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
Kazakh-Korean cooperation promotes investment climate, addresses foreign investors’ concerns
Kazakhstan’s large Korean minority’s members work to attract investors from their historical homeland to Kazakhstan’s economy
July 23 — “The Korean Association of Kazakhstan held a Kazakh-Korean Cooperation Forum July 20 to demonstrate the country’s real potential to foreign investors, help resolve essential issues in doing business in Kazakhstan and mark two important anniversaries, Konstantin Kim, editor-in-chief of the association’s Kore Ilbo newspaper, told The Astana Times.” READ MORE: http://astanatimes.com/2017/07/kazakh-korean-cooperation-promotes-investment-climate-addresses-foreign-investors-concerns/
Kazakhstan focuses on the global vanadium market
The world’s largest uranium producer, Kazakhstan will develop its Balasauskandyk field, whose total reserves are estimated at more than 100 million tonnes of different metals — vanadium, as well as carbon, uranium, molybdenum, and aluminum
July 24 — “Kazakhstan is expected to become one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of vanadium to the global market in the coming years, that will take place through the acceleration of development of some of the country’s largest vanadium fields, which was recently announced by British Virgin Islands based Ferro-Alloy Resources (FAR).” READ MORE: https://investorintel.com/sectors/technology-metals/technology-metals-intel/kazakhstan-focuses-global-vanadium-market/
Kazakhstan Stock Market Up 30% Following Bank Merger and Anticipated New International Exchange
The reasons for growth are the merger of Halyk Bank and Kazkommertsbank to create the largest bank in Central Asia, and the upcoming launch of Astana International Exchange
July 25 — “Kazakhstan is showing encouraging signs of late with the frontier market (FM) (FRN) charting a course to showcase its development-friendly agenda and the advances that the country is making. The economy, especially the labor market, is far less regulated now than it was a decade ago.” READ MORE: https://fronteranews.com/news/asia/kazakhstan-stock-market-up-30-following-bank-merger-and-anticipated-new-international-exchange/
Kazakhstan: Trade Union Leader Punished With 4 Years of “Limited Freedom”
Despite the criticism from international rights organizations, authorities in Kazakhstan continue persecuting independent trade unions
July 25 — “A court in Kazakhstan has once more signaled the government’s disregard for worker rights by sentencing the former head of an independent trade union to four years of “limited freedom” for purportedly abusing her status.” READ MORE: http://www.eurasianet.org/node/84481
Kazakhstan to gradually introduce teaching in English language
Kazakhstan is introducing teaching in English at schools and universities, in an effort to promote the country’s better integration with the world’s education sphere and economy
July 27 — “Work is underway to gradually switch to English-language education in Kazakhstan’s secondary schools and universities, Minister of Education Yerlan Sagadiyev told a press conference on July 26, the official website of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan reported.” READ MORE: https://timesca.com/index.php/news/18396-kazakhstan-to-gradually-introduce-teaching-in-english-language
Kazakhstan to open 15 new airfields by 2020
With 24 airfields currently in operation in Kazakhstan, the country will open 15 more in an effort to increase domestic air passenger transportation
July 28 — “Fifteen regional aerodromes will become operational in Kazakhstan by 2020 under the government program to develop the country’s airfield network. Four of these will have paved runways and the remaining 11, dirt strips.” READ MORE: http://www.rusaviainsider.com/kazakhstan-open-15-new-airfields-2020/
KYRGYZSTAN
Corruption has penetrated state bodies in Kyrgyzstan
Corruption is Kyrgyzstan’s endemic problem that scares foreign investors away from the country and hinders its economic development
July 23 — “Kyrgyzstan’s residents believe that the State Customs Service, State Service for Execution of Sentences, State Service for Combating Economic Crimes, and Ministry of Internal Affairs are the most corrupt government agencies in the country, according to a population confidence index survey conducted by the National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan.” READ MORE: https://timesca.com/index.php/news/18379-corruption-has-penetrated-state-bodies-in-kyrgyzstan
Atambayev Talks: Hydro-Scandals, Bakiyevs, and Politics
In what apparently was his last press conference as Kyrgyzstan’s president, Atambayev spoke about many topics, and promised to ensure a peaceful transfer of power after this year’s presidential election
July 24 — “In a 3.5 hour press conference Monday, Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev answered questions from journalists on a wide array of topics, from the country’s upcoming election to what he was doing on May 13, 2010; from discussions of the long-stalled China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway to the fate of the Bakiyevs.” READ MORE: http://thediplomat.com/2017/07/atambayev-talks-hydro-scandals-bakiyevs-and-politics/
China shows great interest in Kyrgyzstan’s gold
Kyrgyzstan has large gold reserves but gold extraction requires large financial investments that are not available inside the country. Foreign investment is needed to produce gold in Kyrgyzstan, and this investment can come from China
July 26 — “Kyrgyzstan is one of the poorest countries on post-Soviet space. At first glance, the country does not have any natural resources – there is neither oil nor natural gas in Kyrgyzstan. However, the depths of the Asian country, a former Soviet republic, contain tons of gold. Kyrgyzstan is ranked third among the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States and takes the 22nd place among all other gold mining countries in the world.” READ MORE: http://www.pravdareport.com/world/ussr/26-07-2017/138262-china_kyrgyzstan-0/
Kyrgyzstan: Reporter Canned After Asking President Tough Question
In recent time President Atambayev has been unfriendly with independent media that are critical towards him, which has resulted in several lawsuits against some media outlets. This time, a journalist was fired by his media organization without ant open signal from authorities
July 26 — “A journalist for an online news website in Kyrgyzstan says he was fired this week shortly after asking an “inconvenient” question at a press conference with President Almazbek Atambayev. Avtandil Dobulbekov, a reporter with Super.kg, wrote on Facebook on July 25 that he was given the news after returning from Cholpon-Ata, the Issyk-Kul resort town where the event took place.” READ MORE: http://www.eurasianet.org/node/84501
TAJIKISTAN
Riyadh Seeking to Undermine Dushanbe-Tehran Ties
A member of Iran’s parliament says that Tajik officials have not yet realized that Saudi Arabia, the spiritual father of Daesh, intends to spread its ideology to Central Asia, as several Iranian organizations and charities have been forced by authorities to suspend their activities in Tajikistan
July 24 — “A lawmaker said the recent diplomatic tensions between Iran and Tajikistan are indications that Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has been influenced by Riyadh’s anti-Iran agenda, warning the Central Asian country about the infiltration of Saudi “takfiri” ideology.” READ MORE: https://financialtribune.com/articles/national/68872/riyadh-seeking-to-undermine-dushanbe-tehran-ties
Hijab Hubbub: Tajikistan Sets Up Commission to Combat ‘Alien’ Clothing
As authorities in Tajikistan are taking various measures to combat Islamic extremism, the government will now combat ‘Muslim” (mainly Arab-style clothing) which President Rahmon says is ‘alien’ to Tajik traditions
July 26 — “A few weeks after Tajik President Emomali Rahmon commemorated the 10th anniversary of the state’s law on rituals and traditions — which, among other things banned big wedding parties and legally restricted birthdays to in-house affairs — Dushanbe has set up a commission to promote appropriately “Tajik” clothing and combat the influence of “alien” cultures.” READ MORE: http://thediplomat.com/2017/07/hijab-hubbub-tajikistan-sets-up-commission-to-combat-alien-clothing/
Construction of Tajik section of Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline starts
Upon completion of the pipeline, more Turkmen gas will go to China through Tajikistan’s territory, earning transit fees for Dushanbe. In addition, Tajikistan will receive Chinese investments for the pipeline’s construction
July 27 — “Chinese CNPC company has started construction of Tajik section of the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan- Tajikistan –Kyrgyzstan- China gas pipeline project, Tajik media outlets reported. Tajik Minister of Energy and Water Resources Usmonali Usmonzoda said at the press-conference that the section is expected to be completed in two years.” READ MORE: https://en.trend.az/business/energy/2781353.html
TURKMENISTAN
Ashgabat to host Azerbaijan-Turkey-Turkmenistan business forum
Azerbaijan, Turkey and Turkmenistan — all three being Turkic-speaking nations — have common interests in developing regional transport and energy projects, particularly for natural-gas export via Turkey to Europe
July 25 — “Businessmen from Azerbaijan, Turkey and Turkmenistan plan to discuss the development of cooperation during a forum to be held in Ashgabat until late 2017.” READ MORE: http://news.az/articles/economy/123904
Turkmenistan: Golden Statue of Late President Disappears
President Berdymukhammedov is dismantling the cult of personality of Turkmenistan’s late President Saparmurat Niyazov — only to build up his own personality cult?
July 25 — “The cult of personality devoted to Turkmenistan’s late and mercurial President Saparmurat Niyazov began to be chipped away gradually in the years after his death in late 2006. All the same, the sight of his image in gold-leafed glory could still be spotted here and there.” READ MORE: http://www.eurasianet.org/node/84486
New Pipeline Will End Iran’s Need for Turkmen Gas
Turkmenistan unilaterally halted natural gas supplies to Iran last December over a debt for previous supplies, Ashgabat said. Now Turkmenistan may completely lose Iran as its gas importer, and remain with only one buyer of its gas — China
July 27 — “The launch of a gas pipeline stretching from the city of Damghan in Semnan Province to Neka in Mazandaran Province next week will end the country’s need for gas imports from Turkmenistan, managing director of the National Iranian Gas Company said.” READ MORE: https://financialtribune.com/articles/energy/69095/new-pipeline-will-end-irans-need-for-turkmen-gas
UZBEKISTAN
Uzbekistan launches 24-hour television news channel
Earlier this year President Mirziyoyev criticized state television for boring presentation of news and lack of analytical programs, recommending the national television to introduce new programs and become more analytical
July 25 — “Uzbekistan has launched a 24-hour television news channel that officials say marks a step away from isolation for the Central Asian country, RFE/RL reports.” READ MORE: https://timesca.com/index.php/news/18388-uzbekistan-launches-24-hour-television-news-channel
Uzbekistan says has about $20 bln gold, forex reserves
For the first time in many years, Uzbekistan has disclosed the amount of the country’s gold and foreign currency reserves
July 26 — “Uzbekistan’s gold and foreign currency reserves stand at about $20 billion, covering two years of imports, senior officials said on Wednesday, disclosing a figure previously unreported.” READ MORE: http://www.nasdaq.com/article/uzbekistan-says-has-about-20-bln-gold-forex-reserves-20170726-00514
Exclusive: Inside Uzbekistan’s ‘Virtual Office’
In an interview, the Minister for Development of IT and Communications of Uzbekistan tells about a ‘Virtual Office’ which enabled citizens and businesses to complain or put forward suggestions directly to the President, either online or through phone calls
July 26 — “Uzbekistan staggered into a state of uncertainty last year, when it lost the only leader it had known for decades: Islam Karimov. Remarkably, the country didn’t slide into disorder, but started to transition to a new vision – citizen inclusion.” READ MORE: https://govinsider.asia/inclusive-gov/exclusive-inside-uzbekistans-virtual-office/
Uzbekistan: Thousands of Suspected Radicals Rehabilitated
The move was triggered by President Mirziyoyev speaking in June about the need for Muslims that have “gone astray” to be welcomed back into the fold of public life
July 28 — “Authorities in Uzbekistan have reportedly removed more than 4,000 people from blacklists of people suspected of radical Islamist affiliations following an extensive outreach exercise. The move marks the latest chapter in the efforts to normalize relations between the state and the religiously devout that have been in train since the ascent to power of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.” READ MORE: http://www.eurasianet.org/node/84536
AFGHANISTAN
Russia ‘could be arming the Taliban’, according to newly emerged video
New video footage obtained by CNN shows Afghan insurgents saying they have received Russian-made arms for free from over the border in Tajikistan
July 25 — “The Russian government may be providing Taliban militants in Afghanistan with sophisticated weaponry to assist in its fight against the US-backed government, it has emerged.” READ MORE: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/russia-taliban-arming-weapons-afghanistan-video-islamist-fighters-terrorists-insurgents-helmand-a7858516.html
New EU Strategy on Afghanistan To Support Peace, Prosperity
The European Union will soon finalize a new EU Strategy on Afghanistan, which will show the EU’s strong engagement in and strong commitment to Afghanistan
July 25 — “The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the European Commission have set a proposal for a new EU strategy on Afghanistan that is “in support of peace and prosperity” in the country, according to an EU statement.” READ MORE: http://www.tolonews.com/index.php/afghanistan/new-eu-strategy-afghanistan-support-peace-prosperity
What would happen if the United States totally disengaged from Afghanistan?
A variety of people in Kabul — from the Taliban’s spokesman to provincial politicians to taxi drivers to the press officer for the U.S. military — answer The Washington Post’s question: What would happen if the United States totally disengaged from Afghanistan?
July 26 — “The United States’ longest war doesn’t look like it will end anytime soon. Sixteen years have passed. Nearly 2,400 U.S. troops have died. More than $700 billion has been spent. But talk of “winning” is scarce. The goal now seems more akin to “not losing.” READ MORE: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/07/26/what-would-happen-if-the-united-states-totally-disengaged-from-afghanistan/?utm_term=.ded711eb4367
Trump’s New Afghanistan Strategy: Keep the Minerals!
Afghanistan’s untapped mineral deposits worth nearly $1 trillion could be another reason to prolong the US’s involvement in the country
July 26 — “Donald Trump spent most of his campaign sounding like the adult son of George Wallace and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. But every once in a while, he’d sound like Noam Chomsky. “We have done a tremendous disservice not only to the Middle East — we’ve done a tremendous disservice to humanity,” Trump said at a Republican primary debate. READ MORE: http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/07/trumps-new-afghanistan-strategy-keep-the-minerals.html
WORLD
The UK ignores China’s trillion-dollar Belt and Road plan at its peril
An expert says that after Brexit, the UK will need to look east, but the country seems to be ignoring China’s multi-billion dollar Belt and Road initiative
July 24 — “The UK risks being marginalised after Brexit if it does not revitalise its infrastructure to engage with the huge markets developing in central Asia. But the UK government’s recent transport investment strategy virtually ignores the greatest infrastructure programme the world has ever seen.” READ MORE: https://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2017/jul/24/brexit-uk-ignores-china-belt-road-plan-peril
How India and China Have Come to the Brink Over a Remote Mountain Pass
In the ongoing border dispute, both China and India show their strong regional ambitions for dominance in this part of the world
July 26 — “On a remote pass through Himalayan peaks, China and India, two nuclear-armed nations, have come near the brink of conflict over an unpaved road. It is one of the worst border disputes between the regional rivals in more than 30 years.” READ MORE: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/26/world/asia/dolam-plateau-china-india-bhutan.html
Afghan spillover to Central Asia: cause for concern or Russia’s ploy for influence?
For Moscow, inciting fear of a spillover of extremism from Afghanistan to Central Asia provides justification for re-establishing Russia’s dominance in the region now strongly influenced by China
July 26 — “Fears of a ‘spillover’ of extremists from Northern Afghanistan into the states of Central Asia is nothing new. These claims have been echoed by Russia and the leaders of Central Asia for years; however there is little evidence to suggest genuine concern. For the Central Asian elite, this claim attracts foreign aid from wealthy states, while allowing regimes to squash both religious and secular dissent.” READ MORE: https://timesca.com/index.php/news/26-opinion-head/18394-afghan-spillover-to-central-asia-cause-for-concern-or-russia-s-ploy-for-influence
