TCA
KABUL (TCA) — Iran says a Taliban delegation has made a rare visit to Tehran for talks with a senior Iranian official on efforts to end Afghanistan’s 17-year-long war, RFE/RL reported.
Stratfor
KABUL (TCA) — 2018 was another difficult year for Afghanistan with no end to violence still in sight, but some of the recent developments may signal a glimmer of hope that the 17-year long war would near its end in the coming year. We are republishing this article on the issue, originally published by Stratfor:
TCA
TASHKENT (TCA) — At the suggestion of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, 2019 has been declared the Year of Active Investment and Social Development in Uzbekistan as a logical continuation of activities that begun in 2018, the Jahon information agency reported.
The move was declared in the President’s Address to the Oliy Majlis (Parliament) on December 28.
The head of state outlined large-scale plans and important tasks in this direction.
Concrete measures will be taken on creating an open economy, radically improving the business environment and investment climate, reducing the state presence in the economy, he said.
The Address analyzed activities implemented in 2018 and outlined plans for the next year and the main directions of domestic and foreign policy of Uzbekistan.
It was noted that real incomes of the population increased by 12 percent compared to 2017. Due to tax revenues that exceeded the forecast parameters, the regions received an additional 5.5 trillion UZS. This is six-fold more compared to last year, and 32-fold more than in 2016.
Constant attention was paid by the state to creating conditions for people to be satisfied with their lives, the President said. A total of 416 villages acquired a new look within the framework of “Prosperous village” and “Prosperous neighborhood” programs. Consistent implementation of “Every family is an entrepreneur” and “Youth is our future” projects has begun.
The Address also highlighted important steps in other spheres of socio-economic life. Specific measures have been identified on creating an open economy, radically improving the business environment and investment climate, reducing the state presence in the economy, and improving the living conditions of the population.
TCA
ASTANA (TCA) — The newly-appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Beibut Atamkulov сommented on new functions of his ministry with regard to attraction of foreign investment and promotion of products of Kazakhstani enterprises in foreign markets in accordance with the instructions of the head of state regarding the economization of the foreign policy of Kazakhstan, the Foreign Ministry reported on its website.
TCA
KABUL (TCA) — Afghanistan’s election authorities say they have decided to delay a presidential election by three months to July 20 due to delays in registration and ongoing technical issues, RFE/RL’s Radio Free Afghanistan reported.
Maria Levina
BISHKEK (TCA) — Favorable conditions for business have been created in Kyrgyzstan, President Sooronbai Jeenbekov said at a news conference on the 2018 results.
