Page 257 – The Times Of Central Asia

29 May 2025

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

Dubai Hosts Talks on Major Central Asian Hydropower Project

May 29, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

On May 26-27, 2025, energy ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan met in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for the second high-level meeting on the Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant (HPP) project. The meeting was organized with the support of the World Bank, according to Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Energy.

Kambarata-1 is a flagship regional initiative designed to enhance energy security and water management across Central Asia. The planned hydropower facility, with a capacity of 1,860 megawatts, will be constructed on the Naryn River in Kyrgyzstan.

The delegations were led by Energy Ministers Yerlan Akkenzhenov (Kazakhstan), Taalaibek Ibraev (Kyrgyzstan), and Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov (Uzbekistan). High-level representatives from the finance and water ministries of the three countries also participated.

During the meeting, the ministers formally requested technical assistance from the World Bank. This includes an updated feasibility study, environmental and social impact assessments, and the development of a robust financial and commercial implementation model.

The World Bank delegation featured several senior officials, including Tatiana Proskuryakova, Regional Director for Central Asia; Carolina Sánchez-Páramo, Director for Strategy and Operations in Europe and Central Asia (ECA); Charles Joseph Cormier, Regional Infrastructure Director for ECA; and Stephanie Gil, Program Leader for Energy.

“We are pleased to support the governments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan in advancing the Kambarata-1 project,” said Proskuryakova. “It will bring major economic and social benefits to the region.”

The ministers reiterated their commitment to the project, describing it as a cornerstone of regional energy integration.

Participants reviewed progress since the first roundtable in Tashkent in January 2025. Discussions focused on revised cost estimates, grid modernization needs, financing strategies, and the importance of strong environmental and social safeguards.

Kazakhstan’s Yerlan Akkenzhenov highlighted the collaborative nature of the initiative: “Kazakhstan fully supports this project and will continue working closely with its regional partners.”

Kyrgyzstan’s Taalaibek Ibraev underscored the national significance of the HPP: “This project is the foundation of Kyrgyzstan’s energy strategy. We are proud to implement it in partnership with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.”

Uzbekistan’s Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov referenced the tangible progress already made: “With joint efforts and international backing, we are confident in our ability to realize this project according to global standards.”

The ministers agreed on specific next steps and timelines for project preparation and pledged to hold regular meetings to ensure steady progress.

As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the Kambarata-1 HPP will be located in the upper reaches of the Naryn River in Kyrgyzstan. Once completed, it is expected to generate approximately 5.6 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. The estimated construction cost exceeds $4 billion.

29 May 2025

Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

At AIF, Tokayev Proposes “CryptoCity” as Pilot Zone for Digital Innovation

July 1, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Kazakhstan plans to establish a pilot zone named “CryptoCity” to facilitate the free circulation of cryptocurrencies, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced at the Astana International Forum (AIF).

“We plan to create an innovative pilot zone called CryptoCity, where cryptocurrencies can be used to purchase goods, services, and for other purposes,” Tokayev stated.

The president highlighted Kazakhstan’s progress in digital transformation, positioning the country as a potential Eurasian IT hub. He also outlined ambitions for Kazakhstan to become an academic and innovation center through partnerships with foreign universities and increased research and development.

“Kazakhstan is launching the most powerful supercomputer, which has already been delivered to the country,” Tokayev said, referencing a recent agreement between the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry and Presight AI Ltd. The system, boasting a performance of about 2 exaflops, was developed under a strategic partnership with G42, an Abu Dhabi-based technology group.

Cryptocurrency regulation remains a divisive issue in Kazakhstan. While the National Bank supports liberalizing the sector, several members of parliament are advocating for increased state control.

Tokayev used the economic forum to reaffirm Kazakhstan’s commitment to innovation as a tool for societal development.

“Our primary task is to reduce regional disparities and strengthen the middle class. That is why we continue to bolster our capabilities in key sectors, from digital technologies and artificial intelligence to clean energy and high value-added manufacturing,” he said.

He also emphasized regional cooperation: “Kazakhstan is ready to share its emerging IT capabilities with its neighbors and collaborate with all countries interested in fostering economic ties.”

Reflecting on global trends, Tokayev warned of growing protectionism and weakening multilateralism. “There are different scenarios for the future, some offer opportunities, others harbor risks. Will we see inclusive progress or destructive fragmentation? This depends not on the declarations of a few, but on the cooperation of the majority,” he concluded.

29 May 2025

Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Kyrgyz Authorities Seek to Classify Cement as Socially Significant

May 29, 2025
By Anton Chipegin

The Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic has released a justification for its decision to include cement on the list of socially significant goods, a designation that allows the government to regulate prices for essential items, including construction materials.

According to the ministry, the absence of state oversight has led to unjustified increases in cement prices, placing upward pressure on housing costs and hindering the construction of social and infrastructure projects.

“This situation limits the population’s access to quality, affordable housing and slows the country’s socio-economic development,” the ministry stated.

By classifying cement as a socially significant good, the government gains the authority to regulate its price. The move aims to stabilize the construction market, lower building costs, and improve housing affordability for the public.

Officials at the ministry expressed confidence that the measure would not cause any significant negative consequences. The only potential downside, they noted, would be a reduction in profits for cement manufacturers and intermediaries, primarily in conditions of market volatility where price ceilings may be imposed.

Kyrgyz economists support the move, arguing that state price regulation will help stabilize the domestic cement market, stimulate the construction industry, and improve the broader socio-economic outlook. They also believe it will bolster regulatory oversight of the construction sector.

The ministry further warned that the lack of effective pricing mechanisms poses risks of shortages or sudden price spikes during periods of heightened demand. In contrast, stable cement prices would boost confidence among construction firms, enabling better planning and project implementation.

To ease supply constraints, the Kyrgyz cabinet previously lifted a temporary ban on cement imports, aiming to satisfy a growing demand from construction companies and the general population through additional foreign supply.

29 May 2025

Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Center for Labor Migrants Opens in Kyrgyzstan

May 29, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

On May 28, a new Center for Pre-Migration Orientation and Reintegration of Migrants was inaugurated in Bishkek, marking a significant step toward safer and more organized labor migration for Kyrgyz citizens.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Kyrgyzstan, nearly 40% of the country’s youth migrate abroad for work, often without formal contracts or adequate preparation. The newly established center is designed to assist prospective and returning migrants in navigating the complexities of labor migration.

The center is part of a broader IOM initiative funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Speaking at the opening ceremony, IOM Director General Amy Pope emphasized the center’s mission: “At the Center, we will help prospective and returning migrants get the tools and information they need to stay safe and successful. When migration is safe, regular, and dignified, it leads to better outcomes for the migrants, the country they go to work in, and the country they come from.”

The project was developed in partnership with Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration and the Ministry of Education.

Minister Ravshanbek Sabirov highlighted the center’s importance: “The Center is an important step toward protecting the rights and ensuring decent conditions for our migrants. Here they will be able to obtain the necessary information, prepare for going abroad, and successfully return, having undergone retraining and confirmed their professional skills.”

With IOM’s support, the center also includes a specialized laboratory for certifying professional competencies in the public catering sector. By the end of 2025, the lab aims to certify at least 200 migrants pursuing culinary employment, easing their path to jobs abroad.

The Times of Central Asia previously reported that around 600,000 Kyrgyz citizens are currently living abroad, with Russia remaining the primary destination. As of the end of 2024, nearly 380,000 Kyrgyz nationals were registered with Russian migration authorities.

However, due to Russia’s economic downturn, stricter immigration rules, and a rise in anti-immigrant sentiment, many Kyrgyz migrants have begun seeking alternatives in countries such as Turkey, South Korea, and various parts of Europe.

29 May 2025

Environment, Kazakhstan Environment, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Featurees

Kazakhstan Prioritizes Nuclear Energy in Long-Term Development Strategy

May 29, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Kazakhstan has identified the development of nuclear energy as a strategic priority for the country’s economic future, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced at the Astana International Forum (AIF).

“Kazakhstan, which possesses 40% of the world’s uranium reserves, views nuclear energy as a key pillar of its national development strategy,” Tokayev stated. “However, sustainable development is impossible without addressing the climate crisis, particularly as Central Asia is among the region’s most vulnerable to climate change. Global warming is occurring here at twice the global average rate.”

To address this, Tokayev outlined Kazakhstan’s commitment to a pragmatic and regionally coordinated climate agenda. He noted the country’s participation in various international organizations and agreements focused on environmental sustainability.

In 2026, Kazakhstan, in partnership with the United Nations, will host a Regional Climate Summit, aimed at aligning Central Asian strategies with global environmental ambitions. Tokayev also highlighted the recent establishment of the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty. “This marks a significant step in our multilateral cooperation. The center will facilitate joint projects, provide technical support, and coordinate international efforts,” he said.

At the same time, Kazakhstan continues to promote nuclear non-proliferation. “Today, nine countries possess more than 13,000 nuclear warheads. Experts warn that the risk of their use is rising, whether through miscalculation, accident, or escalation,” Tokayev cautioned. He emphasized the lasting impact of 450 nuclear tests conducted on Kazakh territory during the Soviet era.

Public support for nuclear energy has been growing. In a referendum held last fall, over 70% of Kazakh citizens voted in favor of developing the country’s nuclear energy capacity. In January 2025, the government finalized a shortlist of potential technology suppliers for Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant. The contenders include Russia’s Rosatom, South Korea’s KHNP, China’s CNNC, and France’s EDF.

The inaugural plant is expected to be built in the Almaty region and operational by 2035. Authorities are also evaluating sites for two additional facilities, with possible locations in Balkhash (southeastern Kazakhstan), Kurchatov (in the Abai region, near the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site), and Aktau (Mangistau region, home to a Soviet-era experimental reactor).

To oversee the development and regulation of the sector, Kazakhstan established the Atomic Energy Agency in March. Reporting directly to the president, the agency is responsible for uranium mining, atomic energy use, radiation safety, and management of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Safety Zone.

29 May 2025

Central Asia, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan

First Tourist Train Links China’s Xi’an and Kazakhstan’s Almaty

May 29, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

On May 29, the inaugural tourist train connecting Xi’an, the capital of China’s Shaanxi province, with Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, departed, marking a new chapter in cross-border tourism and cultural exchange.

According to the national railway operator, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the departure ceremony was held in Xi’an and attended by a Kazakh delegation led by KTZ Deputy Chairman Anuar Akhmetzhanov, along with representatives from Chinese authorities, tourism agencies, and transport organizations.

Akhmetzhanov emphasized that the project aims to deepen cultural ties and boost bilateral tourism. “We are confident that this journey will leave a lasting impression on our guests from China and lay the groundwork for new joint initiatives,” he said.

The train will travel through Urumqi in Xinjiang, cross the Kazakh-Chinese border at Khorgos, and proceed via Altynkol station to Almaty. The train comprises nine carriages and is carrying 246 passengers, including Chinese businesspeople, academics, entertainers, and athletes.

During their five-day visit, passengers will explore the historical and cultural landmarks of Kazakhstan’s southern capital, participate in organized tours, and attend cultural and business events.

Xi’an also holds strategic importance for Kazakhstan as the site of a Kazakh-operated logistics terminal. This facility has significantly boosted rail container traffic along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), a key corridor linking China and Europe via Kazakhstan.