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Snow Leopard Becomes National Symbol of Kyrgyzstan

On December 30th, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov signed a Decree “On recognizing the snow leopard as a national symbol of the Kyrgyz Republic,” the presidential press service has reported. The snow leopard has the status of a rare or endangered species in 12 countries. This animal is an indicator of the stability and health of the mountain ecosystem, which occupies a third of the globe. The loss of snow leopards from the wild would risk upsetting the delicate ecological balance, which would have detrimental effects on various animal species and humans. “In the culture of the ancient Kyrgyz people, the snow leopard personified greatness, nobility, courage, courage and endurance. Therefore, according to legends, the leopard was the totem animal of the great Manas,” the presidential press service reported. The poem "Manas" is one of the greatest works of Kyrgyz folklore, and is included in the list of masterpieces of the oral and intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO, as well as in the Guinness Book of Records as the most voluminous epic in the world. Kyrgyzstan is an active participant in global wildlife conservation programs. At the first International Forum on Snow Leopard Conservation in Bishkek in 2013, with the support of representatives of 12 snow leopard range countries and the international community, the Bishkek Declaration on the Protection of the Snow Leopard was unanimously adopted and the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP) Program was approved. In order to further state support for initiatives to preserve the snow leopard and its ecosystem in the Kyrgyz Republic, the presidential decree instructed the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic to take measures to protect the snow leopard population and as its ecosystem, and to take measures to popularize the new national symbol.

Environment Tajikistan Business & Economy Tajikistan Features Features Tajikistan Environment

Tajikistan to Achieve Energy Independence and Become Green Country

In 2023, Tajikistan’s GDP increased by 8.3% compared to the previous year, and over the past seven years the country’s GDP has grown 1.5-fold while the national economy has developed at an average pace of 7.5%, the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon stated addressing parliament on December 28th. The President said that prioritizing the prevention of potential risks to the national economy, making efficient use of available resources, industrialization and creating jobs have been the main priorities of the government in recent years. Among Tajikistan’s main concerns, the President said, are the establishment of a “green economy,” accelerating the economy’s digitization, developing human resources, raising the competitiveness of domestically produced goods, bolstering exports, and enhancing the standards of social services. Rahmon said that given the abundance of hydropower resources in Tajikistan, the high production capacity of "green energy" and its export, the Government is making confident steps towards achieving its strategic goal of energy independence. In 2023, Tajikistan’s energy capacity exceeded 6,000 megawatts, and electricity production amounted 22 billion kilowatt-hours, which is 4.8 billion kilowatt-hours or 28% more than in 2017. Rahmon said that Tajikistan will take urgent measures over the next seven years to increase energy exports up to 10 billion kilowatt-hours taking into account the implementation of CAЅA-1000 power transmission line project and re-connection to the Central Asia energy system. The country will also construct power plants using renewable energy sources and increase the "green energy" production capacity up to 1,000 megawatts by 2030. With the implementation of these measures, the President said, by 2032 electricity production in the country will be entirely from renewable sources, that is, 100% will be provided by “green energy, and Tajikistan will truly become a green country,” President Rahmon said.

Environment Uzbekistan Environment Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Business & Economy Features Uzbekistan Life & Culture

Uzbekistan to Cover Growing Demand with Green Energy Sources

Uzbekistan has set a goal of doubling its industrial production by 2030 and plans to implement more than 500 major industrial and infrastructure projects worth $150 billion. To accomplish these ambitious goals, the country needs to have guaranteed and stable energy resources, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said on December 27th, at the launch ceremony of major projects in the field of green energy. “We estimate that in the next six years, our country's electricity demand will increase from the current 83 billion to 120 billion kilowatt hours. We will cover this primarily through renewable energy sources,” Mirziyoyev said. Uzbekistan will continue its active investment policy to increase the capacity of green energy sources to 27 gigawatts by 2030, he said, adding that the country possesses enormous potential for green energy. “In order to encourage the industry, we have launched the ‘Solar House’ system to provide preferential loans and subsidies for the installation of solar panels and ensure the guaranteed purchase of generated electricity. This year alone, 50,000 households and entrepreneurs have installed solar panels in our country,” Mirziyoyev said. Currently, Uzbekistan is implementing projects for the construction of 22 solar and wind power stations with a total capacity of 9 gigawatts, and the government will create all the necessary conditions and preferences for foreign investors to implement such priority projects, Mirziyoyev concluded.

Kazakhstan Business & Economy Kazakhstan Business & Economy Features

EBRD to Tackle Bottlenecks on Major Logistical Hub

To tackle the identified bottlenecks within the Trans-Caspian corridor, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced on December 27th its commitment to providing financial support for the enhancement of modern logistical infrastructure. The bank's loan, amounting to up to U$ 40 million, is intended for Kazakhstan’s principal private rolling stock operator, Eastcomtrans. This support aims to bolster the operator's container handling capacity, specifically targeting one of the busiest junctions near Almaty city, thereby ensuring the continuous operation of its railway fleet. Eastcomtrans, an EBRD client since 2014 and the possessor of 8% of the nation’s total rolling stock, will utilize the allocated funds, available in both US dollars and Kazakh tenge, to further advance its Zhetygen logistical center. The investment will also facilitate the acquisition of approximately 250 new railcars and the maintenance of its existing stock. Located in close proximity to the Chinese border and adjacent to Kazakhstan's largest urban area, this upgraded logistical hub will function as a pivotal point along the Trans-Caspian Corridor. It is poised to enhance the smooth flow of cargo traffic across Kazakhstan. Anticipating a surge in trade volumes, especially in container traffic between Asia and Europe, the hub's development aims to accommodate the escalating demand for freight transit.

Central Asia Turkmenistan Life & Culture Turkmenistan Turkmenistan Local Politics Local Politics Turkmenistan Features Features

Raids Target Illegal Medicine Sales in Remote Turkmen Villages

Law enforcement agencies in the Mary Velayat district have initiated crackdowns on citizens engaging in the unauthorized sales of medicines,Radio Azatlyk has reported. While these actions target what authorities deem to be illegal, individuals conducting the trades in remote areas argue that they're simply filling a crucial gap in essential healthcare access. Sellers in remote villages assert that they offer commonly used medications like analgin and paracetamol, which, to their understanding, don't require a doctor's prescription. These traders claim to have procured these medicines from city pharmacies and to simply be reselling them at a slight markup in areas lacking facilities. "Our village lacks pharmacies. Ambulance services have substantial delays, sometimes failing to arrive. People turn to us for antipyretics when they're stricken with a fever at night. We offer a service that pharmacies don't provide. We aren't breaking any laws," emphasized one villager engaged in medicine sales. Another trader echoed this sentiment, stating, "We're simply providing a service to our community." Moreover, these merchants assert that they inform local district police officers about their activities, believing this communication suffices as adherence to the regulations. However, plainclothes police officers have been actively involved in operations targeting this unauthorized trade. During these raids, authorities confiscate medicines and detain the traders, issuing substantial fines. The scenario underscores a wider issue of inadequate medical facilities and pharmacy access in rural areas. Rural residents complain about delayed and inadequate ambulance services, exacerbating their struggle to access essential medical aid. Shortages of crucial medicines in both rural and urban pharmacies have been recurrent issues in Turkmenistan. Inconsistent availability of medications was reported earlier this year, highlighting a systemic challenge. Additionally, instances of medical professionals capitalizing on pharmaceutical shortages for extra profits surfaced in December of the previous year. Trading medicines in Turkmenistan requires the possession of a valid license, and according to local legislation, sales should be conducted exclusively by individuals with a secondary or higher pharmaceutical education. This tension between unauthorized sales and healthcare gaps in remote regions presents a complex challenge in need of resolution.

Uzbekistan Business & Economy Uzbekistan Business & Economy Features

Uzbekistan’s Economy Resilient to Global Challenges, Says IMF

According to the IMF in analysis posted on their website, Uzbekistan’s economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience to recent global challenges. Following geopolitical shocks, the economy saw an influx of migrants and a large increase in remittances in 2022, boosting domestic demand. This, coupled with higher external demand, led to real GDP growth of 5.7% in 2022, the head of an International Monetary Fund staff team said in a statement following their visit to Uzbekistan earlier this month. While remittances have fallen this year to the trend prevailing prior to Russia’s war in Ukraine, a sizable fiscal expansion, and high wage and export growth are expected to sustain real GDP growth at 5.7% in 2023. Strong imports and declining remittances will contribute to a higher external current account deficit this year. International reserves are expected to remain ample at eight-and-a-half months of prospective imports. By the end of 2023, the 12-month inflation rate is projected to decline by more than 3% compared to the same period last year, to 9%, helped by a value-added tax rate cut, and lower international food and energy prices. The IMF says the outlook for 2024 remains positive, and while risks remain, growth is projected to remain above 5%. “Preserving macro-financial stability and continuing structural reforms are key to bolstering resilience and sustaining robust economic growth amidst the challenging current global context,” the statement said. Accelerating World Trade Organization negotiations and cooperating with neighboring countries to improve transport routes will reduce transportation costs and open new markets for Uzbekistan’s products, the IMF statement concludes.