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A New England native, Kuvin currently resides in Almaty, Kazakhstan. He started learning Russian when he was 13, and his language journey has taken him to various ex-Soviet states for extended periods of time. Prior to working for The Times of Central Asia, Henry taught English at Narxoz University through the Princeton in Asia fellowship program. Kuvin is a graduate of the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs and an avid film photographer.

Articles

Min-Kush — The Kyrgyz Time Capsule

Although Min-Kush is only about 100 miles from Bishkek, as the crow flies, the mountains make us travel 250 miles. We reached a scenic viewpoint along the road, and I stopped to take a picture. I exited the truck and approached a horse with dramatic snow-capped mountains peeking through the clouds. A man came and invited us to ride his horse around his farm. This is his farm, his 75 sheep, and his horse. The horse and I galloped around the farm, chatted with the farmer, and got back on the road. This was my first time on horseback after a year and a half in Central Asia. Min-Kush, once a prosperous town nestled in the Kyrgyz mountains known for its bustling uranium mining industry, has hit the end of the road literally and figuratively. Coming down the A367 highway, a nondescript road sign says “Min-Kush” with an arrow pointing left. We turned, and the road seamlessly transformed from pavement to dirt. It is the last and only settlement on this road off of the highway. The only other vehicles we pass are semi-trucks carrying tons of coal destined for Kyrgyzstan and China.   [caption id="attachment_25324" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] @TCA H.Kuvin[/caption] The city peaked at around 20,000 in the 1980s, but today’s number hovers around 3,500. Established in 1955, the apartments and houses are built in the Stalinist architectural style. The vibrant blue paint that once covered the wooden panels is faded, and sections of the buildings are caved in, but people still live here. The contrast in one building is stark. On the top floor, there are broken windows and unhinged shutters. On the bottom floor, there are new window frames and flowers on the windowsill. The blossoming life on the windowsill is far from what it once was. We stopped and chatted with some locals and asked about their lives. “When Moscow supported us, we had everything: stores, schools, factories, and a hospital. Now…nothing, but we cannot dwell on things. Life is better now than it was after the fall of the USSR.” The man asks for a cigarette and a light; my French friend complies with his request. The main draw of Min-Kush for me is an abandoned felt pen factory. I’ve seen pictures online of some incredible Soviet banners that serve as a time capsule in the mountains. We asked if anyone knew where to find it, and a man told us it was torn down and replaced by a soccer field. As night set in, we looked for a guesthouse of sorts. I had read online that there is one, but there are no signs or information about it anywhere. We stop by a man fixing his Soviet Chaika car on the side of the road. He tells us the hotel is right up the road. We drive to an unlit building where two men are fixing another truck. We chatted, and he made a phone call. Ten minutes later, a lady shows up, unlocks the...

2 weeks ago

American Chamber of Commerce in Kyrgyzstan: Future Development and Investment Climate

As Central Asia continues to become a regional hub for trade and innovation, The Times of Central Asia spoke with Altynai Asanova, the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in the Kyrgyz Republic, to discuss the investment climate in Kyrgyzstan, economic trends, and future development. TCA: I see that your background is primarily in hotel management and sales; how did you transition from this role to your current position? “My background includes 18 years in the hotel business. Ten years at Hyatt, starting in food and beverage and ending in the hotel sales department; then, I worked at the Orion Hotel for the pre-opening and opening stage for about three years. After this, I was hired by Sheraton, one of the Marriott chain hotels, to work on the pre-opening and opening stage for two years. I was still involved with the business audience and wanted to continue working with the stakeholders and companies who know me.” TCA: How would you describe the hospitality industry in Kyrgyzstan? Is it mainly in Bishkek or other regions? “It is developing; before, it was only the Hyatt. Now, there are three or four chain hotels in Bishkek. It is good that there are more players in the market. It is developing day by day. The development is mainly in Bishkek, but we have good perspectives for Issyk Kul as long as the roads and infrastructure are completed. The chain hotels are also becoming interested in Issyk Kul. The good thing is that enough businessmen understand and accept the market challenges in Issyk Kul. They know it will not be financially stable at launch since the busy season is only about 50 days. But if the hotels provide full service and comfort, people will travel there for the full season.” TCA: Stepping away from hospitality, what did American investment in Kyrgyzstan look like ten years ago?” “Before, there was an American base in Kyrgyzstan. During that time, the hospitality business was amazing. The rates were high considering the charter flights and pilots who needed a place to stay. Now, these rooms are listed at the lowest rates. At that time, the Hyatt was the only five-star hotel in Bishkek, so all the American guests were staying at the Hyatt. The investment climate dropped after the U.S.-Kyrgyzstan agreement ended. There is opportunity, but it goes slowly.” TCA: Since then, what has changed in the business climate? “Business-wise, if we look from the angle of the association, we do not have any purely American business; we have franchise members: KFC, Hyatt, Sheraton, and some banks. It would be nice to have purely American [businesses] here.” TCA: Who are the current major investors in the Kyrgyz market? And is competition relevant to win contracts with local companies? “China, Russia, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, and Turkey are the main investors. Before making any contracts or tenders, we need to understand the possibilities of our market, ‘Is our country ready to accept this level of business?’ The first question...

3 weeks ago