Page 911 – The Times Of Central Asia

08 Jan 2024

Tajikistan, Tajikistan Business Economy, Business & Economy, Tajikistan Features

Tajikistan Seeking to Become Key International Transit Hub

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Over the next two years, 317 kilometers of international highways will be put into operation in Tajikistan, confirmed representatives of the Ministry of Transport. In 2024, Tajikistan will continue implementing projects for the reconstruction of highways, with the construction of 32 bridges, 5 tunnels with a length of 11.2 km and 7 avalanche corridors aiming to turn the country into an international transit route.

“Special attention will be paid to the reconstruction of the Guliston-Kulyab (32.5 km), Dangara-Guliston (49.2 km), Guliston-Farkhor (40 km), and Bokhtar-Levakant-Dangara (40 km) highways,” the ministry stressed.

Earlier, at a meeting of the heads of transport departments of Central Asia, it was agreed to create the conditions for the development of the transport industry, Transport Minister of Tajikistan, Azim Ibrohim stated.

The improvement of transport and logistics is aimed at strengthening trade between the countries of the region. The parties also approved a draft agreement on improving the connectivity of land transport to create new transport corridors in Central Asia, which will be signed during the meeting of the heads of the state.

08 Jan 2024

Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazatomprom Qualifies for Production of Advanced Nuclear Fuel

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Kazakhstan’s National Atomic Company, Kazatomprom, the world’s largest producer of uranium, says it has successfully completed the qualification process for the production of AFA 3G ^TM type A fuel assemblies at the Kazakh-Chinese Joint Venture, Ulba-FA LLP, which produces nuclear fuel for Chinese nuclear power plants. A document confirming the technical compliance of the product with all the mandatory quality requirements, norms and standards was provided by Framatome, the holder of technology.

Work on the qualification for fuel assemblies’ production started in March 2023. As a result, the plant successfully received confirmation on the quality of its products. The qualification allows the plant to produce AFA 3G ^TM type A fuel assemblies, in addition to AFA 3G ^TMAA fuel assemblies, thus expanding the product line, Kazatomprom said.

In 2024, Kazatomprom plans to commission industrial production of AFA 3G^TM type A fuel assemblies and supply a batch of fuel assemblies of this type to nuclear power plants in China.

The Ulba-FA plant has allowed Kazatomprom to diversify its production, expanding its product line and producing advanced, export-oriented uranium products with a high added value. With a production capacity of 200 tons of uranium in the form of fuel assemblies per year, the Ulba-FA plant has a guaranteed sales market for the next 20 years, Kazatomprom said. The launch of this innovative production has allowed Kazakhstan to enter the limited circle of countries which produce and supply nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants.

08 Jan 2024

Environment, Uzbekistan Environment, Uzbekistan

New Multi-Story Buildings in Uzbekistan Now Have to Install Solar Panels

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

According to the law, there is now a requirement to install solar panels on at least 50% of the free part of roofs of new multi-story buildings, the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan has stated.

The government recently announced a program to encourage the installation of low-power solar panels (up to 50 kW) in households in the regions of the nation. The program provides subsidies to citizens for electrical energy produced by their solar panels. In addition, persons who have installed renewable energy sources are also exempt from land and property tax on plots occupied by such renewable energy devices.

In recent years, Uzbekistan has experienced increasing electricity shortages, especially in the cold winter months, against the background of the country’s growing population and depleting natural gas reserves. This has prompted the government to embark on a large-scale program to introduce wind and solar power plants.

In 2024, Uzbekistan plans to increase the total capacity of solar power plants to 2.6 gigawatts, wind farms to 900 megawatts, and launch energy storage devices with a capacity of 400 megawatts.

08 Jan 2024

Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan Business & Economy, Business & Economy

Forum to Attract Foreign Investment in Turkmenistan’s Energy Sector to be Held in Paris

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The Forum to Attract Foreign Investments in Turkmenistan’s Energy Sector will take place on April 24^th and 25^th, 2024 in Paris.

The Forum’s organizers are the State Concerns Turkmengaz, Turkmennebit (Turkmen oil), and the State Corporation Turkmengeology in partnership with the Turkmen Forum and U.K.-based GaffneyCline, according to the official website of the event.

The purpose of the Forum is to expand the opportunities for attracting foreign direct investment in all aspects of the energy industry of Turkmenistan, and to strengthen regional dialogue on further sustainable development of the energy sector. Upstream, midstream and downstream opportunities will also be addressed. The Forum will bring together leading national and international energy companies, as well as experts who shape the future of the oil and gas industry not only in Turkmenistan, but also in the wider region.

Turkmenistan has repeatedly stated that increasing production and diversifying the export of its hydrocarbon resources is a priority task of the country’s oil and gas sector.

06 Jan 2024

Justice, Kazakhstan Justice

Kazakh model committed suicide two years after visiting Jeffrey Epstein’s notorious island

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Born and raised in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Ruslana Korshunova was discovered by a modelling scout at the age of 15 and quickly moved abroad to pursue her career. She worked with well-known international brands such as Marc Jacobs, Kenzo, Paul Smith, Vera Wang, Nina Ricci, Donna Karan, and Christian Dior. Her striking features also graced the covers of Russian Vogue, French Elle, and The New York Times Style Magazine.

Tragedy struck when Korshunova was found dead outside her Wall Street home in New York in 2008 at the age of 20. She was believed to have fallen from her apartment’s balcony. Prior to her death, it was reported that she had joined an intense Russian “self-help group”, as revealed in Peter Pomerantsev’s 2014 book entitled “Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible: The Surreal Heart of the New Russia”.

Recent court documents related to American financier and convicted sex offender, the late Jeffrey Epstein, and his former lover, Ghislaine Maxwell, reveal that at the age of 18, Korshunova was flown to Epstein’s Little Saint James island on his infamous private Boeing 727 aircraft, known as the “Lolita Express”. This plane was allegedly used to transport young girls to the island in the company of wealthy and influential men. Flight logs showed that Korshunova boarded the Lolita Express in New York on June 7, 2006, destined for the notorious private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The recent revelation of Korshunova’s involvement with Epstein comes in the wake of another tragic incident in Kazakhstan involving Saltanat Nukenova, the wife of former Minister Kuandyk Bishimbayev. The public murder of Nukenova by Bishimbayev had prompted the Zhana Adamdar movement to hold a rally in Almaty in November 2023 to raise awareness about violence against women and children.

Following Nukenova’s untimely death, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was quick to implement a decree to enhance human rights with a focus on combatting gender inequality and strengthening the justice mechanism for victims of domestic violence. This decree represents an expansion of protections for women and marginalized groups as part of the President’s larger reform agenda initiated in 2022.

Human rights infringements, as illustrated by both above incidents involving tragic deaths of young women, transcend geographical boundaries. The onus for rectification lies with the authorities and their proactive measures to prevent such violations. It is just as imperative that offenders are unequivocally and swiftly brought to justice. Given recent initiatives by its government, Kazakhstan seems to be progressing in this direction. The prolonged litigation and lack of transparency in the Epstein case, on the other hand, has provoked unease globally, considering that the victims originate from numerous countries.

06 Jan 2024

Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees, Kazakhstan Home

The NeMolchi.kz Foundation: Unraveling the Controversy Surrounding Dina Tansari

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

In a recent development, Dina Tansari, the head of the public foundation “NeMolchi.kz,” has found herself at the center of six criminal cases, two of which involve allegations of fraud, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Tansari, also known as Dinara Smailova, stands accused of disseminating false information, infringing upon privacy rights, and engaging in fraudulent activities, as outlined by the police investigations. The foundation she leads, “NeMolchi.kz,” primarily focuses on advocating against violence targeting women and children in Kazakhstan.

However, investigations have revealed alleged discrepancies in Tansari’s actions. Forensic examinations indicate a tendency in her publications toward accusatory tones, built solely on subjective perspectives, as stated by authorities. Moreover, reports suggest that since 2021, while residing outside Kazakhstan, she used social media to solicit funds supposedly intended to aid victims of violence.

One notable incident involves the publication of misleading information in April 2023 about the alleged suicide of a girl in Ust-Kamenogorsk. Tansari’s subsequent posts expressing condolences and mistrust of police statements were deemed false. Consequently, these actions led to a criminal case based on the charge of hooliganism and injury to a minor, which was forwarded to court.

Despite these circumstances, Tansari initiated a fundraising campaign purportedly for the victim’s legal counsel, amassing over 20 million tenge ($44,000). However, only a fraction was utilized for the intended purpose. An analysis of financial data, sanctioned by the court, disclosed that funds intended for the foundation were diverted to Tansari’s husband’s personal account and spent on her personal expenses abroad, violating laws governing non-profit organizations.

This turn of events led law enforcement to place Tansari on the wanted list on December 27th. In response, she expressed her concerns on Instagram, highlighting that seven individuals were victims in her case and appealing for support from the people of Kazakhstan.

Previously, Tansari reported the fund’s accounts being blocked in November, and faced accusations of fraud by the East Kazakhstan police in early December. Subsequently, she and her husband, Almat Mukhamedzhanov, sought political asylum in Europe, claiming persecution due to NeMolchi.kz’s activities.

Established in 2017, “NeMolchi.kz” focuses on addressing violence against women and children in Kazakhstan through donations. Despite the recent controversy, the foundation has been active in initiating criminal cases against 81 alleged rapists over the past five years. The foundation offers a diverse array of support to victims, spanning legal, psychological, and medical aid, alongside educational initiatives and legislative advocacy for victim protection.

While Tansari’s current predicament unfolds, the legacy of “NeMolchi.kz” in aiding victims and fighting against violence remains a significant aspect of its ongoing mission, both within Kazakhstan and across various neighboring countries.