Page 912 – The Times Of Central Asia

05 Jan 2024

International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan

President Sends Condolences Following Terrorist Attack in Iran

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

President Sadyr Japarov has expressed his sincere condolences to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi following the terrorist attack in Kerman, Iran. Japarov emphasized that Kyrgyzstan categorically condemns terrorism in all its manifestations, which threatens general peace and stability.

“I received with deep regret the sad news that as a result of the terrorist attack in the city of Kerman, innocent people were killed and injured. On behalf of the Kyrgyz people and on my own behalf, I express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the brotherly people of Iran. I share the pain of this irreparable loss. I wish a speedy recovery to all those affected,” his telegram stated.

As a result of the explosions which occurred during commemorative marches in honor of the fourth anniversary of the death of General Qassem Soleimani, according to the latest media reports 103 people were killed and 211 injured. Two bags containing explosives were placed at the entrance to the Gulzar mausoleum, which were most likely detonated using a remote device.

In response to the attack, the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, promised harsh retribution for the perpetrators and organizers. The Iranian Government declared January 4^th a National Day of Mourning, and President Raisi postponed a planned visit to Turkey, saying that all those responsible would be found and punished accordingly.

04 Jan 2024

Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Featurees

Kazakhstan Takes Sixth Position in FDI Standout Watchlist

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Kazakhstan is entering 2024 with significant investment momentum, as it secures the sixth position in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Standouts Watchlist for 2024, released on December 11 by the fDi Intelligence service of the Financial Times. The country’s robust macroeconomic performance and continuous reforms have played a key role in making Kazakhstan one of the top FDI destinations globally.

The study conducted by fDi evaluates the macroeconomic and FDI trajectories of the world’s top 50 FDI destinations. It uses data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the FT’s cross-border investment monitor called fDi Markets. The purpose of this comprehensive analysis is to identify countries starting the new year with a strong macroeconomic performance and impressive FDI momentum.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecasted a real gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 4.6 percent for Kazakhstan in 2024, which is closely aligned with the Fund’s November projection of 4.8 percent for the year 2023. The country has been grappling with inflationary pressures, which peaked at slightly over 21 percent year-on-year in February 2023. However, measures taken by the government have helped curb this surge, and inflation was projected to stabilize around 10 percent by the end of 2023.

In its October 2023 report, the IMF highlighted Kazakhstan as an example where prioritizing governance reforms and strengthening the rule of law is instrumental in driving other reforms. The IMF noted that improved governance typically plays a crucial role in pushing forward reforms by building trust and confidence in public institutions and creating a conducive business climate.

The IMF also noted how Kazakhstan’s GDP has benefitted from a strong domestic demand and increased oil production attributed to the easing operational constraints affecting the Caspian Pipeline Consortium and the Tengiz oil field expansion.

In Central Asia, IMF has assessed that trade and financial inflows, particularly following Russia’s conflict with Ukraine, continue to support economic activity. However, supply-side disruptions linked to this conflict have also contributed to regional inflation.

Kazakhstan’s neighbor in the Caspian region, Azerbaijan, has secured the seventh position in the above-mentioned FDI watchlist for 2024 by fDi Intelligence.

04 Jan 2024

Environment, Kazakhstan Environment, Kazakhstan, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

Kazakhstan Now Chairs International Fund for Saving Aral Sea

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

From 2024, the chairmanship of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) has passed to Kazakhstan, after President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was elected as head of IFAS until the end of 2026, the Kazakh Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation said.

The International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, which includes Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, is engaged in the implementation of joint interstate environmental, scientific and practical programs and projects aimed at saving the Aral Sea and improving the environmental situation in the region, as well as solving common social and environmental problems.

“We are aiming to deepen cooperation both with the states of Central Asia and other international organizations and financial institutions,” said the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov. “This year we plan to begin the second phase of the project to preserve the Northern Aral Sea, implemented together with the World Bank. Saving the Aral Sea is a task that can only be accomplished through the joint efforts of all IFAS founding states. In the next three years, we intend to achieve significant results in this direction.”

Speaking in September 2023 in Dushanbe at a meeting of the Council of Heads of State–Founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, Tokayev said that IFAS has become the most important institution facilitating regional cooperation on issues of transboundary water resources sharing, as well as solving environmental and socio-economic problems in the Aral Sea basin. Tokayev also emphasized the need to create a mechanism for long-term and sustainable cooperation for the effective use of water and energy resources in Central Asia, taking into account the interests of all countries in the region.

To ensure transparency of water use in the region and strengthen the dialogue and friendship between Central Asian nations, Tokayev proposed the development of a work plan which would introduce a unified automated system of accounting, monitoring, management and distribution of water resources in the Aral Sea basin. Tokayev also called on Kyrgyzstan to resume its full participation in IFAS.

04 Jan 2024

Environment, Uzbekistan Environment, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Features, Uzbekistan Life & Culture, Features

Air Pollution in Tashkent Reaches “Very Harmful” Level

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The level of air pollution in Tashkent rose to “very harmful,” with an increase in the concentration of toxic substances in the atmosphere. According to the latest information from the international service IQAir, at 18:00 on January 3^rd, Tashkent recorded an air quality index of 223, placing the capital second in the world in terms of cities with the highest levels of air pollution, between Delhi (273), and above Dhaka (220).

According to data from this time, the concentration of particulate matter PM2.5 reached 173 μg/m3. Air quality in the city was rated as “very unhealthy.” The highest level of pollution was recorded in the Yunusabad district of the capital.

The situation is fluctuating wildly, however, and by 18:00 local time on the evening of January 4^th, Tashkent had dropped to number 37 on the rankings, with an air quality index of 67.

04 Jan 2024

Kazakhstan, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Home

Kazakhstan Seeks to Increase Investment Attractiveness of Exploration for Hydrocarbons

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

On December 28^th, a law “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Subsoil Use and Ecology” was signed, which, among others, is aimed at increasing the investment attractiveness of geological exploration for hydrocarbons, encouraging investment in depleting deposits, and fixing the minimum amount of equity participation (50% or more) of the national company in the field of hydrocarbons in large deposits.

In an address to the nation on September 1^st, President Tokayev had stated that “Geological exploration requires special attention. In 2018, in order to replenish the mineral resource base, new legislation was adopted to manage the mining sector. However, it did not work in full. As a result, there have been no significant geological discoveries in our resource-rich country for a long time. This situation urgently needs to be rectified.”

The relevant departments were then tasked with modernizing the mining sector management system as soon as possible, reducing the time-frame and procedures for approving projects by introducing comprehensive state expertise and the complete digitization of the process. The implementation of the law will give additional impetus to investment in geological exploration in the field of hydrocarbons in Kazakhstan, the Energy Ministry stated.

04 Jan 2024

Kazakhstan, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Home

Twelve Regional IT-Hubs Operating in Kazakhstan

October 8, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The development of regional IT hubs is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan, the ministry stated on January 3^rd. The goal of regional IT hubs is the development of innovative projects in the regions and the training of specialists in the field of information technology. These platforms are also a space for creating local IT communities, bringing together startups and investors.

The main task of regional IT hubs is to help young entrepreneurs organize startup projects.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also spoke about the importance of expanding the innovation ecosystem at a regional level when delivering his Address to the Nation last year.

Today, 12 regional IT-hubs are officially open and successfully functioning across Kazakhstan: Abai IT Valley (Semey, Abai Oblast), Kyzylorda Hub (Kyzylorda city), Digital Jetisu (Taldylkorgan city), Zhambyl Hub (Taraz city), Oskemen IT Hub (Oskemen city), Jaiq Hub (Uralsk city), Turkistan IT Hub (Turkistan city), Qostanai IT Hub (Qostanai city), Aqtobe IT Hub (Aqtobe city), Pavlodar Hub (Pavlodar city), Aqmola IT Hub (Kokshetau city), and Terricon Valley (Karaganda city).

These IT-hubs have presented 194 promising startup projects from the regions.