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USAID Equips Mega Fruit Storage Facility in South Kyrgyzstan

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has helped Kyrgyzstan’s Nookat Almasy Cooperative open the largest cold storage facility in the Nookat district of the southern Osh region. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Bakyt Torobaev and USAID Mission Director in the Kyrgyz Republic Kaya Adams attended the facility’s opening ceremony. As reported by the U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan, the new facility will generate 200 full-time jobs and assist local farmers in marketing and expanding sales of their produce. Thanks to cooling equipment worth $78,400 from USAID, the Nookat Almasy Cooperative’s new facility can now store locally grown apples and raspberries for up to four months. By extending their shelf life and enabling farmers to sell at a higher price when market conditions improve, the enhanced storage will help maintain market stability and ensure a reliable and consistent food supply throughout the year. Since 2018, the U.S. government has helped establish over 20 new cold storage facilities in southern Kyrgyzstan, more than doubling capacity to reach 12,500 tons, decreasing food spoilage by 40%, and creating income-generating activities for over 4,000 local farmers.

Exports business and economy Rail cargo

Kazakhstan’s Rail Transportation of Cargo Rises to Over 122 Million Tons

Kazakhstan’s national railway company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) reports that from January-June 2024, it transported more than 122 million tons of cargo. Transportation within the country increased by 2.1% compared to the same period last year and amounted to 81.5 million tons, and over 41 million tons of cargo were destined for export. During this period, KTZ transported 47.5 million tons of coal, including 34.8 million tons within the country. The volume of grain transportation within the country increased by 5%, to 1.1 million tons. During the first half of the year, rail transportation of ferrous metals increased by 7.2%, to 2.2 million tons; iron ore and manganese by 9.6%, to 10.5 million tons; and non-ferrous ore and sulfur, by 13%, to 12.1 million tons. Rail transportation for exports of oil increased by 8.3%, to 2.7 million tons; ferrous metals by 6% to 1.6 million tons; chemical fertilizers by 10% to 648 thousand tons: iron ore and manganese by 4% to 5.6 million tons, and 68% for construction cargo by 68% to267 thousand tons.

business and economy Reforms International Cooperation EU Cooperation

Roundtable on Uzbekistan’s Reform Agenda

The 2nd Roundtable of Uzbekistan’s Country Platform was held last week in Tashkent. Backed by the European Union, the event provided a platform for discussions amongst over 80 government partners and international institutions on Uzbekistan’s reform agenda and coordinate support activities. As reported by the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan, the participants agreed to continue collaboration through more than 13 sectoral working groups supporting issues prioritized by the Uzbekistan–2030 Strategy including agriculture, energy security, green growth, and the rule of law. Led by the Agency for Strategic Reforms (ASR) under the President of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan, and with secretarial assistance from the European Union, the Country Platform aims to foster effective coordination. Bakhodir Rakhmatov, Director of the Agency for Strategic Reforms, commented: “Constructive collaboration between development partners and government ensures achievement of the priority reform objectives identified by President Mirziyoyev aimed at creating a more prosperous and sustainable future for all. The ASR plays a pivotal role in coordinating the engagement of ministries and agencies with development partners.” Taking over the support previously provided by the World Bank in May, the European Union committed to assisting the Country Platform until the end of 2025. “The European Union is honored to co-chair and promote the Country Platform as a forum for open dialogue, cooperation and collaboration between Uzbekistan and development partners,” said Charlotte Adriaen, Ambassador of the European Union to Uzbekistan. “The common goal is to support Uzbekistan in its reform path. The Platform is an opportunity to join forces, to effectively move together bringing prosperity, sustainable development, leaving no one behind.”

Employment Car Industry International Cooperation International investment business and economy

Kyrgyz-Uzbek Automobile Plant Imports Components from Uzbekistan

On July 5, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, Akylbek Japarov visited the northern Chui region to inspect the Tulpar Motors assembly plant, a joint Kyrgyz-Uzbek enterprise for the manufacture of Chevrolet and Isuzu vehicles. Construction of the plant began in May 2023 and the first car rolled off its assembly line in May 2024. Already in operation, the plant will be officially opened in July-August by the president of Kyrgyzstan. According to plans, within five years, the number of employees at the plant will reach 1,400 and the total investment in the project, will amount to $110 million. During the first year, Uzbekistan’s UzAuto Motors will invest $50 million in the assembly of 10,000 cars, beginning with the Chevrolet Nexia R3. At the initial stage, components will be provided by Uzbekistan but thereafter, will be produced inhouse to enable the Kyrgyz plant's manufacture of some 20,000 vehicles per year. During his visit, the head of the Cabinet of Ministers noted that the cars, trucks, and buses produced by the plant will meet the demand in Kyrgyzstan and be available for export to other Central Asian countries.

Tourism business and economy

Tourist Accommodation Booms in Kazakhstan

The Kazakh Ministry of Tourism and Sports has announced that revenue generated by Kazakhstan’s hotels, recreation centres, guest houses, hostels and other accommodation facilities exceeded $104 million in the first quarter of 2024, an 18% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Between January-March, Kazakhstan opened 156 new accommodation facilities, bringing the total to 4,004 and increasing capacity by 7 thousand beds, to 207 thousand beds. During this period, most tourists stayed in the cities of Almaty, Shymkent, and Astana, and in the regions of Almaty, Akmola, and Mangistau. Hailing the increase in hotels and other types of accommodation a demonstration of the growing interest in Kazakhstan as a tourist destination, Nurtas Karipbaev, Chairman of the Tourism Industry Committee stated, “We continue developing the tourism infrastructure and improving the quality of services to make the stay of our guests as comfortable as possible.” At a government meeting on the development of the country’s tourism industry last month, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev named the mountain cluster of the Almaty region, Caspian Sea beaches in the Mangistau region, and the Shchuchinsk-Borovoye resort in the Akmola region, the most promising destinations for tourism in Kazakhstan. The president added that the city of Almaty, the main centre for tourism development in Kazakhstan, accounts for a quarter of the total tourist flow, including half of the country’s foreign tourists.

business and economy International Cooperation Foreign Investment Bilateral Relations

Kyrgyzstan and Switzerland Strengthen Cooperation

On July 3, Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov met the Federal Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, Ignazio Cassis in Cholpon-Ata on Lake Issyk-Kul to discuss strengthening cooperation between the two countries. Switzerland has long conducted an expansive development program in Kyrgyzstan in sectors including economic development, governance, water, and infrastructure. The Kyrgyz president expressed satisfaction in their fruitful cooperation to date, with specific reference to the joint implementation of a dairy production enterprise in the Issyk-Kul region, as well as the reconstruction of the At-Bashi hydroelectric power plant, to which Switzerland has contributed over 20 million Swiss francs. Looking ahead, he proposed strengthening cooperation in the banking sector and tourism, and promoting the mining agenda. Japarov stated that in 2023 the volume of bilateral trade exceeded $1 billion and spoke of the need to increase that figure. On the same day, the Swiss Minister met the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, Jeenbek Kulubaev. Following discussions on bilateral relations and the positive outcomes of projects supported by Switzerland and implemented in Kyrgyzstan, both parties agreed to intensify collaboration. As reported by the Embassy of Switzerland in the Kyrgyz Republic, the visit afforded Minister Cassis the opportunity to witness first hand, the progress of Swiss projects implemented in Kyrgyzstan for over $500 million since 1994. The visit concluded with an evening reception, organized by the Swiss Embassy, to celebrate the Swiss National Day.