Page 882 – The Times Of Central Asia

26 Jan 2024

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

Visit of a Delegation from Turkmenistan to Japan: Prospects for Cooperation

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov led a delegation from Turkmenistan, which visited Japan from January 22nd to 23rd. During the visit, the development of bilateral cooperation and the organization of the first Summit of Heads of State of the Central Asia-Japan Dialogue were discussed. According to information received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, the diplomats met with Yoshimashi Hayashi, Secretary General of the Japanese Cabinet of Ministers

During the visit, they discussed the involvement of Japanese companies in the export of high value-added products, diversification of project financing, study of experience in “green” and hydrogen energy, as well as the creation of modern high-tech industries. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Japanese companies showed great interest in cooperation in infrastructure and energy transition.

Meredov also met with Ken Saito, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan. A number of important issues related to cooperation between Central Asia and Japan were discussed. A proposal was made to hold the next Ministerial Dialogue on Energy Economy within the framework of the Dialogue “CA+Japan”. The topic of developing a Roadmap on decarbonization, which will be aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transition to cleaner energy sources, was also touched upon.

One of the key topics of discussion was the possibility of introducing the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM). This mechanism will allow the countries of Central Asia and Japan to share knowledge, technologies and resources in the field of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transition to sustainable development.

The topic of developing cooperation in the field of e-commerce was also touched upon. The idea is to create an electronic platform to improve trade relations between CA and Japan. This will reduce trade barriers and simplify procedures for importing and exporting goods.

Finally, joint work in the field of hydrogen development and transportation technologies was discussed. Hydrogen is one of the promising sources of energy, and its efficient utilization can have a significant impact on addressing climate change.

This meeting was an important step in strengthening cooperation between Turkmenistan and Japan in the fields of economy, trade and industry. It opens new perspectives for the development of the energy sector, industry, trade and technology.

26 Jan 2024

Environment, Uzbekistan Environment, Uzbekistan

Rain in Tashkent Reduced Air Pollution by Three Times

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

In the morning on the 25^th of January in Tashkent, the level of air pollution by PM2.5 particles was 21 times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limit, reaching 104.8 µg/m3.

However, after the start of rain in the afternoon, there was a significant improvement in air quality, moving it from the “harmful” to the “medium” category, and the PM2.5 indicator decreased to less than 30 µg/m3.

Rain helps improve air quality for several reasons. First, it helps clean particles and pollutants from the atmosphere by depositing them on the earth’s surface through the process of atmospheric deposition, where rain drops capture particles and carry them to the ground.

Rain also dilutes pollutants in the atmosphere, which reduces their concentration. It can also chemically interact with some pollutants, helping to remove them from the air.

26 Jan 2024

Central Asia, Environment, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Croatia To Transport Kazakh Oil To European Markets

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

On January 24th a memorandum of understanding was signed in Zagreb, Croatia between Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas company KazMunayGas (KMG) and the operator of the Croatian oil pipeline system, Jadranski naftovod (JANAF). The memorandum was signed by the deputy chairman of KMG, Bulat Zakirov, and the chairman of JANAF, Stjepan Adanić.

After the signing ceremony Mr. Adanić commented that the deal will strengthen exports of Kazakh oil to European markets.

Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Croatia Akylbek Kamaldinov, who attended the signing ceremony, emphasized that Kazakhstan is playing an important role in ensuring that the EU receives reliable supplies of energy resources. He noted that the partnership between KMG and JANAF will make a significant contribution to strengthening energy security.

JANAF operates the oil terminal on the island of Krk and the Adria oil pipeline system in Croatia, which plays a key role in transporting oil and petroleum products to the countries of south-eastern Europe. From January-November 2023 more than $303 million worth of Kazakh oil was pumped along this route.

26 Jan 2024

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Justice, Uzbekistan Local Politics

What types of crimes did the people of Uzbekistan commit in 2023?

October 8, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Information on the types of criminal cases the courts considered in 2023 was provided by the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan. According to the report, criminal courts considered 58,418 cases involving 73,797 individuals in 2023 – 1,244 people received rehabilitation and an acquittal, whilst a total of 55,763 people were found guilty; of these, 17,396 received prison sentences, 37,077 received other types of sentences, and 1,290 received conditional sentences. Of those found guilty, 49,297 men, 6,466 women, 20,922 young people (including 1,911 minors), and 2,123 people over the age of 6o.

In addition, 7,362 people were freed from prison in connection with the imposition of non-custodial sentences; 33,612 people were released on parole; 12,286 people had their sentences remitted; and 13,522 people had the charges against them dropped because the preliminary investigation found the authorities had unfairly targeted them.

The majority of cases during the reporting period involved fraud; other offenses included theft or robbery; the transfer, storage, and other activities related to narcotics, their analogues, or psychotropic substances; the preparation of documents, stamps, seals, forms, forgery, sale, or use of them; bullying; purposeful infliction of moderately severe bodily injury; and other offenses that fall under the category of bribery.

In total, 14,698 people were freed from criminal responsibility as a result of the Reconciliation Institute’s effective use, whilst 8,586 people received non-custodial sentences in exchange for making restitution for the material harm they caused.

In the appeals process, 10,843 criminal cases involving 15,720 individuals were taken into account. The rulings rendered by the first-instance courts against 1,715 individuals were overturned, and the rulings made against 3,556 individuals were modified.

The Criminal Trial Panel of the Supreme Court reviewed 5,130 criminal cases involving 5,855 individuals. Lower court rulings against 1,143 people were overturned, and rulings against 509 people were modified.

Additionally, at the cassation instance, 402 criminal cases involving 467 individuals were reviewed multiple times. Court rulings against 121 people were modified, while rulings against 288 people were revoked.

26 Jan 2024

Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Astana Motors To Build New Plant In Almaty

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

On January 25th Kazakhstan’s president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received the founder of Astana Motors, Nurlan Smagulov, who informed him about his company’s plans for the automotive industry in Kazakhstan, the president’s press office reported.

Mr Smagulov reported that in 2023 Hyundai Trans Kazakhstan and Hyundai Trans Almaty, subsidiaries of Astana Motors, manufactured 48,857 passenger cars and 981 commercial vehicles.

Mr Smagulov told the president that the construction of the Astana Motors Manufacturing Kazakhstan multi-brand plant in Almaty, for the production of China’s Chery, GWM (Haval), and Changan vehicles, is scheduled to be completed in February 2025. The plant’s capacity will be 90,000 vehicles per year. Of these, 60% will go for export.

In September 2022 Astana Motors signed memoranda with Chinese automobile concerns Chery Automobile Company, Changan International Corporation, and Great Wall Motor, allowing it to manufacture these companies’ cars in Kazakhstan.

26 Jan 2024

Central Asia, CAD - Central Asia Digest, Kazakhstan Justice, Kazakhstan, NEWS

Unplanned vacations: 50,000 Aktobe Schoolchildren Missed Classes Because of Fake Terrorist Threat

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

In Aktobe, an attacker spread a terrorist threat to schools, after which parents did not let their children attend classes. On January 25th, an unknown culprit left a threatening message in a Telegram channel, where they spoke about plans to organize a mass shooting in schools in the city of Aktobe. The message quickly spread through social networks and parental chats, after which many parents did not let their children to go to school: out of 57924 students, only 8558 attended classes.
The police immediately found the author of the threatening messages and asked the parents of schoolchildren not to sow panic. The city administration also assured citizens that there was no threat to children, and that schools would be reinforced with security guards.
The attacker turned out to be an 18-year-old young man, who is a citizen of another country from the near abroad. A case has already been opened against him for knowingly spreading false information about an act of terrorism.
Regional authorities in Aktobe say the situation is now under the control of specialized law enforcement agencies, and there is no cause for concern. Additionally, the city administration asked parents not to unnecessarily disrupt the educational process.