Page 85 – The Times Of Central Asia

08 Oct 2025

Central Asia, Home, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees, Kazakhstan Home

Jackie Chan to Film New “Armour of God” Sequel in Kazakhstan

October 8, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

Legendary actor and filmmaker Jackie Chan is set to return to Kazakhstan to work on the latest installment of his iconic action franchise, Armour of God: Ultimatum.

The project will be produced in partnership with Kazakhstan’s Salem Entertainment, which officially confirmed its involvement.

“We can now officially reveal details of Jackie Chan’s visit to Almaty. He will be working on the new film Armour of God: Ultimatum. The fourth installment of this legendary saga will be filmed here in Kazakhstan,” the studio said in a statement.

Chan visited Almaty in late September, prompting speculation in local media, including rumors he might attend a football match between Real Madrid and FC Kairat. However, the visit turned out to be professional: he was scouting filming locations with the Kazakh production team.

“During his stay in Almaty, Jackie Chan joined our team in selecting filming sites. Most of the production will take place in Kazakhstan. We can’t reveal details yet, but it’s going to be something truly spectacular,” Salem Entertainment added.

The original Armour of God premiered in 1986 and became an international box office success, cementing Chan’s status as a global star. A sequel followed in 1991, and the franchise was revived two decades later with Armour of God 3: Chinese Zodiac.

For Kazakhstan, the production presents a rare opportunity to showcase its cinematic potential and diverse filming locations to a global audience.

Chan remains famous for performing all his own stunts. In an interview with Haute Living, he confirmed that this principle still guides his work, even after six decades in the industry.

“I always do my own stunts. It’s part of who I am, part of my profession and my identity. That won’t change until I retire. And retirement doesn’t interest me,” Chan said.

He added that staying in peak physical condition has become instinctive: “I don’t need special preparation anymore. It’s already inside, in my heart, my mind, and my muscles. It’s just a habit I’ve never lost.”

07 Oct 2025

Central Asia, Environment, Home, Kyrgyzstan Environment, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Features, Kyrgyzstan Home

Bishkek Authorities Ban Low-Quality Coal to Curb Air Pollution

October 7, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

On October 6, the Kyrgyz government banned the use of powder-like coal with particle sizes between 0-13 mm in Bishkek and the surrounding Chui region as part of a broader effort to combat air pollution and improve public health.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision, this fine-grade coal is inefficient for household heating and generates significant dust, contributing to particulate air pollution. The new regulation applies only to private households and does not affect heating plants or boiler facilities.

As part of its wider decarbonization strategy, the Ministry of Finance has partnered with domestic banks to launch the Improving Air Quality project. This initiative supports the transition to modern, environmentally friendly heating systems and promotes cleaner household energy use.

Funded through a $50 million loan from the International Development Association, the project will distribute $31.8 million in preferential loans via Aiyl Bank, Eldik Bank, and Bakai Bank. The program aims to reduce household coal consumption, promote energy-efficient heating, and expand access to cleaner technologies across the capital and beyond.

Officials believe the project will help accelerate the adoption of eco-friendly heating solutions and improve urban air quality in Bishkek, a city of more than one million residents. Air pollution remains a chronic problem, particularly during winter months, when coal burning in households surges and accounts for an estimated 40% of the city’s harmful emissions. Bishkek frequently ranks among the top 10 most polluted cities worldwide, according to IQAir’s global index.

07 Oct 2025

Home, Uzbekistan, International Affairs, Uzbekistan Features, Features, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Washington and Tashkent Push for More Trade and Investment

October 9, 2025
By Javier M. Piedra

Speaking at the United Nations in New York on September 23, President Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan made it clear that he no longer adheres to his predecessors’ post-Soviet policies of isolation and ‘go-it-alone’ economic development strategy – those days are over.

Uzbekistan today – or so the evidence suggests – is more open for business than at any time in its history, with the caveat that deals must be win-win, strategic, fair, and reciprocal. Though it’s unclear what that precisely entails, both Washington and Tashkent are clearly working to accelerate capital and trade flows.

“[Our] top-priority goal”, Mirziyoyev said at the United Nations, “is to fundamentally transform the lives of each and every family and citizen in our country, to enhance human dignity and wellbeing.” These are not mere words, but stand at the core of Uzbekistan’s efforts to build a new nation on the back of its – until recently – entirely archaic Soviet era socio-economic institutional structures and often ossified old ways of thinking.

With this in mind, the main event of Mirziyoyev’s recent New York visit – besides his meeting with President Trump – was the high-level US-Uzbekistan investment roundtable with senior executives of major U.S. corporations and financial institutions.

The roundtable was more than just symbolic. Its strong turnout underscored both the U.S. and Uzbek commitment to advancing joint initiatives in key sectors, including strategic minerals, transport infrastructure, energy, and smart agriculture. Top executives from Boeing, Citigroup, BNY Mellon, NASDAQ, Nvidia, Mastercard, Visa, General Motors, Jefferies, Oppenheimer, Cleveland Clinic, Cargill, and other U.S. corporations descended on the meetings in force, clearly eager to court the president and his team.

Image: president.uz

At their face-to-face meeting, President Trump personally congratulated Mirziyoyev on the landmark $8 billion Boeing-Uzbekistan Airways deal, projected to generate over 35,000 U.S. jobs – that in itself is not news. Rather, the NY business roundtable appears to have signaled that the American business community is more than just sniffing around for deals. Undoubtedly, a key force behind this growing interest is Washington’s expanding engagement with Uzbekistan.

Highlighting Washington’s strategic swing towards Uzbekistan, Mirziyoyev, Sergio Gor, U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs, and William Kimmitt, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, attended the signing ceremony of bilateral agreements, which ranged from transport, logistics and AI to mining, healthcare, and financial services. Their presence helped move discussions from initial interest to serious dealmaking.

To dispel investor uncertainty related to sovereign risk and other hidden booby traps often embedded in cross-border investment agreements, Mirziyoyev declared: “I assure you, I personally guarantee the success of U.S. companies operating in Uzbekistan. At the Ministry of Investments, a dedicated Deputy Minister for U.S. Affairs has been appointed. He will accompany you 24/7.”

While this makes plain Uzbekistan’s shift from aid recipient to active economic player, it’s also an attempt to shore up “investor butterflies” who are wary of corruption and shaky legal remedies in the event of contract disputes.

Moreover, recognizing that companies are often cautious about entering new markets, Washington has taken additional steps to encourage American companies to invest in Uzbekistan – at least so it would seem from the literature. For example, the U.S. Department of State’s newly released September 2025 Uzbekistan Investment Climate Statement strikes an overall positive note, avoiding the overly cautious or even negative framing often seen in such reports in the past.

With pragmatism in hand and a more engaged Washington, the long-awaited U.S. pivot to Central Asia appears to be taking shape. Strong, realism-based diplomatic efforts, if sustained and smart, should encourage deeper ties between the two countries and, over time, generate job opportunities in both the U.S. and Uzbekistan, a matter of concern for China and Russia.

07 Oct 2025

Central Asia, Home, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Features, Uzbekistan Home, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Business & Economy

Uzbek Companies Begin Gas Exploration at Afghanistan’s Toti-Maidan Field

October 7, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Uzbek companies have received official licenses from Afghanistan to explore and produce hydrocarbons, Uzbek Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov announced in a documentary titled The Path of a New Uzbekistan – A Truth Recognized by the World, broadcast on Uzbekistan 24.

According to Mirzamakhmudov, Afghan authorities have granted Uzbek firms the right to conduct geological exploration and develop hydrocarbon deposits on Afghan territory. Work began in mid-September at the Toti-Maidan gas field in Jowzjan province under a 25-year contract signed with the Uzbek company Eriell KAM.

“This will be the first stage,” Mirzamakhmudov said, as quoted by Uzbek media. “Depending on the results, we plan to expand cooperation to new sites. The project is being implemented as an initiative that will benefit both the Uzbek and Afghan economies.”

The Toti-Maidan field spans approximately 7,500 square kilometers and includes around 30 wells, according to Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum. Uzbekistan is expected to invest about $100 million annually over the next decade, with plans to process the extracted gas domestically.

Mirzamakhmudov emphasized that the initiative reflects Uzbekistan’s growing role in regional energy cooperation and aligns with its policy of fostering mutually beneficial ties with neighboring countries. He noted that the project aims to support local industry development and job creation in both nations.

In August 2025, Uzbek and Afghan energy companies signed a series of agreements in Kabul to implement four major infrastructure projects. These include the construction of a 500-kilovolt Surkhan-Dasht-e Alwan transmission line, substation expansions in Arghandeh and Nangarhar, and upgrades to the Kabul-Nangarhar power corridor.

07 Oct 2025

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, International Affairs, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Former Afghan Deputy Speaker “Abbas Dollar” Arrested in Tashkent

October 7, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Abbas Ibrahimzada, a former deputy speaker of Afghanistan’s parliament, was arrested in Tashkent on September 24, according to sources cited by Amu. Despite reportedly posting bail of more than $350,000, he has remained in custody for over a week. His arrest follows multiple complaints filed by business rivals.

Local sources indicate that Ibrahimzada has invested more than $50 million in Uzbekistan over the past four years, with ventures spanning commercial transport and flour production. His detention has raised concerns about potential disruptions to his extensive business interests. Ibrahimzada has not publicly commented on the case.

A prominent representative from Balkh province during the 16th term of Afghanistan’s parliament, Ibrahimzada is widely known by the nickname “Abbas Dollar”, a nod to his reputation as one of Afghanistan’s wealthiest private investors.

In addition to his political career, Ibrahimzada has long been active in business. According to Afghan-Bios, he heads the Ibrahimzada Group, which operates across multiple sectors, including energy, infrastructure, and education.

His arrest in Uzbekistan adds a new layer of complexity to his cross-border business profile, drawing attention to the intersection of political and commercial interests in Central Asia. The case also highlights the legal uncertainties foreign investors may encounter in the region. Authorities have not released an official statement regarding the specific charges or the status of his business operations in Uzbekistan.

07 Oct 2025

Central Asia, Home, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees, Kazakhstan Home

TCA Interview: Asia’s First New York Film Academy Campus Opens in Almaty

October 9, 2025
By Aliya Haidar

On 27 September, the New York Film Academy Kazakhstan (NYFA) opened the first branch of the world-renowned American film school in Central Asia. For young Kazakhstani and foreign students, this presents a unique opportunity to gain top-tier knowledge for future careers in the industry.

The new campus was established through a partnership between Almaty University of Energy and Communications (Energo University) and the Dala Edge Creative Technology Park, with the opening ceremony attended by Michael Young, President and CEO of the New York Film Academy, and Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan.

Gani Nygymetov, Rector of Energo University, spoke to The Times of Central Asia about the opportunities and prospects of NYFA Kazakhstan.

TCA: How did the idea to establish the New York Film Academy Kazakhstan campus in Kazakhstan come about?

GN: Energo University has been in existence for over 50 years and is one of the leading technical universities in Central Asia, specializing in engineering and energy.

In February this year, we presented a new development strategy that includes a mission to remain a leader in energy education, while also expanding into telecommunications, IT, and techno-creative programmes.

To achieve these goals, the 16-hectare Dala Edge Creative Technology Park was created near Almaty. Now, a branch of NYFA has opened there, its first campus in Asia. Previously, NYFA campuses were only located in Florence, New York, and Los Angeles.

I am confident that the opening of the campus in Kazakhstan will give an additional impetus to the development of creative industries in the region and enable us to train specialists of international calibre.

The Creative Technology Park will become a hub for professional training and innovative projects and will support the integration of students and professionals into the film, animation, and game design industries.

TCA: Who teaches at NYFA Kazakhstan, exclusively American specialists, or are local experts also involved in the programme? What subjects are taught?

GN: American specialists teach students in film directing, screenwriting, acting, 3D animation, visual effects, and game design. All programmes meet international standards, instruction is in English, and modern tools and methods used in the United States are employed.

Inviting NYFA to Kazakhstan is part of a strategy to develop the country’s academic potential. The Ministry of Science and Higher Education, led by Minister Sayasat Nurbek, is actively attracting leading international universities.

Today, more than 40 renowned foreign universities have opened branches in Kazakhstan. This allows talented students to receive high-quality education at home and also attracts students from other countries in the region.

Partnerships with international universities, including Anhalt University (Germany), which has also opened a branch at our university, and NYFA, help set high standards of education and expand opportunities for students. In the coming years, we plan to launch our own digital media faculty.

Gani Nygymetov, Rector of Energo University; image: Energo University

TCA: How many students are currently studying at NYFA Kazakhstan? Are there plans to expand the number of disciplines?

GN: NYFA Kazakhstan issues diplomas and certificates identical to those issued at the Academy’s campuses in New York. The programmes, teaching quality, standards, and instructors fully comply with American standards.

At the same time, the cost of education in Kazakhstan is nearly three times lower than in the United States. While in the US it costs $50,000-60,000 per year, in Kazakhstan it is just $18,000. Currently, 60 students are studying here, including students from Russia, Uzbekistan, and Uganda. The majority are Kazakhstani.

In the coming years, the student body is expected to grow to 200. Five certified programmes are currently offered, and a bachelor’s programme is planned for next year. Students coming from other cities are provided with accommodation near the campus.

The campus also includes a swimming pool and other amenities for comfortable living and study. The Creative Technology Park is also open to professionals in film, 3D animation, and game design, including start-ups and projects by local entrepreneurs.

TCA: Experts note that the film industry in Kazakhstan, including animation, is developing at a rapid pace. It is clear that the opening of the campus will make a significant contribution to this process. How do you assess the prospects?

GN: Indeed, the film industry in Kazakhstan is growing very rapidly. Kazakhstani films account for about 70% of the domestic box office, which is an impressive figure. People actively go to cinemas, and Kazakhstani films are popular not only within the country but also across Central Asia, including Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

During my trips to neighbouring countries, I’ve witnessed how well Kazakh films are received. Some films have become real hits in the region. The opening of the Kazakh campus will create unprecedented opportunities for training professionals in the film industry, as well as in emerging areas like animation and game development.

These sectors are in demand and profitable worldwide. Central Asia has many unique stories that can be visualised, animated, and shared with international audiences. This will elevate the region’s global profile and promote local culture on a global stage.

TCA: How do you assess the role of NYFA Kazakhstan in the development of creative industries in Central Asia?

GN: The NYFA branch in Kazakhstan will undoubtedly provide a powerful stimulus for the development of creative industries in the region.

The academy sets international quality standards, and students here have unique opportunities for professional growth. Future directors, actors, game developers, designers, and 3D animators of global calibre are being trained right now.

We are open to students from other Central Asian countries. Several students from Uzbekistan are already studying here on full grants provided by Kazakhstan.