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Business

A Taste of Kazakhstan: Interview with Almaty’s Apple City Cider

Englishman Alexander Thomas is the passionate founder of Apple City Cider, an Almaty-based craft cidery dedicated to producing high-quality, locally sourced ciders that celebrate tradition with a modern twist. With a deep-rooted love for orchards and fermentation, Thomas blends innovation with time-honored techniques to create crisp, flavorful ciders. TCA: What first brought you to Almaty, and what kept you here? AT: I used to work for the world’s largest publishing group, where I reported on different market sectors. When I covered aviation, I used to fly around the world to speak to different airline CEOs to discuss their route strategies and fleets. I first came to Kazakhstan to interview Air Astana’s CEO, Peter Foster. I was supposed to fly to Paris to speak with KLM and Air France, but that meeting was canceled, so I flew back to London. Sitting next to me, little did I know, was my future wife. In the same company, I very much enjoyed the coverage of the drinks industry. I had originally wanted to make wine in the south of France, but after marrying a Kazakh girl, we decided to start our business in Kazakhstan. Instead of pressing grapes in the South of France, we began pressing apples in Almaty. TCA: Can you tell us the inspiration for Apple City Cider? AT: We started the business because no one was making cider in the birthplace of the apple, around that time, cider was not even available to purchase in Kazakhstan. Around the same time we went on sale, another alcohol manufacturer began to produce cider as well, but we are the only cider specialists; the main business of the others is spirits and other alcoholic drinks. [caption id="attachment_28689" align="aligncenter" width="1706"] Image: TCA, Henry Kuvin[/caption] TCA: How did Almaty respond to your business idea, and what were the main challenges when establishing your company? AT: Consumers are very happy with the product and happy that we started our business here. Like other local companies, Almaty Cider has received a lot of positive support from the city; they love how it’s called “Almaty Cider.” The concept of eating locally and supporting local businesses is a global phenomenon, and Almaty is no exception. The fact that Almaty is the birthplace of the apple, proven by science, made it the ideal location to start such a business. The Malus Sieversii apple, native to the Almaty region, is perfect for cider. The levels of tannins, fruit sugar, and acidity, while not ideal for eating, make a great-tasting cider. TCA: Almaty, the place of abundant apples, does not have a huge cider culture – how has this changed since you established the business, and where do you see it going? AT: Cider was not available even as an imported product until about three to four years ago. Since then, we have seen imported brands come to the market, and people have developed a taste for it. In Russia, for example, there are now over 100 independent cideries. The first person...

Stock Market

Kyrgyz State Companies Encouraged to List Securities on Local Stock Exchange

Kyrgyzstan's Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Akylbek Japarov, has signed a decree recommending that all state-owned enterprises conduct initial public offerings (IPOs) and trade their securities on the Kyrgyz Stock Exchange (KSE). Experts believe the move will stimulate stock market development and attract foreign investors. Several years ago, shares of five major state-owned enterprises, Kyrgyzaltyn, Kyrgyztelecom, Manas International Airport, Uchkun (the state printing house), and RSK Bank, were listed on KSE. The initiative served as a testing ground for improving corporate governance. At the time, stock exchange representatives noted that the process enabled state companies to modernize their operations and expand without relying on loans. “The IPO is just the beginning. According to KSE listing requirements, companies must maintain transparency, conduct public operations, and provide ongoing financial and economic disclosures to sustain investor confidence,” said KSE President Medet Nazaraliyev. Nazaraliyev told The Times of Central Asia (TCA) that the shareholders of KSE include the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange and the Istanbul Exchange, making it possible for foreign investors to participate in Kyrgyz securities trading. Additionally, under Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) agreements, investors from across the bloc can freely purchase shares in local companies. “Transferring the trading of all state-owned companies’ securities to KSE aims to consolidate the market and ensure that state enterprises receive high-quality financial services. KSE is also working on expanding its investor base and exploring opportunities to enter foreign markets, all in the interests of our issuers,” KSE Vice President Myktybek Abirov told TCA. According to Abirov, 24 state-owned enterprises are currently listed on the exchange. Under Kyrgyz law, all transactions involving securities of open joint-stock companies must be conducted on KSE. Last year, U.S. credit rating agency S&P Global Ratings joined KSE’s list of official evaluators, alongside Kazakh and Russian firms. This partnership facilitates independent assessments of green and gender bonds issued by the exchange. Furthermore, S&P’s involvement enhances the credibility and attractiveness of Kyrgyz securities for foreign investors. In the middle of 2024, the volume of capitalization of KSE amounted to $636 million.

Foreign Agents Law

Proposed Kazakh Foreign Agents Law Sparks Heated Debate

The potential adoption of a law on foreign agents has sparked heated discussions and even serious conflicts in Kazakhstan. However, some experts believe that labeling foreign agents will help the country's citizens understand whose interests certain sections of the media and bloggers are serving. Discussions about the possible adoption of a foreign agents law in Kazakhstan have been ongoing for several years. The sharp reduction in USAID activities worldwide, including in Kazakhstan, has given new momentum to the debate. A directive from U.S. President Donald Trump to shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) brought shocking details to light. It was confirmed that over the years, USAID had spent millions of dollars funding various projects in Kazakhstan. Some of these projects, including those involving the Kazakh government, were related to energy, modernization, healthcare, and other progressive fields. However, a significant portion of the funds went toward media resources that promoted a specific point of view in Kazakhstan, often leading to conflicts, as extensively reported by The Times of Central Asia (TCA) in a series of articles. Following Trump’s directive, Mazhilis (Parliament) Deputy Magerram Magerramov accused USAID of lobbying for the LGBT community. According to him, Elon Musk and Trump had called USAID a criminal organization. The deputy claimed that foreign-funded non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were promoting an alien and harmful perspective in Kazakhstan. Sources indicate that the shutdown of USAID’s activities has already led to the closure or suspension of certain media outlets in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. For example, on February 17, Mediazona Central Asia announced it was temporarily ceasing operations. The issue of foreign funding for media and bloggers has caused an intense reaction in Kazakhstan’s information space. Amid the USAID shuttering, Mazhilis deputy from the People's Party of Kazakhstan, Irina Smirnova, proposed amending the legislation on foreign financing. Her proposal served to escalate tensions. On February 12, Smirnova submitted a parliamentary inquiry to Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. According to Smirnova, around 200 NGOs in Kazakhstan receive foreign funding, with 70% financed through various U.S. sources. Official government data shows that the country has 165 different grant donors, including 53 international organizations, 31 foreign government organizations, and 81 foreign and Kazakh NGOs. "Even experts find it difficult to distinguish between friendly resources and those that require caution to avoid falling under the influence of destructive 'soft' power," Smirnova stated, representing this a challenge for Kazakh society. According to Smirnova, many countries counter such challenges by adopting foreign agent laws. For example, Israel has had such a law since 2016, China since 2017, Australia since 2018, the UK since 2023, and France since 2024. One of the original models for such laws is the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act, enacted in 1938 to counter Nazi propaganda. Smirnova suggested that Kazakhstan should develop national legislation on foreign agents similar to Western countries so that citizens can evaluate and compare information while understanding its source. Her statement triggered a massive backlash, however, with the most extreme reaction coming from Arman Shuraev, a former...

Kyrgyz-Tajik Border

Some Good News as Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan Finalize Border Deal

Central Asia is offering a rare bright spot in a geopolitical landscape that often seems troubled by conflict and uncertainty. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are on the verge of resolving a long-running border dispute that has sometimes flared into deadly violence, an outcome that will open the way to smoother transport links as well as energy and water agreements between the two countries. At a ceremony in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital, on Friday, 21 February 2025, the chief negotiators for each country signed what they said was an agreement demarcating their nearly 1,000-kilometer border, the final and most critical of a series of accords aimed at ending the dispute over territory. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan must also add their signatures as part of the process of making the agreement legal. The most painstaking work has been done after months of discussions over the delineation of the border, which was the scene of clashes in 2021 and 2022 that killed dozens of people and forced mass evacuations of residents. Much of the frontier runs through mountainous areas. Saimumin Yatimov, Tajikistan’s chief negotiator and head of the State Committee for National Security, said the deal, once ratified, “will bring an end to the 100-year dispute” between the neighbors, the AKIpress news agency reported. Yatimov’s counterpart in the talks was Kyrgyz security chief Kamchybek Tashiyev. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and other Central Asian states declared independence from the Soviet Union as it fell apart in 1991. The origin of lingering border problems, in particular between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, go back a century to when the Soviet Union formed those republics, drawing lines on a map with little regard for ethnic and geographical circumstances. Geopolitical strategist Velina Tchakarova, whose predictions for 2025 include heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific, noted the positive development between the two Central Asian countries. “Not everything is about bad news in global geopolitics,” Tchakarova said on X.

Abortion

Abortion in Kazakhstan: Legal but Still Taboo

Abortion is legal in Kazakhstan, but social stigma makes the decision difficult for many women. They often face pressure from doctors, a lack of understanding from their families, and feelings of guilt reinforced by societal attitudes. What is the reality of reproductive rights in the country, and why does the topic remain so sensitive? Conversations at the Doctor’s Office Under Kazakhstani law, women have the right to terminate a pregnancy at their discretion until the twelfth week. After that, abortion is only allowed on medical or social grounds. In practice, however, women frequently encounter judgment - even from medical professionals. A group of women who shared their experiences with The Times of Central Asia. To protect their identities, the names of interviewees have been changed. "When I went to a public clinic for an abortion, the doctor asked: ‘Does your husband know? Do your parents know? Are you sure? You’ll never be able to give birth again!’" Aigul, 26, told TCA. "I felt like I was committing a crime. Instead of simply doing their job, the nurses were discussing my choices. It was unsettling. At a time like that, doctors should be more careful with their words." Such attitudes persist even in private clinics, where patients pay for the procedure. "The doctor asked me, ‘What if your mother hadn’t given birth to you?’ I felt so uncomfortable. I cried after the procedure - not because of the pain, but because of the shame they made me feel," said 25-year-old Asel. Shame and Family Pressure Abortion remains a taboo subject in many Kazakhstani families. Young women facing an unplanned pregnancy often fear telling their relatives, expecting judgment and pressure. "I knew that if my mother found out, she would scream and accuse me of sin. So, I secretly took the money and went to a private clinic. I wasn’t scared of the procedure itself - I was scared that if I got caught, they would force me to give birth," said 29-year-old Aidana. The stigma is particularly strong in traditional families, where abortion is considered unacceptable. Some women find themselves with no say in the decision. "A friend of mine got pregnant at a young age. Her parents were strictly against abortion — they said it was shameful. I don’t even know what happened to her because they moved away immediately to avoid gossip," said 24-year-old Dilara. Even those who have never had an abortion feel ashamed. Many girls grow up being told that abortion is not just a medical procedure, but a disgrace. "All my life, I heard that abortion was something horrible, and my friends said the same. We thought it was a crime, but years later, I finally realized that it’s a choice," 21-year-old Kamila shared with TCA. Alternatives and Contraception: How Accessible Are They? A major factor contributing to the demand for abortion is the limited access to contraception and the lack of sex education. Schools in Kazakhstan do not offer mandatory sex education, leading to widespread...

Cultural Heritage

Simurgh Self-Help: Slavs and Tatars’ New Show Rethinks National Symbolism

“It’s interesting that in Western symbolism you never see a delicate female eagle,” notes Payam, one-half of the artist collective Slavs and Tatars, from his studio in Berlin. “But the central-Asian Simurgh is gender-fluid, metaphysical. It doesn’t belong to this world.” The mythological figure of the Simurgh is the focus of Slavs and Tatars’ latest show at the gallery The Third Line in Dubai called “Simurgh Self-Help”. The show speaks of the importance of reclaiming and reframing cultural memories in a fractured world, and an invitation to think beyond the artificial, top-down confines of nationalism, to find cultural unity. [caption id="attachment_28951" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Slavs and Tatars Samovar Vacuum-formed plastic, acrylic paint; Image: Courtesy of the artist and The Third Line, Dubai[/caption] The exhibition extends a lineage of conceptual inquiry, drawing upon the mystical bird Simurgh, ever-present in Persian and Central Asia mythologies, as a counterpoint to the ubiquitous, secularized eagle of Western heraldry. A constant companion of Zeus in Greek mythology, the eagle is a recurring symbol in the Western world: “Everywhere you look in the West, you find eagles,” notes Payam. “It’s on the German flag, on American football teams, on the Albanian flag. It’s a tired, secularized symbol, heavy with the weight of imperial history.” In contrast, the Simurgh exists on a different plane, one that rejects hierarchies in favor of collective transformation. [caption id="attachment_28952" align="aligncenter" width="1874"] Slavs and Tatars Samovar Vacuum-formed plastic, acrylic paint; Image: Courtesy of the artist and The Third Line, Dubai[/caption] Today the Simurgh is going through a similar secularization to the Western eagle, with Turkish SIM cards and Azerbaijani soccer teams called Simurgh. "It's easy, in some sense, for as an artist to take something which is very high and important, let's say spiritual or religious, and make it make fun of it, bring it down in a caricatural way,” says Payam. “What's very hard as an artist is to take something which has been debased and make it high again." In the show, we see works that go in either direction, presenting an alternative mythology, one that shows that cultures are fluid and interconnected. “Simurgh Self-Help,” which had previous iterations in Warsaw, Athens, and Baden-Baden, was originally started two years ago as a conceptual echo of Marcel Broodthaers’ Musée d'Art Moderne: Département des Aigles. This was a conceptual museum/artistic project created by the Belgian artist in 1968, full of artworks referenced by Slavs and Tatars in their show. [caption id="attachment_28953" align="aligncenter" width="2500"] Slavs and Tatars, Soft Power_2023, Woolen Yarn; Image: Courtesy of the artist and The Third Line, Dubai[/caption] The Simurgh, Payam explains, traverses territories from Kazakhstan to Ukraine, yet remains absent in Poland. “It’s a question of defining a region not through imposed political structures but through the myths that bubble from the ground up,” remarks Payam. The Simurgh becomes a cipher for alternative cartographies, a challenge to the top-down imposition of nationhood. If the eagle stands for conquest and dominance, the Simurgh stands for the dissolution of categories and unity...