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Kyrgyzstan Pays Russia $64 million for Stake in the Eurasian Development Bank

Kyrgyzstan has paid $64.7 million to Russia for a stake in the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), according to Akchabar. Kyrgyzstan currently owns 4.23% of shares in the EDB. The country's share increased from 0.01% in 2023 after the redistribution of part of Russia's stake, which amounted to 321,151 shares in the bank's paid-up authorized capital. A decision to reallocate the shares was made by the EDB's Board of Directors on December 30, 2022. Following the distribution of securities in 2023, Kyrgyzstan's share in monetary terms, increased from $700 thousand to $64.7 million. In its report on the transaction, EDB stated: "On May 19, 2023, an agreement was made between the Government of Russia and the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan on the sale and purchase of part of Russia's share in the paid-in authorized capital of EDB. Signed on March 21, 2023, it came into force and Russia's share of $64 million was transferred to Kyrgyzstan. EDB does not participate in settlements between Russia and Kyrgyzstan on the transferred share in the bank's capital." It is important to note that today, Kyrgyzstan's share in the authorized capital of the EDB is almost entirely paid up. The republic has only $600 thousand in liabilities, payable in case of a bank claim. A similar situation has also been observed in Armenia. Tajikistan has paid 97% ($64.5 million) of its authorized capital to EDB, Belarus—just over 59%, and Russia and Kazakhstan, the largest shareholders of the international institution, about 16% ($678.8 million) and 24% ($565.2 million), respectively. At the end of 2023, the authorized capital of the Eurasian Development Bank amounted to seven million common shares with a par value of $1 thousand each. Each paid-up share carries a right to vote.

Turkmenistan Turkmenistan International Affairs International Affairs Turkmenistan Business & Economy Business & Economy

Indian Companies Interested in Turkmenistan’s Seaport

Issues concerning the establishment of cooperation in the field of maritime transportation, as well as the possibility of cargo transit through Turkmenbashi International Sea Port, were recently discussed by representatives of the Agency Turkmendenizdaryaollary with the Ambassador of the Republic of India in Turkmenistan, according the Agency's website reports During the meeting, the excellent potential for cargo transit offered by the Turkmenbashi port, which occupies a crucial location in the North-South transport corridor, was noted and encouraged a proposal by representatives of “Turkmendenizdaryaollarya” to assist the Indian side in establishing an exchange of expertise in port management. In its summary of the meeting, the report stated, "The Indian Ambassador said that more than 30 Indian companies are interested in visiting Turkmenistan and familiarizing themselves with the opportunities of Turkmenbashi port. Following the meeting, the parties agreed to make every effort to develop cooperation in maritime transportation.”

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How Sanctions Against the Moscow Exchange Will Affect Kazakhstan

The introduction of U.S. sanctions against the Moscow Exchange (MOEX) will not have legal consequences for the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE), because the Russian platform's share in Kazakhstan's capital is not large enough, KASE's press service has reported. On June 12th, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States put the Moscow Exchange on the SDN list, which means blocking its accounts in U.S. banks and depositories and banning cooperation for U.S. citizens and residents. The exchange has already announced that it will stop trading in dollars and euros in the foreign exchange section. At the same time, contrary to popular belief, the entry of a company into the SDN list does not automatically lead to the introduction of secondary sanctions against all its partners, including those from third countries. Restrictions may be imposed on the subsidiaries of sub-sanctioned companies if they own at least 50% of their authorized capital. MOEX owns 13.1% of KASE shares, which means the latter is not considered a company under the control of the SDN-list participant. "In this regard, Kazakhstan Stock Exchange and KASE Clearing Center continue to operate normally. Standard regulations will conduct trades, clearing, and settlements. KASE will consider the continuation of business relations with MOEX considering the sanctions restrictions," noted the release from the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange. In November last year, KASE head Alina Aldambergen said that the platform carefully analyzes the risks of sanctions. At the same time, she said that cooperation with the Moscow Exchange has been reduced to providing IT services. Economist Rasul Rysmambetov previously wrote for The Times of Central Asia that he believes sanctions against several financial structures in Russia will not directly affect Kazakhstan. However, there are bound to be consequences for Kazakhstan from the actions of the Russian authorities. "At some point, the Russian financial authorities will see that the pressure of sanctions is aimed not at complicating their operations, but at destroying their financial structure, and they may start taking symmetrical actions," Rysmambetov wrote on social networks. Rysmambetov believes the ruble's depreciation will affect Kazakhstani entrepreneurs producing sugar, milk, and grain.

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

Cargo Transport from Uzbekistan to EU Countries via Latvia

According to the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan's press service reports, Uzbekistan and Latvia have agreed to develop road freight transportation through Latvian ports. The decision followed discussions by the Uzbek-Latvian Joint Commission on International Road Transportation on issues related to trade development, economic relations, and increasing the volume of international cargo transportation. In a statement welcoming the move, the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan announced, "Today, the importance of the route passing through Latvian ports is growing and expanding trade relations between Uzbekistan and EU countries. In this regard, the meeting focused on the effective utilization of Latvia's port infrastructure potential. Head of the Public Transport Department of the Latvian Ministry of Transport Annija Novikova has expressed readiness to provide comprehensive assistance in creating favorable conditions for national carriers of Uzbekistan within the framework of cooperation,” During the meeting, the parties agreed to provide special permits for organizing cargo transportation by road through Latvian ports and established a quota of permits for 2024.

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

South Korean Corporation Bank to Open in Kazakhstan

Microfinance organization BNK Finance Kazakhstan, part of the Korean corporation BNK Financial Group Inc., has been granted permission to transform into a second-tier bank. The news was reported by the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Regulation and Development of Financial Market's press service (ARFM). BNK Financial Group Inc. is the largest South Korean financial group with assets of $129 billion and a national rating of "AAA." The group has two banks with over 300 branches and "A2" international ratings. In 2021, BNK MFI received a license to carry out microfinance activities. Since then, the company has significantly increased its performance and capabilities and now ranks 13th in terms of assets in Kazakhstan's microfinance organizations sector. The decision by the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of Kazakhstan (ARDFM) to issue a permit for BNK's voluntary reorganization into a second-tier bank was approved by a resolution on June 7. As noted by the press service, the appearance of a new foreign bank in Kazakhstan's financial market will strengthen competition in the banking sector and provide clients in Kazakhstan with financial services that adhere to international groups' advanced corporate standards. Earlier this month, during talks with the head of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, Kazakhstan's president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, cited Seoul as one of Astana's most important strategic partners in the Asia-Pacific region. Korea ranks fourth in foreign trade turnover and is among Kazakhstan's top ten largest foreign investors.

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

SPECA Countries’ Digitalization of Multimodal Data Exchange along Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor

An international seminar on “Trade Facilitation and Digital Transformation of Multimodal Data and Document Exchange along the Trans-Caspian Corridor” was held in Aktau, Kazakhstan on June 11-12. Participants included the Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the International Association “Trans-Caspian International Transport Route” (TCITR), and partners including the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the Permanent Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Commission of the Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Central Asia. The seminar followed the adoption of the SPECA Roadmap for Digitalization of Multimodal Exchange of Data and Documents along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, using UN legal instruments and standards, at the Presidential Summit of participating States of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA), back in November 2023, The workshop in Aktau, which brought together experts in trade, transport, and digitalization from fifteen countries, focused on the digitalization of multimodal exchange of data and documents along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, particularly in the ports of Baku (Azerbaijan), Aktau (Kazakhstan), and Turkmenbashi (Turkmenistan). During the event, reports were given on the implementation of UN standards for digitalization of international supply chains, port community systems, interoperability, and multimodal data exchange. A visit to Kuryk, organized by the Kazakh side, included a presentation of the port’s digitized system as well as ongoing work on transhipment and storage of cargo. The United Nations Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) was launched in 1998 to strengthen sub-regional cooperation in Central Asia and its integration into the world economy. SPECA countries include Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Kazakhstan's trade turnover with SPECA countries in 2023 amounted to $9 billion.