Uzbekistan - The Times Of Central Asia

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Illegally Captured Migratory Birds Set Free

The Department of Ecology in Tashkent's Ohangaron district uncovered the illegal capture of eleven migratory birds. The investigation revealed that individuals had engaged in unlawful bird hunting within the Geolog mahalla area of the Ohangaran district. Subsequent inquiries led to the identification of the perpetrators. Each individual involved was issued an administrative protocol under part 1 of Article 90 of the Administrative Code, resulting in a fine of 3.4 million som ($275). Ongoing raids will continue to address such activities.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="13537" img_size="full" el_class="scond-image" parallax_scroll="no" woodmart_inline="no"][vc_column_text woodmart_inline="no" text_larger="no"]Previously, in November, activists highlighted an incident involving the unlawful hunting of a protected bird of prey within mountain reserves. In a message posted on its Telegram channel, the Ekologuz group urged the Committee for Ecology and Environmental Protection of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to identify the individuals responsible and provide an official response regarding the situation. The Taskara bird involved in this incident holds a place in Uzbekistan's Red Data Book, signifying its endangered status and the need for stringent conservation measures.

Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Business & Economy Kazakhstan Business & Economy Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to Increase Bilateral Trade

On January 5th, the Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan, Laziz Kudratov met with the Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, Arman Shakkaliev in Tashkent. The officials discussed the implementation of investment agreements and trade contracts signed during the recent visit of the President of Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan, as well as the further development of trade and economic relations and industrial cooperation between the two countries, the Uzbek Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade said. The parties noted a growth of bilateral trade, stating that over the past six years, trade turnover has grown almost 2.5-fold from $1.9 billion in 2016 to more than $4.6 billion in 2023. The sides agreed on a number of measures aiming to bring bilateral trade to $10 billion in the coming years. In particular, they have agreed to establish a joint working group on the removal of barriers to bilateral trade. The parties also expressed readiness to support the activities of a joint foreign trade company, UzKazTrade, which will include an online trading platform for the sale of a wide range of goods in the markets of both countries. The ministers exchanged views on the development of industrial cooperation, referring to the practical aspects of establishing an International Center for Industrial Cooperation, "Central Asia". An agreement was also reached on taking joint measures to accelerate the establishment of the center and launching its operations.

Uzbekistan Environment Environment Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Features Features

Uzbekistan to Improve Efficiency of Water Use in Agriculture

At a government meeting on January 4th, President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev listened to proposals aimed at improving the efficiency of water use in agriculture. At the meeting it was stated that in the current condition of an increasingly worsening shortage of water resources, special attention needs to be paid to its rational use. In recent years, 472,000 hectares has been converted to using drip irrigation, 48,000 to sprinkler irrigation, and water-saving technologies have been introduced on 97,000 hectares. As a result of these measures, two billion cubic meters of water were saved in 2023 alone, which is equal to the annual consumption of the Bukhara region. Starting this year, the payment for one cubic meter of water supplied to the field has been set at U$0.008, as the time has come to change the idea that has been established in the minds of many people that water is free, officials said at the meeting. In this regard, it was proposed to organize settlements with water consumers on a differentiated basis. In particular, from 2025 it is planned that a lower tax coefficient be applied to farmers who have installed water meters and introduced water-saving technologies, and a higher rate be applied to those who have failed to do so. The meeting also discussed measures to further stimulate the introduction of water-saving technologies, including opening a preferential credit line under which loans will be issued at a rate of 14% for a period of five years with a two-year grace period. Mirziyoyev approved this proposal, and gave instructions for the scope of water conservation work to be expanded.

Uzbekistan Environment Environment Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Features Uzbekistan Life & Culture Features

Air Pollution in Tashkent Reaches “Very Harmful” Level

The level of air pollution in Tashkent rose to “very harmful,” with an increase in the concentration of toxic substances in the atmosphere. According to the latest information from the international service IQAir, at 18:00 on January 3rd, Tashkent recorded an air quality index of 223, placing the capital second in the world in terms of cities with the highest levels of air pollution, between Delhi (273), and above Dhaka (220). According to data from this time, the concentration of particulate matter PM2.5 reached 173 μg/m3. Air quality in the city was rated as "very unhealthy." The highest level of pollution was recorded in the Yunusabad district of the capital. The situation is fluctuating wildly, however, and by 18:00 local time on the evening of January 4th, Tashkent had dropped to number 37 on the rankings, with an air quality index of 67.

Uzbekistan Environment Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Features Uzbekistan Business & Economy Business & Economy Features

Uzbekistan Plans to Attract Investment, Green Energy Development

On January 2nd, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a government meeting on attracting investments and developing green energy in 2024, at which it was stated that last year Uzbekistan attracted more than $22 billion in foreign investment, a 1.8-fold increase on the previous year. Mirziyoyev emphasized the importance of increasing the volume of foreign investment this year, with upmost attention to be paid to electrical and mechanical engineering, construction materials, pharmaceuticals, and the textile and leather industries. The meeting also discussed the development of green energy, with officials reporting that work is ongoing on 28 projects based on public-private partnerships for the construction of solar, wind, and hybrid power plants with a total capacity of 6.3 gigawatts. Of these, the first, with generating capacities of 2.6 gigawatts, were launched in 2023. Currently, work is underway on the construction of green power plants and energy storage systems together with companies from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, China, France, and Switzerland. In 2024, Uzbekistan plans to increase the total capacity of solar power plants to 2.6 gigawatts, wind farms to 900 megawatts, and launch energy storage devices with a capacity of 400 megawatts. At the meeting, instructions were relayed to study the possibility of introducing, based on international experience, agrovoltaics - the practice of agricultural producers installing solar panels on their fields to produce energy for their own needs or for sale, and for specific proposals to be drawn up for this area.

Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Business & Economy

$10 Million Jewelry Factory to be Launched in Fergana

A jewelry factory will be created in the Fergana region together with Turkish businessmen. The project was discussed at a meeting of the regional khokim (administrative leader), Khairullo Bozorov, local businessman, Ulugbek Abdurakhimov, and Turkish partners, Ali Uyanik and Jezmi Shen, the press service of the regional khokimiyat reports. As of now, it is known that the plant will produce gold and silver jewelry. It is planned that a research department and a professional training center will operate at the plant. Its products will be targeted both at the domestic market and for export to Europe and America. The plant is set to create more than three hundred jobs.