Page 940 – The Times Of Central Asia

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, Tajikistan Business Economy

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.

15 Dec 2023

Home, Kazakhstan Justice, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Home

Head of Constitutional Court Addresses Tokayev’s Reforms

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The head of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan has spoken about the implementation of three packages of President Tokayev’s reforms.

A delegation from Kazakhstan took part in UN events dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration on the Protection of Human Rights in Geneva, where they addressed Kazakhstan’s experience in carrying out political and human rights reforms.

The head of the delegation, Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Elvira Asimova spoke about Kazakhstan’s priorities in the human rights sphere, naming these as the protection of children and women, the implementation of the concept of a “listening state,” digitization, and increasing the active role of civil society in the field of human rights protection.

At a special event hosted by human rights NGOs, Asimova reported on the implementation of three packages of President Tokayev’s reforms and on his Decree “On the Action Plan in the field of human rights and the rule of law.”

“Today’s global challenges require the development of global solutions and the ability to respond correctly to current events. In this regard, it should be noted that almost all the delegations with whom we met on the sidelines of the event highly appreciate the reforms being carried out in Kazakhstan. And they welcome the adoption by the head of state on December 8^th of the Action Plan in the field of human rights,” Asimova said.

The document consists of nine sections containing 41 points, from strengthening gender equality and combating domestic violence, to protecting citizens in the field of criminal justice. For the first time in Kazakhstan, the experience of a human rights organization was included in this list.

Zhemis Turmagambetova, Executive Director of the Charter for Human Rights Foundation stated that “This year, I conducted the first part of the project to create a ‘Dialogue Police.’ In times of peaceful gatherings and marches and informal associations of citizens on various issues, the police will conduct a dialogue. It is necessary to involve representatives of government agencies there. This is a great support for the actions of the non-governmental sector and civil society. Because everything at a legislative level and at a practical level should be applied by all legislators and all government agencies.”

On the sidelines of the forum, the Commissioner for Human Rights of Kazakhstan, Artur Lastaev, together with the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions and UNDP, held a discussion on the contribution of national human rights institutions to the implementation of UN Sustainable Development Goals.

“Over the past few years, very serious steps have been taken to strengthen both the institution of the Commissioner for Human Rights and, in general, regarding the implementation of international standards into national legislation,” Lastaev said. “A lot of people say that these are the reforms of President Tokayev. These reforms have already acquired a household name. In this regard, we really have something to be proud of. There are concrete results. If we take the fight against torture, 42 people have been involved in this year alone.”

In turn, Eamon Gilmore, the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, noted that the EU attaches great importance to relations with all Central Asian countries, and especially with Kazakhstan.