Our People > Sadokat Jalolova

Sadokat Jalolova

Journalist

Sadokat Jalolova is an Uzbek journalist who graduated from the International Journalism faculty of the Journalism and Mass Communication University of Uzbekistan. Jalolova has worked as a reporter for some time in local newspapers and websites in Uzbekistan, and has enriched her knowledge in the field of journalism through courses at the University of Michigan, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Amsterdam.

Articles

Russia Legislation Migrants Moscow terror attack Crocus City Hall terrorist attack migrants rights

Citizens of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan Warned Against Non-Essential Travel to Russia

Citizens of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are warned against traveling to Russia, reportedly due to “additional security measures and enhanced border controls” imposed by the Russian government. On September 10, the Tajik embassy in Moscow advised Tajiks “to temporarily refrain from traveling to the Russian Federation unless necessary.” Similar advice was issued by Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs the same advice on September 5, in the statement: “In connection with the continuation of additional security measures introduced on the territory of Russia and the regime of enhanced control over the passage of foreign citizens across the state border, the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Russian Federation recommends that citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic who do not have compelling reasons for entering the Russian Federation temporarily refrain from traveling to its territory until the above measures are lifted.” Given that remittances sent by Central Asian immigrants are the primary source of financial support for many families, the warning may have serious economic consequences for immigrants working in Russia. For context, this warning is one of many. After the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack, restrictions on the entry of Central Asians into Russia were announced several times. The issue of immigrants remains controversial in Russia. For example, a Russian diplomat recently proposed a temporary moratorium on Russian citizenship for Central Asians, whilst another deputy suggested that the government impose a ban on immigrants.

21 hours ago

Russia Afghanistan Oil International Relations Oil refinery oil export oil pipline

Uzbekistan Begins Processing Afghan Crude to Alleviate Energy Shortages

Uzbekistan’s Saneg oil refining company has begun processing Afghan crude oil at its Fergana refinery, to help ease Afghanistan’s energy shortages under Taliban rule. The first shipment of oil was transported by rail from the Hairatan terminal in Afghanistan's northern Balkh province. Afghanistan faces a significant energy crisis due to supply issues from Iran and Turkmenistan. The Taliban wants to restart domestic oil production to reduce its dependence on imports. Afghan crude oil, mainly extracted from the Amu Darya basin, is not fully used because Afghanistan needs more facilities to refine it. However, fortunately for Afghanistan, its neighboring countries to the north and west are willing and capable of supplying electricity, gas, and light oil products so that the country can, to some extent, improve its energy security. The refining agreement represents one of the first cross-border collaborations for Afghan crude oil, despite the historically complex relations between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. Other countries, such as Russia and Kazakhstan, are looking at similar opportunities to gain market share and indirectly support the Afghan economy. This shows how the Central Asian countries are changing their strategies while Afghanistan is isolated internationally. For example, at the end of April this year, a delegation from Kazakhstan paid an official visit to Kabul, where a meeting of the Kazakh and Afghan businesses and an exhibition of Kazakh products were held. The visit to Kabul shows Astana’s intention of using trade to improve Kazakhstan’s relations with the new Afghan government. Saneg’s initiative to process Afghan oil is part of Uzbekistan's strategy to boost its refining and seize business opportunities in a volatile region. Exporting refined products to Afghanistan could bring extra revenue, and help a struggling neighbor. However, political instability and fragile relations may limit the long-term benefits. Companies from Russia are also interested in similar deals. Uzbekistan has also signed five agreements on mining projects in Afghanistan. These agreements, worth $1.15 billion, were part of a larger package of 35 agreements and memoranda of understanding signed between the two countries. These agreements increased Uzbekistan’s investment in Afghanistan by more than $2.5 billion.

21 hours ago

currency reserves State State Budget Gold Finance

Uzbekistan’s Gold and Currency Reserves Reach Record Levels

As of September 1, Uzbekistan's international reserves reached $39.15 billion. This reserve value is a record indicator for after 2018 when data disclosure began. In August, the value of international assets increased by $1.75 billion, or about 4.7%, compared to July's increase of $1.06 billion. This increase was mainly due to gold. Although the net physical volume of gold in official reserves decreased from 12.1 ounces to 12 ounces during August, the metal's price on the world market has increased significantly. Due to this, the value of the gold part of reserves increased by $1.24 billion or 4.4% to $30.39 billion in one month. Since the beginning of 2024, the price of gold has risen by 20% on the world market. Last month, the price of standard gold bullion exceeded a million dollars for the first time in history. Uzbekistan was one of the countries that bought the most gold in July. In August, reserve assets in foreign currencies increased from $7.68 billion to $8.19 billion (+ $503.1 million). Uzbekistan’s gold-currency reserves have increased by $4.59 billion or 13.3% since the beginning of the year. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Uzbekistan’s gold reserves reached $37.4 billion in August.

3 days ago

US Bilateral Relations USAID Economic cooperation Foreign Affairs Trans-Caspian Trade Route

U.S. Ambassador: America Supports Tajikistan’s Role in the Trans-Caspian Trade Route

The United States supports Tajikistan’s participation in the Trans-Caspian Trade Route project, connecting China with Europe through the Caspian Sea, Asia, and the Caucasus. U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan Manuel Micaller spoke about this in an interview with Khovar.tj. “We continue to advocate for Tajikistan’s participation in the Trans-Caspian Trade Route, which will connect Central Asia with the Caucasus and European markets. Through the C5+1 diplomatic platform, which brings together the United States and our five Central Asian partners, we hope to facilitate closer cooperation with these partners and access to global markets,” Micaller noted. The Trans-Caspian Transport Route starts from Southeast Asia and China and runs through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and further to European countries. It aims to facilitate trade and economic cooperation by connecting major economic regions through railways, highways, and maritime routes. Transit time along the Trans-Caspian Route has been reduced from 38-53 days to 18-23 days. In 2024, this period is planned to be reduced to 14-18 days, and the journey through the territory of Kazakhstan from 6 to 5 days.

4 days ago

Finance Economy Foreign debt Government State Budget

Uzbekistan’s Debt Reaches $37 billion

According to Kun.uz, based on data issued by the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan, as of July 1, 2024, the state debt of Uzbekistan - $30.9 billion foreign and $6.1 billion domestic - exceeded $37 billion for the first time. For comparison, as of July 1, 2023, the state debt amounted to $31 billion 628 million, indicating an increase of $5.4 billion or 17% in just one year. As stated in the report, the growth rate of Uzbekistan’s foreign debt has increased sharply in recent years. In particular, at the end of 2017, the state debt amounted to $11.6 billion, and by the end of 2023, reached $34.9 billion, a threefold increase. By the end of the first half of the year, 42% of the total state external debt ($13 billion) was allocated to budget support, 19% ($5.7 billion) to the fuel and energy sector, 9% ($2.7 billion) to transport and transport infrastructure, and 9 % to agriculture and water management ($2.7 billion.)

4 days ago