Page 905 – The Times Of Central Asia

29 Apr 2024

Central Asia, Home, Justice, Kyrgyzstan, Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics

Kyrgyz Authorities Promise Not to Persecute Human Rights Advocates Using Foreign Agent Law

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, Edil Baisalov met with representatives of domestic non-governmental organizations (NGOs), where he assured participants that the new Foreign Agent’s Law is not aimed at restricting the work of NGOs. All rights and freedoms have been preserved, and human rights defenders can participate in the political life of the country, Baisalov stated.

“The only thing required is to be on the register. This requirement is common around the world. There will be no persecution; no restrictions on activities. We are interested in the activities of [NGOs] for the benefit of our country,” Baisalov said.

Earlier, the Times of Central Asia reported on human rights activists concerns regarding reputational risks, possible interference by government agencies in the work of NGOs, and the risk of mandatory financial audits. There were also questions about the implementation of new legislative guidelines, most of which, according to opponents of the law, are not viable.

The Kyrgyz Ministry of Justice responded to an inquiry from the Times of Central Asia, with officials saying that bylaws and rule-making for the new law are in the works. However, more detailed information will be provided later, when the updates and amendments are submitted for public discussion.

In early April, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov signed the law “On Foreign Representatives,” which sparked a wave of criticism from foreign organizations, foreign governments, and NGOs working in Kyrgyzstan.

29 Apr 2024

Central Asia, Environment, Kazakhstan Environment, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Featurees

Military in Kazakhstan Head Back to Bases After Working to Contain Floods

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Kazakh military units that deployed to help with flood control measures in the past weeks are returning to their barracks as the crisis that hit large parts of the country winds down.

“Due to the stabilization of the situation and the drop in water levels, some of the personnel and military equipment of the armed forces are returning to their permanent deployment points from the West Kazakhstan, North Kazakhstan and Akmola regions,” Ruslan Zhangulin, spokesman for the Defense Ministry, said on Monday.

About 2,200 military personnel and 16 pieces of military equipment were involved in flood control as of Saturday, according to Zhangulin.

The military was involved in evacuations and building barriers to prevent water flows during the flooding, which began in March and forced the evacuation of more than 100,000 people as winter snow melted with the arrival of warmer temperatures. Nearly 40,000 have since returned to their homes.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev described the floods as Kazakhstan’s worst natural disaster in 80 years.

29 Apr 2024

Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Environment, Kazakhstan Home

Twenty New Reservoirs for Kazakhstan

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The Kazakh Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation has announced plans to build 20 new reservoirs with a capacity of 2.5 billion cubic meters by 2030.

During the first stage, ten reservoirs will be constructed in the regions of Akmola, West Kazakhstan, Zhambyl, Kyzylorda and Zhetisu, and in the south, two more reservoirs will complement that of Kensai-Koskorgan-2 , already in operation in the Turkestan region. The installation of eight new reservoirs will then follow elsewhere.

Once completed, the project will reduce the country’s dependence on water flowing from upstream Kyrgyzstan and China by 25%, help combat drought in southern Kazakhstan and conversely, reduce the threat of flooding in 70 rural settlements with a total population of 137 thousand people. In addition, irrigation will be provided for a further 250 thousand hectares of farmland.

Plans are also in place to reconstruct 15 existing reservoirs with a total capacity of 1.9 billion cubic meters, with work on six reservoirs in Aktobe, West Kazakhstan, Zhambyl, Kostanay, Turkestan regions and the city of Astana, scheduled to start this year.

29 Apr 2024

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, International Affairs, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Uzbekistan Earns Removal From U.S. Intellectual Property Rights Blacklist

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has published its Special 301 Report for 2024 on the protection and enforcement of intellectual property. This annual report details the USTR’s review of more than 100 trading partners after significant research and extensive engagement with stakeholders, and the latest iteration holds very positive news for Uzbekistan.

According to the report, the USTR removed Uzbekistan from its Watch List this year because of sustained progress on long-standing issues pertaining to intellectual property (IP) protection and enforcement. For example, Uzbekistan enacted new Customs Code amendments that introduce ex officio authority to suspend and seize counterfeit imports and exports. Uzbekistan also continues to give high-level political attention to IP – including support for and participation in the Intellectual Property Working Group under the U.S.-Central Asia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.

It was reported that the removal of Ukraine from the watch list was delayed due to the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war.

The USTR continues to engage trading partners to address IP protection and enforcement concerns, including through bilateral cooperation through Trade and Investment Frameworks (TIFAs) and other mechanisms. Examples of cooperation include deals with Armenia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Paraguay, Peru, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

29 Apr 2024

Central Asia, International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan, Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Kyrgyzstan Looks to Azerbaijan to Replace Russian Fuel

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Geopolitical turbulence is forcing Kyrgyz authorities to diversify approaches to securing its fuel and lubricants supplies. Azerbaijan may become one of the sources of oil products.

As part of Kyrgyz president Sadyr Zhaparov’s recent visit to Azerbaijan, negotiations were held with representatives of the Baku Oil Refinery, which is run by the state oil company, SOCAR. The two sides discussed the specific details of Azerbaijani oil supplies to the Junda oil refinery in Kyrgyzstan.

“Azerbaijan is one of the largest exporters of oil products. In the near future, the Junda oil refinery will also start operating in Kyrgyzstan, the demand of which is more than 1 million tons of fuel per year. In this regard, the issues of oil supplies to Kyrgyzstan were discussed with the management of SOCAR. For their part, they are ready to cooperate,” said Kyrgyz energy minister Taalaibek Ibrayev.

Earlier, Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Economy and Commerce discussed various risks in the fuel market. The ministry is preparing a package of measures in case of a sharp increase in prices for crude oil and petroleum products.

Kyrgyzstan’s economy minister Daniyar Amangeldiev referenced the agreements between Russia and Kyrgyzstan on duty-free supplies of oil products under the customs rules of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). However, the ministry fears a sharp reduction in imports from Russia — as Ukrainian forces use drones to bomb Russian refining capacity, and western sanctions make repairing and replacing parts more difficult.

Currently, Kyrgyzstan’s local capacity for refining petroleum products doesn’t even cover 5% of domestic demand.

29 Apr 2024

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Local Politics, Business & Economy, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Uzbekistan Local Politics

Uzbekistan Will Allow Gambling From Next Year

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

From 1 January 2025, gambling, lotteries and betting activities will be legal in Uzbekistan.

The National Agency for Advanced Projects will control the legal entities that will manage gambling activities in the country. Those management companies will pay a tax on revenue at the rate of four percent for five years. Under the regulations, the age limit will be set for gambling participants at 18 years of age, and companies must have a license to provide betting services and gambling platforms.

Despite the current bans, the population actively participates in games of chance — using foreign and illegal services. That means that participants risk falling prey to scammers, losing huge sums of money in the process. Crimes and suicides among gamblers are not uncommon. According to preliminary estimates, the state budget will receive about $6 million per year.

Earlier, the Uzbekistan Football Association’s press secretary, Davron Faiziev, spoke about the advantages of legalizing betting activities: “By banning betting activities, we lose a lot. First of all, a large flow of funds goes to other countries. This is why the decision was made — to legalize all this, to control and ensure clean activity in the future.”

In Faiziev’s opinion, gaming and betting companies can improve the situation in the sports sector of the country’s economy, as according to foreign experience, many betting offices are active sponsors of sports teams.