Our People > Sergey Kwan

Sergey Kwan

Journalist

Sergey Kwan has worked for The Times of Central Asia as a journalist, translator and editor since its foundation in March 1999. Prior to this, from 1996-1997, he worked as a translator at The Kyrgyzstan Chronicle, and from 1997-1999, as a translator at The Central Asian Post.
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Kwan studied at the Bishkek Polytechnic Institute from 1990-1994, before completing his training in print journalism in Denmark.

Articles

Connectivity

EU Launches Platform to Mobilize Up to €2 Billion for Europe–Central Asia Connectivity

The European Commission launched a Connectivity Agenda Platform on June 23, 2026, and concluded statements of intent with international financial institutions expected to mobilize up to €2 billion ($2.3 billion) for transport, border-crossing and trade-facilitation projects across the Black Sea region and the South Caucasus. The initiative was unveiled at a high-level ministerial meeting in Brussels, hosted by European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela, and Commissioner for Sustainable Transport Apostolos Tzitzikostas. The meeting brought together transport ministers and senior officials from EU member states, as well as representatives from Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, alongside international lenders, to advance connectivity projects under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy. The new platform is designed to coordinate investments and policy actions across transport, energy, digital connectivity, and trade. Participants also agreed to improve the operational efficiency of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, a wider framework that includes the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, or TITR, also known as the Middle Corridor. The route links China and Europe through Central Asia and the South Caucasus, offering an alternative to transport routes crossing Russia. The European Commission said the expected financing would support transport infrastructure, border-crossing modernization, and trade-facilitation projects aimed at improving freight movement across the corridor. “The Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor is becoming a vital bridge between Europe and Asia,” Síkela said, adding that the investments would help make the route faster, more reliable, and better integrated. Tzitzikostas said stronger transport links were critical for economic competitiveness and regional resilience. The platform’s launch came during Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s official visit to Brussels, where he met with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. In an EU–Kazakhstan joint statement, the leaders reaffirmed the strategic importance of the Trans-Caspian corridor and pledged deeper cooperation under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy. They also highlighted the EU’s role as Kazakhstan’s largest trade and investment partner and agreed to deepen cooperation in critical minerals, energy, transport, digitalization, and emerging technologies. Speaking at the Kazakhstan-EU roundtable in Brussels, Tokayev said Kazakhstan was investing heavily in infrastructure to position itself as a regional logistics hub connecting Europe, Central Asia, China, the Caucasus, and the Middle East. According to Tokayev, cargo volumes along the Middle Corridor have risen fivefold over the past six years, from 0.8 million tons to 4.1 million tons annually, with Kazakhstan targeting a capacity of 10 million tons. He said Kazakhstan has invested more than $35 billion in transport and logistics infrastructure over the past 15 years, with the Caspian ports of Aktau and Kuryk serving as major transit gateways. Tokayev also welcomed logistics agreements worth nearly $1 billion signed on June 23 by the Development Bank of Kazakhstan: one with the European Investment Bank, and a separate agreement with a banking syndicate including Commerzbank, JPMorgan Chase, and Standard Chartered, backed by guarantees from the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). A day earlier, Kazakhstan and European partners announced four transport-related agreements worth...

1 month ago

Air Pollution

EBRD Backs $69 Million District Heating Upgrade in Bishkek to Tackle Air Pollution

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has arranged a financing package worth up to $69 million, or €64 million, for two district heating utilities in Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek. The package will modernize heating infrastructure and reduce winter air pollution in one of the world’s most polluted cities. The package will support Bishkekteploset (BTS) and Bishkekteploenergo (BTE), two municipal heating companies serving a city of more than one million people. Under the agreement, the EBRD will provide sovereign-backed loans totaling up to $29.5 million, including $18.6 million for BTS and $10.9 million for BTE. The financing will be complemented by up to $24.5 million in concessional funds from the Green Climate Fund through its Green Cities Facility, alongside investment grants totaling $11.6 million. The EBRD will also allocate an additional $3.6 million for project implementation support and an equal opportunities action plan. The investment will allow BTS to modernize pumping stations, including through the installation of small-scale solar photovoltaic systems. BTE will introduce large-scale district energy heat pumps, the first such installations in Central Asia. It will also upgrade boiler houses with renewable energy components. Both companies will modernize district heating networks and install supervisory control and data acquisition systems. They will also purchase specialized service vehicles. The projects will reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support cleaner heating solutions. They are also expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions in Bishkek. Bishkek joined the EBRD Green Cities program in 2024 and adopted an environmental action plan that identified modernization of the city’s heating system as one of its most urgent priorities. The Kyrgyz capital currently relies heavily on the coal-fired Bishkek Thermal Power Plant for both electricity and heating. The plant generates about 13% of Kyrgyzstan’s electricity and supplies heat and hot water to nearly two-thirds of the city. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, emissions from the aging power plant account for about 15% of Bishkek’s air pollution. Air pollution remains one of Bishkek’s most pressing environmental challenges, particularly during winter, when widespread coal burning for household heating pushes pollution levels sharply higher. The city regularly ranks among the world’s ten most polluted urban centers in IQAir’s global air quality index.

1 month ago

Caspian Sea Basin

Kazakhstan Restores Valuable Fish Species in the Caspian Sea Basin

Kazakhstan’s Atyrau Sturgeon Hatchery has released more than one million juvenile sturgeon into the Zhaiyk, or Ural, River, according to the country’s Ministry of Agriculture. The release was carried out under the state order for 2026 as part of efforts to artificially reproduce sturgeon populations and fulfill Kazakhstan’s commitments to preserving the biological resources of the Caspian Sea. The Atyrau Sturgeon Hatchery is a state monopoly authorized to remove sturgeon from their natural habitat for breeding purposes. The enterprise plays a key role in preserving and restoring populations of valuable fish species in the Caspian basin. A distinctive feature of the hatchery is its use of specialized biotechnology to raise juvenile fish in conditions as close to natural as possible. This ensures a high survival rate and better adaptation of the released fish once they return to the wild. Over the past 30 years, the Atyrau hatchery has released around 180 million juvenile sturgeon into the Caspian Sea. The facility is currently undergoing modernization, which will increase its production capacity from 5 million to 7.4 million juvenile fish annually. Kazakhstan’s fisheries sector is showing steady growth. Under the Fisheries Development Program through 2030, the number of fish farms in the country has quadrupled to 700. Annual production of valuable fish species, including carp, sturgeon, and salmon, now totals around 26,000 tons, Serik Sermagambetov, chairman of the Fisheries Committee at the Ministry of Agriculture, said at the Kazynaly Caspian International Fish Forum in Atyrau on June 18. The fish processing sector is also expanding. Kazakhstan currently has 73 fish processing plants, 18 of them located in the Zhaiyk-Caspian basin. Twenty Kazakhstani companies are authorized to export fish products to the European Union. In 2025, Kazakhstan’s fish market grew by 15%, reaching 108,900 tons. The country exports fish products to 21 countries, including European Union member states, China, and Russia. Total exports amounted to 21,100 tons in 2025. Forum participants said future growth in Kazakhstan’s fisheries sector should rely on technology-backed investment and careful management of natural resources. They said this would increase export potential while helping preserve the Caspian Sea ecosystem for future generations.

1 month ago

Middle Corridor

Kazakhstan and European Partners Announce $462 Million Middle Corridor Agreements in Brussels

Kazakhstan and its European partners unveiled four transport deals worth a combined $462 million on June 22, giving President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Belgium a concrete outcome on Eurasian connectivity. The package was presented at the business conference “Strengthening EU-Kazakhstan Connectivity: Perspectives and Strategic Potential of the Middle Corridor.” The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor, is a multimodal transport corridor linking China and Europe through Central Asia and the South Caucasus, offering an alternative to routes that pass through Russia. The conference was organized by Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, Kazakhstan’s national railway operator, and brought together representatives of the European Commission, the European Parliament, international financial institutions, and major European transport and logistics companies, including DHL Global Forwarding, Alstom, DB Cargo, HHLA International, Rhenus Logistics, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, Ahlers Logistics, and A.P. Moller-Maersk. The conference focused on strategic development priorities for the Middle Corridor, including increasing the capacity of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, modernizing railway, port, and terminal infrastructure, digitalizing logistics processes, and developing sustainable supply chains across Eurasia. The four documents, presented as a $462 million package, aim to strengthen transport connectivity between Europe and Asia and further develop the Trans-Caspian route. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport and SITA, a global provider of information and telecommunications solutions for the aviation industry, signed a memorandum of cooperation on the digitalization of state airports, including biometric identification. National road operator QazAvtoZhol and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development signed a loan agreement for the Aktobe-Ulgaisyn road project. The Aktobe-Ulgaisyn project covers a 234-kilometer section of the Western Europe-Western China corridor and is intended to improve regional and transit connectivity. KTZ Express, a subsidiary of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, signed an agreement with Midia Marine Terminal for a joint project in Romania’s Port of Midia. The project aims to expand Black Sea route infrastructure and improve cargo handling efficiency. In addition, KTZ Express and A.P. Moller-Maersk agreed to cooperate on container shipping along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and to attract additional cargo volumes to the route. Speaking at the conference, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Issetov stressed that the route has evolved far beyond a traditional transit corridor and is increasingly becoming a major geo-economic project serving the interests of both Central Asia and Europe. He said that amid shifting global supply chains and growing demand for reliable and diversified transport routes, Kazakhstan continues to advocate for open, resilient, and mutually beneficial connectivity between East and West. Particular attention was given to the complementarity between the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative. Under this strategy, the Trans-Caspian corridor has become a priority for strengthening sustainable connectivity between Europe and Central Asia, with Kazakhstan playing a central role as a major Eurasian transport hub. At the Third National Workshop of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor Coordination Platform in Astana on June 3, EU Ambassador to Kazakhstan Aleška Simkić said: “Through our €30 million Trans-Caspian Transport support program and other projects, the European Union supports...

1 month ago

snow leopard

Kyrgyzstan to Host Snow Leopard Eco Festival in Chon-Kemin

Kyrgyzstan will host the environmental festival “Snow Leopard EcoFest Chon-Kemin 2026” on July 11 at the hippodrome in the village of Shabdan in the Chon-Kemin Valley, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision announced. The festival, themed “Snow Leopard: Eco-Education as the Foundation for a Sustainable Future in Kyrgyzstan,” aims to raise environmental awareness, promote eco-education and sustainable tourism, and draw public attention to the conservation of the snow leopard, Kyrgyzstan’s national symbol. The event is being organized by the Ilbirs-Green Generation Public Foundation, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision, the Secretariat of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program, and local authorities. According to the ministry, the festival will feature a presentation of the winners of the “BARS FASHION 2026 - Best Snow Leopard Costume” student competition. Visitors will also be able to explore themed zones, including eco-product exhibitions, snow leopard-themed art spaces, painting and photography displays, children’s drawing contests, ecology workshops, archery, kurosh wrestling, the “Snow Leopard Jump” competition, stunt performances, and other cultural activities. Organizers say the festival is designed to show that eco-education is not only about learning about nature, but also about building responsibility, environmental awareness, and a willingness to take action. Through educational, cultural, and interactive formats, participants will learn more about snow leopards, mountain ecosystems, and the role individuals can play in protecting nature. Admission will be free for residents and visitors. Snow leopards are considered a key indicator of ecological health across mountainous regions in 12 Asian countries, including Kyrgyzstan. The country has played an active role in international conservation efforts, including spearheading a United Nations General Assembly initiative that established October 23 as the International Day of the Snow Leopard. Kyrgyzstan recognized the snow leopard as a national symbol by presidential decree in December 2023. In October 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers approved rules for using the official logo. The animal has also been selected as the official mascot of the sixth World Nomad Games, which Kyrgyzstan will host from August 31 to September 6, 2026.

1 month ago

Wastewater treatment

Naryn Begins Wastewater Upgrade with EBRD, Swiss, and EU Support

Construction has begun on a new wastewater treatment plant in Naryn, the administrative center of Kyrgyzstan’s Naryn region, under a project backed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Switzerland, and the European Union. The financing package includes a €2 million sovereign loan from the EBRD, a €3.6 million grant from Switzerland, and a €1 million grant from the EU. The funds will be used to build a new wastewater treatment plant, extend the city’s sewerage network, construct two new pumping stations, and purchase operational equipment. According to the EBRD, Naryn, a city of around 42,000 people, currently has wastewater service coverage of only about 22%, with many households still relying on outdoor toilets or septic tanks. Once completed, the project is expected to improve public health, reduce environmental pollution, strengthen resilience to climate change, and lower operating costs. The number of residents benefiting from improved wastewater services is projected to double from around 10,000 to 20,000. Speaking at the launch ceremony on June 17, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry Erlist Akunbekov said the project would help improve living standards in the city, protect the Naryn River, and support the region’s sustainable development. “This project will contribute to improving the quality of life for city residents, ensuring the environmental safety of the Naryn River, and promoting the sustainable development of Naryn,” Akunbekov said, according to the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry. The ministry said similar projects aimed at improving drinking water supply and wastewater treatment are currently under way in 25 cities and 600 villages across Kyrgyzstan. To date, the EBRD has invested more than €196 million in 32 water supply and wastewater treatment projects across 28 municipalities in Kyrgyzstan. That total includes €87 million in loans and €109 million in capital grants, including €33 million from Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs and €46 million from the EU.

1 month ago

Transport Corridors

EDB Says Uzbekistan Is Becoming a Eurasian Transport Hub

Uzbekistan is becoming a crossroads of Eurasian transport corridors, Alexei Skatin, deputy chairman of the Management Board of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), said at the Tashkent International Investment Forum on June 18. Skatin made the remarks during a panel session titled Transforming the Railway Sector and Developing New Logistics Corridors in Central Asia: Investment Opportunities and Regional Connectivity. According to Skatin, three key railway corridors will pass through the country: the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, which is already under construction; the Trans-Afghan railway; and the planned Tashkent-Samarkand high-speed rail line. The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan corridor is expected to provide a direct container link between Uzbekistan and China, with further connections to Turkmenistan, the South Caucasus, Turkey, and the Gulf states. According to EDB estimates, the corridor could increase container traffic through Uzbekistan fivefold, from 100,000 to 500,000 TEU. The Trans-Afghan railway corridor is expected to provide direct access to Pakistani ports, reducing the distance for Uzbek cargo shipments by at least 1,000 kilometers. The Tashkent-Samarkand high-speed rail line, described by the EDB as the first dedicated high-speed rail project in Central Asia, is expected to free up the existing line for freight and container traffic. The completion of the Darbaza-Maktaaral railway in Kazakhstan and the creation of a new border crossing are expected to integrate Uzbekistan into the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor. “Uzbekistan is transforming from a landlocked country into a crossroads of East-West and North-South routes. It is the combination of these routes that makes it a point of intersection, not just a transit point,” Skatin said. He added that transport corridor development is impossible without the simultaneous expansion of warehousing infrastructure, dry ports, and container terminals. According to EDB estimates, demand for warehousing in Uzbekistan could grow more than sevenfold, while current availability remains low. “A transport corridor only works when goods move along it. That is why we consider warehouses, dry ports, and terminals together with transport routes, not separately. Warehouses are not an add-on to corridors; they are a condition for corridors to generate revenue,” Skatin said. The EDB says it is the leading multilateral development bank in non-sovereign financing in Central Asia. The bank sees its role as unlocking the investment potential of transport corridors and related infrastructure, including warehouses, dry ports, and terminals in Uzbekistan. According to EDB estimates, freight traffic in Central Asia will grow by 50% by 2030, reaching 95 million metric tons compared with 2024, while container traffic is expected to grow by 67% to 1.7 million TEU.

1 month ago

Electric Vehicles

Kyrgyzstan to Establish National Taxi Aggregator With Chinese Support

A Chinese company will help Kyrgyzstan establish its own electric vehicle taxi aggregator in a market currently dominated by Russian ride-hailing platforms. The National Investment Fund of the Kyrgyz Republic and China’s Shenzhen Wuyou Technology Co., Ltd. have signed framework agreements on investment projects to establish a national taxi aggregator, a modern electric vehicle fleet, and a network of EV charging stations across Kyrgyzstan, according to the Ministry of Economy and Commerce. At the signing ceremony, Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce Benazir Nurlanova said Kyrgyzstan attaches particular importance to developing its partnership with China. She said the new projects would contribute to the development of a green economy in Kyrgyzstan, the adoption of modern technologies, and investment cooperation between the two countries. The Chinese side expressed readiness for long-term cooperation, including the exchange of experience and technology, and noted the high potential of joint initiatives in electric transport and digital infrastructure. Kyrgyzstan’s taxi market is currently served through taxi aggregators: ride-hailing platforms that connect passengers with private drivers through a single digital system. The state-backed project involving the Chinese company could become an alternative to existing aggregators, including Russia’s Yandex Taxi, which currently dominates Kyrgyzstan’s taxi market, and Wildberries Taxi, which has entered the local market.

1 month ago

Foreign Investment

Foreign Investment in Uzbekistan Gains Strong Momentum

Foreign direct investment remains one of Uzbekistan’s key tools for supporting sustainable economic growth. The country is expanding capital inflows to finance large-scale projects in the power sector, industry, and infrastructure. According to the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), accumulated investment in Uzbekistan from countries in the Eurasian region, China, the Gulf states, and Turkey reached $32.9 billion in 2025, 2.6 times the 2020 level. Over the five-year period, the total rose by more than $20 billion, making Uzbekistan one of the most active investment destinations in Eurasia. China remains the largest investor in Uzbekistan’s economy, with accumulated investment reaching $10.7 billion, more than five times the level recorded five years earlier. More than half of Chinese investment was directed into the power sector, mainly solar and wind energy projects. More than $3.3 billion went into industrial projects, including petrochemicals, automotive manufacturing, and construction materials production. The Gulf states recorded the fastest investment growth in Uzbekistan. Over five years, investment volumes rose nearly 19 times to $8.3 billion. Around 90% of these funds are concentrated in power generation and renewable energy projects. The largest investors include ACWA Power, with projects worth $4 billion, as well as Masdar and the Uzbek-Oman Investment Company. Turkey increased its investment in Uzbekistan 5.5 times to $3.1 billion, mainly in the power and manufacturing sectors. Among the leading Turkish investors is Aksa Energy, which is building thermal power plants across several regions of the country. Other Turkish firms are involved in beverage production, construction materials, and cement manufacturing. Thirteen countries in the Eurasian region, including the Commonwealth of Independent States, Georgia, Mongolia, and Ukraine, invested $10.8 billion in Uzbekistan, primarily in oil, gas, and petrochemicals. Russia remains the largest source of investment among these countries. Kazakhstan’s role has also expanded, with its investment in Uzbekistan rising more than 11 times to nearly $700 million. Speaking at the 5th Tashkent International Investment Forum on June 17, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said the country had attracted more than $150 billion in foreign investment over recent years, including $123 billion over the past five years. According to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, the total volume of investments implemented in the country in 2025 reached $43.1 billion, up 24% from the previous year. The ministry said foreign direct investment accounted for $38.2 billion, while funding from international financial institutions totaled $4.9 billion. In its macroeconomic outlook for 2026-2028, the EDB forecasts that Uzbekistan’s economy will grow by around 6.8% in 2026, supported by strong investment activity and favorable gold prices. Inflation is expected to continue declining toward the Central Bank of Uzbekistan’s target and may slow to 6.7% by the end of 2026. The EDB also said the national currency would be supported by high remittance levels and growth in metal exports.

2 months ago

Environmental Research

Kyrgyzstan-Germany Project Studies Lake Issyk-Kul Ecosystem

A comprehensive scientific study of Lake Issyk-Kul began on June 11 as part of an international project involving Razzakov Kyrgyz State Technical University (KSTU), the International Medical University, and Germany’s Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries. Lake Issyk-Kul is Kyrgyzstan’s largest lake and its leading tourist destination. It also forms part of a protected ecological area. In recent decades, the lake has faced growing climate-related pressures. According to KSTU, cooperation between the scientific institutions began in 2024 with the establishment of the Issyk-Kul Ecological Laboratory in Cholpon-Ata. The laboratory has since become a platform for joint research into the lake’s ecological condition. In 2025, the partners secured a grant from the German Research Foundation to conduct a comprehensive study of the Issyk-Kul ecosystem. German scientists have arrived in Kyrgyzstan to take part in the research. The project focuses on the hydrophysical, hydrochemical, hydrobiological, and hydro-optical properties of Issyk-Kul’s water using advanced scientific methods and technologies. Researchers are also studying biological processes within the aquatic ecosystem, including DNA and RNA analysis of biomaterials. The research is expected to help assess ongoing ecological processes, identify long-term trends, and establish a scientific basis for measures to preserve the lake’s ecosystem. According to KSTU Professor Salmor Alymkulov, the project is important for expanding international scientific cooperation, training young researchers, and developing recommendations to protect Kyrgyzstan’s natural heritage. Kyrgyzstan views the preservation of Issyk-Kul as part of the global climate and water agenda. In December 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the Concept for the Sustainable Development of the Ecological and Economic System of Lake Issyk-Kul through 2030, along with an accompanying action plan. The initiative is aimed at protecting the lake and its surrounding biosphere from growing environmental and human pressures while supporting the region’s long-term economic resilience. Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai in February 2026, Kyrgyzstan’s then Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry, Bakyt Torobaev, warned of the growing climate risks facing Issyk-Kul. According to Torobaev, the lake’s water level has fallen by nearly 14 meters since the mid-19th century, while its total volume has decreased by approximately 85 billion cubic meters. The number of rivers flowing into the lake has also declined significantly, largely due to glacier melt and increased agricultural water use. He warned that further declines in Issyk-Kul’s water level could have serious environmental and socioeconomic consequences, including threats to biodiversity, the lake’s tourism potential, and the well-being of local communities.

2 months ago

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