Page 399 – The Times Of Central Asia

03 Feb 2025

Central Asia, Turkmenistan Home, Home, Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan Local Politics, Local Politics, Turkmenistan Features

Turkmen Civil Servants Could Lose Jobs for Misusing Newspapers with Pictures of Berdimuhamedovs

February 3, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

Authorities in Turkmenistan have warned civil servants that they could face dismissal for misusing state newspapers featuring images of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and his father, former President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Officials have been explicitly banned from using these newspapers as toilet paper, food packaging, or firewood.

Government employees are now required to sign pledges to “carefully keep the pages” containing photographs of the ruling family. According to civil servants, they have been instructed to ensure that images of the Berdimuhamedovs do not end up in the trash or repurposed for household use.

Authorities are reportedly even considering introducing QR codes on each page of newspapers to track subscribers and monitor how printed materials are used.

“Now we are afraid that children might accidentally tear or throw away a newspaper with the president’s image – because you can lose your job for that,” said one civil servant, who spoke anonymously for fear of reprisals.

Human rights organizations, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF), consistently rank Turkmenistan among the world’s worst countries for press freedom. Since Serdar Berdimuhamedov succeeded his father as president in 2022, the country’s media environment has remained tightly controlled. Despite officially stepping down, Berdimuhamedov Sr. continues to wield significant influence over decision-making in the government.

03 Feb 2025

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

Iran Expands Economic Cooperation with EAEU and Kazakhstan

February 3, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

In recent years, Iran has strengthened its trade, economic, and transport ties with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), an economic bloc comprising Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia.

In December 2024, Iran was granted observer status in the EAEU, joining Cuba and Uzbekistan as the bloc’s third observer state. This status allows Iran to attend EAEU meetings and access non-confidential documents but does not grant decision-making rights.

A year earlier, in December 2023, the EAEU and Iran signed a full Free Trade Agreement (FTA), establishing duty-free trade for 90% of goods and covering more than 95% of mutual trade between the parties.

According to official statistics, the EAEU plays a significant role in Iran’s foreign trade. In 2023, the bloc accounted for 10.1% of Iran’s exports, making it Iran’s third-largest trading partner after China (30.4%) and Turkey (14.5%).

Image: Marko Bukorovic

Strengthening Ties with Kazakhstan

Iran has also worked to deepen bilateral cooperation with EAEU members, particularly Kazakhstan.

On January 30, Iranian First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref visited Almaty to attend a meeting of EAEU prime ministers. He also held bilateral talks with Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, focusing on expanding trade, economic, agricultural, transport, and logistics cooperation.

According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Trade and Integration, in the first eleven months of 2024, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Iran reached $296 million, an 8.1% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Kazakhstan’s exports to Iran rose by 29.1% to $100.6 million.

Bektenov described Iran as a friendly neighbor in the Caspian region and emphasized Kazakhstan’s interest in diversifying and increasing exports to Iran. The country has identified 60 types of goods worth over $132 million for potential export and is prepared to meet Iran’s demand for grain products, including wheat and barley.

Expanding Transport and Logistics Cooperation

Discussions also covered transport and logistics cooperation, with a focus on increasing cargo traffic along the North-South Corridor, which connects Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Iran. Both sides expressed interest in expanding transit capacity and modernizing key port terminals in Kazakhstan (Aktau and Kuryk) and Iran (Anzali and Amirabad).

The Iranian Vice President stressed the geographic and economic importance of the Iran-Kazakhstan partnership and reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to increasing bilateral trade to $3 billion annually.

03 Feb 2025

Central Asia, Home, Kazakhstan, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

China’s AgiBot to Produce Robots in Kazakhstan

February 4, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Chinese robotics company AgiBot plans to establish a joint venture in Kazakhstan to manufacture and deploy robots at industrial facilities across the country. The company also aims to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) solutions as part of its expansion strategy.

An agreement of intent was signed between AgiBot and Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry during the Digital Almaty 2025 forum. Qazaqstan Investment Corporation JSC, a private equity fund founded in 2007 to support private equity and venture capital development, will also participate in the project.

To implement the initiative, AgiBot has partnered with EWPartners, a private investment firm specializing in cross-border collaborations with leading Chinese industrial companies. AgiBot, founded in February 2023, focuses on the development and production of general-purpose humanoid robots for industrial and domestic use.

Kazakhstan is the first country in the region where AgiBot plans to localize production and expand exports. As part of the partnership, the company is expected to launch a “data factory” for training robots and robotic systems. Qazaqstan Investment Corporation and EWPartners will contribute to financing this project. Additionally, a joint R&D center and an exhibition of AgiBot prototypes are set to be established at the Alem AI International Center for Artificial Intelligence.

AgiBot also intends to collaborate with Kazakhstani universities to develop joint research projects and train students in robot assembly.

“Partnership with an advanced company like AgiBot is an important milestone in the history of Kazakhstan’s robotics industry. I would especially like to highlight that this agreement includes the localization of robot production in Kazakhstan. This will not only help launch a facility in one of the most promising branches of mechanical engineering but also strengthen local expertise and create a domestic center of competence in robotics,” said Zhaslan Madiev, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry.

As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan exports IT products and services to 95 countries. With AgiBot’s involvement, the country may soon add robot exports to its growing digital economy.

03 Feb 2025

Central Asia, Home, Uzbekistan, Life & Culture, Uzbekistan Features, Uzbekistan Home, Features, Uzbekistan Life & Culture

International University of Turkic States Established in Tashkent

February 3, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

Uzbekistan is to establish the International University of Turkic States in Tashkent. The university aims to strengthen political, economic, cultural, and humanitarian ties among Turkic states.

The institution will offer specialized training in engineering, construction, logistics, information technology, healthcare, agriculture, and the food industry, as well as economic and social sciences. Educational programs will be developed in collaboration with leading universities in Turkey, ensuring international academic standards.

The university is a non-governmental higher education institution, jointly founded by the Councils of Higher Education of Uzbekistan and Turkey. Starting in the 2025/2026 academic year, its curricula will be based on those of Turkish universities ranked in the top 1,000 globally.

A Step Toward Deeper Turkic Cooperation

The university’s establishment represents another milestone in strengthening cooperation among the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). Founded in 2009, the OTS includes Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, with Hungary and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus holding observer status.

Over the past decade, economic ties among OTS members have significantly expanded, with trade volume surpassing $45 billion in 2024. According to the Turkish Ministry of Finance, by the end of 2024, the combined economies of the Turkic states reached an estimated $1.9 trillion, with a population of 178 million.

In a related development, The Times of Central Asia reported that in September 2024, the Astana-based Turkic Academy finalized the Common Turkic Alphabet, a Latin-based script consisting of 34 letters. Originally proposed by linguists in 1991, the alphabet aims to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation among Turkic-speaking nations while preserving their linguistic heritage.

03 Feb 2025

Central Asia, Environment, Kyrgyzstan Environment, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Features

Kyrgyz Authorities Aim to Improve Air Quality in Bishkek

February 3, 2025
By Anton Chipegin

Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision, Meder Mashiev, has outlined plans to tackle air pollution in Bishkek.

Speaking at a meeting with representatives of an interdepartmental commission tasked with addressing environmental issues, Mashiev announced that the government is prepared to issue interest-free loans for environmental projects, with a particular focus on improving air quality in the capital. Bishkek ranks among the worst cities globally for air pollution, placing fifth from the bottom in terms of air quality. According to some reports, funding for these projects will come from the World Bank. Similar loan programs are expected to be introduced in the cities of Jalal-Abad and Osh.

As part of efforts to combat pollution, the Ministry of Natural Resources is considering building facilities to process coal from the Kara-Keche open-pit mine in Naryn Oblast. This coal is used to heat most of Bishkek, including its thermal power plant. Many environmentalists argue that the primary cause of the city’s poor air quality is the widespread use of coal for heating by private households.

“In addition, the use of nanotechnology to improve air quality is being explored, including the installation of catalytic converters on vehicles,” the ministry stated.

Separately, Mashiev met with members of Kyrgyzstan’s scientific community to discuss the role of research in addressing air pollution. He emphasized that science should play a key role in developing solutions and pledged to allocate funding for research on the issue.

Experts at the meeting urged the ministry to conduct a comprehensive study of the problem, including an analysis of the impact of vehicle emissions compared to coal burning.

03 Feb 2025

Home, Turkmenistan International Affairs, Turkmenistan, International Affairs, Turkmenistan Features

Turkmenistan Airlines Extends Suspension of Moscow Flights Until March

February 3, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Turkmenistan Airlines has extended the suspension of its Ashgabat-Moscow-Ashgabat flights until at least March, the airline confirmed on January 31, according to Interfax. No official reason was provided for the extension.

Flights on this route were initially halted at the end of December 2024. At the time, the airline announced that there would be no flights between December 30, 2024, and January 31, 2025, but did not explain their decision.

The Russian News Agency TASS has noted that Turkmenistan Airlines previously halted flights to Moscow in August 2023 due to safety concerns. That suspension followed a report from the Russian Defense Ministry stating that a Ukrainian drone had been intercepted in the Moscow region.

Interfax, meanwhile, reports that Russia’s S7 Airlines has received approval to operate up to 14 weekly flights between Moscow and Ashgabat. Daily flights began on January 15, making S7 the only airline currently serving this route.

In related news, as previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Uzbekistan Airways has adjusted its flight routes to Europe, avoiding Russian and Belarusian airspace. The airline’s press service stated that this decision was based on recommendations from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and was not connected to the recent Azerbaijan Airlines crash.