Page 929 – The Times Of Central Asia

13 Dec 2023

Tajikistan Life & Culture, Tajikistan International Affairs, Tajikistan, Tajikistan Business Economy, Tajikistan Home

Tajikistan to Connect to Chinese Internet

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

A new agreement has been reached between Tajikistan and China, which will bring the republic closer to having high-speed internet throughout the country after Tajikistan’s Communications Service and a subsidiary of HUAWEI signed a memorandum of cooperation in the field of digital technologies. This will lead to the supply and installation of 7,600 base stations with GSM/UMS/LTD/5G as standard, it was reported.

“This will contribute to the development of mobile communications and fixed broadband networks in Tajikistan,” the regulator said in a statement. “At the same time, given the rapid development of information technology, this will allow operators to have instant access to the latest equipment.”

The agreement also provides for cooperation and the involvement of personnel in the field of communications, mobile operators and Huawei Technology Tajikistan specialists in the development of a single modernization project. The agreement was signed by the Head of the Communications Service, Bek Saburov, and the CEO of Huawei’s subsidiary, Ma Chan, as part of the State Program for the Improvement and Development of Mobile Communications in 2024-2028.

Earlier, the Communications Service made the unexpected decision to allow two private companies to supply internet to the country through international channels. According to a Sputnik Tajikistan source, the companies are TT Mobile (MegaFon), and Indigo Tajikistan (Tcell).

12 Dec 2023

Turkmenistan Life & Culture, Turkmenistan International Affairs, Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan Local Politics

Turkmenistan to Open Specialized Training Center “Diplomatic Protocol” at the Institute of International Relations

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Turkmenistan is taking strides in reforming its education sector with a particular focus on training diplomatic personnel. In line with this objective, the President of Turkmenistan has signed a resolution for the establishment of a Specialized Training Center “Diplomatic Protocol” at the Institute of International Relations (IIR) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to raising the standard of its diplomatic corps in accordance with international guidelines. The new training center will equip diplomats with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate complex diplomatic protocols and effectively represent Turkmenistan in the global arena.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Adalat, has been tasked to prepare and present proposals within a month. These proposals will outline the necessary changes and additions to the existing legislation of Turkmenistan that are required to implement the President’s resolution.

The establishment of the Specialized Training Center “Diplomatic Protocol” is expected to further enhance the professional capabilities of Turkmen diplomats, fostering stronger international relations and facilitating more effective communication with their counterparts around the world.

12 Dec 2023

Central Asia, Business & Economy

EBRD Launches Youth in Business Program in Central Asia

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

EBRD Launches Youth in Business Program in Central Asia

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on December 12^th said it is addressing the issue of youth entrepreneurship and employment in Central Asia by launching a seven-year €200 million (U$ 218 million) Youth in Business program designed to provide better access to finance and relevant training to young entrepreneurs in the region, where up to one third of the population is aged between 18 and 34 years.

The Youth in Business program in Central Asia (YiB CA) will target micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) led or owned by individuals under the age of 35. It will consist of up to €200 million for on-lending to up to 20 partner financial institutions in Central Asia and Mongolia; targeted non-financial services for eligible small businesses will be provided by the Bank’s Advice for Small Businesses program to help develop their entrepreneurial skills through training, advisory services, and networking opportunities.

The EBRD’s investment will be complemented by a package of up to €30 million in grants and concessional co-financing to stimulate inclusive lending and youth entrepreneurship.

It is expected that the first agreements under the YiB CA will include: a loan of up to U$ 10 million to Uzbekistan’s largest private bank, Hamkorbank, a loan of up to U$ 8 million to Shinhan Bank Kazakhstan, a loan of up to U$ 4 million to Mongolia’s leading micro-lender, Transcapital, and a loan of up to U$ 2 million to Kazakhstan-based micro-financial organization, Arnur Credit.

A market assessment conducted by the EBRD in the region revealed that while many young people across Central Asia have a strong entrepreneurial mindset, very few have access to equal economic opportunities. Only around 10% have access to the necessary training and professional expertise.

In Central Asia, MSMEs account for almost half of total employment, and contribute almost 40% of regional GDP.

Grant support and concessional finance to the program is provided by the Government of Kazakhstan, the Small Business Impact Fund, and the European Union.

12 Dec 2023

Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan and Belgium’s Province of Walloon Brabant to Expand Cooperation

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Kazakhstan and Belgium’s Province of Walloon Brabant to Expand Cooperation

On December 11^th, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Belgium, Margulan Baimukhan made a working visit to the province of Walloon Brabant, where he met with the Governor of the region, Gilles Mahieu, Administrator of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Walloon Brabant, Christophe Lebrun, and District Commissioner of the region, Christophe Baes.

During the meeting there was a presentation about the economic and scientific-educational potential of the region. The Kazakh diplomat spoke about the current state of Kazakhstan-Belgium, Kazakhstan-European and CA-EU relations. The main emphasis was placed on projects in the field of transportation, green economy, and rare earth metals.

Ambassador Baimukhan also informed those gathered about the activities of the Kazakh-Belgian Business Council, and the upcoming business missions of Belgian companies and European agro-industrial firms to Kazakhstan in 2024.

Following the meeting, it was agreed that a detailed presentation on economic and investment opportunities in Kazakhstan for business circles in Walloon Brabant would be prepared.

Trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Belgium amounted to $514.5 million in 2022. Indicators for the period January-August 2023 amounted to $375.3 million, which is 6.7% higher than for the same period in the previous year. Gross direct investment from Belgium to Kazakhstan in 2022 amounted to $1.5 billion.

12 Dec 2023

Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan and Slovakia Discuss Strengthening Cooperation

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Kazakhstan and Slovakia Discuss Strengthening Cooperation

The possibility of strengthening cooperation between Kazakhstan and Slovakia was discussed during a working visit to Bratislava of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Roman Vassilenko on December 11^th. Vassilenko held meetings with colleagues in Slovak ministries, parliament, and representatives of business circles.

During political and economic consultations with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Rastislav Chovanec, the parties discussed bilateral relations and the interaction of the two countries in international platforms. Vassilenko and Chovanec emphasised the dynamic, progressive development of Kazakh-Slovak cooperation. The State Secretary said that Kazakhstan is among the top five countries which Slovak business is interested in cooperation with.

Particular attention was paid to the preparations for the tenth meeting of the Kazakh-Slovak Intergovernmental Commission on economic and scientific-technical cooperation and a business forum, which are scheduled for the first half of 2024 in Astana.

During talks with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy of Slovakia, Vladimir Šimoňák, a positive trend of growth in mutual trade between the two countries was noted, the volume of which increased by 68.5% the first ten months of 2023. Issues of cooperation in energy, transport, machine-building, defense, IT, agriculture and tourism were discussed.

Vassilenko proposed expanding the agenda of the upcoming commission in the areas of energy, transcontinental transport and the establishment of new freight routes between Europe and Asia, including the development of the Middle Corridor. In this context, it was proposed that the volume of freight traffic between Kazakhstan and Slovakia be increased.

Particular attention was also paid to cooperation in the field of training engineering and technical professions. Currently, over 500 students from Kazakhstan are undergoing technical training and internships at enterprises of the Slovak automotive industry, and the number of students from Kazakhstan studying in Slovak universities continues to grow annually.

11 Dec 2023

Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan Increases Oil Exports Along Trans-Caspian Route

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Kazakhstan Increases Oil Exports Along Trans-Caspian Route

KazTransOil JSC (a subsidiary of Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas company, KazMunayGas JSC), exported 3,620,000 tons of oil from the Caspian port of Aktau in the eleven months of 2023 so far, which is 1,014,000 tons, or 50% more compared to the same period last year, the company said on December 11th.

The increase in the volume of transportation of Kazakh oil for export from the port of Aktau is due to an increase in the volume of raw materials shipped towards the port of Baku, from 205,000 tons to 1,238,000 tons, a sixfold increase on the same period in 2022. In addition, in the reporting period, 1,824,000 tons of oil were shipped from Aktau towards the port of Makhachkala (Russia).

In 2022, the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ordered an increase in the volume of oil transportation along the Trans-Caspian corridor. In accordance with this instruction, JSC NC KazMunayGas and the state oil company of Azerbaijan, SOCAR, entered into an agreement providing for the transportation of 1,500,000 tons of oil per year from the Tengiz field in the direction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline.