@silkadv.com

09 May 2024
Central Asia, Uzbekistan Environment, Environment, Uzbekistan, Business & Economy, Uzbekistan Business & Economy

Favorable Water Volumes Forecast for Uzbekistan’s Amu Darya and Syr Darya Rivers

 According to the news agency UzA, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Water Management Shavkat Hamroyev told a parliamentary hearing that watersheds from the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers are forecast as favorable this year.

The announcement was made in response to Muqaddas Tirkasheva, a member of the lower house of parliament, who inquired, “water limits are agreed with Central Asian countries every year. Today, when we meet with voters, they often refer to the water shortage. There are concerns about whether the construction of the Qosh Tepa canal will affect the water of Amu Darya. How does this year’s forecast volume of water in the Amu Darya, Syr Darya, Zarafshan rivers  compare to previous years? What measures are being taken to ensure guaranteed water supply to economic sectors?”

Minister Hamroyev continued, “there are agreements among five countries regarding water allocations. Our recent meeting in Shymkent addressed reservoir water levels. Due to this year’s precipitation, it’s anticipated that water levels in the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers will match last year’s levels. Projections suggest 85–90% water in the Syr Darya and 90–95% in the Amu Darya compared to historical averages. Our reservoirs currently hold 1.5 billion cubic meters more water than last year.”


Avatar

Times of Central Asia

Image: Akorda.kz

09 May 2024
Central Asia, Lead Story, Home, Uzbekistan, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture, Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan Home, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics, Uzbekistan Life & Culture

Victory Day Comes in Central Asian Countries Without Much Pomp, but Plenty of Feeling

This year, as in previous years, the attitude toward Victory Day celebrations in Central Asian countries serves as an important political marker. The leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan are scheduled to attend the Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9. The leaders of Belarus, Cuba, Laos and Guinea-Bissau will also take part in the celebrations. The absences of the presidents of Uzbekistan, Armenia and Azerbaijan are particularly noticeable in that list.

It’s noteworthy that the Russian press is commenting on the different stances taken by the Central Asian countries in an extremely negative way — deliberately agitating discord between Russia and the region. It’s even been stated that Victory Day has been “canceled” in the region. Such are the broadcasts taking place against a backdrop of analysts’ opinions: that in the coming decades, Central Asian countries won’t be able to break the ties that bind them to their former Soviet master, as the economic dependence on Russia is only growing. This is especially true for Kazakhstan, as the lion’s share of Kazakhstan’s oil goes through Russian pipelines to Europe. In addition, a project increasing the transshipment of Russian hydrocarbons to China through Kazakhstan is in the works.

However, contrary to the opinion of Russian tabloids, the Central Asian countries remain reverent and respectful of the cultural institution that is Victory Day. Most residents of the republics are proud of their fathers and grandfathers who fought on the fronts of World War II. In particular, for several years in a row, Kazakhstan has maintained a leading role in terms of doling out state budget payments to veterans of World War II.

According to statistics, the size of a lump-sum social payment commemorating Victory Day in Kazakhstan, where 148 veterans live, averages $3,800. In Tajikistan there are 24 surviving veterans of World War II, and their payments amounted to $2,200-$2,300. Veterans in Uzbekistan received about $1,500, and in Belarus, Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan, about $1,100 apiece. Russia’s 12,500 surviving veterans in Russia will receive the least — the equivalent of only $107.

To be sure, Kazakhstan has not held military parades in honor of the holiday for a year. That move is explained by the need to save money. This spring, unprecedented floods — which affected almost half of the country — have pushed President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev’s administration to tend towards being thrifty and instead fund humanitarian aid and reconstruction. According to the Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan, the parade requires spending about 4 billion tenge ($9 million) — such a huge sum of money can be spent more impactfully on providing housing for the victims. Along with large-scale, WWII-related festive events in Kazakhstan, other important projects, such as international forums, have been canceled. Nevertheless, in his speech, President Tokayev not only congratulated veterans, but also emphasized the need to prepare for the 80th anniversary of the May 1945 victory, which is scheduled to be widely celebrated next year.

In Uzbekistan, May 9 is considered a Day of Remembrance, but nonetheless President Shavkat Mirziyoyev offered his congratulatory remarks, noting the invaluable contribution of the country’s residents to the victory. The country will hold festive events, and commemorative publications have been prepared. In Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, the opening ceremony of a memorial complex dedicated to those who died in the ‘Great Patriotic War’ was held. President Emomali Rahmon delivered a congratulatory speech.

Kyrgyzstan, like Kazakhstan, canceled this year’s procession of the Immortal Regiment, explaining that decision with a reference to the difficulty of security measures. After analyzing the operational situation in the country and Central Asia overall, there is reason to fear public provocations and terrorist attacks, according to the Kyrgyz Interior Ministry’s Public Security Service. Last year, more than 50,000 people took part in the Immortal Regiment’s appearance in Bishkek. Turkmenistan also contributed to the holiday. A concert dedicated to the 79th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War and other events was held in Ashgabat.

It remains perplexing for the Russian media to accuse the Central Asian countries of canceling their parades, processions and events –especially since Russia itself has done the same. Due to existing threats to public safety, the central headquarters of the Immortal Regiment of the Russian Federation decided not to hold a physical procession in 2024 in front of the public. The reason given was the same danger of terrorist attacks which was cited in Central Asia — which after the attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue in the Moscow region on March 22, is by no means an empty reason.

Overall, although Central Asian countries haven’t been holding mass public events in honor of Victory Day for several years, the atmosphere of the holiday is preserved — and most importantly, the authorities are still actively supporting the small number of veterans and their families who have been affected by the war to the present day.

Avatar

Times of Central Asia

akorda.kz

09 May 2024
Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan Favor EEU Economic Integration

On May 8, Russian President Vladimir Putin, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan convened in Moscow for a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council – the governing body of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).

The event, which marked the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Russian-led economic integration bloc, was also attended by heads of the EEU observer states, President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

In his address, Kazakhstan President Tokayev remarked that in the relatively short period since the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union was signed in Astana ten years ago, cooperation between the parties has contributed greatly to the development of Kazakhstan’s economy, and stated: “The correctness of the chosen vector of development of our association has been confirmed by the macroeconomic results of the past decade. Thus, Kazakhstan’s trade turnover with the EEU member countries has increased 1.7-fold and reached $28.5 billion.”

Referencing the positive potential for EEU cooperation with rapidly developing countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, he urged EEU member states to join the Ashgabat Agreement on the creation of an International Transport Corridor to engage with markets in the Persian Gulf.

The Kazakh president also emphasized the need for improvements to trade links between Europe and Asia, North and South, and warned that unless renewed, the existing infrastructure in the Eurasian region will continue to deteriorate.

Citing the modernization and expansion of transport and logistics infrastructure as a key priority, he stated, “In Kazakhstan, we plan to repair 11,000  and build over 5,000  kilometers of new railways by 2030. As part of the Belt and Road initiative, a Kazakh terminal, built in the Chinese city of Xi’an, accounts for up to 40% of all container traffic on the China-Europe route. There are also plans to launch 5 cross-border transport and logistics hubs on Kazakhstan’s borders with Russia, China, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, and on the Caspian Sea.”

Kyrgyz President Japarov announced that further development of Eurasian economic integration, including the creation of a single market for goods and services without barriers, a common energy market, and freedom of movement of labor resources, remains a priority for Kyrgyzstan.

Regarding benefits afforded by Kyrgyzstan’s membership of the EEU, Japarov said that the country’s trade with EEU member states has grown by 76%, from $2.5 billion to $4.4 billion, its exports to EEU countries have tripled from $410 million to $1.23 billion, and its imports  increased by more than 50%, from $2 billion to $3 billion. Apart from gold, 80% of Kyrgyzstan’s exports go to the EEU countries.

The Kyrgyz president also emphasized the importance of linking the EEU and the Chinese Belt and Road initiative.

Despite the current observer status of his country and the EEU, Uzbek President Mirziyoyev reported that over the past three years, trade between Uzbekistan and the EEU has grown by 60 percent.

Looking ahead, he announced, “Uzbekistan is interested in expanding practical partnership and more active participation in the implementation of multilateral projects of interaction with the EEU.”

He too, reiterated the importance of developing the North-South transport corridor to increase trade with South and Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

 

 

Avatar

Times of Central Asia

St. Basil’s Cathedral, Red Square, Moscow; photo: TCA

08 May 2024
Central Asia, Lead Supplementary 2, Home, International Affairs

Central Asian Leaders Gather in Moscow for Economic Meeting, WWII Anniversary

At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Central Asian leaders are arriving in Moscow ahead of celebrations on Thursday of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan arrived in the Russian capital “on a working visit” and will participate in commemorations of the 79th anniversary of victory over the Nazis, Russia’s state-run Tass news agency has reported. It said that Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov arrived in Moscow on Tuesday. The leaders of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan will also be in town, according to Russian presidential aide, Yuri Ushakov.

Putin, who was inaugurated to a fifth term on Tuesday, was scheduled to attend a meeting of the Eurasian Economic Council, a regional trade group, on Wednesday. Also on the guest list were other leaders of member states of the group, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus and Armenia, the Kremlin said. Uzbekistan and Cuba were attending as observer states. Russia has looked to Central Asia to serve as a conduit for trade with as it seeks to circumvent Western sanctions imposed because of its invasion of Ukraine.

Russia has said that only representatives from “friendly countries” were invited to the May 9 ceremony in Red Square, an opportunity for Putin to stir patriotic pride and showcase military might in the third year of war in Ukraine. Central Asian countries, as former Soviet republics, were critical to the Soviet war effort in World War II, and have been holding their own solemn commemorations in recent days.

Whilst nurturing relations with China and the West, Central Asia countries retain close economic and security ties to Moscow.

Avatar

Times of Central Asia

@kun.uz

08 May 2024
Central Asia, Uzbekistan, International Affairs, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Uzbekistan and the EU Celebrate 30 Years of Mutually Beneficial Cooperation

A festival to celebrate the 30th anniversary of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the European Union (EU) will be held on 18 May at Tashkent’s Botanical Garden.

Welcoming the event, EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan Charlotte Adrian, stated,  “The partnership between the European Union and Uzbekistan remains strong, from the signing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) to the strengthening of GSP+ [Generalized Scheme of Preference Plus] trade relations and joint commitments to improve human rights.”

The festival will feature an exhibition of EU-funded projects including an interactive platform for young people, students and other visitors.   The ‘Climate Change and Resilience in Central Asia’ project will be highlighted through an interactive game, quizzes and question-and-answer sessions, whilst  ‘Made in Uzbekistan’  will showcase goods from EU-AGRIN (Uzbek Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation System) in tasting sessions of local produce.

Celebrations will close  with a grand gala concert dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the partnership.

Interaction with the EU , one of the main priorities of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy, is evidenced by the country’s accession in 2021 to the GSP+ system of preferences, which enables   6,200 categories of goods to be exported to Europe duty-free. In this regard, General Director of BMB Trade Group Mirgulom Usmanov noted that agri-food companies in Uzbekistan are now growing and processing varieties of fruit and vegetables to meet the demands of  the European market.

In the first 10 months of 2023 alone, the volume of mutual trade between Uzbekistan and the EU grew by 36 percent year-on-year to $4.8 billion.

An important step towards revitalizing the partnership  was taken in the adoption of a resolution that calls for a review of the EU’s strategy towards Central Asian countries and as stressed by  the report,  “The EU is extremely interested in deploying efficient trade and energy corridors between Europe and Asia, bypassing Russia.”

Avatar

Times of Central Asia

Kazakh Ministry of Industry & Construction

08 May 2024
Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Home

Kazakhstan Set to Reimburse Businesses for Equipment Costs

The Ministry of Industry and Construction has announced that from mid-May, the government of Kazakhstan will reimburse small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for costs incurred in the purchase of industrial and technological equipment.

The initiative is designed to help entrepreneurs modernize their technological equipment, increase productivity, and expand the range of their products.

Arstanbek Sagiev, head of the business stimulation directorate at Kazakhstan’s Center for Industry and Export, QazIndustry JSC, commented that because the purchase of technological equipment accounts for the lion’s share of expenditure of any enterprise, the business community had long requested state support.

Outlining the initiative, he reported, “From May 12, 2024, enterprises that manufacture products on the list of priority goods can apply for part reimbursement of costs associated with purchasing equipment. QazIndustry will reimburse up to 40 percent of funds spent on the purchase of technological equipment, but not more than 60 million tenge.”

At least 30 percent of equipment currently used by Kazakh manufacturers is past its best and hence, has a negative impact on both productivity and the competitiveness of domestic producers. In the absence of funds to develop production, coupled with financial burdens imposed by costly loans, many small and medium businesses are forced to postpone updating and replacing essential equipment.

According to QazIndustry the state’s new reimbursement initiative will prove one of the most effective means of stimulating enterprises to modernize their equipment and therefore, their production.

Avatar

Times of Central Asia