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Business

Women’s Leadership Takes Center Stage at Tashkent Law Spring

A standout panel session on women’s leadership took place during the IV International Legal Forum “Tashkent Law Spring” on May 30 at the InterContinental Tashkent Hotel. Hosted by ACWA Power, a major investor in Uzbekistan’s energy sector with $15 billion in local projects, the session explored practical approaches to empowering women in traditionally male-dominated industries, including law, energy, and public service. A Platform for Legal Reform and Gender Dialogue Now in its fourth year, Tashkent Law Spring has become a key event for legal professionals across Central Asia. The 2025 forum drew over 200 participants, including lawyers, judges, academics, and policy experts, with a focus on strengthening Uzbekistan’s legal landscape. Among the many sessions, the ACWA Power panel on women’s leadership stood out for its cross-sector insights and actionable recommendations. Saudi Vision 2030: Progress in Workforce Gender Inclusion Hager Altwegieri, Board Secretary at ACWA Power and an expert in governance and sustainability, shared Saudi Arabia’s progress under Vision 2030. “In 2016, women’s workforce participation stood at 22.8%. Today, it is at 36%,” she said. “We surpassed our original 30% target and are now aiming for 40% by 2030.” Altwegieri emphasized the importance of setting measurable goals and ensuring institutional accountability. She cited a government-backed childcare support program as an example of how targeted policies can reduce barriers for working mothers. Mentorship and Infrastructure as Enablers Altwegieri also highlighted the value of mentorship and career readiness support for women entering the workforce. “Women often need help with CV writing and interview preparation,” she said. “Mentorship plays a crucial role in this journey.” She underscored the importance of respecting cultural traditions, quoting an Arabic proverb: “A mother is a school. If you prepare her well, you prepare a nation for prosperity.” Digital Safety: A New Front in Gender Equality Kamola Alieva, PhD in Law and a gender equality expert at Tashkent State University of Law, addressed the risks posed by digital tools in professional environments. “Digitalization is changing how we work, but it also exposes women to new forms of harassment,” she warned. Inappropriate messages, digital exclusion, and misuse of personal data are increasingly common threats, especially in male-dominated workplaces. Alieva called for legal frameworks that define digital misconduct and protect employee data with gender-sensitive safeguards. The Investment Case for Inclusion Anar Nurbayeva, Gender Advisor and Principal at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), discussed the bank’s inclusive investment strategies. “Gender and economic inclusion is one of our top three priorities,” she said, noting EBRD’s collaboration with ACWA Power and Schrodinger College to promote renewable energy careers among women. “It’s about both fair HR policies and building future-ready skills,” she added. Challenges in Intellectual Property for Women Entrepreneurs Madina Tursunova, Chair of the Association of Patent Representatives of Uzbekistan, outlined the hurdles women face in protecting intellectual property (IP). “IP enforcement is costly and complex,” she said, noting a societal bias that discourages women from innovating. Tursunova advocated for more training in business skills, arguing that support must go beyond...

Business

UAE Firm Plans to Build Sugar Factory in Kazakhstan

Al Khaleej Sugar, one of the world's leading sugar producers, intends to build a sugar factory near the city of Konaev, in Kazakhstan’s Almaty Region. The initiative was discussed during a meeting between Almaty Region Akim Marat Sultangaziev and the company’s managing director, Sheikh Jamal Al Gurair. Key topics on the agenda included the selection of a suitable land plot, the organization of sugar beet cultivation, access to water for raw material production, and power supply infrastructure for the future facility. A site near Konaev, just 56 kilometers from Almaty, is currently considered the most promising due to its logistical advantages. “We want to create a completely self-sufficient enterprise using renewable energy sources. This will minimize the impact on the environment,” said Sheikh Jamal Al Gurair. Al Khaleej Sugar currently accounts for up to 3% of global refined sugar output. If the project proceeds, it would mark the UAE-based company’s first sugar production venture in Kazakhstan. Sugar Sector in Kazakhstan Kazakhstan currently has four operational sugar factories: AksuKant in the Taldykorgan district, Koksu Sugar Factory in Almaty region, and the Merken and Taraz factories in Zhambyl region. Of these, three are configured to process sugar beets, while the Taraz facility processes raw cane sugar. The primary beet-growing regions in Kazakhstan are Almaty and Zhambyl. In 2024, Kazakhstan harvested 1.2 million tons of sugar beets, yet only 700,000 tons were processed due to limited production capacity. Last year, Kazakhstan produced 243,000 tons of sugar, less than half of its domestic consumption needs. Despite the local shortfall, a significant share of sugar output is exported, primarily to neighboring Russia. This imbalance has led to recurring supply challenges. In summer 2022, a Russian export ban on sugar triggered a sharp price increase in Kazakhstan. In response, Kazakhstan began imposing its own seasonal ban on sugar exports from June to August to stabilize domestic prices. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the restriction remained in place last year. The prospective Konaev plant, if realized, could significantly enhance Kazakhstan’s processing capacity and reduce its reliance on imported refined sugar, contributing to greater food security and industrial diversification.

Business

Kyrgyzstan Seeks €2.7 Billion from UK for Business Development

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Bakyt Torobaev has held a high-level meeting with Shebn Alp, Regional Director of the UK Export Credit Agency (UKEF), seeking €2.7 billion in financial support to boost the country's business sector. The meeting was held in accordance with instructions from Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, who has outlined economic modernization as a government priority. Torobaev emphasized the country’s strategic goals, which include revitalizing the agro-industrial sector, developing critical infrastructure, diversifying export markets, and enhancing Kyrgyzstan’s investment appeal. “The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan is committed to creating added value within the country, promoting environmentally friendly and organic agriculture, modernizing irrigation systems, and transitioning from a raw materials-based to a processing economy,” he stated. British representatives reportedly expressed interest in cooperation in the mining, construction, and infrastructure sectors, all of which are currently experiencing robust growth in Kyrgyzstan. The construction industry, in particular, is seen as a driving force behind the nation’s economic progress, as previously reported by The Times of Central Asia. Authorities are also investing in the mining sector, including recent efforts to rehabilitate rare earth element mines in Chui Oblast. These materials are essential for the production of electric vehicle batteries, positioning Kyrgyzstan as a potential player in the global green energy supply chain.

Tax Reform

Ruling Party Urges Government to Revise VAT Reform Plans

Kazakhstan's ruling Amanat party has called on the government to revise its proposed tax reforms, particularly those affecting the value-added tax (VAT). The party is pushing to double the planned threshold for mandatory VAT registration, warning that the current proposal could harm small and medium-sized businesses. Under current law, businesses must register for VAT if their annual turnover exceeds 78.6 million KZT (approximately $152,000). The government's draft reform proposes to lower this threshold to 15 million KZT (around $29,000). It also includes raising the basic VAT rate from 12% to 16%, introducing a zero rate for agricultural producers, a 10% rate for selected industries, and gradually applying VAT to the healthcare sector. The reform also proposes eliminating 128 tax exemptions worth more than 1.3 trillion KZT. A progressive personal income tax is also under discussion. With a base rate of 10%, the government suggests introducing a 15% rate for annual incomes exceeding 8,500 MRP (monthly calculation index), equivalent to over 33.5 million KZT. For 2025, the MRP in Kazakhstan is set at 3,900 KZT (about $7.50). The draft Tax Code is scheduled for a first reading in the Mazhilis, Kazakhstan’s lower house of parliament, on Wednesday, April 9. On the eve of the session, government officials presented the proposals at an expanded meeting with Amanat’s parliamentary faction, which holds 62 of the 98 Mazhilis seats. Amanat deputies voiced strong opposition to the proposed reduction in the VAT registration threshold, warning it could drive businesses into the informal economy. Instead, they urged the government to raise the threshold to at least 30 million KZT (approximately $58,000). The party also proposed exempting 19 socially important food items from VAT to ease the financial burden on citizens. These items include flour, bread, pasta, eggs, buckwheat, rice, sugar, vegetable oils, various meats (such as beef and chicken), dairy products (milk, kefir, cottage cheese), staple vegetables (potatoes, carrots, onions, cabbage), and salt. “Particular concern was expressed over proposals to apply VAT to healthcare and to tax financial services,” the party said in a statement. “Such measures would drive up prices and impose additional costs on the population, which is unacceptable under current conditions”. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, the government initially considered raising the VAT rate to 20%, but President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev rejected that proposal in favor of a more moderate increase.

Business

U.S. Tech Giant Honeywell Expands Operations in Uzbekistan

Honeywell, a global leader in integrated technology solutions, has expanded its footprint in Uzbekistan by establishing a new legal entity, Honeywell Industrial Automation LLC. The initiative aims to support the digital transformation and automation of key industrial sectors in Uzbekistan and reflects a broader commitment to strengthening U.S.-Uzbek commercial ties. The official launch was celebrated on March 25 at a reception hosted by U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jonathan Henick at his residence in Tashkent. The event was attended by Uzbekistan’s Minister of Energy, Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov. Ambassador Henick reiterated the U.S. Embassy’s strong support for Honeywell’s initiatives, stating he looked forward to "the continued growth and success of American businesses in Uzbekistan." Honeywell emphasized its dedication to advancing Uzbekistan’s digital and energy strategies. The company has long-standing partnerships with both government and private sectors, especially in oil and gas, petrochemicals, mining, and metallurgy. As part of its expansion, Honeywell announced plans to establish a Global Engineering Center (GEC) in Tashkent. The new center will serve as a regional hub for advanced engineering solutions, while also fostering local talent and innovation. Earlier, Honeywell representatives held talks with the leadership of Uzbekneftegaz JSC to discuss the integration of cutting-edge technologies into Uzbekistan’s oil and gas sector.

Business

A Taste of Kazakhstan: Interview with Almaty’s Apple City Cider

Englishman Alexander Thomas is the passionate founder of Apple City Cider, an Almaty-based craft cidery dedicated to producing high-quality, locally sourced ciders that celebrate tradition with a modern twist. With a deep-rooted love for orchards and fermentation, Thomas blends innovation with time-honored techniques to create crisp, flavorful ciders. TCA: What first brought you to Almaty, and what kept you here? AT: I used to work for the world’s largest publishing group, where I reported on different market sectors. When I covered aviation, I used to fly around the world to speak to different airline CEOs to discuss their route strategies and fleets. I first came to Kazakhstan to interview Air Astana’s CEO, Peter Foster. I was supposed to fly to Paris to speak with KLM and Air France, but that meeting was canceled, so I flew back to London. Sitting next to me, little did I know, was my future wife. In the same company, I very much enjoyed the coverage of the drinks industry. I had originally wanted to make wine in the south of France, but after marrying a Kazakh girl, we decided to start our business in Kazakhstan. Instead of pressing grapes in the South of France, we began pressing apples in Almaty. TCA: Can you tell us the inspiration for Apple City Cider? AT: We started the business because no one was making cider in the birthplace of the apple, around that time, cider was not even available to purchase in Kazakhstan. Around the same time we went on sale, another alcohol manufacturer began to produce cider as well, but we are the only cider specialists; the main business of the others is spirits and other alcoholic drinks. [caption id="attachment_28689" align="aligncenter" width="1706"] Image: TCA, Henry Kuvin[/caption] TCA: How did Almaty respond to your business idea, and what were the main challenges when establishing your company? AT: Consumers are very happy with the product and happy that we started our business here. Like other local companies, Almaty Cider has received a lot of positive support from the city; they love how it’s called “Almaty Cider.” The concept of eating locally and supporting local businesses is a global phenomenon, and Almaty is no exception. The fact that Almaty is the birthplace of the apple, proven by science, made it the ideal location to start such a business. The Malus Sieversii apple, native to the Almaty region, is perfect for cider. The levels of tannins, fruit sugar, and acidity, while not ideal for eating, make a great-tasting cider. TCA: Almaty, the place of abundant apples, does not have a huge cider culture – how has this changed since you established the business, and where do you see it going? AT: Cider was not available even as an imported product until about three to four years ago. Since then, we have seen imported brands come to the market, and people have developed a taste for it. In Russia, for example, there are now over 100 independent cideries. The first person...