ASTANA (TCA) — Governments in many post-Soviet states, including Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, consider foreign-funded NGOs a threat to national interests and a fifth column, taking repressive measures against them and civil society activism in general. Now such measures target two NGOs in Kazakhstan which are critical of the government’s policies. We are republishing this article by Joanna Lillis on the issue, originally published by EurasiaNet.org:

Continue reading

TASHKENT (TCA) — During his visit to the city of Parkent in the Tashkent region, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev was presented plans for the development of tourism in the region in 2017-2018 and proposals for construction of recreational and health facilities in ecologically clean areas of Parkent district located near the Uzbek capital city, Tashkent, the Jahon information agency reported on July 22.

Continue reading

DUSHANBE (TCA) — Although the external environment is expected to improve, rising domestic vulnerabilities pose a significant risk to maintaining robust economic growth in Tajikistan, the World Bank said in its latest issue of the Country Economic Update for Tajikistan.

Continue reading

KABUL (TCA) — Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani says the tourism sector in Afghanistan needs to be revived as it could draw millions of visitors a year, TOLOnews agency reports.

Continue reading

KABUL (TCA) — Afghan officials said the Taliban have seized control of Kohistan district in Faryab province and Taywara district in Ghor province in northern and central Afghanistan, local media reported.

Continue reading

BISHKEK (TCA) — Kyrgyzstan’s residents believe that the State Customs Service, State Service for Execution of Sentences, State Service for Combating Economic Crimes, and Ministry of Internal Affairs are the most corrupt government agencies in the country, according to a population confidence index survey conducted by the National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan.

Continue reading