Page 932 – The Times Of Central Asia

15 Dec 2023

Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Business & Economy

Uzbekistan Plans to Manufacture One Million Cars a Year by 2030

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Uzbekistan Plans to Manufacture One Million Cars a Year by 2030

The number of cars manufactured in Uzbekistan has grown threefold in recent years, with total annual production expected to reach 415,000 by the end of this year. This was said at a government meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on December 14^th.

In order to end the state monopoly and develop competition in the Uzbek automotive industry, three new private automakers and prestigious foreign brands have been attracted to Uzbekistan. Today, eight plants in the country manufacture dozens of types of cars, freight and passenger transport, and agricultural machinery. In addition, more than 2,000 enterprises in the industry closely cooperate with each other, and a 50% localization of component production is ensured.

It was said at the meeting that by 2030, Uzbekistan plans to increase the annual production of passenger cars to a million. Today, the world’s leading automakers are switching to the production of electric vehicles. If domestic enterprises are slow to develop in this direction, in the future they will face difficulties in occupying a worthy place in the market. Uzbekistan has already started the first projects in this direction. It is planned that next year a car plant capable of producing 10,000 electric vehicles a year will be launched in the country.

The President pointed out the importance of special attention being paid to the production of electric vehicles, and ordered the production of components for them.

15 Dec 2023

Kyrgyzstan Environment, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Kyrgyzstan to Start Exporting Electricity in 2026, Says PM

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

In 2026, Kyrgyzstan will reach a surplus in the power generation sector and begin exporting electricity, Akylbek Japarov, the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers-Head of the Administration of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, said on December 15^th at the People’s Kurultai (an assembly of representatives of the public from all regions of the country).

The prime minister said that in order to eliminate shortages of electricity, five small hydroelectric power plants of 71 MW each, five solar power plants, and a second hydroelectric unit at the Toktogul hydroelectric power plant were put into operation in 2023. In 2024, the country’s power generation capacity will increase by 178 MW, with 25 small hydroelectric power plants and another hydroelectric unit at Toktogul being put into operation. Solar power plants with a capacity of 700 MW and the hydroelectric power station Bala-Saruu with a capacity of 5 MW will also be commissioned in the Talas region.

The head of the Cabinet of Ministers focused on the implementation of these large energy projects.

“Preparatory work for Kambarata HPP-1 is being completed: tunnels, roads, lines,” Japarov said. “Negotiations are underway with the World Bank on the first phase of its construction. The design of the Kazarman, Kokomeren, Chatkal cascades, and the Kemin-Torugart line with a capacity of 500 kilovolts will begin. In 2024, work on the Kyrgyz part of the CASA-1000 [electricity transmission] project will be completed. In two years, the Kulanak hydroelectric power plant will start operating. In 2026, we will reach a surplus in the energy sector and begin exporting electricity.”

The Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers also said that in 2024, Kyrgyzstan will begin exporting coal to China from four deposits, and a coal enrichment plant will be built in the Naryn region by 2025.

15 Dec 2023

Kyrgyzstan Justice, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Home

President Speaks about Fighting Corruption, New Trade Routes in Eurasia

September 4, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

On December 15^th, President Sadyr Japarov addressed the second People’s Kurultai, a national assembly of representatives of the public, to discuss current issues of national importance and develop joint proposals to promote reforms. In his speech, the President laid particular emphasis on the fight against corruption.

“Corruption is a social evil not only of our people, but of all countries of the world. Because of corruption, our country did not develop for almost 30 years, only a few people became rich, and the common people lived in poverty. Currently, anti-corruption measures are in full swing. Billions of dollars are being returned to state coffers,” Japarov said, adding that a war is also being waged against organized criminal groups.

“No investor will invest money in a country with criminal elements. In addition, some officials continue to obstruct investors and engage in bribery and lobbying. All these phenomena harm the image of the country. In this regard, the merciless fight against corruption will continue and intensify,” the President promised.

President Japarov also touched upon the topic of new trade routes for Kyrgyzstan.

“Kyrgyzstan is located on a unique trade route — the Great Silk Road between Europe and Asia. Occupying a convenient geographical location on trade routes, our country can become a bridge between East and West. For this purpose, a new multimodal transport route, the ‘Southern Corridor’ is being developed. In addition, work is underway to open a southern air corridor, which will strengthen air traffic between Kyrgyzstan and China, and connect the airports of Osh and Kashgar.

“At the same time, construction of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway will begin in the near future. The pilot project for transporting cargo containers in transit by rail from China to Afghanistan via Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan will continue. The issue of launching a pilot container train linking Iran–Turkmenistan–Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan is also being considered. I am confident that these initiatives and ongoing projects will allow Kyrgyzstan to reach a new level of transport and logistics communication with the outside world,” President Japarov concluded.

15 Dec 2023

Tajikistan Business Economy, Tajikistan

President Writes-Off Debts of Tajiktransgaz

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The Tax Service of Tajikistan has found that firms and enterprises have debts to the state amounting to over 900 million somoni ($82.5 million). But this notwithstanding, the government has written-off more than 202 million somoni of debts and fines owed by the company, Tajiktransgaz, cancelling debts of 144 million somoni, and fines of 58 million.

Tajiktransgaz is currently an open joint stock company, which was founded in 1959 for the mass supply of liquefied natural gas to the population of Tajikistan. According to the company, Tajiktransgaz does not have the resources to pay.

15 Dec 2023

Turkmenistan Home, Home, Turkmenistan Life & Culture, Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan Environment

Mass Die-Out of Seals on the Turkmen Coast of the Caspian Sea

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Another mass die-out of seals from an unknown disease has occurred on the Turkmen coast of the Caspian Sea, Radio Azatlyk has reported.

In recent days, experts have found dozens of dead seals, whilst the Turkmen authorities have ordered the military to shoot animals swimming to the shore.

But oceanographers are dissatisfied with the actions of the authorities.

“The state believes that seals are not needed,” said an expert who wishes to remain anonymous. “If these animals are killed, as they do with stray dogs and cats, they will soon disappear. Instead of shooting and destroying seals, the state should increase the number of specialists studying these animals and increase efforts to save them.”

Caspian seals are considered endemic to the Caspian Sea and are listed in the Red Book of Turkmenistan, as well as in the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. According to oceanologists, the death of Caspian seals in the winter and spring season every year has become a trend. It is still impossible to say exactly what the cause of the mass die-outs is, since no information has been released about the studies conducted.

But Turkmen oceanologists attribute the main cause of the deaths to be the violation of the ecology of the Caspian Sea, emissions from oil and gas enterprises, regular naval exercises, and an increase in factories in coastal areas.

In August of this year, Turkmen Foreign Minister, Rashid Meredov expressed his concerns about the deteriorating ecology of the Caspian Sea, including the mass death of seals in 1997, 2000, 2021 and 2022. However, no concrete steps have been taken to remedy the issue.

15 Dec 2023

Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Business & Economy

Australian Company to Help Digitalize Gold Mining in Uzbekistan

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Australian Company to Help Digitalize Gold Mining in Uzbekistan

A meeting of the plant’s management with a delegation from the Australian company, Micromine took place at the representative office of JSC NMMC in Tashkent. During the meeting, strategic aspects of the digital transformation of NMMC JSC aimed at improving the efficiency and competitiveness of the plant were discussed. Representatives of both sides noted the importance of integrating modern technologies into the company’s current projects in order to optimize processes and increase productivity.

During the meeting, the parties also discussed the prospects for further cooperation, especially in the context of the digital transformation of the enterprise.

It is noted that the use of modern technologies and tools can significantly improve the efficiency of mining operations and reduce the cost of mining.

Micromine is known for its digital solutions for mining, engineering, and the optimization of production processes. It has a wide range of products and services covering almost all mining processes, the report states.