Page 571 – The Times Of Central Asia

07 Jan 2025

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How Orthodox Christmas Is Celebrated in Central Asia

January 8, 2026
By Andrei Matveev

Orthodox Christmas, observed on January 7, holds a significant place in Central Asia, even in predominantly Muslim countries such as Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. This article explores how the holiday is celebrated in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

Kazakhstan

Orthodox Christmas in Kazakhstan is a public holiday, alongside the Muslim celebration of Kurban-Ayt (Eid al-Adha). This recognition stems from the efforts of Kazakhstan’s first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, who proposed in 2005 during the XI session of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan to declare both holidays as non-working days.

Despite opposition from the Constitutional Court, which cited the country’s secular constitution, members of the parliamentary faction Asar, led by Nazarbayev’s daughter Dariga Nazarbayeva, and the presidential party Otan amended the Labor Code to accommodate these holidays. Since then, Orthodox Christmas and Kurban-Ayt have been official holidays.

Celebrations in major cities include festive liturgies. In Almaty, the Ascension Cathedral holds a service beginning at 11pm on January 6, followed by a midnight procession. In Astana, the Assumption Cathedral similarly hosts a midnight service. For those unable to attend, events from the Assumption Cathedral are live-streamed on the YouTube channel “Live Broadcasts of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan.”

Uzbekistan

Orthodox Christians comprise 4-5% of Uzbekistan’s population of over 37.5 million. Uzbekistan is part of the Tashkent and Uzbekistan Diocese under the Russian Orthodox Church.

The Cathedral of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Tashkent is the focal point of Christmas celebrations. Services begin at 11.30pm on January 6 and end at 3.30am. To ensure maximum participation, the cathedral holds five separate liturgies. Metropolitan Vikenty of the Tashkent and Uzbekistan Diocese explains, “Traditionally, the liturgy was held at night because the Nativity of Christ took place at night. But not everyone can attend a night service, so we perform several liturgies.”

Kyrgyzstan

Approximately 350,000 Orthodox Christians live in Kyrgyzstan, according to Bishop Daniel of Bishkek and Kyrgyzstan. The country is part of the Bishkek and Kyrgyzstan Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church.

January 7 is a public holiday in Kyrgyzstan, aligning with the extended New Year vacations, which last from January 1 to 7. Festive services are held at the Resurrection Cathedral and the Church of the Holy Prince Vladimir in Bishkek.

Tajikistan

In Tajikistan, the Orthodox Christian community numbers around 80,000, or 1.2% of the population, though regular church attendance is much smaller. The country is under the jurisdiction of the Dushanbe Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Christmas services are held at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Dushanbe, beginning at 11pm on January 6 and lasting about three hours. The diocese oversees six churches in Tajikistan, served by five priests.

Turkmenistan

As of 2019, Turkmenistan’s Orthodox Christian population is about 485,000, or 9% of the total population. All Orthodox parishes are under the Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church, established in 2007.

Services on Christmas Eve and January 6 are conducted in all 12 Orthodox churches in Turkmenistan, adhering strictly to church traditions. According to Archpriest John, dean of Orthodox parishes in Turkmenistan, Christianity has ancient roots in the region, with traditions tracing back to the Apostle Thomas.

Orthodox Christmas is celebrated with vibrant traditions across Central Asia, reflecting the diversity of the region. Though minority communities in most countries, Orthodox Christians continue to uphold their customs and integrate them into the cultural fabric of their societies.

06 Jan 2025

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Uzbekistan Introduces New Rules for E-Commerce Platforms

January 6, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

The Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan has issued a new decision titled “On Measures to Further Develop the E-Commerce Sector in Uzbekistan”, introducing updated regulations for e-commerce operators, including electronic trading platforms, order aggregators, and digital streaming service providers.

Under the new regulations, only legal entities registered as residents of Uzbekistan can operate as e-commerce providers. This includes platforms that facilitate electronic transactions, such as marketplaces, aggregators, and streaming services.

Entities or individual entrepreneurs that merely provide information about goods, services, or digital products without engaging in electronic contracts or transactions are not classified as e-commerce operators under these rules.

From July 1, 2025, e-commerce operators in Uzbekistan must adhere to the following conditions:

Legal Registration: Operators must be registered as legal entities in Uzbekistan.
Compliance with Laws: Operators are required to follow legislation related to e-commerce, personal data protection, copyright, consumer rights, and advertising.
Transparency: Upon request, they must provide information about their activities to authorized bodies free of charge.
Retail Trade Rules: Operators must comply with retail trade regulations.
Operational Standards: They must maintain an information system capable of ensuring the effective provision of services to e-commerce participants.

These new measures are part of Uzbekistan’s broader efforts to regulate and encourage growth in its rapidly expanding e-commerce sector.

Meanwhile, The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries is planning to enter the Tajikistan and Turkmenistan markets. Wildberries currently operates in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia, offering a wide range of products, including clothing, footwear, electronics, and home furnishings.

By setting clear rules for e-commerce operators, Uzbekistan aims to create a more structured and reliable digital marketplace, ensuring transparency, consumer protection, and compliance with international standards.

06 Jan 2025

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Kyrgyzstan Boosts Energy Capacity with Hydropower Plant Upgrade

January 6, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

On December 30, Kyrgyzstan marked a significant milestone by commissioning the modernized hydroelectric generating unit No. 4 at the Uch-Kurgan Hydropower Plant (HPP). This upgrade is a critical step in addressing the country’s chronic electricity shortages, particularly acute during the harsh winter months.

The modernization increased the generating capacity of unit No. 4 by 20%. The project, which began in March 2024, was implemented by the China National Electric Engineering Company (CNEEC).

Work on hydroelectric generating unit No. 3 is scheduled to begin in 2025. Upon completion of the overall modernization project, the operational lifespan of the Uch-Kurgan HPP will be extended by 25–30 years.

The Uch-Kurgan HPP, situated on the Naryn River near Shamaldy-Sai in the Jalal-Abad region, plays a vital role in Kyrgyzstan’s energy supply. Its reservoir has a total capacity of 52.5 million cubic meters. Before reconstruction, the plant’s total capacity stood at 180 MW, with four hydroelectric units producing 45 MW each. Operating since 1962, the plant had not undergone any major upgrades until now.

Kyrgyzstan is actively upgrading its hydropower infrastructure to enhance energy production. On November 19, 2024, the country launched the modernized hydroelectric generating unit No. 1 at the Toktogul HPP, its largest power facility. The upgrade increased the unit’s capacity by 60 MW, raising the Toktogul HPP’s total capacity to 1,260 MW from its previous 1,200 MW. The Toktogul HPP currently provides approximately 40% of Kyrgyzstan’s electricity.

In addition to modernization projects, Kyrgyzstan is constructing the flagship Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant, which will have a projected capacity of 1,860 MW and an average annual generation of 5.6 billion kilowatt-hours. Upon completion, Kambarata-1 will become the country’s largest hydropower plant and is expected to eliminate Kyrgyzstan’s electricity shortages.

These developments reflect the country’s commitment to expanding its energy capacity, ensuring sustainable power supplies, and meeting the growing demands of its population and industries.

06 Jan 2025

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Kyrgyzstan Strengthens Fight Against Corruption

January 8, 2025
By Anton Chipegin

Kyrgyzstan’s president, Sadyr Japarov, has signed a new law to intensify the fight against corruption by introducing tougher penalties for offenders and eliminating opportunities for them to avoid imprisonment.

Under the new legislation, individuals convicted of corruption will no longer be able to pay fines or compensate the state for damages in exchange for avoiding prison sentences. Instead, they will be required to serve a mandatory prison term – even if they confess to their crimes.

The new law amends Article 79 of Kyrgyzstan’s Criminal Code by adding Part 1/1. According to this amendment:

Offenders who plead guilty and fully compensate the material damage caused to the state for crimes listed under Articles 336-348 (corruption and other offenses against state and municipal interests) must receive a prison sentence.
The sentence will be no less than half the minimum term prescribed under the relevant criminal article.

Additionally, corrupt individuals will be permanently barred from holding state or municipal positions, regardless of whether their criminal record is later expunged.

This law signals Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to eradicating corruption within state structures. Authorities believe it will create the necessary mechanisms to deter corrupt activities and hold offenders accountable.

One of the country’s most high-profile corruption cases involved former customs officer and oligarch Raimbek Matraimov, nicknamed “Million.” As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Matraimov avoided imprisonment by paying over $200 million to the state, sparking public outrage over leniency in sentencing.

The new law addresses such loopholes, ensuring that financial restitution alone will no longer suffice to escape imprisonment.

This reform underscores Kyrgyzstan’s broader efforts to strengthen governance, restore public trust, and ensure accountability at all levels of government.

06 Jan 2025

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Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Fuel Plant Achieves Full Production Capacity

January 6, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

Kazakhstan’s national uranium company, Kazatomprom, announced on January 6 that its Kazakh-Chinese joint venture, Ulba-FA LLP, achieved its design capacity of producing 200 tons of low-enriched uranium in the form of fuel assemblies by the end of 2024.

Ulba-FA is the only fuel production facility for nuclear power plants in Central Asia. The joint venture is a collaboration between Kazatomprom, represented by its subsidiary Ulba Metallurgical Plant, and China General Nuclear Power Corporation.

Since commencing operations in November 2021, Ulba-FA has gradually ramped up production, reaching its design capacity within three years. The 200 tons of nuclear fuel produced in 2024 are sufficient to reload six nuclear reactors.

Supplying China’s Nuclear Power Plants

All fuel assemblies produced at the Ulba-FA plant are currently supplied to nuclear power plants in China, underscoring the strategic partnership between the two nations in the nuclear energy sector.

China and Russia remain the largest importers of Kazakh uranium. Between January and October 2023, Kazakhstan exported $2.46 billion worth of uranium, with $922.7 million directed to China and $1.2 billion to Russia.

Kazatomprom solidified its position as the world’s largest uranium producer in 2023, accounting for approximately 20% of global primary uranium production.

06 Jan 2025

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Kazakhstan’s New Harvest Grain Exports Surge by 54%

January 6, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

Between September and December 25, 2024, Kazakhstan exported 3.7 million tons of grain from its new harvest – a dramatic 54% increase compared to the same period in 2023, when 2.4 million tons were exported. The announcement was made by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture, citing data from Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the national railways company responsible for grain transportation.

Significant increases were reported across the traditional markets for Kazakh grain:

Uzbekistan: Exports grew by 44%, rising from 994,000 tons to 1.427 million tons.
Tajikistan: Exports increased by 53%, from 385,000 tons to 589,000 tons.
Afghanistan: Exports surged by 52%, from 120,000 tons to 182,000 tons.
Kyrgyzstan: Exports rose by 22%, from 59,000 tons to 72,000 tons.

Iran has emerged as a highly promising new market. Exports to Iran (via the Caspian port of Aktau) soared by a staggering 30.2 times, from just 14,000 tons to 435,000 tons.

Kazakhstan harvested over 26.5 million tons of grain from 16.7 million hectares in 2024, as previously reported by The Times of Central Asia. The country plans to export approximately 12 million tons of the new harvest to both traditional markets – Central Asia and Afghanistan – and new ones, including Iran, Pakistan, Indonesia, Brazil, and Malaysia.

China is also seen as a key growth market. In 2023, Kazakhstan exported 1.43 million tons of cereals to China – a 5.5-fold increase from the previous year.

Kazakhstan’s grain export surge underscores the country’s growing role as a major supplier to both regional and global markets, bolstered by strong demand and strategic diversification efforts.