Page 4 – The Times Of Central Asia

21 Apr 2026

Central Asia, Turkmenistan Home, Home, Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan Business & Economy, Business & Economy

Turkmenistan Advances Galkynysh Gas Field Development to Increase Exports to China

April 21, 2026
By Sergey Kwan

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, Tukmenistan’s former President and the current Chairman of its highest representative body, the Halk Maslahaty, have launched the fourth phase of industrial development of the Galkynysh gas field in Mary region.

Located about 400 km southeast of Ashgabat, the Galkynysh field has been producing natural gas since 2013 and is considered one of the world’s largest in terms of reserves. The British consulting firm GaffneyCline estimates the reserves of Galkynysh, together with the neighboring fields Garakol and Yashlar, at 27.4 trillion cubic meters of natural gas.

On April 16, the State Concern Turkmengas and China’s CNPC Amudarya Petroleum Company Ltd. signed a contract for the turnkey construction of the fourth phase of the field’s development. The project includes the drilling of production wells and the construction of a gas processing facility with a capacity of 10 billion cubic meters of commercial gas per year.

According to industry publication Nebit-Gaz, the Galkynysh field is being developed in phases. The first phase, which included the construction of three gas processing plants with a total capacity of 30 billion cubic meters per year, is currently operational. The second, third, and fourth phases are planned for the near future. Upon full development, the field’s gross annual production could reach nearly 200 billion cubic meters of natural gas.

The Galkynysh field serves as the main resource base for Turkmen gas exports to China.

China remains the largest buyer of Turkmen natural gas. Three lines (A, B, and C) of the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline system currently deliver approximately 40 billion cubic meters of gas annually. With the planned commissioning of a fourth line (Line D), export volumes are expected to increase to around 65 billion cubic meters per year.

The resource base of Galkynysh is a key factor in the planned construction of Line D, which is expected to significantly increase gas supplies to China.

According to Guvanch Agajanov, Vice-Chairman of Turkmenistan’s Cabinet of Ministers, total Turkmen gas exports to China have exceeded 462 billion cubic meters over the past 20 years.

The Galkynysh field has also been designated as the resource base for the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, which is under construction and is expected to have a capacity of 33 billion cubic meters per year.

21 Apr 2026

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

Kazakhstan’s Auto Industry Accelerates: Vehicle Output Up Nearly 37%

April 21, 2026
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Vehicle production in Kazakhstan increased by 36.8% year-on-year in January-March 2026, according to data from the Kazakhstan Automobile Union (KAU).

KAU reported that 45,260 units were produced in the first three months of the year, including passenger cars, trucks, trailers, and semi-trailers. In March alone, output reached 17,462 units, up 42.8% compared to the same month last year and 19.9% higher than in February.

In value terms, total automotive output amounted to approximately $1.2 billion, representing a 27.5% increase year-on-year. The sector’s share of the overall machinery industry rose to 43.1%, up from 39.7% a year earlier.

“Based on the results of the first three months, Kazakhstan’s auto industry is demonstrating steady growth,” said KAU President Anar Makasheva. “The continued strong performance in March confirms positive trends in the sector. Significant growth has also been recorded in the auto components segment: over three months, production of automotive parts and accessories reached 259.8 billion tenge, increasing fourfold compared to the same period last year. Manufacturers will continue to accelerate growth in this segment.”

Passenger cars continue to account for the largest share of output. During the reporting period, 42,115 units were produced, up 37.9% year-on-year. Truck production reached 1,380 units (+16.7%), buses totaled 750 units (+73.2%), and trailers and semi-trailers reached 904 units (+21%). Output of special-purpose vehicles declined to 111 units.

The Kostanay-based Allur plant remained the industry leader, producing 14,234 vehicles. Astana Motors Manufacturing Kazakhstan in Almaty produced 12,778 units, while Hyundai Trans Kazakhstan manufactured 10,755 vehicles. The Kia Qazaqstan plant produced 4,640 units.

Other manufacturers include QazTehna (806 units), SemAZ (627 trucks), Hyundai Trans Almaty (196 units), Daewoo Bus Kazakhstan (148 units), and KAMAZ-Engineering (135 units).

Among the most popular brands produced in Kazakhstan were Hyundai (10,725 vehicles), Chevrolet (8,341), Kia (5,084), Changan (4,102), Haval (4,099), Chery (3,744), Jetour (2,250), Geely Galaxy (1,388), JAC (979), and Tank (833).

The increase in output continues last year’s trend, when Kazakhstan set a record by producing more than 171,000 vehicles in 2025.

21 Apr 2026

Central Asia, Turkmenistan Home, Home, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan International Affairs, Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan International Affairs, International Affairs, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan Home, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Tajikistan Home, Uzbekistan International Affairs, Kazakhstan Home, Kyrgyzstan Home

Over 12,600 Central Asians Identified in Russian Army

April 21, 2026
By Sadokat Jalolova

A Ukrainian state initiative has identified nearly 13,000 citizens from Central Asia who have signed contracts with Russia’s Defense Ministry and have served or are serving in the Russian army, according to data released by the “I Want to Live” project as part of the Ukraine-Central Asia Inquiry.

As of 2026, the project reports it holds personal data on 12,666 individuals from the region. Uzbekistan accounts for the largest share, with 4,853 identified citizens. Tajikistan ranks second with 3,407 individuals, followed by Kazakhstan with 2,389 and Kyrgyzstan with at least 1,439. Turkmenistan has the lowest figure, with 578 identified nationals.

The figures represent a sharp increase compared to 2025, when the same project reported around 5,740 individuals from Central Asia. At that time, it also began publishing named lists of recruits from each country who had joined Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The issue remains sensitive across the region. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan prohibit their citizens from taking part in foreign conflicts, and several cases have been brought against individuals who returned after fighting abroad.

Last year, speaking at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum, Alexander Bastrykin, Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia, said authorities had identified 80,000 individuals who had avoided military registration.

“We’ve registered them for military service, and about 20,000 of these ‘new’ Russian citizens, who for some reason no longer want to live in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, or Kyrgyzstan, are now on the front lines,” he said at the time.

His remarks highlighted ongoing efforts to replenish military ranks, including through contract-based recruitment and incentives. Observers say such measures, alongside migration trends, may help explain the rising number of Central Asian nationals identified in the conflict.

21 Apr 2026

Central Asia, Home, Tajikistan Local Politics, Tajikistan, Local Politics, Tajikistan Home

Tajikistan to Gain Access to Emergency Financing Under New World Bank Project

April 21, 2026
By Vagit Ismailov

The World Bank Group has approved a Contingent Emergency Response Project (CERP) for Tajikistan, providing the country with a financial instrument designed to enable the rapid reallocation of resources in the event of crises and emergencies.

According to Tajikistan’s Ministry of Finance, the mechanism allows up to 10% of undisbursed funds from the World Bank’s current investment portfolio to be redirected annually to emergency needs. This gives the government additional flexibility in managing already allocated resources.

The mechanism can be activated following an official declaration of a state of emergency. However, preparations for its use are carried out in advance. Experts note that CERP eliminates the need to seek new funding sources by enabling the rapid redeployment of existing funds.

These resources can be used to procure food, water, and medical supplies, provide emergency services with necessary protective equipment, and support the agricultural sector. Assistance to households affected by crises is also provided.

The mechanism forms part of the broader Rapid Response Option (RRO) framework, which allows governments to swiftly reallocate funds from ongoing projects to respond to emergencies. Tajikistan has already formally adopted this instrument.

The Ministry of Finance also noted that CERP will operate in conjunction with the existing Tajikistan Preparedness and Resilience to Disasters Project. According to officials, the combined use of these instruments is expected to strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to potential risks.

21 Apr 2026

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

Kazakhstan and China’s Snow Valley Agree to Build $100-200 Million Potato Processing Complex

April 21, 2026
By Dmitry Pokidaev

The administration of Kazakhstan’s Pavlodar region has signed a memorandum of cooperation with China’s Snow Valley Agricultural Group Co. Ltd. to implement a major investment project focused on potato processing, regional authorities have announced.

The document outlines plans to establish a modern agro-industrial complex with an annual processing capacity of between 100,000 and 200,000 tonnes. The agreement was signed by regional governor Asain Baikhanov and representatives of the Chinese side, Wang Dengshe and Zhang Fan.

The project is aimed at producing high value-added products. It includes the construction of a research and breeding center for potato cultivation and seed production, the launch of French fries manufacturing, and the development of storage, logistics, and distribution infrastructure.

Total investment is estimated at between $100 million and $200 million. Regional authorities expect the project to create a full production and supply chain, reduce the shortage of deep-processing capacity in agriculture, and generate new jobs.

“The regional administration is ready to support initiatives aimed at creating high-tech, high value-added production,” Baikhanov said.

Founded in 2007 in Zhangjiakou, China, Snow Valley is a vertically integrated agro-industrial holding covering the entire production cycle from potato breeding and cultivation to deep processing. The company processes more than 800,000 tonnes of raw materials annually, including over 400,000 tonnes of frozen products. Its total storage capacity reaches 700,000 tonnes.

The company is also engaged in breeding programs and has developed more than 80 potato varieties. Its production utilizes advanced technologies, including pulsed electric field (PEF) systems, which improve product quality and reduce oil consumption.

Snow Valley exports its products to more than 40 countries. Following the visit, Chairman Wang Dengshe highlighted the strong potential of Pavlodar region and confirmed the company’s interest in long-term cooperation.

“The Chinese company has confirmed its readiness to implement the project using modern technologies and local resources, while the regional administration has pledged comprehensive support, including infrastructure development, provision of resource bases, and administrative assistance,” the regional press service said.

The project comes amid previous restrictions on potato exports. Kazakhstan earlier introduced a temporary ban on shipments outside the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) due to rising domestic prices. In autumn 2025, authorities also did not rule out reinstating such measures, although the market currently remains stable.

21 Apr 2026

Home, Uzbekistan Environment, Environment, Kazakhstan Environment, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan Environment, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan Features, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan Features, Turkmenistan Features, Features, Tajikistan Environment, Turkmenistan Environment, Kazakhstan Featurees, Kyrgyzstan Features

Regional Ecological Summit to Open in Astana Amid Pressure on Water, Trade, and Regional Cooperation

April 22, 2026
By Stephen M. Bland

When the Regional Ecological Summit (RES 2026) opens in Astana this Wednesday, the official framing will center on Shared Vision for a Resilient Future, combining practical regional solutions with diplomatic ambitions that include a Joint Declaration and a 2026-2030 Program of Action. Behind that language sits a harder reality. Water and energy officials in Tashkent, Bishkek, and Astana are dealing with a region which is drying out faster than its infrastructure and politics are adapting.

That gives the summit a sharper edge than earlier environmental gatherings. Two issues stand out: the management of winter water-sharing arrangements ahead of the irrigation season, and the way the shrinking Caspian could constrain the Middle Corridor.

The Toktogul Equation: A Fragile “Winter-for-Summer” Swap

The most immediate point of pressure is the Toktogul Reservoir in Kyrgyzstan. In late 2025, an agreement was reached under which Kyrgyzstan would limit winter hydropower generation, preserving water for downstream Kazakh and Uzbek farmers, in exchange for electricity supplies from its neighbors.

The arrangement remains in place, but its durability will be tested as summer demand rises. One question hanging over the summit is whether Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan will provide enough power support to help Kyrgyzstan conserve water without reopening old upstream-downstream tensions.

For downstream states, that is not only a water issue but an agricultural and political one.

The Caspian Emergency: Depth as a Trade Barrier

For years, the shallowing of the Caspian was treated as a long-term problem. In 2026, it is becoming an operational one. According to recent reporting, Aktau port is operating at an average depth of 4.5 meters, far below the 6.5 to 7 meters needed for full operations.

The summit will also highlight the Integrated Management of Seascapes project. The UNDP-linked initiative is intended to balance the need for dredging and port access with protection of the northern Caspian’s fragile ecosystem. That tension is no longer theoretical. It now touches trade, shipping capacity, and the future of the corridor itself.

The Digital Transition

One of the summit’s more concrete strands is the National Water Resources Information System. According to the Kazakh government, the system is to enter industrial operation by the end of 2026.

The plan is to automate 103 irrigation canals in southern Kazakhstan using $1.15 billion in financing from the Islamic Development Bank. The broader regional test is whether neighboring states will share enough data to support a cross-border water monitoring system, giving officials a clearer view of how shared resources are being managed.

The Green Energy Corridor

Alongside the water agenda, the Green Energy Corridor remains one of the projects that clearly aligns Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan. The plan is to transmit green electricity to Europe via a subsea cable across the Caspian. CESI is finalizing the feasibility study, pointing to an export model that leans less on hydrocarbons and more on regional infrastructure.

It also shows how environmental pressure and economic strategy are starting to overlap. For Central Asian governments, climate policy is no longer only about adaptation. It is also becoming a way to build new routes, attract financing, and tie the region more closely to European demand.

Education as a Security Pillar

Another important and less heralded part of the summit is the Regional Green School Platform. According to UNICEF data, 23 million children in Central Asia are exposed to high or very high levels of climate hazards. That helps explain why the summit is also pushing climate resilience into school curricula, not simply as environmental education but as part of long-term social stability.

What the Summit Must Deliver

While the RES-2026 EXPO will showcase more than 300 companies from 30 countries, the real measure of the summit will lie elsewhere. The test is whether participants can move beyond rhetoric and adopt a 2026-2030 Program of Action and Joint Declaration in a form that gives regional coordination more substance. If they can, the summit will mark a meaningful step toward shared resource management. If not, it risks becoming another well-staged meeting that leaves the region’s hardest environmental disputes unresolved.