TCA
BISHKEK (TCA) — The Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Kunio Mikuriya, and the First Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Service of the Kyrgyz Republic (SCS), Shamil Berdaliev, signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the WCO Secretariat in Brussels on 19 December, thereby accrediting the SCS’s Training Centre as a WCO Regional Training Centre.
TCA
ASTANA (TCA) — At a press conference on December 20, Vice Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin said that utility tariffs for water, electricity, heat and natural gas supply will be lowered in all regions of Kazakhstan starting from January 1, 2019. This is being done following the instructions given by the Head of State at the Security Council meeting in November, the official website of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan reported.
Heat supply
According to the National Economy Ministry, as of Dec. 20, 2018, heat tariffs have already been reduced in three regions: Akmola — by 36.8%; North Kazakhstan — by 1.1%; and East Kazakhstan (Semey) — by 2.8%.
In addition, from Jan. 1, 2019, it is planned to lower tariffs in the remaining 14 regions.
“From Jan. 1, 2019, we expected an increase in tariffs in all regions for all these five types of services (water supply, water disposal, power, heat and gas supply). After the work of the authorized and local executive bodies with natural monopolies, tariff increases from Jan. 1 will not only be prevented, but we expect tariff reductions,” said Zhumangarin.
Water supply
As of Dec. 20, 2018, the water tariff for the population in the Zhambyl region has been reduced by 22%.
In addition, from Jan. 1, 2019, tariffs are to decrease in the remaining 16 regions by 3%-22.7%.
Gas supply
According to the Ministry of National Economy, from Jan. 1, 2019, the forecasted price reduction will be from 3.3% to 17.5%. At the same time, gas prices in Almaty will reduce by 12%, in Shymkent and the Turkestan region — by 6%, in Zhambyl region — by 6%.
Power supply
From Jan. 1, 2019, the decline in electricity prices in all regions of the country will be by 1.7%-22.32%.
At the same time, retail prices of electric energy for legal entities in eight regions are expected to decrease by 1.7%-18%, which, according to the vice minister, will have a healthy effect on business.
In general, an expected reduction in the average check of a family of three living in a 2-room apartment of 60 square meters will be the following. In Almaty, on average, 14,483 tenge is paid a month for utilities. From Jan. 1, 2019, the total fee will average 13,128 tenge, or a decrease by 1,353 tenge. In the capital Astana, the average utility bill is 10,666 tenge per month. From Jan. 1, 2019, it will average 9,604 tenge or decrease by 1,062 tenge.
TCA
TASHKENT (TCA) — On December 20, a government meeting on the implementation of a new concept of tax policy was held under the chairmanship of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the official Jahon information agency reported.
TCA
BISHKEK (TCA) — Several dozen activists demonstrated on December 20 in front of the Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek, to denounce the “persecution” of the indigenous communities in China’s northwestern region of Xinjiang, including ethnic Kyrgyz, Kazakhs, and Uyghurs, RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service reported.
TCA
KABUL (TCA) — U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a “significant” withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, U.S. news media are reporting, with some quoting unnamed officials as saying the decision has already been made, RFE/RL reports.
TCA
ASHGABAT (TCA) — Since restrictions on ATM cash withdrawals have recently been introduced in Turkmenistan, residents in the capital city, Ashgabat, have to stand in queues several times in order to withdraw cash from their accounts. A limit of 200 manats applies for a one-time withdrawal, whereas the cash withdrawal fee has increased from 0.68 to 0.75%, independent foreign-based news website Chronicles of Turkmenistan reports.
