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BISHKEK (TCA) — China's northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region saw 107.9 billion yuan (about 15.5 billion US dollars) of imports and exports with member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the first half of 2019, China’s Xinhua news agency reported on August 4. Continue reading
TASHKENT (TCA) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a videoconference meeting on August 2 to analyze the government’s work on the promotion of small business and entrepreneurship in the country, the president’s official website reported. Continue reading
KABUL (TCA) — Afghanistan has exported 255 tons of fresh fruit so far this year to India, Europe and Arab countries, a 30 percent increase compared to the same period in 2018, Afghan broadcaster TOLOnews reported with reference to the country’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Continue reading
BISHKEK (TCA) — The Publisher’s note: Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Central Asia was the scene of intense geopolitical struggle and the Great Game between the British and Russian Empires, and later between the Soviet Union and the West, over Afghanistan and neighboring territories. Into the 21st century, Central Asia has become the area of a renewed geopolitical interest, dubbed the New Great Game, largely based on the region’s hydrocarbon and mineral wealth. On top of that, the region now is perhaps the most important node in the implementation of China’s One Belt, One Road initiative through which Beijing aims to get direct access to Western markets. Every week thousands of news appears in the world’s printed and online media and many of them may escape the attention of busy readers. At The Times of Central Asia, we strongly believe that more information can better contribute to peaceful development and better knowledge of this unique region. So we are presenting this Weekly Digest which compiles what other media have reported on Central Asia over the past week. KAZAKHSTAN Kazakhstan's political uncertainty weighs on its currency Transition to permanent president and the ruble to determine the Kazakh tenge's value July 29 — “The election of a new president in Kazakhstan following the resignation of Soviet-era strongman Nursultan Nazarbayev has failed to dispel fears of political instability stemming from the former president's sudden demise. Instead, uncertainty has risen amid questions about the new government's longevity. Experts say this political instability now outweighs economic factors in determining the value of the Kazakh currency, the tenge. In July, the tenge hit 385 to the dollar, its lowest point in three and a half years.” READ MORE: https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Kazakhstan-s-political-uncertainty-weighs-on-its-currency Astana, Kazakhstan: the City of the Future? Astana is a planned city, built with the intention of making it the capital of the country Aug 1 — “Continuing my travels through the ex-Soviet states, I reached Astana (now, Nur-Sultan City) from Tashkent. Ever wondered what would happen if someone were to play Minecraft in real life? Like, build stuff from the ground up? Meet Astana, now known as Nur-Sultan City. This approx 1-million strong city happens to be the capital of Kazakhstan. It is also the northernmost capital city of the contemporary Islamic World.” READ MORE: https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/08/01/astana-kazakhstan-the-city-of-the-future/ Kazakhstan: Tokayev remarks on torture may signal new policy direction While Tokayev is widely seen as a loyal continuer of Nazarbayev’s legacy, there is some chatter among the commentariat about a possible rift on reforms and appointments Aug 1 — “The president of Kazakhstan has in a break from custom waded into a furor about torture in the nation’s prisons following the leak of footage showing inmates being mistreated by guards. Taking to his official Twitter account on July 31, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said he ordered prosecutors to conduct a thorough investigation into torture at a penal facility north of Almaty, where the images are said to have been filmed.” READ MORE: https://eurasianet.org/kazakhstan-tokayev-remarks-on-torture-may-signal-new-policy-direction Kazakhstan Internet Surveillance Plan Involves Intercepting Citizens’ Web Traffic...
ASHGABAT (TCA) — Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev plans to travel to Turkmenistan later this month amid persistent rumors that the Central Asian nation's autocratic leader has died, RFE/RL reported. Medvedev will visit Turkmenistan on August 11-12 to take part in the first Caspian Economic Forum, his press service said in a statement. Medvedev is scheduled to meet with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov during his trip to discuss bilateral issues, the statement said. Berdymukhammedov's failure to appear in public since July 5, not even during a July 6 visit to the capital, Ashgabat, by EU foreign-policy chief Federica Mogherini, has fueled speculation about the state of his health. Turkmen authorities have repeatedly said the president is on vacation until August 15 even though the long-planned forum starts earlier. On July 21, rumors on social media and unconfirmed reports by Russian news outlets claimed Berdymukhammedov had died. Diplomats at Turkmen embassies abroad have rejected the rumors of the president’s death as "absolute lies". Turkmen state TV showed video footage of Berdymukhammedov at a construction site in the capital, Ashgabat, stating that it was recorded on July 24. According to Chronicles of Turkmenistan independent foreign-based news website, Berdymukhammedov’s absence in public was due to the critical condition of his mother, Ogulabat Berdymukhammedova, who, according to reports as of 21 July, had been undergoing a course of medical treatment in Germany. Turkmenistan is described by rights groups as having one of the most closed societies and oppressive governments in the world.
NUR-SULTAN (TCA) — Kazakhstan’s delegation visited Tokyo on August 1-2, where it had separate meetings with heads of Japanese companies and organizations, such as Sumitomo, Marubeni, Nippon Express, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Chiyoda Technol, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Sojitz, Terra Drone, JOGMEC, and Nikke Group, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry reported. The parties discussed ongoing and perspective joint projects in Kazakhstan in such industries as engineering, energy, agriculture, logistics, petrochemicals, light industry, robotics and ICT. The Kazakh side informed the Japanese companies on measures to improve the investment climate and expanding opportunities for investors in Kazakhstan. Japanese investors expressed interest in investing in Kazakhstan's economy, as well as informed about the progress of current investment projects in Kazakhstan. The world's fourth largest logistics company, Nippon Express, announced the official opening of its Central Asian office in Kazakhstan in August. Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., which has been operating in Kazakhstan since 2004, is working on creation of a regional center for repair and maintenance services for mining equipment. Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) intends to continue cooperation in the development of rare earth metal processing technologies. The management of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, the largest Japanese bank, suggested using a credit line opened jointly with Kazakhstan’s Baiterek National Holding as actively as possible. In addition, on August 2, Deputy Foreign Minister Ermek Kosherbayev, who led Kazakhstan’s delegation, met with Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kenji Yamada. They discussed economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Japan. The Japanese side expressed readiness to support Kazakhstan's initiatives to intensify investment cooperation. The Kazakh delegation included representatives of the Industrial Development and Industrial Safety Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development, the Investment Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Kazakh Invest national investment promotion company.
