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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.

Afghanistan Export/Import International trade Exhibition

Almaty to Host Exhibition of Afghan Products

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Trade and Integration has announced that an exhibition of Afghan carpets, jewelry, construction materials, household and industrial chemicals, vegetables, fruit, and food products will run from October 20 -22, at the Atakent Exhibition Center in Almaty. Afghanistan’s TOLOnews reported that a delegation led by the Taliban Minister of Industry and Commerce and 250 Afghan traders will participate in the exhibition. Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesperson for the Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce, further confirmed that 69 companies from Afghanistan will participate in the exhibition, with displays promoting various products, including carpets, dried fruit, saffron, and precious and semi-precious stones. Early in June, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced that his country had removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations, in a move to develop trade and economic ties with Afghanistan. In late August, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry then accredited a chargé d’affaires of Taliban-led Afghanistan to expand trade, financial, and humanitarian cooperation between the two countries.

Afghanistan Taliban Bilateral Trade Music International trade

Taliban Asks Uzbekistan to Prohibit Music at Border Market

Taliban officials have asked Uzbekistan to cancel concerts and musical programs at the joint border market in Termez. According to Atlas Press, Afghan citizens will not be allowed to enter this market if the programs continue. The recently reopened Afghanistan-Uzbekistan joint border market in Termez stages music concerts with performances by Uzbek artists but according to the publication’s sources, the Taliban have now asked the Uzbek government to discontinue such programs. To date, neither the Taliban nor Uzbek officials have officially commented on the issue and it remains unclear as to whether Uzbekistan will respond positively to the Taliban’s request. In an agreement between the Taliban and Uzbekistan, Afghan citizens can visit and trade in the international Termez market in the Surkhandarya region of Uzbekistan for 15 days without a visa. However, as stated in the report, “It seems that the Taliban are trying to implement their controversial laws outside of Afghanistan. This recently announced law, in addition to playing and listening to music, also imposes other severe restrictions on Afghan citizens, especially women, and has faced international condemnation." Previous protests issued by the Taliban include the detention of Afghan military aircraft in Uzbekistan.

Export/Import Bilateral Trade Economic Cooperation International trade statistics

Kazakhstan-Tajikistan Trade Turnover Rises 6%

According to the State Revenue Committee of Kazakhstan's Ministry of Finance, the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Tajikistan has reached $780.7 million so far this year, 6% higher than for the same period last year. From January to August 2024, Kazakhstan exported over 1.6 million tons of goods worth $613.2 million to Tajikistan, an increase of 15.5% compared to last year. The main export product was wheat, with 629,100 tons valued at $154.5 million. Tajikistan also produces more sunflower, safflower, and soybean oil – 44,800 tons (+8.2%), pasta – 5,300 tons (+20.7%), and sweet drinks – 12.5 million liters (+5.8 times). The export of aluminum oxide also increased by 40.5% to 105,400 tons; iron and steel rods increased 1.5 times, up to 36,800 tons; plastic windows and frames increased ten times, up to 12,400 tons; and smartphones and media stations increased 1.8 times, up to 148,100 units. However, the supply of liquefied gas decreased by 4% (211,300 tons). At the same time, imports from this country continued to decrease. In January-August, 220,800 tons (-19.4%) of products worth $167.5 million were imported from there. This decrease affected the sales volume of ores and concentrates (lead, copper, zinc) by 12.3%, up to 106,500 tons, and children’s scooters and skateboards by 32.6%, up to 46,00 units. In addition, Kazakhstan has begun to buy fewer fresh fruits and vegetables. For example, the supply of apricots, peaches, and grapes immediately decreased by 2.1 times, to 6,900 tons, and onions by 3.3 times, to 17,600 tons. However, the volume of imported dried fruits increased by 23.3% and amounted to 36,800 tons.

Foreign trade turnover statistics Economy Export/Import International trade Economic Cooperation

Drop in Uzbekistan’s Exports to Central Asia

Local media has reported that from January - August, Uzbekistan's exports to its four neighboring countries decreased, compared to the same period in 2023. According to data from the Statistical Agency data, exports to Kazakhstan dropped from 950 million USD to 872 million USD; to Kyrgyzstan, from 491 million USD to 365 million USD; to Tajikistan, from 389 million USD to 329 million USD, and to Turkmenistan, from 118 million USD to 78 million USD. The share of Central Asian countries in Uzbekistan's total foreign trade turnover (FTT) in the first nine months of 2023 was 11.5%. The total FTT was worth 40 billion 45 million USD, of which 4 billion 574.3 million USD were with Central Asian countries. This year, it has decreased to 10.3%, meaning 4 billion 400.6 million USD of FTT of 42 billion 703.3 million USD are with CA countries. The Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade attributed the drop to an increase Uzbekistan's exports to international markets with high purchasing power, especially Europe, Arab countries, Southeast Asia, and the Americas, and explained, " due to diversification, the volume of exports to neighboring countries, which are considered a traditional market, decreased. In particular, the volume of exports to Kazakhstan decreased by 8.3%, to Kyrgyzstan by 25.6%, to Tajikistan by 15.3%, and to Turkmenistan by 36.2%."

Domestic Entrepreneurs International trade UNDP e-Commerce Digitalization

UNDP Helps Entrepreneurs in Kyrgyzstan Master E-Commerce

More than 50 entrepreneurs from Kyrgyzstan are learning about e-commerce through the "Janyration Sanarip" program, an initiative aimed at supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in the country, jointly implemented by the government of Kyrgyzstan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNDP Kyrgyzstan reports. According to Nazarbek Malayev, Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce, "E-commerce opens up unique opportunities for domestic entrepreneurs to enter international markets, expand their customer base, and improve the competitiveness of their products. The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic is trying to create a favorable ecosystem where digital technologies contribute to business development and improve citizens' quality of life." Since 2019, e-commerce in Kyrgyzstan has been experiencing rapid growth, driven by the development of internet infrastructure and an increase in mobile payment users. However, the sector faces several challenges, such as a lack of consumer trust in online shopping and limited internet access in rural areas, where 60% of the population lives. In response to these challenges, the government launched the E-Commerce Development Program for 2023-2026, aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of local products in international markets and attracting investments. Within this initiative, UNDP provides comprehensive support to entrepreneurs, helping them acquire e-commerce skills and work effectively on global marketplaces. UNDP Resident Representative in Kyrgyzstan, Alexandra Solovieva, commented: "Digitalization is a key factor in bridging the digital divide and accelerating Kyrgyzstan's economic development. E-commerce improves access to services and creates new opportunities for local entrepreneurs. We are confident that the joint efforts of the Government and UNDP will contribute to sustainable and inclusive economic growth, particularly in rural areas where internet access remains limited.” Five hundred forty-two applications were submitted for the program, and entrepreneurs were selected based on several criteria, including having an existing business in Kyrgyzstan and a personal investment of at least 80,000 KGS (almost $1,000). These entrepreneurs, representing key sectors such as garment manufacturing, tourism, honey production, light industry, services, and trade, were selected from all regions of the country. Kyrgyzstan is the world's 96th largest market for e-commerce, with a predicted revenue of more than $359 million in 2024, placing it ahead of Uzbekistan. The country’s e-commerce revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 13.5% from 2024 to 2028, resulting in a projected market volume of $595.7 million by 2028.