Page 605 – The Times Of Central Asia

12 Aug 2024

Central Asia, Tajikistan Life & Culture, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan International Affairs, Turkmenistan Life & Culture, Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture, Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan International Affairs, Life & Culture, Tajikistan, International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Uzbekistan Life & Culture, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Kazakhstan’s Silk Way TV May Become Unified Central Asian Channel

October 8, 2024
By Vagit Ismailov

Central Asia is considering creating a unified television channel and a regional media platform, which would help to strengthen information security and cultural exchange in the region.

The idea was discussed at a meeting of representatives of Central Asian media in Astana.

The project was proposed to be an extension of Kazakhstan’s Silk Way TV channel. According to Kanat Iskakov, Kazakhstan’s deputy minister for culture, Silk Way already broadcasts in more than 120 countries and in six languages.

“At present, the people of our countries are not quite aware of the achievements of neighboring countries. There is a certain lack of information. And in this regard, to fill this gap, we have gathered our colleagues. We have several TV channels that broadcast in Central Asian countries. And we believe that to have a better promotion, these countries can give their content, which we will show not only in the countries of Central Asia but also on international television,” Iskakov said.

12 Aug 2024

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Uzbekistan to Supply Extra Water to Kazakhstan for Irrigation

August 12, 2024
By Sadokat Jalolova

Kazinform has reported that following a meeting in Astana between Kazakh Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Nurzhan Nurjigitov, and Uzbek Minister of Water Management Shavkat Hamroev, Uzbekistan is to provide Kazakhstan with an additional 500 million cubic meters of water until the end of the irrigation season.

Since April 1, Uzbekistan has supplied more than 4 billion cubic meters of water to Kazakhstan through the Syr Darya. It had been previously agreed that Uzbekistan would provide Kazakhstan with 3.7 billion cubic meters of water within six months but the Uzbek side fulfilled its obligation in just 4 months.

The report states that the key goal was to fully satisfy the demand for irrigation water from farmers of Kazakhstan’s southern regions and today, the Shardara Reservoir holds 1.5 billion cubic meters of water, almost 500 million more than last year. A total of 4 billion cubic meters of water entered the Shardara reservoir.

Commenting on the success of the project, the official representative of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan, Moldir Abdualieva stated, “Due to the preliminary agreement with our neighbors on the working order of the Toktogul and Bahri-Tajik reservoirs, water regularly flows to the Kazakh part of the Dostlik interstate canal. Now, 90 cubic meters of water per second comes to the country through this channel. This is enough to fully supply the farmers of the Turkestan region with irrigation water,”

12 Aug 2024

Central Asia, Tajikistan International Affairs, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan Business Economy, Tajikistan, International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy, Uzbekistan International Affairs

SCO Opens Foreign Exchange Alliance for Yuan, Tenge, and Ruble

August 12, 2024
By Vagit Ismailov

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has instigated an Alliance of Currency Transactions to increase the share of settlements in national currencies—the Kazakh tenge, the Russian ruble, and the Chinese yuan—in mutual trade between SCO member states.

The main goal of the initiative, launched in Qingdao based on the Demonstration Zone of Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation within the framework of the SCO Capital Park, is to reduce dependence on the US dollar and the euro in international settlements and in turn, strengthen the economic independence of the organization’s member countries and increase the stability of their financial systems.

In addition, the Alliance will help simplify currency transactions, accelerate cross-border payments, and create a more transparent and efficient financial infrastructure between the SCO member countries.

The initiative reflects the general move towards strengthening economic cooperation within the organization, including China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus.

As previously reported, the SCO states are increasing the use of national currencies in mutual settlements. The creation of the Alliance was a step in the development of regional financial integration, and its launch underscores the growing interest of SCO countries in using their currencies in foreign economic activity.

12 Aug 2024

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

EBRD Supports Kazakhstan’s Critical Raw Materials Sector

October 8, 2024
By Sergey Kwan

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is making its first direct equity investment in the graphite and critical raw materials sector in Central Asia by acquiring a stake in Sarytogan Graphite Limited, an Australian Securities Exchange-listed company involved in the exploration of the Sarytogan graphite deposit in the Karaganda region of central Kazakhstan.

The EBRD’s investment of AUD 5 million (€3 million), representing a 17.36% shareholding in the company, and will finance Sarytogan Graphite’s development program, including preparing a feasibility study and meeting its working capital needs.

According to the EU’s critical raw materials (CRM) classification, graphite is a CRM mineral with a wide range of applications. It is used for producing electric vehicle batteries, the electric power industry, and metallurgy. The Sarytogan graphite deposit is one of the largest known graphite deposits in the world, with the potential to become one of the main suppliers of natural graphite in the region and beyond.

The project aligns with the EU-Kazakhstan strategic partnership on raw materials, batteries, and renewable hydrogen.

According to the country’s Ministry of Industry and Construction, Kazakhstan produces 19 of the 34 critical raw materials listed by the European Union. Kazakhstani manufacturers currently supply the European market with metal and chemical products, including beryllium, tantalum, titanium, phosphorus, and ammonium metavanadate.

Kazakhstan is among the world’s ten largest copper producers. It has the potential to produce battery raw materials such as nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium, which are essential for producing electric vehicles.

12 Aug 2024

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Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Test Facilities Prior to Launch of CASA-1000

August 12, 2024
By Sergey Kwan

On August 9, Ministers of Energy of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan agreed to a plan to test overhead lines, transformers, and substations prior to launching the Central Asia-South Asia (CASA-1000) electricity transmission project, scheduled for completion by the end of 2024.

The construction of a 500 kV transmission line with a length of 456 kilometers is now nearing completion in Kyrgyzstan. All of the supports have been installed and 428 km of the 456 km of the transmission line have been strung. The remaining section will be finished before the end of August 2024.

The CASA-1000 project aims to connect the energy systems Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan with those of Afghanistan and Pakistan and through the new infrastructure, transport 1,300 megawatts of surplus electricity from Central Asia to high-demand electricity markets in South Asia.

With spring and summer rainfall and significant water flow from the mountains, hydropower-rich Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan produce surplus electricity during the summer. At the same time, neighboring South Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan experience chronic electricity shortages, especially during the summer months.

By connecting the four countries through a shared electricity transmission system, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan can sell clean hydropower-produced surplus electricity in the summer months to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

12 Aug 2024

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

Central Asian Countries and Japan Hold Business Forum

August 12, 2024
By Sergey Kwan

Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, hosted a business forum on August 9 as part of the “Central Asia + Japan” dialogue.

The forum, which brought together more than 450 representatives from Central Asian countries and Japan, focused on strengthening economic ties and expanding cooperation in digitalization, transport and logistics, agriculture, and heavy industry.

At the forum, over 30 bilateral documents were signed between companies and organizations from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Japan on joint projects in infrastructure, science, technology, and other key areas.

Documents signed between Kazakhstan and Japan include, among others, an agreement between the JSC Development Bank of Kazakhstan and Japan Bank for International Cooperation to finance joint projects in sectors such as energy (including alternative energy), infrastructure (including transportation), machine engineering, and the food industry. The Japanese bank is ready to invest $200 million.

The company Kazakh Invest and Japanese company Fitech agreed to cooperate to produce fire-resistant materials in Kazakhstan and export the goods produced to other countries.

JSC KazIOR and FUJIFILM signed a memorandum of understanding to develop modern mobile medical complexes for radiology, mammography, and endoscopy.

LLP Kazakhmys Corporation, LLP Eurasian Machinery, and Hitachi Construction Machinery signed a memorandum of cooperation to develop a new mining project.

Speaking at the business forum, Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov focused on the interaction of Central Asia and Japan in the transfer of advanced technologies and manufacture of products with high added value, noting the possibility of creating joint innovation clusters, technology parks, and incubators.

Bektenov also urged the expansion of partnerships in developing rare earth metal deposits and implementing joint projects in the transport and logistics industry, emphasizing that Central Asia’s transit potential opens up great opportunities for Japanese exports and imports.