@president.uz

02 May 2024
Central Asia, Uzbekistan, International Affairs, Business & Economy, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Uzbekistan’s President Guarantees Protection of Foreign Investors’ Rights

Addressing the Tashkent International Investment Forum, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev remarked that in recent years, his country had attracted more than $60 billion in foreign investment, in over 300 joint industrial projects. Regarding the goal to attract further foreign partnerships, he continued, “Our state guarantees development of market relations, reliable protection of investors’ rights, improvement of favorable investment and business environment, creation of wider opportunities and conditions for fair competition, ensuring inviolability of private property and independence of [our] judicial system.”

To achieve its aims, Uzbekistan has adopted a new version of the law “On Investments” in accordance with World Trade Organization (WTO) standards.  Despite not yet ratified by Uzbekistan, the International Commercial Court (ICC), is already operating in the country, and the terms of land lease for foreign investors have been increased from 25 to 49 years. Uzbekistan’s head of state also announced plans to introduce  new approaches to the system of industrial zones,  the management of which will involve experienced foreign companies.

Drawing attention to the country’s wealth of natural reserves, the  president noted, ” Our country has colossal resources of gold, copper, tungsten, silver and uranium. Along with rare and unique minerals, we have deposits of more than 30 rare earth metals such as lithium, magnesium, molybdenum, germanium, vanadium and indium. ”

He emphasized Uzbekistan’s ongoing negotiations with the U.S. and the UK  on cooperation in the field of critical raw materials (CRMs) and extended an invitation to leading companies to develop projects concerning the deep processing of strategic raw materials and the creation of a value-added chain of refining and processing.

Mirziyoyev mentioned  the forthcoming construction of the Trans-Afghan railroad and upgrades to existing international airports in Tashkent, Bukhara and Urgench  planned with the cooperation of foreign investors, and with reference to improved logistics, stated,  “These strategic projects will radically change the geo-economics situation in the region and turn Central Asia into a global transit centre connecting North and South, East and West.”

This year’s Tashkent Investment Forum was attended by 2,500 delegates including government leaders, heads of major companies and representatives of the  United Nations (UN), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

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@president.uz

02 May 2024
Central Asia, Uzbekistan, International Affairs, Business & Economy, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Uzbekistan International Affairs

OPEC to Allocate $500 Million for Tourism, Logistics Development in Uzbekistan

A delegation of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) International Development Fund headed by President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa participated in the events of the Tashkent International Investment Forum. The OPEC Fund and the Government of Uzbekistan signed agreements on joint activities and financial commitments worth $500 million. The funds will be used for the development of tourism, logistics, pharmaceuticals, ecology, support for women’s entrepreneurship, and youth initiatives.

The OPEC delegation will visit the facility of water supply and wastewater disposal in the Samarkand region, which was financed by the organization. This project provides the basic tools to improve health and living conditions for 70,000 local residents.

For 25 years, the OPEC Fund has been working with Uzbekistan, providing it with $760 million in loans. This financial support has helped provide drinking water to remote areas and modernize Uzbekistan’s energy sector.

This year’s Tashkent Investment Forum was attended by 2,500 delegates – government leaders, heads of major companies and representatives of the United Nations (UN), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

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The border with Tajikistan as seen from Kyrgyzstan; image: TCA

02 May 2024
Central Asia, Home, Tajikistan International Affairs, International Affairs, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Tajikistan Features, Features, Kyrgyzstan Features

Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan May Swap Territories to Ease Border Tensions

In order to solve their long-running border demarcation dispute, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan may consider the option of exchanging territories. That’s according to remarks made by Marat Imankulov, the Secretary of the Security Council of the Kyrgyz Republic, in an interview with state news agency, Kabar.

According to him, the remarkable thing is that the border in the Batken region passes through difficult terrain, densely populated areas, bisecting streets, yards, and even houses.

“Therefore, it should be separated. This is a difficult compromise. It is impossible without it. We have to give way. If necessary, the option of exchanging regions can be considered. Of course, there should be a preliminary agreement with local residents; that’s how things are going now,” said Imankulov.

The Secretary of the Security Council noted that each country has its own interests, but the parties are now looking for balance and compromise. Imankulov added that all border negotiations should proceed peacefully.

Demarcation of the border has been a long-standing source of conflict between the two nations, it is emblematic of the problem that even the length of the border – sometimes cited as being 975-kilomtres long, and at others times 972-kilomteres – is rarely agreed upon. In January 2023, Tajikistan’s President Rahmon stated that 614-kilometres had been settled upon, backtracking on a previously stated figure of 664.

In a sign of thawing relations, however, on November 9th 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic announced that a further 17.98 kilometers of the border had been agreed.

With its scant natural resources and dwindling water supplies, the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan has been the scene of numerous skirmishes for many years. In 2014, all borders between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan were closed indefinitely to Kyrgyz and Tajik citizens following clashes over a bypass road in disputed territory; mortars were fired and both armies suffered casualties. Trouble spilled over again throughout 2021 and 2022, reportedly starting over a water dispute in the Vorukh enclave, and leaving an unknown number in the hundreds killed, and up to 136,000 people evacuated. In September 2022, another shooting took place on the border between the two countries.

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Uzbek Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection & Climate Change

02 May 2024
Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Environment, Uzbekistan Home

EU and FAO Aid Uzbekistan’s Management of Hazardous Chemicals

On 1 May, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan held an inception workshop in Tashkent on technical assistance for the sound management of hazardous chemicals.

The joint venture, implemented with financial support from the European Union, is designed to enhance the effectiveness of mechanisms and tools for the management of hazardous chemicals and related waste. A key goal cited by the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan, is to reduce the use of dangerous pesticides in agriculture, through the introduction and promotion of alternative methodologies amongst farmers.

Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, stressed that by actively striving to reduce the use of highly hazardous pesticides, Uzbekistan aims to lower their adverse impact on the nation’s health and environment, in addition to making a significant contribution to  UN Sustainable Development Goals. Regarding plans to address the issue, he  announced, “We need to revise our inventory of contaminated areas of former agricultural airfields and other sites, the last of which, was carried out in the ‘90s when more than 450 former agricultural airfields were identified.”

Praising the move, Wim Riepma, Head of Cooperation Section, EU Delegation to Uzbekistan, stated: “Our partnership with the Government of Uzbekistan and FAO exemplifies a collective commitment to protecting the environment and public health, by cleaning up legacy waste, by improving waste management, and by reducing pesticide waste production. Integrated pest management and awareness of health and environmental risks are key to a healthier, environment- friendly and economically viable agriculture sector.”

Sherzod Umarov, Assistant FAO Representative in Uzbekistan, likewise emphasized, “The project implementation will enable an improved institutional capacity for sound pesticide management and better data on hazardous wastes in agriculture allowing development of a national waste management strategy. The project also aims to scale up green practices in the agricultural sector leading to reduced risks to farmers and consumers from the use of pesticides and to food production relying on less toxic pesticides and biological protection tools.”

 

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Kazakhstan Temir Zholy

02 May 2024
Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan, Russia and China Create New Transport Hub

Kazakhstan’s national railways company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), Russia’s Slavtrans-Service JSC, and China’s Xian Free Trade Port Construction and Operation Co., Ltd have begun construction on a new transport and logistics center, CRK Terminal, at Selyatino station in the Moscow region.

The new logistics hub is designed to develop direct transport links between the Kazakh-Chinese terminal in Xi’an (China), Russia and other countries.

In 2023 the volume of cargo transported by rail between China and Russia through Kazakhstan amounted to 3.8 million tons, an increase of 35% compared to 2022. In the first quarter of 2024, transit traffic along the China-Russia-China route remained at a stable 0.9 million tons.

 

 

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@azathabar.com

02 May 2024
Central Asia, Home, Turkmenistan Life & Culture, Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan Local Politics, Local Politics

Strapped For Cash: Officials in Turkmenistan Have to Buy Watches With the Berdymukhamedovs’ Faces on Them

In Turkmenistan’s Balkan province, heads of government agencies are being forced to buy wristwatches with the current president Serdar Berdymukhamedov and his father, the previous president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov on the face. They cost from 1,500 to 3,000 manats ($430-$860 at the state exchange rate or $75-$150 at the black-market rate), according to a report by Radio Azatlyk.

The heads of all departments — including healthcare, education, law enforcement, transport and communication companies — at the velayat (regional) and etrap (district) levels are required to buy wristwatches with portraits of the Berdymukhamedovs elder and younger.

The heads of higher-level offices were obliged to buy a commemorative watch with double portraits costing 3,000 manats, while the heads of small budgetary organizations will have to shell out 1,500 manats for the watch.

According to Azatlyk, several different watches are available. The most expensive one has a portrait of Serdar Berdymukhamedov in a black tie on the left and his father Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, now chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council), in a red tie on the right. The flag of Turkmenistan is placed at the top of the face, and there is a map of the country at the bottom.

Other watches have only the portrait of Serdar Berdymukhamedov and a map, while the third watch has him with the flag and map.

During the reign of independent Turkmenistan’s first leader Saparmurat Niyazov, watches with his portrait were also produced and given as gifts to schoolchildren and employees of state-run and government agencies.

A government worker from the town of Turkmenbashi told Azatlyk’s correspondent: “We used to see watches with the president’s image during Niyazov’s time. It is not surprising that Serdar Berdymukhamedov has also started producing gift watches with his portrait on them. Now all that’s left is for him to start installing statues to himself all over the country.”

“We already can’t make ends meet because of constant extortions to buy books and [attend] various events,” the frustrated worker added.

 

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