primeminister.kz

30 Apr 2024
Central Asia, Tajikistan, Tajikistan Business Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan and Tajikistan Plan to Double Trade to $2 Billion

On 30 April, talks held in Dushanbe between Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov and Prime Minister of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda focused on Kazakh-Tajik cooperation in trade and investment, industrial cooperation, agriculture, transport connectivity, water, and energy.

Kazakhstan is Tajikistan’s fourth largest trading partner and with the aim to double bilateral trade to $2 billion,  Kazakhstan announced its readiness to increase exports of 85 commodities worth about $190 million.

Both governments stressed the importance of developing industrial cooperation by creating new export-oriented joint ventures, with specific reference to Kazakhstan’s large production capacity of equipment for Tajik railways, including  electric and diesel locomotives, in addition to locally manufactured transformers, agricultural machinery, batteries and motor vehicles.

An important issue on the bilateral agenda is cooperation in the water sector and the need for joint action to ensure  the smooth operation of Tajikistan’s Bakhri Tojik reservoir during the growing season.

In further discussions on agricultural cooperation, both parties noted that in January-February, bilateral trade of agricultural products totalled $84.9 million, an increase of 8.9 percent compared to the same period in 2023. Future plans include increasing Kazakh wheat and flour exports to Tajikistan, and creating joint ventures for flour milling and processing of livestock products.

 

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Times of Central Asia

@bakhtiyor_saidov

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

Uzbekistan Signs More Export Contracts With Afghanistan

Uzbekistan has agreed to sign export contracts worth $44 million with Afghanistan, according to a report by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan.

The contracts were signed during a three-day visit to Tashkent by a delegation of Afghan businessmen. The two nations are also planning to form an Uzbekistan-Afghanistan Business Council, which will have 18 Afghan companies among its members.

Afghanistan’s import market is worth $7 billion. The goods that are most in demand with Afghan importers are agricultural products, processed food, textiles, leather, electrical components and construction materials.

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Times of Central Asia

Kazakh workplace for employees with disabilities

30 Apr 2024
Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Home

Over 100,000 People with Disabilities Employed in Kazakhstan

According to statistics issued by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population on 1 April, 730.5 thousand people with disabilities live in Kazakhstan, equivalent to 3.6% of the total population.

Amongst the 419.9,000 of working age, over 11.8,000 have received state support in securing employment, and today, 104.8,000 or 27.4% have jobs.

In adherence to the Social Code of Kazakhstan, companies and organizations with at least 50 employees are required to establish a quota of jobs for persons with disabilities in the amount of 2% to 4%. The only exclusions are positions involving heavy manual work and potentially dangerous working conditions.

In January-March alone, 3.9,000 people with disabilities were employed under the quota, 12 people received short-term vocational training, and 1.2,000 were trained in the rudiments of entrepreneurship.

Since 2018, subsidies have also been available to help cover employers’ costs of equipping  and creating specialized workplaces for persons with disabilities.

 

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Times of Central Asia

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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