afghan Ministry of Mines and Petroleum says that the largest investments in Afghanistan’s mining sector have been made by companies from Uzbekistan, China, Turkey, and Iran, TOLOnews reported. Hayatullah Afghan, spokesperson for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, stated that the total value of these investments is estimated at $8 billion. These companies have
The U.S. Embassy in Tashkent has announced the establishment of Honeywell Industrial Automation LLC, a new legal entity that marks a significant milestone in the United States’ commitment to mutually beneficial commercial ties with Uzbekistan. This expansion underscores the United States’ position as a business partner of choice and highlights American excellence in advanced industrial
Navruz originated in Central Asia and a number of Eastern countries in ancient times, when Zoroastrianism reigned here. Gradually, it acquired its own forms and outlines. It was enriched by new customs, rituals, and the experience of everyday life and it turned into a tradition. The answer to the question about the age of Navruz
Xinjiang Lihua (Group) Co., Ltd., one of the largest cotton-industry companies in China, is building a cotton-textile cluster in the Turan special economic zone in the Turkestan region of southern Kazakhstan. According to the Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture, the project is developing a full production cycle — from cotton cultivation to the production of finished
The World Bank has approved an additional financing of $11.45 million to support the Kyrgyz Republic’s efforts to improve the quality of primary health care services across the country. This funding will complement the ongoing Primary Health Care Quality Improvement Program, which is jointly supported by the World Bank, the German Development Bank (KfW), and the
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan jointly convened the Second Coordination Meeting of the Sustainable Economy and Finance (SEF) Working Group on March 20 in Ashgabat, UNDP Turkmenistan reported. The participants of the meeting, representing the Government of Turkmenistan and the country’s diplomatic community, were informed about the current
Cardiff University has announced the establishment of a new campus in Astana, Kazakhstan, set to open later this year. This milestone marks a significant step in the university’s ongoing global development and its commitment to delivering world-class education in Central Asia. According to the Kazakh Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Cardiff University Kazakhstan will
On March 22, in Baku, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kyrgyz Republic to Azerbaijan Maksat Mamytkanov took part in the ceremony of handing over 10 fire trucks provided by Azerbaijan free of charge. This step is aimed at strengthening the material and technical base of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic
From March 14 to 20, the Uzbek Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade organized the second monitoring visit of the European Commission delegation to Uzbekistan as part of the GSP+ system. In April 2021, Uzbekistan was granted beneficiary status under the Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+). This status allows the country to export more
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is providing a loan of up to US$ 10 million to Empire Manufacturing Kazakhstan (EMK) that will enable the company to begin coffee production at modernized facilities and create jobs. The EBRD’s senior loan will help EMK commission, build and equip a new coffee-processing facility
On March 21, the UN General Assembly adopted the Resolution “Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan.” The resolution recommends that the territories of neutral countries should be used for peace talks, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry reported. Introducing the Resolution, Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the United Nations Aksoltan Atayeva emphasized that the status of permanent neutrality is
An educational and amusement theme park, SilkRoadLand, may appear in Uzbekistan, becoming the world’s first oriental edutainment park and an attractive tourist destination. The following article by Taina Kaunis, originally published in the latest issue of OCA Magazine, reveals the details of this fascinating project: The modern world, despite certain economic and political tensions, supports
A grand event dedicated to the celebration of International Nowruz Day took place at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on March 18. The event was attended by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, heads of diplomatic missions, staff of the UNESCO Secretariat, and representatives of the Kyrgyz diaspora in France, the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry reported. The Ambassador
According to the Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture, over the past five years, Kazakhstan’s agricultural exports have grown by 51%, reaching $5.1 billion in 2024. The geography of exports covers 66 countries. The main sales markets remain the neighboring countries of Central Asia, Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries (Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia), as well as
On March 19, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade Laziz Kudratov held a meeting with Timothy Smart, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Great Britain to Uzbekistan. The discussion focused on key issues related to trade, economic, and investment cooperation, as well as the coordination of the event schedule for 2025. The parties emphasized
