Page 332 – The Times Of Central Asia

27 Mar 2025

International Affairs, Tajikistan International Affairs, Tajikistan, Local Politics

Tajik Authorities Urge Migrants in Russia to Legalize Status Ahead of Deadline

July 30, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Tajik authorities are urging citizens working in Russia to legalize their status before the April 30 deadline, as new Russian immigration regulations come into force. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan has reminded labor migrants to update their documents to remain employed legally.

“Foreign citizens in the Russian Federation who are not registered at their place of residence, do not possess a valid work patent, or have failed to make monthly payments, as well as those listed in the register of controlled persons, can legalize their documents without leaving Russia,” the ministry stated.

Starting June 30, Russia will implement a digital profile system for migrants. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced that the new system will replace the current paper-based work patent with a digital profile containing a unique identifier. Authorities say this transition is aimed at improving administrative efficiency and reducing fraud.

“To ensure a smooth transition, all necessary preparations are being made,” Mishustin said.

In addition to the digital transition, Russia began testing a new border control system in December 2024. Migrants entering via Moscow airports are now required to submit biometric data, enabling authorities to track entries and identify individuals banned from entering the country.

In February 2025, Russian authorities activated a national register of controlled persons. The list includes over 640,000 foreign nationals residing in Russia without proper documentation. Those listed must legalize their stay by April 30 or face potential deportation.

The new rules also affect migrant families. Since February, children of migrants must pass a Russian language proficiency test. If they fail, they are required to attend a three-month language course at their parents’ expense. Noncompliance may trigger investigations into the family’s living conditions and result in penalties.

27 Mar 2025

Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan Justice, Justice, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics

Bishkek Continues Controversial Stray Dog Culling Amid Criticism and Lack of Resources

March 27, 2025
By Anton Chipegin

In 2024, Bishkek authorities received 158 citizen requests to capture and eliminate stray animals, all of which were fulfilled. According to official data, 14,378 stray dogs were captured and killed over the course of the year in the Kyrgyz capital.

Despite longstanding regulations mandating humane treatment, sterilization, vaccination, and release, city officials cite a lack of resources and infrastructure as the reason for continuing the practice of mass culling. The current rules were approved by the Bishkek City Council in 2002.

“There are no municipal shelters for stray animals in Bishkek,” the City Council stated in official documents. “As a result, the municipal enterprise Tazalyk is forced to shoot stray dogs.”

Officials argue that ending the practice would require the construction of an animal shelter, but such a project is not accounted for in the city’s budget. “Around the world, animal shelters are usually established by charitable organizations and public foundations,” said First Deputy Mayor Mirlanbek Baigonchokov, defending the administration’s inaction.

The mayor’s office noted that stray dog shootings were temporarily halted in 2021, but resumed following what it described as numerous public complaints.

From 2015 to 2024, Bishkek health institutions registered 1,391 dog bite cases, 949 of which involved children.

Tazalyk reports that it costs approximately 430 Kyrgyz soms (about $5) to eliminate a single stray dog. This cost covers one bullet, a disposal bag, the hunter’s salary, and a contribution to the Social Fund.

However, animal welfare experts argue that culling is not only inhumane but ineffective. “Shooting does not work. In fact, the number of stray animals increases every year,” said Tazalyk Director Zholdosh Chushtukov. “We need a different approach. We propose mandatory sterilization and castration.”

27 Mar 2025

Home, Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture, Life & Culture, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

Kazakhstan: Alexander Mashkevich, Business and Jewish Community Leader, Dies

March 27, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

Alexander Mashkevich was a prominent figure in Central Asian business for many years: a founder of Eurasian Resources Group, a major mining company that is partly owned by Kazakhstan’s government and has operations in Africa and Brazil, and chairman of the board of directors of the Almaty-based Eurasian Bank. He also founded the Jewish Congress of Kazakhstan and became its first president.

Mashkevich, who moved from Kyrgyzstan to Kazakhstan in the 1990s and later obtained Israeli citizenship, died on March 22 after an illness. He was 71 years old and leaves a wife, Larissa, and two daughters, Anna and Alla.

Mashkevich “made an enormous contribution to the development of Kazakhstan’s metals and mining sector and the country’s economy,” said Eurasian Resources Group, or ERG.

Between 2014 and 2024, Mashkeviich was chairman of the board of directors of Luxembourg-based ERG, which says it is one of the world’s largest producers of ferrochrome, an alloy that can be used to make stainless steel, and cobalt, which is used in batteries and other technologies. The company also says it is also a major producer of copper, the only producer of high-grade aluminum in Kazakhstan, and a big supplier of alumina and iron ore in the Eurasia region. It provides electricity and is a major railway operator in the region.

Mashkevich received awards from the Kazakh state for contributions to the country’s development.

His operations also came under scrutiny from Britain’s Serious Fraud Office, which for many years investigated suspected bribes that were paid to access mining contracts in Africa. In 2023, the office closed its case without bringing charges. The Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation, a subsidiary of ERG, had meanwhile sued the fraud office for alleged wrongdoing. The two sides settled last year.

Separately, Belgian prosecutors alleged that Mashkevich and two partners were involved in a money-laundering scheme. In 2011, the matter was dropped after the three businessmen paid a fine without admitting guilt.

Mashkevich, who had a Lithuanian Jewish background, built a reputation as a philanthropist. He was active in the Jewish community in Central Asia, leading the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, or EAJC, for more than a decade after it was founded in 2002. He supported Jewish schools and other institutions, and one of his last projects was the establishment of a museum about Albanian citizens who saved Jews during World War II, according to the EAJC.

In addition to synagogues, he also provided funds for the construction of mosques and churches in Kazakhstan.

Mashkevich’s parents met in Kyrgyzstan after being evacuated during World War II. At a conference in Israel in 2011, Mashkevich said Jews had to excel in order to survive.

“We have to find – every day – new, creative ways to respond to challenges, which we get every, every, every day the last few thousand years,” Mashkevich said in English. “And I suppose we will get these challenges another few thousand years.”

26 Mar 2025

Home, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Features, International Affairs, Features, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Congressman Trent Kelly and Ambassador Furkat Sidikov Drive U.S.-Uzbekistan Trade and Investment Progress

July 28, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

On March 26, 2025, Ambassador Furkat Sidikov hosted a Congressional Breakfast featuring Congressman Trent Kelly (R, Mississippi), Co-Chair and founding member of the U.S.-Uzbekistan Caucus.

The event focused on the theme of trade, investment, and U.S.-Uzbekistan relations. Business leaders and policy experts also joined to discuss the evolving economic landscape and the future of U.S.-Uzbekistan relations.

Ambassador Sidikov highlighted the presence of over 300 American companies in Uzbekistan and expressed optimism about bilateral trade soon surpassing $1 billion annually. The Ambassador emphasized the strengthening of multifaceted partnership with the U.S. over economic and security partnerships, alongside ongoing reforms in democracy and human rights.

Congressman Kelly praised the strong partnership between the United States and Uzbekistan, highlighting the country’s reforms and its openness to U.S. business and trade. He expressed deep admiration for the Uzbek people and their government, emphasizing the growing ties fostered through the State Partnership Program with Mississippi. Congressman Kelly voiced strong support for removing the Jackson-Vanik Amendment (a Cold War-era provision that restricts trade with certain countries), stating that the time was right for such action. He noted ongoing collaboration with congressional and senatorial colleagues to advance this effort. Referring to Uzbekistan Day on the Hill as a growing tradition, he encouraged stronger connections between the two nations, underscoring Uzbekistan’s vibrant culture, abundant resources, and welcoming spirit.

Ambassador Furkat Sidikov, Congressman Trent Kelly (R, Mississippi), and Congresswoman Carol Miller (R, West Virginia) display the Uzbekistan Normalized Trade Act, H.R. 2329

The Uzbekistan Caucus was established in 2018 to strengthen bilateral relations between the United States and Uzbekistan by encouraging dialogue on issues such as trade, security, governance, and cultural exchange. While bilateral caucuses are often seen as ceremonial with limited tangible outcomes, the Uzbekistan Caucus has proven to be an exception by driving meaningful progress in U.S.-Uzbekistan relations. This success reflects the contributions of both officials.

Ambassador Sidikov has served as Uzbekistan’s ambassador to the United States since 2023, playing a key role in strengthening bilateral ties. During his tenure, he facilitated the signing of the Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA), streamlining trade and enhancing border security, and supported Uzbekistan’s reforms to align with World Trade Organization (WTO) standards, fostering a more open and competitive economic environment. These efforts have not only expanded market access, such as enabling U.S. meat and poultry exports to Uzbekistan, but also fostered deeper economic and strategic ties between the two nations.

Congressman Kelly’s 36 years of military service, including his role as a brigadier general, two Bronze Star Medals, and deployments to Iraq, have been instrumental in advancing collaboration with Uzbekistan through the State Partnership Program. His efforts have supported joint training, disaster preparedness, and modernization initiatives, providing valuable U.S. expertise and strengthening defense ties between the two nations. Uzbekistan ranks 58^th in the Global Firepower Index, which ranks countries by military strength.

26 Mar 2025

Draft, Home, Kazakhstan, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

Kazakhstan Aims to Nearly Triple Investment in the Economy by 2029

March 26, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Kazakhstan plans to significantly increase investment in its economy over the next five years, aiming to nearly triple current levels. However, officials from the Ministry of National Economy acknowledge that the primary challenge lies not in securing additional funds but in the shortage of high-quality investment projects.

Shortage of Viable Projects

At a recent meeting of the Expert Council under the Ministry of National Economy, Deputy Minister Arman Kasenov stated that the ratio of domestic investment to GDP currently stands at a modest 14-15%, a figure he described as objectively low. “To achieve higher rates of economic growth, investments need to increase 2.75 times, from $40 billion in 2024 to $103 billion by 2029,” Kasenov stated.

To help reach this target, the government plans to allocate KZT 1 trillion (approximately $2 billion) through the state holding company Baiterek to stimulate business lending. This amount is expected to catalyze additional credit lines totaling KZT 8 trillion (around $15.9 billion). Still, Kasenov stressed that financing alone is not enough.

“The real issue is the lack of quality projects,” Kasenov said. “This problem has been flagged by international development finance institutions. When we talk about increasing investment from $40 billion to $103 billion, it’s not just about capital, it’s about where and how that capital is deployed.”

Targeting High-Return Sectors

To ensure impactful investment, the Kazakh government is prioritizing support for highly productive and export-oriented projects. These are concentrated in key sectors such as metallurgy, oil and gas, petrochemicals, and agriculture.

Rustam Karagoyshin, the head of Baiterek Holding, outlined the financing model for investment projects, which consists of 60% market funding and 40% state-backed lending. In 2025, Baiterek plans to disburse a total of KZT 8 trillion in project financing, with KZT 3.75 trillion (around $7.4 billion) provided in the national currency.

“Our main objective is to unify lending rates at 12.6% for end consumers. Standardizing rates will enable second-tier banks to participate across nearly all sectors where Baiterek operates today,” Karagoyshin said.

Foreign Investment Outlook

As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, Kazakhstan is looking to attract more foreign direct investment following a notable decline in 2023. Amid growing concerns about resource nationalism, the government is eager to position itself as a stable and attractive destination for international capital.

26 Mar 2025

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

EDB Begins Pre-Feasibility Study for Hydropower Plant Cascade in Kyrgyzstan

March 26, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Economy and Commerce have signed a technical assistance agreement to initiate a pre-feasibility study for the Hydropower Plant (HPP) Cascade Project. The announcement was made on March 26 and marks a significant step forward in the development of one of Kyrgyzstan’s most ambitious energy infrastructure projects.

This agreement builds on the existing partnership between the EDB and the Ministry, established under a Memorandum of Cooperation signed in December 2024.

Scope of the Study

Under the agreement, the EDB will finance the pre-feasibility study, which will include:

Estimating preliminary capital expenditures
Developing key technical solutions
Assessing environmental and social impacts
Outlining state support measures needed for project implementation

The study will be carried out in collaboration with the Ministry and a designated consulting firm.

Strategic Importance of the Suusamyr-Kokomeren Cascade

The planned hydropower cascade will be situated on the Kokomeren River and consist of three power plants with a combined installed capacity of 1,305 MW. The project is expected to significantly enhance Kyrgyzstan’s electricity generation capacity, help meet growing domestic energy demands, and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Hydropower is a cornerstone of Kyrgyzstan’s renewable energy strategy, and the Suusamyr-Kokomeren project is envisioned as a key driver of energy security and regional development.

Regional and International Cooperation

The EDB is a multilateral development institution comprising six member states: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. It finances regional development projects that foster economic integration across Eurasia.

It is worth noting that in early 2024, Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Energy signed memorandums of understanding with China National Electric Engineering Co. Ltd. These agreements include cooperation on the construction of both the Suusamyr-Kokomeren HPP Cascade and the Kara-Kechin thermal power plant.

Together, these initiatives underscore Kyrgyzstan’s strategic push to diversify its energy portfolio and strengthen infrastructure through international partnerships and sustainable energy investments.