Page 919 – The Times Of Central Asia

28 Dec 2023

Environment, Uzbekistan Environment, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Features, Uzbekistan Life & Culture

Uzbekistan to Cover Growing Demand with Green Energy Sources

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Uzbekistan has set a goal of doubling its industrial production by 2030 and plans to implement more than 500 major industrial and infrastructure projects worth $150 billion. To accomplish these ambitious goals, the country needs to have guaranteed and stable energy resources, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said on December 27^th, at the launch ceremony of major projects in the field of green energy.

“We estimate that in the next six years, our country’s electricity demand will increase from the current 83 billion to 120 billion kilowatt hours. We will cover this primarily through renewable energy sources,” Mirziyoyev said.

Uzbekistan will continue its active investment policy to increase the capacity of green energy sources to 27 gigawatts by 2030, he said, adding that the country possesses enormous potential for green energy.

“In order to encourage the industry, we have launched the ‘Solar House’ system to provide preferential loans and subsidies for the installation of solar panels and ensure the guaranteed purchase of generated electricity. This year alone, 50,000 households and entrepreneurs have installed solar panels in our country,” Mirziyoyev said.

Currently, Uzbekistan is implementing projects for the construction of 22 solar and wind power stations with a total capacity of 9 gigawatts, and the government will create all the necessary conditions and preferences for foreign investors to implement such priority projects, Mirziyoyev concluded.

28 Dec 2023

Kazakhstan, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Features

EBRD to Tackle Bottlenecks on Major Logistical Hub

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

To tackle the identified bottlenecks within the Trans-Caspian corridor, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced on December 27th its commitment to providing financial support for the enhancement of modern logistical infrastructure. The bank’s loan, amounting to up to U$ 40 million, is intended for Kazakhstan’s principal private rolling stock operator, Eastcomtrans. This support aims to bolster the operator’s container handling capacity, specifically targeting one of the busiest junctions near Almaty city, thereby ensuring the continuous operation of its railway fleet.

Eastcomtrans, an EBRD client since 2014 and the possessor of 8% of the nation’s total rolling stock, will utilize the allocated funds, available in both US dollars and Kazakh tenge, to further advance its Zhetygen logistical center. The investment will also facilitate the acquisition of approximately 250 new railcars and the maintenance of its existing stock.

Located in close proximity to the Chinese border and adjacent to Kazakhstan’s largest urban area, this upgraded logistical hub will function as a pivotal point along the Trans-Caspian Corridor. It is poised to enhance the smooth flow of cargo traffic across Kazakhstan. Anticipating a surge in trade volumes, especially in container traffic between Asia and Europe, the hub’s development aims to accommodate the escalating demand for freight transit.

27 Dec 2023

Uzbekistan Environment, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Life & Culture

President Launches Six Green Power Plants with Total Capacity of 2.4 Gigawatts

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

On December 27^th, President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in a ceremony of commissioning and connecting to the power grid of five solar and one wind power plants in six regions of the country. The event was attended by top executives from Masdar, China Energy Engineering Corporation, China Energy International Group, China Gezhouba Group, SEPCO III, and Dongfang Electric Corporation, which implemented the investment projects.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Mirziyoyev said that today, “we are standing at an important event, which opens yet another bright page in the history of our country: six large solar and wind plants with a total capacity of 2,400 megawatts are to be connected to the grid”.

The first phase of the three solar power plants has been built in Jizzakh, Samarkand and Surkhandarya regions by the UAE-based company Masdar. This company has also built a modern wind power station in the Tomdi district, and its 100-megawatt capacity was also commissioned during the ceremony.

Gezhouba Group launched the construction of the first 400-megawatt solar power plants in Bukhara and Kashkadarya. Once commissioned, the President said, these projects worth $2 billion will generate six billion kilowatt-hours of electricity and save up to two billion cubic meters of natural gas.

Moreover, two million homes in Uzbekistan will be provided with an uninterrupted and guaranteed electric energy supply.

27 Dec 2023

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Features, Business & Economy, Uzbekistan Business & Economy

Gazprom Eyes Central Asia Amid European Sanctions

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Facing a shortfall in European gas exports due to Western sanctions, Gazprom anticipates it will sell 34 billion cubic meters of unexported gas to Central Asia, according to recent reports.

“In light of the ongoing changes in the global energy market, Gazprom remains committed to ensuring a reliable gas supply to Russian consumers and bolstering export capabilities. A key focus for the company in this regard has been fostering collaboration with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan,” Gazprom stated in a press release.

The company confirmed a drop in gas exports to Europe of 34 billion cubic meters in the first eleven months of 2023, marking levels not seen since 1996. An earlier announcement by the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan unveiled a 15-year gas purchase agreement with Gazprom, extending the deal to include Kazakhstan, which involves a new pipeline construction.

In October, reports indicated the commencement of Russian gas deliveries to Uzbekistan through Kazakhstan. However, the specifics of this arrangement have not been disclosed to date.

Alexey Miller, Gazprom’s chief, outlined plans to expand the Central Asia gas pipeline system in November, highlighting memoranda signed with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, and expressing optimism that the project will rejuvenate this pipeline network.

During the Soviet era, gas from the region was transported to Russia via the Central Asia–Center gas pipeline. After the USSR’s dissolution, the pipeline ceased operations and deteriorated, requiring substantial refurbishment to enable gas supplies from Russia to Central Asia. Miller noted the completion of the initial repair stage of the Central Asia-Center gas pipeline, facilitating gas delivery to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan.

Earlier this year, Tashkent inked a two-year gas supply contract with Gazprom amounting to approximately 2.8 billion cubic meters annually. Despite these developments, details regarding the pricing of the purchased gas remain undisclosed. Which according to Uzbekistan’s Energy Minister, Zhurabek Mirzamakhmudov, is “in alignment with national interests and market dynamics.”

27 Dec 2023

Central Asia, Turkmenistan Life & Culture, Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan Local Politics, Local Politics, Turkmenistan Features, Features

Raids Target Illegal Medicine Sales in Remote Turkmen Villages

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Law enforcement agencies in the Mary Velayat district have initiated crackdowns on citizens engaging in the unauthorized sales of medicines,Radio Azatlyk has reported. While these actions target what authorities deem to be illegal, individuals conducting the trades in remote areas argue that they’re simply filling a crucial gap in essential healthcare access.

Sellers in remote villages assert that they offer commonly used medications like analgin and paracetamol, which, to their understanding, don’t require a doctor’s prescription. These traders claim to have procured these medicines from city pharmacies and to simply be reselling them at a slight markup in areas lacking facilities.

“Our village lacks pharmacies. Ambulance services have substantial delays, sometimes failing to arrive. People turn to us for antipyretics when they’re stricken with a fever at night. We offer a service that pharmacies don’t provide. We aren’t breaking any laws,” emphasized one villager engaged in medicine sales.

Another trader echoed this sentiment, stating, “We’re simply providing a service to our community.” Moreover, these merchants assert that they inform local district police officers about their activities, believing this communication suffices as adherence to the regulations.

However, plainclothes police officers have been actively involved in operations targeting this unauthorized trade. During these raids, authorities confiscate medicines and detain the traders, issuing substantial fines.

The scenario underscores a wider issue of inadequate medical facilities and pharmacy access in rural areas. Rural residents complain about delayed and inadequate ambulance services, exacerbating their struggle to access essential medical aid. Shortages of crucial medicines in both rural and urban pharmacies have been recurrent issues in Turkmenistan. Inconsistent availability of medications was reported earlier this year, highlighting a systemic challenge. Additionally, instances of medical professionals capitalizing on pharmaceutical shortages for extra profits surfaced in December of the previous year.

Trading medicines in Turkmenistan requires the possession of a valid license, and according to local legislation, sales should be conducted exclusively by individuals with a secondary or higher pharmaceutical education. This tension between unauthorized sales and healthcare gaps in remote regions presents a complex challenge in need of resolution.

27 Dec 2023

Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Justice, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan

Investigation Launched into Mobile Operators

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The Agency for the Protection and Development of Competition of the Republic of Kazakhstan has established that in 2023, a significant price increase from 7.7% to 57.3% was recorded according to the tariff plans of mobile operators, who increased the cost of services provided on more than 30 plans with a monthly subscription fee.

“Taking into account paragraph 3 of Article 199 of the Entrepreneurial Code in connection with the repeated detection of signs of anti-competitive coordinated actions in the calendar year, the Agency has now launched investigations against mobile operators Kcell JSC, MT–S LLP (Tele2/Altel) and Kar-Tel LLP (Beeline) under Article 170 of the Entrepreneurial Code,” the Agency for the Protection and Development of Competition of the Republic of Kazakhstan said in a statement.

Earlier, the Agency had detected signs of anti-competitive coordinated actions by mobile operators in setting the cost of calls per minute and SMS services. In this regard, notifications were sent to mobile operators to reasonably reduce their pricing. The Agency stated that in case of non-compliance by the operators within an established time-frame, an investigation would be launched.