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.

Continue reading

TASHKENT (TCA) — On 26-28 April, a mission of EU officials paid an official visit to Uzbekistan. They held talks with central government officials in Tashkent and local authorities in Samarkand, met with representatives of the diplomatic corps, EU companies, NGOs active in Uzbekistan, and visited the EU-funded projects, the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan said.

Continue reading

KABUL (TCA) — Afghanistan’s Taliban has announced the start of their spring offensive, promising to target military assaults on U.S.-led coalition and Afghan security forces, RFE/RL reports.

Continue reading

TEHRAN (TCA) — Iran has launched a major solar power plant as the country is pressing ahead with an ambitious agenda to use renewable energy resources, Iran’s PressTV news agency reported on April 27.

Continue reading

SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan (TCA) — The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Government of Uzbekistan, and Germany’s GIZ held a business forum on April 27 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan to support regional horticulture export promotion efforts and competition development to boost economic growth in Central Asia.

Continue reading

ASTANA (TCA) — During an April 27 presentation of the National Investment Strategy of Kazakh Invest, Kazakhstan’s Minister for Investment and Development Zhenis Kassymbek reported on new approaches to attracting investments and coordinating the activities of state bodies, the official website of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan reported.

Continue reading