Page 398 – The Times Of Central Asia

30 Jan 2025

Defense, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Uzbekistan to Receive Advanced ANKA Drones from Turkish Defense Company TUSAŞ

January 30, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Uzbekistan will soon receive ANKA drones from Turkish defense company TUSAŞ, according to the SavunmaSanayiST portal.

Deliveries are expected to begin in the coming days, though Uzbekistan has not disclosed details regarding the number of drones, their cost, or the terms of the agreement.

Originally developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) for the Turkish Armed Forces in the early 2000s, ANKA drones were initially designed for surveillance and reconnaissance. Over time, they have been upgraded with advanced radar systems, precision weaponry, and satellite communication capabilities.

The first model, Anka-A, was introduced in 2010, with the Turkish Air Force signing its first contract for the drones in 2013. Subsequent improvements have equipped the drones with a national mission computer, an advanced flight control system, synthetic aperture radar, and a friend-or-foe identification system.

TAI currently offers the Anka-B and Anka-S models, while the Anka-I variant was specifically developed for Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization for signals intelligence. As of March 2021, ANKA drones had accumulated over 90,000 flight hours.

Uzbekistan has been steadily modernizing its defense forces. Last year, U.S. News ranked Uzbekistan 19th globally in military strength, the highest ranking among Central Asian countries.

The acquisition of ANKA drones is expected to further enhance Uzbekistan’s surveillance and defense capabilities, reinforcing its position as a regional military power.

30 Jan 2025

Central Asia, Home, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees, Kazakhstan Home

Hidden but Brave: The LGBTQ+ Fight for Acceptance in Kazakhstan

February 10, 2025
By Tamila Olzhbaekova

The LGBTQ+ community in Kazakhstan remains largely invisible, but that does not mean it does not exist. While homosexuality is not criminalized in the country, public perception remains mixed. In major cities, particularly Almaty, the situation is relatively tolerant, but in the regions, LGBTQ+ people still face significant discrimination and fear.

The Times of Central Asia spoke with Arsen, a resident of Almaty (who requested anonymity due to safety concerns), about the realities of being gay in Kazakhstan, the challenges he faces, and why, despite the difficulties, he chooses to stay there.

Arsen lives and works in Almaty, widely regarded as Kazakhstan’s most open-minded city. Here, he can attend LGBTQ+ gatherings and has a supportive circle of friends. However, even in this relatively accepting environment, complete openness remains a risk.

“In Almaty, you don’t feel completely alone. There are places to relax, like gay clubs, and there’s a sense of community. But holding hands with another man on the street? No, that’s still dangerous. I wouldn’t even risk prolonged eye contact with someone,” he says.

“The risk of aggression is always there, especially in remote parts of the city. I’ve heard of people facing hostility just because they ‘look different.’ And it’s not even about dressing brightly – it’s just the prevailing mentality. I’m always surprised that, despite life being so difficult here, some people still believe being gay is a choice.”

Despite these challenges, Arsen sees progress. He believes younger generations are becoming more accepting, largely thanks to the internet, which provides exposure to alternative viewpoints.

“I notice more open-minded people among my generation. In Almaty, many don’t care about someone’s orientation. People here usually don’t mind what you wear or whether you have piercings, for example. Even those who don’t support LGBTQ+ rights tend to be indifferent rather than aggressive,” he says.

However, outside of Almaty and Astana, the situation is far more difficult. In smaller cities and rural areas, conservative values dominate, and LGBTQ+ individuals often conceal their identities — even from close friends.

“I know guys from small towns who moved to Almaty because they were terrified back home. They hid every hint of their orientation. Coming out could mean harassment or even violence. Many don’t even consider dating or using LGBTQ+ apps because it’s simply too dangerous.”

A particularly painful issue within Kazakhstan’s LGBTQ+ community is internalized homophobia – self-directed negativity toward one’s own identity or others in the community.

“I’ve always been surprised by how some gay people openly dislike other gay people. They want to be seen as ‘normal,’ so they try to blend in with the crowd. But in doing so, they reinforce harmful stereotypes and make things worse for everyone.”

The situation is especially difficult in Kazakhstan’s southern cities, where traditional values often take precedence over personal freedoms.

“Even though Almaty is in the south, I think it’s much harder to be gay in places like Shymkent, Taraz, or Turkistan. In those cities, you could get beaten up for it,” Arsen says.

Despite the hardships, Kazakhstan remains the most LGBTQ+-friendly country in Central Asia. Unlike neighboring Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, where same-sex relationships are criminalized, Kazakhstan has no such legal prohibitions.

“At least we don’t have a law banning LGBTQ+ existence like in Uzbekistan,” Arsen notes. “That’s something.”

However, legal protections are virtually non-existent. Discrimination in the workplace, homophobic attacks, and the inability to legally register same-sex relationships remain daily realities.

For many, emigration seems like the only way to live openly. Arsen is also considering leaving, but for now, he stays.

“I’ve thought about moving, but leaving my homeland is hard. I want to believe that Kazakhstan will change. There are already small steps forward. Maybe in 10 to 15 years, things will be better.”

Life for LGBTQ+ people in Kazakhstan remains difficult, but not hopeless. Younger generations are becoming more open-minded, and small, unofficial communities continue to emerge. While change is slow, there are signs that progress is possible.

30 Jan 2025

Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Environment, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan’s Alageum Electric to Build Transformer Plant in Kyrgyzstan to Boost Power Grid

January 30, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

Alageum Electric, the largest transformer producer in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, plans to build an electric transformer manufacturing plant in Kyrgyzstan. The project was discussed on January 29 during a meeting in Kazakhstan between Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Energy, Taalaibek Ibrayev, and the founder of Alageum Electric, Saidulla Kozhabayev.

According to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Energy, Kozhabayev confirmed his readiness to cooperate on the plant’s construction. A memorandum of cooperation has been signed between the Ministry and Alageum Electric, and construction could begin this year.

During his visit, Minister Ibrayev toured Alageum Electric’s production facilities to observe the transformer manufacturing process. Transformers are a critical component of Kyrgyzstan’s aging power distribution grid, which struggles to handle surging electricity consumption during the cold winter months.

Increased reliance on electric heating in winter often overloads grid infrastructure, forcing power distribution companies to switch users to alternative feeders. This results in temporary outages lasting one to two hours. The Ministry of Energy explains that such measures are necessary to prevent critical equipment, such as expensive transformers, from failing.

For example, a 220 kV transformer with a capacity of 250 MW costs $1.5 million and requires 150 days for manufacturing and delivery, followed by one to one and a half months for installation.

Collaboration with Alageum Electric will enable Kyrgyzstan to begin domestic production of much-needed transformers at lower costs while modernizing the country’s power distribution grid. The initiative is expected to improve energy infrastructure resilience and reduce dependency on imported equipment.

29 Jan 2025

Home, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan Reports Record Grain Harvest of 26.7 Million Tons in 2024

January 29, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

Kazakhstan harvested 26.7 million tons of grain in 2024, marking its largest grain yield in 13 years, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. The latest figures, published on January 29, slightly revise the previously reported total of 26.5 million tons, gathered from 16.7 million hectares of farmland.

Kazakhstan is the largest grain producer and exporter in Central Asia, annually shipping 8 to 9 million tons of grain abroad, including 6.5 to 7.5 million tons of wheat. In 2024, exports reached 8.1 million tons.

For the 2025 season, Kazakhstan aims to export approximately 12 million tons of newly harvested grain. While traditional markets such as Central Asia, Afghanistan, China, Turkey, and Italy remain key destinations, Kazakhstan is also expanding into Azerbaijan, Iran, Pakistan, Indonesia, Brazil, and Malaysia.

Kazakhstan has already begun exporting grain from the new harvest, with 3.7 million tons shipped between September and December 25, 2024 – a 54% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

29 Jan 2025

Central Asia, Home, International Affairs, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees, Kazakhstan Home

USAID Freeze Leaves Central Asian NGOs in Limbo

May 22, 2025
By Aliya Haidar

On January 20, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order suspending funding for most foreign aid programs for 90 days. The move has raised concerns among non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Central Asia, particularly in Kazakhstan, which has long benefited from U.S. assistance.

The order reads: “All heads of departments and agencies responsible for United States foreign development assistance programs shall immediately suspend new commitments and disbursements of development assistance funds to foreign countries and non-governmental implementing organizations, international organizations, and contractors pending a review of such programs for effectiveness and consistency with United States foreign policy to be conducted within 90 days of this order.”

Following this directive, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructed all diplomatic and consular agencies to issue “stop-work orders” for nearly all active foreign assistance programs.

Impact on Kazakhstan and Central Asia

According to reports, the funding freeze is expected to affect university grant programs, entrepreneurial initiatives, gender diversity projects, and environmental efforts. The Trump administration has justified the decision by citing the need to reassess spending priorities.

Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries have received U.S. aid for decades. USAID, in particular, has played a significant role in regional development. The agency’s website states:

“In Kazakhstan, USAID promotes the U.S. government’s Central Asia Strategy, which supports and strengthens the sovereignty and independence of Central Asian countries, both individually and collectively. It also promotes regional connectivity between Central Asia and Afghanistan, advances the rule of law and respect for human rights, and improves the climate for U.S. investment to foster greater regional stability and prosperity.”

Since 1992, USAID has funded projects in Kazakhstan focusing on economic diversification, energy, environmental protection, healthcare, and support for media and NGOs.

In addition to funding NGOs, USAID collaborates with KazAID, Kazakhstan’s foreign aid agency operating under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Reactions from NGO Leaders

Denis Dzhivaga, director of the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law (KIBHR), told The Times of Central Asia that the aid suspension had been anticipated.

“Such a measure was expected,” said Dzhivaga. “Even during the election campaign and Trump’s previous presidency, it was clear that he prioritized domestic policy over foreign influence. All NGOs working with USAID and receiving State Department assistance have received letters to halt projects.”

However, Dzhivaga noted that KIBHR has limited cooperation with U.S. agencies, so the impact on his organization will be minimal.

“In any case, this will negatively affect the NGO sector. The suspension is for three months pending an audit, but even USAID does not seem to know what will happen afterward. I don’t think U.S. assistance to Kazakhstan and Central Asia will stop entirely, but certain projects may be reconsidered – especially those related to discrimination, gender issues, and LGBT rights, as President Trump has already expressed opposition to such initiatives.”

Replacing U.S. funding with alternative grants will be challenging, he added.

“European donors are already struggling to finance Ukraine, so they are unlikely to allocate substantial funds elsewhere. Many U.S.-backed projects were valuable, though some USAID initiatives were controversial. There were questions about where the money was going, and in that sense, Trump’s skepticism is understandable.”

Dzhivaga also pointed out the logistical difficulties NGOs will face.

“Budgets are planned annually, and the current year has already begun. International organizations cannot instantly revise financial plans, so many NGOs will struggle in 2025. If Trump remains in office for the next four years, we can expect further cutbacks in areas his administration does not prioritize.”

Immediate Consequences

Kazakhstan is already experiencing the effects of the funding freeze. On January 26, students enrolled in the ‘English for Journalists’ course received the following notice:

“Dear students, please be advised that the project has been suspended, including all regular classes and extracurricular activities, online and offline, until further notice.”

Similar concerns have arisen in neighboring Kyrgyzstan. Askar Davletbayev, an ecologist at the Institute of Biology under the Kyrgyz Academy of Sciences, emphasized that nearly all environmental programs in the country rely on external funding.

“Ninety percent of our environmental projects are supported by USAID – research, legislation, everything. The Kyrgyz government has limited funds, so both NGOs and ministries turn to external donors. Most projects will likely shut down. For example, I received USAID and UNDP funding to restore [Asian goitered] gazelle populations. I purchased and bred the animals, but now I don’t know where we’ll find the money to continue.”

Legal Challenge to the Aid Freeze

There may still be a reprieve for Central Asian NGOs. A court in Washington has temporarily blocked parts of the Trump administration’s plan to freeze federal aid.

District Judge Lauren L. Alikhan ruled that the executive order could not be enforced until at least February 3, citing the risk of irreparable harm.

“The government does not fully understand the scope of the programs affected by this decision,” Judge Alikhan stated.

For now, NGOs in Kazakhstan and Central Asia remain in limbo, awaiting further developments as the U.S. reevaluates its foreign aid commitments.

29 Jan 2025

Home, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

More Kyrgyz Labor Migrants Head to the UK

January 29, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

The number of Kyrgyz citizens working as seasonal agricultural laborers in the UK has continued to rise, reaching 8,131 in 2024, up from 5,200 in 2023 and 1,492 in 2022. These figures were announced by Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Labor, Social Security, and Migration, Ravshanbek Sabirov, during a January 28 meeting with the British Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Nicholas Bowler.

Expanding Labor Migration Cooperation

The meeting focused on Kyrgyz-British cooperation in labor migration. Minister Sabirov requested the ambassador’s assistance in increasing the quota for Kyrgyz seasonal workers and reducing additional fees associated with British visa applications.

Ambassador Bowler acknowledged the discipline and reliability of Kyrgyz migrant workers, noting that they return home in the same numbers as they arrive, complying with UK immigration laws.

Economic Impact and Employment Conditions

According to Minister Sabirov, remittances from Kyrgyz workers in Britain’s agricultural sector are expected to exceed $100 million. He emphasized that even with a relatively small workforce, these remittances significantly contribute to Kyrgyzstan’s economic growth.

The Kyrgyz Ministry of Labor’s Center for Employment of Citizens Abroad, which oversees seasonal labor placements in the UK, reports that Kyrgyz workers receive a wage of £11.44 per hour and are guaranteed a minimum of 32 hours per week.

In Britain, most Kyrgyz migrants are employed on strawberry farms.

Shift Away from Russia

For the past 30 years, Russia has been the primary destination for Kyrgyz labor migrants, with estimates ranging from 500,000 to over a million. However, Russia’s economic downturn, stricter migration policies, and increasing hostility toward Central Asian workers have prompted many Kyrgyz migrants to seek alternative destinations.

As a result, more Kyrgyz workers are heading to Kazakhstan, Turkey, Germany, South Korea, the United States, and Great Britain, reflecting a broader shift in Kyrgyzstan’s labor migration patterns.