BISHKEK (TCA) — The Publisher’s note: Central Asia is an important geopolitical area between Europe, Russia and China. It is in Central Asia that world powers have confronted each other for centuries; it is here that China needs to succeed with its new Silk Road Belt for direct access to the Western markets; and it is here that a large wealth of raw materials has its origin. Every week thousands of news appears all over the world in printed and online media and it is quite understandable that many of them may escape the attention of busy readers. At The Times of Central Asia, we strongly believe that more information can better contribute to peaceful development and better knowledge of the region, and for this reason we are presenting this Weekly Digest of Central Asia which compiles what other media have reported during the past week.
KAZAKHSTAN
Kazakhstan May Determine Asia’s Future. So Why Isn’t America Paying Attention?
Expert says that Central Asia, and Kazakhstan in particular, is the place where the interests of Russia, China and the West converge
Feb 27 — “Change is in the offing for Kazakhstan, the powerhouse of Central Asia. President Nursultan Nazarbayev is now promising more scope for political life and economic opportunity. But if reforms lag or the West abandons Ukraine, Kazakhstan may face a more challenging future.” READ MORE: http://nationalinterest.org/feature/kazakhstan-may-determine-asias-future-so-why-isnt-america-19602
Aisultan Nazarbayev: Kazakhstan Soccer’s Savior?
It is a sort of tradition in Central Asia that presidents’ relatives or other top government officials occupy top positions in their countries’ football federations. Now President Nazarbayev’s grandson has joined the club
Feb 28 — “Kazakhstan’s Football Federation has a new vice president with a familiar sounding surname — Aisultan Nazarbayev. With this appointment, President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s grandson has finally achieved his long-cherished ambition to make his mark on the country’s soccer scene.” READ MORE: http://www.eurasianet.org/node/82616
Kazakhstan to computerize entire oil and gas sector
The Energy Ministry of Kazakhstan is planning to introduce an oil accounting information system that will help reduce oil theft in the oil-rich country
March 2 — “Kazakhstan’s Minister of Energy Kanat Bozumbaev announced on March 1 the plans to digitize his industry. He said that KazMunaiGas’ practice of automated oil production would be extended to all oil fields of the country.” READ MORE: https://www.neweurope.eu/article/kazakhstan-computerize-entire-oil-gas-sector/
Kazakhstan over fulfills obligations on oil output cut
Although Kazakhstan has so far fulfilled its oil production cut committment, the country earlier said it planned to increase the overall crude output this year
March 2 — “Kazakhstan over fulfilled its obligations to cut oil output within the deal with other oil producer countries reached in Dec. 2016, Sputnik Kazakhstan news agency quoted Kazakh Energy Minister Kanat Bozumbayev as saying.” READ MORE: http://en.trend.az/business/energy/2727580.html
Kazakhstan’s two largest banks agree takeover, state offers aid
A major acquisition deal is on the horizon in Kazakhstan’s banking sector that is still being plagued by ‘bad loans’ problems
March 2 — “Kazakhstan’s two biggest lenders have provisionally agreed a deal for Halyk Bank HSBK.KZ (HSBKq.L) to take over its bigger rival Kazkommertsbank (KKB) KKGB.KZ, they said on Thursday. The central bank said the authorities planned to support the deal by helping Kazkommertsbank resolve bad loans.” READ MORE: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-kazkommertsbank-halyk-bank-idUSKBN16914X
Kazakh Lawmakers Give Initial Approval To Constitutional Changes
Kazakhstan is proceeding with a reform to redistribute state powers, a scheme seen as an attempt to facilitate power succession in the country
March 3 — “Kazakhstan’s parliament has given preliminary approval to legislation that would amend the Central Asian country’s constitution, curtailing some presidential powers and redistributing them to government ministers and lawmakers.” READ MORE: http://www.rferl.org/a/kazakhstan-constitution-amendments-nazarbaev/28345620.html
KYRGYZSTAN
Russian military will leave Kyrgyzstan when no longer needed for regional stability – Putin
Despite the growing influence of China in the region, Russia still remains the key player for ensuring stability in Central Asia
March 1 — “The Russian military presence in Central Asia is crucial for regional stability, according to President Vladimir Putin, but Moscow is ready to leave at the first request after it helps to strengthen the Kyrgyzstan army to be capable of maintaining security on its own.” READ MORE: https://www.rt.com/politics/378978-russian-kyrgyzstan-military-base/
Kyrgyzstan Plans to Beef Up Meat Exports to Iran
Iran could become a new destination for Kyrgyzstan’s meat export as the country still faces certification restrictions for its agricultural export to EEU member countries
March 1 — “Kyrgyzstan plans to export over 350 tons of meat to Iran in 2017. This was announced by Altynbek Orozbekov, a director of the State Agency for Promotion of Investments and Exports under the Ministry of Economy of Kyrgyzstan, during his trip to Tehran on Feb. 19-23, AKIpress reported on Tuesday.” READ MORE: https://financialtribune.com/articles/economy-domestic-economy/60597/kyrgyzstan-plans-to-beef-up-meat-exports-to-iran
In Kyrgyzstan, it’s revolution, revanche, repeat all over again
The chief editor of the online news portal Fergana News believes that the arrest of one of the main contenders for the post of Kyrgyzstan’s president shows that the country remains far from being democratic
March 2 — “The phrase “failed state” has been applied to Kyrgyzstan so often that repeating it seems almost indecent. This November, the country will host presidential elections — and, of course, the “power vertical” is alive and well in Kyrgyzstan today. But recent events force us to think again: is this state functioning in the right way?” READ MORE: https://www.opendemocracy.net/od-russia/daniil-kislov/in-kyrgyzstan-it-s-revolution-revanche-repeat-all-over-again
TAJIKISTAN
Russia and Tajikistan plan nuclear cooperation
Many expected that during his visit to Tajikistan, Putin would discuss the country’s entry to the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union. Instead, Moscow and Dushanbe agreed on nuclear energy cooperation
Feb 28 — “Russia and Tajikistan yesterday signed an agreement on cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Central Asian country. Tajikistan is mineral-rich and has some uranium deposits, but most of its electricity is hydroelectric, with a small part sourced from natural gas.” READ MORE: http://world-nuclear-news.org/NP-Russia-and-Tajikistan-plan-nuclear-cooperation-28021701.html
Tajikistan: Bank Liquidations Show More Weakness in Financial System
Tajikistan’s banking system continues experiencing the liquidity crisis which could not be solved without the state’s interference
Feb 28 — “Tajikistan’s central bank last late week announced it was pulling the licenses of two of its troubled banks and is now trying to work out how to compensate account-holders. That decision, publicized on February 24, comes only weeks after the National Bank committed to spending tens of millions of dollars on refinancing the lenders in question — Tojprombank and Fononbank.” READ MORE: http://www.eurasianet.org/node/82611
Call Me, Dushanbe: Telia Wants Out of Tajikistan
After a bribery scandal in Uzbekistan, the Swedish-Finnish telecommunications company TeliaSonera now wants to get out of Tajikistan
March 2 — “In September 2015, the Swedish-Finnish telecommunications company then known as TeliaSonera (now going by the name Telia Company) announced that it would be plotting its exit from the entire Eurasian market. The company said at the time that it would look to sell off its local iterations in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Nepal, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.” READ MORE: http://thediplomat.com/2017/03/call-me-dushanbe-telia-wants-out-of-tajikistan/
India And Tajikistan Ties: Partners In Development – Analysis
India is seeking closer and wider cooperation with Tajikistan in the economic, military and other spheres as New Delhi understands Central Asia’s strategic location and role in the Eurasian region
March 4 — “The ties between India and Tajikistan overall have been marked by cooperation, cordiality and closeness. The relations between the two countries thrive on a mutual understanding of the relevance of each other. Economically, where a resource-rich Tajikistan provides the burgeoning markets and manufacturing hubs in India access to energy and minerals, Tajikistan sees in India an able partner that can assist in developing its information technology, education and agrarian sectors.” READ MORE: http://www.eurasiareview.com/04032017-india-and-tajikistan-ties-partners-in-development-analysis/
TURKMENISTAN
Turkmenistan seeks expanded trade ties with Iran
Turkmenistan and Iran, which are next-door neighbors, remain important trading partners despite their recent row over Iran’s debt for Turkmen natural gas supplies
Feb 28 — “Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stressed the importance of developing the trade and economic relations with Iran for the strengthening of mutually beneficial partnership. Berdimuhamedov said about this in his message to participants of the specialized exhibition of Iran, which opened in Ashgabat on February 28.” READ MORE: http://www.azernews.az/region/109566.html
Berdimuhamedov: Turkmenistan favors diversity of energy flows
With China currently being the only buyer of Turkmen natural gas, Ashgabat is seeking to diversify its hydrocarbon export routes
March 1 — “Turkmenistan’s energy strategy is based on the principles of diversity of energy flows and expansion of their geography, said Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The head of state made the remarks during the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit in Islamabad March 1.” READ MORE: http://www.azernews.az/region/109644.html
Record daily natural gas production is achieved by Petronas Carigali (Turkmenistan) Sdn Bhd in the last year
Malaysia’s Petronas is increasing its natural gas production in Turkmenistan’s Caspian shelf
March 2 — “14 000 000 cubic meters of gas, which makes 99 percent of design capacity of the facility, was transferred for one day from the wells drilled in the Caspian Shelf via Magtumguly Collector Riser and pipelines to the shore where gas treatment infrastructure of the company is located. Generally, in 2016, total volume of hydrocarbons production from marine platforms increased for 14 percent comparing with 2015.” READ MORE: http://turkmenistan.gov.tm/_eng/?id=7811
UZBEKISTAN
ILO and Uzbekistan extend Decent Work Programme
ILO says Uzbekistan has made considerable progress in implementing international labour standards and preventing forced labour in cotton harvesting
March 1 — “At an official ceremony in Tashkent on February 28, Uzbekistan and the International Labour Organisation signed a memorandum of understanding, extending the Decent Work Country Programme for 2017-2020.” READ MORE: http://politics.uzreport.uz/news_e_148759.html
Islam Karimov’s Nephew Released From Uzbek Psychiatric Clinic
Another political prisoner has been released in Uzbekistan after the new Uzbek president’s coming to power in Tashkent
March 2 — “A journalist and nephew of the late Uzbek President Islam Karimov has been released from a psychiatric clinic where he was held almost continuously for more than 10 years, according to the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE).” READ MORE: http://www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan-karimov-nephew-released/28342940.html
Uzbekistan: Is Hike in Mecca Pilgrimage Quota Another Sign of Thaw?
Uzbek authorities’ decision to expand the Hajj quota for Uzbekistan citizens is considered by some observers as part of the mild liberalization under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev
March 2 — “Later this month, groups of Muslim pilgrims from Uzbekistan will begin making their way to Mecca, undertaking a religious obligation that most believers in the country can only dream about.” READ MORE: http://www.eurasianet.org/node/82651
AFGHANISTAN
Iran-Afghanistan rail project on fast track
Afghanistan already has a rail link to neighboring Uzbekistan. Now the Afghan rail system will be connected to Iran
Feb 27 — “Work on the Iran-Afghanistan railway project is progressing at a steady pace with the network, linking the two neighbours, due for completion early next year, said a report, citing a senior official.” READ MORE: http://www.tradearabia.com/news/CONS_321261.html
Are Chinese Forces Conducting Patrols in Afghanistan?
China’s interest in Afghanistan is caused by Beijing’s concern that Afghan soil could be used by separatist Uighur militants from China’s Xinjiang
Feb 27 — “Is the Chinese People’s Liberation Army conducting patrols in Afghanistan? Earlier this month, Franz J. Marty, over at the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, wrote that “overwhelming evidence,” including “photographs, an eyewitness account and several confirming statements of diplomats and observers, among them a Chinese official familiar with the matter,” suggested this was the case.” READ MORE: http://thediplomat.com/2017/02/are-chinese-forces-conducting-patrols-in-afghanistan/
Trump policy on Afghanistan still not clear
The Trump administration is still considering its strategy in Afghanistan
March 2 — “President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have told Afghanistan’s leaders that the United States will stand by its commitment to the security of Afghanistan, but what that means in policy terms has not been defined.” READ MORE: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/03/02/Trump-policy-on-Afghanistan-still-not-clear/3761488474659/
WORLD
Russia to invest $43 bln in Europe-Asia transport corridor
Russia now accounts for 15 percent of the total cargo turnover between Europe and China which goes through the Eurasian Economic Union countries, mainly through Kazakhstan
March 2 — “The Russian government plans to invest $43 billion to upgrade its railway infrastructure in order to benefit from growing freight traffic between China and Europe, a senior official from Russian Railways said this week.” READ MORE: http://rbth.com/business/2017/03/02/russia-europe-asia-transport-corridor-712173
President Erdoğan invited to Chinese Silk Road Summit
Turkey may benefit from China’s One Belt, One Road project and become a hub for the transit of Chinese goods to Europe along the modern Silk Road route
March 2 — “China has invited President Erdoğan to attend a major OBOR Summit that will be held in Beijing in May, Daily Sabah has learned from diplomatic sources. Chinese President Xi Jinping, in recent weeks, has said that the upcoming forum will explore ways to address regional and global economic problems and generate fresh energy for interconnected development.” READ MORE: https://www.dailysabah.com/economy/2017/03/03/president-erdogan-invited-to-chinese-silk-road-summit-1488488443
