TASHKENT (TCA) — During his visit to Uzbekistan late last week, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice-President Wencai Zhang witnessed the signing of an $80 million loan agreement for Pap-Namangan-Andijan railway electrification project. The project will electrify 145.1 kilometers of non-electrified track linking major cities in the Fergana Valley with the capital. This will facilitate direct and efficient operation of freight and passenger train services, and promote economic and social development in the Fergana Valley, ADB said.

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ASHGABAT (TCA) — An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Mr. Martin Sommer visited Turkmenistan during November 1-8 to assess macroeconomic and financial developments and discuss economic challenges and policy priorities with senior government officials, representatives of real and financial sectors, academics, and the diplomatic community.

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BISHKEK (TCA) — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects the economy of Kyrgyzstan to grow by 3.5 percent for 2017 with inflation inching up, but remaining within the National Bank of Kyrgyz Republic (NBKR) target range of 5 to7 percent. The recent tightening of controls at the border with Kazakhstan could shave as much as 0.2 percentage points from this year’s output growth and is expected to increase next year, if not resolved soon, an IMF team led by Mr. Edward Gemayel said in a statement at the conclusion of its visit to Bishkek from October 26 to November 8.

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KABUL (TCA) — The first cargo shipment from India, of wheat, via Iran’s Chabahar Port arrived in Nimroz in the west of Afghanistan on November 11, TOLOnews reported.

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TASHKENT (TCA) — The international conference “Central Asia: one past and a common future, cooperation for sustainable development and mutual prosperity” was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on November 10 and 11.

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BISHKEK (TCA) — The journalism watchdog group Reporters Without Borders has called on the European Union to press for greater media freedom as it forges closer economic ties with Central Asia countries, RFE/RL reported.

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