Page 466 – The Times Of Central Asia

04 Dec 2024

World Bank Allocates $5 Million to Create Agro-Logistics Center in Tajikistan

December 4, 2024
By Vagit Ismailov

The World Bank has launched a project to establish an agro-logistics center in Tajikistan’s Sughd Special Economic Zone.

The initiative, which began in 2021, aims to strengthen Tajikistan’s agricultural sector by increasing farm productivity and adding value to agricultural products. The center will serve as a critical element of efforts to enhance agricultural infrastructure and efficiency.

The $5 million project, fully funded by the World Bank, is part of a broader six-year program titled “Enhancing the Sustainability of the Agricultural Sector,” running from June 2021 to June 2027. This program, with a total investment of $108 million, supports sustainable agricultural development through integrated activities. Construction of the Sughd Center is set to begin in 2025, with completion and commissioning expected by the end of 2026.

The Sughd facility is one of five agro-logistics centers planned across Tajikistan as part of the World Bank’s initiative. These centers aim to reduce product losses and improve efficiency by introducing international standards for post-harvest handling of fruits and vegetables. Services provided will include sorting, packing, storage, and transportation, enabling Tajik producers to access new export markets and strengthen the national economy.

04 Dec 2024

Central Asia, Environment, Kazakhstan Environment, Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan and World Bank Partner on Water Conservation at One Water Summit

December 4, 2024
By Sergey Kwan

A memorandum of understanding has been signed to enhance water resource management and environmental conditions, including in the North Aral Sea and its surrounding basin, between Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and the World Bank.
As climate change continues to significantly impact water resources in Central Asia, exacerbating water scarcity and management challenges, this agreement underscores a shared commitment to ensuring sustainable and equitable water resource management for future generations.

The memorandum was formalized following a meeting between Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and World Bank Group President Ajay Banga during the One Water Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on December 3.

Co-organized by French President Emmanuel Macron, Tokayev, and World Bank Group President Banga, in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, the summit sought to accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6 (clean water and sanitation) and discuss innovative solutions ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference.

During the summit, Tokayev stressed the importance of bolstering reservoir capacity, preserving glaciers, and adopting advanced irrigation systems to secure stable water access.

Tokayev proposed creating a global partnership to unite research centers focused on glacier preservation. “Glaciers are integral to the global water cycle, sustaining rivers and lakes that supply water to nearly two billion people worldwide. Collaborative research and unified policies are essential to mitigate glacier loss and support water management strategies in vulnerable regions,” he said.

He warned that water scarcity poses risks to food security, energy production, and industrial growth, adding that investments in water-efficient agriculture and renewable energy can enhance economic resilience while alleviating environmental pressures.

“Water knows no borders; it binds communities and ecosystems,” Tokayev remarked. As Chair of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, he emphasized Kazakhstan’s commitment to fostering regional cooperation and joint action.

“It is vital for countries at the forefront of combating climate change to strengthen dialogue, build international partnerships, and pool resources to implement water projects. Kazakhstan is proud to join the One Water Vision coalition, uniting stakeholders to address the global water crisis and promote integrated water resource management. As part of these efforts, with United Nations support, Kazakhstan will host a Regional Climate Conference in 2026,” Tokayev concluded.

03 Dec 2024

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Local Politics, Uzbekistan Local Politics

Animal Protection Activists’ Voice Concern Over Dog Meat Dishes in Uzbek Cafes

December 3, 2024
By Sergey Kwan

Uzbekistan’s animal protection society, Mehr va Oqibat, has raised concerns after receiving numerous complaints from locals and foreign visitors about cafes and restaurants in Uzbekistan offering dog meat dishes on their menus.

Controversial Supply and Health Concerns
According to Mehr va Oqibat, Uzbekistan lacks specialized farms for raising dogs for meat, unlike some other Asian countries. The organization suggests that state services responsible for capturing stray animals might be the primary suppliers of dog meat.

Activists argue that the purported medicinal benefits of dog meat remain scientifically unproven. Additionally, they warn that dog meat can transmit viruses during preparation and consumption, posing potential health risks.

Mehr va Oqibat has officially contacted Uzbekistan’s State Veterinary Committee and the Sanitary-Epidemiological Service to clarify whether dog meat consumption is permitted in Uzbekistan. The organization has also inquired as to whether cafes and restaurants have obtained official authorization to serve dog meat dishes.

Cultural and Historical Context
The consumption of dog meat in Uzbekistan, as well as in neighboring Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, is primarily linked to the Korean minorities residing in these countries. This practice is not widespread and is generally followed by small groups of ethnic Koreans and others, including Russians, Uzbeks, Kazakhs, and Kyrgyz, who consider it an “exotic” culinary choice.

Ethnic Koreans were forcibly deported to Central Asia from the Russian Far East in the late 1930s under Joseph Stalin’s regime. Uzbekistan is now home to the largest Korean minority in Central Asia. As of 2023, over 200,000 ethnic Koreans lived in the country, according to the Uzbek Embassy in South Korea, making it the fifth-largest Korean diaspora in the world after the United States, China, Japan, and Canada.

A Shift in Perspective
The issue of dog meat consumption has garnered increasing attention globally. In January 2024, South Korea’s National Assembly passed a law banning the production and sale of dog meat, with the ban set to take effect in 2027.

While dog meat consumption remains a niche practice in Uzbekistan, activists hope that raising awareness about ethical and health implications will encourage the authorities to address the issue comprehensively.

03 Dec 2024

Central Asia, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

300th Container Train Departs Along Trans-Caspian International Transport Route

December 3, 2024
By Sergey Kwan

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the national railway company of Kazakhstan, announced on December 2 the departure of the 300th container train of the year from the Kazakh-Chinese terminal in Xi’an, China, along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). This milestone highlights the growing strategic importance of the TITR, also known as the Middle Corridor, as a vital transport artery for fast and efficient cargo transportation between China and Europe.

Expansion of the Middle Corridor
The Kazakh-Chinese terminal in Xi’an, launched on February 28, 2024, has become a key logistics hub for the region, consolidating cargo from across China and streamlining logistics operations. This development has provided a significant boost to the TITR, which saw only 11 container trains traverse the route in 2023.

The 300th train, bound for Azerbaijan, was organized by KTZ in collaboration with ADY Express (Azerbaijan) and Xi’an Free Trade Port (China). This partnership underscores the cooperative efforts between countries along the route to enhance connectivity and efficiency.

Strengthening Regional Cooperation
On November 12, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and China signed an agreement to establish an inter-modal cargo terminal in the Port of Alat in Baku, Azerbaijan. This new facility aims to further facilitate the smooth flow of goods and boost trade along the TITR.

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport has outlined ambitious goals for the corridor, aiming to increase cargo traffic to 600 container trains per year in both 2025 and 2026. The target rises to 1,000 trains in 2027 and 2,000 by 2029, reflecting the corridor’s growing role in global trade logistics.

03 Dec 2024

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

British Citizen Becomes First Holder of Kazakhstan’s New Neo Nomad Visa

December 3, 2024
By Sergey Kwan

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports has announced that Sertac Yener, a British citizen, has become the first foreign national to receive the new Neo Nomad Visa. Kazakhstan introduced updated visa regulations on November 18, 2024, to attract business immigrants, skilled professionals, and tourists. Among the new offerings is the Digital Nomad Visa, which provides long-term residence options for IT specialists, and the Neo Nomad Visa, designed for “neo-nomads” with a verified monthly income of at least $3,000. Applicants for the Neo Nomad Visa are required to provide health insurance and a clean criminal record.

The first Neo Nomad Visa was issued at Kazakhstan’s embassy in the UAE.

Sertac Yener brings 30 years of experience in the energy sector, focusing on project development, financing, and corporate partnerships. In addition to his professional pursuits, Yener has a deep interest in Kazakhstan’s language, culture, natural landscapes, and gastronomy. His daughter completed studies in Kazakh language and Central Asian studies at the University of Chicago.

“Kazakhstan is an amazing country!” Yener said. “With the Neo Nomad Visa program, I have the opportunity to stay in this country for up to one year. The visa will allow me to work remotely in my company and get to know Kazakhstan, immersing myself in nature, a friendly atmosphere, cuisine, music, traditions, and language. Thanks to my daughter, I ‘ve been enjoying the melody and richness of the Kazakh language for some time now.”

03 Dec 2024

Central Asia, Tajikistan Justice, Justice, Tajikistan Local Politics, Tajikistan, Local Politics, Tajikistan Features

Tajik Lawyer Jailed After Exposing Alleged Corruption in Prosecutor’s Office

December 3, 2024
By Vagit Ismailov

In Tajikistan, 74-year-old lawyer Faizi Oli, also known as Faizali Yuldoshev, has been sentenced to 2.5 years in prison after raising allegations of corruption within the prosecutor’s office. The Sino District Court in Dushanbe delivered its verdict on November 29.
Oli was found guilty of “knowingly making a false denunciation” against employees of the prosecutor’s office. However, he asserts that he merely exercised his right to file complaints with anti-corruption bodies, the Security Council, and the presidential administration, detailing what he described as evidence of corruption.

A Controversial Case
According to Oli’s lawyer, his complaints should have prompted an investigation, not legal proceedings against him. The court considered his advanced age when issuing the sentence, which fell below the minimum term of five years prescribed under Article 346 of the Tajik Criminal Code. The prosecution had sought a six-year prison term.

Oli was arrested immediately after the verdict. Over the course of the five-month trial, he consistently maintained that the charges were baseless, and that filing complaints with the authorities is a legal right.

This is not the first time Oli has been involved in a high-profile case; he previously defended his colleague, Saidnuriddin Shamsiddinov, who was sentenced to 8.5 years in prison on similar charges of false denunciation. At that time, Oli stressed the right of citizens to address grievances directly to the president and the Prosecutor General’s Office, a principle he believes is now being criminalized.

Broader Context
International human rights organizations have frequently criticized Tajikistan for targeting lawyers and human rights defenders. Many prominent figures, including Buzurgmehr Yorov, are serving lengthy prison sentences under controversial circumstances.

Oli, known for his outspoken social media presence and comments on government operations, believes his activism may have influenced the court’s decision. He has announced plans to appeal the verdict after receiving the court’s written decision.

The Prosecutor General’s Office declined to comment on the case.