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

Finance

Tajikistan and ADB Sign Grant for Green Corridor Initiative

On November 1, Tajikistan's Ministry of Finance signed a grant agreement worth $86.6 million with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a “Green Corridor Demonstration Project”. This project aims to reconstruct 49 kilometers of Tajikistan's Dangara-Gulistan highway, expand it to four lanes with a "Green Road" element, add 48.8 kilometers of bicycle lanes, and build two charging roads. The AIIB has approved a $75.5 million loan for Tajikistan to build a 920-meter bridge, connecting 350,000 people in the northeast to Dushanbe and regional towns and the border of Kyrgyzstan.

1 year ago

Crime

Germany Closes Money Laundering Case Against Uzbek-Russian Billionaire Usmanov

The Frankfurt Prosecutor’s Office has completed its money laundering investigation against Uzbek-Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov. The case was settled on October 11, 2024, when Usmanov agreed to pay 1.5 million euros to non-profit organizations and 2.5 million euros to the German treasury. When these payments are completed, the case will be completely closed. Prosecutors say the alleged actions in question occurred long ago and did not cause financial damage in Germany. This decision was made under section 153a of the German Criminal Procedure Code, which allows cases to be dropped if the crime is minor and prosecution isn’t in the public interest. Usmanov’s lawyers praised the result, calling it a step towards restoring his reputation. They noted that the investigation found no evidence to support money laundering charges. Usmanov has now decided not to file a counter lawsuit against prosecutors or demand damages. In 2022, a Frankfurt court deemed the searches of properties linked to Usmanov in Germany illegal, and all seized items were ordered to be returned. However, in 2023, the German Constitutional Court declined Usmanov’s complaint over the searches, stating that he had not exhausted all legal options before filing the complaint. Previously, The Times of Central Asia reported that the news from the Hamburg court about Usmanov as broadcast by the German TV channel ARD was found to be unreliable. ARD accused Usmanov of creating a system of bribing International Fencing Federation (FIE) judges. According to the report, the court found the information published by the ARD channel unreliable and banned its distribution as “inappropriate news based on suspicion.” If the court order is violated, the party found to be in violation can be fined up to 250,000 euros per episode or face imprisonment.

1 year ago

Nuclear Energy

Uzbekistan and China Strengthen Partnership in Nuclear Energy Development

On November 4 during Uzbekistan’s participation in EXPO 2024 in Shanghai, Uzbekistan’s Atomic Energy Agency officials met with Wei Fuqi, General Director of the China National Nuclear Corporation Overseas Ltd (CNOS). They discussed opportunities for collaboration in nuclear energy and other potential joint projects. The Uzbek officials and CNOS reached agreements on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, a detailed review of the possibilities of adopting China’s advanced experience in nuclear power plant construction, and studying the possibilities of using China’s small modular reactors. The parties also talked about cooperating to expand uranium ore mining capacity, processing, production and export of finished products with high added value, and subsequent fuel use in nuclear power plants. Uzbekistan is consistently reforming its nuclear program. China has confirmed that it is interested in strengthening bilateral relations in all areas of nuclear technology.

1 year ago

Oil & Gas

Russia’s Zakharova: Gas Deliveries to Uzbekistan Surpass Five Billion Cubic Meters

According to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Russian gas supplies to Uzbekistan, which started in October 2023, have now surpassed five billion cubic meters. She noted that in 2023, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan initiated a two-year agreement to deliver Russian gas through Kazakhstan via a contract between Gazprom and UzGasTrade. “As of today, the volume of gas supplies has exceeded five billion cubic meters. Russian companies Gazprom and LUKOIL are advancing multiple projects to develop gas fields within Uzbekistan. The parties are set on gradually expanding their cooperation in the gas sector. There are, in fact, no bilateral issues that might slow down this energy partnership,” Zakharova shared at a recent briefing. She added that “all matters are being addressed constructively, with energy discussions being a regular part of high-level and interdepartmental negotiations.” This year, key meetings featured talks on energy cooperation, including Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit from May 26-28 and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s visit on September 9-10. “Energy collaboration is a core component of our bilateral relationship, with our foreign policy departments maintaining close contact and offering the needed political and diplomatic support to keep this cooperation moving forward,” Zakharova highlighted.

1 year ago

International Diplomacy

Tajikistan and Kuwait Sign Nine Cooperation Agreements

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon began his official visit to Kuwait on November 3. He met with the country’s leaders and finalized agreements to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Following discussions, Tajikistan and Kuwait signed nine key documents to enhance their collaboration, the President’s press service reports. In the presence of Rahmon and Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, both sides signed: • A Memorandum of Cooperation between the Foreign Ministries of Tajikistan and Kuwait’s Diplomatic Academy; • A protocol to amend the double taxation agreement between the two countries; • A memorandum on labor regulation in the private sector; • Agreements on trade and industrial cooperation; • A cooperation agreement between Tajikistan’s National Information Agency “Khovar” and Kuwait’s State Information Agency “KUNA”; • Memorandums covering sports, standardization, and physical culture; • An executive tourism program for 2024-2026. Rahmon is quoted as saying: “We are ready to take practical steps to strengthen our relations further.” The discussions emphasized the importance of increasing the intergovernmental joint commission’s activities and establishing an Entrepreneur Council and a Joint Investment Fund between the two nations. Rahmon also thanked Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jabir Al-Sabah for the Kuwait Development Fund’s support of critical projects in Tajikistan, particularly in road construction, energy, and irrigation. Additionally, both leaders discussed expanding Kuwaiti investment into Tajikistan’s light, food, metallurgy, pharmaceutical, and agriculture industries. The Emir of Kuwait recognized Rahmon’s initiatives in empowering women and shared Kuwait’s similar efforts, highlighting recent appointments of women to senior government roles. The signed memorandum on private-sector labor regulation was celebrated as a step toward cooperation, further solidifying the growing partnership between Tajikistan and Kuwait.

1 year ago