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Kazakhstan Faces Doubling of Construction Industry Labor Shortage by 2030

Kazakhstan's construction sector is grappling with a significant labor shortage, with approximately 111,000 positions currently unfilled. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov warned at a recent government meeting that this figure is expected to double by 2030, forecasting a deficit of over 200,000 skilled workers in the industry. Bektenov highlighted that the most affected roles include plasterers, painters, welders, masons, and concrete workers - essential positions for the sector’s operations. While the construction industry ranks third among sectors facing workforce shortages, it holds a critical place in Kazakhstan’s economy. According to government forecasts, education leads in expected vacancies, with 331,000 unfilled positions projected by 2030, followed by trade at 228,000. Despite ranking behind these sectors in terms of unmet demand, construction contributes the most to Kazakhstan’s GDP among the three, accounting for 5.6% of the country’s total economic output, according to the Ministry of Industry and Construction. This looming shortage poses challenges to sustaining growth in a sector vital to the nation’s development and economic stability.

Central Asia Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy Kyrgyzstan Features Kyrgyzstan Home

World Bank Chief Economist Owes a Bottle of Wine to Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet Chief

During a conversation with Hugh Riddell, head of the World Bank’s office in Kyrgyzstan, Akylbek Japarov, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, shared an anecdote about a wager made with the World Bank’s chief economist. “In 2022, at a World Bank session in Washington, your chief economist and I bet that Kyrgyzstan’s economic growth over the next 3-4 years would remain stable and exceed 7%. He doubted this was possible and was ready to wager a bottle of fine wine,” Japarov recounted at a recent event focused on Kyrgyzstan’s development. Japarov highlighted the latest economic figures to underscore his point: GDP growth for the first 11 months of 2024 stands at an impressive 9%. Confident in his position, Japarov announced his intention to claim his winnings. The anecdote reflects broader optimism about Kyrgyzstan’s trajectory. According to data presented by World Bank experts during discussions with the presidential administration, 89% of Kyrgyz citizens believe the country is moving in the right direction regarding political, social, and economic reforms. The World Bank is actively monitoring socio-economic trends in Kyrgyzstan through its “Listening to the Kyrgyz Republic” project. This initiative conducts monthly panel surveys of 1,500 households across all regions, using telephone interviews to track citizens’ well-being and gather insights into national development trends.

Central Asia Uzbekistan Business & Economy Uzbekistan Business & Economy

Uzbekistan Proposes 10-Year Extension of Duty Free Export Benefits to the EU

On December 4-5, Uzbekistan participated for the first time in the meeting of the General Scheme of Preferences (GSP+) working group of the European Union in Brussels. The meeting included representatives from 28 EU member states and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade (MIIT). Uzbekistan’s delegation highlighted the progress made since becoming a GSP+ beneficiary in 2021. During this time, the country’s exports to the EU nearly tripled, reaching $1.15 billion. Of the 6,200 products eligible for duty-free export, approximately 1,100 - primarily agricultural, textile, and chemical goods - are exported regularly. To further enhance market stability and competitiveness, the delegation proposed adding new fruits and vegetables to the list of preferred goods and revising seasonal export quotas. They also recommended extending the GSP+ preferential trade regime for an additional ten years to foster long-term economic ties with the EU. During the visit, Uzbek representatives held talks with European Commission officials to improve access to Uzbek products, adjust quotas for rolling metals, and secure technical assistance to align with EU standards. These discussions mark a significant step in expanding trade and economic cooperation under the GSP+ framework.

Central Asia Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture Life & Culture Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Kyrgyzstan Opens Airport in Karakol – More New Routes Coming Soon

On December 11, Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov inaugurated the reconstructed international airport in Karakol, the main city of the Issyk-Kul region. Situated southeast of Lake Issyk-Kul, Karakol is Kyrgyzstan’s winter tourism hub and home to the nation’s largest and most popular mountain ski resort. President Japarov highlighted the reopening of the Karakol International Airport as a pivotal move toward strengthening regional connectivity, boosting tourism, and enhancing Kyrgyzstan’s international profile. “This is just the beginning,” Japarov remarked, announcing plans for a major new development: a “Kyrgyz Courchevel,” envisioned as Central Asia’s largest and most modern ski resort. Located 70 kilometers from the airport, the year-round facility is planned to accommodate up to a million tourists per season. Kyrgyzstan’s government is also prioritizing the modernization of regional airports to improve domestic air connectivity. Renovation projects are underway in Naryn, Kazarman, Kerben, and Batken, while construction of a new airport in the southern city of Jalal-Abad is set to begin soon. Starting in May, the government plans to launch domestic flights on routes including Kazarman-Bishkek, Naryn-Bishkek, Kerben-Bishkek, Karakol-Osh, and Talas-Osh. These flights will be operated by the state-owned Asman Airlines. This follows the reopening of the Talas airport in May, as previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, marking its return to operation after decades of inactivity since the Soviet-era. Originally built in 1979 to accommodate planes and helicopters, the airport had long been out of service until its recent renovation. To support the enhanced domestic air network, Kyrgyzstan’s Manas International Airport Open Joint Stock Company has procured two Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft for Asman Airlines. Manufactured in Canada, the Dash 8 Q400 is a short-haul plane capable of carrying up to 80 passengers over distances of up to 2,000 kilometers.

Central Asia Uzbekistan International Affairs Business & Economy Kazakhstan Uzbekistan Business & Economy Kazakhstan International Affairs Kazakhstan Business & Economy Uzbekistan International Affairs

Kazakhstan Opens Pavilion in Uzbek-Afghan Border Trade Center

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Trade and Integration has announced the opening of a trade pavilion showcasing Kazakh products at the Termez International Trade Center, located in the town of Termez, Uzbekistan, near the Afghan border. The pavilion is expected to serve as a strategic platform for promoting Kazakh goods in the markets of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. The Termez International Trade Center is a crucial hub at the crossroads of Central Asian trade routes, facilitating significant trade flows between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. Opened on August 29, the center was inaugurated by Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov and acting Afghan Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar. The facility includes retail spaces, hotels, a medical center, and other amenities. Notably, it supports transactions in multiple currencies, such as U.S. dollars, euros, rubles, and yuan. Afghan citizens can visit and conduct trade at the Termez center for up to 15 days without requiring an Uzbek visa. Kyrgyzstan has also secured a presence at the Termez International Trade Center. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, on November 11, the Kyrgyz Ministry of Economy and Commerce acquired a trade pavilion, providing a strategic foothold to expand Kyrgyzstan’s influence in the markets of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have both removed the Taliban from their lists of terrorist organizations, aligning with broader efforts by Central Asian nations to deepen trade and economic ties with Afghanistan.

Central Asia Uzbekistan Business & Economy Uzbekistan Business & Economy Uzbekistan International Affairs

Uzbekistan Sets Sights on $1.5 Billion AI Industry by 2030

Uzbekistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations has hosted a presentation at the UN headquarters in New York, unveiling the country’s strategy for developing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies by 2030. The event, organized in collaboration with the UN Counter-Terrorism Office and Interpol, drew attendance from UN officials, experts, and members of the diplomatic corps accredited in New York. Ambitious AI Goals Participants were introduced to the key directions outlined in Uzbekistan’s AI Strategy, along with the country’s ongoing reforms and achievements in the field. Emphasis was placed on President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s commitment to advancing information technologies and fostering innovation. The presentation highlighted Uzbekistan’s plans to grow its AI-based software products and services sector to $1.5 billion by 2030. This strategy also includes establishing ten scientific laboratories specializing in AI and strengthening the regulatory framework to support technological advancements. Leadership in Responsible AI As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Uzbekistan leads Central Asia in responsibly adopting AI, according to the Global Center on AI Governance. The nation’s AI initiatives prioritize cultural and linguistic diversity, foster international partnerships, enhance public sector skills, and promote transparency.