Page 4 – The Times Of Central Asia

09 Dec 2025

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Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan Strengthen Energy Ties as Kambarata-1 Project Advances

December 9, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are deepening their energy partnership as progress continues on the Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant (HPP), one of Central Asia’s most ambitious infrastructure projects. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with Kyrgyz Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibrayev in Tashkent to discuss regional energy cooperation, according to Kyrgyz news agency 24.kg, citing the Kyrgyz Ministry of Energy.

The talks focused on strengthening strategic ties between the two countries, with particular emphasis on hydropower development. Both sides acknowledged the growing momentum in bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to joint regional energy initiatives.

Mirziyoyev underscored the importance of collaborative water and energy projects, identifying Kambarata-1 as a top priority for all three participating countries, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.

“For the effective use and joint management of the region’s hydropower potential, next year we will begin financing the construction of the Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant together with Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan,” Mirziyoyev said, as quoted by the Kyrgyz Ministry of Energy.

He also expressed gratitude to Ibrayev and representatives from major energy companies in the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Azerbaijan for supporting Uzbekistan’s efforts to attract investment and adopt advanced energy technologies.

The Kambarata-1 project is a trilateral initiative involving Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. With a projected cost of $4.2 billion, the venture has already secured $5.6 billion in committed financing from international financial institutions, according to Uzbek Energy Minister Jorabek Mirzamahmudov.

Mirzamahmudov noted that the most recent trilateral ministerial meeting took place in Brussels in late September, coordinated by the World Bank. The event brought together representatives from 10 major financial institutions, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, the OPEC Fund, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and the Asian Development Bank.

Despite strong financial and political backing, the project faces unresolved technical concerns. At a recent parliamentary session in Bishkek, Kanatbek Abdrakhmatov, president of Kyrgyzstan’s National Academy of Sciences, warned that seismic microzonation, a critical safety assessment, has not yet been conducted at the planned construction site.

Kambarata-1 is expected to have an installed capacity of 1,860 MW, a reservoir volume of 4.5 billion cubic meters, and a dam height of 256 meters. The facility will house four turbines capable of producing over 5.5 billion kWh of electricity annually. Under the current ownership structure, Kyrgyzstan will hold a 34% stake in the project, while Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan will each hold 33%.

09 Dec 2025

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Kyrgyzstan Reports Strong Economic Growth and Budget Surplus

December 9, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

Kyrgyzstan’s consolidated budget for 2025 is expected to exceed $12.5 billion, marking the first time it will cross the historic threshold of one trillion soms. The announcement was made by Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev during a government meeting on December 8.

Kasymaliev stated that while the 2025 state budget was initially approved at the equivalent of $8 billion, it had expanded by $4.3 billion by year-end, leaving the country with a budget surplus of more than $110 million.

According to the Statistics Department of the Eurasian Economic Commission, Kyrgyzstan was the only member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) to post a budget surplus in the first nine months of 2025. The surplus totaled $1 billion, with revenues reaching $4.9 billion and expenditures at $3.9 billion. By comparison, the surplus in the same period of 2024 was $0.5 billion.

Citing International Monetary Fund data, Kasymaliev noted that Kyrgyzstan ranked among the top three countries globally in terms of real GDP growth in 2024.

The national economy grew by 10% in the first ten months of 2025, with all major sectors showing expansion. The construction sector led with a remarkable 42.8% growth rate.

GDP per capita for 2025, initially projected at $2,616, is now expected to reach $2,770 by the end of the year.

Kyrgyzstan’s international reserves also saw a significant increase. As of the end of October 2025, reserves stood at $7.955 billion, up by $3.02 billion compared to October 2024, according to the National Bank.

The National Statistics Committee earlier reported that Kyrgyzstan’s GDP grew by 11.5% in 2024. Services accounted for the largest share of GDP at 52.3%, followed by goods-producing industries at 33.3%, industry at 17%, construction at 7.7%, and agriculture at 8.6%.

The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) forecasts record-high economic growth for Kyrgyzstan in 2025, driven by robust investment activity. From January to October, fixed capital investment rose by 18.9%, with state budget funds and company resources accounting for 31% and 23% of that total, respectively.

09 Dec 2025

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Tajikistan Introduces Prison Terms for Crypto Mining Using Stolen Electricity

December 9, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

Tajikistan has formally introduced criminal liability for the unauthorized use of electricity to mine cryptocurrency. On December 3 the country’s parliament approved amendments to the Criminal Code, adding Article 253(2): “Illegal use of electricity for the production of virtual assets.”

Under the new law, violators face penalties ranging from fines of $1,650 to $8,250 or prison sentences of two to eight years, depending on the severity of the offense.

The base-level offense, using stolen electricity for mining, carries a fine equivalent to $1,650 to $4,070. If committed by a group acting in coordination, penalties increase to $4,125-8,250 or two to five years’ imprisonment.

In cases involving organized groups and “particularly large-scale” electricity theft, offenders may face five to eight years in prison.

Presenting the bill to parliament, Attorney General Khabibullo Vokhidzoda warned that unregulated mining has already contributed to regional power outages and an uptick in related crimes.

“The illegal circulation of virtual assets contributes to a number of crimes, such as electricity theft, damage to state infrastructure, and the laundering of criminal proceeds,” Vokhidzoda said.

He reported that damages from illegal mining operations have reached $3.52 million to date, with four to five criminal cases currently under investigation. Law enforcement officials have recorded cases of mining equipment being smuggled into the country and illegally connected to the national grid.

Member of Parliament Shukhrat Ganizoda outlined the technical challenges posed by such operations. “A typical ASIC consumes up to 3.5 kWh, while more powerful models use 5–6 kWh. Large farms run thousands of these devices, placing an enormous strain on the electrical system,” he said.

Ganizoda added that perpetrators often bypass meters or make illegal connections to reduce operating costs and maximize profits. The new legislation, he said, aims to deter tax evasion schemes, unauthorized data encryption, and attempts to circumvent commodity tracking systems.

The law will take effect after it is signed by President Emomali Rahmon and officially published in state media.

Tajikistan had already strengthened penalties for illegal electricity use and non-payment. Currently, such offenses are punishable by fines ranging from $2,970 to $9,900 or prison terms of three to ten years.

The legislative crackdown comes amid the country’s annual autumn-winter energy crisis. This year, electricity shortages are particularly severe, with some regions receiving just two to four hours of power per day. Authorities hope the new measures will ease pressure on the national grid and help prevent further outages.

09 Dec 2025

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Kazakh Dancer Recounts Escape from Deadly Goa Fire

December 9, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

A Kazakh artist’s narrow escape from a deadly nightclub fire in the Indian state of Goa has become one of the most widely discussed accounts of the tragedy. The dancer credits her survival to a warning from a colleague, whom she later called her “Indian god.”

Footage of Kristina, a professional belly dancer from Kazakhstan, performing on stage at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub circulated rapidly on social media. The video shows her finishing her routine, unaware that a fire had already begun backstage. Moments later, flames erupted in the dressing room she was about to enter.

It was Kristina’s second performance of the evening. The fire ultimately claimed 26 lives and injured many more. According to local authorities, most victims died from suffocation after becoming trapped on the first floor and in the kitchen.

Speaking to India Today, Kristina said she is still shaken by the experience. She recalled that during her performance, the music suddenly stopped due to a power failure caused by a short circuit.

“The fire started during my performance. I was in shock. The music suddenly stopped, and I didn’t understand what had happened. I started looking for a way out. I just cried, my hand is still shaking,” she said.

Just moments before she entered the dressing room, where the fire was rapidly spreading, a shout from a crew member altered her course.

“My first impulse was to go to the dressing room. But one of the crew members said, ‘Don’t go there.’ The fire was already there. That saved my life,” Kristina recounted.

Shaken and grateful, she later referred to the man who warned her as an “Indian god.” It wasn’t until she returned home and embraced her daughter that the full weight of what she had narrowly escaped hit her.

“When I got home and hugged my daughter, I was grateful to be alive,” she told reporters.

Kristina’s testimony has become one of the most widely quoted among survivors and has helped draw attention to the causes of the fire.

The blaze occurred at a popular nightclub in northern Goa. According to preliminary investigations, the fire was triggered by electric firecrackers used during a show. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the venue had violated fire safety regulations.

Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident, including the nightclub’s general manager, Rajiv Modak; manager Vivek Singh; bar manager Rajiv Singhania; and entrance staffer Riyanshu Takur. Authorities have also shut down the beach house and another club operating under the Romeo Lane chain.

Police have issued warrants for the arrest of the club’s owners, revealing that its operating license was granted despite incomplete documentation.

09 Dec 2025

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Kazakhstan to Train Nuclear Energy Specialists Abroad Through Bolashak Program

December 9, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Kazakhstan will begin training specialists for its nuclear energy sector at leading international universities through a new track within the Bolashak international scholarship program, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education announced this week.

The Bolashak scholarship, launched in 1993, supports education, retraining, and professional development for specialists in priority economic sectors. Initially limited to four countries, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, it now allows recipients to study in nearly 30 countries worldwide.

More than 13,000 Kazakh citizens have participated in the program to date. The latest initiative adds future nuclear energy professionals to its ranks, aiming to build domestic capacity ahead of Kazakhstan’s planned entry into the nuclear power sector.

This week, Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek signed a four-party memorandum launching the new program. Other signatories included Almasadam Satkaliev, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Agency; Adil Kusmanov, Chairman of the Board of JSC “Center for International Programs”; and Yernat Berdigulov, General Director of LLP “Kazakhstan Atomic Power Plants.”

“The initiative will attract specialists in engineering, technical, and scientific fields, which will be key to the development of Kazakhstan’s nuclear energy sector,” the ministry stated.

The program will provide 20 pilot grants in 2026, with similar allocations expected annually. It will cover international internships, as well as master’s and doctoral programs at top universities around the world.

A key requirement will be cooperation with potential employers and guaranteed job placement for graduates. Tripartite agreements are being signed between scholarship recipients, nuclear sector enterprises, and the Bolashak program’s administrator to ensure employment pathways.

Work is already underway to finalize agreements with several foreign institutions, including Pennsylvania State University (U.S.), Grenoble INP-UGA (France), Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China), City University of Hong Kong, and the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Russia).

“The creation of a dedicated training track for the nuclear sector within Bolashak will help form a skilled pool of engineers, technologists, operators, and other specialists with international-level qualifications,” the ministry noted.

Earlier this year, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced plans to establish two “science cities” in Almaty and Kurchatov to support the development of nuclear energy and nuclear medicine. Kazakh universities have also launched domestic training programs to prepare personnel for the country’s first nuclear power plant, which is currently under development.

09 Dec 2025

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Kazakhstan Prepares Road Infrastructure for Driverless Transport

December 9, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Kazakhstan is developing a system of digital passports for its inter-city highways as part of broader efforts to prepare the country’s infrastructure for the eventual integration of autonomous vehicles. The initiative was announced by Minister of Transport Nurlan Sauranbayev during a recent government meeting.

“Digital road passports are being developed, which will allow for the introduction of driverless cars in the future,” Sauranbayev said. “Road diagnostics are carried out annually using artificial intelligence technologies. In particular, the installation of automated measuring stations is continuing, up to 220 units, to preserve the road surface. To date, 71 units of such equipment have been put into operation.”

Sauranbayev highlighted a related pilot project, “Smart Customs,” launched this summer at the Kazakhstan-China border crossing between Bakhty (Kazakhstan) and Pokitu (China). The initiative enables cargo to cross the border in unmanned trucks, a move expected to increase cargo throughput and speed up customs procedures. According to Sauranbayev, digital tools are expected to increase road capacity by 20% and reduce border crossing times to around 10 minutes.

Speaking at a later briefing, Sauranbayev clarified that the driverless truck pilot, currently limited to select border crossings, is intended to be expanded across Kazakhstan’s entire external border by 2027. This includes crossings with EAEU member states such as Russia and Kyrgyzstan. “We have such a program. I think it will be very significant for Kazakhstan’s transit potential,” he said.

Sauranbayev added that the use of unmanned trucks will help reduce logistics costs, as autonomous vehicles can operate continuously, potentially tripling delivery speeds.

“Driverless taxis are already in use globally, and the transition to autonomous freight transport is only a matter of time,” he noted. “That is why, when we build roads, we are already integrating the necessary sensors to allow driverless vehicles to travel freely across Kazakhstan.”

Simultaneously, the government is upgrading internal border checkpoints. Work on 37 facilities is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027. So far this year, 13,000 kilometers of road have undergone construction or repairs, part of a national network that spans approximately 95,000 kilometers.

To alleviate pressure on the state budget, Kazakhstan is expanding its toll road network. The KazToll system has collected $156.5 million to date.

The Ministry of Transport reported a 20.7% year-on-year increase in transport services in the first ten months of 2025. Road transport accounted for 288 million tons of cargo, up 1.7% from the same period last year. Transit traffic rose 5% to 29.4 million tons. Currently, transport companies from 42 countries operate transit routes through Kazakhstan.

“Automated load measurement stations on highways have increased both the detection of violations and budget revenues tenfold,” Sauranbayev added. “As a result of integration with the General Prosecutor’s Office, more than 10,000 fine payment orders were issued in the first five months of this year.”

In 2024, Kazakhstan launched two major infrastructure projects: the Trans-Kazakhstan railway corridor and the Center-West highway, which will connect Astana to the country’s western regions.