Page 701 – The Times Of Central Asia

06 Jun 2024

Central Asia, International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics

International Development Association Allocates $25 million to Kyrgyz Universities.

June 17, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The International Development Association (IDA) has announced it will provide Kyrgyzstan with a $25 million interest-free loan over 50 years, with a ten-year grace period.

The loan includes an allocation of $19.7 million to be divided between five of the country’s universities.

The Academy of Medicine will receive $4 million, $1.3 million of which will be invested in laboratories for biochemical research, genetics, and molecular biology; $900,000 on equipment for pathomorphological research, and $800,000 on equipment for a laboratory for pharmaceutical bioequivalence studies. The remaining $1 million will be spent on laboratories, IT equipment, and software for new and expanded educational programs.

Kyrgyz State Technical University will be allocated $3.2 million, $2.2 million of which will be used for equipment and software for three laboratories, IT equipment, and software.

The Kyrgyz National University (KNU) will also receive $3.2 million with $1.7 million allocated for scientific and IT equipment and software for teaching laboratories. The remaining $1.5 million will be spent on laboratories, IT equipment, and software for educational programs.

Osh State University (OSU) will receive $2.8 million, with $300,000 reserved for the purchase of an ultrasound machine for breast examination, $1.5 million for an MRI machine, and $1 million for laboratory and IT equipment and software programs.

The University of Agriculture has been allocated $3.75 million, with $800,000 to be used to purchase equipment for an infectious animal disease diagnostic laboratory, $1.2 million for molecular genetic equipment, $550,000 for equipment for a histology and immunohistochemistry laboratory, $400,000 for equipment for the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Food Safety, and $800,000 for laboratory and IT equipment and software.

The national budget will cover $5.3 million of the loan funds whilst the universities will pay off the remaining amount through revenue provided by laboratory services.

06 Jun 2024

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

Uzbekistan-EU Trade Reaches 5.13 billion Euros

June 17, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

In 2023, the trade turnover between Uzbekistan and the European Union increased by 11% to 5.13 billion euros.

As reported by EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Charlotte Adrian, exports from the EU to the Republic of Uzbekistan amounted to 4.35 billion euros, and imports from Uzbekistan to the EU, 780 million euros.

By way of comparison, she then stated that in 2022, EU exports to Uzbekistan reached 3.77 billion euros, an increase of 63.9%, and imports from Uzbekistan to the EU rose by 77.1% to 845 million euros, resulting in around 70% growth of trade turnover.

“Behind these figures,” announced Adrian, ” are stories of how our businesses have made bold decisions to invest in Uzbekistan.”

This year celebrates the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and the European Union and on behalf of the EU, the ambassador praised Uzbekistan’s “ambitious path of reforms” and pledged: “We will continue to assist Uzbekistan using all the instruments at our disposal, including the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+). We will also continue to support Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization or EPCA (European Petrochemical Association), which will open a new chapter of our partnership.”

She added that by following its the path of reforms, Uzbekistan will create a level playing field which she hoped would encourage more interest from European companies.

06 Jun 2024

Central Asia, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Local Politics, Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s Constitution Now Published in Braille

June 17, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The Kazakh Constitutional Court has presented the first edition of the country’s Constitution printed in Braille, making it accessible to the visually-impaired.

The initiative to translate copy of Kazakhstan’s Basic Law into Braille (relief-dot tactile font) was realized with support from the OSCE Program Office in Astana and the Ministry of Culture and Information.

Welcoming the move, Chair of the Constitutional Court of Kazakhstan Elvira Azimova stated: “The Constitutional Court will continue to promote equality, dignity, and justice for everyone according to the Constitution of Kazakhstan and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The publication of the Braille text of the Constitution is our joint contribution to promoting this policy.”

Volker Frobart, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, emphasized the Kazakh authorities’ commitment to valuing human rights and demonstrating an inclusive approach to ensure equal access to information.

Publications in Braille will be distributed to 56 institutions, including national and regional libraries, training centers, and specialized schools.

According to the World Health Organization, Kazakhstan is currently home to 160 thousand visually- impaired citizens.

06 Jun 2024

Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Environment, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Home

British Magazine Ranks Kazakhstan’s Katon-Karagay Top Travel Destination

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The Katon-Karagay district in Eastern Kazakhstan has been included in Asia & the Middle East’s top sustainable travel destinations for 2024 by the British magazine Wanderlust.

The district is home to Katon-Karagay National Park. Spanning over 643,000 hectares, the park was designated a Kazakh-Russian transboundary biosphere reserve in 2017 by the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

In promoting the reserve, Wanderlust stated: “Five years ago, residents of the Katon-Karagay district – a sweep of lonely steppe, mountains and forests in far eastern Kazakhstan – faced a dilemma. Though home to the country’s largest national park and around 275 bird species, its 48 villages attracted few visitors, and there was little work available. As a result, its population had almost halved since the turn of the century, many residents having moved to cities in search of employment.

So in 2019 the Sustainable Rural Development Fund was launched, with the aim of improving the quality of life in three remote districts, including Katon-Karagay. Key to this effort was the creation of sustainable community tourism opportunities, including training guesthouse owners and opening a hospitality school. Money has also been allocated to trail maintenance, signs and a tourist information centre, making it easier for travellers to explore a region whose communities and culture are finally being appreciated.”

06 Jun 2024

Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan-Russia Relations in Focus at St. Petersburg

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

As part of the 27th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on 5 June, delegates engaged in a panel discussion themed “Russia-Kazakhstan.”

The panel comprised representatives of both countries’ public and private sectors, including Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Serik Zhumangarin, Kazakh Ambassador to Russia Dauren Abayev, and Chairman of the Board of national company Kazakh Invest Yerzhan Yelekeev.

As reported by Kazakh Invest, Ambassador Abayev emphasized the strategic importance of Kazakhstan-Russia relations by stating: “Today, Kazakhstan and Russia are implementing 135 joint investment projects worth over $26 billion, creating 28,000 jobs, which is a record figure in recent years. We expect these numbers to continue growing.”

Kazakh Invest’s Yelekeev focused on the growing potential for developing bilateral relations, the need to increase investment in joint projects, and favorable changes in Kazakhstan’s investment environment.

“Over 19,000 enterprises are successfully operating with Russian participation in Kazakhstan,” announced Yelekeev. “Good results have been achieved through leading projects and very promising initiatives in the investment sector. Russia remains one of the largest investors in our economy. Joint projects contribute to the development of technologies, the opening of new markets, and the creation of jobs. Last year saw a record gross inflow of Russian investments approaching the $3 billion mark.”

Yelekeev also presented prospective niches to Russian businesses for potential investment projects in the mining and metallurgical sector, petrochemicals, and the automotive industry.

06 Jun 2024

Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Life & Culture

Kazakhstan Actions ‘Lifelong Learning’

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

On 5 June, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Kazakhstan issued a report on the success of courses delivered by the Skills Enbek vocational training platform.

Since the beginning of 2024, 53.5 thousand citizens, including 27.2 thousand unemployed, have completed online courses conducted by Skills Enbek and a total of 427.2 thousand Kazakhs are now registered on the platform.

Of the 27.2 thousand unemployed who have completed their training, around 8 thousand are youths based mainly in the regions of Aktobe, Turkestan, Kyzylorda, and Zhambyl regions, and the city of Shymkent.

The platform offers 490 wide-ranging courses, lasting between 1-72 hours.

The most popular courses last May, included: “Organizing a sales department in a hotel”, “Salesperson”, “Insurance agent”, “Individual assistant to accompany people with limited mobility,” and “Fundamentals of social entrepreneurship”.

At present, 254 of the courses are free and the platform now plans to waive charges for training in various sectors including accommodation, food, construction, housing and communal services, social services, finance and accounting, and information technology.

By expanding levels of education and professionalism in the country’s population, the platform aims to both stimulate career development and promote the concept of “lifelong learning.”