ASTANA (TCA) — Kazakhstan faces new challenges due to the decline in commodity prices and the slowdown of key regional economies. The Kazakh authorities have taken steps to address these challenges, notably floating the tenge, which will help the economy adjust. Going forward, it will be important to modernize policy frameworks, create more efficient and transparent institutions, and deepen Kazakhstan’s into regional and global markets, Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), said in her statement on May 24 at the conclusion of her visit to Kazakhstan.

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BISHKEK (TCA) — The death of Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mansour, who was killed in a U.S. drone attack in the southwestern Pakistani province of Balochistan on May 21, reduces the likelihood of Afghan peace talks in six-month outlook, according to the new analysis on the event and its implications, prepared by Omar Hamid, Head of Asia Analysis, IHS Country Risk.

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TEHRAN (TCA) — Iran, India and Afghanistan have signed a key trilateral deal, known as the Chabahar agreement, to establish a strategic transit and transport route connecting the three countries, Iran’s PressTV news agency reported.

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TEHRAN (TCA) — On May 23, India signed a much-awaited contract with Iran to develop the country’s southeastern Chabahar port, a project which is expected to eventually create a regional trade, investment and transportation hub with links from the Indian Ocean to Central Asia, Iran’s PressTV news agency reported.

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TASHKENT (TCA) — A ceremony to celebrate the completion of construction and commencement of operations of the Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex (UGCC) at the Surgil field in Uzbekistan was held on May 21. The event was attended by Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Hwan Kyo-ahn, the Jahon information agency reported.

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BISHKEK (TCA) — As Kyrgyz lawmakers have stepped up with an initiative aimed at introducing more restrictions on the media, we are republishing the following article originally published by EurasiaNet.org:

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