Page 690 – The Times Of Central Asia

18 Jun 2024

Central Asia, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Local Politics, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan Developing Digital System of Flood Forecasting and Modeling

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

An information system for forecasting and modeling floods in Kazakhstan was discussed with representatives at a Cabinet of Ministers meeting, as reported on the official website of the Government of Kazakhstan. The information system includes four modules: data collection, analysis, forecasting, and modeling. It will use both operational and long-term data from Kazakhstan Ғarysh Sapary, Kazgidromet, and the National Center of Geodesy and Spatial Information.

The system will be integrated with the Ministry of Emergency Situations’ database on floods, mud-flows, landslides, avalanche-prone areas, and hydraulic structures. The Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry suggested utilizing the European program for remote Earth sensing in its operations. Deputy Prime Minister, Kanata Bozumbayev directed the ministry to also consider domestic digital solutions.

Additionally, to develop a comprehensive data set, it is necessary to increase the number of hydrological and meteorological stations, perform bathymetric surveys of water bodies and rivers, and create a “digital relief” map of areas in the country that frequently experience flooding.

In the spring of 2024, Kazakhstan experienced its largest flooding in 80 years. Ten regions of the country declared a state of emergency, and thousands of houses and buildings were flooded. Thousands of people were evacuated from flooded areas and are still in the process of recovering from the damage.

18 Jun 2024

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

Decrease in Uzbek Labor Migrants to Russia Forecast to Continue

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Alisher Ruziyev, head of the Department of the Foreign Labor Migration Agency of Uzbekistan, has stated that the flow of labor migrants from Uzbekistan to Russia may continue to decrease, noting that the construction industry is actively developing in Uzbekistan, and wages in some facilities can compete with those in Russia.

“Today, there is a sharp growth in the construction industry in Uzbekistan, and naturally, our wages have become equal to those of some facilities in Russia. Therefore, in this situation, a decreasing trend in the flow of our citizens leaving for Russia can be observed,” said Ruziyev.

According to Ruziev, at some large construction sites in Uzbekistan, construction workers earn around $500-600 a month. “Accordingly, it is no longer profitable to go to the Russian Federation for such a salary,” he added.

The head of the Department of Foreign Labor Migration of Uzbekistan also noted that in the last two years, the agency has significantly expanded the geography of employment of citizens abroad, especially due to the demand for labor in Europe.

18 Jun 2024

Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Business & Economy, Uzbekistan International Affairs

China to Invest $1 Billion in Andijan Province of Uzbekistan

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

China will invest $1 billion in the Andijan region of Uzbekistan to create an enterprise processing the hides and organs of domestic animals. It is reported that the Uzbek delegation, led by the khokim (head) of the Andijan region, visited China, where they familiarized themselves with the activities of Kaifeng Shengmeishun Leather Products company in Kaifeng City, Henan province.

During the visit, the Uzbek delegation held talks with representatives of China’s public and private sectors. The khokim of the Andijan region and the Chairman of the Veterinary Committee of Uzbekistan participated in the discussion.

The main topic of the talks was investment in the hide and organ processing project and the establishment of contacts with leading Chinese institutions in veterinary medicine, cattle breeding, poultry farming, and fishing. They also discussed cooperation in scientific research and the training of Uzbek specialists.

Following the meeting, the Chinese side fully supported investment projects and scientific research in Uzbekistan.

A new project worth $1 billion will be developed in the Andijan region with direct Chinese investment. This year, it plans to invest $100 million and create 3,000 jobs.

18 Jun 2024

Central Asia, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Local Politics, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan in 80th Place in New Global Ranking of Average Wages

May 23, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

In a new ranking of the gross average salary in 196 countries recently published by CEO World Magazine, Kazakhstan is in 80th place. The average wage in the country amounts to $673 per month.

Salaries are highest in the oil-producing western Atyrau and Mangystau regions, followed by the capital city Astana, and business capital Almaty. Wages are lowest in the southern regions of Zhambyl, Zhetysu and Turkestan, as well as in the North Kazakhstan region.

Gross wages are the total sum of wages before taxes and other deductions, such as contributions to pension funds, health insurance, and others.

Kazakhstan has the highest average salaries in Central Asia, followed by Turkmenistan ($654 per month), Uzbekistan ($351), Kyrgyzstan ($228) and Tajikistan ($169).

The CEO World ranking states that in the first quarter of 2024, the average monthly nominal salary of workers in Kazakhstan amounted to 382,000 tenge ($844), which is 12.2% more in value terms than a year earlier. The index of real wages amounted to 102.7%, which shows an increase in purchasing power of 2.7%.

18 Jun 2024

Central Asia, Environment, Home, Business & Economy

Focus on Central Asia’s Acute Shortage of Drinking Water

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has declared water availability a particularly acute challenge in Central Asia, given that 10 million people, or 14% of the region’s population, currently lack access to safe drinking water.

Between 1994 and 2020, water withdrawals for municipal and domestic needs doubled to 8.6 cubic kilometres. However, since investment in drinking water falls short of meeting the growing demand, the infrastructure for the supply and treatment of water has severely deteriorated.

The challenges facing the sector highlight the need for large-scale investment in water supply and sanitation in Central Asia. The annual funding deficit to meet the targets of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 (to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all) is estimated to reach US $2 billion by 2025–2030.

In response, EDB analysts have prepared a report to assess the level of investment required by the region to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goal by 2030, including proposals for practical steps to secure the necessary funding.

Titled “Water and Sanitation in Central Asia”, the report will be launched on 28 June at the Eurasian Development Bank’s Business Forum in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

18 Jun 2024

Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Environment, Kazakhstan International Affairs

Kazakhstan and South Korea Forward Cooperation in Forestry

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

On June 17, Kazakhstan’s ambassador to South Korea, Nurgali Arystanov, participated in a celebration of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, established by a UN General Assembly resolution in 1994.

Organized in Seoul by the Korea Forest Service, the event was attended by major Korean companies, private and international organizations including the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), as well as students from ecological clubs promoting anti-desertification activities.

In his speech, reported by Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry, Arystanov noted the successful cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Republic of Korea in the development of forestry, including a joint project to plant saxaul on the desiccated bed of the Aral Sea. He also hailed Astana’s Kazakhstan-Korea Friendship Garden a “symbol of friendship between the Kazakh and Korean peoples.”

The ambassador expressed his appreciation of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan and the Korea Forest Service during Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s state visit to Kazakhstan on June 11-13. The document provides for cooperation in combating forest fires and the introduction of advanced technologies for monitoring forests using drones, artificial intelligence, and satellites.

Progress on cooperation in the forestry sector was further discussed by Ambassador Arystanov and the Minister of the Korea Forest Service, Nam Sung-Hyun, during the former’s visit to Seoul.