Page 699 – The Times Of Central Asia

04 Jun 2024

Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Environment, Kazakhstan Life & Culture

Water Levels of Kazakhstan’s Reservoirs Continue to Rise

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

On June 3, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation announced that to date, the country’s reservoirs have collected 75 billion cubic meters of water, 15 billion cubic meters more than last year. Over 12 billion cubic meters of the accumulated water is flood water.

The statement updates statistics cited in an earlier report by Times CA

In total, Kazakhstan’s reservoirs can hold 89 billion cubic meters of water.

Last year the country’s agricultural sector used 14 billion cubic meters of water, and 24.4 billion cubic meters of water were used by other sectors across the country.

Welcoming the news, representative of the ministry Moldir Abdualieva said, “The collection of flood water continues. Since the beginning of the flood situation, 3.3 billion cubic meters of water have been sent to Lake Balkhash, and about 6 billion cubic meters of water have been directed to the Caspian Sea”

04 Jun 2024

Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Chinese to Build Industrial Park and Bonded Warehouses in Kyrgyzstan

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

A memorandum of cooperation has been signed between the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Xinjiang Xing Long Corporation on the establishment of an industrial park in Kyrgyzstan and construction of bonded warehouses in the territories of both countries.

The agreement was made during a visit by the Chinese company to Bishkek where delegates met with Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce Nazarbek Malaev.

The Chinese company has constructed innovative industrial parks in the city of Urumqi, Xinjiang, and owns the Xing Long Industrial Park in Urumqi spanning over 300,000 square meters and home to over 200 large and medium-sized companies.

Deputy Minister Malaev welcomed the corporation’s plan to build an industrial park on the territory of Kyrgyzstan and pledged support for its to implementation. He also expressed interest in pursuing joint industrial ventures in Kyrgyzstan.

03 Jun 2024

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

International Association of Crypto-Economy and AI Created in Kyrgyzstan

June 17, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The International Association of Crypto-Economy and Artificial Intelligence was established in Kyrgyzstan with the assistance of the Russian Association of Crypto-Economy, Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain (RAKIB), TASS reports. RAKIB was created to unite participants in the blockchain technology market and investors in blockchain-based projects in cryptocurrencies. The association aims to promote the spread and deep integration of blockchain technologies into the economy and legalize the use of electronic currencies based on this technology.

Alexander Brazhnikov, executive director of RAKIB, said on the margins of the Kazan Crypto-forum that the main tasks of the international association established in Kyrgyzstan will be to ensure security in the digital world, cross-border payments, and the creation of new projects. Brazhnikov will become the chairman of this association, which was officially registered a week ago and will have its headquarters in Bishkek.

“We want to make people engaged in this business cooperate,” Brazhnikov said, noting that associations from different countries and individual legal entities can join the organization.

According to him, some countries in Africa and the Middle East have shown great interest, and more than 15 countries may join the association by the end of 2024.

03 Jun 2024

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

Copper Smelter To Be Built In Eastern Kazakhstan

June 17, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

A copper smelting plant with a capacity of 300,000 tons of copper per year is to be built in Kazakhstan’s eastern Abay region, according to a government press release.

An agreement for the plant’s construction has bee signed by KAZ Minerals Smelting LLP, the customer, and China Nonferrous Metal Industry’s Foreign Engineering and Construction Co., Ltd. (NFC), a design services supplier and process equipment procurement company. NFC Kazakhstan LLP will also be involved as a construction and commissioning work contractor.

The plant will be built near the village of Aktogay. The raw materials will be the copper concentrate from Vostoktsvetmet LLP’s Bozshakol and Aktogay mining and processing plants.

“Following the plant’s construction, a cluster will be created, combining one of the world’s largest copper mines and modern copper smelting production. With a preliminary cost of $1.5 billion, the project will create more than 1,000 new jobs. It is planned to be put into operation by the end of 2028,” the press release says.

The high-tech enterprise for producing high-value-added products will be the largest in the country. The applied technologies in copper smelting production meet world environmental standards.

The enterprise will provide the internal market needs for processing copper-containing raw materials and copper cathode.

“It should be noted that cathode copper is widely used in the electric power industry, machine building, and other industrial sectors. In addition, the new plant plans to produce refined gold, silver, and sulfuric acid,” the release added.

03 Jun 2024

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

Kazakhstan to Build the World’s Largest Greenhouse

June 17, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister, Olzhas Bektenov and the president of the Agro-Industrial Holding Company “ECO-Culture,” Alexander Rudakov, have issued a joint announcement that the world’s largest greenhouse complex is to be built in the Turkestan region

According to the Prime Minister’s press service, Agro-Industrial Holding Company has confirmed plans for the construction of a greenhouse complex in the Keles district of the Turkestan region.

Under the first phase, scheduled for completion by the end of 2025 and spanning 51 hectares, the project aims to produce over 28 thousand tons of tomatoes per year. Thereafter, the complex will expand over 500 hectares, to produce 240 thousand tons of vegetables all year round.

Produce will be marketed both domestically and exported abroad through established logistics and distribution centers.

As reported by Alexander Rudakov, his company will create competitive labor conditions for residents and contribute to the region’s development within the social responsibility framework. Once up and running, the complex should create no fewer than 7,000 jobs.

The Prime Minister’s press service commended “ECO-Culture” as one of the most extensive agro-industrial holdings producing organic vegetables, with a 13-year history of stable development. Last year, its volume of products exceeded 300 thousand tons. It was also noted that Kazakhstan’s climate of investment coupled with measures to support natural production, make a significant contribution to implementing critical economic projects.

03 Jun 2024

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, International Affairs, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Uzbekistan Representative Elected to UN Human Rights Committee for First Time

June 17, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Academician Akmal Saidov, director of the National Center for Human Rights in Uzbekistan, has been elected as a member of the UN Human Rights Committee for the 2025-2028 term. Uzbekistan is the first Central Asian country to join this key UN committee.

The election took place on May 29 at the United Nations headquarters in New York, during the 40th session of the member states of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Nine members were elected to the Human Rights Committee for the 2025-2028 term.

In addition to Uzbekistan, candidates from 16 other countries vied for the nine available seats. In the secret ballot, Saidov received the most votes from the member states of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The Human Rights Committee is a UN body composed of independent experts who monitor the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by its member states. There are 173 countries in this pact, which Uzbekistan joined in 1995. The committee’s role is to ensure that civil and political rights are fully respected.