Our People > Vagit Ismailov

Vagit Ismailov

Journalist

Vagit Ismailov is a Kazakhstani journalist. He has worked in leading regional and national publications.

Articles

Air Transport

From Alatau to Almaty by Air: How Kazakhstan’s First Air Taxi Service Will Operate

The Almaty region is preparing to introduce a groundbreaking new mode of transport for Kazakhstan: electric air taxis. While the project remains in the development and testing phase, key details about routes, aircraft, and the projected launch timeline have already been outlined. The first air taxi routes are expected to connect the newly developing city of Alatau with Almaty and other settlements across the region. The aircraft under consideration for this initiative is the Joby Aviation S4, an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) model developed by U.S.-based Joby Aviation. Test flights are scheduled for 2026. Alatau Advance Air Group, a private company, has been designated as the air mobility operator for the Alatau region. In collaboration with partners from the U.S., South Korea, China, and Italy, the company is working on aircraft research, infrastructure planning, and building a testing ecosystem to support future operations. Joby Aviation, one of the global leaders in eVTOL technology, has been named a strategic partner. The selected S4 model is in the final stages of certification by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and has already undergone real-world testing. The aircraft is designed to carry four passengers and one pilot. These capabilities will allow the air taxi service to cover both urban routes within the Almaty agglomeration and longer intercity routes across the wider region. To accommodate operations, a network of vertiports, dedicated airfields for vertical take-off aircraft, is planned for Alatau, Almaty, and other key regional locations. The project is currently in the design phase, with testing sites under consideration. Demonstration flights are slated for 2026, with commercial services expected to launch once aircraft certification by the FAA is finalized and validated by Kazakhstan’s aviation authorities. “Air taxis will become an innovative form of transport that will provide fast connections between Alatau, Almaty, and other cities in the region,” the Almaty mayor’s office commented. Flight pricing is expected to be announced following testing and preparations for the commercial rollout. The air taxi concept was first introduced in October 2024 at a development forum in South Korea focused on the Alatau project. The initiative is being led by Alatau Advance Air Group, founded in March 2025. The company is connected via Caspian Integrity to entrepreneur and former senator Yuri Tskhai, one of the key investors behind Alatau City. In November, a strategic agreement was signed in the U.S. between Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development and AI, Joby Aero, Alatau Advance Air Group, and entrepreneur Vyacheslav Kim. The deal includes the purchase of eVTOL aircraft valued at approximately $300 million. Joby Aviation continues to be a major player in the global eVTOL industry, competing with major aerospace and automotive firms including Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, Honda, Hyundai, and Toyota.

3 days ago

military cooperation

Kyrgyzstan Expands Security Cooperation with the U.S.

Alongside U.S. business leaders and government officials who arrived in Bishkek for the B5+1 business forum, security representatives from U.S. Central Command, the U.S. Air Force, and the Montana National Guard also visited the Kyrgyz capital, according to the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek. At a meeting held at the Kyrgyz Ministry of Defense in the village of Koy-Tash, both sides discussed military cooperation plans for the 2027 fiscal year. Participants carried out detailed planning of joint activities, focusing on experience-sharing and establishing common objectives for the near future. “We thank the Ministry of Defense of the Kyrgyz Republic for organizing this event. The participants joined forces to promote our regional goals aimed at enhancing security and stability,” the U.S. Embassy stated. U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Les Zentos emphasized that over the past 30 years of Kyrgyzstan's independence, a strong partnership has developed between the Montana National Guard and the Kyrgyz Ministry of Defense, as well as with the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Border Service. This relationship, he noted, is based on trust and a commitment to shared goals. [caption id="attachment_43371" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Image: kg.usembassy.gov[/caption] “We hope to improve and optimize plans for military contacts in 2026 and 2027. Today's meeting is important for strengthening mutual understanding and finding common ground,” Zentos said. This is not the first visit by representatives of the Montana National Guard and the U.S. Air Force to Kyrgyzstan. Approximately six months ago, the two sides held joint military exercises under the name “Ak-Shumkar-2025.” According to U.S. officials, the drills facilitated exchanges of expertise in humanitarian operations, disaster relief, air medical evacuation, search and rescue, and border security. The Montana National Guard has maintained a long-standing relationship with Kyrgyzstan since 1996, under the U.S. National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program. The U.S. Embassy also noted that bilateral military cooperation extends beyond this program. It includes participation in regional exercises organized by U.S. Central Command, which bring together countries from Central and South Asia to pursue shared security objectives.

3 days ago

Labor Migration

Tajikistan Seeks to Expand the Geography of Labor Migration

Tajikistan has stepped up efforts to expand destinations for labor migration, including countries in Europe and East Asia. The announcement was made by Minister of Labor, Migration and Employment Soleha Kholmahmadzoda at a press conference summarizing the ministry’s work in 2025. According to the Kholmahmadzoda, a memorandum of cooperation with relevant agencies of the Kingdom of Belgium was signed in November last year and is currently undergoing internal approval procedures. The agreement provides for the possibility of organized employment for Tajik citizens in the Benelux countries, namely Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The most in-demand sectors include agriculture, construction, social services, and healthcare. The Ministry of Labor said the initiative is intended to create transparent and legal employment channels, enhancing protection for migrant workers and reducing the risks associated with illegal employment. Cooperation with Japan is also advancing. The ministry has established a special working group and developed a mechanism to attract Tajik citizens as “specially qualified” workers. Relevant documents have been sent to the Tajik Embassy in Japan for publication on the website of the Japan International Training Cooperation Organization (JITCO). In addition, the Agency for Employment Abroad has prepared a draft agreement with Japanese employers. As a result, the first 10 citizens of the republic have already secured jobs. Special attention is also being given to cooperation with South Korea. In 2025, the Korean side allocated 800 quotas for labor migrants from Tajikistan. After completing professional training and passing the EPS-TOPIK exam, 21 people were employed through the Korean job portal, while documentation is still being processed for 12 additional candidates. Despite the expansion of destinations, Russia remains the primary labor market for Tajik citizens. According to the Ministry of Labor, in 2025, 30 licensed entities sent 35,747 citizens abroad through organized channels, an increase of 18,805 compared with the previous year. Of these, more than 31,000 were employed in Russia, Deputy Minister of Labor, Migration and Employment Norzoda Sharif Sanginmurod said. These figures broadly correspond with estimates from the Russian side. Official data indicate that more than 1 million Tajik citizens are currently working in Russia, mainly in construction, housing and utilities, transport, and logistics.

4 days ago

B5+1

What the U.S. Really Wants in Central Asia: Behind the B5+1 Forums

The B5+1 business forum continued in Kyrgyzstan’s capital on February 5, as government officials, regional business leaders, and a sizable U.S. delegation met to discuss trade, investment, and regulatory barriers shaping economic ties between Central Asia and the United States. As Washington signals a more pragmatic, commercially driven approach to the region, questions persist over why U.S. investment has lagged behind political engagement and which markets are truly seen as priorities. The Times of Central Asia spoke with Dmitry Orlov, director of the Strategy: East–West analytical center, about the structural obstacles deterring American capital, the shift in U.S. policy thinking, and how Central Asian states are positioned within Washington’s evolving economic calculus. TCA: What serious U.S. capital investments in Central Asia can we talk about today? ORLOV: It is important to understand the main point. Talk of large investments, the arrival of American business, and long-term economic cooperation only makes sense in one case: if the U.S. repeals the Jackson-Vanik amendment, which was adopted back in the 1970s and extended to all former Soviet republics after the collapse of the USSR. Today, it remains a formal and, in many ways, psychological obstacle to a fully-fledged business partnership. At the same time, it is necessary to establish contacts at a business level right now. This is because if the amendment is repealed - and such statements are regularly heard in Washington - it is difficult to predict which countries in the region will receive investment flows and in what volumes. Recent international forums, including Davos, have shown that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are of the greatest interest to the U.S. in Central Asia. Their economies are developing more dynamically, and they can offer large-scale projects and a clear export base. The other countries in the region, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, are still perceived by investors as lower priorities. TCA: Previously, the U.S. actively promoted a political agenda in the region, including human rights and freedom of speech. Now these are rarely mentioned. Why do you think this is the case? ORLOV: The approach has become more pragmatic. The history of U.S. foreign policy shows that strategic and economic interests have always taken precedence. If a territory is attractive in terms of resources or transit routes, a format for cooperation will be found. In Europe, relatively speaking, the rule of law prevails. In Asia, the situation is different, and the Americans understand this perfectly well. Issues of ideology and human rights can move to the background if economic expediency comes first. This is especially true in Central Asia, where many issues are resolved through personal agreements and informal connections. Washington understands this. TCA: What exactly can Central Asia offer the U.S.? ORLOV: In terms of individual countries, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are again in the lead. They offer oil, gas, and, no less importantly, control over transit routes. There is currently a lot of discussion about rare earths and critical minerals, but their development is always long and expensive. As a result, interest in...

4 days ago

Copper

Kazakhstan Reshapes Copper Export Flows Amid Rising Global Demand

As global demand for copper continues to increase, driven by energy transition and the digital economy, Kazakhstan, a major global producer, is not only increasing its output but also significantly reshaping its export geography. Analysts at Energyprom.kz have examined the current shifts in the sector and the evolving landscape of Kazakhstan’s copper exports. With its substantial reserves and a developed metallurgy sector, Kazakhstan is well positioned to benefit from this strategic opportunity. According to preliminary data from the National Statistics Bureau, the country produced 471,000 tons of refined copper in 2025, an increase of 7,100 tons, or 1.5%, from 2024’s 463,900 tons. This suggests a gradual stabilization of the industry following previous fluctuations. Production trends over recent years have been inconsistent. In 2018, Kazakhstan produced 442,600 tons of refined copper. Output rose 7.7% to 476,500 tons in 2019 and grew modestly in 2020 to 482,900 tons (+1.3%). However, production dropped sharply in 2021 to 403,300 tons, a decline of 16.5%, due to major repairs and upgrades at key processing facilities, including a furnace overhaul at the Balkhash Copper Smelter operated by Kazakhmys Smelting LLP, and disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. By 2024, output had rebounded to 474,900 tons, up 17.8% from the 2021 low, signaling the industry’s return to pre-crisis levels. Despite global demand, Kazakhstan’s total exports of refined copper declined in 2025. However, the structure of those exports shifted notably. Deliveries to Turkey rose from 142,200 to 164,000 tons, an increase of 21,800 tons, or 15.3%. Turkey’s share of Kazakhstan’s copper exports rose from 32.5% to 40.9%, making it the country’s second-largest export destination. Combined, China and Turkey accounted for about 90% of Kazakhstan’s copper exports from January to November 2025, indicating a still high level of market concentration. However, exports to other countries grew 4.4 times from 9,200 tons to 40,100 tons, raising their share from 2.1% to 10%. This points to early signs of diversification. These shifts in Kazakhstan’s export strategy coincide with major developments in global demand. According to a forecast by S&P Global, global copper consumption is projected to grow from 27.3 million tons in 2024 to 42.3 million tons by 2040, an increase of 15 million tons, or approximately 55%. The primary drivers include electric vehicles, renewable energy development, power grid upgrades, artificial intelligence, data centers, and rising defense sector needs. By 2040, copper use in the energy transition sector is expected to more than double from 7.6 million tons in 2024 to 15.6 million tons. Copper demand for AI and data centers is forecast to rise from 1 million to 2.5 million tons. Even traditional sectors like construction and mechanical engineering will grow, projected to increase from 17.8 million to 23.3 million tons. China will remain the world’s largest consumer of refined copper. According to Fitch Solutions, Chinese demand is expected to rise from 15.9 million tons in 2023 to 18.9 million tons by 2028, an increase of 19%, or more than 3 million tons. This would allow China to maintain a...

5 days ago

Parliamentary Reform

Tokayev Floats Vice President Post at National Kurultai as Kazakhstan Weighs Political Overhaul

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev used the fifth session of Kazakhstan’s National Kurultai on January 20 to propose creating a vice president’s post and embedding the new institution in the constitution, as part of a broader package of political reforms aimed at reshaping the country’s system of governance. Under the proposal, the vice president would be appointed by the president and confirmed by parliament by a simple majority vote. The president would define the vice president’s authority, which could include representing Kazakhstan at international forums and negotiations, representing the head of state in parliament, and engaging with domestic and international organizations in political, scientific, cultural, and educational fields. “The establishment of this position will stabilize the process of state governance, and will also bring final clarity regarding the hierarchy of power,” Tokayev said at the Kurultai. Kazakhstan does not currently have a vice president. Executive authority is vested in the presidency, while the government is led by a prime minister, with succession procedures defined by the constitution. Tokayev said the key provisions governing the new post, including its functions, should be enshrined directly in the constitution. The vice presidency was presented as part of a wider administrative restructuring. Tokayev said several administrative structures that support the current parliament would be abolished, along with the position of state counselor. He added that the functions, structure, and management system of the Presidential Administration would be reformed in line with practical needs. The Kurultai session in Kyzylorda took place as the administration advances a more far-reaching overhaul of the legislature. Tokayev has promoted a transition from Kazakhstan’s bicameral parliament, composed of the Senate and the Mazhilis, to a unicameral system, arguing that the change would simplify governance and shorten decision-making chains. [caption id="attachment_42476" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] President Tokayev at the National Kurultai; image: Akorda.kz[/caption] He outlined parameters for a future unicameral parliament, saying it could consist of around 145 deputies, be led by three vice-chairs, and operate with no more than eight standing committees. He also proposed renaming the legislature the “Kurultai,” saying the term reflects historical traditions of popular representation. The parliamentary reform agenda is being developed by a working group that began reviewing constitutional options in late 2025. The idea of moving to a unicameral system was first raised in Tokayev’s national address on September 8, 2025. On January 19, Tokayev held a meeting with the working group on parliamentary reform in Astana, where aides reported that the group had reviewed constitutional approaches to reshaping the legislature and discussed key approaches to constitutional reform based on proposals from citizens, experts, and civil organizations. Tokayev has tied the parliamentary overhaul to a nationwide vote. He reaffirmed that citizens would make the final decision through a referendum and said Kazakhstan is targeting 2027 for a public vote on abolishing the Senate and moving to a unicameral legislature. The latest reform proposals build on constitutional changes adopted after the unrest of January 2022. In June 2022, Kazakhstan held a nationwide referendum on proposed constitutional amendments, with more...

3 weeks ago