Kyrgyzstan International Affairs - The Times Of Central Asia

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Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan May Swap Territories to Ease Border Tensions

In order to solve their long-running border demarcation dispute, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan may consider the option of exchanging territories. That's according to remarks made by Marat Imankulov, the Secretary of the Security Council of the Kyrgyz Republic, in an interview with state news agency, Kabar. According to him, the remarkable thing is that the border in the Batken region passes through difficult terrain, densely populated areas, bisecting streets, yards, and even houses. “Therefore, it should be separated. This is a difficult compromise. It is impossible without it. We have to give way. If necessary, the option of exchanging regions can be considered. Of course, there should be a preliminary agreement with local residents; that's how things are going now,” said Imankulov. The Secretary of the Security Council noted that each country has its own interests, but the parties are now looking for balance and compromise. Imankulov added that all border negotiations should proceed peacefully. Demarcation of the border has been a long-standing source of conflict between the two nations, it is emblematic of the problem that even the length of the border - sometimes cited as being 975-kilomtres long, and at others times 972-kilomteres - is rarely agreed upon. In January 2023, Tajikistan’s President Rahmon stated that 614-kilometres had been settled upon, backtracking on a previously stated figure of 664. In a sign of thawing relations, however, on November 9th 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic announced that a further 17.98 kilometers of the border had been agreed. With its scant natural resources and dwindling water supplies, the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan has been the scene of numerous skirmishes for many years. In 2014, all borders between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan were closed indefinitely to Kyrgyz and Tajik citizens following clashes over a bypass road in disputed territory; mortars were fired and both armies suffered casualties. Trouble spilled over again throughout 2021 and 2022, reportedly starting over a water dispute in the Vorukh enclave, and leaving an unknown number in the hundreds killed, and up to 136,000 people evacuated. In September 2022, another shooting took place on the border between the two countries.

Central Asia Environment Kyrgyzstan Environment Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan International Affairs Business & Economy Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

ADB Allocates $56 Million for Sewage Treatment Plant to Protect Issyk-Kul

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to allocate money for the construction of a sewage treatment plant in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan's main resort city on the northern shore of the high-mountain Lake Issyk-Kul, which is the crown jewel of the Kyrgyz tourism industry. . According to the State Agency of Architecture and Construction, the ADB will allocate $31 million in the form of a grant and $25 million as a soft loan for the construction of a sewage treatment plant with a capacity of 14,200 cubic meters per day. The funds will also be used to build 18 sewage pumping stations, 45km of main sewers, and 109km of intra-square sewage networks in the city of Cholpon-Ata. "To date, the design and cost- estimate documentation for the sewage treatment plant, two main pumping stations and sewage collector in the city of Cholpon-Ata, and tender documents for them, [have been] sent for consideration by the Asian Development Bank," reported the press service of the State Construction Committee. The agency emphasizes that all local guest houses, sanatoriums and resorts will be able to connect to the central sewage system. Environmentalists have repeatedly warned of unfavorable ecological degradation of the waters of Lake Issyk-Kul, because of hundreds of hotels located in the coastal zone. Today, most sewage treatment facilities in the coastal towns of Balykchy, Karakol and Cholpon-Ata are out of operation. Those sewage systems were put into operation in the 1960s or 1970s, and received little maintenance or upkeep.

Central Asia Uzbekistan Turkmenistan Kazakhstan Local Politics International Affairs Tajikistan Tajikistan Business Economy Local Politics Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan International Affairs Turkmenistan Business & Economy Business & Economy Kazakhstan Uzbekistan Business & Economy Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Wages in Uzbekistan Continue to Rise in Early 2024

According to the Uzbek Statistics Agency, as of the end of the first quarter of 2024, the average monthly nominal salary in Uzbekistan reached $389. This translates to an increase of almost 20% compared to the same period last year. Average wages are among the highest in the capital of Tashkent ($640) and the Navoi region ($514). Workers in the banking, insurance, credit and professional services spheres earn the most, at $1,043 per month. In the IT sector, Uzbeks earn $925 on average. The lowest wages are traditionally paid to workers in education and healthcare; in the first quarter of 2024, their salaries averaged $269 and $253, respectively. Since 2019, average salaries in Uzbekistan have increased from $183 to $389. For 2023, all Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries saw an increase in average monthly wages. The highest rates of growth were recorded in Armenia and Belarus. Average wages in the CIS countries in 2023 were as follows (based on state statistics): 1. Tajikistan - 2,013.11 somoni ($183) 2. Uzbekistan - 4.5 million som ($360) 3. Turkmenistan - 1,200 manat ($360) 4. Kyrgyzstan - 33,664 som ($376) 5. Azerbaijan - 942 manat ($550) 6. Belarus - 1,991.2 rubles ($616.50) 7. Armenia - 266,990 dram ($660) 8. Russia - 73,709 rubles ($805) 9. Kazakhstan - 393,605 tenge ($874)

Central Asia International Affairs Kyrgyzstan International Affairs Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan Local Politics Business & Economy Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Operator of France’s Courchevel Ski Resort to Build Slopes in Kyrgyzstan

A new ski resort called Three Peaks will soon open in the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan. According to plans, Société Des Trois Vallées, the operator of the elite Courchevel resort in France, will build slopes with a total length of 200 kilometers in the villages of Jyrgalan, Ak-Bulak and Boz-Uchuk. The first stage of construction will require an investment of $165 million. This money will be used to build 60 kilometers of ski slopes, six cable cars, as well as the full suite of hospitality infrastructure: hotels, restaurants, conference halls and recreation areas. The works are planned to be completed by the end of 2026. Representatives of a consortium of French companies that develop and manage ski resorts came to Kyrgyzstan in the spring of last year. Later, the French ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic, François Delaus, announced the construction of a large tourist facility in Issyk Kul.

Central Asia International Affairs Kyrgyzstan International Affairs Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

U.K. Plans to Open an Investment Fund in Kyrgyzstan

The United Kingdom is weighing up the prospect of opening an investment fund in Kyrgyzstan. Its main function will be to support small- and medium-sized businesses, according to comments made by the British ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Nicholas Bowler during a recent meeting of the Kyrgyz-British Business Council. "Britain is interested in cooperation in mining, agriculture, consulting, the financial sphere, information technology, education and some other areas," said Bowler. According to him, Britain intends to invest £19.5 million ($24.5 million) to create a venture capital investment fund in the country. The series of funds will seek investments in small- and medium-sized enterprises with high potential in the region. The British embassy and business community intend to maintain contacts at the International Business Council and develop trade and economic relations between the two countries. Ambassador Bowler said that the UK is also interested in mining metals and minerals in Kyrgyzstan. In the near future British geologists will begin work to digitize the republic's geological data. In addition, Bowler said, negotiations are underway to engage the international consulting company Boston Consulting Group to develop a joint mining strategy. "Work is now underway in Kyrgyzstan to introduce English commercial law. In the south of the country, United Concrete Canvas is planning to start construction of a concrete canvas [canal lining] plant in the near future, which demonstrates the trust and interest of British companies in Kyrgyzstan," said Kyrgyz ambassador to the UK Ulan Jusupov at the meeting. At the end of 2023 bilateral trade volume between Kyrgyzstan and the UK amounted to $92 million. This represented an increase of 287% on the previous year, as European nations looked for new trading partners in Central Asia, and searched for a way for their firms to get their goods into Russia with less scrutiny. Recently the British authorities have adopted a new trade scheme for developing countries. Under the scheme, Kyrgyzstan can export to the UK more than 8,000 different types of goods at reduced or zero tariffs. So far the main export items are gold, generators, and chemical products. Earlier this month, British foreign secretary David Cameron met with Kyrgyz president Sadyr Zhaparov as part of his working visit to Central Asia.

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Kyrgyzstan Looks to Azerbaijan to Replace Russian Fuel

Geopolitical turbulence is forcing Kyrgyz authorities to diversify approaches to securing its fuel and lubricants supplies. Azerbaijan may become one of the sources of oil products. As part of Kyrgyz president Sadyr Zhaparov's recent visit to Azerbaijan, negotiations were held with representatives of the Baku Oil Refinery, which is run by the state oil company, SOCAR. The two sides discussed the specific details of Azerbaijani oil supplies to the Junda oil refinery in Kyrgyzstan. "Azerbaijan is one of the largest exporters of oil products. In the near future, the Junda oil refinery will also start operating in Kyrgyzstan, the demand of which is more than 1 million tons of fuel per year. In this regard, the issues of oil supplies to Kyrgyzstan were discussed with the management of SOCAR. For their part, they are ready to cooperate," said Kyrgyz energy minister Taalaibek Ibrayev. Earlier, Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Economy and Commerce discussed various risks in the fuel market. The ministry is preparing a package of measures in case of a sharp increase in prices for crude oil and petroleum products. Kyrgyzstan's economy minister Daniyar Amangeldiev referenced the agreements between Russia and Kyrgyzstan on duty-free supplies of oil products under the customs rules of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). However, the ministry fears a sharp reduction in imports from Russia -- as Ukrainian forces use drones to bomb Russian refining capacity, and western sanctions make repairing and replacing parts more difficult. Currently, Kyrgyzstan's local capacity for refining petroleum products doesn't even cover 5% of domestic demand.