• KGS/USD = 0.01146 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00193 -0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.10153 0%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 -0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28571 0%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01146 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00193 -0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.10153 0%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 -0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28571 0%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01146 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00193 -0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.10153 0%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 -0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28571 0%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01146 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00193 -0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.10153 0%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 -0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28571 0%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01146 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00193 -0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.10153 0%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 -0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28571 0%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01146 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00193 -0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.10153 0%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 -0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28571 0%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01146 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00193 -0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.10153 0%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 -0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28571 0%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01146 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00193 -0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.10153 0%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 -0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28571 0%

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 11

Daughter of Uzbekistan’s President – His Aide as Well – Gets Promoted

The eldest daughter of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been elevated to head of the presidential administration, strengthening her power at top levels of the government of the Central Asian country. Saida Mirziyoyeva, 40, already had a high-profile role in Uzbekistan’s government, meeting international dignitaries in her role as a presidential aide. Now she will take on a newly created role that is likely to stir debate about whether she could become a candidate to eventually succeed her father. “By decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, changes were made to the structure of the Presidential Administration. The position of Head of the Presidential Administration was established,” and Mirziyoyeva was appointed to the job, presidential spokesman Sherzod Asadov said Monday. Asadov’s post on Telegram included a photo of Mirziyoyeva standing and acknowledging the applause of officials around a table. Mirziyoyeva has spoken in support of freedom of speech and women’s rights, issues that have sometimes run up against conservative culture and tight political controls in Uzbekistan. While her father, President Mirziyoyev, has pursued economic reforms and closer ties with international partners, OSCE observers said in a statement that there was a lack of political competition in legislative elections last year and the vote “did not offer voters a real choice.” Mirziyoyev, 67, has been president of Uzbekistan since 2016. He was re-elected in a 2023 vote after a constitutional amendment that reset the number of his terms in office and lengthened presidential terms from five to seven years.

President Tokayev Dismisses Ministers of Defense and Transport

Kazakhstan’s political landscape has undergone a significant shift as President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced the dismissal of two key cabinet members, Ruslan Zhaksylykov, Minister of Defense, and Marat Karabayev, Minister of Transport. The decision marks a reshuffling within the country’s leadership as the administration seeks to address critical challenges in defense and infrastructure. Defense Minister Zhaksylykov Removed, Kosanov Appointed Ruslan Zhaksylykov’s removal as Minister of Defense comes during a time of heightened scrutiny over Kazakhstan’s military readiness and regional security. While the government has not disclosed specific reasons for the dismissal, defense analysts suggest it is tied to concerns about military efficiency, resource management, and preparedness in a challenging geopolitical environment. Criticism has mounted regarding the state of the country’s defense capabilities, with insiders pointing to inefficiencies in handling resources and gaps in modernization efforts. Zhaksylykov's departure aligns with President Tokayev’s broader drive to reform and modernize the armed forces, aiming for greater accountability and effectiveness. During Zhaksylykov’s time in office, the ministry faced frequent criticism over tragic incidents within the army, including fatal injuries and servicemen suicides, which sparked widespread public outrage. The administration has moved swiftly in appointing Dauren Kosanov as Zhaksylykov’s successor, with the President instructing him to enhance the army’s combat readiness, expand special operations forces, and modernize military infrastructure. A seasoned military leader, Kosanov has previously held key positions including commander of the Air Force and director of the Military Institute of Air Defense Forces. Transport Minister Marat Karabayev Dismissed After Short Tenure Simultaneously, Marat Karabayev has been relieved of his duties as Minister of Transport, a position he had held since September 2023 when the ministry was established. His term was marked by escalating challenges in the transport and logistics sector, culminating in mounting criticism from the President himself. Earlier this year, President Tokayev issued Karabayev an official reprimand for his unsatisfactory performance. The dismissal comes following a Security Council meeting chaired by the President during which Karabayev and other officials faced criticism for the state of the transport sector. Tokayev highlighted systemic issues, including delays in transit projects, bottlenecks at border crossings, and inadequate infrastructure at checkpoints. The President also condemned the lack of progress in fulfilling key plans designed to boost the country’s capabilities as a transit hub. Karabayev’s dismissal underscores the urgent need for reforms in the transport sector. President Tokayev stressed the importance of modernizing infrastructure to position Kazakhstan as a competitive player in international trade. He pointed to strategic initiatives such as establishing "green corridors" for streamlined border trade, improving transit volumes, and ensuring reliable aviation fuel supplies. Implications and Broader Context The twin dismissals demonstrate President Tokayev’s resolve to address inefficiencies and push forward with ambitious reforms. Both defense and transport are critical sectors for Kazakhstan’s future, given the country’s strategic geographical position. The defense ministry is facing growing pressure to modernize in response to regional security tensions, while the transport sector is vital for integrating Kazakhstan into global supply chains.

Kazakh President Picks New Economy Minister Amid Reforms, Uncertainty

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev replaced the economy minister on Saturday, a move that came as Kazakhstan struggles with a depreciating currency even though it earned international praise for economic prudence in recent months. The Cabinet change also comes ahead of the January inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has warned of more tariffs in his second term. Nurlan Baibazarov, who was appointed as deputy prime minister and national economy minister in February, was replaced by Serik Zhumangarin, an experienced hand whose previous posts included deputy economy minister, trade minister and head of Kazakhstan’s Agency for Protection and Development of Competition. He was also among the several deputy prime ministers in the Cabinet and retains that title as well. Zhumangarin was tasked in his new job with ensuring Kazakhstan’s economic growth, implementing structural changes and improving budget and tax policies, according to the prime minister’s office. “In addition, the Ministry of National Economy needs to pursue a balanced policy of business support and a balanced policy of tariff regulation in order to ensure economic growth in priority sectors,” the office said. While global economic policy-makers are preparing for uncertainty over planned tariffs and other measures when Trump takes office, the president-elect and Tokayev agreed in a telephone conversation this month to collaborate on trade, investment and other areas. In September, the Moody's Ratings agency upgraded Kazakhstan's long-term local and foreign currency issuer ratings to Baa1 from Baa2 and changed the outlook to stable from positive. Moody’s applauded institutional and economic reforms in Kazakhstan, as well as efforts to diversify and move away from hydrocarbons, but warned of the risk of geopolitical tensions and “secondary” sanctions related to Western economic pressure on Russia because of the war in Ukraine. In October, the International Monetary Fund predicted GDP growth in Kazakhstan of 3.9% for 2024, with growth expected to increase in 2025 despite uncertainty. It applauded what it called Kazakhstan’s tight monetary policy and commitment to exchange rate flexibility. Even so, Kazakhstan’s currency later came under increased pressure. The central bank said early this month that it had spent more than $1 billion in foreign exchange interventions since mid-November in an effort to stabilize the declining currency, which passed the threshold of 500 tenge to the U.S. dollar and hit record lows. Kazakh officials attributed the drop to the global appreciation of the dollar, a decrease in oil prices, the falling Russian ruble and other factors. Born in 1969 in Aktobe, Kazakhstan, Zhumangarin, the new economy minister, has also worked on competition and antitrust regulation for the Eurasian Economic Commission, a regulatory body that oversees the Eurasian Economic Union. The group aims at integrating the economies of the former Soviet states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Armenia and Belarus.

Tax Troubles Trigger Shake-Up: Kyrgyzstan Names New Prime Minister

In Kyrgyzstan, Adylbek Kasymaliev, the head of the Cabinet of Ministers, has replaced Akylbek Japarov and became the new Prime Minister of the country. The departure of the previous head came as a surprise to most citizens. However, the president of the Kyrgyz Republic explained that the dismissal was due to unfavorable developments in the sphere of taxes. New Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev was born on December 1, 1960, in the village of Dolon, in the Tyup district of the Issyk-Kul region. Over his long career, he has held the positions of Minister of Finance of Kyrgyzstan, Chairman of the State Tax Service, and Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration. According to the Kyrgyz president, Kasymaliev’s predecessor, Akylbek Japarov, who served for more than three years in the government, made a number of mistakes in the area of taxes. “His departure from office, I think, should not be politicized," stated President Sadyr Japarov. "Unfavorable events in the tax sphere, which provides the funds for the budget, have impacted this decision. There have also been machinations with excise duties. This sphere was under Akylbek Usenbekovich's personal control, and he could have taken earlier measures to stop illegal activity. Because of illegal manifestations in this area, as well as an investigation into the leadership of the tax service, there is a need to eliminate a conflict of interests. Thus, I decided to remove him from his post,” the president told Parliament. Earlier, the State Tax Service of Kyrgyzstan underwent massive inspections, resulting in a number of high-ranking officials losing their posts, including the head of the State Tax Service and some of his deputies. Kyrgyz analyst Nasirdin Shamshiev told Times of Central Asia that the departure was unexpected, as Akylbek Japarov had established himself as a strong and progressive economist. “Akylbek Japarov has done a lot to increase tax collections and bring business out of the shadows. Today's appointments in the government speak of the previous course of the Cabinet of Ministers,” Shamshiev said. In addition, Bakyt Sydykov has been officially appointed as Kyrgyzstan's new Minister of Economy. Previously, Sydykov worked on attracting investments and coordinating donor aid to the country.  "Sydykov's appointment was likely a preliminary measure," Shamshiev also told TCA. "He has performed well in his previous posts, but we have yet to assess his work, because the Ministry of Economy is not only about investment, it has to deal with a very wide range of issues. These include taxes, as well as standardization and customs policy. There are also many unresolved problems related to the Eurasian Economic Union. There is still a lot of work to be done on all of this.” Personnel rotations in the government of Kyrgyzstan are associated with a revitalization of the system of government management, Edil Baisalov, deputy chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, wrote on his Facebook page. According to Baisalov, the president's decision is dictated by the desire to give new momentum to the country's growth. Baisalov also noted that Akylbek Japarov...

Akylbek Japarov Dismissed as Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet Chief

On December 16, Kyrgyzstan’s head of the Cabinet of Ministers and Presidential Administration, Akylbek Japarov was dismissed from his position. Sources within the presidential administration confirmed the news to The Times of Central Asia. According to reports, President Sadyr Japarov has signed a decree formalizing the resignation. Akylbek Japarov is expected to be appointed as an advisor to the president. In the interim, Adylbek Kasymaliev, the first deputy head of the Cabinet of Ministers, will serve as acting prime minister. The appointment of a permanent successor has yet to be announced. After a long political career including, holding posts under former president's Akayev an Bakiev, Akylbek Japarov’s return to the forefront of Kyrgyz politics under President Japarov began in 2021, when he was appointed as an advisor on financial and economic issues. He later served as Minister of the Economy and Commerce, and as Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers. On October 13, 2021, he assumed the dual role of head of the Cabinet of Ministers and head of the Presidential Administration, a position he held until his dismissal. Akylbek Japarov’s tenure as head of government stands out for its longevity. Since Kyrgyzstan gained independence in 1991, the country has seen 33 prime ministers, many of whom served for less than a year, whilst some held office for only a few days. In this context, Akylbek Japarov’s relatively long tenure of more than three years marks a significant achievement in Kyrgyz political history. From 2000 to 2005, Akylbek Japarov served as a deputy in the Jogorku Kenesh (parliament). Over the years, he held various key positions, including first deputy prime minister, deputy, and chair of the Committee on Budget and Finance. Akylbek Japarov gained particular recognition during his tenure as Minister of Economy and Finance for championing the controversial idea of passports for livestock. This initiative aimed to help farms export meat by providing identification for livestock, thereby improving traceability and quality standards.

Uzbekistan Shakes Up Top Security Positions

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has reshuffled several top posts in the government’s security establishment, a presidential aide said on Sunday. Shukhrat Khalmukhamedov has been promoted to defense minister from his previous post as the ministry’s first deputy minister and chief of the general staff of the military, presidential press secretary Sherzod Asadov said on social media. Khalmukhamedov had held his previous job since 2021. Khalmukhamedov replaced Bahodir Kurbanov, who was defense minister for five years and moved to chairman of the State Security Service, the national intelligence agency, according to the press secretary. Kurbanov, in turn, took over from Abdusalam Azizov, who was transferred to the Security Council secretariat under the president. Azizov previously held several high-level jobs, including defense minister, internal affairs minister and head of the Uzbekistan Football Association. The government did not announce any reasons for the reshuffle. It came one month after a shooting attack on a vehicle in the Tashkent region that prompted reports by Uzbek media organizations and social media posts that a former high-profile figure in the government was traveling in the vehicle and was the target. There were no injuries in the attack. The prosecutor general’s office has said several suspects were arrested, but has provided few other details about the case. Authorities warned that people who spread false information can be prosecuted because it can lead to panic and destabilize society. In other security developments in the region, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has told his government to upgrade protections at key military and civilian facilities because of escalating hostilities between Ukraine and Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.