Page 408 – The Times Of Central Asia

27 May 2025

Kyrgyzstan Significantly Boosts Fuel Exports to Afghanistan

May 27, 2025
By Anton Chipegin

Exports of fuel and lubricants (F&L) from Kyrgyzstan to Afghanistan have surged in early 2025, according to the National Statistical Committee. In the first quarter of the year, Kyrgyzstan exported more than 40 million liters of gasoline and fuel oil to Afghanistan, a more than 100-fold increase compared to the same period in 2024.

From January to March 2025, gasoline exports to Afghanistan’s Kunduz province reached $18.5 million in value, up from just 384,000 liters worth $212,000 a year earlier. Afghanistan now accounts for over 90% of Kyrgyzstan’s gasoline exports.

Uzbekistan is the second-largest recipient, having imported 2.5 million liters of gasoline worth $1 million in the same period. The average export price stands at approximately $0.50 per liter.

It is important to note that none of the exported gasoline is sourced from Russia. Under a bilateral agreement, fuel imported from Russia on preferential terms, grades AI-92 and AI-95, is designated solely for domestic use and is exempt from re-export. These Russian fuels are delivered duty-free via Kazakhstan, keeping retail gasoline prices in Kyrgyzstan around $0.80 per liter.

According to the Oil Traders Association, the gasoline exported to Afghanistan and Uzbekistan typically includes the lower-cost AI-80 grade and fuel oil derived from local crude in southwestern Kyrgyzstan.

In 2024, Kyrgyzstan imported 630 million liters of gasoline worth $277 million, primarily from Russia, with smaller volumes from Kazakhstan.

Beyond fuel, Kyrgyzstan also exports other goods to Afghanistan, including:

Approximately 8,000 tons of flour and vegetable oil annually;
Around 12,000 tons of construction materials such as cement and metal structures.

In return, Kyrgyzstan imports roughly 200,000 units of Afghan goods annually, including dried fruits, nuts, textiles, carpets, and other handicrafts.

26 May 2025

Home, International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan, Features, Kyrgyzstan Features

Armenia, Azerbaijan Invited to Sign Peace Deal in Kyrgyzstan

May 26, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

Kyrgyzstan has offered to host the signing of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, though tensions persist between the two longtime adversaries and a date for signing has not been set.

Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu, the parliamentary speaker of Kyrgyzstan, made the offer during a meeting in Armenia with Alen Simonyan, leader of that country’s National Assembly. The news was reported on Monday by Aravot, a publication based in Armenia.

“Alen Simonyan touched upon the already completed draft of the Peace Agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, mentioning that the Armenian side is ready to sign it,” Aravot reported. “In response to this, the Head of the Kyrgyz Parliament noted that Kyrgyzstan is ready to provide a platform for the signing” of the peace deal.

Kyrgyzstan’s parliamentary speaker was accompanied by several other parliamentarians on the May 25-27 trip to Armenia.

Armenia and Azerbaijan said in March that they had agreed on the text of a peace deal after decades of conflict and Azerbaijan´s military seizure of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region in 2023.

However, Azerbaijan says Armenia must change its constitution to remove language that allegedly lays claim to Azerbaijani territory, while Armenia says Azerbaijan is using the issue as an excuse to undermine the peace deal.

Kazakhstan has also sought to assist in peace efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan, hosting a meeting of the foreign ministers of the two rivals in Almaty last year.

26 May 2025

Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Large Resort to Be Built on Southern Shore of Kyrgyzstan’s Lake Issyk-Kul

May 26, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Economy and Commerce has signed an investment agreement with Kyrgyz-registered Jartash LLC for the construction of a major sports and hotel complex, Ramada Resort by Wyndham Issyk-Kul.

The resort will be developed on private land on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, the country’s most popular tourist destination. Ramada is part of Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, the U.S.-based company recognized as the world’s largest hotel franchisor, operating approximately 9,200 properties in 95 countries.

The project aligns with the State Program for Sustainable Tourism Development through 2030, which aims to strengthen Kyrgyzstan’s tourism infrastructure and establish the country as a regional hub for sports and recreational tourism.

Minister of Economy and Commerce Bakyt Sydykov hailed the agreement as a strategic milestone. “This is not just an investment agreement, it is a step toward the strategic transformation of the Issyk-Kul region. The new resort will become the flagship of our tourism industry, opening new horizons for attracting investment and international visitors to Kyrgyzstan,” he said.

The investor will receive tax and customs incentives under the agreement.

Ramada Resort by Wyndham Issyk-Kul will feature:

A hotel with 250-300 rooms across various categories
Olympic and training swimming pools
Gyms and rehabilitation facilities
Infrastructure for professional sports training
Recreation zones and venues for international events

The resort is expected to create over 200 jobs and generate more than $9 million in state revenue over the next decade. Officials anticipate that the project will serve as a model of effective public-private partnership and catalyze the development of a new tourism cluster along the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul.

26 May 2025

Central Asia, Justice, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Justice

New York Mayor Eric Adams Under Scrutiny for Ties to Uzbek Businessman

May 26, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is facing renewed federal scrutiny over alleged ties to a Brooklyn-based businessman with close links to the Uzbek government. As The Times of Central Asia reported last year, the investigation centers on whether Adams helped improve Uzbekistan’s public image in exchange for campaign contributions.

According to court documents reviewed by THE CITY, the businessman, Tolib Mansurov, a dual citizen of the United States and Uzbekistan, allegedly served as an intermediary for the Uzbek government while also helping to fund Adams’ mayoral campaigns. In return, Adams is said to have provided favorable public exposure that enhanced Uzbekistan’s reputation, despite the country’s record of human rights abuses.

Prosecutors describe Mansurov as a well-connected figure who maintained frequent communication with officials at Uzbekistan’s mission to the United Nations. He organized multiple events involving Adams and the Uzbek-American community in New York. One notable event was a flag-raising ceremony at Bowling Green on September 2, 2023, during which Adams became the first New York City mayor to raise the Uzbek flag in the financial district. “Happy Uzbekistan Independence Day!” Mansurov posted on social media. “Mayor Eric Adams made history by being the first to raise the Uzbek flag on Wall Street!”

Mansurov also arranged a roundtable at City Hall and hosted various cultural gatherings, including Ramadan dinners and community meetings, through the Silk Road Foundation, a nonprofit he founded. Prosecutors allege the foundation coordinated closely with Uzbekistan’s UN mission.

Alongside his community engagement, Mansurov reportedly funneled illegal straw donations into Adams’ campaign. In one instance, he allegedly reimbursed four employees who made individual contributions. He later arranged ten more donations of $1,000 each, again reimbursing at least one donor, according to investigators.

In private messages, Adams reportedly referred to Mansurov as “my strongest go-to person.” In May 2024, months after the FBI had seized Adams’ electronic devices, the mayor used a new phone and the encrypted app Signal to ask Mansurov for a favor. He requested that Mansurov quickly gather 20 donations of $250 each to meet the threshold for matching public campaign funds.

Mansurov has not been charged but is cooperating with investigators. He has denied any involvement in money laundering, though prosecutors say he received over $11 million from a Cyprus-based entity, which he allegedly used to purchase real estate in Brooklyn.

This is not the first time Adams’ campaign financing has come under legal scrutiny. Federal prosecutors have previously accused him of accepting illicit donations and perks from Turkish interests. The FBI is also examining his fundraising ties to individuals connected to China.

Commenting on the broader implications, exiled Uzbek journalist Shahida Yakub said, “The regime is trying to gain legitimacy in the West. They always want to be liked by the U.S. The mayor of New York is important.”

Federal investigators continue to probe Adams’ relationships with foreign governments and the role of campaign donations in potentially influencing his political conduct.

26 May 2025

Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Olives, Oranges, and Mandarins to Be Grown in Southern Kyrgyzstan

May 26, 2025
By Anton Chipegin

Citrus seedlings imported from Turkey have been planted in southern Kyrgyzstan as part of an experimental initiative to evaluate their adaptability to the local climate. The Ministry of Agriculture is conducting the trial with a view to diversifying the country’s agricultural output and introducing high-value crops.

The seedlings, mandarin, orange, olive, and kunkuvat (a variety of orange), were delivered by ministry specialists for test cultivation. According to Minister of Agriculture Bakyt Torobaev, the trials are being carried out in the Batken region, where agroclimatic conditions are considered most suitable for heat-loving crops.

“If the seedlings take root successfully, local farmers will attempt to scale up cultivation and expand citrus production to other parts of southern Kyrgyzstan,” Torobaev said.

Bakyt Mambetov, Director of the Department of Agricultural Crops and Horticulture, added that the aim of the trials is to evaluate the plants’ resilience to climatic and soil conditions, as well as their productivity and resistance to diseases and pests. “If the results are positive, these crops will be recommended for both farm-level and private garden cultivation, to meet domestic demand and create export opportunities,” he said.

Mambetov emphasized that introducing such crops could significantly boost the profitability of Kyrgyz horticulture and expand the country’s agricultural export potential.

This is not the ministry’s first citrus initiative. Several years ago, Tashkent lemons were successfully cultivated in the mountainous northern regions of Kyrgyzstan, with the first harvest yielding promising results.

26 May 2025

Central Asia, Home, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan Business Economy, Uzbekistan Features, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Tajikistan Features, Kazakhstan, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

Central Asian and Pakistani Leaders Showcase Digital Future at GSMA Summit in Tashkent

May 27, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

The second day of the GSMA M360 Eurasia conference, held on May 21 in Tashkent, delivered a resounding message of partnership, innovation, and forward-looking digital strategies. Leaders from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, alongside delegates from other countries, shared insights on fostering resilient digital economies through collaboration and technology.

Kazakhstan: Digital Leadership and AI Strategy

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, Zhaslan Madiyev, highlighted his country’s digital advancements. Over the past decade, Kazakhstan has ascended into the global top ten for online service quality and now ranks 24th in e-government development. “More than 90% of transactions are cashless,” he noted, “and over 35 personal documents are exclusively digital. Digital documents now carry the same legal weight as paper ones.” Citizens can even travel domestically using only a digital ID on their phones.

Madiyev spotlighted Astana Hub, Kazakhstan’s primary IT cluster, which hosts over 1,600 startups and global tech firms, with outposts in Silicon Valley, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and the UK. “We recently signed an agreement with Uzbekistan’s IT Park,” he said, “and we will soon open a joint mobile lab with Tcell in Uzbekistan.” He emphasized that cross-border collaboration enables startups to access global markets.

Artificial intelligence (AI) featured prominently in Madiyev’s address. He announced the formation of a national AI committee and the adoption of a five-year strategy that includes ethical guidelines, product labeling, and a public AI platform. A newly acquired supercomputer, boasting two exaflops of processing power, will soon support universities, startups, and companies. Kazakhstan also plans to train one million individuals over five years, spanning schoolchildren to government employees. Madiyev invited Uzbekistan to join a regional AI collaboration centered around the forthcoming International Center of AI in Astana, which will host labs, exhibits, hackathons, and workspaces for startups and major tech firms.

Uzbekistan: Building a 5G Future

In an interview with The Times of Central Asia, Dmitriy Shukov, CEO of Perfectum, the first stand-alone 5G mobile network operator in Uzbekistan, discussed the company’s vision. Perfectum primarily serves the business sector with advanced network solutions. “We focus on B2B clients and will continue to develop cutting-edge services for a fast-growing economy,” Shukov stated.

On expanding 5G access nationwide, Shukov pointed to device compatibility. “People need access to 5G stand-alone service. We hope GSMA can facilitate discussions with handset manufacturers to unlock all 5G features here,” he said, underscoring that broader access is essential for digital inclusivity. Perfectum’s pioneering role in the region sets a benchmark for others.

Discussing Uzbekistan’s telecom infrastructure, Shukov expressed optimism. “Our population grows by 700,000 annually. Sixty percent are under 30, demanding high-speed, low-latency services. And the regulatory environment is now very favorable to investors,” he said. These dynamics, he concluded, set a strong foundation for the next three years.

Tajikistan: Rethinking Telecom Models

Tcell CEO Ozodkhon Davlatshoev, whose company serves over two million customers and is Tajikistan’s largest mobile operator, addressed the pressures facing the sector. “Our market share is about 14%, growing 7% annually, but with just 2% population growth, we add only around 60,000 new users per year, while investing millions to maintain infrastructure,” he said. He also noted rising competition and regulatory pressures to lower prices.

Davlatshoev advocated a shift from merely providing access to delivering value-added services. “Being just a gatekeeper is no longer viable. We can leverage our data and networks to offer personalized services, financial tools, even advertising,” he said. His vision includes expansion into fintech, digital advertising, and social media, which he claims has already yielded ten-fold increases in EBITDA in pilot regions. “Let’s make customers richer, not just our companies,” he quipped.

Pakistan: Financial Inclusion Through Digital Innovation

Murtaza Ali, President of JazzCash in Pakistan; image: Muhammad Khayyam Siddiqi

Murtaza Ali, President of JazzCash, highlighted Pakistan’s push toward digital finance. As one of the country’s leading mobile financial platforms, JazzCash serves over 20 million monthly users and collaborates with more than 285,000 agents and 485,000 merchants.

“Almost 40% of adults in Pakistan are unbanked,” Ali said. “We built a system that reaches people wherever they are.” JazzCash offers not just money transfers, but also micro-loans, insurance, and Shariah-compliant savings tools. In 2024 alone, it issued around 143,000 digital loans daily and insured two million individuals.

Ali emphasized the role of partnerships, with the government, Google Wallet, and retail providers, in driving financial inclusion. “We support government payment systems and are the only fintech in Pakistan compatible with Google Wallet,” he noted. As part of VEON Group, JazzCash collaborates with Simply in Kazakhstan and Beepul in Uzbekistan. Together, they processed over $40 billion in transactions in the past year.

Summit Takeaways: Cooperation and Shared Vision

Throughout the event, a consistent theme emerged: the need for cooperation among governments, telecom providers, and fintech innovators. From Kazakhstan’s AI strategy and Uzbekistan’s 5G ambitions to Tajikistan’s evolving business models and Pakistan’s digital finance breakthroughs, the shared goal was clear, deliver fast, affordable, and inclusive digital services.

By the close of May 22, participants had agreed on key objectives: bridging coverage gaps, supporting startups, advancing AI capacity, and strengthening regional partnerships. Working groups were established to address AI ethics, 5G deployment, and cross-border startup collaboration.