Page 558 – The Times Of Central Asia

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, Features, Uzbekistan Life & Culture

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, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, 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.

20 Jan 2025

Home, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture

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

January 20, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

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.

20 Jan 2025

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EBRD Invests Record €2.26 Billion in Central Asia in 2024

February 26, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

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.