Eurasia / Features
INTERVIEW: Central Asia to grow by diversifying, says EDB chairman
Nikolai Podguzov tells bne IntelliNews that resource-rich region can achieve fast and sustainable growth by investing into new industries.
A tense and tentative Georgian Dream ‘victory’
Street protests expected after opposition’s initial hopes of victory dashed.
Georgian ‘reintegration’ of Abkhazia and South Ossetia? Not likely
Georgia’s ruling party has dangled a particularly juicy carrot in front of the electorate: the possibility of regaining the two Russian-occupied separatist regions.
Bidzina Ivanishvili: the oligarch ‘puppet master’ blocking Georgia's path to the EU
Georgia’s country’s richest man is widely regarded as controlling nearly all branches of power from behind the scenes.
Narrow win for pro-EU camp in Moldovan referendum could be warning sign for Georgia
Both countries face a high level of Russian interference around elections critical for their geopolitical orientation.
PANNIER: Sparks fly in Moscow, Tashkent relations as consulate calls on Uzbeks to stay out of Russian Army
Tensions rise further as lawmaker rebuffs idea of Uzbekistan joining Russia-led trade bloc, two days after Kazakhstan’s “No” to BRICS.
Georgians prepare to vote in the shadow of a frozen conflict
Daily struggles are a bigger concern than geopolitics in Nikozi, a Georgian village next to the breakaway South Ossetia region.
NMMC takes Uzbekistan’s gold mining industry to the global stage
NMMC’s first deputy CEO Eugene Antonov talks to bne IntelliNews about the gold mining major’s plans after its $1bn debut Eurobond issuance.
Freedom Holding Corp. celebrates its fifth anniversary on NASDAQ with a $6bn plus market cap
Freedom Holding Corp., a multinational diversified financial services holding company with a presence through its subsidiaries in more than 20 countries, completed its fifth year on the NASDAQ Stock Market with impressive business growth.
Almaty Marathon moving the community beyond the finish line
Over the years the Almaty Marathon has grown to become the largest marathon in Central Asia and has effects far beyond the finish line. The event aims not only to promote health and an active lifestyle but also works to tackle broader societal issues
Five Turkic states give nod to common Latin alphabet
Expect to hear some grumbles from the purveyors of Cyrillic in Moscow.
Kazakhstan faces its nuclear moment of truth
Strong opinions on both sides as nation with dark memories of Soviet bomb testing gears up for weekend referendum on whether to exploit its uranium to secure energy future.
Kazakhstan’s nuclear power plant referendum – a precursor to woes or energy salvation?
No-one expects the government to “lose” the October 6 vote. And, as things stand, Russia can be expected to win the deal for NPP delivery.
Kazakhstan launches programme to reintroduce tigers to lost habitat
Officials hope to set example for revival of endangered species.
Kyrgyzstan: Authorities seek expanded powers to regulate religious affairs
Legislative changes would promote separation of church and state, yet enable strict government oversight of spiritual matters.
EBRD lowers Emerging Europe growth forecasts amid economic challenges
Development bank expects 2.8% growth across its region of operations in 2024, rising to 3.5% in 2025.
PANNIER: The great mirage that is the TAPI gas pipeline
With great fanfare, construction was for a second time launched in Afghanistan, but you’ll struggle to find any observer who thinks the project is going anywhere fast.
The new Uzbek-Afghan free economic zone on the border promotes better ties with the Taliban
Uzbekistan is once again asserting itself as one of the most active countries in Central Asia in its pragmatic rapprochement with the Taliban in Afghanistan.
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Central Asian leaders seek German expertise to build manufacturing base
German chancellor’s Central Asian tour lays groundwork for win-win deals that can nudge region in Westward direction.
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INTERVIEW: Nino Dolidze, of Georgia's International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy
Georgia’s leading election watchdog rejects the ruling party’s foreign agents law and will “defend the will and rights of Georgian voters” in next month’s elections.