Page 851 – The Times Of Central Asia

06 Mar 2024

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Business & Economy

UNDP Gives Boost to Fish Farming in Uzbekistan

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The European Union delegation to Uzbekistan, along with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), has delivered equipment to Uzbekistan’s Scientific Research Institute of Fish Farming to support more sustainable fish-farming methods. The new equipment will help to save water and improve water quality.

Wim Riepma, head of cooperation for the EU delegation to Uzbekistan, commented “healthy fish means healthy food and healthy people. Filters also help to improve the environment, as the fish farm will emit fewer pollutants. In addition, the use of solar water heaters, which will greatly improve fish growth in the early stages of development, contribute to energy savings.”

Uzbekistan, with its fish consumption of 3.5-4 kg per person per year, is far below the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended norm of 16 kg. The reason for this is the country’s lack of access to the sea — and its outdated, river-based fish-farming methods. However, the country is trying to remedy the situation. This year, as part of a program called Every Family is an Entrepreneur, Uzbek entrepreneurs can access unsecured loans of up to $4,000 for fish-farming projects.

The equipment donated by the EU — under its Innovation in Agriculture (EU-AGRIN) project — will contribute to the development of scientific research, and improve the work of the Fisheries Research Institute and the affiliated vocational school in Fergana province. In addition to the practical benefits of an increase in fish production, the project will also contribute to creating jobs in rural areas.

The project, amounting to €4.15m ($4.5m), is financed by the EU and will last for four years. EU-AGRIN is a UNDP project aimed at promoting innovative solutions and cooperation in agriculture. So far the project has established partnerships with 18 different innovation groups.

At the end of 2023, Uzbekistan had 5,775 fish farms where 24 species of fish are cultivated for human consumption. Last year the aquaculture industry supported 2,500 jobs in the country.

06 Mar 2024

Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan Transfers Pension-Fund Assets Worth $5 Billion to Foreign Managers

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The National Bank of Kazakhstan has announced that pension savings amounting to $5.18bn have been gradually transferred abroad to be managed by 10 foreign companies. According to representatives of the bank, this amount is only 14.1% of the Unified National Pension Fund’s (EPPF) total assets.

Last month $2.3m from the fund was transferred to the American investment company PIMCO — short for Pacific Investment Management Company.

The National Bank held a tender process in 2023 to select the foreign companies PIMCO and TCW as external managers for the global emerging-market bonds mandate, and JP Morgan was selected as the standby manager. Currently, agreements on investment management of pension assets of the EPPF are being developed with these companies.

At present, foreign asset managers continue to be attractive resources for EPPF in terms of investing its currency portfolio of assets under the mandates termed global shares, global emerging-market bonds, and global investment-grade corporate bonds.

06 Mar 2024

Central Asia, Environment, Home, Kyrgyzstan Environment, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy, Features

Plastic Bags, Utensils to Be Met With Fines in Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul Basin

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

A law imposing fines on the import and sale of plastic bags and utensils is aimed at reducing the harmful effects of polymeric materials on health and the environment in the Kyrgyz Republic, according to the press service of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of Kyrgyzstan.

The ban will take effect in the resort and recreational area of Issyk-Kul, as well as in reserves and natural parks of Kyrgyzstan. The ban was signed by President Japarov last year, since when deputies and the Ministry of Natural Resources of have been working on finalizing its details. One sticking point is that the authorities still can’t decide whether to ban all plastic or to make an exception for some products.

Shashlyk vendor, Issyk-Kul; Photo: TCA

“The list of plastic products banned for circulation includes all kinds of disposable plastic utensils, disposable plastic packaging for food, plastic bottles, disposable plastic packaging for eggs, plastic coffee capsules, [and plastic] bags for food,” the law states. But, as the Ministry of Natural Resources notes, the law is still being amended and there is a lack of clarity.

Meanwhile, food vendors in the Issyk-Kul region say that not all citizens are ready to give up plastic bags and bottles. Therefore, while large stores in Issyk-Kul have stopped selling disposable tableware and replaced them with paper products and Tetra Pak substitutes, the law is poorly enforced in markets and smaller outlets.

Lake Issyk-Kul; Photo: TCA

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision, the Supervision Service has not imposed a single fine so far, with only warnings being issued. However, they say that as soon as all of the controversial issues have considered, sellers and producers will be fined. So far, the law applies only to sellers and manufacturers of plastic products. Private individuals can use bags, bottles and disposable tableware.

In January of this year, the Issyk-Kul Region became the first in the country where a ban on the circulation of plastic was introduced. From 2027, the law will be expanded to ban the use of plastic containers throughout the country.

Businesses are not satisfied, however, complaining that their opinion was not taken into account in drafting the law. In their opinion, it would have been better to prescribe economic incentives for businesses. Currently, they argue, all soft drinks and vegetable oils are bottled in plastic bottles, and it’s difficult to find replacements for them. In addition, Kyrgyzstan does not yet have large production facilities for alternative containers such as paperboard-and-foil Tetra Paks or glass bottles. Most plastic goods are imported into Kyrgyzstan from abroad, mainly from countries which are not planning to give up disposable plastic containers and are only increasing their production.

Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan’s environmentalists have long been sounding the alarm. The biggest danger to the country’s ecology is plastic bottles and cellophane bags, which can be scattered by the wind over a large area. For example, the problem of toxic plastic pollution is particularly acute in Issyk-Kul. Many tourists leave plastic bags and bottles on the shore of the lake, and as a result, at the end of the tourist season the Ministry of Emergency Situations retrieves tons of plastic products from the lake. In addition to disposable containers and bags, they also found poachers’ fishing nets made of synthetic materials, which had accumulated over time and polluted the lake.

Kyrgyzstan does not have a waste processing plant, nor does it have a separate waste collection system. As a result, most disposable bags and bottles are left in landfills. To date, only some private enterprises recycle plastic, but they are wholly insufficient to solve this persistent problem.

06 Mar 2024

Central Asia, Home, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Life & Culture, Features

Pandemic Hangover Continues to Affect Mental Health

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

According to the latest Sapien Labs Mental State of the World Report, Uzbekistan ranked last among 71 countries, including all other Central Asian countries (Turkmenistan was not included in the ranking). The ranking is based on the mood of residents and their outlook on life in 2023. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are included for the first time. The Dominican Republic tops the list, followed by Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Panama, and Malaysia. The United Kingdom occupies the penultimate place ahead of Uzbekistan.

Some poor countries in Africa and Latin America have overtaken the developed countries of Europe and the Americas on a number of indicators. Researchers have noted a trend towards depressed moods since the Covid-19 pandemic – a trend which is still going strong after more than four years. They believe that low rates of mental wellbeing in rich countries are linked to multiple factors, including smartphone addiction, fast-food consumption, the breakdown of friendships and family relationships, and the rising isolation due to working from home. Furthermore, GDP per capita figures are inversely correlated with average mental wellbeing, once again confirming the old adage that “money can’t buy happiness.”

In 2022, the results of a study on adolescent mental health were published in Uzbekistan for the first time. UNICEF, together with partner organizations, surveyed 22,854 students in 299 schools from all 14 regions to better understand the needs of adolescents and to identify school-related factors affecting their mental health and psycho-social wellbeing. The study found that more than 10% of students do not feel socially connected to their school and feel isolated. Also, a significant number of students – 15.4% – suffer from anxiety, and another 9.8% experienced depression. Based on this data, UNICEF experts recommended improving family and friendship connections, expanding social ties, and creating a comfortable school environment for adolescents.

Scientists have noted that indicators of mental wellbeing have especially decreased among young people, who are most dependent on modern technology. Meanwhile, people aged 65 and older have not seen a strong deterioration in scores since 2010.

Another conclusion reached was that the level of mental wellbeing depends on the frequency in which processed foods are consumed, which affects the onset of depression and reduced emotional wellbeing.

An important factor was also the disruption of intra-family relationships. According to research, 10% of young people between the ages of 18 and 24 do not get along with anyone in their family and prefer not to see them, while the analogous figure among the older generation is only three%. Weak family ties, scientists say, quadruple the likelihood of mental-health problems in adulthood.

06 Mar 2024

Central Asia, Environment, Home, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Kyrgyzstan’s Toktogul Reservoir May Hit “Dead” Level; Blackouts Possible

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Kyrgyzstan’s Energy Ministry has said it will limit electricity consumption “by force” as water in the country’s main reservoir becomes increasingly scarce. In addition, major overhauls of the country’s main energy facilities are planned for this year, which will also affect power output and consumption.

According to official data, the volume of water in the Toktogul Reservoir currently stands at 7.7 billion cubic meters, versus a normal level of 17.3 billion cubic meters. If the water volume decreases by another two billion cubic meters, the Toktogul Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) will cease to produce power.

“This is a deteriorating indicator. Because of high consumption, the system automation of load limitation is working. This year, due to [demand] imbalance, it is working in the evening peak hours. Therefore, in some areas there may be blackouts. The norm for March is 54 million kilowatt-hours per day, but we are already exceeding this mark. If this rate continues, there is a threat that we will reach the level of “dead water” in the Toktogul Reservoir,” said Deputy Energy Minister Talaibek Baigaziyev.

The Toktogul HPP cascade includes two hydroelectric power plants: the 1,200 megawatt (MW) Toktogul HPP and the 800MW Kurpsay HPP. Toktogul HPP is the largest plant in Kyrgyzstan, generating 40% of the country’s electricity.

Starting from March 5th, one of the units of the Toktogul HPP and one units of the Uch-Korgon HPP, located on the Naryn River, will be sent for repair and refurbishment. The Uch-Korgon HPP was commissioned in 1962, and has not had an equipment update since then. According to the Ministry of Energy, the equipment and hydraulic structures of this station are thoroughly outdated and in poor condition. “In such a situation, Kyrgyzstan’s energy system will face a power shortage of 290 MW,” the Energy Ministry said.

Kyrgyzstan is being assisted in repairing the hydropower plants by the Asian Development Bank, which has allocated more than $157 million in loans and grants. It’s expected that both hydroelectric units will be repaired by the end of 2024.

Just last month an accident occurred at the main thermal power plant of Bishkek, which is also one of the most powerful generating facilities in the country. While the breakdown was remedied reasonably quickly, generation of electricity at the combined heat-power plant (CHPP) was severely curtailed.

The authorities have scheduled a major overhaul of the Bishkek CHPP for May-June this year. Regarding the work, engineers released a statement urging consumers to “be careful with electricity and not to turn on several energy-intensive appliances at the same time, especially during peak hours from 06:00 to 09:00 in the morning, as well as from 18:00 to 21:00 in the evening.”

Due to extremely cold weather and the accident at the CHPP, many people are using more electricity to heat their homes, resulting in increased consumption to 70 million kilowatt-hours per day from a previous level of 54 million.

05 Mar 2024

Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs

United States Doubles Length of Visas for Kyrgyz Citizens

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

From 4 March 2024 the U.S. embassy in Bishkek will issue tourist and business visas to Kyrgyz citizens for a period of 10 years, doubling the previously issued terms of five years. Citizens of Kyrgyzstan will also no longer have to pay a $20 application fee, according to the embassy’s website.

The U.S. diplomatic mission has commented that the lengthening of visa terms is one way to demonstrate the importance the U.S. places on facilitating travel, as well as deepening ties between the American and Kyrgyz peoples. In his video message, U.S. ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic Lesslie Viguerie expressed his hope that thousands of Kyrgyz travelers will benefit from these changes. “These changes are all about improving services for the Kyrgyz people, making travel between our countries easier, and strengthening our ties,” he emphasized.

The updated terms do not apply to previously issued visas
.
According to the U.S. diplomatic mission, most applications from Kyrgyz citizens are for tourist and work visas, followed by applications for immigration and student visas. The refusal rate for people from Kyrgyzstan, according to public data for 2023, stood at 41.5%.