Page 898 – The Times Of Central Asia

16 Jan 2024

Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan, Features, Kyrgyzstan Features

EU Ready to Deepen Cooperation with Kyrgyzstan

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

On January 15^th, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Japarov received the Vice-President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas in Bishkek. During the meeting, President Japarov noted the dynamically developing level of cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and the EU both at the inter-regional and bilateral levels, the presidential press service reported.

The head of state and the vice-president of the European Commission discussed a wide range of issues, including priority projects for the Kyrgyz Republic, investment, financing, prospects for banking relations, and regional security issues. Japarov paid particularly attention to the importance for Kyrgyzstan of the upcoming Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity, which will be held in Brussels on January 29^th and 30^th.

Discussing human rights in Kyrgyzstan, Japarov spoke of an active civil society, media freedom and unrestricted access to the internet, emphasizing the importance of reliable information in online space. In turn, Schinas spoke about the importance of positive changes in Central Asia and expressed the EU’s readiness to deepen cooperation with the Kyrgyz Republic.

Schinas expressed confidence that cooperation will be strengthened in the field of financial and economic partnerships, adding that his visit was focused on climate projects, digitization issues, and the development of transport corridors.

In June 2023, the first official visit of the President of the European Council, Charles Michel to the Kyrgyz Republic took place, and the first Summit of the leaders of Central Asian countries and the EU was held in the Kyrgyz resort city of Cholpon-Ata.

16 Jan 2024

Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture, Kyrgyzstan

U.S. Peace Corps to Help Develop Sustainable Tourism

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Seven U.S. Peace Corps Response Eco-Tourism Volunteers arrived in Bishkek on January 15^th to help promote sustainable tourism in partnership with the local non-profit Kyrgyz Community Based Tourism Association (KCBTA). After completing their training, the volunteers will work with CBT partners to develop nature-based tours, assist in creating effective marketing strategies to attract domestic and international tourists, establish guidelines and best practices to minimize the impact of tourism on local ecosystems, and help local partners improve their English language skills, the U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan said.

The Volunteers will undergo two weeks of intensive training, which includes Kyrgyz language classes and cross-cultural competence training before deploying for twelve months to KCBTA offices in Kochkor, Toktogul, Arslanbob, Naryn, Karakol, Osh, and Bishkek as eco-tourism marketing specialists.

“Community Based Tourism Associations throughout the country are glad to welcome response volunteers. We hope that these volunteers will support us in improving our ecotourism offerings to attract a wide range of tourists to Kyrgyzstan,” Asylbek Rajiev, the Executive Director of the Kyrgyz Community Based Tourism Association said.

The response volunteers will complement the 35 English language education volunteers currently serving in Kyrgyzstan.

16 Jan 2024

Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Home

Government Addresses Electricity Generation

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

In order to ensure a reliable supply of power, in the coming years Kazakhstan will gradually be introducing new energy-generating capacities and modernizing existing power plants. The country is also aiming for a significant reduction in coal-based electricity generation through the introduction of renewable energy sources and electricity generated from natural gas.

At a government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov on January 16^th, Energy Minister, Almasadam Satkaliev reported that there are 220 power plants in operation in Kazakhstan, including 144 renewable energy facilities with a total capacity of 2.8 GW. As of January 1^st, 2024, the country’s total available generation capacity was 20.4 GW, and the maximum consumption in the current autumn-winter period was 16.6 GW.

The minister said that in 2023, Kazakhstan’s electrical energy consumption was 115 billion kWh, compared to 112.9 billion kWh in 2022. Power generation amounted to 112.8 billion kWh, the import of electrical energy was 3.4 billion kWh, and export 1.4 billion kWh.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the Head of State had ordered that an additional generating capacity of at least 14 GW be commissioned, which is also necessary to achieve the goal of doubling the country’s GDP. “To do this, we need rapid development of the energy industry,” Smailov said. To achieve a 15% share of renewable energy by 2030, major projects will be implemented with strategic investors, such as Total Energies, ACWA Power and Masdar, he stated.

16 Jan 2024

Kazakhstan, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan Looks to Increase E-Commerce Share to 20%

October 8, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The further development of e-commerce in Kazakhstan was considered at a government meeting on January 16^th, chaired by Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov. The Minister of Trade and Integration, Arman Shakkaliev reported that in 2023 the volume of e-commerce in Kazakhstan exceeded 2.2 trillion tenge ($4.8 billion), equating to 13% of all retail trade, a 0.5% rise on the previous year. Household goods, clothing and footwear, food, cosmetics, and medicines are the most popular goods purchased online.

The Ministry is looking to increase the share of e-commerce to 20% by 2030 by expanding the representation of domestic goods on popular marketplaces, developing warehouse and logistics infrastructure, and protecting consumer rights. The Prime Minister noted that globally, by 2025 the share of online trade is expected to exceed 25% of total retail. In Kazakhstan, a significant market share is occupied by foreign online marketplaces.

“We must use this opportunity as an additional sales channel for Kazakh products on the world stage. At the same time, we need to develop domestic online stores. To do this, it is necessary to ensure the uninterrupted operation of payment systems, transport and logistics infrastructure, and courier services,” Smailov said.

The Prime Minister instructed the relevant bodies to find effective solutions for the development of domestic online stores and broader representation of domestic commodity producers on foreign online marketplaces within a month. “We need our own bonded warehouses, which would simplify the process of delivering goods to both domestic customers and foreign ones. Therefore, it is necessary to launch the construction of bonded warehouses in Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent this year,” Smailov said.

15 Jan 2024

Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan Invites EU Community to Expand Participation in Joint Projects

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Further steps to strengthen trade and economic relations between Kazakhstan and the European Union were discussed by the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Alikhan Smailov, and the Vice-President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas on January 15^th in Astana. The parties focused on issues of increasing trade turnover, attracting investment, strengthening cooperation in the transport and logistics sector, easing the visa regime, and increasing industrial cooperation, Smailov’s press service reported.

The Prime Minister stressed that strengthening relations with the EU is of particular importance for Kazakhstan, with the new Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and the new EU Strategy for Central Asia playing a significant role in the bilateral relationship. As Smailov noted, the EU is one of the largest trade and investment partners of Kazakhstan, accounting for roughly 30% of the country’s foreign trade and 40% of investment attracted.

Trade turnover over eleven months of last year increased by almost 5%, reaching around $38 billion. In 2022, investment from the EU in Kazakhstan amounted to $12.5 billion, a record high.

“Today there are almost 6,000 joint ventures [with European partners] operating in Kazakhstan, 130 of which appeared in the past year. This highlights the sustainability and attractiveness of our economy for European partners. We call on the European investment community to expand their participation in joint projects,” Smailov stated.

The Prime Minister added that an important area of cooperation is the transit and transport sector. Today, about 85% of goods coming from China to Europe are transported through Kazakhstan. Last year, the volume of cargo shipped along the Trans-Caspian corridor increased by 65%. In the medium term, cargo traffic is expected to increase to 10 million tons.

The Vice-President of the European Commission stated that Kazakhstan is an important partner for the EU. “We know that you are undergoing major modernization processes. On behalf of the European Union, I would like to note the importance of the reforms initiated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, which make Kazakhstan a very significant player in the Central Asian region,” said Schinas.

15 Jan 2024

Environment, Uzbekistan Environment, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Features, Features

Ministry Looks to Tackle Air Pollution in Tashkent Amid Flash Mob Protest

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent, has long been ranked among the worst cities in the world with the highest levels of air pollution by the international service, IQAir. In 2022, the portal ranked Tashkent as the worst in the world in terms of air pollution based on data from Uzhydromet (State Hydrometeorological Service). Tashkent is particularly prone to fine particles of PM-2.5, which is the most dangerous indicator for health, according to the World Health Organization.

On January 12^th, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan stated that increasing levels of air pollution in Tashkent are caused by emissions from coal-burning heat and power plants, and from motor vehicles. The levels of air pollution are also due to the illegal felling of 49,000 trees and construction work being carried out without planning permission.

Another contributing factor is an increase in the amount of pollutants being emitted by vehicles, the number of which is growing rapidly. In 2021, there were 3.14 million cars, but by 2023 there were 4.6 million, an increase of 32%. On average, 730,000 vehicles are on the move in Tashkent every day, with between 160,000 to 300,000 entering the capital from the regions. Cars using A-80 gasoline, which does not meet international standards, emit more harmful substances into the atmosphere.

The burning of coal to generate electricity is also on the rise. In 2019, 3.9 million tons of coal were used; by 2022, this had increased to 5.3 million tons, and by the end of 2023 it was 6.7 million tons, the ministry stated.

The levels of air pollution are also due to the fact that Tashkent is located is surrounded by mountains, meaning the wind cannot circulate, and the polluted air is not blown away.

In order to reduce air pollution in Tashkent, the ministry proposed the following measures:

– a ban on motor fuel below the Euro-4 standard (AI-80 gasoline);

– a restriction on the movement of cargo vehicles in Tashkent weighing more than 3.5- and 12-tons during rush hour (from 07:00 to 10:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00);

– a ban on vehicles manufactured before 2010;

– providing preferential treatment and subsidies to owners of electric vehicles;

– a scheme to reduce congestion wherein vehicles with odd number plates are allowed to drive on odd days, and those with even numbers on even days;

– pedestrianized zones in the center of the city;

– the transfer of public transport to the use of electric and gas-cylinder fuel;

– a moratorium on construction except for facilities of social and state significance;

– a ban in the Tashkent region on the use of coal for industrial purposes;

– the creation of a “green belt” around the city.

Meanwhile, on the same day, activists in Tashkent staged a flash mob to protest about the state of affairs. Among those fighting for the right to life and health were eco-blogger, Mutabar Khushvaktova (Urikguli), the singer, Konsta, stand-up comedian, Mirshakar Faizullaev, bloggers Umid Gafurov and Mirzayor Erkinov, and YouTube podcast co-authors Sarvinoz Tolibayeva and Sa’dulla Abdullaev. Those in attendance expresses their fears that the government’s response may prove to be a “one-off,” when a long-term strategy is desperately needed.

On January 14^th, the air in Tashkent exceeded the permissible level of pollution by 11.4 times.