Kazakhstan
Iranian parliament approves free trade zone with EEU
After years of negotiations, Iran's parliament has ratified an agreement with the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) to create a free trade zone.
US shows interest in bolstering ties with Central Asian states
Washington interested in widening access to region’s mineral wealth.
EBRD lowers 2025 forecasts citing subdued global growth and trade fragmentation
Weaker external demand and potential impact of Trump tariffs weigh on Emerging Europe, Central Asia and Semed regions, with growth now projected at 3.2%.
INTERVIEW: New growth drivers for Kazakhstan’s economy, says BCC Invest
BCC Invest head of research Sultan Zhumagali says trade and construction have emerged as engines of growth in an economy that is no longer purely resource-driven.
Russia says pipeline drone strike set to wipe out up to third of Kazakhstan’s oil exports
Kremlin mouthpiece Medvedev claims Ukrainian attack was designed to harm US economic interests in deliberate move against Trump.
Ukrainian drone strikes Kazakhstan’s main oil export pipeline route in Russia
Attack comes on same day Hungarian and Kazakh top diplomats back idea of Ukraine conflict talks between Putin and Trump.
US Energy Department offers fresh figures on Caspian Basin energy reserves & production
A comprehensive overview of the regional energy sector.
Kazakhstan: Village-to-city migration reaches record high in 2024
Almost two-thirds of Kazakhs now live in urban areas.
PANNIER: Prince Karim Aga Khan IV obituary
Spiritual leader who mingled with heads of state and royalty leaves behind tremendous amount of grassroots work that will benefit Ismaili Muslim communities for generations to come.
New Aga Khan takes helm of Ismaili Shi'ite Muslims
Prince Rahim al-Hussaini has been named the new Aga Khan, becoming spiritual leader of 15mn Ismaili Muslims following the death of his father in Lisbon aged 88.
Rebound in Kazakhstan service sector activity recorded by January PMI
Wave of optimism said to overcome December slump thanks to strong growth in new orders.
The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Ismaili, passes away at 88
Billionaire philanthropist invested his fortune in lifting up communities around the world, particularly the Pamiri peoples of Tajikistan.
Azerbaijan claims possession of Russian missile fragment extracted from doomed AZAL Flight 8243
Cautiously worded Kazakh government report on tragedy, meanwhile, stops short of identifying “foreign metal objects”.
“Unchained” Trump is main risk to broadly positive Emerging Europe growth prospects
Steep US tariffs on the EU or a sudden cut in support for Ukraine are the major downside risks for the region, says new wiiw report.
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Kazakh manufacturing growth decelerates from end-of-year high, but continues to expand, PMI shows
Producers still securing greater volumes of new orders. Near-stabilisation in supply chains.
EU sanctions envoy takes on delicate “compliance” issues on visit to Kazakhstan
Given Russian-Kazakh economic integration, Europe cannot hope to stop every illicit shipment from the Central Asian country to Moscow’s war economy, but there are some notable successes.
Kazakhstan: Authorities aren’t joking about prosecuting satirical social media channel
Satirist facing seven-year prison sentence.
China enhances position as Central Asia’s economic overlord
Trade balance heavily favours Beijing.
PANNIER: Taliban’s relations with Central Asia imperilled as Trump turns off aid taps
Afghanistan pays for electricity and food imports with US development assistance. No more?
RIDDLE: Sanctions and the Eurasian Economic Union
The first months of 2025 are likely to mark a turning point in the history of sanctions against Russia: after three years of "escalating" but steadily reducing the tempo of sanctions policy. Are sanctions working?