• KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00196 -0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.10899 -0%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 -0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28490 0%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00196 -0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.10899 -0%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 -0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28490 0%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00196 -0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.10899 -0%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 -0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28490 0%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00196 -0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.10899 -0%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 -0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28490 0%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00196 -0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.10899 -0%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 -0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28490 0%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00196 -0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.10899 -0%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 -0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28490 0%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00196 -0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.10899 -0%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 -0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28490 0%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00196 -0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.10899 -0%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 -0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28490 0%
08 December 2025

Kindergarten in Uzbekistan Stages Dangerous Show with Poisonous Cobras

A kindergarten in Uzbekistan sparked widespread outrage after staging a performance involving poisonous Central Asian cobras, a species listed in the Red Book of Uzbekistan’s endangered plant and animals. Footage of the event, which was shared on social media, showed the snakes being handled in close proximity to children, raising serious concerns about safety and animal welfare.

In the video, a man can be seen demonstrating two venomous snakes to a group of young children, with no apparent safety measures in place. The cobras were allowed to move freely on the floor near the children. The Uzbek language heard in the recording confirms the location as Uzbekistan, but the exact location of the kindergarten has yet to be identified.

The incident has prompted public outcry, with many questioning the judgment of the organizers and the lack of safeguards for the children. So far, the Ministry of Preschool and School Education has refrained from issuing an official statement.

The situation has caught the attention of the Children’s Ombudsman in Uzbekistan. The Ombudsman’s press service announced that law enforcement agencies are actively working to determine the circumstances and location of the performance, as well as the identities of those responsible. A full investigation is underway, and the organizers’ actions will be subject to legal assessment once the inquiry is complete.

This is not the first time unauthorized animal performances have taken place in Uzbekistan. In December of last year, a similar case was reported in the Koshrabad district of the Samarkand region. Two individuals held unauthorized shows at schools and kindergartens, featuring a tiger python. The snake was later confiscated and handed over to the regional department of ecology.

These incidents highlight a recurring issue of unregulated animal performance in educational institutions, raising questions about safety, legal oversight, and the ethical treatment of wildlife.

Binance Officially Launches Operations in Uzbekistan

The National Agency for Prospective Projects has announced that Binance, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, will officially provide services to users in Uzbekistan. According to the agency’s press service, Binance will operate in the country through the local company CoinPay LLC, ensuring compliance with Uzbekistan’s laws.

Residents of Uzbekistan will be able to access the platform via coinpay.uz, which will allow users to deposit and withdraw funds in the national currency using bank cards and local payment systems.

“The system will launch after integrating all partner platforms, including national payment systems,” the agency stated.

Legal Challenges Resolved

This development comes after Binance faced regulatory challenges in Uzbekistan. In January 2024, the National Agency for Prospective Projects fined Binance for non-compliance with the country’s laws on cryptocurrency asset turnover. The agency subsequently filed a lawsuit in the Tashkent City Economic Court to enforce the fine.

The court trial, which ran from March 26 to June 7, 2024, ruled in favor of the agency. Binance was fined 300 base calculation amounts, which the company paid in full to the state budget.

Binance’s Expansion in Central Asia

Uzbekistan is the latest addition to Binance’s growing presence in Central Asia. The exchange launched its first local digital asset platform in the region in Kazakhstan in June 2023. This platform is based at the Astana International Financial Center.

Later that year, Binance Kazakhstan partnered with the National Bank of Kazakhstan and the National Payment Corporation to implement a groundbreaking project: the issuance of the world’s first stablecoin backed by a national digital currency. This innovation was tested on the BNB Smart Chain (BSC) network.

Binance has also made efforts to engage with the cryptocurrency community in Kyrgyzstan. In January 2023, the company held its first community meet-up in the country. In May of that year, Binance’s regional head for Central Asia, Kirill Khomyakov, described Kyrgyzstan as a promising market for cryptocurrency development. However, despite these initiatives, Binance has not yet officially launched operations in the Republic.

Binance’s official entry into Uzbekistan marks another step in its strategic expansion across Central Asia. By complying with local regulations and collaborating with a licensed partner, Binance has reinforced its commitment to integrating its platform into Uzbekistan’s growing cryptocurrency landscape.

Kazakhstan Restricts Potato Exports to Non-EAEU Countries Amid Price Surge

Rising potato prices in Kazakhstan have prompted the government to impose a six-month restriction on potato exports to non-Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries, according to Tengrinews. The decision is aimed at stabilizing domestic prices and preventing further spikes.

Price Surge Linked to High Export Demand

The price increase has been driven by strong demand from neighboring countries, particularly Uzbekistan, and rising export prices. In 2024, Kazakhstan’s potato exports increased by 1.5 times, from 411,000 metric tons to 605,000 tons, according to government data. Export-oriented producers significantly raised their prices, increasing them from 170 KZT ($0.32) to 270 KZT ($0.51) per kilogram.

This spike in export demand has directly impacted the domestic market, with retail prices soaring in many regions. For example:

  • In Aktobe, potatoes were sold for no more than 200 KZT per kilogram in early January but doubled within a week.
  • In supermarkets, prices have climbed to 388 KZT ($0.73) per kilogram, with some areas seeing prices as high as 400 KZT ($0.75) per kilogram.

Even lower-quality potatoes have become more expensive, as sellers report rising costs with every new shipment.

Export Restrictions to Stabilize Prices

To address these challenges, the government has restricted potato exports to non-EAEU countries for six months. Exports to EAEU member states will continue but under stricter oversight. As part of these measures, the issuance of phytosanitary certificates for exports has been entirely suspended as of January 16, 2025.

Sufficient Reserves to Meet Domestic Needs

Despite the export restrictions, the Ministry of Agriculture has assured citizens that domestic reserves are sufficient to meet demand until the early 2025 harvest. As of January 19, reserves (excluding stocks in trade networks) amount to over 850,000 tons.

Key figures from 2024 and early 2025 include:

  • Total potato harvest (2024): 2.9 million tons, including 300,000 tons from the early harvest.
  • Imports (2024): 56,000 tons.
  • Consumption (August–December 2024): 844,000 tons.
  • Exports (2024): 620,000 tons.
  • Forecasted consumption (January–April 2025): 675,000 tons.

The government’s measures aim to ensure that prices stabilize while maintaining sufficient supplies for domestic consumers until the next harvest.

Growth vs. Food Security

Kazakhstan’s decision to restrict potato exports to non-EAEU countries highlights the delicate balance between export-driven agricultural growth and ensuring food security at home. While the restrictions are expected to ease price pressures domestically, they underscore the challenges of managing supply chains and export demand in a region with fluctuating agricultural dynamics.

EBRD Invests Record €2.26 Billion in Central Asia in 2024

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) reached a record level of investment in Central Asia in 2024, contributing €2.26 billion to 121 projects across six countries in the region. This was nearly double the amount invested in 2023. Additionally, the EBRD attracted €784 million from co-financiers, bringing the total investment in the region’s economy to over €3 billion.

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan Lead in Funding

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan were the largest recipients of EBRD funding, securing €938 million and €913 million, respectively. These two nations ranked as the fifth and sixth largest destinations for EBRD investments globally in 2024.

Other countries in the immediate region also benefited from significant funding, with Mongolia receiving €264 million, Tajikistan €88 million, and the Kyrgyz Republic €52 million.

Focus on Sustainable Infrastructure and Green Economy

The majority of EBRD investments in Central Asia supported sustainable infrastructure projects, accounting for 61% of the total. Another 24% was channeled to local banks to assist small businesses, women entrepreneurs, and youth-focused initiatives, as well as projects promoting climate resilience and resource efficiency. The remaining 15% was allocated to private-sector companies.

In alignment with the Paris Agreement, 58% of EBRD investments in the region went to projects promoting a green economy.

Milestones in 2024

The EBRD achieved several notable milestones in 2024:

  • Total investments in Kazakhstan surpassed €10 billion.
  • Uzbekistan reached €5 billion in cumulative EBRD funding.
  • Both Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic exceeded €1 billion in total investments since the EBRD began operations in the region 30 years ago.

Landmark Projects

The EBRD financed several groundbreaking projects in Central Asia during 2024, including:

  • Uzbekistan: €59 million for a renewable hydrogen facility aimed at decarbonizing the fertilizer sector.
  • Kazakhstan: €96.4 million for a new wastewater treatment plant in Aktobe, the largest municipal project supported by the EBRD in the region.
  • Mongolia: €11.3 million to support the first green bond issued by a local bank.

Investments in Energy Infrastructure

Significant funding was also allocated to improving electricity grids across the region:

  • In Kazakhstan, €252 million was used to construct 600 km of transmission lines.
  • In Uzbekistan, €60.3 million supported the development of a 230 km transmission line in the Navoi region.
  • In the Kyrgyz Republic, €14 million upgraded power infrastructure in Osh and Issyk-Kul.
  • In Tajikistan, €31 million was allocated to improve a transformer in the Sugd region.

Investments in Health and Transportation

The EBRD also provided substantial funding for healthcare and infrastructure projects:

  • Kazakhstan: €365 million for a hospital project.
  • Uzbekistan: €216 million for a road and bridge project in the Khorezm region.
  • Mongolia: €39.2 million for a hospital in Darkhan.

Support for Small Businesses

The EBRD continued its efforts to empower small businesses in Central Asia, providing advisory services to more than 450 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Over 8,000 SMEs benefited from training and mentoring programs.

In Tajikistan, the EBRD launched its Star Venture initiative, allocating €28 million to 25 high-growth companies through agreements with local banks.

The EBRD’s Legacy in Central Asia

As the largest institutional investor in Central Asia, the EBRD has financed 1,163 projects in the region, investing a cumulative €21.5 billion to date. The bank’s efforts aim to foster a sustainable and green economy while supporting local businesses and communities.

Kyrgyzstan Explores Hungarian Agricultural Technologies

The 3rd Kyrgyz-Hungarian Agricultural Forum was held on January 17 in Budapest, Hungary, with the goal of strengthening ties between agricultural companies from Kyrgyzstan and Hungary. According to the Kyrgyz government’s official website, the forum showcased Hungary’s innovative agricultural technologies and solutions to address challenges in the sector.

Focus on Innovation and Sustainability

At the forum, leading Hungarian agricultural companies presented modern technologies aimed at increasing crop yields, improving irrigation systems, processing agricultural products, and promoting environmentally sustainable farming practices. These innovations align with Kyrgyzstan’s growing need to modernize its agricultural sector and improve productivity.

Kyrgyzstan Seeks Hungarian Expertise

Speaking at the forum, Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry, Bakyt Torobayev, emphasized Kyrgyzstan’s interest in Hungary’s expertise.

“Hungary is a reliable partner with extensive experience in agricultural technologies, including processing agricultural products, improving plant varieties, and supporting the development of small and medium-sized farms,” Torobayev said.

He invited Hungarian entrepreneurs to expand their operations in Kyrgyzstan, noting that the country’s new economic policy focuses on three key sectors: agriculture, energy, and transport and transit.

Torobayev highlighted Kyrgyzstan’s strategic location at the crossroads of the ancient Silk Road, which offers unique advantages for international trade. He pointed to the ongoing construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway as a critical infrastructure project to connect Central Asia with China, South Asia, Europe, and beyond.

Meeting Between Kyrgyz and Hungarian Officials

On the same day, Torobayev held discussions with Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó. The meeting centered on implementing the Declaration of Enhanced Strategic Partnership, signed in November 2023 during Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s visit to Bishkek.

One key topic of discussion was the preparation of a comprehensive long-term development plan for Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan’s largest lake and a vital tourist destination. The plan aims to address environmentalconcerns such as climate change, ecosystem degradation, and overuse of natural resources. Hungarian specialists, drawing on their experience with Lake Balaton, will collaborate with Kyrgyz counterparts to develop and regulate the Issyk-Kul region.

Enhancing Bilateral Cooperation

Another significant outcome of the meeting was the agreement to increase the authorized capital of the Kyrgyz-Hungarian Development Fund by an additional $34 million. This fund plays a crucial role in fostering economic collaboration between the two countries.

The ministers also discussed:

  • Increasing exports of Kyrgyz agricultural products to Europe, focusing on environmentally friendly produce.
  • Establishing logistics centers that adhere to European quality and safety standards.

Hungary’s Growing Interest in Central Asia

Hungary has consistently sought to deepen its engagement with Turkic-speaking countries in Central Asia. As an observer state of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), which includes Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan, Hungary has prioritized economic and cultural ties with the region. Turkmenistan also holds observer status within the OTS.

Kazakhstan Plans to End State Regulation of Fuel Prices

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy is considering the phased liberalization of gasoline and diesel fuel prices as part of a broader reform aimed at addressing price disparities with neighboring countries and curbing illegal fuel exports.

The proposed changes have been outlined in a draft document published on the Open NAP portal. The reform would gradually shift fuel pricing from state regulation to a market-based system.

Since May 2024, Kazakhstan has implemented a differentiated pricing mechanism, but the Ministry of Energy acknowledges that state regulation has made Kazakhstan the country with the lowest fuel prices in the region. This disparity has incentivized “gray” fuel exports – illegal cross-border sales – and contributed to domestic shortages of petroleum products.

Currently, a liter of AI-92 gasoline in Kazakhstan costs 205 KZT ($0.39), significantly cheaper than in neighboring countries:

  • Russia: 288 KZT ($0.54)
  • Kyrgyzstan: 385 KZT ($0.72)
  • Uzbekistan: 489 KZT ($0.92)

The price gap is similarly wide for diesel fuel:

  • Kazakhstan: 295 KZT ($0.56)
  • Russia: 355 KZT ($0.67)
  • Kyrgyzstan: 427 KZT ($0.80)
  • Uzbekistan: 528 KZT ($0.90)

Price differences for gasoline range from 40% to 138%, while for diesel fuel the gap is between 20% and 79%.

The Ministry of Energy emphasizes that this price liberalization is crucial for addressing the challenges caused by these discrepancies. According to the Ministry, the reform will help:

  • Prevent illegal fuel exports.
  • Ensure the economic viability of oil production projects.
  • Enable expansion of refinery capacity from 18 million to 28 million tons per year.

The modernization of the oil refining sector, spurred by market-based pricing, would also create new jobs and provide additional funding for government programs.

“Phased liberalization of prices with priority support for socially vulnerable segments of the population is necessary. It will create a sustainable system for supplying the domestic market and ensure economic feasibility,” the Ministry’s explanatory note states.

The Ministry has assured the public that the transition to market pricing will be gradual and carefully managed to avoid sharp or sudden price increases. Authorities also promise strengthened oversight of the fuel and lubricants market to ensure uninterrupted supply and compliance with legal standards.

Agricultural producers, a key sector reliant on affordable fuel, will retain access to subsidized pricing under transparent mechanisms. Additionally, the government has pledged to implement social support measures to protect low-income and vulnerable populations from the financial impact of rising fuel prices.

“Liberalization will ensure predictability of changes and create conditions for modernization of the industry. Social support will be prioritized, and agricultural producers will continue to benefit from structured access to fuel,” the Ministry emphasized.

Kazakhstan’s plan to phase out state regulation of fuel prices marks a significant shift in the country’s energy policy. By transitioning to market pricing, the government aims to address long-standing challenges, including illegal exports and underinvestment in refinery modernization, while also ensuring social protections for vulnerable groups. The success of this reform will depend on how effectively the government balances economic modernization with public concerns over rising fuel costs.