Page 862 – The Times Of Central Asia

23 May 2024

Central Asia, Home, Turkmenistan Life & Culture, Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan Local Politics, Local Politics

Only Turkmen Graduates Allowed to Participate in “Last Call”

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

In Balkan velayat (administrative district) this year, only graduates of Turkmen nationality will be able to participate in the “last call” – the secondary-school graduation ceremony held throughout the CIS, which is held annually in front of the Central Library of Balkanabad. This decision by the local authorities caused bewilderment among the residents of the velayat, where representatives of many nationalities live.

This is the second known case in the last four months when the authorities of the western velayat have infringed on the rights of ethnic minorities. In early February, it was reported that in Balkanabad and Turkmenbashi, only Turkmen music was allowed at weddings, whilst songs in the languages of other ethnicities were prohibited.

Violations of the rights of ethnic minorities, limiting their opportunities for education in their native language, and observance of cultural traditions is a long-standing problem. Turkmenistan says it “condemns racial discrimination and constantly pursues a policy of mutual understanding between peoples.” However, members of minorities complain of systematic restrictions of their rights on ethnic grounds.

23 May 2024

Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Environment, Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture

Green Light for Uzgen Bypass, South Kyrgyzstan

October 8, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and a consortium comprising Tez Zhol, Zhagalmai, and DemirBank, have signed agreements to build and maintain a bypass road around the historic town of Uzgen in the Osh region of south Kyrgyzstan.

According to EDB’s press office, the project which includes new information technologies for toll road management, aims to improve connectivity in the Osh region, enhance road safety and improve Uzgen’s environment.

The Bishkek–Osh highway, one of the country’s main transport arteries and used by approximately 23,000 vehicles per day, causes serious issues for the densely populated town of Uzgen.

The route through its center impacts the town’s socioeconomic situation by increasing levels of noise and pollution whilst congestion poses risks for pedestrians, exacerbating safety concerns.

The projected timeline for such a large-scale project is 49 years, from 2024 to 2073, and comprising 14.1-km of new roads, three bridges and a toll management system, the estimated cost of its construction is US $29.9 million.

Commenting on the initiative, Nikolai Podguzov, Chairman of the EDB Management Board, stated: “The Uzgen Bypass is the first toll road initiative in the Kyrgyz Republic. This project will increase the daily capacity of the Bishkek–Osh road from 8,000 to 12,000 vehicles, create approximately 300 jobs and boost demand for local industrial enterprises such as reinforced concrete and concrete plants. Additionally, it will improve the environmental situation and reduce the load on Uzgen’s roads by diverting traffic to bypass the residential sector.”

23 May 2024

Central Asia, Tajikistan Life & Culture, Tajikistan

Tajik Schoolchildren to Be Taught English From Third Grade

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Children in Tajikistan will now start to learn English from the third grade. Local media is reporting that teachers in the country will be given extra training ahead of this change.

On 20 May a delegation from Tajikistan took part in the Education World Forum in London. In September the British Council’s regional director Adrian Chadwick will visit Dushanbe to discuss potential new projects in Tajikistan.

23 May 2024

Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics

Kyrgyzstan President Announces New Social Welfare Measures

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

In his address at the National Congress on Social Mobilization on 22 May, Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov announced several initiatives aimed at raising the standard of living of the country’s citizens.

The event was attended by participants of a nationwide Social Contract program through which the Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration provides grants of 100 thousand soms/ $1,130, to low-income families wishing to open small businesses.

Launched three years ago, the program has enabled some 13,000 people to develop their businesses, created jobs, and generally enhanced the livelihoods of families and local communities. Highly effective, the initiative has to date, benefited over 70,000 people across the country.

In addition to a government allocation of 2 billion soms to maintain the program, the president announced plans to boost the economy and improve the wellbeing of Kyrgyzstan citizens, by establishing new enterprises, industrial facilities and in turn, more jobs.

President Japarov stated that the Cabinet of Ministers and local authorities had been tasked to support entrepreneurs at all levels from small workshops, fruit processing plants and retail outlets to tourist bed and breakfast services and cafes.

To ease the financial burden on small and medium-sized businesses, the president announced a reduction in social tax from 27 percent to 12 percent.

In addition, the president has introduced a strict moratorium on inspections of businesses to further support entrepreneurs.

Referencing amendments to the Constitution made in 2021 which guaranteed that pensions would not fall below the minimum living wage, the head of state announced that from 1 October, 2024, pensions in Kyrgyzstan will exceed the minimum living wage of 6,800 soms/ $77.

The president confirmed the government’s commitment to its provision affordable housing and reported that the construction of multi-storey buildings through the State Mortgage Company has enabled public sector employees and private individuals alike, to obtain mortgages on apartments. He continued by stating that 11,495 apartments are currently being built across the country and the construction of 12,000 apartments will begin before the end of this year.

In the healthcare sector, the president has instructed that from 1 July, the number of doctors participating in the program to locate medics in remote areas, small towns, and villages, is to increase from 200 to 500.

Regarding the shortage of doctors in the regions, the president has approved the introduction of an additional monthly payment of 20,000 soms/ $226 to paediatricians, neonatologists, surgeons, anaesthesiologists, and resuscitation doctors working outside Bishkek

23 May 2024

Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Bishkek Thermal Plant Set For Upgrade With Eurasian Development Bank Funds

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The Eurasian Development Bank and JSC “Electric Stations” have signed an agreement to buy equipment for Bishkek’s thermal power plant.

The project, financed by the EDB’s Technical Assistance Fund, aims to prevent another accident at the plant, after a serious fault that occurred on 2 February this year. Five people were injured by the incident; schools and kindergartens in the capital were temporarily shut, and there were outages in heating and hot water for six days.

The new equipment will ensure a reliable and uninterrupted power supply for Bishkek residents, including heating and hot water, which were most affected in February. The EDB has commented: “The agreement provides for the purchase of the necessary equipment, including low-voltage switchgear that will protect against overloads and short circuits in the networks. The total funding for the project is about US$0.5 million. the total amount of financing for the project is about USD 0.5 million. The project is financed on the terms of irrevocable and non-repayable grant”.

The Bishkek thermal plant plays a key role in Kyrgyz life, generating 14% of all electricity in the country, and providing heat to almost two-thirds of the capital.

“We aim not only to restore the functioning of the energy infrastructure but also to improve conditions for the future development and modernization of the city’s energy supply system,” said the bank’s senior managing director Denis Ilyin.

23 May 2024

Central Asia, Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan Business & Economy, Business & Economy

Turkmen Scientists Find Way to Make Depleted Gas Wells More Productive

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The government of Turkmenistan has reported that a group of scientists working for the state company Türkmengaz have developed a new technology to increase the productivity of depleted gas wells.

The technology, which uses hydrogen thermobaric chemicals, impacts the reservoir and increases production of oil, gas, and condensate. This allows for more efficient use of resources.