Page 1059 – The Times Of Central Asia

31 Dec 2023

Kazakhstan Local Politics, Kazakhstan, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

Optimism and Gratitude are Main Sentiments of Kazakhstan President’s New Year’s Speech

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

As 2023 came to a close, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered his New Year address to the population, with a focus on the country’s progress as well as the main challenges it has faced over the past year.

Critically, he emphasized the increased significance of rule of law in Kazakhstan and noted measures being taken to ensure its endurance. Tokayev also thanked citizens for their role in creating a Just Kazakhstan, where equal opportunities are being made available to everyone.

In delineating the country’s future trajectory, the President underlined the importance of reforms and modernization, while also citing ambitious projects already undertaken in education and healthcare, as well as the need to strengthen the foundation of nationhood. He expressed belief in Kazakhstan’s capacity to tackle upcoming challenges and tasks, with the goal of building a prosperous and competitive state. He also cited population growth as a factor ensuring strength and prosperity.

On the economic front, Tokayev highlighted the government’s successful efforts in attracting foreign investment, job creation, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. He specifically mentioned the ongoing repatriation of illegally acquired assets, which have replenished the state’s funding base and have been earmarked for beneficial causes, such as construction of new schools.

Regarding foreign policy, Tokayev noted that Kazakhstan has bolstered its international standing through balanced and constructive strategies.

Tokayev expressed appreciation for various professionals including teachers, health workers, engineers, farmers, military personnel, law enforcers, and volunteers, whose tireless efforts he lauded as being instrumental to the nation’s progress.

Tokayev concluded by urging all Kazakhstanis to value the peace and stability in their country. He extended wishes for joy, happiness, good health, and a prosperous 2024.

30 Dec 2023

Environment, Kyrgyzstan Environment, Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture, Kyrgyzstan, Features, Kyrgyzstan Features

Snow Leopard Becomes National Symbol of Kyrgyzstan

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

On December 30^th, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov signed a Decree “On recognizing the snow leopard as a national symbol of the Kyrgyz Republic,” the presidential press service has reported.

The snow leopard has the status of a rare or endangered species in 12 countries. This animal is an indicator of the stability and health of the mountain ecosystem, which occupies a third of the globe. The loss of snow leopards from the wild would risk upsetting the delicate ecological balance, which would have detrimental effects on various animal species and humans.

“In the culture of the ancient Kyrgyz people, the snow leopard personified greatness, nobility, courage, courage and endurance. Therefore, according to legends, the leopard was the totem animal of the great Manas,” the presidential press service reported.

The poem “Manas” is one of the greatest works of Kyrgyz folklore, and is included in the list of masterpieces of the oral and intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO, as well as in the Guinness Book of Records as the most voluminous epic in the world.

Kyrgyzstan is an active participant in global wildlife conservation programs. At the first International Forum on Snow Leopard Conservation in Bishkek in 2013, with the support of representatives of 12 snow leopard range countries and the international community, the Bishkek Declaration on the Protection of the Snow Leopard was unanimously adopted and the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP) Program was approved.

In order to further state support for initiatives to preserve the snow leopard and its ecosystem in the Kyrgyz Republic, the presidential decree instructed the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic to take measures to protect the snow leopard population and as its ecosystem, and to take measures to popularize the new national symbol.

30 Dec 2023

Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

EDB’s New Bond Issue to Help Finance Kazakhstan Projects

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) says it has placed a bond issue on the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) with the proceeds to be used to invest in the Bank’s new projects in Kazakhstan.

Headquartered in Almaty, the EDB is an international financial institution investing in Eurasia, with member countries including Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, and Tajikistan.

Arranged by Jusan Invest, this 3.5-year issue is valued at KZT 50 billion, with a coupon of 14.2% per annum, the Bank said on December 28^th. This issue is the largest non-public offering in the market for 2023.

“The proceeds will be allocated to projects in Kazakhstan. The country currently accounts for 56% of the EDB’s investment portfolio. We plan to further increase investment, including in infrastructure projects in Kazakhstan,” said Nikolai Podguzov, Chairman of the EDB Management Board.

“We are proud to conclude this year with the EDB as a significant and reliable issuer. This issue has garnered substantial interest among investors, offering an appealing return over the medium term,” said Timur Salimov, Chairman of the Management Board at Jusan Invest.

The EDB has implemented 104 projects across various sectors in Kazakhstan, worth US $5.6 billion. These include solar and wind power generation facilities, the modernization of manufacturing enterprises, initiatives in the chemical sector, co-generation plants, street lighting networks, railway fleet upgrades, the development of agricultural companies, and the construction of airports and a gas pipeline.

30 Dec 2023

Kazakhstan, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

EBRD Helps Improve Efficiency of Agricultural Production in Kazakhstan

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on December 29^th said it is extending a US $10 million loan to Atameken-Agro, one of the largest vertically integrated agricultural holdings in Kazakhstan, thus contributing to greater efficiency of agricultural production in the Central Asian country.

Atameken-Agro will use the funds to support the modernization, energy efficiency and environmental improvements of its agricultural machinery, including tractors, harvester-threshers and sprayers, the EBRD said.

It is also expected that new agricultural machinery, procured with the help of the EBRD loan, will contribute to environmental improvements across Kazakhstan by increasing fuel efficiency and reducing air pollution.

As part of the project, Atameken-Agro will also train workers in more advanced agricultural skills and thus contribute to the development of human capital in the sector.

The loan is complemented with an investment under the Agrifood Nexus Program, funded by the Government of Germany through its International Climate Initiative.

The Agrifood Nexus Program is part of a broader consortium program among the EBRD, the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the Scientific-Information Center of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination of Central Asia (SIC ICWC), as well as ministries from participating countries. The consortium will address the challenges posed by the interdependence of energy, water and land use, which are exacerbated by climate change.

30 Dec 2023

Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Features, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Business & Economy

Uzbekistan and Turkey Aim to Increase Bilateral Trade to $5 Billion

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Over the past five years, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Turkey has grown 1.5-fold, and the leaders of the two countries have set the task of increasing bilateral trade up to $5 billion. This was stated during an Uzbek–Turkish business forum held in Ankara earlier this week, the Uzbek Ministry of Economy and Finance reported.

The event gathered together around 300 representatives of the business community from both countries and was attended by Vice President of Turkey, Cevdet Yilmaz, President of the Association of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, Rifat Hisarciklioglu, President of the Council for Foreign Economic Relations, Nail Olpak, and Deputy Prime Minister–Minister of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan, Jamshid Kuchkarov.

Speaking at the forum, Turkish Vice President Yilmaz said that Turkish-Uzbek trade reached $3.5 billion in 2022, and Turkish investments in Uzbekistan amounted to $1.5 billion, Turkish media reported.

At the forum, the Uzbek side, represented by the Ministry of Mining and Geology, the Agency for State Asset Management, the Ministry of Health, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, held presentations about opportunities created in Uzbekistan for foreign entrepreneurs, the Uzbek ministry said.

The forum participants agreed that among the promising areas for cooperation between the two countries were pharmaceuticals, the leather and shoe industry, the jewelry industry, and the production of building materials, furniture and glass products. Today, approximately 1,800 enterprises with the participation of Turkish capital are operating in Uzbekistan.

On the same day, the 7th meeting of the Uzbekistan-Turkey Intergovernmental Commission was held in Ankara, co-chaired by Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister–Minister of Economy and Finance, Jamshid Kuchkarov, and Turkey’s Vice President, Cevdet Yilmaz.

30 Dec 2023

Kazakhstan Local Politics, Local Politics, Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s Senate Speaker Highlights Major Laws Passed in 2023

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Maulen Ashimbaev, the Speaker of the Senate, emphasized during the final plenary session of the chamber this year that the Parliament had passed a total of 92 laws in 2023, with significant implications for the political, economic, and social spheres of the country.

Ashimbaev stated that 2023 was a year of substantial change and believed it marked a period of genuine political modernization within the framework of constitutional reforms under the President’s leadership.

“This year, constitutional amendments relating to Parliament were implemented. As a result of these constitutional reforms, the role of the chambers of Parliament has been enhanced. The legislative procedure has evolved, with laws being considered using new methodologies,” said the Senate Speaker.

He recollected that at the start of 2023, the Head of State appointed 10 Senate deputies by decree, including five nominees from the ANC for the first time. Regular elections of Senate deputies also took place in the regions, leading to a significant refreshment of the upper house of Parliament.

“In January, the President issued a decree to dissolve the Mazhilis of Parliament; the Senate dutifully performed the functions of Parliament for two months,” Ashimbaev recalled. “In total, Parliament passed 92 laws this year, ensuring the country’s political stability and sustainable socio-economic development.”

The laws included constitutional legislation on judicial system issues, the prosecutor’s office activities, and administrative reform matters. The adoption of the new Social Code was particularly noteworthy. Additionally, several critical laws were enacted, such as those relating to the return of illicitly obtained assets to the state and public control.

“We approved the country’s main financial document last month – the Republican budget for 2024-2026,” concluded Maulen Ashimbaev.

On December 27, 2023, the Mazhilis held its final plenary meeting of the year. Erlan Koshanov, the Speaker of the chamber, also reviewed the deputies’ work over the year.