Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan: Officials resorting to press gangs to curb draft evasion
Widespread practice of hazing linked to draft difficulties.
PANNIER: Central Asia faces tough race against clock to prevent water crisis
Region in no doubt that climate change has arrived. Efforts to save critical resource taking on more urgency.
COP29: Report reveals just 1% of 1,200 UNEP methane alerts triggered action
Governments and companies unresponsive even though emissions of the gas represent “low-hanging fruit” in climate crisis fight.
Kazakhstan: Seals are dying en masse in the Caspian Sea
It could take months to determine the cause.
Russia, Turkey and Iran condemn Israel's actions in Syria
Russia, Turkey and Iran have adopted a joint statement on Syria at the Astana format meeting, condemning Israeli military actions in Gaza, Lebanon and the West Bank.
URUS-ClearPic: M&A in Central Asia Tracker
In recent years, the economies of Central Asia have witnessed various mergers and acquisitions driven by economic restructuring, geopolitical developments and opportunities arising from regional connectivity initiatives.
Freedom Holding Corp reports 33% revenue growth in 2Q24, expands in Central Asia and Europe
The NASDAQ-listed Freedom Holding Corp. has reported a 33% y/y revenue increase in the second quarter to $580.9mn, the fund said in a press release on November 8.
PMI shows Kazakhstan’s service sector activity fell back into contraction in October
Lower demand experienced, but market participants remain optimistic, expecting new contracts and investment opportunities over the next 12 months.
Ukraine war fuelling a manufacturing and FDI boom in the CIS
The war in Ukraine is fuelling a FDI and manufacturing boom in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) as local entrepreneurs rush to fill the gaping holes left in Russia’s supply chains by departing Western firms, reports Oxford Economics.
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Kazakhstan sustained manufacturing growth in October, PMI data shows
Demand continues to grow. Production and new orders have been in "optimistic zone" for eight straight months.
Kazakhstan: Wheat exports experience a big dip
Country’s farmers being undercut by Russia.
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.
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.
Perspectives | Kazakhstan working to lift Cold War-era trade restrictions
For Astana, Jackson-Vanik remains a hot-button issue.
CENTRAL ASIA BLOG: Might Moscow see Kazakhstan’s decision not to join BRICS as a minor betrayal?
Kremlin’s initial reaction to Astana’s lack of enthusiasm for the organisation was mild. But then Russia’s top diplomat Lavrov turned up the heat.
Central Asian states make progress in addressing hunger
Tajikistan remains a country of concern.
Not even a drop of Amu Darya river reaching Aral Sea, says report
“This is the hardest decision for us. Our priority is the immediate needs of our people,” local lawmaker says, describing how water is so scarce, nothing remains for what’s left of the Aral.
Kazakhstan’s big league fintech Kaspi acquires 65% of Turkish Nasdaq peer Hepsiburada for $1.1bn
E-commerce platform’s share price jumps 40% as news of its new owner breaks.
MACRO ADVISORY: Kazakhstan’s fast growing digital economy supports Tokayev’s ambitious plan
Kazakhstan’s economy, estimated to be $260bn last year, is the largest in the Eurasia region (ex-Russia). President Tokayev has set out a very ambitious reform programme to double that valuation by the end of this decade.
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Russia turns to Kazakh airlines to help keep domestic aviation in sky
With Russian civilian air fleet thinning out in face of sanctions, Moscow exploring whether southern neighbour could lay on flights.