31 May 2024

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Central Asia, Tajikistan Justice, Justice, Tajikistan, Tajikistan Lead Story

Close Associate of Tajikistan’s Prime Minister Rasulzoda Detained on Suspicion of Large-Scale Fraud

Mukim Ashurov, a relative by marriage of Tajikistan’s prime minister Kohir Rasulzoda, has been detained on suspicion of fraud, Radio Ozodi reports.

The Department of Internal Affairs in the country’s Sughd region said on May 30 that “the case against Mukim Ashurov is being investigated under Part 4 of Article 247 (Fraud committed on a large scale) of the Criminal Code of Tajikistan,” which carries a penalty of a fine or imprisonment for 8 to 12 years. Ashurov, 65, is currently being held in Khujand’s pre-trial detention center.

“It was established that several years ago, he entered the confidence of a resident of [the city of] Khujand and received from him 320 thousand dollars for the sale of a four-story store. But then he sold the store to another person but did not return the amount he had originally received,” a statement from the department says.

There is not much information about Ashurov in the public domain. According to official data he is a resident of Sughd’s Bobojon Gafurov district. A man named Mukim Ashurov has a Facebook profile that says that he lives in Khujand, and works as the director of a travel agency.

He is said to be very influential within the circle of the country’s prime minister, Kohir Rasulzoda. Ashurov’s son, Parviz Ashurov, is married to Rasulzoda’s eldest daughter.

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Times of Central Asia

31 May 2024

photo: US Embassy in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Home, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Uzbekistan Life & Culture

U.S. Support for Uzbekistan’s Pharmaceutical Industry

The launch of USAID’s Diversifying Asia’s Pharmaceutical Supply Chain project was attended by U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jonathan Henick and representatives of the country’s Ministry of Health and Agency for Development of the Pharmaceutical Industry.

Running for two years and costing US $2.5 million, the project aims to strengthen local pharmaceutical regulation, enhance local technology and workforce skills, and attract investment in the industry. It will also ensure that medicines produced in Uzbekistan meet both national and international quality standards.

Speaking at the launch, Henick stated, “Through our partnership, we will improve the health of the people of Uzbekistan while also improving the strength and responsiveness of the public and private pharmaceutical sectors. By aligning with global standards, we not only protect patients but also boost trust in local medicines, pharmaceutical companies, pharmacists, and the healthcare system as a whole.”

A key objective of the project is promoting domestic production of medicines to boost the sector’s contribution to the nation’s economic growth.

Despite being Central Asia’s largest pharmaceutical supplier, with over 220 private manufacturers, Uzbekistan still relies heavily on imported medicines and raw materials. To address this issue, the Government of Uzbekistan offers various means of support and incentives for local manufacturers including import substitution and robust quality control regulations.

Uzbekistan currently produces around 45% of the country’s medicines, a figure which the government aims to increase to 80% by 2026.

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Times of Central Asia

31 May 2024

@Global Look Press

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, International Affairs, Business & Economy, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Deutsche Bank Loans €165 Million to Uzbekistan’s Uzpromstroybank

The Uzbek bank Uzpromstroybank has received a loan of €165 million ($180 million) from Germany’s Deutsche Bank.

Gazeta.uz reports that “The funds will be used to create new jobs, including the production of industrial and construction materials, as well as to finance medium-sized business projects with the involvement of foreign investors in Uzbekistan.”

The country’s president Shavkat Mirziyoyev has tasked commercial banks with attracting foreign investments and supporting clients’ investment projects by expanding external financing sources.

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Times of Central Asia

31 May 2024

photo : AIIB

Tajikistan, Tajikistan Life & Culture, Tajikistan Business Economy, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy, Tajikistan Environment

AIIB Forwards Construction of Strategic Bridge in Tajikistan

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved a loan equivalent to US $75.5 million to Tajikistan for the construction of a 920-meter-long bridge and approach routes on the Obigarm-Nurobod section of M41 International Highway.

The bridge is the first of such magnitude in Tajikistan and a critical component of the county’s road network. Linking Corridors 2, 3 and 5 of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program, it will provide essential connections between Tajikistan’s landlocked terrain and neighbouring regional markets.

Designed to withstand all weathers, the bridge will connect over 350,000 residents of the northeast region of Tajikistan to the capital Dushanbe, as well as the border of Kyrgyzstan.

To align with Tajikistan’s National Development Strategy, the government has prioritized its timely completion and construction of the 75-kilometer Obigarm-Nurobod section has been divided into three phases to ensure synchronized implementation.

Illustrative of a collaborative approach to advancing sustainable development and enhancing connectivity in Tajikistan, AIIB has fostered close coordination with other financiers, including the Asian Development Bank, OPEC Fund for International Development and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Lauding the initiative, Konstantin Limitovskiy, AIIB’s Vice President for Investment Operations in Region 2, commented: “The project aligns with two core thematic priorities of AIIB. First, it contributes to cross-border connectivity by establishing vital cross-border links with improved road safety along Tajikistan’s essential corridor and ensuring connectivity between regions. Secondly, it embraces green-finance principles by integrating environmentally and socially responsible practices and promoting resilient sustainable mechanisms in the road infrastructure development.”

 

 

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Times of Central Asia

31 May 2024

@gov.kz

Central Asia, Tajikistan International Affairs, International Affairs, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs

Almaty Hosts Russia’s Defense Head Belousov in First of a Series of CSTO Events

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is holding several events in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s biggest city, between 30 May and 6 June.

The CSTO is a regional organization in the field of collective security. It comprises six states: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan.

On May 30 a meeting was held between the defense ministers of Kazakhstan and Russia, Ruslan Zhaksylykov and Andrei Belousov. According to a statement from the Kazakh defense ministry, the parties discussed bilateral military cooperation, touching on training and joint activities, including exercises within the CSTO.

“Its practical realization is carried out, among other things, within the framework of multilateral exercises. Colonel General Ruslan Zhaksylykov informed the interlocutor about holding the exercise “Birlestik” (Unity) in July this year in western Kazakhstan. According to its plan, military contingents of Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan will jointly work out training and combat tasks related to the localization of armed conflict and countering illegal formations,” the ministry said.

Almaty’s police have warned that given the scale of the events and the number of participants, the city will be partially restricted to traffic until 6 June.

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Times of Central Asia

31 May 2024

photo: Kazakhstan Foreign Ministry

Central Asia, International Affairs, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

First Meeting of Central Asia – GCC Investment Forum

The Central Asia – GCC Investment Forum met for the first time in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh on 29 May.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a political and economic alliance of six Middle Eastern countries: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.

The forum provided opportunities for representatives of Central Asian governments and business sectors and GCC countries to present economic and investment proposals, exchange views on issues concerning bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and discuss the implementation of strategically important projects in various fields.

Delegates also participated in thematic panel sessions focusing on agriculture and food security, mining and metals industry, development and infrastructure, renewable and green energy.

Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry, the Governor of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Renat Bekturov, noted the strategic importance of intensifying cooperation between the public and private sectors of the two regions.

In his remarks, he emphasized the enormous potential of the Gulf market for strengthening trade and economic relations with Kazakhstan, as well as the unlimited prospects for expanding investment partnerships.

With regard to other sectors, Bekturov spoke of the significant opportunities for Central Asian and GCC countries to expand collaboration in green energy, food security, transport and logistics, mining, petrochemicals, agriculture, finance, and tourism.

 

 

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