Page 451 – The Times Of Central Asia

20 Dec 2024

Central Asia, Turkmenistan Life & Culture, Turkmenistan

Belgian Rapper Performs Song Inspired by Turkmen Poet Makhtumkuli Fraghi

December 20, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Belgian rap artist Tony has unveiled a new musical composition inspired by the poem Love Your People by the Turkmen poet Makhtumkuli Fraghi. The pop-rap song, performed in English, emphasizes themes of love and respect for one’s people, the protection of honor and dignity, and the preservation of traditions and moral values.

The project was supported by the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Belgium, marking a continuation of Tony’s collaboration with the Turkmen diplomatic mission. Previously the artist released the track Turkmenistan Dreams, which celebrated the richness and beauty of Turkmen culture. The song’s video, filmed at the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Brussels, received a warm reception. The lyrics for Turkmenistan Dreams were penned by diplomat Maral Rakhimova and highlighted the enduring spiritual legacy of Makhtumkuli Fraghi for the Turkmen people.

19 Dec 2024

Home, Justice, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Features, Uzbekistan Justice, Features

Uzbek Suspect Charged in Moscow Assassination; Putin and Mirziyoyev Talk

December 21, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan spoke by telephone about joint security efforts, while an Uzbek man who had allegedly acted on behalf of Ukraine was charged in Moscow with the assassination of a top Russian military officer.

Uzbekistan’s embassy in Russia said on Wednesday that it was in contact with Russian law enforcement and was “clarifying the information” about the suspect.

“The importance of continuing close and effective cooperation between the special services of the two countries in order to strengthen the fight against security threats and dangers was noted,” Mirziyoyev’s office said in a statement about the call on Thursday.

A Kremlin statement also noted the agreement to continue security collaboration, adding that Mirziyoyev expressed condolences over the assassination of Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, head of the Russian military’s Chemical, Radiation and Biological Defence Troops, and his aide Ilya Polikarpov.

“The Uzbekistani side emphatically condemns this vile terrorist act,” the Kremlin said.

Kirillov was killed by a bomb that was planted on an electric scooter outside a residential building in Moscow on Tuesday, according to Russian authorities. On Thursday, a Moscow court charged Uzbek suspect Akhmadzhon Kurbonov with the killing and ruled that he will be held in custody until at least Feb. 17, the state-run Tass news agency reported.

A video released by Russian officials shows the purported confession of the suspect, who was allegedly promised $100,000 by Ukraine and residence in a European Union country as a reward. The conditions surrounding the alleged confession are unclear.

Several Western media outlets have quoted unidentified Ukrainian security sources as saying Ukraine was responsible for killing Kirillov.

Ukraine had blamed Kirillov for the alleged use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine. Russia denies the use of such weapons.

19 Dec 2024

Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics, Features, Kyrgyzstan Features

Tax Troubles Trigger Shake-Up: Kyrgyzstan Names New Prime Minister

December 20, 2024
By Anton Chipegin

In Kyrgyzstan, Adylbek Kasymaliev, the head of the Cabinet of Ministers, has replaced Akylbek Japarov and became the new Prime Minister of the country. The departure of the previous head came as a surprise to most citizens. However, the president of the Kyrgyz Republic explained that the dismissal was due to unfavorable developments in the sphere of taxes.

New Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev was born on December 1, 1960, in the village of Dolon, in the Tyup district of the Issyk-Kul region. Over his long career, he has held the positions of Minister of Finance of Kyrgyzstan, Chairman of the State Tax Service, and Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration.

According to the Kyrgyz president, Kasymaliev’s predecessor, Akylbek Japarov, who served for more than three years in the government, made a number of mistakes in the area of taxes.

“His departure from office, I think, should not be politicized,” stated President Sadyr Japarov. “Unfavorable events in the tax sphere, which provides the funds for the budget, have impacted this decision. There have also been machinations with excise duties. This sphere was under Akylbek Usenbekovich’s personal control, and he could have taken earlier measures to stop illegal activity. Because of illegal manifestations in this area, as well as an investigation into the leadership of the tax service, there is a need to eliminate a conflict of interests. Thus, I decided to remove him from his post,” the president told Parliament.

Earlier, the State Tax Service of Kyrgyzstan underwent massive inspections, resulting in a number of high-ranking officials losing their posts, including the head of the State Tax Service and some of his deputies.

Kyrgyz analyst Nasirdin Shamshiev told Times of Central Asia that the departure was unexpected, as Akylbek Japarov had established himself as a strong and progressive economist. “Akylbek Japarov has done a lot to increase tax collections and bring business out of the shadows. Today’s appointments in the government speak of the previous course of the Cabinet of Ministers,” Shamshiev said.

In addition, Bakyt Sydykov has been officially appointed as Kyrgyzstan’s new Minister of Economy. Previously, Sydykov worked on attracting investments and coordinating donor aid to the country.

“Sydykov’s appointment was likely a preliminary measure,” Shamshiev also told TCA. “He has performed well in his previous posts, but we have yet to assess his work, because the Ministry of Economy is not only about investment, it has to deal with a very wide range of issues. These include taxes, as well as standardization and customs policy. There are also many unresolved problems related to the Eurasian Economic Union. There is still a lot of work to be done on all of this.”

Personnel rotations in the government of Kyrgyzstan are associated with a revitalization of the system of government management, Edil Baisalov, deputy chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, wrote on his Facebook page. According to Baisalov, the president’s decision is dictated by the desire to give new momentum to the country’s growth. Baisalov also noted that Akylbek Japarov “continues to be the closest associate of the head of state.”

Some experts believe that Akylbek Japarov, known for his ambition, was temporarily removed from power to let the tax service scandal unfold without directly implicating him. They predict that once the controversy has passed, the former prime minister will likely reenter mainstream politics.

19 Dec 2024

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

Uzbekistan Proposes 5-Day Paid Paternity Leave

December 19, 2024
By Sadokat Jalolova

Uzbekistan is taking steps to introduce new labor standards that support fathers and advance gender equality. A draft law submitted to parliament proposes granting men five days of paid leave within a month after the birth of their child.

Deputy Nodir Tilavoldiyev stated that the proposal aligns with the country’s ongoing gender reforms. Currently, Uzbekistan’s labor laws do not include provisions for paternity leave, leaving many men to balance work and family responsibilities or rely on unpaid leave during this period.

The draft law also seeks to enhance workplace protections by addressing discrimination, harassment, and violence. Employers would be empowered to transfer or dismiss employees found guilty of violence or abuse against colleagues.

Additionally, the legislation focuses on supporting victims of domestic violence. It proposes including them in the list of socially vulnerable groups eligible for state-guaranteed employment assistance. These measures aim to foster a safer and more inclusive working environment for all.

In neighboring Kazakhstan, fathers can already request unpaid leave upon the birth of a child, with some financial support provided through social payments.

19 Dec 2024

Home, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Afghanistan Extends Electricity Import Agreement with Uzbekistan Until 2025

December 19, 2024
By Sadokat Jalolova

Afghanistan’s state-owned power company, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), has extended its electricity import agreement with Uzbekistan through the end of 2025. The agreement was signed in Uzbekistan by Abdul Bari Umar, the Taliban’s acting head of DABS, and representatives from the National Electricity Company of Uzbekistan.

This extension is vital for Afghanistan, where unreliable electricity continues to affect millions of people. According to the Ministry of Energy and Water under Taliban control, the country requires 1,500 megawatts of electricity. Of this, approximately 720 megawatts are imported, while the remainder is generated domestically.

Afghanistan remains heavily reliant on neighboring countries for power due to its limited domestic production capacity. Residents of Kabul and other regions frequently endure prolonged outages, fueling public frustration over the lack of a consistent power supply.

In recent months, DABS reported disruptions in electricity imports from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, leaving many areas without power. The outages were attributed to technical issues on the Uzbek side and storm-related problems in Turkmenistan. Both issues have since been resolved, and electricity transmission to Afghanistan has been restored.

The extended agreement with Uzbekistan represents a critical step in addressing Afghanistan’s energy needs, though long-term solutions to bolster domestic electricity production remain essential.

19 Dec 2024

Home, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

China to Build Wheat Processing Plant in Kazakhstan’s Akmola Region

December 19, 2024
By Sergey Kwan

China’s Dalian Hesheng Holdings Group Co., Ltd. plans to establish a vertically integrated industrial park for the deep processing of wheat in Kazakhstan’s Akmola region. The project was discussed on December 18 during a meeting between Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and a delegation from the Chinese company.

Investments in the project will total $500-$800 million for the initial phase, with an additional $1 billion planned for the second and third phases. The plant will process 1 million tons of wheat annually during the first phase, with capacity increasing to 3 million tons per year in subsequent phases. The initiative is expected to create approximately 2,000 jobs. Construction is set to begin in the second quarter of 2025.

The project will also include the construction of a coal-fired thermal power plant and a coal chemical complex capable of producing 150,000–400,000 tons of liquid ammonia annually.

Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov underscored the importance of enhancing wheat processing and expanding the production of high-value-added products. He directed government agencies to expedite the signing of an investment agreement with Dalian Hesheng Holdings.

Kazakhstan has significant potential in deep grain processing, harvesting 16-17 million tons of grain annually. More than 260 different high-value-added products, such as bioethanol, gluten, and animal feed, can be derived from processed grain.

The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Chinese company Myande Group signed a memorandum of cooperation in July for the construction of a wheat processing plant in Kostanay. That facility will produce amino acids, bioethanol, gluten, animal feed, and wheat bran, further bolstering Kazakhstan’s grain processing sector.