Page 423 – The Times Of Central Asia

15 Jan 2025

Business & Economy, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Uzbekistan to Launch VIP Air Taxi Service in Partnership with UAE’s JETEX

January 15, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

During President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s official visit to the United Arab Emirates on January 13, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport signed a memorandum of cooperation with JETEX, a leading UAE-based aviation services company.

The agreement, signed by Uzbekistan’s Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov and JETEX founder Adel Mardini, sets the stage for ambitious projects in Uzbekistan’s civil aviation sector.

One of the cornerstone initiatives involves JETEX providing Fixed Base Operator (FBO) services for VIP and CIP (Commercially Important Passenger) customers at Tashkent-East Airport through a public-private partnership. This project will also include the repair, sale, and maintenance of small aircraft, along with the launch of VIP air taxi services. These efforts aim to strengthen Uzbekistan’s tourism industry and elevate the travel experience for high-end customers.

According to officials, the project is expected to improve the quality of passenger services and enhance Tashkent’s reputation as an attractive and prestigious destination. Moreover, it is anticipated to generate over 200 jobs in Uzbekistan’s business aviation sector, contributing to the nation’s economic growth.

Founded in 2005, JETEX has become a global leader in business aviation services, with operations in over 50 locations across the Middle East, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Americas. The company’s expertise in Fixed Base Operator services ensures reliable and sustainable growth in the business aviation sector.

Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) provide essential airport services such as aircraft refueling, parking, hangar maintenance, repair, charter sales, and other aviation-related services. These facilities cater to private and business aviation, ensuring high-quality services for operators and passengers.

The partnership with JETEX marks a significant step forward in modernizing Uzbekistan’s aviation infrastructure and expanding its footprint in the global business aviation market.

15 Jan 2025

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Fossil-Fuel Rich UAE Drives Central Asia’s Green Energy Transition

January 21, 2025
By Nikola Mikovic

Central Asian nations, especially Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, are seeking to develop closer ties with the oil-rich United Arab Emirates. What they need from the Gulf state is not fossil fuels, but renewable energy technology and investment in their green energy sectors.

Despite being a significant oil-exporter, the UAE has managed in recent years to position itself as a regional leader in solar energy and photovoltaic solar projects. As a result, it now has global aspirations in the renewable energy industry. The Gulf country, through its semi-government-owned company, Masdar, has already invested billions of dollars in the construction of wind farms and solar plants all over the world – from the Bahamas and Barbados to Australia, as well as several African and European nations. Central Asia is no exception.

In the region, the green energy giant is particularly active in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. It is, therefore, no surprise that, on January 14, two regional leaders, Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, were major guests at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, a global platform focused on accelerating sustainability efforts.

President Tokayev of Kazakhstan speaking at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week; image: TCA, Nikola Mikovic

Their visit to the UAE signals a strong push for a green energy transition at home. For Tashkent and Astana, cooperation with Abu Dhabi in the field of green energy can help them to achieve their ambitious goals and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, despite both being significant producers of natural gas and oil.

“Together with our foreign partners, we are currently implementing more than 50 large energy projects worth a total of $26 billion,” Mirziyoyev stressed, pointing out that by 2030, the share of renewable energy sources in the country will reach 54%.

President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev backstage at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week; image: TCA, Nikola Mikovic

In his view, Central Asia should turn into a “center of green economy.” The Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Francesco La Camera, seems to share this stance.

“Central Asia can play a stronger and leading role in the global energy transition. I’m confident this new partnership can accelerate the pipeline of renewable energy projects and drive green industrialization,” La Camera said at the 15th session of the IRENA Assembly, held in the UAE capital two days prior to the meetings Mirziyoyev and Tokayev had with the UAE’s leaders.

According to the Uzbek President, Tashkent is interested in jointly realizing the potential of Central Asia in solar, wind, and hydro energy, as well as in developing the production of green hydrogen. Fully aware of the Central Asian state’s green energy potential, Masdar is committed to investing $2 billion in Tashkent’s clean energy projects with a total capacity of more than two gigawatts. In the most populated Central Asian nation, the UAE’s semi-state-owned company is already involved in the construction of both solar plants and wind farms.

Abdulaziz Alobaidli, Masdar’s Chief Operating Officer, at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week; image: TCA, Nikola Mikovic

“We were the first foreign investor in Uzbekistan’s renewable energy market in 2019. It is amazing to see how much progress the country has made over the past five years,” Abdulaziz Alobaidli, Masadar’s Chief Operating Officer told The Times of Central Asia.

In his view, clear regulations are now in place in Uzbekistan, and the government is demonstrating its serious commitment to developing the green energy sector. In neighboring Kazakhstan, the authorities are also aiming to strengthen the green economy and play an important role in ensuring the availability of crucial raw materials globally.

“Kazakhstan seeks to secure a diversified supply of critical raw materials for world markets, as they are indispensable to achieving the world’s net zero targets,” Tokayev stressed in Abu Dhabi, pointing out that it is imperative for Astana’s international partners, including Masdar, to invest in green energy projects.

Maryam Al Mazrouei, Masdar’s Head of Business Development in charge of the CIS at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week; image: TCA, Nikoa Mikovic

Indeed, at the COP29 summit held in the Azerbaijani capital Baku in November 2024, the UAE’s green energy corporation and the Kazakh authorities signed a $1.4 billion deal on the construction of a 1GW wind farm in the largest Central Asian nation. When completed, the facility is expected to provide green electricity to approximately 300,000 homes in the south of the country.

Prior to the green energy summit in Abu Dhabi, Kazakhstan’s Energy Ministry’s officials participated in the IRENA Assembly, which suggests that Astana is serious in its ambitions to generate 15% of its total energy from renewable sources by 2030. The United Arab Emirates is undoubtedly willing to help Kazakhstan achieve its goals.

“The county has a huge potential for the development of both solar and energy sectors,” Maryam Al Mazrouei, Masdar’s Head of Business Development in charge of the Commonwealth of Independent States told The Times of Central Asia.

As she explains, the company is currently focused on the implementation of the 1 GW wind farm project in Kazakhstan’s Zhambyl Region, while in the future it might engage in the construction of solar photovoltaic plants in the former Soviet republic. But that’s not the end of Masdar’s ambitions in the region.

“We are at the very early stage of development of green energy projects in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. We are discussing with their governments the possible construction of two 200-megawatt solar plants,” Al Mazrouei said, whilst emphasizing that no agreements have been signed yet.

The problem, however, is that, unlike Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, the three remaining Central Asian states – Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan – have yet to establish the necessary framework and regulations to attract foreign corporations willing to invest in the development in their vast green energy potential. In the meantime, they could learn from the experiences of Astana and Tashkent.

14 Jan 2025

Central Asia, Home, International Affairs, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Features, Kyrgyzstan Features, Kazakhstan Home

Explosions, Panic, Darkness: Kyrgyz Passenger Describes Azerbaijan Airlines Crash

January 14, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

“We are making an emergency landing. Hold on tight, the impact will be strong. After landing, exit the plane quickly.”

Rinat Asanov, a passenger from Kyrgyzstan and one of 29 people who survived the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash in Kazakhstan on December 25, recalled the announcement by a flight attendant shortly before the violent impact that killed 38 others on the aircraft.

Asanov, who suffered a severe head injury, fractures and bruises, was recently discharged from a hospital in Bishkek and was interviewed by AKIpress, a news agency based in the Kyrgyz capital.

Azerbaijan alleges the Embraer 190 plane diverted from a planned landing in Grozny, Chechnya to Aktau, Kazakhstan after being accidentally hit by Russian ground fire, and Kazakh authorities have said preliminary results of an investigation are expected this month. Most of the 67 people on board, including five crewmembers, were from Azerbaijan, and the second-largest group was from Russia. Six Kazakh citizens died. All three Kyrgyz nationals on the plane survived.

Asanov, who was in a coma for three days in a Kazakh hospital before being transferred to intensive care in Kyrgyzstan, described a “good mood” as the flight got underway that morning. He promptly fell asleep on the plane.

“Suddenly, a loud sound was heard, similar to an explosion,” he told AKIpress. “I woke up in panic and everyone was crying.”

Seconds later, another explosion.

“I was confused and didn’t understand what was happening. The flight attendants tried to calm down us saying: “Don’t panic, everything will be fine, we will land safely.”´

Then came the warning about the emergency landing.

“It’s difficult to imagine how one should feel at such moments,” Asanov said in the interview, which was published on Tuesday.

“First I believed that we could land with no consequences. It was very scary, I felt my vision darken. Later I realized I had lost consciousness. I was sitting in the middle of the cabin, near the wing. As I was later told, passengers in this area and in the tail section of the plane were less injured. However, many in the front part of the plane were severely affected.”

Other passengers have given similar accounts of events leading to the crash, and small holes in part of the fuselage appear to support the theory that the plane was sprayed with shrapnel. Edil Baisalov, Kyrgyzstan’s deputy Cabinet chairman, visited the Kyrgyz survivors while they were being treated at the National Hospital in Bishkek. He said the country is “incredibly lucky” that they survived and he thanked Kazakhstan for rescue and treatment efforts, according to 24.kg, a Kyrgyz news agency. The two other Kyrgyz survivors were less severely injured than Asanov and were discharged from hospital care before him.

Asanov, an IT student at the International University of Kyrgyzstan, previously worked for two years as a surveyor on construction sites in Russia. He is in his 20s. Since the accident, he has found strength in his religious faith and a feeling that he has a second chance at life, according to AKIpress.

“Now I am gradually recovering, but rehabilitation is still ahead,” he said.

14 Jan 2025

Central Asia, healthcare, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan Expands Invataxi Services with Taxi Aggregator Partnership

January 14, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

Kazakhstan is expanding its efforts to provide accessible transportation for people with disabilities through the Invataxi project, which offers specially adapted minivans for travelers with mobility challenges. In a significant step forward, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population has partnered with a taxi aggregator to enhance and streamline the service, making it more accessible and efficient.

As part of a pilot project launched in 2024, people with disabilities in Astana and Almaty used Invataxi services via the Yandex Go mobile application more than 207,000 times. This marks a dramatic increase compared to 2023 when the service was used 53,900 times. The pilot project introduced the use of passenger cars alongside the adapted minivans, significantly broadening the availability of transportation options.

Previously, users had to book Invataxi rides by phone at least a day in advance. Now, thanks to Yandex’s integration, users can request rides instantly via the mobile app, making the process faster and more convenient. A critical aspect of the pilot was that Yandex waived any commission on payments for these rides, ensuring affordability for passengers.

The Yandex Go application includes a special feature that allows passengers with disabilities to notify drivers of any specific requests for the trip. Additionally, drivers have been trained to assist passengers with disabilities in entering and exiting the vehicle, further enhancing the service’s accessibility.

The pilot project initially operated in Astana and Almaty but will now be expanded to other regions across the country in 2025, as part of the government’s plan to replicate its success nationwide.

In parallel with the Invataxi project, Kazakhstan is also investing in other accessible transportation initiatives, including the expansion of its fleet of Invacarriages specially adapted train carriages designed to accommodate people with disabilities. These efforts underscore the country’s commitment to improving mobility and inclusivity for all its citizens.

14 Jan 2025

Home, Tajikistan International Affairs, International Affairs, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Tajikistan Features, Features, Kyrgyzstan Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

New U.S. Anti-Russian Sanctions Could Spell Trouble for Central Asian Economies

February 3, 2025
By Andrei Matveev

On January 10, 2025, the U.S. Treasury Department announced a new package of sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector. The measures, which affect a wide range of organizations and individuals, are set to take effect on February 27. While ostensibly aimed at undermining Russia’s economic interests amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the sanctions are likely to have significant repercussions for Central Asian countries given their close economic ties with Russian energy giants.

The sanctions package, viewed by some analysts as a final move by the outgoing Biden administration, could become a potent tool for the incoming administration to exert influence over Russian interests in Central Asia.

Sanctions on Gazpromneft Subsidiaries

The new sanctions include restrictions on Gazpromneft’s subsidiaries operating in Central Asia. Affected entities include Gazpromneft Tajikistan, Gazpromneft Kazakhstan, Gazpromneft Asia (Kyrgyzstan), and Munai Myrza (Kyrgyzstan).

According to the U.S. Treasury Department, Gazpromneft and its regional subsidiaries are considered critical sources of revenue that support Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine. In response, Gazpromneft characterized the sanctions as “unfounded, illegitimate and contrary to the principles of free competition.”

The impact of these sanctions, however, could prove severe for the economies of Central Asia, where Gazpromneft plays a key role in the energy sector. Gazpromneft Asia, for example, is a major supplier of petroleum products in Kyrgyzstan, making it a critical player in the domestic market. Sanctions on the company could disrupt fuel supplies and drive up energy prices in the country.

Gazpromneft Kazakhstan LLP, based in Almaty, operates a network of Gazpromneft-branded gas stations in Kazakhstan. While disruptions to fuel supplies in this network might not critically affect Kazakhstan’s economy – the largest in Central Asia – the sanctions carry broader implications.

Threats to Joint Projects

Beyond direct sanctions on companies, several executives of Russian oil firms actively operating in Kazakhstan have been added to the U.S. sanctions list. Key figures include Vadim Vorobyev, President of Lukoil PJSC and a member of Kazakhstan’s Foreign Investors Council. Lukoil is a strategic partner of KazMunaiGas (KMG) in production and exploration projects; Nail Maganov, CEO of Tatneft, which collaborates with KMG on projects such as Karaton Podsolovaya, Butadiene, and the Saran Tire Plant; Alexander Dyukov, the Chairman of Gazpromneft, and Sergei Kudryashov, CEO of Zarubezhneft, which has signed letters of intent for joint projects with KMG.

These sanctions could complicate existing partnerships and delay key projects, undermining Kazakhstan’s energy sector and its broader economic growth.

Sanctions on Rosatom and Nuclear Energy

Another significant element of the sanctions package is the inclusion of Rosatom executives on the U.S. sanctions list. This development poses challenges to Kazakhstan’s plans to establish an international consortium – including representatives from France, South Korea, China, and Russia – to build a nuclear power plant.

With Rosatom facing restrictions, the consortium is now likely to exclude Russia, potentially straining relations between Astana and Moscow. A global leader in nuclear energy, Rosatom was expected to play a central role in the project. Kazakhstan may now explore alternative arrangements, balancing its energy ambitions with the risk of alienating a key partner.

Exceptions and Strategic Implications

Interestingly, the U.S. sanctions package includes an exemption that allows American companies to provide oilfield services for the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) and Tengizchevroil LLP until June 28, 2025. Chevron, the largest private shareholder in both projects, has significant stakes in Kazakhstan’s Tengiz oil field, which accounts for approximately 20% of the company’s global reserves.

The CPC pipeline, which transports oil from Tengiz to Russia’s Novorossiysk port on the Black Sea, is similarly crucial for Chevron’s operations. The exemption ensures continuity for these projects, at least temporarily.

Observers, including the Kazakh oil and gas industry journalist Oleg Chervinsky, have speculated about how the incoming U.S. administration under Donald Trump will approach these exemptions after June 28. Writing on the Telegram channel “Oil and Gas of Kazakhstan: Facts and Comments,” Chervinsky suggests that the outgoing Biden administration’s sanctions may limit Trump’s ability to implement new strategies. Conversely, the sanctions could also provide the new administration with powerful leverage to pressure Central Asian states to distance themselves from Russia’s economic and energy sphere.

Complex Dynamics

The latest round of U.S. sanctions against Russia underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics in Central Asia. By targeting Russian energy firms and executives, the measures not only escalate the economic pressure on Moscow but also expose Central Asian countries to potential economic disruptions. As these nations navigate the fallout, they will need to carefully balance their ties with Russia, their energy needs, and their relationships with Western powers.

14 Jan 2025

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

Cat Houses Installed at Tashkent Airport

March 13, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Tashkent International Airport has introduced a heartwarming initiative by installing cat houses in the green space between the departure hall and the main terminal. Designed by students from the Tashkent University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, the structures provide a safe and comfortable habitat for the airport’s feline residents.

According to the press service of Uzbekistan Airports, cats have long been part of the airport’s ecosystem. “Cats are natural inhabitants of the urban environment and play a vital ecological role. Apart from their aesthetic charm, they are skilled hunters, helping control populations of mice and rats,” the service said. The idea to construct cat houses had been under consideration for years but was delayed due to ongoing construction at the airport. With the involvement of the Mushukkent project and university students, the houses were finally completed and installed in locations safe for both the animals and airport operations.

Materials used in building the cat houses are durable, resistant to decay, non-combustible, and environmentally friendly. The houses are equipped with heating systems for winter and ventilation for summer, ensuring the cats’ comfort year-round.

Image: Uzbekistan Airports Telegram

“For Uzbekistan Airports, this is more than just an ecological project – it’s a social initiative that reflects the company’s commitment to animal welfare. It symbolizes Uzbekistan’s hospitality, beginning right at the airport, and highlights the city’s humane values,” the company added.

The Mushukkent project, launched in 2019, is supported by various government agencies, the National Guard of Uzbekistan, and non-governmental organizations. Its goals include fostering kindness towards animals, establishing shelters, controlling the stray cat population, and increasing penalties for animal cruelty.

This initiative is not unique to Uzbekistan. Two years ago, animal rights activists in Almaty, Kazakhstan, installed wooden shelters for street cats. These huts, raised above the ground, feature a roof, ladder, and feeder, providing a safe and comfortable place for up to nine cats to sleep, eat, and stay protected from the elements.