Page 2 – The Times Of Central Asia

05 Dec 2025

Business & Economy, Tajikistan, Tajikistan Business Economy

EBRD and EU Allocate €43 Million to Modernize Tajikistan’s Power Grid

December 5, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union have announced a joint initiative to enhance the reliability and transparency of Tajikistan’s electricity distribution system.

Under the agreement, a €43 million financing package will support the state-owned electricity distributor Shabakahoi Taqsimoti Barq (STB). The funding aims to reduce technical losses and improve efficiency by upgrading essential infrastructure.

The “Energy Loss Reduction” project was officially signed on December 4 at Tajikistan’s Ministry of Finance. The agreement was endorsed by Minister of Finance Faiziddin Kahhorzoda and the EBRD’s permanent representative in Tajikistan, Holger Wiefel.

The project is backed by €28 million in sovereign loans from the EBRD and €15 million in EU grants via the Asia-Pacific Investment Fund.

Funds will be directed toward upgrading billing systems and installing new electricity metering equipment in nine cities across the Sughd and Khatlon regions. These areas are among the most affected by outdated infrastructure, which contributes to technical power losses, inaccurate metering, and the reduced financial viability of STB.

The modernization program includes digitizing STB’s core operations and implementing cybersecurity measures to safeguard the national power grid. Technical assistance from both the EU and EBRD will support the rollout of these reforms.

A key component of the initiative is human capital development. Specialized training programs on sustainable technologies and modern energy sector skills will be offered, with a focus on youth and women. This is intended to enhance the qualifications of local professionals and strengthen the regional labor market.

The EBRD remains one of Tajikistan’s most significant international investors. To date, the bank has invested more than €1 billion across 188 projects in various sectors. The new energy initiative reflects the continued strategic role of international partners in supporting the modernization of Tajikistan’s critical infrastructure.

05 Dec 2025

Central Asia, Home, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Home

Kazakhstan-China Agricultural Research Center to Open in Key Grain-Producing Region

December 5, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

A Kazakhstan-China Agricultural Research Center will be established in the North Kazakhstan region, one of the country’s top three grain-producing areas. The initiative was announced by region’s governor Gauez Nurmukhambetov following a business delegation’s visit to China.

“Last week, a business delegation from our region visited the People’s Republic of China and held meetings with leading Chinese investors. As a result, seven strategic memoranda were signed, opening new economic opportunities for our region. These agreements include the construction of new factories and the creation of a Kazakh-Chinese agricultural research center,” Nurmukhambetov said at a press conference.

The region continues to post record harvests. In 2025 it harvested 6.5 million tons of grain, nearly a quarter of Kazakhstan’s total gross harvest of 27.1 million tons.

Nevertheless, the region is actively diversifying its agricultural profile. Sugar beet cultivation is expanding, with experimental plots from Asyl Farms showing strong crop adaptation. Based on this success, plans are underway to build a processing facility capable of handling 1 million tons of raw material annually, producing up to 200,000 tons of sugar.

In the Kyzylzhar district, Salar Farm is building a plant for processing granulated alfalfa with an annual capacity of 60,000 tons. The main export markets include China and other Central Asian countries. The facility is scheduled to open in 2026. The region is also home to Maslo-Del, an oil extraction plant with an annual processing capacity of 370,000 tons of oilseeds and a production output of 120,000 tons, much of which is exported.

Alongside its growth in crop production, the region is making notable progress in livestock farming.

“SK Agro will construct the largest cattle farm in Central Asia, with a herd of 10,000 and a state-of-the-art Carousel milking system,” said Nurmukhambetov. “The farm is expected to increase milk production by 68 million tons annually. This will raise the share of milk produced by agricultural enterprises in Kazakhstan to 70%.”

He noted that in Belarus, modern farms account for 77% of milk production, in China around 70%, and in European countries more than 93%. North Kazakhstan region aims to boost its share of the country’s total milk output to 20%.

Meanwhile, 17 projects valued at $555.6 million are underway in the Qyzyljar special economic zone.

Agricultural cooperation with China continues to grow. Kazakhstan views China as a key export destination for its processed agricultural products. In November, QazTrade signed a partnership agreement with Optimize Integration Group, one of China’s largest food importers, responsible for 18% of the country’s frozen meat imports.

In a related development, a joint Kazakh-Chinese veterinary laboratory was opened in East Kazakhstan region in October 2025. The facility is designed to streamline and accelerate export procedures for agricultural goods.

05 Dec 2025

Home, Environment

Central Asian Countries Agree on 2026 Water Allocations from Amu Darya and Syr Darya

December 5, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Central Asian states have reached an agreement on water allocations from the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers for 2026. The decision was made during the 91st meeting of the Interstate Coordination Water Management Commission (ICWC), held in Ashgabat on November 13, 2025, according to Kun.uz.

At the meeting, the countries agreed on how water resources will be managed during the 2025–2026 non-growing season, the period when agricultural demand is low. For the Amu Darya, the total allocation from October 2025 to October 2026 is set at approximately 55.4 billion cubic meters, with 15.9 billion cubic meters designated for the cold months from October through April. Under the agreement, Tajikistan will receive 9.8 billion cubic meters, while Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan will each receive 22 billion.

A key provision is that roughly 44 billion cubic meters of the Amu Darya’s flow must reach the Kerki hydrological station in Turkmenistan to sustain downstream areas. Additionally, 4.2 billion cubic meters is allocated to support the Aral Sea and the Amu Darya delta, with half to be delivered in winter and early spring. Another 800 million cubic meters will be used for irrigation in Dashoguz, Khorezm, and Karakalpakstan. These allocations are crucial for both communities living in water-scarce regions and for preserving fragile river ecosystems.

For the Syr Darya, the total allocation for the non-growing season is 4.219 billion cubic meters. Of this, Uzbekistan will receive the majority share, 3.347 billion cubic meters. Kazakhstan will receive 460 million cubic meters through the “Dustlik” canal, Tajikistan 365 million, and Kyrgyzstan 47 million. These figures are based on projected river inflows, reservoir capacities, and the need to maintain ecological flows.

The ICWC also approved operational plans for key reservoirs. In Tajikistan, the Nurek Reservoir is expected to enter the non-growing season with 10.5 billion cubic meters and decline to around 9.7 billion by spring. The Tuyamuyun reservoir, located on the Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan border, will start with 4.5 billion cubic meters and reduce to 3.4 billion. Both will gradually release water to support irrigation and sustain the Amu Darya’s flow.

In the Syr Darya basin, total water volume in the Toktogul, Andijan, and Charvak reservoirs at the beginning of the season is approximately 10.6 billion cubic meters, slightly below average. Tajikistan’s Bahri Tojik reservoir is expected to contain 2.6 billion cubic meters, while Kazakhstan’s Chardara reservoir will hold about 1.65 billion. Collectively, the Syr Darya basin will have around 14.9 billion cubic meters of water at the start of winter, roughly 90% of the long-term seasonal average.

The 92nd ICWC meeting is scheduled to take place in Dushanbe, where officials will assess reservoir performance and water usage during the 2025-2026 season. The agenda will also include strategies to strengthen regional water security in the face of escalating climate pressures.

05 Dec 2025

Central Asia, Home, Kyrgyzstan, Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Features, Kyrgyzstan Home

Kyrgyzstan and Britain Sign Landmark Agreement on Critical Minerals Cooperation

December 5, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

Kyrgyzstan and the United Kingdom have taken a significant step toward strengthening their partnership in the global critical minerals market, signing a landmark memorandum of understanding (MoU) in London.

The agreement was formalized by Stephen Doughty, UK Minister of State for Europe, North America and UK Overseas Territories, and Meder Mashiev, Kyrgyz Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision.

The document outlines cooperation in geological exploration, the implementation of high environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, development of business ties, and the exchange of expertise. For Bishkek, the MoU establishes a new platform for deeper economic engagement with the UK, one of the world’s leading financial and technological hubs, while facilitating foreign investment and joint projects in the critical minerals sector.

Mashiev arrived in London as part of the Kyrgyz government delegation attending London Mining Week, which runs from December 1 to 6. Speaking at the MINEX Eurasia conference on December 1, he presented the country’s long-term strategy for developing its critical minerals sector.

According to him, Kyrgyzstan’s deposits of antimony, beryllium, molybdenum, bismuth, zinc, silver, and other critical minerals represent significant commercial and strategic value for global industries, particularly in energy, electronics, and advanced manufacturing.

State-owned companies, including Kyrgyzgeology, are leading exploration and development efforts, supported by government incentives and an open-door policy toward international collaboration. Strategic sites are being actively promoted for joint ventures and direct foreign investment.

Mashiev emphasized that Kyrgyzstan’s strategy places a strong focus on high ESG standards, aiming to ensure environmentally responsible development, social transparency, and meaningful benefits for local communities. The government’s objective is to position the country as a competitive and responsible supplier of critical minerals essential to global green transition technologies.

Kyrgyzstan’s ambitions are backed by substantial geological potential. Speaking at the International Forum on Critical Minerals 2025 in Seoul in May, Deputy Minister Marat Jusupbekov noted that the country is home to 11 deposits of rare earth elements, positioning it as an increasingly attractive destination for global investors.

One of Kyrgyzstan’s most valuable assets is the Kutessay II deposit, which contains more than 63,300 tons of rare earth metals, along with molybdenum, silver, bismuth, lead, and zinc. The government is promoting joint development of this deposit in tandem with the nearby Kalesai beryllium site, which holds an estimated 11,700 tons of beryllium. Both sites are licensed to Kyrgyzgeology, which is actively seeking foreign investment partners.

Jusupbekov also highlighted the potential of the Kyzyl-Ompol uranium-thorium group, including the Tash-Bulak area, where titanium-magnetite reserves are estimated at 5.5 million tons. This project is licensed to Kyrgyzaltyn, the country’s largest gold mining enterprise.

With global demand for critical minerals rising due to the renewable energy transition and growth in advanced manufacturing, Kyrgyzstan’s latest agreements and strategic initiatives aim to position the country as an emerging player in this fast-evolving, high-value market.

05 Dec 2025

Home, Kyrgyzstan Lead Story, Kyrgyzstan, Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy, Features

The Future of Kyrgyz Tech – Scaling Global Companies, Attracting Foreign Capital

December 5, 2025
By Owen Prew

In the second installment of our exclusive two-part interview, The Times of Central Asia continues its deep dive into Kyrgyzstan’s evolving tech landscape with Elena Nechaeva, Head of Communications at the High Technology Park of the Kyrgyz Republic (HTP).

Last week, we explored the startups and entrepreneurs who are currently building and scaling global businesses.

If you missed it, you can read the first part of the interview here.

This week, we focus on policy reform, cross-border cooperation, investor outreach, and the path ahead for Kyrgyz entrepreneurs in an increasingly globally competitive market.

Image: The High Technology Park, Kyrgyz Republic

TCA: In terms of regulation and policy, what improvements or reforms would you like to see to better support innovation?

Elena Nechaeva: There are several policy improvements that could really accelerate innovation in Kyrgyzstan, and many tech leaders have been very open about them.

One of the biggest needs is a clearer national strategy for startups. Now, it’s not fully defined who exactly drives startup development and what the government’s long-term role should be. A coordinated approach with clear ownership would help the ecosystem grow much faster.

Another important area is venture legislation and a stronger legal framework. Founders and investors often mention the need for a proper venture law, elements of English common law, and better protection of intellectual property. These changes would make it far easier to attract long-term capital and for investors to feel confident working with local companies.

There’s also a lot of focus on the importance of modernizing higher education and expanding international partnerships. Strong engineering programs and links between academia and industry are essential for deep-tech development.

And finally, Kyrgyzstan needs policies that help retain and attract talent. The digital nomad visa is already showing positive results, but it can be expanded.

TCA: How does the Kyrgyz Republic’s tech ecosystem compare to others in Central Asia or the wider region?

Nechaeva: If you look at the region by population size, Kyrgyzstan is much smaller – about 7 million people, compared to nearly 20 million in Kazakhstan and over 36 million in Uzbekistan. And yet, with a far smaller talent pool and fewer resources, the country already exports more than $130 million in IT services, almost entirely to global markets.

Whilst Kyrgyzstan’s tech ecosystem is smaller than some of our neighbors, it is one of the fastest-growing. What makes it different is that it is being developed from the bottom up – driven by founders, engineers, and communities rather than large state programs. That’s why the ecosystem is very agile, open, with a real-world focus on exports.

Another difference is the mindset: Kyrgyz startups grow with a “global from day one” approach. They don’t build for a domestic market – they build for the U.S., Europe, and the wider world from day one. That creates a very different culture and pushes teams to compete internationally right from the start.

So, while our ecosystem is smaller in size, it’s fast, flexible, and globally focused, and that’s exactly why it’s gaining attention in the region.

TCA: Is HTP actively working to attract foreign investors or international companies? If so, how?

Nechaeva: Yes, the HTP is highly active in attracting foreign investors and international companies. We participate in major global tech events, GITEX Dubai, Gamescom, CES, Digital Bridge, ICT Week, Web Summit, and others, where we showcase Kyrgyz companies and IT solutions, meet with investors, and build long-term partnerships.

A central part of our strategy is the KIT Forum, our flagship annual event held at the end of May each year.

Last year, we welcomed participants from over 20 countries, hosted 60-plus speakers, drew more than 3,000 attendees, and featured over 40 companies at the expo.

HTP also operates a dedicated Global Development Department, which builds relationships with foreign companies, facilitates international communication, and works to attract both investors and tech firms to Kyrgyzstan.

Our approach is clear: maintain global presence, build trust, and demonstrate that Kyrgyzstan is an emerging tech hub with fantastic talent, competitive operating costs, and an open, business-friendly environment.

TCA: Are there partnerships or joint ventures with other tech parks or innovation hubs across the EAEU, CIS, or globally?

Nechaeva: Yes, Kyrgyzstan is actively engaged in several regional and international tech initiatives.

The country participates in regional forums and exchanges, such as the Digital Startup Awards (DSA), which held its semi-finals in Kyrgyzstan and brought together innovation hubs from across Central Asia, including Uzbekistan’s IT Park, demonstrating strong regional collaboration.

The Ministry of Digital Development and Innovative Technologies signed an MoU with Central Asia Capital Investment Fund to create a new technology hub in Tokmok, combining manufacturing, high-tech infrastructure, and startup support.

Another strong example is our cooperation with the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), which co-organized the KIT Forum, now a shared platform for innovation across the Turkic world.

We also partner with organizations like Accelerate Prosperity, which operates throughout Central Asia and supports cross-border startup programs, joint pitch sessions, and investor engagement.

TCA: What is the USP for launching a tech company in Kyrgyzstan right now?

Nechaeva: Kyrgyzstan’s unique advantage lies in its speed, affordability, and global accessibility. It’s one of the few places where you can register a company in just three business days, maintain 100% foreign ownership, and operate fully remotely without a physical office.

The regulatory environment is streamlined, government-backed, and legally protected, giving founders vital certainty.

HTP’s regulatory and fiscal framework has also been tailored for export-oriented tech businesses. The generous tax incentives ensure that more capital goes toward growth rather than taxation.

Operational costs are extremely competitive; Kyrgyzstan ranks among the most affordable countries globally, allowing startups to extend their runway and reinvest in product and talent. The banking infrastructure is also robust, with 21 banks and over 1,000 service points, making it easy for international founders to operate.

The country also boasts a growing, export-driven tech workforce supported by modern tech hubs, co-working spaces, and the HTP community of over 500 companies exporting to 63 countries. While the domestic market is small, the ecosystem is globally focused from the outset.

Finally, lifestyle is a major draw. Kyrgyzstan offers pristine natural beauty, rivers, forests, alpine lakes, and world-class mountains. You can finish a work call and be hiking or skiing within 20 minutes. For many in tech, the balance between global work and active outdoor living is a major incentive – think Boulder, Colorado, but without the price tag.

TCA: What new initiatives or developments can we expect from the High Technology Park in the next year or two?

Nechaeva: In the next 12-24 months, the HTP will evolve from being primarily a virtual tax regime into a more physical, innovation-driven ecosystem. One of our most exciting developments is the creation of a new High-Tech Laboratory, a space to bring together founders, researchers, deep-tech teams, and innovators from across the country.

This initiative supports teams like ArtSkin, whose advanced work in prosthetic technology demands specialized infrastructure. The lab will enable experimentation, prototyping, and cross-disciplinary collaboration in AI, deep tech, engineering, and hardware at a level previously unavailable in Kyrgyzstan.

HTP will continue to be the region’s easiest place to launch a tech company, but soon, it will also be where breakthrough technologies are built.

TCA: How do you envision the HTP shaping Kyrgyzstan’s digital economy by 2030?

Nechaeva: By 2030, HTP aims to be a central driver for Kyrgyzstan’s digital economy. President Sadyr Japarov has already identified tech as a national priority.

Our goals include significantly increasing IT exports, scaling globally competitive product companies, and nurturing a deeper talent pool of engineers, researchers, and founders. HTP will be more than a launchpad; it will be the innovation core for deep-tech, AI, and engineering.

In 2024, HTP resident revenue reached $131 million, a more than sixfold growth since 2018. Under conservative projections, we expect revenues to hit $600-750 million by 2030, and under an accelerated strategy, to surpass $1 billion.

With a GDP of roughly $16-17 billion, this means IT already comprises around 1% of the national economy, nearly all from exports. If HTP maintains its trajectory, tech could account for 3-5% of GDP and 10-20% of exports, creating thousands of high-paying jobs in the country.

In short, if we meet our targets, IT will become one of the key pillars of the economy by 2030.

TCA: Are there emerging technologies or trends that the park is particularly focused on (e.g., blockchain, green tech, quantum computing)?

Nechaeva: AI is the leading area of focus for HTP. Teams are already working on speech tech, automation, analytics, and applied AI, with strong momentum continuing to build.

We are also increasingly focusing on blockchain and Web3. Kyrgyzstan recently hosted a major Web3 conference, and government interest in developing this sector is growing. HTP plans to support blockchain ventures through regulation, education, and global partnerships.

TCA: Finally, Elena, what message would you like to send to young Kyrgyz entrepreneurs or worldwide tech talent considering starting a technology business in Kyrgyzstan?

Nechaeva: In tech, the winners are those who spot opportunities before they go mainstream. They notice momentum in places others overlook.

Kyrgyzstan is one of those places: a small country with no coastline, no oil, and no vast population, but with something far more valuable: great Wi-Fi, a fantastic talent pool, low costs, a builder’s mindset, and a community that knows how to grow from the ground up; and did I mention how stunningly beautiful it is?

In the coming years, I hope that Kyrgyzstan will become a story of how a small nation used technology, creativity, and global reach to outperform expectations.

And right now is the perfect time to become part of that story, before it becomes the headline. The door is open. Jump in while the momentum is just beginning.

Thank you to Elena Nechaeva and the High Technology Park for providing The Times of Central Asia with such a detailed insight into Kyrgyzstan’s digital innovation ecosystem.

If you’re a seasoned entrepreneur, international investor, or aspiring entrepreneur, then you can find out more about the High Technology Park at: https://htp.kg/

05 Dec 2025

Home, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

La Tregua: A Bridge Across Wars and Worlds – An Interview with Director Miguel Ángel Vivas

December 5, 2025
By Ola Fiedorczuk

In the misty green heart of Bizkaia, where mountains rise like ancient sentinels and the air carries the scent of rain and earth, a remarkable filmmaking journey unfurled. This is where director Miguel Ángel Vivas Moreno, known for Money Heist (La Casa de Papel), Cicatriz, Desaparecidos, and Secuestrados, reconstructed one of the most haunting landscapes of the twentieth century: a Soviet gulag on the distant Kazakh steppe.

His new film, La Tregua (The Truce), invites viewers into a story based on actual events that unfolded far from Spain, but holds deep ties to its history. It traces the ordeal of Spanish prisoners during World War II who fell into Soviet hands and were compelled to endure the harsh, frozen conditions of a labor camp. Their struggle becomes a bridge between past and present, between countries and cultures, and between two men who must learn to recognize each other beyond the uniforms that once made them enemies.

All images courtesy of the production

The project is an unprecedented Spanish-Kazakh co-production from Spassk 99, AIE, Amanat Capital, LTD, and Umaifilm, LLP. This partnership gives the film a reach that feels genuinely cross-continental. It is a motion picture passport that opens a window onto a forgotten corner of global history.

At the center of the story are Miguel Herrán and Arón Piper, who step into the roles of Reyes and Salgado. The characters appear as ideological enemies; having fought on opposing sides during the Spanish Civil War, both carry heavy psychological baggage. Inside the camp, their former certainties fall away. What begins as uneasy coexistence becomes an inward journey shaped by hunger, fear, and the starkness of their new reality.

Executive producer César Benítez recalls searching for two actors capable of expressing both the physical exhaustion of imprisonment and the spark of hope that keeps a person standing. He says that the moment he saw Miguel and Arón together, he recognized that rare blend of fragility and fire.

Miguel Ángel Vivas talked to TCA to break down the challenges and highlights behind the production.

All images courtesy of the production

TCA: The story is fictional, but it is based on real events in Kazakhstan. Can you explain the historical context and how it inspired La Tregua?

Miguel: The story begins with a documentary about Spaniards in the Soviet gulags. That’s where we discovered that republicans and fascists shared the same prison two years after the Spanish Civil War ended. It struck us as a fascinating starting point for a human story about the relationships that formed between them.

All images courtesy of the production

TCA: The premise is intriguing: how two fighters on opposite sides of the Spanish Civil War end up in a gulag in Kazakhstan. In an increasingly polarized world, is there a lesson in the film to help heal the wounds that divide Spain, or even the world in general?

Miguel: That was the idea! In such a polarized world, I felt it was necessary to make a film about what unites us rather than divides us. The film is universal. In it, we try to explore how the world has split for many different reasons, whether religion or ideologies. My intention was to show that moral principles should stand above any ideology. If a bomb falls on a hospital, for example, morally we should all condemn it, but the moment people put ideology before moral principles, they start looking for excuses not to. It should not be that way.

TCA: Do you have any anecdotes about the Spanish and Kazakh teams working together? Perhaps some interesting cultural exchanges?

Miguel: I can only say it was an incredible experience. I fell in love with Kazakhstan when I went there. And, of course, I fell in love with the actors who came from there, with their craft and above all with their humanity. If there is one thing I have taken from this film, it is a group of people I can truly call friends. More than just anecdotes, what I will carry with me is a wonderful memory of them.

All images courtesy of the production

TCA: I know that this film is primarily focused on the male leads, but Dina Tasbulatova is the female lead, a Kazakh actor who provides emotional layers to the film. Can you elaborate on that and working with her to create her role?

Miguel: Dina is a star. And when I say star, I mean she is one of those actresses you connect with the moment you see her; someone you immediately care about. She has that kind of charisma. On top of that, she is the kind of person who makes working with her incredibly easy. From the beginning, we agreed on the direction the character should take, but she gave us so much more. She created a wonderful performance. It is impossible not to fall in love with her character.

TCA: Many times, a location can add a dimension or even feel like a character in a film. How has setting the film in Kazakhstan created an ambience or added a personality or texture to your project?

Miguel: Kazakhstan gave me the chance to speak about the land, the land of the Kazakhs.

This was very important to me. Rilke said that nostalgia is the residue of our childhood. For me, nostalgia is the memory of who you are, who you were, and who you hoped to become. Our characters want to escape that place, but little by little, without realizing it, they begin to fall in love with the land beneath their feet, the land where they have spent most of their lives. The culture, the folklore, and the people there were essential to telling this story. The character who leaves and whom we see again at the end (I will not name names to avoid spoilers) was never happy again in Spain, because it was no longer his land. We are the land we walk on, and we are our principles. That is what the film is about.

La Tregua is not only a film about survival; it is a cinematic expedition across geography, memory, and identity. It asks viewers to travel with its characters through the cold and into the heart of what makes us human. This emotional odyssey gives it the resonance of a travel narrative, one where the destination is not a place, but a deeper understanding of the human condition.

Having debuted at Comic Con Astana 2025 and been released to theaters in Spain and Kazakhstan in October, La Tregua will arrive on Netflix soon.