Page 976 – The Times Of Central Asia

13 Mar 2024

Central Asia, Home, Kyrgyzstan Justice, Justice, Life & Culture, Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture, Kyrgyzstan, Features, Kyrgyzstan Features

“You’re Afraid I’m Not Beautiful; I’m Afraid You’ll Kill Me” – Women Rally in Bishkek

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

On International Women’s Day on March 8th, hundreds of people took to the streets of Bishkek to participate in the annual march for women’s rights. Under the slogan “A woman’s life is a mirror of the time,” the march started from the monument to revolutionary fighters on Chui Avenue and ended in Gorky Square on Isanov Street.

The marchers carried placards and made calls for an end to violence against women, to ensure their freedom and protect freedom of speech. One of the speakers was Asel Nogoibayeva, who said she had first-hand experience of domestic violence. Her words left a lasting impression, as did her call for the police to address the problems of domestic violence.

Marches on March 8^th in support of women’s rights have become an annual tradition in Bishkek, with the main theme always for the authorities to pay attention to women’s issues.

“I went with a double-sided poster that said: ‘You’re afraid I’m not beautiful; I’m afraid you’ll kill me’ and on the other side, ‘Only a human being can give birth to a human being,’” Saraya, a participant at the rally told TCA. “I also printed out some posters that I handed out.”

Saraya said that the march went exactly as planned with no deviations and expressed her joy at the increase in the number of participants, including girls with their boyfriends, which is a testament to the expanded audience and impact of the event. “Of course, marching is not the only way to influence people,” she said. “It doesn’t work if once a year you walk around with placards and then forget about it. Businesses, for example, have different ways of attracting customers – social media, word of mouth, banners, etc. A march is like an advertising campaign, periodically loudly and announcing itself so that people don’t forget it. Only women’s rights are not a business – they’re a struggle for justice.”

13 Mar 2024

Central Asia, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan to Introduce Luxury Tax on Items from Yachts to Cigars

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of National Economy has announced proposals to introduce a new law on taxes and other mandatory payments to the national budget in 2024.

The proposed amendments to the tax code will raise rates in cases where the value of possessions held by any individual exceeds $1 million and is directed specifically at those who own yachts and private planes. According to the ministry, 490 yachts in Kazakhstan are registered to individuals. The maximum tax currently paid on watercraft is currently around $421 but is set to increase in line with rates paid in Europe where tax is calculated according to the length of a yacht. In Greece for example, the annual tax on ‘luxury’ yachts over 5 metres in length, varies from $852 to $2558, and rises sharply if the length exceeds 12 metres.

The ministry also proposes to introduce excise taxes on high end alcoholic beverages and cigars. The excise duty set on imported Macallan 50YO whisky priced at $13,300 for 0.70 litres, is $1.50; on Remy Martin Louis XIII cognac priced at $9,300 for 3 litres, $0.67; and Chateau Petrus wine worth $1,900 for 0.75 litres, $0.058. The new tax will also on impact other imported luxury goods, including Cohiba cigars worth $317 for 15 pieces and Don Antonio Churchills cigars priced at $266 for 40 pieces.

The fundamental aims of the new taxes are to equalize the socioeconomic situation of different segments of the population, to increase the nation’s revenue, and to regulate consumption of certain goods. The ministry did however report that since the new measures would potentially reduce domestic consumption of ‘luxury’ goods, the cost of administering tax on such could exceed the income generated.

New amendments are also forecast to harmonize excise on general tobacco. Current legislation already provides for a gradual increase in excise taxes on cigarettes. Due to reach $30.6 per thousand cigarettes this year, it is 20% below the indicative rate.

In addition, the new tax code will consider the transition to graduated tax rates in different sectors of the economy, accelerating the introduction of progressive taxation, reforming special tax regimes, and streamlining and reducing tax benefits by at least 20 percent. The package of amendments will include a revision of tax administration. Digitized control will enable both a 30 percent reduction in the need for paper tax return forms, and simplify VAT refunds. Other changes include an exemption from taxes and other fees for foreign and domestic investors during the first three years of their implementing new manufacturing projects.

The ministry’s document is publicly available for discussion until March 27, with the new tax code expected to be adopted in October of this year.

13 Mar 2024

Home, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Featurees

“Your Life is Your Freedom” – Women Rally in Almaty

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

A rally in support of women’s rights was held in Almaty on March 7^th. The event, which was approved by the city administration, was organized by Bibinur Sheralieva, an activist from the regional council for family and social protection under the Amanat Party. The gathering took place in Mahatma Gandhi Park, a place usually reserved for such events.

Sheraliyeva, the organizer of the rally, put forward demands to protect the rights of divorced women, proposing that alimony laws be amended to offer a fixed amount, regardless of the fathers’ income. She also advocated the introduction of mandatory marriage contracts to take into account the property interests of women and children during divorce proceedings.

In addition to the organizers, a woman took the stage to share her experience of facing domestic violence and told of the tragedy of losing her home due to systematic beatings by her father-in-law. Her story highlighted the problem of impunity for aggressors.

The rally also called for the repeal of the amendment on reconciliation of parties under the new law on domestic violence, as well as a legal ban on the practice of tokal (second wife) and polygamy.

The rally was not without controversy, however, with one attendee demanding a ban on “feminist and LGBT propaganda,” which drew disapproval from the majority of the crowd. Another organizer of the rally, Dilnar Insenova, declared her support for the need to “protect family values,” expressing doubts about the impact of European standards on society in Kazakhstan.

The rally briefly descended into absurdity when, instead of delivering her planned speech, Insenova began to dance to the song “Chyna” by the Kazakh artist, Irina Kairatovna, provoking laughter from those filming clips against a backdrop of portraits of domestic violence victims, their videos going viral on social media.

Most continued to draw attention to important issues, however; raising placards and chanting slogans such as “Your life is your freedom” and “We demand the protection of women’s rights,” and demonstrating their commitment to positive change in the area of women’s rights.

13 Mar 2024

Central Asia, International Affairs, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan Secures Foreign Investment in 40 Major Projects for 2024

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Following a meeting on March 12th with the Board of Directors of Kazakh Invest, Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov announced that foreign investment had been secured for the launch of over 40 projects this year.

Kazakh Invest, a national company aimed to attract foreign investment in priority sectors of the economy, currently supports 200 projects. Worth $27.3 billion, the projects have created 68,800 jobs.

One of the most significant projects is the manufacture of medical equipment by the American company GE Healthcare in Astana. Products include ultrasound and CT machines for Kazakhstan’s hospitals as well as for export. The American company also plans to provide educational programs for staff in the Kazakh healthcare system.

Other forthcoming projects include the production of anticancer drugs by the Swiss company Roche in Almaty, and the manufacture of ceramic tiles, dry building mixes and construction adhesives by the Austrian company Lasselsberger in Astana. The latter’s new plant will create over 200 jobs and reduce the country’s dependence on imported products.

As instructed by the prime minister, Kazakh Invest is focused on attracting investment in projects with high added value; specifically, grain processing, the production of in-demand types of plastics, and the domestic production of oil and gas equipment.

Looking ahead, Bektenov stressed that to achieve the target set by the head of state to increase the economy to $450 billion by 2029, at least $150 billion of foreign investment must be attracted during the intervening period.

13 Mar 2024

Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan and Great Britain Sign Strategic Partnership on Critical Minerals

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

A strategic partnership on critical minerals has been signed by Iran Sharkhan, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Construction, and Nusrat Ghani, UK’s Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade, Minister of State for the Investment Security Unit, and Minister for Industry and Economic Security.

The document was signed in London at the Mineral Processing and Circular Economy Business Forum (March 11-15).

At his meeting with Nusrat Ghani, Mr Sharkhan discussed Kazakhstan’s principal aims, including the exchange of raw materials for technology and entry into the global value chain. He also encouraged British companies’ involvement in investment projects in Kazakhstan.

The forum included B2B meetings, where entrepreneurs from Kazakhstan and Great Britain discussed collaboration in the field of critical raw materials and specific project proposals. The Kazakh delegation also held meetings with UK mining and metallurgical companies: Techmet, Maritime House Ltd., Ionic Rare Earth, Mkango Resources Ltd., Haig Barrett Partners, and FSEE.

12 Mar 2024

Central Asia, Home, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy, Features

Female Entrepreneurs to Expand Mentoring – Great Strides for Uzbekistan

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The Association of Business Coaches of Kazakhstan has launched the TalpynUp mentoring program for Central Asian women entrepreneurs. The project will be supported by the USAID Entrepreneurship and Business Environment Development Project at Imperial College, London.

The six-month mentoring program will begin on April 20th in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. It will help Central Asian women improve their business skills, and is aimed at those who have a business that has been operating for one to three years. Also, young businesswomen under the age of 29 who are mothers of children with special developmental needs will be able to gain valuable knowledge completely free of charge. The intensive mentoring program is based on individual training, mentoring and practical sessions with business coaches and experts. It consists of six modules focusing on such areas as sales, taxes and finance, human resources, management, and more.

The organizers have emphasized the need for their program by explaining that, in the near future, artificial intelligence (AI) will replace many professions, especially those in which women are currently employed. Therefore, they need to develop and improve their skills and master new digital professions.

In total, 190 female entrepreneurs from Kazakhstan have already been trained under the TalpynUp program. Now 60 young women each from Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, and 120 Kazakhstani women will have access to the program.

In 2022, the World Bank published comparative data on the earnings of men and women. Experts found that women around the world have, on average, only 77% of the legal rights that men have. However, according to the organization, Uzbekistan has made significant progress in ensuring equal rights for men and women. For example, the country has legislated equal pay regardless of gender, expanded the areas where women can work on an equal basis with men, and criminalized domestic violence.

Thanks to these reforms, Uzbekistan has become one of the five countries with the greatest progress in gender equality – along with Jordan, Malaysia, Sierra Leone and Togo – and took first place in Central Asia in the Women, Business and the Law ranking.

It’s worth noting that the number of women engaged in business in Uzbekistan has doubled over the past five years to 205,000. About 200,000 women have been trained in professions and business, and more than 400,000 women and girls have gained employment.