The National Bank of Kyrgyzstan Seeks Greater Control Over Commercial Banks
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic (NBKR) has proposed a draft law aimed at regulating tariffs and commissions for banking and payment services provided by commercial banks. The proposal has been published for public discussion on the official government portal Koomtalkuu. The NBKR argues that the regulation is necessary...
Former Kyrgyz Presidential Aide Detained in Moldova
Aidar Khalikov, a former public aide to the president of Kyrgyzstan, has been detained in Moldova under an Interpol warrant on charges of large-scale fraud. Investigative journalist Bolot Temirov was the first to report Khalikov's detention, raising the possibility of his extradition to Kyrgyzstan. The report was later confirmed by...
Uzbek Footballer Abdukodir Khusanov to Sign for Manchester City
When the English champions Manchester City suffered a shock run of losses recently, soccer fans began guessing what moves coach Pep Guardiola would make to stop their winter slump. No-one expected him to call for a defender from Uzbekistan. Abdukodir Khusanov, still only 20 but already with 18 appearances for...
KazMunayGaz Looking to Buy Another European Oil Refinery
Kazakhstan’s KazMunayGaz (KMG) is seeking to acquire an oil refinery in Bulgaria from Russia’s LUKoil at a bargain price. The purchase of Lukoil Neftohim Burgas, the largest oil refinery in the Balkans, would, according to some media sources, more than double [KMG’s] European refining capacity.” KMG reported a bid of...
Kyrgyzstan Announces Tax Amnesty
The Kyrgyz government has introduced a tax amnesty as part of its efforts to ease the financial burden on citizens and stimulate economic activity. President Sadyr Japarov directed the government to draft the necessary legislation and submit it to the country's Parliament, the Jogorku Kenesh, for approval. One key measure...
Four Arrested in Connection with Journalist Inessa Papernaya’s Death
Russian journalist Inessa Papernaya, known for her work with lenta.ru and profile.ru, was found dead in a hotel in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on October 20, 2024. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Papernaya was vacationing in Uzbekistan and staying at the Karaman Palace Hotel with her companion, Maxim Radchenko....
Central Asia Tackles Plastic Pollution with Bag Ban Initiatives
Globally, an estimated 5 trillion plastic bags are used every year. These bags take approximately 1,000 years to decompose in landfills and do not fully break down. Instead, they photodegrade into microplastics, which absorb toxins and continue to pollute the environment. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, Central Asian countries...
Uzbekistan Plans to Strengthen Strategic Partnership with the U.S.
Uzbekistan is actively working to deepen its strategic partnership with the United States. The draft state program for 2025, currently under public discussion, outlines several measures to strengthen these ties. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Acting Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, is tasked with expanding bilateral cooperation by the end...
Sunkar Podcast
Repatriating Islamic State Fighters and Families: Balancing Security and Humanity
