US Embassy Kyrgyzstan

30 Apr 2024
Central Asia, Home, Life & Culture, Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture, Kyrgyzstan, Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

First-Time Graduates of U.S. Program for English and Professional Skills in Central Asia

Last weekend, young and mid-career professionals in the energy and environment sectors, celebrated their completion of the U.S.-funded regional C5 + Opening Networks through English (C5 + O.N.E.) program.

Spread throughout Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, they were the first graduates of a nine-month intensive course in English and professional development implemented by the American Council for International Education with support from U.S. embassies.

A total of around 1,100 participants in three cohorts are currently enrolled in the program which operates throughout Central Asia.

The US Embassy in Kyrgyzstan reports that 189 professionals throughout the country are currently enhancing their English and professional skills through three weekly classes, supplemental field trips and online seminars.

Some participants from Kyrgyzstan’s Cohort One are due to present their advanced, final projects at a regional C5 + O.N.E. conference this September in Tashkent. Cohort Two students will graduate in August 2024, and Cohort Three, will complete their studies later in November.

Outlining the objectives of the U.S. government’s unique regional project, U.S. Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic, Lesslie Viguerie stated: “C5 + O.N.E. is a testament to the U.S. commitment under the C5 + 1 diplomatic platform to advance shared goals among Central Asian nations. This program builds networks that are essential in today’s globalized world.”

 

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Times of Central Asia

@yuz.uz

30 Apr 2024
Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan Local Politics, International Affairs, Tajikistan, Tajikistan Business Economy, Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Turkmenistan Business & Economy, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Wages in Uzbekistan Continue to Rise in Early 2024

According to the Uzbek Statistics Agency, as of the end of the first quarter of 2024, the average monthly nominal salary in Uzbekistan reached $389. This translates to an increase of almost 20% compared to the same period last year. Average wages are among the highest in the capital of Tashkent ($640) and the Navoi region ($514). Workers in the banking, insurance, credit and professional services spheres earn the most, at $1,043 per month. In the IT sector, Uzbeks earn $925 on average. The lowest wages are traditionally paid to workers in education and healthcare; in the first quarter of 2024, their salaries averaged $269 and $253, respectively.

Since 2019, average salaries in Uzbekistan have increased from $183 to $389.

For 2023, all Commonwealth of Independent  States (CIS) countries saw an increase in average monthly wages. The highest rates of growth were recorded in Armenia and Belarus. Average wages in the CIS countries in 2023 were as follows (based on state statistics):

1. Tajikistan – 2,013.11 somoni ($183)
2. Uzbekistan – 4.5 million som ($360)
3. Turkmenistan – 1,200 manat ($360)
4. Kyrgyzstan – 33,664 som ($376)
5. Azerbaijan – 942 manat ($550)
6. Belarus – 1,991.2 rubles ($616.50)
7. Armenia – 266,990 dram ($660)
8. Russia – 73,709 rubles ($805)
9. Kazakhstan – 393,605 tenge ($874)

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Times of Central Asia

@emgek.kg

30 Apr 2024
Central Asia, Home, International Affairs, Business & Economy, Features

Kyrgyz Authorities Ask Moscow to Improve Situation for Labor Migrants

Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, Jeenbek Kulubayev met with a representative of the Moscow Government, Sergey Cheremin, where they discussed the situation surrounding labor migrants in the Russian capital.

Kulubayev spoke about the large number of Kyrgyz working in Moscow, most of whom are employed in wholesale and retail, construction, catering, hotel and hospitality services, and processing of industrial goods. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, more than 200,000 Kyrgyz live in Greater Moscow, and according to unofficial data, the number is possibly two to three times that. Regulations on Kyrgyz citizens residing and working in Russia are governed by several bilateral agreements and treaties: Kyrgyz citizens can be employed under a civil-law contract without the need to obtain a labor permit; Kyrgyz citizens can also work in Russia using driver’s licenses issued in their homeland.

However, in the aftermath of the attack on the Crocus City Hall on March 22 – allegedly perpetrated by Tajik terrorists – the overall Russian attitude towards migrants who perform many essential jobs has changed, and local authorities want to tighten Russia’s migration legislation.

In late March, the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry called on his compatriots to refrain from traveling to Russia until additional security measures are lifted. There are known cases when Kyrgyz citizens have been refused admission by the Federal Customs Service’s passport control at Sheremetyevo International Airport. The migrants who flew in had their documents taken and were not allowed to enter Russia.

Earlier, Cheremin said that the Kyrgyz diaspora occupies a very important place in social and cultural projects in the Russian capital, adding that many Kyrgyz work in high-tech industries.

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EBRD

30 Apr 2024
Tajikistan, Tajikistan Life & Culture, Tajikistan Business Economy, Tajikistan Home, Tajikistan Environment

EBRD Helps Improve Dushanbe’s Environment and Support Tajikistan’s Banking Sector

During a visit by Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to Tajikistan, on 29-30 April, the EBRD committed funds to upgrade Dushanbe’s  infrastructure,  develop sustainable transportation solutions , and  support for women’s entrepreneurship.

The EBRD’s loan of up to €28.45 million will help improve  transportation  in the city’s riverside area through the reconstruction of roads and  a bridge across the Varzob River, as well as the construction of dedicated bus and trolleybus lanes, and purpose-built routes for walking, cycling, electric wheelchairs etc.

“We are very pleased to sign this project with the authorities of Dushanbe,” commented EBRD’s president. “They have been committed to the green agenda ever since the city joined the EBRD Green Cities programme in 2019.”

The Dushanbe Green City Action Plan was developed in collaboration with the EBRD to address environmental and development issues affecting the 800, 000 residents of Tajikistan’s largest municipality. Investment to  promote a strategic shift from carbon-intensive, traditional transportation towards more eco-friendly, sustainable alternatives,  aims to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by 37 percent.

Joined by the Chairman of the National Bank of Tajikistan, Firdavs Nazrimad Tolibzoda, Renaud-Basso then signed a memorandum of understanding to support the country’s development of the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code. Representing  providers of financial services, regulators, development banks and other stakeholders, the WE Financial Code was formed to increase financial assistance to women-led micro, small and medium enterprises, and as a globally accepted multi-stakeholder approach, help eliminate constraints and gaps in financing women entrepreneurs in Tajikistan.

The EBRD has now provided fresh funds and created new growth opportunities for women-owned and managed businesses in Tajikistan. Under the auspices of its Women in Business (WiB) programme for Central Asia, a loan of US$ 5 million (€4.6 million) has been granted  to one of the country’s largest lenders, Bank Arvand, alongside technical assistance to help the bank promote women’s entrepreneurship and business activity.

In addition, and under the EBRD’s Trade Facilitation Programme, a limited loan of US$ 1 million (€0.9 million) was offered to country’s leading microlenders, MDO HUMO, to help local clients both import goods, services, and equipment, and export their products.

 

 

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Times of Central Asia

© Deaconsdocs

30 Apr 2024
Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Business & Economy, Uzbekistan Business & Economy

Uzbekistan’s Trade Volume Shows Healthy Growth

According to Uzbekistan’s national statistics agency, from January to March this year the country’s foreign trade value amounted to $15.8 billion, which is $927.9 million (+6.2%) more than the same period last year.

Since the beginning of the year exports have reached $6.38 billion dollars (+10%), while imports have reached $9.43 billion (+3.8%). The foreign trade deficit amounted to $3.05 billion. The largest share of the export mix is held by goods (82.2%), of which 16% were industrial goods worth $1.02 billion. Half of the export volume was accounted for by heavy metals ($538 million), and another $344 million by non-ferrous metals.

Also in 1Q 2024, Uzbek vegetables and fruits worth $224.7 million, oil and oil products worth $129.9 million, and inorganic chemical products worth $218.7 million were exported.

From exports of machinery and transport equipment, Uzbek companies received $248.5 million dollars (-4.5%). Exports of metalworking machines (+203%) and power generation machines (+80.5%) increased significantly.

Clothing brought in $228 million, which is 5.6% less than last year, while footwear supplies to foreign buyers also decreased by $3.5 million (-67.2%). At the same time, the volume of furniture exports increased by a healthy $4.3 million dollars (+20.3%).

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Times of Central Asia

30 Apr 2024
Central Asia, International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Operator of France’s Courchevel Ski Resort to Build Slopes in Kyrgyzstan

A new ski resort called Three Peaks will soon open in the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan. According to plans, Société Des Trois Vallées, the operator of the elite Courchevel resort in France, will build slopes with a total length of 200 kilometers in the villages of Jyrgalan, Ak-Bulak and Boz-Uchuk.

The first stage of construction will require an investment of $165 million. This money will be used to build 60 kilometers of ski slopes, six cable cars, as well as the full suite of hospitality infrastructure: hotels, restaurants, conference halls and recreation areas. The works are planned to be completed by the end of 2026.

Representatives of a consortium of French companies that develop and manage ski resorts came to Kyrgyzstan in the spring of last year. Later, the French ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic, François Delaus, announced the construction of a large tourist facility in Issyk Kul.

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