Our People > Sadokat Jalolova

Sadokat Jalolova

Journalist

Jalolova has worked as a reporter for some time in local newspapers and websites in Uzbekistan, and has enriched her knowledge in the field of journalism through courses at the University of Michigan, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Amsterdam on the Coursera platform.

Articles

Export/Import

Drop in Uzbekistan’s Exports to Central Asia

Local media has reported that from January - August, Uzbekistan's exports to its four neighboring countries decreased, compared to the same period in 2023. According to data from the Statistical Agency data, exports to Kazakhstan dropped from 950 million USD to 872 million USD; to Kyrgyzstan, from 491 million USD to 365 million USD; to Tajikistan, from 389 million USD to 329 million USD, and to Turkmenistan, from 118 million USD to 78 million USD. The share of Central Asian countries in Uzbekistan's total foreign trade turnover (FTT) in the first nine months of 2023 was 11.5%. The total FTT was worth 40 billion 45 million USD, of which 4 billion 574.3 million USD were with Central Asian countries. This year, it has decreased to 10.3%, meaning 4 billion 400.6 million USD of FTT of 42 billion 703.3 million USD are with CA countries. The Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade attributed the drop to an increase Uzbekistan's exports to international markets with high purchasing power, especially Europe, Arab countries, Southeast Asia, and the Americas, and explained, " due to diversification, the volume of exports to neighboring countries, which are considered a traditional market, decreased. In particular, the volume of exports to Kazakhstan decreased by 8.3%, to Kyrgyzstan by 25.6%, to Tajikistan by 15.3%, and to Turkmenistan by 36.2%."

1 year ago

migrants rights

Tajikistan Expresses Concerns over Violations of its Citizens’ Rights in CIS Countries

The most recent meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was hosted by Moscow on October 7. During the meeting, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, Sirojiddin Muhriddin, expressed his concern about the violation of the rights of the republic's citizens on the territory of some CIS countries. Emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to solving migration issues in the countries of the Commonwealth of Nations, he called for consideration of all parties' interests: host countries, migrant-sending countries, foreign citizens, and the local population. The Minister also addressed urgent security issues and stressed the need to strengthen the fight against terrorism, extremism, illegal drug trafficking, and transnational crimes. He invited the CIS states to participate in the international conference on counterterrorism, scheduled for early November in Kuwait City as part of the Dushanbe process.

1 year ago

international tourism

Uzbekistan Aims to Attract 15 Million Foreign Tourists by 2030

In an article, “Uzbekistan Attracts More and More Foreign Tourists to the Country”, published on the popular online portal Tiger’s Media in Poland, Dunyo reports that Uzbekistan plans to increase the number of foreign tourists to 15 million by 2030. As stated by Tiger's Media, “this number is twice as much as the 6.6 million tourists who came to the country in 2023. In 2023, tourism brought about $2.1 billion to the economy and created about 70 thousand new jobs." The portal adds that “to attract the attention of young travelers, Uzbekistan is also attracting bloggers and social network activists with more than 10 million subscribers,” Uzbekistan is located on an important part of the ancient Silk Road. Cities of the republic, such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, important trade centers in ancient times, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, known for their architecture, including madrasahs, mosques, and bazaars. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that tourism revenue made up 2.35% of Uzbekistan’s GDP last year. Other countries in Central Asia are likewise looking to boost their tourism industry. In June, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke bluntly about infrastructure weaknesses that must be fixed. Kyrgyzstan, meanwhile, is focusing on its rugged, mountainous landscape, citing riding and hiking and “hunting with eagles” among its main attractions.

1 year ago

Economy

Turkmenistan Among Ten Countries With Cheapest Gasoline

According to the Global Petrol Prices portal, the average price of gasoline worldwide is $1.21 per liter as of September 30, 2024. “However, there is a substantial difference in these prices among countries. As a general rule, richer countries have higher prices while poorer countries and the countries that produce and export oil have significantly lower prices,” the report explains. Iran, Libya, and Venezuela have the lowest diesel fuel prices. Singapore, Israel, Finland, Albania, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland, the Central African Republic, Monaco, and Hong Kong have the highest prices. The highest price is noted in Hong Kong, where one liter of gasoline is $3,279. Turkmenistan has the lowest oil prices among Central Asian countries. One liter of gasoline costs $0.429, making it among the top 10 countries in terms of low prices. In Kazakhstan, the price of one liter of gasoline is $0.508. In Kyrgyzstan, it is slightly higher—$0.880. The most expensive price in the region is in Uzbekistan, where the price of one liter of gasoline is $0.983. There is no information about the price of gasoline in Tajikistan.

1 year ago

Education

Uzbek Teachers Highlight Rising Interest in English and Other Foreign Languages

Interest in learning foreign languages in Uzbekistan is growing year by year, with English proving by far, the most popular. The English language is taught in Uzbekistan's schools from the 1st to the 11th grade. More advanced classes are offered by colleges or universities and in an ever- increasing number of educational centers specializing in teaching English. Regarding young people's interest in the language, Abbas Khan Mekhmonaliev, a teacher at the “English Team” language learning center, told The Times of Central Asia: “There is much to admire when it comes to the new generation in Uzbekistan, especially their passion for learning English. In the past, many young people studied English primarily to meet university entrance requirements. However, times have changed. Today, young people are thinking more broadly: learning English is no longer just a stepping stone to an education that opens the door to a future career. Young Uzbeks dream of going abroad to visit and succeed, and English is key to opening up global opportunities. This focus is about more than just language proficiency; it is about a distant future in which their lives will be more prosperous, fulfilling, and globally connected." According to Mekhmonaliev, English dominates other languages, especially amongst ambitious young people who see their peers succeed abroad by mastering English. In addition, they see it as an essential step towards promoting and achieving international recognition for Uzbekistan. “Several factors are responsible for the growing interest in learning English among the youth of Uzbekistan," explained Mekhmonaliev."First, English is the key to good career opportunities at home and abroad, as many employers require English. Second, access to global information, culture, and education, mostly in English, encourages young people to learn languages. Finally, studying or working abroad has become more attractive, and English is an important tool for achieving these ambitions and broadening their horizons.” Reiterating this stance, Rano Jurakulova, with over ten years of teaching English, commented, “Due to international education opportunities, better job prospects, and the influence of globalization, more and more young people are eager to learn English.” According to UNESCO data, Uzbekistan ranked fifth globally in terms of the number of students studying abroad in 2021. In recent years, the number of people wishing to study and work in Turkey has risen significantly and as of September 2024, over 55 thousand citizens of Uzbekistan received a residence permit for the country. As a result, the demand for studying the Turkish language has also increased. Turkish language teacher, Mohinur Qurbonmuradova, connects the increase in the number of language learners with the requirement of a language certificate for enrolment in master’s and doctoral studies : “90% of students study the Turkish language for this purpose. It is easy and a language close to Uzbek. Learning English takes a little longer." However, aside from attaining the certificate, she adds that very few are interested in learning Turkish. For many, English is no longer just an academic requirement but a powerful tool that opens doors to global educational opportunities, employment,...

1 year ago