BISHKEK (TCA) — Signaling a fresh start for the new academic year, 16 rural schools in Chui and Issyk-Kul provinces of Kyrgyzstan have started with hot meals for 5,000 primary school students. This development — part of a School Meals Optimization project begun in 2013 — has been made possible by funding from Japan and the technical expertise of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

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TASHKENT (TCA) — The Uzbekistan-Russia business forum “New horizons of cooperation” was held in Tashkent, the Jahon information agency reported on September 27.

At the forum, Russian companies were given information about Uzbekistan’s potential in the spheres of industry, agriculture, small business, tourism, activities of free economic zones, and reforms on liberalization of the currency regime.

The forum discussed developing cooperation in the spheres of trade, investment, finance, energy and tourism, creation of new joint ventures, and production of new consumer goods.

Within the framework of the forum, an agreement on cooperation in the field of international commercial arbitration and mediation between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, and an Action Plan (Roadmap) on implementation of provisions of the Memorandum of cooperation between the Russian–Uzbek business councils for 2018-2019 were signed.

At the sectional meetings held during the forum, reports were heard on “Expansion and development of mutually beneficial interregional cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Russian Federation”, “Tourism as a driver of regional economic development”, and “Transport and logistics in the development of interregional cooperation”.

Russia is one of the leading trade partners of Uzbekistan. In 2016, bilateral trade exceeded 4 billion US dollars. Uzbekistan exports natural gas, cars, chemical, textile, fruit and vegetable products to Russia. Black and nonferrous metals, wood, oil and oil products, electrical engineering, paper products and pharmaceuticals are imported from Russia.

There are 961 enterprises in Uzbekistan with participation of Russian capital and 569 enterprises created with participation of investors from Uzbekistan in Russia.

KABUL (TCA) — On September 27, the European Union Delegation in Afghanistan and Parliament of Afghanistan held a joint high level conference on “Challenges to the Extractive Industries and Impacts of Illegal Mining on Security and Stability in Afghanistan” with the participation of Muhmmad Sarwar Danish, Second Vice President of Afghanistan, and European Union Head of Delegation Ambassador Pierre Mayaudon.

“Illegal mining is happening in Afghanistan, literally at our gate, and it is happening now. This creates for all of us an obligation to react. The EU will support the Government of Afghanistan to strengthen the regulatory and legal Frameworks. We have available funds that we can allocate to the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum to support its reform agenda,” said Ambassador Pierre Mayaudon.

Second Vice President Mohammad Sarwar Danish said that illegal mining posed serious threats to Afghanistan’s national security and stability, TOLOnews agency reported.

The natural resources commission of the Afghan parliament has said that Daesh is trying to take control of a number of mines in the country to fuel its war machine.

At the conference, participants said illegal mining by militant groups and local lawbreakers was playing a significant role in the deteriorating security situation in the country.

“We unfortunately have not managed to use our natural resources to ensure a prosperous and comfortable life for the residents of this country,” said Danish.

“Regarding the capacity and the issue it is the proper time for us to start the extraction of the mines,” said acting Afghan minister of mines and petroleum Nargis Nehan.

“Daesh terrorist group works hard to get access to the natural resources so that it can finance its terror activities through this,” said Ramazan Jumazada, head of the parliament’s natural resources commission.

In the meantime, a number of investors have criticized the Afghan government for its mining policy, saying it has suspended work on the mining sector and that this has impacted the economy of Afghanistan.

According to Afghan government officials, Afghanistan has rich mineral and natural resources. However there is a need for investment in the mining sector to boost Afghanistan’s economy.

KABUL (TCA) — U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg pledged continued support for Afghanistan during a surprise visit to Kabul on September 27, RFE/RL reported.

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BISHKEK (TCA) — On September 29, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will organize a forum to discuss capacity development and enhancement of service delivery for local government bodies in Kyrgyzstan. Over 120 representatives of municipalities, local councils and civil society organizations from Jalal-Abad, Issyk-Kul, Osh, and Naryn provinces, national government, and international organizations will come together to share best practices and lessons learned, the US Embassy in Kyrgyzstan said.

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ASHGABAT (TCA) — Turkmenistan residents hope that after the closing of the Asian Games in Ashgabat, the authorities will reinstate free currency conversion in the country, the Chronicles of Turkmenistan foreign-based website reported on September 26 citing its sources in the country.

According to sources, the government is no longer able to retain the lower US dollar exchange rate established in Turkmenistan.

“Now it is problematic to deposit cash onto Visa cards to subsequently withdraw cash in dollars overseas. Banks make various excuses to refuse providing these services to clients,” an Ashgabat resident said.

Despite the fact that the income of Turkmen residents would halve, they expect that the free currency conversion will contribute to increased entrepreneurial activity, which will create new jobs. It might also result in price decreases for some imported goods.

A Turkmen entrepreneur told the Chronicles of Turkmenistan that in order to import goods into Turkmenistan, businesses have to buy foreign currency on the black market.

“A bribe needs to be paid in order to take dollars in cash out of the country. A bribe is also required to import merchandise at the customs. All of these lead to a two or three times increase in the price for imported merchandise in Turkmenistan,” the entrepreneur said.

At the same time the entrepreneur believes that the authorities have some fears regarding the exchange rate increase.

“The fact is that many residents now have their things packed and are waiting for the moment to exchange manats from selling their apartments, cars and businesses to dollars to depart the country. This might have a serious effect on the country’s economy. However, sooner or later the exchange rate will need to be depreciated as the banks will not be able to survive much longer. The longer they wait, the tougher the situation will be,” the entrepreneur believes.

It was previously reported that the authorities have been keeping the dollar exchange rate at the same level because all the contracts to build expensive sports facilities for the Asian Games had been concluded based on the exchange rate of 3.5 manats per US dollar.

Construction contracts had been awarded to companies close to the authorities. Consequently, if based on the economic efficiency the manat’s exchange rate is lowered, the construction companies and those who are behind them will incur considerable losses.

The problem with exchanging foreign currency is very acute in Turkmenistan. It is next to impossible to officially exchange manats to dollars. Residents are forced to buy foreign currency on the black market.