Page 387 – The Times Of Central Asia

10 Feb 2025

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Business & Economy, Uzbekistan Business & Economy

Uzbekistan Sets Digital Performance Targets for Ministers and Khokims

February 10, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has instructed the government to establish individual key performance indicators (KPIs) for each minister and khokim (local governor) to accelerate digitalization reforms. According to presidential spokesperson Sherzod Asadov, officials will not only be assigned specific KPIs but will also be required to meet strict deadlines for task completion.

As an example, Mirziyoyev directed the State Committee for Tourism to develop a unified digital platform integrating hotel reservations, airline and rail tickets, museum and theater visits, and services for guides and interpreters. Another priority is expediting the issuance of electronic visas – the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Justice have been tasked with reducing processing time to three days.

The president emphasized that competitiveness in the service sector is directly linked to the level of digitalization across industries. However, not all agencies are meeting their targets. For instance, the Ministry of Transport has failed to launch an online ticketing system for all types of passenger transport, despite more than six months of efforts. Similarly, the Cadastral Agency has been slow in developing a unified register of real estate addresses.

“Any leader who postpones digitalization acts against our policy of openness,” Mirziyoyev stated.

A key topic at the meeting was the optimization of state services. The president noted that, over the past three years, some functions have been transferred to the private sector, including conducting exams and awarding qualification categories to realtors and appraisers, issuing certificates to tour guides, and performing mandatory technical inspections of specialized and agricultural equipment.

This privatization trend will continue. By March 1 this year, 11 additional state services are expected to be handed over to private enterprises, followed by 18 more by October 1.

10 Feb 2025

Central Asia, Environment, Home, Kyrgyzstan Environment, Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan Aims to Develop Organic Agriculture

February 10, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

As Kyrgyzstan seeks to expand the production and export of environmentally friendly organic agricultural products, the country’s Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry has drafted a Program for the Development of Organic Production in the Kyrgyz Republic for 2025-2029. The document has been submitted for public discussion.

The program aims to create favorable legal, economic, and social conditions for organic producers through state support.

Kyrgyzstan has natural advantages for developing organic agriculture, including a clean ecosystem, ecologically unpolluted soils and water in mountainous and foothill regions, traditional farming methods with minimal agrochemical use, rich biodiversity, and strong export potential.

According to the ministry, Kyrgyzstan currently has 63,000 hectares of certified organic farmland, accounting for 5.25% of the country’s total arable land. By 2029, this area is expected to triple to 200,000 hectares.

The program also seeks to increase organic production to 25% of total agricultural output and raise the share of organic exports to 25% of total agricultural exports.

To achieve these goals, the program proposes several key measures:

Pilot Project: Transition the Issyk-Kul and Naryn regions to fully organic farming methods.
Public Awareness Campaign: Conduct a large-scale information campaign on the benefits of organic production.
Infrastructure Development: Improve processing and logistics for organic exports.
Certification Standards: Establish laboratories for organic product certification.
Research and Innovation: Conduct scientific research and introduce advanced organic farming technologies.

If successfully implemented, the initiative could strengthen Kyrgyzstan’s position as a leading producer of organic agricultural products in the region.

10 Feb 2025

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, International Affairs, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Uzbekistan to Send 7,000 Workers to Russia Under New Agreements

February 10, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Uzbekistan and Russia have agreed to establish a new system for regulating labor migration. The decision was reached during a meeting in Moscow between the director of Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency, Behzod Musayev, and the head of Russia’s Federal Agency for Labor and Employment, Mikhail Ivankov.

A key component of the agreement is the creation of specialized training centers in Uzbekistan to prepare citizens for employment in Russia. These centers will provide essential skills and qualifications to facilitate the transition for Uzbek labor migrants. Additionally, Uzbek workers will now be able to take a required Russian language exam in Tashkent before traveling to Russia. The exam, which is necessary for obtaining a work permit, will be administered at the Tashkent branch of the Sakharov Multifunctional Migration Center.

To simplify employment procedures, Uzbekistan has signed agreements with several major Russian companies, including Ant Yapi, Ozon Community, PEK, and SPAR Middle Volga. Under these agreements, 7,000 Uzbek citizens will be provided with official employment in Russia. The Migration Agency has reviewed working conditions and salaries, and candidate selection will take place across Uzbekistan in February.

Meanwhile, Russia is tightening immigration regulations, potentially affecting millions of Central Asian migrants. A proposed law from the Russian Ministry of Education would require migrant children to pass a Russian language test. Those who fail must enroll in a three-month language program at their parents’ expense. Families that do not comply may face investigations and administrative penalties.

As of September 1, 2024, nearly four million Central Asian migrants were officially residing in Russia. Amid increasing restrictions, challenges for migrant workers continue to mount.

The Times of Central Asia previously reported that some Central Asian migrants have signed contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense to participate in the war in Ukraine, primarily for financial reasons. However, economic hardship is not the only factor driving recruitment. Central Asians with Russian citizenship have also faced threats of imprisonment if they refuse to fight.

Separately, Ukraine has reported that approximately 30 Central Asian citizens have been taken prisoner since the start of Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Ukrainian Justice Minister Olha Stefanishyna disclosed this information in response to an inquiry from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Novosti Priazovya project. However, their current status remains unclear.

According to Ukraine’s Justice Ministry, prisoner nationality is often determined based on personal statements, as many detainees lack documents confirming their citizenship. The ministry emphasized that all prisoners of war, regardless of nationality, are granted the same legal status under both international and national law.

10 Feb 2025

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

Single Securities Market to Be Launched in the EAEU

February 10, 2025
By Anton Chipegin

Last week, the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council convened in Almaty, where the heads of government from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states agreed to standardize securities trading across their stock exchanges. The agreement is expected to further integrate the financial markets of the five member countries, according to Myktybek Abirov, vice president of the Kyrgyz Stock Exchange.

“The main purpose of the agreement is to harmonize the rules and standards of securities circulation within the common economic space, which will facilitate financial market integration, improve investor access, and enhance liquidity,” the Kyrgyz Ministry of Economy and Commerce stated. “The adoption of such rules will create new opportunities for businesses and investors, expanding their reach and strengthening economic ties between EAEU countries.”

Abirov told The Times of Central Asia that the agreement will allow both private and state-owned companies to list their securities on stock exchanges across EAEU member states.

“This is a welcome development, as it gives our issuers access to other stock markets,” Abirov said. “They will be able to place their securities in Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Armenia, while investors will gain broader access to financial instruments, enabling them to diversify risks.”

According to Abirov, efforts to establish a unified securities market within the EAEU have been ongoing for a decade. The newly reached agreement includes the mutual recognition of financial brokers across member states’ stock exchanges.

“Each EAEU country currently has slightly different listing requirements. Now, the Eurasian Economic Commission has set unified standards that companies must meet,” he explained. “Securities that comply with these standards will be tradable on financial markets without additional procedures.”

Private financial sector representatives have expressed unanimous support for the initiative, emphasizing that greater integration will be beneficial – provided that administrative and regulatory procedures are sufficiently streamlined. The key challenge now is ensuring effective implementation, they noted.

Officials at the Kyrgyz Stock Exchange hope that the first such trades will take place this year. Meanwhile, the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) has confirmed its readiness to list foreign securities under the new framework.

10 Feb 2025

Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture, Life & Culture, Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz Engineer Develops Unique Air Purification Filter

February 10, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

Amid rising air pollution in Kyrgyzstan, hydraulic engineer Amantur Salymbayev has developed an innovative smoke filter that operates without electricity or water, relying solely on aerodynamic principles. The device is currently undergoing patent registration with Kyrgyzpatent.

According to the Department of Environmental Monitoring, research has confirmed that the filter captures 98% of harmful pollutants, including soot and carbon dioxide (CO₂).

A key feature of the Salymbayev filter is its complete autonomy – it requires no connection to power or water supplies. This makes it particularly effective in reducing harmful emissions and improving air quality in highly polluted areas.

So far, six filters have been installed in various locations, including Bishkek and Naryn, as part of a pilot project. The installations were carried out free of charge to demonstrate the filter’s effectiveness and affordability to the public.

With a lifespan of five to six years and no maintenance requirements, the filter offers a cost-effective and durable solution. Each unit is priced at 25,000 soms (approximately $285), but as Salymbayev emphasizes, his primary motivation is environmental improvement rather than financial gain.

“Earnings are not my priority. I want my grandchildren to breathe clean air. I am a patriot of my country,” Salymbayev said.

If widely adopted, the technology could significantly reduce harmful emissions in Kyrgyzstan and serve as a model for eco-friendly innovation.

10 Feb 2025

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Features, International Affairs, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Uzbekistan-Afghanistan Relations Falter Over Return of Taliban Helicopters

February 10, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Uzbekistan has returned some of the helicopters flown into its territory by Afghan pilots during the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan to the United States, Voice of America reported, citing Pentagon officials at an event at the Uzbek Embassy in Washington.

Most of the American aircraft brought to Uzbekistan by Afghan pilots have now been returned. Recently, seven Black Hawk helicopters were sent back to the United States, according to Voice of America.

Uzbekistan’s decision has drawn criticism from the Taliban-controlled Ministry of Defense, which claims the aircraft belong to Afghanistan and should be returned.

“These helicopters were taken to Uzbekistan when officials from the previous administration fled. They are Afghan property and should not be transferred to the United States,” the ministry stated. It also called on neighboring countries to respect Afghanistan’s rights and urged the U.S. to return the aircraft instead of creating further obstacles.

U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jonathan Henick confirmed that in 2021, Washington and Tashkent reached an agreement regarding the aircraft. He noted that some military equipment remains in Uzbekistan and that both countries have begun working on a joint program related to it.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense, however, has rejected any such agreement, stating that the U.S. has no right to seize or transfer Afghan property. It urged Uzbekistan to return the aircraft in the spirit of good neighborly relations.

According to Afghan media, prior to the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, Afghanistan had 164 warplanes, but only 81 remain. Some Afghan pilots also flew aircraft to Tajikistan.

Uzbekistan has made it clear that the helicopters are now under U.S. jurisdiction. The Taliban, however, continues to insist that they rightfully belong to Afghanistan and should be returned.