BISHKEK (TCA) — The Publisher’s note: Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Central Asia was the scene of intense geopolitical struggle and the Great Game between the British and Russian Empires, and later between the Soviet Union and the West, over Afghanistan and neighboring territories. Into the 21st century, Central Asia has become the area of a renewed geopolitical interest, dubbed the New Great Game, largely based on the region’s hydrocarbon and mineral wealth. On top of that, the region now is perhaps the most important node in the implementation of China’s One Belt, One Road initiative through which Beijing aims to get direct access to Western markets. Every week thousands of news appears in the world’s printed and online media and many of them may escape the attention of busy readers. At The Times of Central Asia, we strongly believe that more information can better contribute to peaceful development and better knowledge of this unique region. So we are presenting this Weekly Digest which compiles what other media have reported on Central Asia over the past week.

KAZAKHSTAN

Social initiatives help Kazakhs share in country’s growing prosperity

Kazakhstan president recently stepped up with new social initiatives suggesting, among others, to cut taxes for low-paid employees and increase the affordability of mortgage lending for buying housing

Mar 13 — “The global economy’s return to healthy growth after the financial crisis of 2007 and 2008 is a major reason for optimism. Every country, including many like Kazakhstan who were not to blame for the mistakes that caused the catastrophic crash, found themselves battered by its shockwaves and forced to take tough remedial action. It was a difficult time for nations and their citizens.” READ MORE: https://astanatimes.com/2018/03/social-initiatives-help-kazakhs-share-in-countrys-growing-prosperity/

In Kazakhstan, architectural heritage is a path into a forgotten future

In the former Kazakh capital city of Almaty, campaigning for the Soviet historical heritage has a lot to do with rethinking history and identity of Kazakhstan after gaining independence

Mar 14 — “There are certain cliches about the architecture and urbanism of Central Asia. Of course, there are the historic cities of the Silk Road, mostly in Uzbekistan – the minarets and domes of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, long explored by Travellers to the Orient. But when it comes to anything later, the image is of an empty desert or steppe where despotic rulers have imposed a turbo-capitalist dystopia, best suited for Instagram accounts and photo-heavy travelogues.” READ MORE: https://www.opendemocracy.net/od-russia/owen-hatherley/in-kazakhstan-architectural-heritage

Economic diversification key to Kazakhstan’s future stability

As Kazakhstan remains heavily dependent on hydrocarbon production and export, and the country’s banking sector remains weak and dependent on state support, economic diversification is perhaps the main task facing the Kazakh government

Mar 14 — “In January, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of National Economy reported that oil production in the country had risen from 78 million to 86.2 million metric tons year-on-year, whereas only six months earlier, in July 2017, the annual forecast had stood at just 81 million. The giant Kashagan oilfield contributed 8 million metric tons to the 2017 total output and is expected to chip in another 10 million this year. Production from the deposit over time should exceed 13 million metric tons on an annual basis.” READ MORE: https://timesca.com/index.php/news/19477-economic-diversification-key-to-kazakhstan-s-future-stability

Former Kazakh Economy Minister Sentenced to 10 Years on Corruption Charges

Former economy minister has joined the club of Kazakhstan’s high-ranking government officials convicted for corruption, which also includes other former ministers and a prime minister

Mar 15 — “This week, a little more than a year after being dismissed from his post as economy minister, Kuandyk Bishimbayev was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of bribery and embezzlement. He joins a select group of high-level officials to fall before corruption charges in Kazakhstan.” READ MORE: https://thediplomat.com/2018/03/former-kazakh-economy-minister-sentenced-to-10-years-on-corruption-charges/

Astana hosts little-publicised Central Asia summit

The summit was initiated by Uzbek President Mirziyoyev, whose coming to power in Uzbekistan has opened a new page in cooperation between the former Societ republics of Central Asia

Mar 16 — “Only a couple of years ago, a summit of the five Central Asia countries would have been absolutely unthinkable. But the leaders came together on Thursday (15 March) and decided to hold such meetings annually, always at the same time of the year, which is a major holiday in the region.” READ MORE: https://www.euractiv.com/section/central-asia/news/fri-astana-hosts-little-publicised-central-asia-summit/

KYRGYZSTAN

Stop Kyrgyzstan’s descent into media repression

Members of IFEX, the global network of organisations working to promote and defend freedom of expression and information worldwide, have written to Kyrgyz Parliament to express their concern over recent developments regarding the climate for media freedom in Kyrgyzstan

Mar 13 — “While Kyrgyzstan has generally been a rare positive example in a region where autocracy has been the rule, recent developments threaten to send the country down a similarly repressive path.” READ MORE: https://www.ifex.org/kyrgyzstan/2018/03/13/kyrgyzstan-media-repression/

“Kurultai in support of Jeenbekov”: it’s again getting uneasy in Bishkek

Representatives of all social and political forces, including former presidents Askar Akayev and Kurmanbek Bakiyev, were invited to attend the kurultai, scheduled to take place on the anniversary of the bloody events of April 7, 2010

Mar 14 — “In Kyrgyzstan, they are going to hold a kurultai (a civil congress) “in support of the current president” Sooronbay Jeenbekov. Initiators of the kurultai are civil activists and national-patriotic forces, that formerly were in opposition to former president Almazbek Atambayev.” READ MORE: https://eadaily.com/en/news/2018/03/14/kurultai-in-support-of-jeenbekov-its-again-getting-uneasy-in-bishkek

Nepalese businessman and philanthropist Binod Chaudhary tells how Kyrgyzstan could unlock its tourism potential

The businessman says Kyrgyzstan can attract tourists with high incomes through its snow leopard conservation efforts, and should also improve its air communication with the world

Mar 16 — “Kyrgyzstan has a huge tourist potential, said Binod Chaudhary, a Nepalese businessman, industrialist, and philanthropist. Kyrgyzstan could develop its tourism and become a tourism hub in the entire Central Asia, he said at a press conference.” READ MORE: https://akipress.com/news:603692/

TAJIKISTAN

For Tajikistan’s asylum seekers, Poland is a dead end

The ban of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan and subsequent persecution of the opposition party activists by Tajik authorities has forced many of them to seek political asylum in the European Union, where they often get unwelcome reception

Mar 11 — “Kalandar Sadurdinov, a 70-year-old from Tajikistan, is one of thousands wanted back home for his opposition activism. He spends much of his time these days getting treatment for an array of ailments, ranging from liver trouble to brain damage. His wife and six children wait for him at the refugee facility in Biała Podlaska, on the far eastern edge of Poland, where the whole family now lives.” READ MORE: https://timesca.com/index.php/news/19461-for-tajikistan-s-asylum-seekers-poland-is-a-dead-end

Tajikistan and Uzbekistan Learn to Be Friends Again

Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have been engaged in something of an undeclared cold war for almost two decades, but things have begun to change now

Mar 12 — “The president of Uzbekistan was due to fly out of Tajikistan around midday on March 10 at the end of a two-day state visit. That plan was changed at the last minute though. Shavkat Mirziyoyev remained at the Tajik presidential dacha in the winding Varzob Gorge well into the afternoon. Only once the presidential cortege made its way back to Dushanbe airport did police finally lift their lockdown on the city’s roads and allow traffic to resume its normal flow.” READ MORE: https://eurasianet.org/s/tajikistan-and-uzbekistan-learn-to-be-friends-again

Think Tank Warns of Possible Unrest In Tajikistan’s Pamir Region

New findings presented by the International Crisis Group show that Tajikistan’s Gorno-Badakhshan region is at the nexus of security problems of Tajikistan, Central Asia, China, Afghanistan, and Russia

Mar 14 — “An International Crisis Group briefing on Tajikistan is sounding the alarm on the government’s weak control over its eastern Gorno-Badakhshan region, warning that violence could erupt in the strategically sensitive area if central authorities fail to properly negotiate relations with local powerbrokers.” READ MORE: https://eurasianet.org/s/think-tank-warns-of-possible-unrest-in-tajikistans-pamir-region

‘Counting The Days’: Tajiks, Uzbeks Have Great Expectations After Landmark Border Deals

With a sizable Uzbek minority living in Tajikistan and a large number of ethnic Tajiks living in Uzbekistan, the new visa-free travel agreement between the two countries is a big deal for ordinary people on both sides of the border

Mar 15 — “The political goings-on in the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, usually don’t attract attention in Ghafurov, a small, bustling town in northern Tajikistan. One notable exception, however, are the deals signed during the landmark visit to Dushanbe by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev last week.” READ MORE: https://www.rferl.org/a/tajikistan-uzbekistan-border-deals-great-expectations/29102421.html

TURKMENISTAN

“Exchange rate correction and human capital accumulation”, — the results of the IMF visit to Turkmenistan

The IMF’s analysis of Turkmenistan’s economy is largely based on official figures provided by the Turkmen government, though these figures might well be doubtful

Mar 12 — “Since non-biased and up-to-date information on the state of the Turkmen economy is a non-existent phenomenon, it is all the more valuable for an outside observer to have access to IMF press releases, based on the results of experts’ visits even if they are sketchy, unstructured and incomplete.” READ MORE: https://en.hronikatm.com/2018/03/exchange-rate-correction-and-human-capital-accumulation-the-results-of-the-imf-visit-to-turkmenistan/

“Neitralny Turkmenistan” publishes the bio of Serdar Berdymukhammedov, candidate for member of the Mejlis

The President’s son now heads the Parliamentary Committee for Legislation and Regulations, and could be considered as future successor to his father

Mar 15 — “Turkmenistan is getting ready for the Parliamentary elections (VI Assembly of Turkmenistan’s Mejlis) which are scheduled to be held on 25 March. The newspaper “Neitralny Turkmenistan” has published short bios of all 284 candidates running for seats in Turkmenistan’s Parliament.” READ MORE: https://en.hronikatm.com/2018/03/neitralny-turkmenistan-publishes-the-bio-of-serdar-berdymukhammedov-candidate-for-member-of-the-mejlis/

Nazarbayev receives son of Turkmenistan president

Turkmen President Berdimuhamedov did not attend the first summit of heads of Central Asian states on March 15 in Astana due to his pre-planned visit to the UAE, and sent a delegation led by Parliament Speaker Akja Nurberdiyeva to Astana

Mar 16 — “President of Kazakhsyan Nursultan Nazarbayev met on March 15 with chairman of Parliament committee of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the Kazakh leader’s press office said.” READ MORE: https://akipress.com/news:603652/

Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan may unite Asia, Europe – envoy

With joint transport and energy projects, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan can bridge Europe and Asia across the Caspian Sea

Mar 16 — “Turkmenistan is open for negotiations on accession to the International North-South Transport Corridor project, Turkmen Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mekan Ishanguliyev said at a briefing in Baku. He said that Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan have the potential to unite Asia and Europe.” READ MORE: https://www.azernews.az/nation/128889.html

UZBEKISTAN

Uzbekistan now allows tourists to take more pictures

Tourists have long been forbidden from capturing on camera the Uzbek capital Tashkent’s subway stations and some government buildings

Mar 10 — “Uzbekistan authorities are to ease strict rules that bar visitors from taking photos or videos in parts of the country’s picturesque capital, in a new bid to encourage tourism.” READ MORE: https://www.star2.com/travel/2018/03/10/uzbekistan-now-allows-tourists-take-pictures/#Ha0J98ClyIHsS4K7.99

The transformation of the Uzbek-Tajik relationship

Tajikistan was the last Central Asian country to which the new president of Uzbekistan paid an official visit, last week. The Uzbek leader had already paid fence-mending visits to Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, in efforts to improve his country’s relations with the next-door neighbors

Mar 13 — “On March 9, Shavkat Mirziyoyev landed at Dushanbe airport, the first president of Uzbekistan to conduct a state visit to Tajikistan since 2000. Embraced by his local counterpart, President Emomali Rahmon, he rode through Tajikistan’s capital city past thousands of flag-waving citizens (YouTube, March 10). After two days of official meetings, in which 27 agreements were signed worth $140 million in deals, the two presidents declared that “there are no unresolved issues” between the two countries (Gazeta.uz, March 9).” READ MORE: https://timesca.com/index.php/news/19470-the-transformation-of-the-uzbek-tajik-relationship

Uzbek Minister: Uzbekistan’s accession to WTO may take years

Joining the WTO is one of the priorities of Uzbekistan’s foreign economic policy and a key factor of improving the country’s international image

Mar 14 — “Uzbekistan has seriously taken up the issue of accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). In this regard, the country is implementing a number of measures, podrobno.uz reported. In particular, not only international experts and domestic ministries and agencies are involved in this process, but also working groups and interdepartmental commissions on risk assessment, readiness of economic sectors and adaptation of local legislation to join the organization have been set up.” READ MORE: https://www.azernews.az/region/128726.html

COMMENT: The jury is out on Uzbekistan’s lure as the next investors’ darling

The key for success of economic reforms in Uzbekistan is attracting foreign investment to bring in new technologies, analyst says

Mar 15 — “Formerly one of the most closed economies in the world, Uzbekistan has seen sweeping changes over the past year. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who replaced his late predecessor Islam Karimov in December 2016, brought a wind of change.” READ MORE: http://www.intellinews.com/comment-the-jury-is-out-on-uzbekistan-s-lure-as-the-next-investors-darling-138345/

AFGHANISTAN

Time for a hard look at war in Afghanistan

A columnist says that for America, the war in Afghanistan reaches its 6,000th day and is more than four times longer than U.S. involvement in World War II (1,346 days)

Mar 12 — “‘The war is over.’ — Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in Afghanistan (April 2002). ‘I believe victory is closer than ever before.’ — Vice President Mike Pence in Afghanistan (December 2017). With metronomic regularity, every thousand days or so, Americans should give some thought to the longest war in their nation’s history.” READ MORE: http://registerguard.com/rg/opinion/36532682-78/time-for-a-hard-look-at-war-in-afghanistan.html.csp

China to provide military assistance to Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province

China’s interest in Afghanistan is shifting from the economic to the military sphere, but this interest is explained by Beijing’s efforts to secure its Xinjiang province from extremist and terrorist activities that may be based across the border in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan region

Mar 12 — “In December 2017 during a meeting in Beijing between Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan and Afghan Defense Minister Tariq Shah Bahrami, China’s Central Military Commission vice chairman Xu Qiliang stated that China would build a military facility in Afghanistan’s northeastern Badakhshan province to “strengthen pragmatic cooperation in areas of military exchange and anti-terrorism and safeguard the security of the two countries and the region, making contributions to the development of China-Afghanistan strategic partnership of cooperation.” READ MORE: https://timesca.com/index.php/news/26-opinion-head/19465-china-to-provide-military-assistance-to-afghanistan-s-badakhshan-province

To generate jobs and security, Afghanistan must generate power

Sufficient power supply is what is needed by Afghan entrepreneurs to develop domestic production and improve people’s wellbeing, which, in turn, could help curb insurgency and end the war

Mar 14 — “Late last year, just after the Trump administration announced the new South Asia strategy, the government of Afghanistan teamed up with the global technology and engineering giant, Siemens, based out of Houston, and Bayat Power, an Afghan-owned power company, to launch a $250 million gas-to-power project that will provide more than 200 megawatts of electricity within Afghanistan.” READ MORE: http://thehill.com/opinion/international/378405-to-generate-jobs-and-security-afghanistan-must-first-generate-power

‘Abdul Does Not Celebrate Norouz’: Anti-Norouz Campaign Prompts Backlash In Afghanistan

Despite opposition from Islamic fundamentalists, the ancient spring festival of Norouz, which has pre-Islamic, Zoroastrian roots, is observed as a public holiday in Afghanistan and many people even extend their celebrations for up to two weeks

Mar 14 — “An online campaign in Afghanistan calling for the boycott of the ancient festival of Norouz has prompted a backlash among many Afghans, who have vented their exasperation at the growing influence of fundamentalist Islamic ideology in the war-torn country.” READ MORE: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-anti-norouz-campaign-backlash-islamists/29100380.html

WORLD

The odd couple: why Iran is backing the Taliban

As the Islamic State is gaining ground in Afghanistan, Iran backs the Taliban to prevent the IS from strengthening and moving closer to its eastern border. Russia, too, is engaged in a similar tactical alliance with the Taliban, to pursue its interests in Central Asia

Mar 10 — “In the conflict in Afghanistan, there are few stranger bedfellows than Iran and the Taliban. The former is the spiritual hub of Shiite Islam, while the latter is a vociferously anti-Shiite Sunni fundamentalist movement. Changing circumstances, however, have brought the onetime foes into a kind of partnership.” READ MORE: https://timesca.com/index.php/news/26-opinion-head/19460-the-odd-couple-why-iran-is-backing-the-taliban

Xi’s Ambition Is a Gamble and a Challenge to the West

Xi has removed a constitutional term limit on his presidency, strengthening his grip on power in China

Mar 16 — “Opaque though China’s system of government may be to outsiders, there’s wide agreement that the initiatives announced in recent days are no ordinary course correction. President Xi Jinping has brought more levers of power under his control and is moving methodically to erase the distinction between the Communist Party and the state.” READ MORE: https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2018-03-15/xi-jinping-s-ambition-for-china-is-a-gamble-and-a-challenge

Sino-Russian Cooperation, Exchange Increase Under Belt and Road Initiative

For China and Russia, Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative is an area of both cooperation and rivalry

Mar 16 — “Frozen grounds, cold winds and long nights – these can be a nightmare for any construction team. But this is what employees of the China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group grappled with in past winters while building the China-Russia Tongjiang Rail Bridge crossing the border between China and Russia.” READ MORE: https://sputniknews.com/analysis/201803161062581637-china-russia-cooperation-increase-belt-and-road/

ASTANA (TCA) — The Foreign Ministry of Kazakhstan has rejected a Russian proposal to revisit the Central Asian country’s visa-free regime for U.S. citizens, RFE/RL’s Kazakh Service reported.

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ASTANA (TCA) — Participants from 21 countries, including Austria, China, the Russian Federation, the United States of America, Turkey, France, Switzerland, and many more, gathered in Astana on March 16 for the KazGrain 2018 conference to discuss trends in the world grain market and prospects for the grain and flour markets in Central Asia, the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia reported.

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TASHKENT (TCA) — The European Union and Uzbekistan on March 15-16 held their 14th Subcommittee meeting on Justice and Home Affairs, Human Rights and related issues in Tashkent. The meeting covered a wide range of topics, including on further advancing bilateral and regional cooperation, the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan reported.

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ASTANA (TCA) — United Transport and Logistics Company (UTLC), a Eurasian rail alliance of Russian Railways, the National Union Belarusian Railway and national railways company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Austrian company Rail Cargo Austria AG. The parties intend to develop relations in the field of organization of cargo rail transportation in containers on the route China – Europe – China on the railroads of Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus.

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ASTANA (TCA) — The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is continuing to support domestic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kazakhstan. A new project will help INTELLPACK – a privately owned distributor of warehouse equipment and producer of stretch film and duct tape – expand its operations in the country, the Bank said on March 15.

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