Page 770 – The Times Of Central Asia

31 Jul 2024

Central Asia, Tajikistan Justice, Justice, Tajikistan Local Politics, Tajikistan

Tajik Authorities Seize the Property of Detained Politicians

July 31, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Tajik authorities have seized the property of a recently detained group of prominent political figures, as well as property belonging to their close relatives.

Sources say investigators have seized the bank accounts of ex-Democratic Party chairman and former MP Saidjafar Usmonzoda, ex-Supreme Council chairman Akbarsho Iskandarov, ex-Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi, journalist and Democratic Party deputy chairman Ahmadshokh Komilzoda, Social Democratic Party of Tajikistan deputy chairman Shokirjon Khakimov, and their relatives.

Usmonzoda was detained in Dushanbe on 14 July. Authorities claim that he was planning to overthrow President Emomali Rahmon and his government. It is not clear whether the other political figures were arrested in connection with the same alleged plot.

A ban has been imposed on the sale or lease of residential houses and apartments, dachas, cars, and other movable and immovable property by members of their families.

In addition, relatives of the detainees report being pressured in other ways. One of them, who wished to remain anonymous, reported that he was dismissed from his job at the behest of official bodies.

Tajikistan’s Prosecutor General’s Office, which investigates cases against former political figures, has not provided details because the cases are classified. Relatives of the detainees have not yet been allowed to meet with them in the pre-trial detention center. Most lawyers refuse to defend the detainees and their relatives for fear of repurcussions.

31 Jul 2024

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

China to Invest in Electric Scooter Production in Uzbekistan

July 31, 2024
By Vagit Ismailov

The Chinese company ECOMOTO has announced plans to become a joint producer of electric scooters in the Yangiyul district of Uzbekistan.

A memorandum was signed at a meeting between Odiljon Ataullayev, hokim of Yangiyul district and investors whereby the project will be funded by direct foreign investment of 10 million dollars and create 50 jobs.

The production of modern, competitively-priced electric scooters is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2025.

A metal construction plant, built by the Chinese company Da Fu which recently started operating near Yangiyul, will produce up to 500 tons of products per year.

31 Jul 2024

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

Kazakhstan Reports on Renewable Energy Generation

July 31, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The Kazakh minister for energy, Almasadam Satkaliyev, reported on July 29 that the country produced 60.4 billion kWh in the first half of 2024.

The minister also reported on developing renewable energy sources, which accounted for almost 6.5% of the country’s electricity generation in the first six months of the year.

According to the Ministry of Energy, Kazakhstan has 148 renewable energy facilities with a total capacity of 2,903 MW. These include 59 wind power plants with a total capacity of 1,409 MW; 46 solar power plants with a capacity of 1,222 MW; 40 hydroelectric power plants with a capacity of 269.7 MW; and three biogas power plants with a capacity of 1.7 MW.

In the first half of 2024, these renewable energy facilities generated 3.896 billion kWh of electricity (wind power plants — 2.325 billion kWh; solar power plants — 974.9 million kWh; hydroelectric power plants — 595.3 million kWh; and biogas plants — 0.43 million kWh), or 6.47% of the total electricity production volume.

Satkaliyev also reported that in the first half of 2024, Kazakhstan produced 44.7 million tons of crude oil, 6.78 million tons of petroleum products, and 30.1 billion cubic meters of natural gas.

31 Jul 2024

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

Robots May Replace Bailiffs in Kazakhstan

July 31, 2024
By Vagit Ismailov

Kazakhstan is implementing a pilot project, “Robot”, which will conduct enforcement proceedings without human involvement.

The creators of the project have commented: “In January, the city of Taraz launched a pilot project, ‘Robot’, which automatically starts enforcement proceedings without the participation of a bailiff. This will free citizens from paying commissions and save about 2 billion tenge ($4.2 million). In August the project is planned to be scaled nationwide.”

The registration of non-profit organizations is now fully automated and available on the “Electronic Government” portal. This initiative will save the time and costs that legal entities spend on visits to the Central Office of Public Organizations. The procedure for changing the head of a legal entity has been simplified, and is now possible through the portal “eGov”.

The Kazakh Ministry of Justice has also launched a project for issuing online powers of attorney through the “eGovMobile Business” portal. This service will significantly speed up and simplify the way that managers issue powers of attorney. Previously, powers of attorney were only issued on paper, which made it difficult to verify their legitimacy.

31 Jul 2024

Central Asia, Turkmenistan Life & Culture, Life & Culture, Turkmenistan

Turkmen Musicians Win Gold at World Orchestra Festival

October 8, 2024
By Vagit Ismailov

Turkmen musicians have participated for the first time in the X World Festival of Orchestras, “One Future,” which was held from July 25 to 28 in Vienna. Therein, they secured the Gold Prize in the Chamber Orchestra category.

The Youth Chamber Orchestra, directed by Rasul Klychev, captivated the audience and jury with its masterful performance of Turkmen melodies and classic foreign pieces. At the festival’s closing ceremony, held in the famous Golden Hall of the Vienna Philharmonic, the Turkmen musicians received the jury’s highest score — forty points.

British conductor Toby Purcer, head of the festival’s creative committee, stated that he highly appreciated the orchestra’s performance and hoped to organize joint concerts in Turkmenistan in the future.

31 Jul 2024

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

Kazakhstan to Build 369 ‘Comfortable’ Schools by 2026

July 31, 2024
By Sergey Kwan

As part of the nationwide project ‘Comfortable School’, Kazakhstan is to build 369 new secondary schools, with accommodation for 740,000 pupils, by 2026.

According to a press release issued by the government, the new schools will have separate blocks for elementary and high school students, technology for teaching contemporary subjects, and specially equipped classrooms to ensure both the safety of pupils and a barrier-free environment for children with special educational needs.

Regarding construction, priority will be given to local manufacturers with a aim to use 70% of Kazakh-made materials, including 90% for the actual build. All of the schools’ furniture will be made in Kazakhstan.

The first schools are expected to open ahead of schedule with 21 to be launched this August, 18 in September, 58 in October, and a further 112 by the end of the year.