USAID Central Asia

10 May 2024
Central Asia, Home, International Affairs, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

USAID to Host 13th Central Asia Trade Forum in Kazakhstan

The U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan has announced that preparations are well underway for the 13th Central Asia Trade Forum. Under the theme, ‘Trade Connections: Bridging Globally,’ the event will be hosted by U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Almaty from 13 – 14 May.

Since its inception, the Central Asia Trade Forum (CATF) has attracted the participation of over 10,000 government and business leaders from 25 countries in Central and South Asia, Europe, and the United States, and led to contracts worth over $32 million.

This year’s event will focus on exploring new trade opportunities and overseas markets, as well as identifying and expanding the scope of regional trade. To this end, the forum will feature sessions on customs digitalization, transport and logistics, trade regulation (including regional trade agreements), World Trade Organization standards, and harmonization.

Promoting the event, Luis A. Rivera, Regional Mission Director at USAID Central Asia, stated, “The forum’s success is its ability to attract policymakers, business leaders, and trade experts each year. Agreements made at the forum have expanded businesses, strengthened trade between Central Asian nations, and advanced economic growth in the region and beyond,”

The accompanying trade fair, organized in partnership with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Trade and Integration and Almaty Chamber of Commerce and Investment, with the participation of 40 companies from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, will showcase agricultural, textile, apparel, and food products.

Other complementary events include a business-to-business expo to promote Central Asian products amongst global buyers, and a Kazakhstan-Pakistan Trade Fair.

In the wake of the forum, business executives and officials from the five CA countries, will convene at the 11th Regional Meeting of the National Trade Facilitation Committees of Central Asian countries on 15 May, to discuss customs control, transport, phytosanitary certification, and veterinary border control.

 

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Times of Central Asia

Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan

10 May 2024
Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Local Politics

Uzbek Citizens Warned of New Entry Rules to Kazakhstan

In a statement issued on 8 May, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan recommended that citizens of Uzbekistan have all necessary documentation in place in advance of entering Kazakhstan.

The new rules will apply to Uzbek citizens wishing to cross the Uzbek-Kazakh border, and in adherence to Russian-Kazakh agreements, onwards to Russia.

Uzbek citizens are warned that more rigorous checks will be conducted by Kazakh authorities to ensure that entrants have no prior violations of migration and other legislation of the Russian Federation or unpaid fines.

In the absence of sound documentation, the Kazakh authorities will have the right to prevent citizens of Uzbekistan from entering or leaving Kazakhstan.

Earlier this month, following the introduction of more stringent security controls at all of Kazakhstan’s airports on 1 May, Tajikistan’s Foreign Ministry likewise recommended its citizens to check their documents prior to leaving for Kazakhstan

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Times of Central Asia

@lada.kz

10 May 2024
Central Asia, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan

Kazakh Pensioner Takes A Trip To Paris — On His Bicycle

Sixty-four year-old Rabbim Borashev, from the town of Beineu in western Kazakhstan’s Mangystau region, has set out to cycle to the Olympic Games in Paris, which begin at the end of July. He plans to cover 5,000 kilometers on his bike, reports Lada.kz.

“You could say that traveling to the Olympics is my dream. When I was young there was no chance, but now the time has come. First I will go from Aktau to Baku. Representatives of [Kazakhstan’s] Consulate General will be waiting there, and will escort me to the border with Georgia. This is great support for me. Then I will go to Batumi and participate in the Great Steppe Hike project. In June, I will leave for Turkey. I have plans to pass through Hungary, Austria, Germany and reach France,” said Borashev.

Before retiring, Borashev worked in the construction industry. In recent years he has become interested in cycling, and has taken part in several races.

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Times of Central Asia

Photo: Instagram Zakirzhan Mavlut

10 May 2024
Environment, Kazakhstan Environment, Home, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Local Politics, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

“This Disaster Has Shown We Are All United”: An Interview with Zakirzhan Kharisovich, Deputy of Petropavlovsk, about the Kazakh Floods

This spring Kazakhstan struggled to contain flooding that displaced upwards of 120,000 people — described by president Kasym-Jomart Tokayev as the country’s ‘worst natural disaster in 80 years’. With the flooding now contained, and excess water being repurposed, The Times of Central Asia spoke to Zakirzhan Kharisovich, a deputy of the maslikhat (local representative body) of the city of Petropavlovsk, about his experience of the natural disaster.

TCA: What were the main challenges you faced during the first months of the floods?

ZK: The last time we experienced floods was back in 2017, when my yard was filled with 30-40 centimetres of water. We knew then that if rainfall exceeded the norm, the subsequent rise in the water level in the Sergeevskoye Reservoir, 170 kilometers away, would again pose a threat.

This year, alerted by weather forecasts, to combat the problem I joined residents in building embankments and dams. We were assisted by soldiers from Astana, whom we called the “300 Spartans”, as well as staff from the Emergency Situations Department in Karaganda.

Despite precautionary measures, this time my yard was flooded with three meters of water. I couldn’t access my home for over three weeks, and during that time everything inside — furniture, household appliances, etc. — was submerged.

TCA: How was aid organized in the first days after the floods?

ZK: Due to the collapse of the city’s water tower, we had no access to drinking water for almost a month. In addition to providing the aforementioned help, Kazakhstan’s volunteer movement worked full-pelt in shipping in truckloads of humanitarian aid, including household products, mattresses, clothes, food, cereal, rice and flour, as well as pumps and water-pumping generators. The range of their assistance was enormous. Our compatriots in nearby cities, such as Kurgan and Tyumen, were worried about us and were quick to assist. We also received support from other places, including Dagestan, Tajikistan, Ingushetia, and from Russia and further afield.

TCA: How did the akimat, public services and local communities work together, and what support was provided by the central government in addressing issues?

ZK: Under the supervision of the deputy akim, the akimat staff were actively involved in building the dam, as well as coordinating and organizing activities in response to the floods. I packed bags with water-absorbent materials.

Regarding the actions of the central government, Roman Sklyar, the first deputy prime minister, immediately arrived on site to speak to residents and help supervise measures to both clear the damage and resolve other issues caused by the floods.

Following his visit, prime minister Olzhas Bektenov proposed to allocate funds to replace essentials such as furniture, cooking utensils, refrigerators etc. So, in principle, if four million tenge ($9,100) worth of furniture and appliances has been lost, it will be covered by the government.

This does however raise many questions. Whilst we have full confidence in the pledge made by the president to restore our property, doubts surround the lower officials’ full understanding of his intentions.

TCA: What was the emotional state of the local population after the emergency was declared?

ZK: Apart from a tiny faction which panicked and hindered swift action being taken, 99% of the people united to overcome the challenges caused by the floods. This disaster has shown that we are all united.

TCA: What plans are local authorities developing to ensure protection against such events in the future?

ZK: A representative of the akimat recently came to our village to confirm the forthcoming construction of dykes able to withstand water levels reached by the recent floods. Plans are also in place to ban the building of houses on areas prone to flooding, and instead use the land to create public parks and squares.

TCA: What is your general outlook for the future after what happened?

ZK: I feel optimistic. The main priority now is an assessment of the damage and the cost of repairs and reconstruction. If that can be accomplished, we can then move forward. I have nothing but gratitude for the support of the numerous businessmen, deputies and akimat employees, and Kazakhstan’s overall efficient organization in helping us get through this.

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@silkadv.com

09 May 2024
Central Asia, Uzbekistan Environment, Environment, Uzbekistan, Business & Economy, Uzbekistan Business & Economy

Favorable Water Volumes Forecast for Uzbekistan’s Amu Darya and Syr Darya Rivers

 According to the news agency UzA, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Water Management Shavkat Hamroyev told a parliamentary hearing that watersheds from the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers are forecast as favorable this year.

The announcement was made in response to Muqaddas Tirkasheva, a member of the lower house of parliament, who inquired, “water limits are agreed with Central Asian countries every year. Today, when we meet with voters, they often refer to the water shortage. There are concerns about whether the construction of the Qosh Tepa canal will affect the water of Amu Darya. How does this year’s forecast volume of water in the Amu Darya, Syr Darya, Zarafshan rivers  compare to previous years? What measures are being taken to ensure guaranteed water supply to economic sectors?”

Minister Hamroyev continued, “there are agreements among five countries regarding water allocations. Our recent meeting in Shymkent addressed reservoir water levels. Due to this year’s precipitation, it’s anticipated that water levels in the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers will match last year’s levels. Projections suggest 85–90% water in the Syr Darya and 90–95% in the Amu Darya compared to historical averages. Our reservoirs currently hold 1.5 billion cubic meters more water than last year.”


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Times of Central Asia

Image: Akorda.kz

09 May 2024
Central Asia, Home, Uzbekistan, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture, Kyrgyzstan, Local Politics, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Uzbekistan Home, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Life & Culture, Features

Victory Day Comes in Central Asian Countries Without Much Pomp, but Plenty of Feeling

This year, as in previous years, the attitude toward Victory Day celebrations in Central Asian countries serves as an important political marker. The leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan are scheduled to attend the Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9. The leaders of Belarus, Cuba, Laos and Guinea-Bissau will also take part in the celebrations. The absences of the presidents of Uzbekistan, Armenia and Azerbaijan are particularly noticeable in that list.

It’s noteworthy that the Russian press is commenting on the different stances taken by the Central Asian countries in an extremely negative way — deliberately agitating discord between Russia and the region. It’s even been stated that Victory Day has been “canceled” in the region. Such are the broadcasts taking place against a backdrop of analysts’ opinions: that in the coming decades, Central Asian countries won’t be able to break the ties that bind them to their former Soviet master, as the economic dependence on Russia is only growing. This is especially true for Kazakhstan, as the lion’s share of Kazakhstan’s oil goes through Russian pipelines to Europe. In addition, a project increasing the transshipment of Russian hydrocarbons to China through Kazakhstan is in the works.

However, contrary to the opinion of Russian tabloids, the Central Asian countries remain reverent and respectful of the cultural institution that is Victory Day. Most residents of the republics are proud of their fathers and grandfathers who fought on the fronts of World War II. In particular, for several years in a row, Kazakhstan has maintained a leading role in terms of doling out state budget payments to veterans of World War II.

According to statistics, the size of a lump-sum social payment commemorating Victory Day in Kazakhstan, where 148 veterans live, averages $3,800. In Tajikistan there are 24 surviving veterans of World War II, and their payments amounted to $2,200-$2,300. Veterans in Uzbekistan received about $1,500, and in Belarus, Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan, about $1,100 apiece. Russia’s 12,500 surviving veterans in Russia will receive the least — the equivalent of only $107.

To be sure, Kazakhstan has not held military parades in honor of the holiday for a year. That move is explained by the need to save money. This spring, unprecedented floods — which affected almost half of the country — have pushed President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev’s administration to tend towards being thrifty and instead fund humanitarian aid and reconstruction. According to the Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan, the parade requires spending about 4 billion tenge ($9 million) — such a huge sum of money can be spent more impactfully on providing housing for the victims. Along with large-scale, WWII-related festive events in Kazakhstan, other important projects, such as international forums, have been canceled. Nevertheless, in his speech, President Tokayev not only congratulated veterans, but also emphasized the need to prepare for the 80th anniversary of the May 1945 victory, which is scheduled to be widely celebrated next year.

In Uzbekistan, May 9 is considered a Day of Remembrance, but nonetheless President Shavkat Mirziyoyev offered his congratulatory remarks, noting the invaluable contribution of the country’s residents to the victory. The country will hold festive events, and commemorative publications have been prepared. In Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, the opening ceremony of a memorial complex dedicated to those who died in the ‘Great Patriotic War’ was held. President Emomali Rahmon delivered a congratulatory speech.

Kyrgyzstan, like Kazakhstan, canceled this year’s procession of the Immortal Regiment, explaining that decision with a reference to the difficulty of security measures. After analyzing the operational situation in the country and Central Asia overall, there is reason to fear public provocations and terrorist attacks, according to the Kyrgyz Interior Ministry’s Public Security Service. Last year, more than 50,000 people took part in the Immortal Regiment’s appearance in Bishkek. Turkmenistan also contributed to the holiday. A concert dedicated to the 79th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War and other events was held in Ashgabat.

It remains perplexing for the Russian media to accuse the Central Asian countries of canceling their parades, processions and events –especially since Russia itself has done the same. Due to existing threats to public safety, the central headquarters of the Immortal Regiment of the Russian Federation decided not to hold a physical procession in 2024 in front of the public. The reason given was the same danger of terrorist attacks which was cited in Central Asia — which after the attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue in the Moscow region on March 22, is by no means an empty reason.

Overall, although Central Asian countries haven’t been holding mass public events in honor of Victory Day for several years, the atmosphere of the holiday is preserved — and most importantly, the authorities are still actively supporting the small number of veterans and their families who have been affected by the war to the present day.

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