Maria Levina
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.
TCA
BISHKEK (TCA) — The Publisher’s note: Central Asia is an important geopolitical area between Europe, Russia and China. It is in Central Asia that world powers have confronted each other for centuries; it is here that China needs to succeed with its new Silk Road Belt for direct access to the Western markets; and it is here that a large wealth of raw materials has its origin. Every week thousands of news appears all over the world in printed and online media and it is quite understandable that 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 the region, and for this reason we are presenting this Weekly Digest of Central Asia which compiles what other media have reported during the past week.
BISHKEK (TCA) — The cards may not have been completely shuffled but it is already clear who hold the trump card in the upcoming presidential polls in Kyrgyzstan scheduled for October 15: current Prime Minister Sooronbai Jeenbekov and outgoing President Almazbek Atambayev. The former is the leading candidate for the presidency, while the latter may occupy the post of PM in a new coalition government to be formed after the polls.
TCA
TASHKENT (TCA) — Uzbekistan’s Uzbekipaksanoat Association officials have met with representatives of Chinese companies that intend to invest $276 million this year in the development of the silkworm industry in Uzbekistan, the Jahon information agency reported.
TCA
DUSHANBE (TCA) — Tajikistan has set up a commission to promote clothing the government deems appropriate for citizens of the Central Asian country, an initiative it says is aimed at combating “alien” culture, RFE/RL reported.
TCA
ASHGABAT (TCA) — Over the past few days Turkmenistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov has visited Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Georgia, and Azerbaijan where he held meetings with his counterparts and heads of state, the Chronicles of Turkmenistan independent website reported on July 20. Issues related to cooperation in various areas were discussed in the course of the meetings, but Radio Azatlyk reported with reference to its sources in the government that Meredov was sent on this trip by President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov who, via Meredov, requested the heads of the states to provide financial aid to Turkmenistan, as the country urgently needs at least $1.5 billion to host the Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games to be held in Ashgabat this September.
