Page 152 – The Times Of Central Asia

21 Aug 2025

Central Asia, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Opinions, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Opinions, Kazakhstan Home

Analysis: How Kazakhstan’s New Road and Rail Projects Are Boosting the Economy

August 21, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world, located at the strategic crossroads of Eurasian trade routes. This year, the country launched two major infrastructure projects: the Trans-Kazakhstan Railway Corridor and the construction of a new Center-West Highway, which will connect the capital, Astana, with Kazakhstan’s western regions.

How the Center-West Highway will reshape Kazakhstan’s economy and logistics

The Center-West Highway will link Astana to the country’s western territories, providing direct access to the Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). Passing through the towns of Arkalyk, Turgay, and Irgiz, the route will cut the distance to western Kazakhstan by more than 560 kilometers (about 350 miles).

It is expected to improve interregional connectivity, stimulate socio-economic growth, increase the capacity of the transport network, and strengthen Kazakhstan’s role as a transit hub.

Deputy Minister of Transport Maksat Kaliakparov told The Times of Central Asia that construction is still in its early stages. Repairs on the Astana-Korgalzhyn-Karazhar section are currently funded by the Development Bank of Kazakhstan, with completion planned for 2026.

“The remaining sections are still in the design phase, and financing is being secured,” Kaliakparov said. “This year we plan to complete feasibility studies for unpaved sections, approve project documentation for the Arkalyk-Egindikol and Irgiz-Torgay stretches, and explore public-private partnerships to attract investment.”

Beyond improving domestic transport links, the Center-West Highway is set to become a crucial part of the TITR, providing a shorter and more reliable route to Kazakhstan’s Caspian ports of Aktau and Kuryk. This will speed up transit, increase freight volumes, and reduce logistics costs for both domestic and international shippers.

According to Kaliakparov, the project also includes modern roadside infrastructure: logistics hubs in Arkalyk and Irgiz, service stations, cafés, hotels, and an intelligent traffic monitoring and control system.

“It is also important to introduce a number of innovative and environmentally friendly solutions, such as stormwater treatment facilities, energy-saving LED lighting, and the use of recycled materials. Environmental requirements will also be taken into account, including the preservation of animal migration routes using environmentally friendly solutions such as underground passages and eco-bridges,” emphasized Kaliakparov.

However, despite its significant advantages, the project faces a number of challenges. The key ones among them are financing, complex terrain and geological conditions, seasonal limitations, and low population density along parts of the route, which affect its commercial viability.

Kaliakparov added: “The road requires significant investment, especially for the construction of new sections, some of which pass through hard-to-reach areas. It is also necessary to take into account the short construction season in the northern and central regions of the country”.

According to him, the highway is being designed with the local climate in mind. Kazakhstan’s continental weather patterns, sharp temperature fluctuations, steppe and semi-desert landscapes, hydrological studies, erosion prevention measures, and strict environmental compliance are taken into account.

Once completed, the Center-West Highway is expected to increase freight traffic to 5–6 million tons per year, cut delivery times between central and western Kazakhstan by 30–40%, divert traffic to this shorter, more cost-effective route, and expand transit flows. The project is tentatively scheduled for completion in 2029, assuming steady funding and adherence to timelines.

Key to Eurasian infrastructure or a new challenge?

From the border with China to Kazakhstan’s seaports on the Caspian Sea, Kazakhstan is building the Trans-Kazakhstan Railway Corridor. The project involves the construction of a 366-kilometer section from Moyynty to Kyzylzhar as an extension of the Dostyk-Moyynty line, as well as the modernization of approximately 1,600 kilometers of existing railway tracks.

The railway will function as a specialized container corridor, introducing modern technologies such as double-stack platforms and locomotives powered by liquefied natural gas, improving both efficiency and environmental performance.

According to Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (Kazakhstan Railways), the project will ease congestion on existing routes, reduce China-Europe transit times, improve access to the country’s coal and metallurgy industries, and boost line capacity.

This massive undertaking also requires close coordination with partner countries – China, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. In 2022, these nations signed a joint 2022-2027 roadmap to eliminate infrastructure bottlenecks and increase the capacity of the TITR, synchronizing operations along the route. On Kazakhstan’s side, major supporting projects are underway: building a second track on the Dostyk-Moyynty line, purchasing container platforms and locomotives, expanding the Aktau and Kuryk ports, and developing new logistics terminals along the Trans-Caspian route.

In the long term, the Trans-Kazakhstan Railway Corridor is expected to become a key link in boosting Kazakhstan’s transit potential and increasing freight volumes to Europe, Russia, the South Caucasus, and Turkey via the TITR.

Overall, these two large-scale national projects will have a profound impact on Kazakhstan’s internal regions by creating jobs, supporting business development, lowering logistics costs, and improving transport services. On the global stage, the Center-West Highway and Trans-Kazakhstan Railway Corridor could cement Kazakhstan’s role as a central Eurasian transport and logistics hub, improving efficiency and strengthening links between East and West.

21 Aug 2025

Home, Kyrgyzstan Justice, Justice, Kyrgyzstan Features

Britain Imposes Sanctions on Kyrgyzstan’s Capital Bank, Other Entities

August 22, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

Britain has announced sanctions against Kyrgyzstan-based Capital Bank and its director, Kantemir Chalbayev, as part of a growing crackdown on financial networks allegedly being used by Russia to get around international restrictions and fund the war in Ukraine. The bank has previously denied circumventing such restrictions.

“With sanctions continuing to bite, Russia has turned to the Kyrgyz financial sector to channel money through opaque financial networks, including through the use of cryptocurrencies. These networks have created a convoluted scheme to evade sanctions imposed by the UK and its partners,” the Foreign Office said on Wednesday.

So-called secondary sanctions also targeted the Grinex and Meer cryptocurrency exchanges, as well as the infrastructure behind the new rouble-backed cryptocurrency token A7A5, which has moved $9.3 billion on a dedicated crypto exchange in just four months, according to the British government.

The new round of British sanctions was also applied to the Kyrgyzstani firm Old Vector. The firm collaborated with Garantex, which had created Grinex to evade sanctions, and others in the development of the A7A5 token, according to an Aug. 14 statement by the U.S. Treasury Department that imposed similar measures.

In May, state-owned Capital Bank said it was complying with international sanctions regulations.

“Since 2023, as part of its risk management policy, Capital Bank has ceased all forms of financial interaction with individuals and legal entities subject to sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom,” the bank said. “This decision was made to protect the financial system of the Kyrgyz Republic from the potential impact of secondary sanctions and to ensure the security of operations for both resident and non-resident clients.”

The Foreign Office statement comes as U.S. President Trump tries to end the war in Ukraine through dialogue, meeting last week with Russian President Vladimir Putin and this week with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders.

20 Aug 2025

Kazakhstan, Home, Uzbekistan, Business & Economy, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

24 Central Eurasian Startups Join Silicon Valley Programs

October 24, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

This fall, 24 startups from Central Eurasia and other regions will join the AlchemistX and Silicon Valley Residency programs, set to begin on September 3. The selected teams will gain direct access to the U.S. venture ecosystem, top investors, and leading technology companies.

In 2025, a total of 225 startups from 20 countries applied, but only 24 were selected. Of these, 10 teams from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan were accepted into the AlchemistX program, while 14 others, representing Qatar, the U.S., Singapore, Georgia, and Mongolia, joined the Silicon Valley Residency.

“AlchemistX & Silicon Valley Residency is a strategic corridor linking Central Eurasia with Silicon Valley,” said Kazakhstan’s Minister of Digital Development, Zhaslan Madiev. He highlighted the importance of tangible results, noting that in 2024, 22 participating startups generated $380,000 in revenue within four months and secured $1.4 million in funding.

Over the course of the four-month program, participants will receive mentorship from venture partners, attend workshops on U.S. market entry, and pitch their startups to investors at Demo Day. Teams will also have the opportunity to register their companies in the U.S. and become part of the Silkroad Innovation Hub, Kazakhstan’s official innovation outpost in Silicon Valley.

“Silkroad Innovation Hub was created as a bridge between Central Eurasia and Silicon Valley, and today we see this mission becoming a reality,” said Asset Abdualiyev, the hub’s founder.

The programs are organized by Astana Hub in partnership with IT Park Uzbekistan, Silkroad Innovation Hub, and Alchemist Accelerator, with the support of the digital development ministries of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, as well as regional venture funds.

The participation of Kazakh and Uzbek startups in Silicon Valley underscores Central Eurasia’s growing presence on the global tech stage and offers new pathways for integration into the international innovation economy.

At the first Central Eurasia at Silicon Valley conference held in October 2024, industry leaders projected that the region could give rise to major global IT companies within the next 10 to 15 years.

Organizers cite the region’s untapped potential: a population of over 100 million, an average age of 27, and around 200,000 STEM graduates each year. With a maturing startup ecosystem, active universities, growing venture capital networks, and an international presence in Silicon Valley, Central Eurasia is poised to become a new tech frontier.

20 Aug 2025

Business & Economy, Tajikistan Business Economy, Tajikistan

World Bank Warns of Slowing Tajikistan Economy

August 20, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

Tajikistan’s economic growth may slow in the coming years due to mounting foreign policy and regional risks, according to a new report from the World Bank.

Vulnerability to External Shocks

The report highlights several external vulnerabilities that could impact Tajikistan’s economy. These include shifts in Russia’s migration policies, heightened global instability, and ongoing armed conflicts.

“Tighter migration policies and restrictions on Tajik workers in Russia threaten to significantly reduce remittance flows, leading to lower economic growth, increased poverty, and worsening fiscal and external balances,” the World Bank stated.

Growing global protectionism is also expected to raise Tajikistan’s foreign trade costs. The report notes that recent U.S. tariff increases on imports from several of Dushanbe’s key trading partners have triggered retaliatory measures from countries like China. These developments could drive up import costs and intensify logistical pressures.

Additionally, volatility in global commodity prices is expected to impact Tajik exports. While falling oil and raw material prices could reduce export earnings, especially for aluminum, zinc, and ores, high global gold prices in 2025 may provide a partial offset through increased revenues.

Impact of Regional Conflicts

The World Bank also warns that ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East could further disrupt global supply chains, raising energy and logistics costs. These challenges would translate into higher import prices for Tajikistan.

Conversely, the report suggests that a potential easing of sanctions and normalization of relations between the U.S. and Russia could destabilize Central Asian economies. However, the implications of such a shift remain uncertain and difficult to forecast.

Medium-Term Outlook

Despite these headwinds, the World Bank expects Tajikistan’s economy to remain stable, albeit with a decelerating growth trajectory:

8.4% in 2024
7.0% in 2025
4.9% in 2026
4.7% in 2027

The projected slowdown is gradual and not expected to result in a recession.

Similar concerns have been echoed by other institutions. The Asian Development Bank and the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development have also forecast a gradual slowdown in Tajikistan’s economic growth over the medium term.

20 Aug 2025

Central Asia, Home, Uzbekistan, Life & Culture, Uzbekistan Home, Uzbekistan Life & Culture

Archaeologists Uncover 80,000-Year-Old Arrowheads in Uzbekistan

August 20, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Archaeologists in northeastern Uzbekistan have discovered stone arrowheads in the Obi-Rahmat cave that could significantly alter current understandings of early human hunting practices. The findings, published in PLOS ONE, date back approximately 80,000 years and represent some of the earliest known examples of long-range hunting technology in Central Asia.

The excavation site, located in the western foothills of the Tian Shan Mountains, yielded a collection of small, triangular stone points embedded within sediment layers representing 40,000 years of human occupation. Researchers concluded that the arrow-like tips are too slender to have served any purpose other than as projectiles, making them among the oldest ranged hunting tools ever found in the region.

Until now, such finely crafted projectile points had been primarily associated with later Homo sapiens sites in Europe, dating back only 25,000 years. Their presence in Uzbekistan suggests that sophisticated hunting techniques involving lightweight weapons may have developed far earlier than previously believed.

The arrowheads were uncovered alongside a broader assemblage of Early Middle Paleolithic tools, including blades, bladelets, and flakes. The toolset reflects both continuity with Levantine lithic traditions and unique adaptations specific to Central Asia. Researchers used microscopic trace analysis to identify impact damage patterns on the points, clear evidence of high-speed delivery mechanisms such as arrows or darts.

Experts note that ranged weapons would have provided early humans with significant evolutionary advantages, allowing them to hunt more efficiently and with reduced risk. This technological innovation may have been crucial in supporting human migration and adaptation across Eurasia.

Broader Archaeological Context

This discovery adds to a growing body of archaeological breakthroughs in Uzbekistan. In October 2024, researchers using advanced laser scanning technology revealed two lost cities in the country’s southeast. These urban centers, which thrived between the 6th and 11th centuries AD, include a site believed to have been a metalworking hub and another that showed early Islamic cultural influences, underscoring the importance of Uzbekistan along ancient trade routes.

Further excavations in December at Mengchaktepa, a key Silk Road settlement on the northern bank of the Syr Darya River, yielded new insights. Known as the “Living Fossil of the Silk Road,” the site has been under continuous investigation since 2012 through a joint expedition by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and Uzbekistan’s Institute of Archaeology.

20 Aug 2025

Home, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

“I Came To Pay the Fine”: In Kazakhstan, a Bear Pays an Unexpected Visit to a Government Office

August 20, 2025
By Aliya Haidar

Efforts to protect wildlife in Kazakhstan, particularly rare and endangered species, have begun yielding results. Animals listed in the national Red Book are increasingly venturing into human settlements. While some encounters are harmless or even humorous, others pose real dangers.

A Curious Visitor in Serebryansk

On August 18, a large brown bear wandered into the central square of Serebryansk, a city in East Kazakhstan. CCTV footage captured the bear approaching the city administration building.

The bear had previously been seen on the city’s outskirts in early August, prompting residents to alert the forestry and hunting emergency response team. These teams are typically dispatched to relocate animals in distress or posing threats. However, the inspectors were unable to locate the bear, and it eventually made its way to city hall.

Local residents responded with humor, joking on social media that the bear had come to pay a fine or meet the mayor. Despite the levity, city officials issued a serious warning, urging residents to stay indoors after 6 p.m. until the bear could be safely relocated. They also cautioned that feeding the bear or attempting selfies could be fatal.

The authorities also reminded the public of basic safety rules in areas inhabited by predators: never approach bear cubs, as their mothers may become aggressive, and do not attempt to run from a bear unless immediate shelter is available. Even well-fed bears can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h.

Bear sightings are relatively common in East Kazakhstan, with reports this summer from Ridder, the Sibinsk Lakes area, and the village of Bobrovka in Glubokovsky district.

Bears in the Red Book and Beyond

Two subspecies of brown bears inhabit Kazakhstan: the Tianshan brown bear, which lives in the Tian Shan and Dzungarian Alatau mountains, and the South Siberian brown bear, found in the Altai region. The Tian Shan brown bear is listed in Kazakhstan’s Red Book of endangered species, while the South Siberian bear is still legally hunted under regulated conditions.

According to the Ministry of Ecology, the South Siberian brown bear population rose from 3,265 in 2022 to 3,578 in 2023. Hunting is permitted in limited numbers and only under supervision.

The red-listed Tianshan brown bear population remains smaller. As of 2023, experts estimated 500-600 individuals nationwide.

In Ile-Alatau National Park, partly located within Almaty city limits, about 70 Tianshan bears were recorded in 2022. The park regularly hosts educational events to raise awareness of the species. Elsewhere, roughly 270 Tianshan brown bears inhabit Kazakhstan’s portion of the Tien Shan, and more than 350 live in the Zhetysu Alatau.

Dangerous Neighbors

Despite conservation gains, human-bear encounters can end tragically. A tourist in Serebryansk recalled that in 2023, a female bear and her cubs foraged for food in summer cottages, destroying gardens and evading attempts to drive them away.

A more serious incident occurred in May 2020 in the Almaty region, when a Russian man was fatally attacked by a bear while returning from a fishing trip. Mistaking a bear cub for small game, he approached on foot, prompting a deadly defensive attack from the mother. Authorities later confirmed that the bear was not killed, as the attack had been provoked.

Snow Leopards Making a Comeback

Kazakhstan has also seen a resurgence in its population of snow leopards (irbis), another species listed in the Red Book. Hunting them is a criminal offense. According to the Ministry of Ecology, the number of snow leopards has doubled since 2020, reaching approximately 180 individuals by 2024.

Protected areas covering 3.6 million hectares now shelter about 70% of the snow leopard’s habitat. Conservationists use camera traps and satellite telemetry to monitor the animals, and eleven individuals have been fitted with tracking collars.

In 2023, a female snow leopard and her three cubs were captured on camera in East Kazakhstan. Several more sightings were recorded in the Almaty region. In March 2024, a snow leopard was photographed by a tourist on a snow-covered slope in the Shymbulak Mountains near Almaty.