Page 327 – The Times Of Central Asia

14 Apr 2025

Business & Economy, Tajikistan International Affairs, Tajikistan Business Economy, Tajikistan

Jewelry Factory Opens in Tajikistan with Chinese Investment

April 14, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

A new jewelry factory operated by China-Tajikistan Mining Industry Company LLC officially opened in Dushanbe on April 10. The inauguration ceremony was attended by President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan.

Construction of the facility began in 2023. The complex now includes modern production facilities and a two-story gold sales center. Utilizing the latest Chinese technology, the factory is capable of processing up to one ton of gold and 30 tons of silver annually. It will also produce a variety of goods, including jewelry, home decorations, and household items.

On the same day, President Rahmon laid the foundation stones for two additional jewelry factories, also backed by Chinese investment. One will be operated by TBEA Dushanbe Mining Industry Company LLC, and the other by Pakrut Company LLC. Both are slated for completion within a year and will be located in Dushanbe.

China currently controls over 75% of Tajikistan’s gold production. While Chinese investment has helped develop Tajikistan’s mining infrastructure, it has also raised concerns. Critics point to potential environmental risks and labor rights issues associated with the expanding influence of Chinese firms in the sector.

14 Apr 2025

Business & Economy, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Transit of Russian Gas to Uzbekistan Through Kazakhstan Continues to Grow

April 14, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

The volume of Russian natural gas transiting through Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan is on the rise, reflecting deepening regional energy cooperation. Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Energy, Alibek Zhamauov, shared the update during a speech at the international Energy Trends forum, according to Interfax.

Gas transit to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan began in October 2023. In 2024, 5.6 billion cubic meters of Russian gas were delivered through Kazakhstan, surpassing earlier forecasts of 3.8 billion cubic meters. The volume is projected to increase to 7.3 billion cubic meters in 2025, with further plans to reach 11 billion cubic meters per year starting in 2026.

The growing volumes highlight Kazakhstan’s emerging role as a vital transit hub for Central Asia. In 2023, the initial year of operation, 1.28 billion cubic meters of gas were transported along this route.

Zhamauov stated that the project is part of a broader strategy to enhance regional energy security and develop cross-border gas infrastructure. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy has committed to expanding and upgrading the country’s gas transportation network to accommodate long-term supply agreements with neighboring states.

Uzbekistan’s Production Decline Raises Concerns

The rising reliance on imported gas comes amid a continued decline in Uzbekistan’s domestic natural gas production. In the first two months of 2025, output fell by 4.2% compared to the same period in 2024. This trend follows a steep drop in production from 61.59 billion cubic meters in 2018 to 44.59 billion in 2024.

The shrinking output has sparked concerns over Uzbekistan’s energy security and its broader economic implications. The country’s increasing dependence on regional gas flows highlights the strategic importance of projects like the Russia-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan transit corridor.

14 Apr 2025

Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan

Ice Cream Flavored with Kurt, Tara, and Balkaymak Presented in Almaty

April 14, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

An Almaty-based company, UMAMI, has launched a new line of ice cream inspired by traditional Kazakh flavors. The collection features three distinct varieties: kurt, tary, and balkaymak.

Balkaymak is a rich, creamy dessert, sometimes prepared with flour and honey, and typically served warm alongside bread or pastries. Tary refers to roasted millet, a staple often enjoyed with tea. Kurt is a protein and mineral-rich dried fermented milk product, deeply rooted in Kazakh culinary heritage.

UMAMI’s project aims not only to surprise the palate but also to integrate national gastronomy into a modern context, creating what the team hopes will become a new symbol of Kazakh culture. “You’ll find it interesting in your mouth,” promises brand co-founder and technologist Oksana Kim-Flayosk.

A Flavor Journey in Every Scoop

Among the standout offerings is the cream kurt ice cream, made using authentic kurt. The UMAMI team sampled dozens of variations from different producers before selecting the ideal base. The flavor unfolds in stages: a brackish start, followed by a sour note, and ending in a sweet finish.

To elevate the experience, UMAMI recommends serving the kurt ice cream in a baursak, a traditional Kazakh fried dough delicacy. Kim-Flayosk likens this combination to a local version of the Italian dessert maritozzo, where a sweet bun is filled with cream. “We put a ball of ice cream in the baursak, and that’s our national version of maritozzo,” she explained.

While all three flavors were tested in baursaks, kurt was the undisputed favorite among tasters.

Nauryz Roots and Steppe Spirit

The Tary & Talkan flavor, originally created for the Nauryz holiday five years ago, was so well received that it earned a permanent spot in UMAMI’s lineup. The recipe combines black tea infused with milk, roasted millet ground into talkan, and a dairy base, evoking the spirit of the Kazakh steppe.

The third offering, Balkaymak & Irimshik, is rich and textured, featuring bits of irimshik (a type of curd) to accentuate the contrast between its caramel and creamy elements. “I wanted there to be texture, to be able to chew. First creamy, then caramel, and then creamy again,” said Kim-Flayosk.

Prior to finalizing the recipe, UMAMI conducted a public survey to better understand what balkaymak means to different people. Responses varied widely, from cream skimmed from spring milk to a boiled mixture of sour cream, flour, and sugar.

Modernizing Tradition

Kim-Flayosk emphasized UMAMI’s commitment to preserving and popularizing Kazakh culinary identity. “We are a local brand. We see society’s interest in traditions and want to be part of a culture that popularizes Kazakhstani products,” she said.

The company plans to launch souvenir boxes featuring all three flavors in the coming month, offering a gastronomic symbol of Kazakhstan to locals and tourists alike.

Non-standard ice cream flavors are increasingly part of a global trend. Around the world, producers are experimenting with combinations like mustard and dill, eel, black pepper, garlic, chili, and even beer. In this diverse international context, UMAMI’s Kazakhstani creations stand out not just for their originality, but for their role in preserving and celebrating national culture.

14 Apr 2025

Central Asia, Justice

Twelve Central Asian Citizens Rescued from Human Trafficking in Myanmar

April 14, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Two Uzbek citizens have been rescued from a human trafficking network in Myanmar and returned home with the assistance of the Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Bangkok.

The victims, identified as M.S. and B.V., were lured by a fraudulent online job offer. Initially traveling to Thailand in search of legal employment, they were instead trafficked across the border into Myanmar, where they were handed over to a criminal organization.

Once in Myanmar, the pair were forced to work in illegal centers and subjected to threats and physical abuse for refusing to engage in unlawful activities. The traffickers also demanded a large ransom for their release.

Eight citizens of Kyrgyzstan and four citizens of Kazakhstan were discovered in the same situation. As Kyrgyzstan does not maintain an embassy in Thailand, Uzbek and Kazakh diplomats coordinated efforts to secure the release of all the victims.

Thanks to joint negotiations with officials in Myanmar and Thailand, the victims were freed at the Mae Sot border crossing in Thailand. Uzbek and Kazakh diplomats provided them with temporary shelter and basic necessities upon arrival.

On April 11, with support from their respective diplomatic missions, two Uzbek, four Kazakh, and seven Kyrgyz citizens returned to their home countries. One Kyrgyz citizen remained in Thailand to receive medical treatment and will be repatriated once their recovery is complete.

The Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Bangkok highlighted the case as an example of effective regional cooperation in protecting citizens abroad. It also issued a warning about online job scams, urging people to verify the legitimacy of employment offers before traveling.

The consulate reiterated its readiness to support Uzbek citizens seeking legal employment in Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos.

14 Apr 2025

Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan Plans 25% Gas Output Increase by 2030

April 14, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Kazakhstan aims to significantly increase its natural gas production over the next five years, raising output from 59 billion cubic meters to 74 billion cubic meters by 2030. The announcement was made by Deputy Minister of Energy Alibek Zhamauov during the Energy Trends: Gas & Petrochemicals forum in Astana.

Production Growth Driven by Major Fields and New Developments

In 2023, Kazakhstan produced 59 billion cubic meters of gas, with output projected to rise to 62.8 billion cubic meters in 2024. This growth will be driven by ongoing production at the country’s largest fields, Tengiz, Karachaganak, and Kashagan, as well as the launch of new sources, including the Rozhkovskoye, Anabai, and Urikhtau fields.

“Our goal is to increase gas production to 74 billion cubic meters by 2030,” Zhamauov stated. “But the key task is to process gas within the country as efficiently as possible to supply our citizens and industry, as well as to create a raw material base for gas chemistry.”

Currently, over 85% of Kazakhstan’s gas production comes from the Tengiz (26%), Karachaganak (41%), and Kashagan (19%) projects. By the end of 2024, marketable gas output is expected to reach 28.7 billion cubic meters, including Tengiz (8.7 bcm), Karachaganak (7.5 bcm), Kashagan (4.7 bcm), Zhanazhol (3.3 bcm), and other fields (3.6 bcm). Of this, 21.2 billion cubic meters (79%) will be consumed domestically, while 5.6 billion cubic meters (21%) will be exported.

Zhamauov noted that gas production will increase by 5.9 billion cubic meters, reaching 34.6 billion cubic meters by 2030, due to the introduction of new gas processing plants (GPPs). Two GPPs, with capacities of 1 billion and 2.5 billion cubic meters respectively, will be built at the Kashagan field. A 4 billion cubic meter facility will be developed at Karachaganak, while a plant in Zhanaozen will add another 900 million cubic meters per year.

LNG Plant in Astana

A liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant with a capacity of 75,000 tons per year is also planned for Astana. Chingiz Cherniyazdanov, director of the Kazakh Institute of Oil and Gas (KING), shared details of the project during the forum.

“The Astana LNG complex will be located in the capital’s industrial zone,” Cherniyazdanov said. “We will build the first stage with a production capacity of 75,000 tons per year, as well as a hub for LNG storage. Commissioning is scheduled for 2027.”

The plant will source feedstock from the Saryarka gas trunkline (Kyzylorda-Zhezkazgan-Temirtau-Astana). A storage facility will be constructed to balance seasonal fuel demand during colder months. KING also plans to use the LNG to launch a vehicle conversion service.

Cherniyazdanov added that, following completion of the second string of the Beineu-Bozoi-Shymkent gas pipeline, which will double capacity from 15 to 30 billion cubic meters per year, the LNG plant could expand to a second stage, increasing production to 100,000 tons per year.

The pipeline expansion will be carried out in two phases: from September 2025 to July 2027, and from August 2027 to January 2029.

Expanded Gas Infrastructure and Growing Transit Role

Kazakhstan’s gas transportation network will also be expanded with two new main pipelines, Aktobe-Kostanay and Taldykorgan-Usharal. In addition, the Ministry of Energy plans to increase the volume of Russian gas transiting through Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan.

Zhamauov reported that 1.28 billion cubic meters were transported in 2023. While 2024 projections estimated 3.8 billion cubic meters, actual transit reached 5.6 billion cubic meters. Transit volumes are expected to grow to 7.3 billion cubic meters in 2025 and reach 11 billion cubic meters by 2026.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan’s own gas production continues to decline. In the first two months of 2025, output fell by 4.2% compared to the same period in 2024, continuing a downward trend that saw production drop from 61.59 billion cubic meters in 2018 to 44.59 billion in 2024.

14 Apr 2025

Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan Justice, Home, Justice, Kyrgyzstan, Features, Kyrgyzstan Home

Kyrgyzstan’s Ex-President Kurmanbek Bakiyev May Return to the Country

April 14, 2025
By Anton Chipegin

Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the former president of Kyrgyzstan currently living in exile in Belarus, is seeking a review of his convictions handed down in absentia. His lawyer, Ikramidin Aitkulov, recently told local media that Bakiyev wishes to challenge the court’s decisions and possibly return to Kyrgyzstan to participate in legal proceedings personally.

According to Aitkulov, Kyrgyzstan’s Criminal Procedure Code does not provide clear regulation for trials conducted in absentia. This legal ambiguity, he argues, results in inconsistent interpretations and infringes upon a citizen’s right to a fair trial. He has appealed to the Constitutional Court to examine the relevant provisions of the procedural code.

Aitkulov emphasized that, although thousands of individuals are currently wanted by Kyrgyz authorities, relatively few are actually tried in absentia, making Bakiyev’s case unusual.

Background of Bakiyev’s Convictions

In 2016, Kurmanbek Bakiyev was sentenced to 30 years in prison for complicity in the mass killings of April 7, 2010, when security forces opened fire on protesters in central Bishkek. His brother, Jenish Bakiyev, then head of the State Guard Service, was also found guilty in connection with the events.

In 2023, Bakiyev received an additional 10-year sentence for corruption related to the Kumtor gold mining enterprise.

According to his lawyer, if these two convictions are overturned, Bakiyev could return to Kyrgyzstan and be physically present for any retrial. “We need to file for a review of the cases in the Supreme Court. If the decisions taken in absentia are canceled, then he (Kurmanbek Bakiyev) will personally participate in the consideration of his case in the second court instance,” Aitkulov said.

Constitutional Court Responds

In response to Aitkulov’s appeal, the Constitutional Court of Kyrgyzstan stated that trying Bakiyev in absentia was legally permissible, given that he had deliberately evaded justice by fleeing the country. Attempts by Kyrgyz law enforcement agencies to extradite him had failed.

“The conduct of court proceedings in absentia is not an arbitrary aspect of the criminal process, but rather an exceptional measure to safeguard public interest and ensure the inevitability of punishment,” the Constitutional Court stated.

However, the court also clarified that any individual convicted in absentia has the right to a case review upon return to Kyrgyzstan, provided they are physically present during the proceedings. If Bakiyev voluntarily returns, he would still be detained but granted the opportunity to appeal his convictions.