Page 416 – The Times Of Central Asia

21 Jan 2025

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Business & Economy, Uzbekistan Business & Economy

Uzbekistan Receives $14.8 Billion in Remittances in 2024

January 21, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

The total volume of remittances sent to Uzbekistan in 2024 reached a record $14.8 billion, marking a 30% increase – equivalent to $3.4 billion – compared to the previous year. This data comes from the Central Bank’s Brief Review on Currency Transactions of Individuals.

Key Sources of Remittances

Russia remains the dominant source of remittances for Uzbekistan, accounting for 77% of the total, or $11.5 billion – a 29% increase from 2023. Other key contributors include:

Kazakhstan: $795 million
United States: $577 million
South Korea: $534 million
Turkey: $405 million
United Kingdom: $135 million

July saw the highest inflow of remittances, with $1.785 billion received, while February recorded the lowest amount, at $738 million.

Remittance growth varied significantly by country / region:

United Kingdom: Up 83%
South Korea: Up 56%
United States: Up 35%
European Union: Up 32%

While inflows surged, the volume of remittances sent abroad from Uzbekistan also grew, increasing by 19% in 2024 to reach $2.8 billion.

Russia remains the largest source of remittances to Uzbekistan, thanks to the significant number of Uzbek migrants working there. However, new restrictions introduced in 47 Russian regions, including the occupied territories of Crimea, Sevastopol, and Zaporozhye, could negatively impact Central Asian migrant workers.

According to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, there were more than 6.1 million foreigners in Russia in 2024, the majority from Central Asia and other CIS countries. Among them, over 1.88 million Uzbek citizens visited Russia during the first eight months of the year, underscoring the strong ties between Uzbek migrant labor and Russia’s economy.

The substantial increase in remittances highlights the critical role of labor migration in Uzbekistan’s economy. However, the evolving regulatory environment in key source countries like Russia could pose challenges for Central Asian migrants and, by extension, Uzbekistan’s remittance-dependent economy.

21 Jan 2025

Environment, Kyrgyzstan Environment, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics

Kyrgyzstan’s Capital Grapples with Smog: Minister Outlines Pollution Sources and Plans for Cleaner Air

September 24, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

On January 20, Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision, Meder Mashiev, addressed parliament to discuss the sources of air pollution in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Citing studies conducted by international organizations, Mashiev broke down the contributors to Bishkek’s smog, as reported by 24.kg.

According to the minister, the primary sources of air pollution in Bishkek are:

Burning of coal: 40%
Exhaust gases from motor vehicles: 30%
Smoke from the Bishkek Thermal Electric Power Plant: 15%
Windborne dust: 13.5%

Mashiev highlighted that efforts by the government in 2024 have led to improvements in air quality, based on data from the Hydrometeorological Service. However, he noted that Bishkek experienced its worst smog levels during 2021-2022.

One of the key issues contributing to air pollution is the absence of catalytic converters in 85% of vehicles operating in Kyrgyzstan. Catalytic converters are critical for reducing the toxicity of vehicle emissions by converting harmful compounds into less hazardous ones.

With over 600,000 registered vehicles in Bishkek — nearly double the city’s road capacity of 350,000 — the Ministry estimates that motor transport accounts for 27% of the city’s total air pollution.

During the parliamentary session, parliamentary deputy Balbak Tulobayev proposed several measures to address the smog problem:

Replace domestic coal: Prohibit the use of low-calorie, high-ash Kara-Keche coal in Bishkek and switch to high-calorie Kazakh coal, potentially reducing smog by 30-40%.
Accelerate gasification: Attract additional companies, such as those from Azerbaijan or Iran, to expand gasification in Bishkek. Currently, Russia’s Gazprom is the only provider of natural gas in the city. The MP estimates this could reduce smog by another 30%.
Improve public transportation: Construct a subway or monorail system in Bishkek to reduce reliance on private vehicles.
Ban polluting vehicles: Restrict vehicles without catalytic converters from entering the city.

Air pollution remains a persistent issue in Bishkek, a city with over one million residents. The problem worsens in the winter, as household coal burning for heating intensifies. Bishkek frequently ranks among the world’s top 10 most polluted cities on IQAir’s global air quality index.

To improve air quality, the government has outlined a comprehensive plan for 2024-2025, which includes the following measures:

Transition to cleaner coal: Provide households with high-calorie coal that emits fewer pollutants.
Modernize the thermal power plant: Replace outdated filters at the Bishkek coal-fired power plant and work toward converting it to natural gas.
City planning for air circulation: Develop an architectural plan to enhance air movement in Bishkek.
Expand gasification: Continue gasification of residential neighborhoods to reduce reliance on coal.
Improve urban infrastructure: Construct transport interchanges and multi-level parking lots to ease traffic congestion.
Promote public transport: Increase the attractiveness of public transportation and develop infrastructure for electric vehicles, including charging stations.
Green belt initiative: Create a green belt in and around Bishkek to improve air quality and provide natural barriers to pollution.

Air pollution in Bishkek is a complex and longstanding issue driven by coal burning, vehicle emissions, and outdated infrastructure. While the government has made some progress in improving air quality, significant challenges remain. The proposed solutions, including expanding gasification, modernizing infrastructure, and introducing cleaner fuel options, could provide a pathway toward a cleaner and healthier future for the capital.

21 Jan 2025

Central Asia, Silk Road Treasures, Home, Turkmenistan Life & Culture, Turkmenistan, Life & Culture, Turkmenistan Features, Features

American Musicians Celebrate the Dutar During Tour of Turkmenistan

January 31, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

The Turkmen dutar, a two-stringed lute, and symbol of the nation’s musical heritage, left a lasting impression on American artists visiting Turkmenistan on a recent tour. Musicians Keith Bass, Aaron Young, and Richard Steighner praised the uniqueness of Turkmenistan’s traditional music during their performances as part of the “Broadway and Beyond” concert series.

The tour began with its first concert on January 16 at the Mukam Palace in Ashgabat. The American performers shared the stage with the State Symphony Orchestra of Turkmenistan, led by conductor Rasul Klychev, and soloists from the State Choir.

The concert program featured a mix of popular Broadway melodies and innovative interpretations of the works of Makhtumkuli Fraghi, the national Turkmen poet. A standout moment of the evening was the performance of “I Want to Feel the Wind,” a song based on Makhtumkuli’s poetry and composed especially for the tour.

Beatboxer Richard Steighner highlighted the creative synthesis of styles that emerged during the collaboration.

“Blending my beatboxing with the soft yet rich sound of the dutar was an unforgettable experience,” Steighner said. “The beauty of Turkmen music is astounding, and the dutar was a true revelation for us. We even incorporated it into an original piece, creating a unique fusion of traditional melodies and modern trends.”

Keith Bass, another member of the ensemble, emphasized the value of cultural exchange.

“Working with Makhtumkuli’s works gave us an opportunity to view music through a new lens. Every concert here has become a platform for creative experimentation,” Bass said.

U.S. Ambassador to Turkmenistan Elizabeth Rood, who attended the Ashgabat performance, highlighted the role of cultural events in fostering international understanding.

“Music and culture are bridges that unite people. We will continue to support projects that preserve cultural heritage and serve as symbols of friendship and trust,” Rood said.

Following the debut in Ashgabat, the “Broadway and Beyond” series will continue with performances in Turkmenbashi, Balkanabad, and Dashoguz.

21 Jan 2025

Central Asia, Tajikistan Justice, Home, Justice, Tajikistan, Tajikistan Features, Features

CPJ Report Highlights Deteriorating Situation for Journalists in Tajikistan

August 7, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has released its 2024 annual report, identifying the countries with the highest number of journalists imprisoned in the previous year. According to the report, China (50 journalists), Israel (43), and Myanmar (35) topped the list. Globally, a total of 361 journalists were imprisoned in 2023 — the second-highest figure since records began in 1992, surpassed only by 2022’s total of 370.

The report also highlights Tajikistan’s worsening environment for press freedom, with specific mention of the country’s persecution of journalists, including cases linked to ethnic discrimination.

The CPJ report notes that two of the eight imprisoned journalists in Tajikistan belong to the Pamiri ethnic minority, a group historically subjected to systemic discrimination. These journalists hail from the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO), a region that has experienced significant unrest in recent years.

Among them is Ulfatkhonim Mamadshoeva, a prominent journalist who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence. Authorities accused Mamadshoeva and her former husband, General Kholbash Kholbashov of the GKNB Border Troops, of orchestrating mass riots in GBAO in May 2022. These protests, which were met with a violent government crackdown, resulted in numerous deaths. Before her arrest, Mamadshoeva publicly denied any involvement in illegal activities.

The CPJ’s findings reflect the broader challenges faced by journalists in Tajikistan, where independent reporting is increasingly equated with criminal activity.

The CPJ report underscores the global misuse of vague anti-state laws to silence independent media. More than 60% of journalists imprisoned worldwide were charged under broadly defined laws, often targeting dissenting voices under accusations of terrorism, extremism, or other anti-state activities. Tajikistan is listed alongside countries like Russia, Belarus, Myanmar, and Turkey as frequent users of such repressive measures.

“A significant proportion of these cases involve terrorism or ‘extremism’ charges, which are often very vaguely worded,” the report states, noting that such laws give governments broad discretion to suppress media freedoms.

In Tajikistan, the eight journalists are currently serving prison sentences ranging from seven to 20 years. These long sentences illustrate the risks faced by media workers in a country where freedom of the press continues to erode.

The CPJ report highlights a troubling global trend, with over 100 new journalists imprisoned in the past year. While the focus of the report is on numerical leaders like China, Israel, and Myanmar, countries like Tajikistan, where media suppression is equally severe but less publicized, remain of grave concern.

21 Jan 2025

Central Asia, Home, Life & Culture, Uzbekistan Features, Uzbekistan Home, Uzbekistan Life & Culture, Features

Kindergarten in Uzbekistan Stages Dangerous Show with Poisonous Cobras

January 23, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

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.

20 Jan 2025

Home, Uzbekistan, Business & Economy, Uzbekistan Business & Economy

Binance Officially Launches Operations in Uzbekistan

January 20, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

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.