Page 600 – The Times Of Central Asia

21 Aug 2024

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, International Affairs, Business & Economy, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Uzbekistan International Affairs

New Container Transport Route Connects India and Uzbekistan

August 21, 2024
By Sadokat Jalolova

JSC “Uztemiryulkonteyner” reports on its Telegram channel that container transportation had been launched on a new multimodal route connecting India and Uzbekistan.

It was reported that transportation from the Indian ports of Mundra, Nhava Sheva, and Chennai to Uzbekistan was successfully organized using a new multimodal route. The cargo was delivered by sea from India to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas and then by rail to the Sergeli station in Uzbekistan.

The containers are first transported from the Bandar Abbas port to the Sarakhs station on Iranian platforms, reloaded onto JSC “Uzbekistan Railways” platforms, and sent to Uzbekistan via Turkmenistan.

According to JSC “Uztemiryulkonteyner”, a freight train consisting of 20 20-foot containers took 20 days to cover the distance. The total length of the railway is 2673 km. In the future, the transportation period is planned to be reduced to 15 days.

21 Aug 2024

Central Asia, International Affairs, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan Bans Wheat Import to Protect Domestic Market

August 21, 2024
By Sergey Kwan

The Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture announced on August 20 a ban on importing wheat to Kazakhstan. This applies to all countries, including fellow members of the Eurasian Economic Union (Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia).

The ban applies from August 21 to December 31, 2024, and does not apply to the transit of wheat through Kazakhstan’s territory.

The ministry explained that the move was necessary to protect the domestic market. In the first half of this year, Kazakhstan imported 1.3 million tons of wheat, which is almost equal to the import volume for the entire 2023. The country’s domestic market has sufficient wheat left over from last year’s harvest.

As of 1 July 2024, Kazakhstan had wheat reserves of 5.1 million tons, including 4 million tons for food.

Due to favorable weather conditions during this year’s growing season, the ministry expects a good grain harvest, which would create an excess supply on the domestic grain market, considering the carryover stocks.

Kazakhstan’s total area under grain crops this year is 16.7 million hectares. Regarding wheat production, Kazakhstan is in 14th place in the world, with a production volume of more than 12 million tons per year.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Kazakhstan’s wheat production in 2023 stood at 12.1 million tons. Wheat exports in the 2023/24 marketing year (July/June) were estimated at 9 million tons.

21 Aug 2024

Central Asia, Tajikistan International Affairs, Tajikistan Business Economy, Tajikistan, International Affairs, Business & Economy

Russia Remains Tajikistan’s Largest Trade Partner

August 21, 2024
By Sadokat Jalolova

Russian news agency TASS is reporting that, according to the Statistics Agency under the President of Tajikistan, trade between Tajikistan and Russia has exceeded $1.1 billion in 2024 so far.

During the first seven months of 2024, the trade volume between the two countries was 12.1% more than in the same period of 2023.

Russia continues to be Tajikistan’s largest trade partner, and also accounted for 26.7% of all imports entering the country during this period.

In terms of bilateral trade, China remains in second place, with turnover to and from Tajikistan of almost $1 billion.

Rather surprisingly, Switzerland has now became Tajikistan’s leading export partner. In the first seven months of 2024, Tajikistan sent 26.6% of its products to Switzerland. In January-July of this year, the trade volume between the two countries amounted to more than $641 million, and compared to the same period in 2023, it increased almost 110 times.

21 Aug 2024

healthcare, Turkmenistan Justice, Justice, Turkmenistan Life & Culture, Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan Local Politics, Local Politics

Doctors in Turkmenistan Ordered Not To Perform Abortions

August 21, 2024
By Vagit Ismailov

Turkmenistan has imposed severe restrictions on conducting abortions, effectively banning them. In recent weeks, government officials have been visiting hospitals and clinics, and warning doctors that they will be stripped of their diplomas if they do.

According to Radio Azatlyk, sources from different regions of the country say that doctors have been forced to refuse women seeking abortions, even though the law allows it within the first five weeks of pregnancy.

The authorities have not commented on the reasons for yet another tightening of measures to prevent abortions. However, according to several doctors in Ashgabat, it may be due to a sharp increase in teenage pregnancies. At the same time, doctors note that many young girls, unable to have a legal abortion, resort to dangerous methods of terminating pregnancy, resulting in serious risks to their health.

Despite the bans, there are still doctors who continue to perform abortions clandestinely. The cost of such services has increased significantly, and varies depending on the term of the pregnancy.

21 Aug 2024

Central Asia, International Affairs, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan to Construct Seven New Offshore Vessels

August 21, 2024
By Vagit Ismailov

Kazakhstan plans to expand its maritime fleet by building seven new vessels on the Caspian Sea. These vessels will be three tankers, two ferries, and two container ships.

The construction of the vessels is part of a broader strategy to develop Kazakhstan’s transportation and logistics infrastructure, which will strengthen its position on the Caspian Sea. Today, Kazakhstan’s merchant fleet consists of 17 vessels: 10 tankers, four dry bulk carriers, and three container ships.

In December 2023, KazMunayGas and Abu Dhabi Ports Group signed an agreement to establish a ship repair and shipbuilding yard in Kazakhstan. This project will provide the necessary base for the repair and construction of new vessels, which will increase the competitiveness of Kazakhstan’s fleet on a global level.

In addition, Kazakhstan continues to strengthen its ties with Azerbaijan. Tankers have already been purchased to transport oil from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan for subsequent shipment via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline. This cooperation will diversify export routes and ensure the stability of supplies.

Turkey has become another significant partner of Kazakhstan in shipbuilding. Under an agreement with Turkish companies, new vessels will be built, providing the country with additional opportunities to develop trade relations in the region. This project will also reduce Kazakhstan’s dependence on Russia in shipbuilding, and strengthen its position in the Caspian Sea.

21 Aug 2024

Central Asia, Uzbekistan Environment, Environment, Uzbekistan, Local Politics, Business & Economy, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Uzbekistan Local Politics

Free Solar Panels for Uzbekistan’s Low Income Households

October 8, 2024
By Vagit Ismailov

Uzbekistan has launched a program to install solar panels in the homes of low-income families in the Tashkent Oblast.

The key aim of the initiative, implemented with the participation of ACWA Power, an enterprise engaged in regional energy projects, is to reduce electricity costs for vulnerable sectors of the population.

Under the plan, some 20,000 low-income households, especially those with air conditioning, will receive free photovoltaic panels with a 1.5 to 2 kW capacity, to reduce energy costs during the summer.

The project is part of the government’s broader strategy to transition to renewable energy. The country has already taken steps in this direction, including the construction of solar and wind farms, which in recent years, have enabled Uzbekistan to reduce its electricity imports from more than 4 billion kWh to less than 3 billion kWh and even begin to export electricity.

The initiative is also a continuation of the Solar Home Program which was introduced in 2023 to encourage the installation of solar panels in private households across the country.