Page 23 – The Times Of Central Asia

24 Mar 2026

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Tajikistan Loses Chance to Host the Asian Cup

March 24, 2026
By Vagit Ismailov

Asian football is set for a major overhaul of its schedule. Under pressure from FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has decided to cancel the current selection process for Asian Cup hosts and effectively restart it, while also changing the traditional timing of the tournaments.

The AFC has informed national federations of the suspension of the bidding process for the 2031 and 2035 Asian Cups. The decision came as a surprise, as the list of candidates had been published only a few weeks earlier.

Among the bids was a joint proposal from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. However, the entire process has now been “reset”: all submitted applications are no longer valid, and the selection procedure will have to begin again.

The changes follow a FIFA initiative to revise the schedule of continental competitions and move them to even-numbered years. After consultations, the AFC agreed to adopt the new model.

As a result, the 2031 Asian Cup has been postponed to 2032, and the 2035 tournament to 2036. The 2027 Asian Cup, however, will take place as planned.

The revised calendar is expected to place additional pressure on the international football schedule. With the rescheduling of major competitions, tournaments such as the UEFA European Championship, the Copa América, and the Asian Cup could be held in the same years. This may significantly “overload” national team calendars, forcing federations, coaches, and players to adapt to a more congested schedule and more complex planning requirements.

The cancellation of the current bidding procedures means that countries will have to compete again for the right to host the tournaments. A new selection cycle has not yet been announced, and the timeline for its launch remains unclear.

24 Mar 2026

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Over 100,000 Uzbek Workers Recruited to Work in Russia in 2025

March 24, 2026
By Sadokat Jalolova

Around 106,000 citizens of Uzbekistan went to work in Russia in 2025 through organised recruitment programs, according to a report prepared by Rahim Khakimov, Deputy Adviser to the President of Uzbekistan, and cited by the Russian state news agency TASS.

The report states that about 50,000 of these workers were employed by major companies, including Gazprom, Lukoil, Kamaz, AvtoVAZ, Ozon, and SPAR. Overall, an estimated 1.3 million Uzbek citizens are currently working in Russia on a temporary basis.

The document also highlights ongoing efforts to simplify labor migration procedures. Agreements reached in 2025 provide for the partial transfer of work patent processing stages to Uzbekistan, allowing migrants to complete key formalities before departure. Authorities also plan to expand Russian-language testing by opening new centres in the cities of Jizzakh and Andijan to better serve the densely populated Fergana Valley, where nearly one-third of the country’s population lives.

At the same time, migration trends are gradually shifting. According to Uzbekistan’s Central Bank, Uzbek labor migrants are no longer concentrated solely in traditional destinations such as Russia, Kazakhstan, South Korea, and Turkey. Increasing numbers are seeking employment opportunities in Europe and other parts of Asia.

This diversification is reflected in remittance flows. Data show that transfers to Uzbekistan from the United Kingdom have increased by 39% in recent years, while remittances from European Union countries have risen by 37%. Significant growth has also been recorded from countries such as Ireland, Croatia, Slovakia, Lithuania, and the Netherlands, as well as from the United States and South Korea. Analysts attribute this trend to stable demand for labor abroad, relatively steady wage levels, and favorable currency exchange rates.

According to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Uzbek labor migrants typically send home between $200 and $300 per month. Separate estimates from the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford suggest that migrants in the United Kingdom remit between £1,000 and £3,300 annually per person. Overall, the average yearly remittance per recipient in Uzbekistan is estimated at between $2,000 and $4,000.

Alongside these broader trends, consular support for Uzbek citizens abroad continues. On March 22, the Dunyo news agency reported that representatives of Uzbekistan’s embassy visited a Temporary Detention Center for Foreign Citizens in Russia’s Tula region. During the visit, Consul General Mehriddin Khairiddinov reviewed living conditions and held talks with Russian officials on accelerating document processing and facilitating the return of detained Uzbek nationals.

“Supporting fellow citizens and providing them with the necessary assistance remain among the priority tasks of the diplomatic mission,” Khairiddinov said, emphasizing that the protection of citizens’ rights is a key principle of Uzbekistan’s state policy.

24 Mar 2026

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Kazakhstan to Invest Over $15.5 Billion in Coal-Fired Power Generation

March 24, 2026
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Kazakhstan is launching a large-scale investment programme in the energy sector. By 2030, the country plans to attract at least $15.5 billion for the development of coal-fired power generation. The corresponding national project has been approved by the government.

According to government estimates, electricity demand in Kazakhstan will grow at an accelerated pace, partly due to the expansion of the IT sector, data centers, and AI. Under these conditions, the authorities are prioritising baseload generation, which renewable energy sources are not yet able to fully provide.

The national project provides for the commissioning and modernisation of 7.8 GW of capacity. Key facilities include an energy cluster in Ekibastuz (2,640 MW), power plants in Kurchatov (700 MW) and Zhezkazgan (500 MW), as well as new combined heat and power plants in Kokshetau, Semey, and Ust-Kamenogorsk.

Financing will come primarily from extra-budgetary sources through the attraction of private capital. The government expects the investments to generate a multiplier effect in the economy, including growth in mechanical engineering, energy equipment manufacturing, and automated systems.

At the same time, 11 existing power plants are to be modernised. This is expected to reduce equipment wear by 12.6% and increase generation efficiency. Implementation of the project will also lead to an increase in thermal coal consumption of around 20 million tons per year.

To ensure supply, additional investment is planned in transport infrastructure, including expanding the railcar fleet and modernising railway lines.

Coal-fired generation is therefore set to become a driver not only for the energy sector but also for related industries. Despite the emphasis on coal, the authorities are counting on the introduction of “clean” generation technologies. New power plants will be equipped with modern emission-control systems, including electrostatic precipitators and desulphurization units. These measures are expected to reduce environmental impact and bring the industry closer to international standards.

The project is expected to create about 4,500 permanent jobs, along with employee support measures such as subsidised mortgages.

The launch of the project comes amid the global energy transition, creating a strategic dilemma. On the one hand, Kazakhstan aims to ensure energy security and sustain economic growth. On the other, pressure linked to the international climate agenda remains.

As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the country plans to fully meet domestic electricity demand by 2027 and achieve a sustainable surplus by 2029, allowing it to begin exports.

At the same time, new energy-intensive projects are under consideration, including the creation of a “data centre valley” in the Pavlodar region, which is also expected to rely on coal-fired generation.

24 Mar 2026

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Kyrgyz Citizens Are Spending More and Saving Less

March 24, 2026
By Times of Central Asia

The financial habits of Kyrgyz citizens has changed significantly in recent years: people are spending more and saving less. This conclusion was reached by the country’s National Statistical Committee.

According to the agency, the share of household savings has more than halved, from 24.3% of income in 2020 to 10.8% in 2024.

Until 2021, however, Kyrgyz citizens had shown a tendency to save. This contributed to the growth of banks’ deposit bases, and the authorities noted increasing confidence in the financial sector. Formally, this confidence remains, but household behavior has changed.

In 2024, the country’s gross disposable income amounted to approximately $20.5 billion, of which roughly $18.2 billion was directed towards consumption. A significant share of economic activity is therefore effectively geared towards meeting current domestic demand. This trend coincides with a period of strong economic growth that the authorities have described as a “leopard’s leap.” In recent years, GDP growth has reached about 10% annually.

Economists say domestic demand remains the key driver of growth. The construction sector is expanding, mortgage lending is increasing, and infrastructure projects and gold mining continue to develop.

Another indicator of changing behavior is the rise in household consumer spending. Its share increased from 75.4% of GDP in 2020 to 86.9% in 2024. At the same time, statistics show so-called negative savings, meaning that the population is spending more than it officially earns.

In practice, this reflects the active use of loans and other external sources of financing. The banking sector and the State Mortgage Company (SMC) play a key role in this process, supporting consumption and thereby stimulating economic growth.

Despite continued economic expansion, according to official data, GDP increased by 8% in January-February 2026, analysts warn of potential risks. The decline in savings means households have fewer resources to build a financial “safety cushion.” With incomes largely directed towards current consumption, their resilience to economic shocks is weakening.

24 Mar 2026

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Alatau: Inside Kazakhstan’s $20 Billion “City of the Future”

March 25, 2026
By Bruce Pannier

Details about the ambitious plans for Alatau city were presented to a joint session of Kazakhstan’s parliament on March 20. Authorities are moving ahead full-speed on the project to build the new city that one day could be home to some two million people.

According to the plans, Alatau will be a unique city, not only in Kazakhstan, but in the world.

Image: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

From Village to Metropolis

Alatau city is being built on the site of what was the village of Zhetygen, some 50 kilometers north of Almaty. It will occupy an area of some 88,000 hectares, “larger than both Singapore and Seoul.”

Relieving the congestion of Kazakhstan’s commercial capital was one of the major concerns when selecting a site for the new city. Another consideration was Alatau’s location along the Middle Corridor, the developing East-West trade route linking Europe and China. Alatau city will have an airport and railway junctions.

Alatau city will have four districts – Green, Growing, Golden, and Gate.

Image: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

The Gate district will be the business and financial area and is where the airport and railways will be located. It will also be the southern-most area of the city and therefore closest to Almaty.

The Golden district will be the “hub of knowledge, healthcare, and innovation,” the location of hospitals and other medical facilities, tech centers, and educational institutions able to take 40,000 students are planned for the district.

The Growing district will be the industrial and logistics center for export-oriented trade. It will include clusters for food, chemicals, building materials, and light industry.

The Green district, on the shore of Kapchagay Lake and with the Kaskelen River running through it, will be the recreational and tourist area of the city.

Image: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

Alatau city lies along the main road between the cities of Almaty and Konayev (the “gambling capital of Kazakhstan“).

Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Boumbayev told parliament on March 20 that testing of air taxis to ferry people between Almaty and Alatau would start this year, and within two to three years, operations would open to the public. Bozumbayev said the flight time would be 10-15 minutes.

Additionally, expansion of the Almaty metro system is progressing with plans for the Green Line to eventually reach Alatau.

Alatau will be a smart city and will be developed under the principle “digital by default,” meaning people will be encouraged to go online as much as possible for goods and services, but will still offer support for those who prefer to use traditional means.

Financing

The Kazakh authorities are expecting construction of Alatau city to require some 10 trillion tenge (about $20.836 billion) of investment by 2050. Kazakhstan is seeking foreign investment and offering advantageous conditions to foreign companies.

Deputy Prime Minister Bozumbayev said, “The tax model is described separately: incentives are proposed to be granted only to new projects in priority sectors—those with requirements for efficiency, environmental friendliness, and innovation.”

He added that only companies operating directly within the city will receive these preferential incentives.

Bozumbayev denied that Alatau will be treated as an offshore zone. He said there will be “preferences” but also “obligations for investors,” such as creating an agreed number of jobs, paying taxes, and meeting construction deadlines.

The Kazakh authorities say up to a million jobs will be created, and they expect the new city to attract four million tourists annually, more than half of them foreigners.

A City of the Future

The “Iconic Towers” with one tower rising to 272 meters (56 floors) will be the centerpiece of Alatau city, but by no means the only intriguing building.

Image: alatau.city

Artists’ renditions of the business area look like something from a science fiction movie, while the tourist area and marina in the Green district recall parts of Dubai or Tampa Bay.

Other shining steel and glass buildings will be spread across Alatau city.

Snezhanna Imasheva, a deputy in the Mazhilis, the lower house of parliament, said Alatau city will be like Dubai or Shenzhen in China.

Image: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

Kazakhstan already has experience with turning a small town into a large city. Thirty years ago, then-President Nursultan Nazarbayev decided to move the capital from Almaty to a town in the north that was called Tselinograd in Soviet times, and renamed Akmola shortly after 1991 independence. It took several years before Astana began to take shape, but it is now a modern city in the once largely empty steppe.

Construction of Alatau city is expected to continue until 2050. Companies from Asia and Europe are involved in architectural and infrastructure projects.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed an order giving special status to Alatau city in September 2025, saying at the time, “Alatau is destined to become our new center of business activity and innovation.”

24 Mar 2026

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Central Asia’s Airspace Is Growing in Value as the Iran Conflict Reshapes Routes

April 3, 2026
By Stephen M. Bland

The war involving Iran has made Central Asia’s skies more important, but it has not made them a replacement for the Gulf. The change is narrower and more practical.

As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the conflict has already reshaped Europe–Asia flight routes, with airlines forced to reroute around high-risk airspace. As EASA’s conflict-zone bulletin for Iran remains in force through March 31, and its broader Middle East and Persian Gulf bulletin advises operators to avoid a wide band of regional airspace, airlines flying between Europe and Asia now have fewer safe and efficient options than they did even a month ago.

That matters for Central Asia because the region sits just north of the disrupted corridor. Iran’s airspace is considered high risk and is being widely avoided by airlines, while large parts of the central Middle East corridor are closed or heavily restricted.

Safe Airspace’s March 21 summary states that the normal central route has been effectively shut for many operators, while Oman has become a heavily used southern bypass. That leaves a northern arc running through the Caucasus and Central Asia as one of the few workable alternatives for many carriers.

The roots of this go back further than this month’s escalation. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many Western and Europe-bound operators have had to rethink routes that once crossed Russian airspace. In January 2025, Uzbekistan Airways began rerouting its Europe flights around Russia and Belarus. The airline said the Tashkent–Munich route grew from 4,849 kilometers to 5,156 kilometers, adding 30 to 40 minutes to each flight. The conflict has now squeezed traffic again, this time from the south.

That double squeeze raises a harder question. Can Central Asia handle more strategic weight in the air, not just on a map but in daily operations?

Kazakhstan is the strongest candidate. Kazaeronavigatsiya says Kazakhstan’s airspace handled 216,616 flights in the first half of 2025. Of those, 161,029 were flown by foreign airlines in transit or landing operations, while 55,587 were operated by Kazakh carriers. The same state operator lists 124 air traffic service routes with a combined length of 113,530 kilometers. These are substantial figures for a landlocked state positioning itself as a Eurasian transit hub.

The country’s broader aviation system has also been expanding. The Civil Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan says airports served 31.8 million passengers in 2025, up from 29.7 million in 2024. Airlines carried 20.7 million passengers, and Kazakhstan’s compliance with international aviation safety standards reached 95.7%. The same report points to a three-year development plan, a new accident investigation center, and continued work on digital systems and urban air mobility rules.

Still, higher value does not mean unlimited capacity. Central Asia is not one integrated aviation market. It is a set of separate national systems with uneven infrastructure, uneven investment, and different regulatory speeds. Kazakhstan has scale, but it is also expanding passenger traffic, cargo capacity, and international routes at the same time. More overflights can bring revenue, but they also increase pressure on controllers, diversion planning, and airport resilience when disruptions spill over from neighboring regions.

The northern bypass is also not Central Asia’s alone. The Caucasus is carrying part of the same burden as traffic shifts away from more direct routes. Many Europe–Asia re-routings now pass through Azerbaijan and Turkey before reaching or skirting Central Asian airspace. Any assessment of Central Asia’s role has to include that wider chain.

There is another limit. Airlines still have a southern option. EASA’s latest guidance leaves parts of southern airspace usable at certain altitudes. Central Asia is becoming more important, but it is not becoming the only path between Europe and Asia.

That distinction matters for policymakers in Astana, Tashkent, and elsewhere. The opportunity is real. More overflights can mean higher revenues, stronger arguments for investment in radar and runways, and a larger role in Europe–Asia connectivity. But expectations need to remain grounded. Central Asia is not about to become a global aviation hub. It is becoming something more measured but still significant: a more important link in a fragmented system.

That is enough to matter. When two of the main corridors are constrained, the skies over Central Asia begin to look less peripheral. They begin to look like infrastructure. And infrastructure only becomes strategic if it continues to function under pressure.