Maria Levina
BISHKEK (TCA) — On September 20, Kyrgyzstan marked its Entrepreneur’s Day. Traditionally, the country’s top leadership congratulated entrepreneurs, giving diplomas and memorable gifts to outstanding business people for their “fruitful work and significant contribution to the social and economic development of the country”.
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DUSHANBE (TCA) — Tajikistan has made significant progress over the past decade in providing access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene for its citizens. However, many challenges remain. This is especially true in rural areas where only about one-third of households have access to clean drinking water sources on their premises, compared with more than 87% in urban areas, according to a new World Bank report.
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TASHKENT (TCA) — On September 20, an Uzbekistan–US business forum was held in New York City as part of Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to the United States to participate in the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly, the Jahon information agency reports.
The event was attended by more than 100 executives of the leading US companies such as General Electric, Honeywell, ExxonMobil, CNH Industrial, John Deere, Coca-Cola, Boeing, Caterpillar, Citi Group, Visa, AGCO, and Gilead Sciences. It was organized by the State Committee of Uzbekistan on Investments jointly with the American–Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce (AUCC).
It was emphasized that the business forum, unprecedented in its scope and nature, once again confirmed the aspiration of businessmen of the two countries to expand mutually beneficial practical cooperation. The importance of joint efforts of the two sides for bringing Uzbekistan–US economic partnership to a qualitatively new level, ensuring its sustainable development and growth was noted.
During the panel discussions of the forum, a lively discussion was held on issues of strengthening bilateral economic cooperation, creating a favorable investment climate in Uzbekistan, as well as implementing joint projects and programs in the fields of industry, infrastructure, tourism, science, and education.
US businessmen praised the ongoing large-scale reforms in Uzbekistan, ensuring the introduction of market mechanisms for currency regulation, strengthening the banking and financial system, reducing the tax burden on business and introducing additional benefits and preferences for investors within the framework of newly created free economic zones in Uzbekistan.
As a result of the forum, documents for a total amount of $2.6 billion were signed with US companies. They provide for the implementation of joint projects in the oil and gas and petrochemical sectors with General Electric and Honeywell corporations, in the machine building industry with CNH Industrial, John Deere and Caterpillar, in the electrical engineering industry with OSI Systems and Lutron, and in civil aviation with Boeing.
An agreement was also signed on opening a branch of Webster University in the city of Tashkent, which will become the first full-fledged branch of the American higher education institution in the CIS countries.
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ASTANA (TCA) — The international presentation of the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC) will take place in December 2017 in Astana, AIFC Governor Kairat Kelimbetov said at a press conference on September 20, the official website of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan reported.
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BISHKEK (TCA) — The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM on September 18 signed the Practical Arrangements regarding the cooperation in rehabilitation of uranium legacy facilities in Central Asian republics of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, the Russian company said.
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BISHKEK (TCA) — Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan on September 20 exchanged diplomatic protests after Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev met with a Kyrgyz presidential candidate, Omurbek Babanov, in Almaty on September 19. The meeting was considered by official Bishkek as meddling in Kyrgyzstan’s internal politics, RFE/RL reported.
The meeting, which came just over three weeks before Kyrgyzstan holds an election to replace President Almazbek Atambayev, prompted an angry note from the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry.
“The Kyrgyz side considers the statements [made during the meeting] and the wide coverage of the meeting by the Kazakh side as an attempt to influence the choice of Kyrgyzstan’s people and interference into Kyrgyzstan’s internal affairs,” the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry said.
Kazakhstan responded hours later with a similarly pointed message expressing “extreme surprise” at Bishkek’s statement.
“The meetings of the head of state with prominent politicians and leaders of political parties of different countries at their request take place on a regular basis and fully comply with international practice,” the Kazakh Foreign Ministry said, adding that on August 14 in Astana, Nazarbayev held a similar meeting with another Kyrgyz presidential candidate, ex-Prime Minister Sooronbai Jeenbekov.
Babanov, who served as prime minister in 2011-12, is a rival to the candidate that Atambayev has endorsed, Sooronbai Jeenbekov, who himself stepped down as prime minister last month.
During the meeting with Babanov in Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty, Nazarbayev “stressed the necessity to further strengthen ties between the two brotherly nations,” according to the presidential office.
“During the years of Kyrgyzstan’s independence, I have always tried to work fruitfully with all your presidents,” he told Babanov. “We will be continuing to effectively cooperate with a new president the Kyrgyz nation will grant the trust.”
Babanov was quoted as saying that when he was prime minister, Nazarbayev was “always providing us with all possible assistance.”
