UAE - The Times Of Central Asia

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Kazakhstan’s Lamb Gaining Ground in Arab Markets

Demand for Kazakh food products is on the rise in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which imports over $23 billion worth of agricultural goods annually. Kazakhstan’s agricultural exports to the UAE were a key focus during a meeting in Dubai between Kazakhstan’s Minister of Trade and Integration, Arman Shakkaliyev, and UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi. Shakkaliyev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s readiness to supply organic agricultural products, with chilled lamb emerging as a standout item in the UAE market. During the first ten months of 2024, Kazakhstan exported 13,300 tons of lamb to the UAE, valued at $45.3 million. This marks a twofold increase in export volume and a 64% rise in revenue compared to the same period in 2023. In addition to lamb, Shakkaliyev highlighted Kazakhstan’s capacity to export high-quality flour, sunflower oil, confectionery, and dairy products to the UAE. The minister also emphasized Kazakhstan’s commitment to developing halal certification for its agricultural products. “Since 2014, more than 1,800 domestic and foreign companies have been certified, demonstrating the high quality and compliance of Kazakhstani products with international standards,” he noted. As part of the meeting, a tasting session showcased Kazakhstani lamb, confectionery, and apples, further promoting the country's agricultural offerings. Kazakhstan’s lamb exports have also seen significant growth in other Arab markets. According to the Kazakh Ministry of Trade and Integration, lamb exports to Qatar have increased by 75% since the beginning of 2024.

UAE Art and Culture Kazakh Art Central Asian Art

UAE Embracing the Silk Road Narrative: Central Asia at Art Abu Dhabi 2024

More than at any other time in recent history, the entire art world is this year tackling geopolitical identity issues. And while we usually delegate Biennales and non-commercial art events to take the pulse of our contemporary reality, this time an art fair took up this task: Art Abu Dhabi. This year the fair was bigger than ever and had a hugely relevant Central Asian and Caucasus section, curated by Elvira Eevr Djaltchinova-Malec, which was aptly called “Drifting identities.” Founder of the Warsaw Institute for Modern and Contemporary Asian Art (WIMCAA) Foundation - based on the spreading of Asian and global art – Djaltchinova-Malec was invited by the fair's artistic director, Dyala Nusseibeh, to curate a section that presented different aspects of the rich cultural tapestry of the region without shying away from the political concerns and instability which often characterize this part of the world. [caption id="attachment_26543" align="aligncenter" width="928"] From left to right, Abdelmonem Alserkal - prominent art patron based in Dubai, founder of the Alserkal Avenue, Alserkal Foundation, Elvira Eevr Djaltchinova-Malec, Almagul Menlibayeva, and Danagul Tolepbay image: Elvira Eevr Djaltchinova-Malec[/caption] Djaltchinova-Malec has been working on this concept of the Silk Road in different shows – namely Silk Road 2.0 - Artists re-loaded conference in Warsaw, Silk Road 2.0 - New Opportunities panel for art for 021 Art fair in Shanghai - adapting it to the changing geopolitical landscape of the region. "Our foundation was established in 2016, and already, eight years ago, we started to explore the topic of the Silk Road,” Djaltchinova-Malec told TCA. “We wanted to understand the desire of China and countries who joined Chinese projects for the New Silk Road, and we invited artists and art professionals from Vietnam, the United Kingdom, Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Germany, Tibet, France, and Ukraine for the foundation’s first conference.” The Belt and Road Initiative, sometimes referred to as the New Silk Road, is a global infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013 to invest in more than 150 countries and international organizations. [caption id="attachment_26545" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Tapestry by Almagul Menlibayeva; image: Elvira Eevr Djaltchinova-Malec[/caption] It’s the first time that the curator is presenting these artistic geographies in the context of the Gulf. On one hand, this is opening up Central Asian narratives to an Arab public that might be curious to learn more about art in this region. On the other hand, it is helping to open markets and create access to a different pool of new collectors. Thanks to an individual outreach which started well before the fair, the experiment proved successful. "Fortunately, many collectors from the Gulf already know artists from Central Asia, as there are a few art galleries in the UAE which represent them, as well as institutions like the Sharjah Foundation,” Djaltchinova-Malec stated. In addition, many collectors and artists from Russia who are knowledgeable about Central Asian narratives and sensitive to colonization issues, are now based in the UAE. “We tried to involve as many collectors from other circles as...

Israel Crime Justice Court Cases UAE

Uzbek Nationals Arrested in UAE Over Murder of Israeli Rabbi Zvi Kagan

The Times of Central Asia has reported that three Uzbek nationals are suspected in the murder of Rabbi Zvi Kagan, an Israeli-Moldovan citizen and prominent figure in the Jewish religious movement Chabad. The UAE Ministry of Interior announced the arrest of the suspects, identified as Olimpi Toirovich (28), Makhmudjon Abdurakhim (28), and Azizbek Kamlovich (33). A ministry-released photo showed the suspects blindfolded and shackled, underscoring the seriousness of the case. Authorities have transferred the investigation to the prosecutor’s office but have yet to disclose the specific charges or motive behind the murder. Rabbi Kagan, a UAE resident, was reported missing on November 21, prompting a swift search by local authorities. His body was discovered on November 24, leading to the identification and arrest of the suspects. A respected member of the UAE’s Jewish community, Kagan assisted the country’s chief rabbi and managed a kosher supermarket, Rimon, in Dubai. His contributions were pivotal in supporting the Jewish community in the region. The case has drawn significant attention due to Kagan’s prominent role and the mystery surrounding the crime. UAE officials have stated that the investigation is ongoing, with further details expected to emerge as it progresses.

UAE Player Fails to Attend World Cup Qualifiers Due to Fake Uzbekistan Passport

On October 15 , Uzbekistan's national football team will compete against the UAE in the 3rd round of the 4th round of the World Cup Qualifiers. According to a report issued by the Uzbekistan Football Federation, Fabio de Lima, a Brazilian player in the UAE, will not be joining his team in Uzbekistan for personal reasons. It transpires that although Fabio de Lima received citizenship in Uzbekistan in 2013 and was registered as an Asian legionnaire in the UAE Championship, his documents were fake. Uzbek football specialist Alisher Nikibayev however, claims there is no legal reason preventing the player from entering Uzbekistan: “They are asking if Fabio can come to Uzbekistan. I don’t see any legal obstacle to it; it is unlikely that a criminal case was opened against him. In addition, it is necessary to check the statute of limitations for such violations. Don’t forget that Fabio, as a citizen of Uzbekistan, has never seen his ‘passport’ and, of course, has never used it anywhere. This fake document was only needed to enter the Emirates Championship. Why is he not coming? He fears the case is still open and doesn’t want to take any chances. As for his UAE passport, everything is legal in the Emirates."

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.

Kazakhstan: Investigate Airstrike on UAE Residence in Sudan

Kazakhstan condemns a Sept. 29 airstrike on the Khartoum residence of the top diplomat of the United Arab Emirates in Sudan, the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday. “We firmly believe that any kind of violence against diplomatic missions and their staff is absolutely unacceptable,” the ministry said in a statement. It said the airstrike violated the security of diplomatic missions as guaranteed under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and appealed for an investigation to bring “all those involved to justice.” The United Arab Emirates said the airstrike was carried out by a Sudanese army aircraft and that it caused extensive damage to the building. The Sudanese Armed Forces, or SAF, denied responsibility. The SAF has previously accused the United Arab Emirates of supporting its enemy in Sudan’s civil war, a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces.