Uzbekistan - The Times Of Central Asia

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Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan Among Nations Prepared to Invest in Afghanistan

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, as well as Turkey, Russia, and Iran are ready to invest in Afghanistan, Taliban press secretary, Zabihullah Mujahid has told TOLOnews. A number of companies from these countries could invest in the mining and energy sectors, and the construction of hydroelectric power stations in 2024, he stated. Mujahid said that in 2023, great work had been done to attract foreign investment, and this work will continue in 2024. This issue is currently in the negotiating stage with some companies, whilst others have already started work. The Ministry of Economy noted that foreign investors will be provided with all necessary assistance, adding that foreign parties are ready to invest in agriculture, trade, energy, railway and infrastructure projects. The Ministry of Industry and Trade spokesman, Okhundzoda Abdulsalam Javad also informed TOLOnews that Afghanistan’s trade turnover with Uzbekistan increased in 2023 to $266 million, up from $44 million in 2022.

Uzbekistan Modernizing Defense Industry

The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev on January 11th visited the production cluster of the Defense Industry Agency located in the Tashkent region. At the initiative and under the supervision of Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan is reforming and modernizing its armed forces to fully meets modern requirements and guarantee the nation’s independence and sovereignty, the presidential press service stated. For this purpose, in January 2023 the President transferred the Defense Industry Agency to the Ministry of Defense. The Agency has since launched the production of several types of military-technical products, supplied modern equipment to troops, and updated existing models of weapons. An equipment repair plant and the central storage base for automotive equipment of the Ministry of Defense have been transferred to a cluster territory. Enterprises located in the new cluster repair and modernize weapons and military equipment, radars, optical devices, and artillery. During his visit, Mirziyoyev was shown samples of upgraded equipment and weapons, and devices that are part of the “Soldier of the Future” complex, which was developed by specialists to meet global standards. The President also launched an enterprise producing a new range of military hardware. Established in 1992 following the collapse of the Soviet Union, January 14th will mark the 32nd anniversary of the founding of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Twelve months military conscription is compulsory for males at the age of 18, with the option of paying for a shorter service of one month whilst remaining in the reserves until the age of 27. Upon completion of their service, privileges in employment and admission to higher educational institutions are granted. The armed forces constitute an acting personnel of 48,000, with 20,000 in reserve. In the 2024 Military Strength Ranking released by the Global Firepower, Uzbekistan ranked 65th among the 145 countries listed. Elsewhere in Central Asia, Kazakhstan ranked in 58th place, Turkmenistan 83rd, Kyrgyzstan 100th, and Tajikistan 107th. Despite the modernization drive, however, this position marked a decline in Uzbekistan’s ranking, down from 62nd place in the previous year.

Central Asia’s Untapped Potential: Key to Green Transition, Food Security, and Digital Economy Growth

Central Asia, with its rich history as a crossroads of civilizations and a gateway between East and West, finds itself at a crucial juncture in its economic development. The region is showing signs of moving towards becoming a more cohesive economic group, an evolution that could have far-reaching implications for renewable energy development, food security, global commerce and geopolitics. Central Asian states are better positioned than ever to capitalize on their strengths and resources to help the rest of the world deal with climate change, security challenges associated with geopolitical shifts and the ongoing digital transformation of the global economy. Realizing this vast potential will require continued focus, commitment and cooperation from the region’s leaders, as well as long-overdue support from Western leaders for some of the most progressive reforms Central Asia has seen in recent years. Green energy potential Rich in natural resources, Central Asia is fast becoming pivotal for the global green energy transition. Leveraging vast reserves of rare earth elements (REEs) and other crucial minerals combined with its significant potential for renewable energy production, the region is increasingly recognized as a key contributor to realizing a more sustainable future. Kazakhstan, one of the region's major players, boasts over 56 identified deposits of REEs, with reserves and resources surpassing 450,000 tons. These elements, including lithium and cobalt production, are crucial for battery technologies powering renewable energy applications. This positions Kazakhstan as a significant supplier for the burgeoning green technology industry. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan also show promise. Inventory reviews of REE-bearing mineral occurrences and delineation of areas-of-interest suggest these countries could be home to considerable undiscovered resources, further boosting their contribution to green energy transitions. In addition to its abundant natural resources, Central Asia is an ideal candidate for green hydrogen production. Uzbekistan, with PowerChina and the Saudi company ACWA Power is constructing the country's first green hydrogen plant. Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, with their surplus hydropower electricity, are well-positioned for hydrogen production. Once again, however, Kazakhstan boasts the most ambitious goal: The country aims to produce two million tons of green hydrogen annually by 2032, marking its intent to become a major player in the global green hydrogen market. In 2022, it inked a $50 billion deal with the German energy grou Svevind to build one of the world's largest green hydrogen plants supplying Europe. Kazakhstan, which holds 13% of the world’s uranium reserves, also leads the pack in uranium mining, meeting a significant portion of annual demand from Europe and the U.S.. As nuclear power plays a crucial role in the green energy transition, Kazakhstan's role is set to grow. The country is exploring new avenues to access the international market. On the other hand, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are also known for their uranium deposits but they are currently prioritizing the remediation of past mining sites over active uranium production. This responsible approach underscores the region's commitment to sustainable development. Central Asia's commitment to a greener future extends beyond resource development.. Several states, including Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan,...

Karakalpakstan

Uzbekistan to Boost Development in Karakalpakstan

On January 10th, the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a government meeting on the socioeconomic development of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, an impoverished autonomous region in the northwest of the country. In recent years, Karakalpakstan has made headlines as a politically volatile area which saw deadly unrest break out in July 2022. The region has also suffered acutely from the consequences of the Aral Sea ecological disaster. At the meeting, it was stated that over the past seven years, Karakalpakstan has undergone unprecedented changes. Twelve of the autonomous republic’s fifteen districts were formerly subsidized by the central government, but now they have begun to bring in revenues to the state budget. More than 5,300 projects have been implemented through investment. Forest plantations covering 1.8 million hectares have been sown on the desiccated bed of the former Aral Sea, and living conditions for 51,000 families have been improved. In Karakalpakstan, there are incentives and opportunities for doing business which are not available in any other parts of Uzbekistan - taxes on profit, turnover, land and property have all been lowered twofold, and social tax has been set at 1%. Over the past two years, seven decrees and resolutions have been adopted on the development of industry, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and the improvement of the infrastructure in mahallas (local neighborhoods) in Karakalpakstan, with a total of $400 million and 250 billion Uzbek som have been allocated for these purposes. Today, the population of Karakalpakstan exceeds two million, and every year 50,000 citizens enter the region’s labor market. At the meeting, the President emphasized the need to train them in modern professions, and provide them with gainful employment and decent conditions. In 2024, the government plans to attract $2.1 billion in foreign investment to the region. This injection of funds will help implement 206 projects in industry, 240 in the services sector, and 34 in agriculture, creating 13,000 jobs. The head of state pointed out that tourism can become a driver of economic growth in Karakalpakstan, and set the task of developing a program to kick-start tourism in the region, with a focus on environmental, ethnographic, and pilgrimage destinations. The establishment of a tourism cluster and attracting foreign experts to the local tourist industry were also discussed.

USAID Provides $1.4 Million to Strengthen Central Asia’s Power Sector

On January 10th, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) handed over $1.4 million of modern energy sector management equipment and software to the Coordinating Dispatch Center (CDC) Energia in Tashkent. This cutting-edge technology will allow CDC Energia’s dispatchers to display relevant information for maintaining the region’s energy regime, the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan reported. This investment will enhance Central Asia’s ability to manage and monitor electricity flows to ensure the stability of the power grid and foster increased opportunities for the regional trade in electricity. It will also modernize the work of CDC Energia as a regional Systems Operator, which faces an increasing number of challenges in connection with the intensive integration of renewable energy sources and the introduction of the electricity and capacity market in Central Asia. The Deputy Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan, Akmal Jumanazarov, U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Jonathan Henick, USAID/Uzbekistan Mission Director, David Hoffman, and the Head of CDC Energia, Khamidilla Shamsiev attended the ceremony. Ambassador Henick emphasized Uzbekistan’s prominent role in the region’s energy sector, stating that “Uzbekistan plays a vital role in the region due to its central geographical location, abundant energy resources, and key infrastructure. As Central Asia’s power system expands and becomes more complex, innovative solutions are imperative for energy sector development planning. Together, we are creating the foundation for a sustainable future to address the complex challenges of energy transition.” This delivery of modern equipment was possible through USAID’s flagship regional energy project, Power Central Asia. With a total budget of $39 million over a five-year period, the project aims to improve the performance of the energy sector, expedite clean energy development, and enhance energy security and resiliency through greater regional connectivity and expanded cross-border electricity trade. Through this project alone, USAID has leveraged $2.2 billion in clean energy investments and facilitated the installation of 2,241 megawatts of clean energy capacity across Central Asia to date. The equipment’s installation is a significant step to achieving a more resilient and efficient energy landscape in Uzbekistan and the broader region, aligning with the high-level priorities outlined in the joint decree by the presidents of the U.S. and all five Central Asian nations. In a joint statement, the parties made it known that “Through C5+1 programs such as USAID Power Central Asia, the United States and Central Asian states will unlock the economic benefits of regional clean energy trade and a clean economy future.”

Uzbek-Japanese Forum Held in Tashkent

On January 10th, an Uzbek-Japanese business forum was held in Tashkent within the framework of the visit of Japan's State Minister of the Economy, Trade and Industry, Ryosuke Kozuki. The forum gathered together the heads of key ministries, industry associations, as well as representatives from around 200 major companies from the two countries, the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan has reported. Minister Kozuki and the Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan, Laziz Kudratov delivered the opening remarks at the forum. Kudratov outlined Uzbekistan's key achievements in economic development and the improvement of the investment climate, highlighting the introduction of effective legislative norms aimed at protecting the rights of investors, the availability of energy resources, and the possibility of duty-free exports to EU markets within the framework of the EU’s GSP+ program for Uzbekistan. Both sides emphasized the importance of intensifying direct contact between representatives of the business circles of the two countries. Alternative energy, IT, education, medicine, tourism, and digitization were named the most promising areas for joint investment projects. The forum also included panel discussions on the topics of "Prospects for Energy Transformation," and "Digital Transformation in Industrial Development: Japanese startups as a tool for the development of Uzbekistan's economy." Fourteen cooperation documents in the fields of education, IT-technologies, alternative energy, medicine, and the use of space technologies in geodesy and cartography were signed.