Eurasia / Data
Central Asian states make progress in addressing hunger
Tajikistan remains a country of concern.
Uzbekistan’s foreign trade $48bn in 9M24, exports grow amid $8.7bn deficit
Headline figure reflects year on year increase of $3.5bn, or 7.7%. China stays ahead of Russia as biggest trade partner.
European transshipments head to Kyrgyzstan
Apart from financial and military support, another part of aiding Ukraine's victory against Russia is the upholding of sanctions by its European allies. Not Kyrgyzstan.
September rebound lifts services sector in Kazakhstan following August dip
PMI shows inflow of new orders once again showing growth.
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Kazakhstan manufacturing sector PMI tracks fastest rise in output in 18 months in September
Buoyant demand drives new orders, though business confidence remains on the wane.
Uzbekistan records 84% y/y rise in medical tourist visits in 8M24
More than two-thirds of trips made by Tajiks. Country has a growing role as a regional healthcare tourism hub.
EBRD forecasts robust growth across Central Asia
Remittances, higher wages and greater international tourism interest main drivers in rising GDP, says development bank.
Russia's budget oil breakeven price world’s second lowest as oil revenues recover
The Institute of International Finance (IIF) has forecast a decrease in Russia’s fiscal breakeven oil price (the amount to balance the external current account) to $77 per barrel by 2025, supported by a recovery in oil and gas revenues.
Kazakhstan services sector PMI drops to six-month low
Five-month sequence of growth is over amid a weakened demand environment.
Afghanistan: the worst country to be a woman – Statista
Rights for women are fast deteriorating in Afghanistan. In the latest major setback, a new set of vice and virtue laws have been laid out by the ruling Taliban, including rules prohibiting women from being heard or showing their faces in public.
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Kazakhstan’s manufacturing sector PMI sees “record high” improvement in August
Month brings record increase in employment and faster expansions in output and new orders. There were also signs of inflationary pressures strengthening.
Pakistan-Afghanistan transit trade drops 59% in FY2023-24
The Pakistan-Afghan transit trade saw a 59% y/y decline in FY2023-24, dropping to $2.9bn, largely due to Pakistan's anti-smuggling campaign and import restrictions
Container transit from China via Trans-Caspian International Transport Route up 14-fold
Route via Central Asia connecting China with Europe and Turkey bypasses Russia, which continues to face international sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine.
Who has the most prisoners? – Statista
El Salvador has the world's highest prison population rate, according to data collected in the World Prison Brief by the Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research (ICPR), reports Statista.
Tajikistan: Trade turnover increases, featuring a yawning deficit
Precious metals and minerals are main export items.
Kazakhstan services PMI shows continuing growth in business activity in July
New incoming business rose solidly and to greatest extent in year to date. Inflationary pressures remained contained.
Uzbekistan’s foreign business arrivals jump 2.8x in 1H24
65,000 visitors came to Central Asia's second largest economy for commerical purposes.
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PMI shows Kazakh manufacturing expanded further in July
Renewed accumulation in backlogs of work shows sector working at capacity. Firms will look to further boost output in coming months despite stronger inflation and supply-chain delays.
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Annual inflation in Kazakhstan 8.6% in July
Compares to mid-term inflation target of 5% and benchmark interest rate of 14.25%.