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Construction International trade Trade and Logistics

Chinese Investment in Major Trade and Logistics Center in Northern Kyrgyzstan

On October 17, the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Akylbek Japarov, and the Chinese Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Du Dewen, attended a capsule-laying ceremony for the construction of a large trade and logistics center in the village of Leninskoye in the country’s northern Chui region. Located just north of the capital, Bishkek, and a few kilometers from the border with Kazakhstan, the Manas Trade and Logistics City, will include a trading hub, an international exhibition center, a warehouse and logistics center with bonded areas, retail marketplaces, hotels, and residential compounds. The facility will be built in partnership between a Chinese investor and a management company in which the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers will have a 49% share. In his address at the ceremony, the Cabinet’s head, Japarov, stated: "We are launching a major project—not just the construction of a trade and logistics center, but an entire town. It will have 30,000 retail outlets, -cover-700 hectares, and a total investment of $4.2 billion. $700 million will be invested in the first stage of construction. This center can be compared with the largest sea ports in terms of its importance and functions." Japarov added that the creation of the facility will significantly contribute to the expansion of regional and international trade, the creation of new jobs, and the improvement of conditions for product exports. China is now one of Kyrgyzstan's largest trading partners. According to official statistics, bilateral trade reached $20 billion in 2023, 32% more than in 2022.

WHO Ecology Infrastructure Development Construction

Kyrgyz Government Adopts Strategic Task to Construct Eco-City

On October 14, Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov signed a Decree to construct the eco-city "Asman" near the village of Toru-Aigyr on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, the country's main region for tourism and recreation. Spanning 4,000 hectares, some 200km southeast of the capital Bishkek and dubbed a "smart city", Asman aims to become the country’s new economic and tourist hub and home to modern business, recreational and sports facilities, hi-tech parks, and financial institutions. It will also provide homes for around 500,000 residents. From a bird's eye view, Asman (the Kyrgyz word for "sky") will resemble a komuz, a traditional Kyrgyz string musical instrument and one of Kyrgyzstan's national symbols. According to Kyrgyz officials, the new city financed by foreign investors, will be built over the next 7-10 years but although the capsule-laying ceremony took place in June 2023, construction has yet to begin. Speaking at the ceremony, President Japarov remarked that “the city of Asman will become a financial hub connecting East and West, North and South.” As reported by the presidential press service, the construction of the eco-city is a “strategic task” for the country’s Cabinet of Ministers and local authorities of the Issyk-Kul region, with a key objective to protect the biosphere territory adjacent to the lake. According to the decree, the Cabinet of Ministers should develop and approve a concept for the construction of Asman by March 1, 2025, ensuring the preservation and protection of the environment during the city’s construction. It has also been recommended that a ban be placed in the city on hydrocarbon-fueled (gasoline, diesel, gas) transport in preference for electric transport and bicycles. For this purpose, the decree orders the creation of electric transport infrastructure and charging stations, as well as necessary conditions for the use of bicycles to ensure mobility of the city's population. In addition, the decree orders the use of energy-saving solutions and smart home technologies in the construction of buildings, and compliance with the World Health Organization's environmental standards for greening cities and introducing an environmentally safe waste management system. The realization of such a mega project has inevitably raised questions regarding finance, with construction costs currently estimated at around $20 billion. The Asman project shares similarities to the city of Arkadag in Turkmenistan. Unveiled in June 2023, the “smart” city of Arkadag was built from scratch 30 km south of Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat. Designed to accommodate a population of 70,000, it cost billions of dollars to construct.

Economy Construction Infrastructure Development UAE international tourism tourism industry

Leading UAE Hotel Chain Explores Options in Uzbekistan

A world-famous chain of hotels in the UAE is exploring entering the Uzbekistan market. The announcement follows talks between Uzbek diplomats and Phillip Crouse, vice president of the United Arab Emirates' Jumeirah Group, and an introduction of the company's team to the recent reforms implemented in Uzbekistan, as well as programs and regulations to increase the country's tourist attractiveness, existing tourist routes, flights between the two countries, and hotels. Representatives were also presented with options to privatize or reconstruct large hotel complexes in the country. The entry of the Jumeirah brand into the Uzbekistan market will further increase the country's number of luxury hotels and enhance its ever-expanding tourist market. Over the past seven years, the number of foreign tourists visiting Uzbekistan has tripled, the volume of tourism services has increased fivefold, and the number of hotels and accommodation facilities has increased tenfold. Last year, more than 6.6 million tourists visited the country, providing a revenue of some 2.1 billion dollars, and according to recent reports, Uzbekistan aims to increase the number of foreign tourists to 15 million by 2030. Jumeirah, part of Dubai Holding, is a global luxury hotel company with 26 properties, including resorts, city hotels, and serviced residences across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

Local Economy Construction Economy Transport Infrastructure Development roads

New Road Promised for Kyrgyzstan’s Highest Village

The Ministry of Transport and Communications of Kyrgyzstan has announced a tender for the construction of a road to Kyrgyzstan's highest village of Zardaly in the Batken oblast. Authorities have set aside 389 million KGS ($4.5 million) for the construction of the 4.2 kilometer road and according to published data, bids will be accepted until October 22 this year. The village of Zardaly is located in the highlands on Kyrgyzstan's border with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. At present, only one narrow, stony road leads to the settlement, accessible only between May to October. With the onset of cold weather, snow makes it impossible to get to the village, and residents are cut off from the outside world. It should be noted that Zardaly lacks cellular communication, the recently installed internet only serves the local school, and there are significant problems with electricity. As a local proverb says, “If there is no urgent business - do not enter Zardaly." On the day prior to the announcement of the tender, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov visited Zardaly by helicopter. Whilst there, he promised residents that a highway would be built in the village in spring 2025, after which electricity would be supplied. He also instructed the presidential administration to solve the issue of cellular communications in the region. In earlier complaints about the situation in the village, Kyrgyzstan's ombudsman said that although Zardaly became a village in 2016, residents still require help accessing medical services and quality education.

China roads Infrastructure Development Logistics Construction Transport

Turkmenistan to Build New High-Speed Highway

The private company "Ojar Asia" has signed a contract with the Eurasian representative office of China's Sino Hydro Bureau 12 Co. Ltd., for the parties to jointly build the Serakhs-Mary-Serkhetabat highway in Turkmenistan. This road will have a length of about 450 kilometers. The highway will be an important element of the country's transport infrastructure, and will improve conditions for foreign trade, including the export of Turkmenistan's natural resources. More than $2 billion in investment from Sino Hydro Bureau will finance it, and Ojar Asia will lead the construction. Turkmenistan is developing road infrastructure to improve transportation links and stimulate its economy. Road projects are strategically important as the country plans to integrate the new highways into international East-West and North-South transportation corridors. This helps increase transit transportation and natural resource exports, which are vital in diversifying an economy traditionally dependent on hydrocarbon exports.

Bilateral Cooperation Construction Turkey Turkmenistan

Turkish Contractors Implement New Large-Scale Projects in Turkmenistan

The Turkish Ministry of Trade has reported that construction projects valued at $53.3 billion are being implemented in Turkmenistan; signifying Turkey's significant presence in this sector of the country. By comparison, the total value of projects implemented by Turkish contractors in Russia amounted to $102.3 billion, making it the largest market for the Turkish sector, whilst in Kazakhstan, its market share is $29.5 billion. Statistics show that 13.9% of all realized foreign projects are related to the construction of highways, tunnels, and bridges, while 13.8% are for housing; 8.6% for power plants; 7.1% for shopping centers; and 6.6% for airports. In 2024, Turkish contracting companies completed 148 projects abroad worth $11.2 billion, while 433 international projects totaling $28.1 billion were completed last year. The average value of projects increased from $64.9 million in 2023 to $75.7 million in 2024. Following a meeting on September 2, between the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Chairman of the Board of Erman Ilydjak, a new shopping center will be built in Ashgabat by Turkish company Rönesans Holding.