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Labor Migration

Uzbekistan Expands U.S. Labor Migration Talks in New York

A delegation from Uzbekistan held a series of meetings with international organizations, educational institutions, employers, and law firms during the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) in New York, as Tashkent seeks to expand legal labor migration opportunities in the United States. According to Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency, the delegation included officials from the agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Uzbekistan’s embassy in Washington. The push comes as labor migration remains a major part of Uzbekistan’s economy. The Central Bank of Uzbekistan said remittance inflows reached high levels in 2025, with $9.9 billion arriving through traditional money transfer systems and another $8.6 billion credited directly to bank cards through P2P transfers. That scale has made overseas employment both a household income issue and a policy priority for Tashkent. The forum opened with remarks by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Amy Pope, director general of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), who outlined priorities for global migration policy and international cooperation. During the event, Behzod Musayev, the head of Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency, presented information on migration reforms underway in Uzbekistan, including vocational and language training programs designed to prepare citizens for overseas employment. Musayev said labor migration should be viewed as an economic necessity and an investment in human capital. The delegation also met with Ugochi Daniels, IOM’s deputy director general for operations, to discuss protecting the rights of citizens of Uzbekistan working abroad and organizational issues related to an international migration forum scheduled to be held in Tashkent. Several meetings focused on expanding cooperation with U.S. educational institutions and employers. Uzbekistan signed a cooperation agreement with Logan University in Missouri on training medical personnel for the U.S. labor market, launching joint educational programs, and developing human resources. Representatives of Missouri Trucking School discussed creating a 160-hour training program to prepare drivers from Uzbekistan according to U.S. standards and support their employment opportunities. Talks with the National Council of Agricultural Employers focused on organizing labor forums with employers and expanding seasonal work programs for citizens of Uzbekistan. The delegation also reached agreements with the recruitment organization Head Honchos on H-2A visa processing, promoting agricultural workers from Uzbekistan in the U.S., and launching preparatory programs lasting eight to ten weeks. In meetings with the New York-based law firm Ballon Stoll, officials discussed work opportunities through O, H-2A, H-2B, H-1B, and E visas, as well as stronger legal protections for citizens of Uzbekistan employed in the U.S. The U.S. route is still at an early stage and will depend on American visa rules and employer demand. Under U.S. regulations, H-2A and H-2B petitions are generally limited to nationals of countries designated by the Department of Homeland Security, though USCIS can approve petitions for workers from non-designated countries on a case-by-case basis if it determines that doing so is in the U.S. interest. The discussions follow statements made earlier this year by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who instructed Uzbekistan’s diplomats to begin talks with Washington on including the country in U.S. seasonal labor recruitment programs. The...

data center

U.S.-Linked Consortium to Build $1.5 Billion Data Center in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has signed a memorandum of cooperation with an international consortium that includes Dornan Engineering Group and JMOT04 to develop a major high-capacity data center project in the country. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development signed the agreement during GITEX AI Kazakhstan. According to the ministry, the project involves the construction of a Tier III–Tier IV high-reliability data center with planned capacity ranging from 50 MW to 200 MW. Investment in a 200 MW Tier IV facility is estimated at between $1 billion and $1.5 billion. To ensure a stable and independent power supply, the project also includes plans to build a gas-fired power plant with capacity of up to 250 MW. Investment in the energy facility is estimated at between $200 million and $400 million. The project will be implemented by Ample Solution Limited, one of Asia’s largest suppliers of electronic components, founded in 2008. “Kazakhstan has a unique geographic position, a favorable climate, and competitive electricity costs. These factors create a solid foundation for hosting international data centers and developing digital infrastructure,” said Zhaslan Madiyev, deputy prime minister and head of the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. Authorities are currently selecting the optimal location for the project, prioritizing sites near gas infrastructure to ensure efficient electricity generation and operational reliability. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Kazakhstan’s planned “data center valley” would be located in the northeastern Pavlodar region. Speaking after a government meeting on May 5, Deputy Energy Minister Sungat Yessimkhanov said the first facilities in the cluster are expected to appear as early as next year. According to Yessimkhanov, work is currently underway to formalize land allocations and ensure a stable electricity supply for the centers. “We are directly involved in the overall process. At the first stage, 300 MW will be required, and there are no issues with that volume,” he said. “The first facilities will appear in 2027, and uninterrupted electricity supply will be guaranteed by then.” During the GITEX AI forum, Kazakhstan’s Energy Ministry and the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development also signed cooperation memorandums with Ample Solution Limited and Dominor Partners Ltd covering the development of hyperscale data centers in Kazakhstan, including the creation of a specialized cluster combining digital and energy infrastructure. Under the agreements, the parties will cooperate on the development of supporting energy infrastructure, including power generation projects using gas, coal, and renewable energy sources to ensure a stable electricity supply for the data centers. Particular attention will also be given to localizing the production of equipment and technologies to strengthen technological independence and create new opportunities for industrial development. The agreements additionally provide for technology transfer, workforce development, and joint work on digital and energy infrastructure projects, including the Industrial & Digital Energy Hub initiative. According to Kazakhstan’s Energy Ministry, the projects are expected to attract investment, support the development of the digital economy, create jobs, and strengthen Kazakhstan’s position as a regional technology and energy hub.

Aviation

Michael Daniel Appointed Head of Kazakhstan’s Aviation Administration

Kazakhstan has appointed U.S. aviation veteran Michael Daniel as chief executive officer of the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan, a step that officials say is linked to plans for direct flights to the United States. Daniel took up the post on May 4. He has more than 40 years of experience in civil aviation and holds a degree in aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He began his career at the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), where he served as a flight operations inspector, aircraft certification specialist, and head of flight safety. He later worked on international programs and policy and held posts in Frankfurt, New York, and Washington. From 2006 to 2009, Daniel led the FAA’s international office in Singapore and Beijing, overseeing foreign repair stations and international safety assessments. During his career, he also took part in international initiatives, including work within Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and cooperated with the International Civil Aviation Organization on safety oversight and evaluation. Kazakhstan’s Civil Aviation Committee said one of Daniel’s main priorities will be the launch of direct flights to the U.S. Aviation expert Abul Kekilbayev said the appointment appeared to be tied to that objective. “The aircraft have already been bought, you need to pass an audit for compliance,” he said. Before direct flights can begin, airlines from Kazakhstan will need to complete several stages of approval with U.S. regulators. Those steps include obtaining authorization from the U.S. Department of Transportation and then applying to the FAA, which will assess whether Kazakhstan meets international aviation safety standards.

Foreign Investment

Kazakhstan Finance Day in New York Showcases Market Reform, IPO Ambitions, and Alatau City Pitch

At Kazakhstan Finance Day in New York, officials and executives used the panel “Investment Opportunities in Kazakhstan” to present the country as entering a new phase of market development, citing macroeconomic stability, capital-market reform, potential initial and secondary public offerings, and infrastructure tied to the Alatau City project. The panel session was held at Citigroup headquarters in Manhattan and was moderated by Stephanie von Friedeburg, global head of Citi’s Public Sector Group. Speakers included Timur Suleimenov, governor of the National Bank of Kazakhstan; Adil Mukhamejanov, chairperson of the management board of the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE); Zhandos Shaikhy, deputy chairman of the management board of Baiterek National Managing Holding; Aidar Ryskulov, managing director for economics and finance at Samruk-Kazyna; and Bayan Konirbayev, deputy CEO and chief digital officer of the Alatau City Authority. Opening the event, von Friedeburg noted that the forum’s return to Citigroup headquarters for a third time reflected the continued engagement between Kazakhstan and U.S. investors. Kazakhstan’s ambassador to the United States, Magzhan Ilyassov, linked the event to growth in bilateral economic ties, citing more than $17 billion in commercial agreements signed during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s November 2025 visit to Washington, and adding that further agreements were under consideration. The first financial presentation came from Suleimenov, who reported that Kazakhstan’s economy grew 6.5% in 2025, inflation had eased to 11%, and the National Bank remained committed to returning inflation to its 5% target. He framed the country’s investment case around tighter macroeconomic coordination, fiscal discipline, and financial-sector development. “We’re also exploring the development of a national crypto reserve framework, where digital assets will gradually be accumulated and managed as part of a sovereign reserve diversification strategy,” Suleimenov explained. He also pointed to continued work on the digital tenge and national digital financial infrastructure. Suleimenov connected that financial agenda to the investment case, arguing that Kazakhstan was reducing its structural dependence on oil revenue and moving ahead with legal and tax changes aimed at improving the investment climate. He described the Middle Corridor as increasingly important and called the route through Kazakhstan, the Caspian, and the Caucasus “the only viable, reliable route” between the East and West. [caption id="attachment_47460" align="aligncenter" width="1258"] Kazakhstan Finance Day in New York; image: K. Krombie[/caption] The discussion then moved to Samruk-Kazyna’s finances and privatization plans. Aidar Ryskulov put the fund’s assets under management at $88 billion and EBITDA at $10.8 billion. He indicated that the fund intended to remain active in international debt markets this year. Ryskulov stated that Samruk-Kazyna was targeting a public-market transaction this year, with London, Hong Kong, and Astana under consideration, although timing would depend on macroeconomic conditions. He later pointed to IPO plans for the national railway company, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ). "Our capacity is roughly 55 million tons, and we’re going to double this capacity in five to seven years,” he said. Ryskulov also characterized Kazatomprom as “one of the best assets” and presented it as undervalued and a high-dividend company. Zhandos Shaikhy focused on Baiterek’s scale and...

Critical Minerals

Opinion: Supply Chains of Power: How Critical Minerals Are Shaping China–U.S. Competition in Central Asia

Central Asia is no longer a distant frontier for global geopolitics. It is developing into a central arena of competition for critical minerals, supply chains, and industrial power, where minerals are no longer simple commodities but have instead become key components of contemporary statecraft. In essence, this transformation highlights a recognition in Washington and other capitals that critical mineral supply chains are fundamental to next-generation energy systems, the development of artificial intelligence (AI), and strategic defense capabilities. Even as the global economy is multipolar, critical mineral supply chains remain highly concentrated and dominated by China. Control of rare earths is increasingly geopolitical, with clear economic, political, and security consequences. The significance of that imbalance is now shaping U.S. foreign policy, Central Asia’s development strategies, and the future of global economics. China’s Strategy: Control the Chain, Not Just the Mine Though many years in the making, China’s critical minerals strategy is still often misunderstood as focused primarily on resource access. However, Beijing’s efforts are far broader and more effective. Not only securing raw materials, the Chinese leadership has also worked to control the entire supply chain—from extraction to processing, refining, and manufacturing. China’s long-term focus and investments began in the 1980s with efforts that culminated in the Made in China 2025 plan for national and overseas manufacturing. In 2023 alone, Chinese firms invested more than $120 billion in overseas mining and processing, targeting key elements used in energy supply chains. Beijing also fed its industrial base by providing over $220 billion for the production of electric vehicles, batteries, and renewable infrastructure. As a result, China now controls approximately 60% of lithium processing, more than 70% of cobalt refining, and over 90% of battery material manufacturing. Strategically, China controls roughly 90% of global rare earth refining and associated technologies. Early investments in supplies enabled Beijing to subsequently concentrate funds into refining capacity to feed its industrial sector. This integrated approach has shifted the power dynamic for global supply chains tied to the critical minerals economy. As evidenced by Beijing’s near monopoly on processing, market control is not just associated with geological supplies but with processing capacity. China’s willingness to weaponize access not only to rare earths but also to processing technology demonstrates Beijing’s market muscle. This distinction is critical. Rare earth elements are not inherently scarce, but they are rarely found in concentrated deposits, making them difficult to extract and refine. Over decades, Beijing developed unique refining capabilities and subsidized an industrial base that disincentivized competition and encouraged processing to shift to China. The Vicious Circle Prohibitive investment costs, long development timelines, and market volatility have discouraged Western investment in alternative supply chains. Each stage (mining, processing, refining, manufacturing) is interdependent: miners won’t invest without buyers and offtake agreements, processors and refiners need secure financing and stable mineral supply, and manufacturers need steady inputs. Such interdependence creates an investment standoff and heightens perceptions of risk. By integrating all stages, Beijing exerts influence across global markets, from pricing to production. This has conditioned global markets...

TCA Interviews

Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan on Regional Integration and a Shifting Global Order

Amid shifting regional dynamics and an evolving global order, Uzbekistan has emerged as one of Central Asia’s most proactive diplomatic and economic actors. Since 2016, Tashkent has pursued an ambitious reform agenda at home while expanding cooperation with its neighbors and major global powers. In a wide-ranging interview with TCA, His Excellency Bakhtiyor Ibragimov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan, discusses regional integration, strategic partnerships, Afghanistan, China, and the future of economic diplomacy in Central Asia. TCA: Mr. Ambassador, Uzbekistan has demonstrated significant economic progress in recent years. What do you see as the key drivers behind this success? Ambassador Ibragimov: First of all, welcome to the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Astana. We are familiar with your publication. We read it often, follow it, and analyze it. I would start with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev taking office at the end of 2016. It is no secret that until 2016, the Republic of Uzbekistan, despite its potential, was a fairly closed country. Our president always asks us, his representatives abroad, to speak openly about this. You cannot rewrite history or hide it. Relations with our neighbors were, frankly, at a very low level, and with some, there were no relations at all. The end of 2016 was a turning point, when reforms were not only declared but implemented and are now yielding results. One of President Mirziyoyev’s first foreign-policy priorities was normalization, and I want to emphasize this: normalization and then improving relations with neighbors. There is a saying in Uzbekistan: "If your neighbor is doing well, then you will also do well." Today, nearly a decade later, we can see that this policy is yielding results. Please note: this is not my personal assessment, but the assessment of international experts who recognize that the President has managed to achieve what once seemed impossible. I am speaking about regional integration with our neighbors. For example, a key issue for Central Asia is water. Many analysts warn that competition for water resources could, in the future, become a potential source of conflict. Two main rivers feed the region. Unfortunately, due to climate change, water volumes are not increasing year by year, while consumption is rising. We have managed to resolve almost all issues to date. In particular, based on the level of accumulation in the autumn-winter period in the upper reaches of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, and taking into account irrigation needs during the growing season, our water specialists jointly agree on and ensure the necessary water discharge within an agreed time frame. Uzbekistan, as you know, is located in the very center of Central Asia, bordering all Central Asian states, as well as Afghanistan. Today, border issues have largely been resolved. The final chord was struck on March 31, 2025, when the leaders of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan signed an agreement on the border junction point, confirming the point of convergence of the three countries’ state borders. It should also be...