Page 688 – The Times Of Central Asia

11 Jun 2024

UN Supports Uzbekistan and China’s Initiative on International Day of Dialogue Among Civilizations.

June 17, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The UN General Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution entitled “International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations,” which was drafted by the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Uzbekistan. The main goal of the resolution is to raise awareness of the value of civilizations’ diversity and promote dialogue, mutual respect, and global solidarity, states the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan

According to the resolution, June 10th will be declared the International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations. More than 80 countries co-sponsored the resolution, including all of the Central Asian states, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Russia. The resolution reflects the ideas proposed by the leadership of Uzbekistan at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in 2023 and the Samarkand SCO summit in 2022.

The document stresses the need to promote solidarity for common security and prosperity, strive for constructive cooperation, and mobilize the international community’s efforts to achieve peace and sustainable development. The resolution also highlights the contribution of all cultures and civilizations to enriching humanity and recognizes the importance of religious and cultural diversity. The document encourages tolerance, respect, dialogue, and cooperation among different cultures and civilizations.

11 Jun 2024

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

Islamic Development Bank Supports Rogun HPP Project in Tajikistan

July 22, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

News agency Khovar has reported on the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) support in the construction of the Rogun Hydropower Plant (HPP) in Tajikistan. Dr. Muhammad Suleiman Al-Jasser, President of the IDB Group, announced this after a meeting with Tajik President, Emomali Rahmon. The meeting detailed Tajikistan’s history towards economic development and outlined the country’s priorities for the future.

“The Islamic Development Bank has cooperated closely and successfully with Tajikistan for many years. Financing under this agreement has amounted to more than $900 million. We are satisfied with the current level of cooperation. One of the projects under consideration today is support for the Rogun Hydroelectric Power Plant project. The Islamic Development Bank has decided to sign an agreement with the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan,” Muhammad Suleiman Al-Jasser stated.

Al-Jasser noted that IDB funds allocated to Tajikistan are directed to energy, education, industry, agriculture, transportation, and other key economic sectors. “We are confident that the current cooperation will be expanded and will serve as an invitation to other participants and investors,” Al-Jasser concluded.

11 Jun 2024

Central Asia, Environment, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Local Politics, Kazakhstan

By 2025, All of Kazakhstan Will Have Access to Clean Drinking Water

June 17, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Olzhas Bektenov, has said at a government meeting where issues of water supply services to urban and rural settlements were addressed that the entire population will have access to clean drinking water within eighteen months.

At the end of last year, access to water supply services in Kazakhstan’s cities amounted to 98.9%, and in rural settlements, 96.6%. Full coverage of the urban population has been achieved in nine regions, with the lowest level of provision noted in the Abai and Pavlodar regions. To improve the situation in the regions with low indicators, funds are being allocated on a priority basis.

Twenty-nine projects to construct and reconstruct pipelines in nine oblasts are being implemented, with plans to reconstruct and develop 2,000 kilometers of water pipelines, providing water supply to 437 settlements. A connection to a centralized water supply will be made in 44 of these, with a total population of 92,000 people. Five projects are under development and will be implemented after receiving state expertise; their implementation will improve the water supply in 200 settlements.

In 2024, 218 billion tenge was bookmarked from the republican budget to fund the construction and reconstruction of water supply and sewage systems.

The Prime Minister emphasized that by the end of 2025, 100% of the population must have access to quality drinking water. “This is one of the most socially important tasks. Only one-and-a-half-years are left for its fulfillment. Despite the high percentage of fulfillment, akimats (local authorities) should intensify work to achieve the plans to bring the relevant infrastructure to villages and towns. All works on the water supply should be prioritized. The implementation of water supply networks within settlements should be synchronized with the plans to bring the infrastructure of group water conduits to the borders of villages”, said Bektenov.

11 Jun 2024

Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Home

Price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas to Rise Again in Kazakhstan

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan has published for public discussion, a draft by the Minister of Energy to increase the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from July 1.

The maximum wholesale price of one ton of LPG will be increased from the current 40,320 tenge to 45,158 tenge, and the maximum retail price will increase slightly — by 5-8 tenge per liter, depending on the region.

Cheaper than gasoline, LPG is the most popular fuel for vehicle owners in Kazakhstan. A sharp hike in the price of LPG was met with nationwide objection in January, triggering mass protests in Zhanaozen which spread nationwide and turned violent in Almaty and Astana.

The ministry issued several reasons for what will be an unpopular move.

First, the price of liquefied petroleum gas is much lower than the cost of its production. The production cost of LPG varies from 60 thousand to 70 thousand tenge per ton, whereas the current maximum wholesale price is 40,320 tenge per ton.

Second, LPG consumption in Kazakhstan increases year on year. In 2023, it increased by 400 thousand tons, or 28%, compared to 2022. Last year, LPG consumption volumes amounted to 2.2 million tons compared to 1.8 million tons in 2022. Increasing consumption and the unprofitability of LPG production due to low prices have led to a decrease in the production of the fuel and its shortage in the regions. Today the deficit of LPG stands at 20-25%.

Third, due to unprofitability, manufacturers are increasingly losing interest in LPG production and switching instead, to more profitable products. For the same reason, investors are also reluctant to invest in its production.

Fourth, the price of LPG in Kazakhstan, between 54-86 tenge per litre depending on the region, is the lowest among former Soviet states. For comparison, the price per litre in Russia is equivalent to 132 tenge; in Kyrgyzstan, 159 tenge; in Azerbaijan, 171 tenge; and in Tajikistan, 273 tenge.

According to analysts, in 2024, LPG consumption in Kazakhstan will increase by another 200 thousand tons and reach 2.4 million tons, leading to a potential shortage of 30-40%

11 Jun 2024

Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Environment, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Kyrgyzstan and IFC Sign Agreement on Two Solar Power Plant Projects

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

On 10 June, the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic signed an agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on the implementation of two solar power plant projects in the country’s Batken and Talas regions.

According to the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the agreement is a continuation of cooperation between the Kyrgyz government and IFC on the construction of solar power plants with a total capacity of up to 500 MW in Kyrgyzstan.

In the first phase of this collaboration, IFC helped the Kyrgyz Republic conduct a comprehensive analysis for a pilot project for a 100-150 MW solar power plant planned in the Kochkor district of Naryn region, and is currently helping to attract private investors in its implementation.

The second stage will include two solar plants, each with a capacity of 100-150 MW, in the Batken and Talas regions.

11 Jun 2024

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Life & Culture, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Business & Economy, Features

Uzbekistan Plans to Earn $300 Million a Year From Medical Tourism

October 10, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Nuz.uz reports that Uzbekistan plans to earn $300 million annually from medical services and tourism. At the meeting chaired by President Mirziyoyev, the program “Medical Hospitality” was announced, under which the budget will cover the costs of private clinics for international certification and participation in foreign exhibitions. Doctors traveling abroad to advertise and provide diagnostic services will be reimbursed for transportation and accommodation expenses. In addition, value-added tax will be refunded to foreign patients visiting clinics.

“Last year, more than 60,000 foreign tourists were treated in 86 sanatoriums and medical institutions of the country. Suppose the number of such institutions is increased. In that case, it is possible to attract an additional 100,000 foreign patients, making it possible to earn $300 million a year from medical services,” the publication notes.

Zumrad Bekatova, a member of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, said that Uzbekistan is paying special attention to expanding the network of private medical organizations, diversifying their activities, and strengthening their material and technical base. However, despite these efforts, only two private clinics have received international certification, and the share of foreign patients has yet to exceed 12%.