Kazakhstan
PANNIER: How ‘C5+1’ set the stage for a new era in US-Central Asia relations
Focus shifts from security to energy security, renewable energy and transportation infrastructure, while there are no illusions about delivering democracy.
Kazakhstan: Investigation into ex-president’s nephew signals new turn in elite infighting
Analysts believe this case indicates that President Tokayev feels more confident in his authority.
CENTRAL ASIA BLOG: How many of the Russians who fled Putin’s war machine for Kazakhstan stayed there?
Issue a sensitive one for the Kremlin and Central Asian country’s Tokayev administration.
_3_1694097033.jpg)
Services activity growth in Kazakhstan nearly stalls in August, PMI shows
Business activity and new work rose at weakest rates in six months, though the latter indicator still increased solidly.
_070923_1694095670.jpg)
Francis Fukuyama says a weakened Russia will present opportunities for Central Asia
While in Almaty for a book launch, US political scientist suggests that if Moscow comes out of Ukraine war diminished, the ‘Stans’ will have room to set their own policies without worrying about the Russian response.
_1693841350.jpeg)
Latvian exports of sanctioned goods soar to Russia's neighbours
In mechanical and electrical equipment, where Latvian exports to Russia fell by a quarter last year, growth in Kazakhstan, KyrgyzstanArmenia was between five and 12 times.
Kazakh manufacturing sector saw further expansion in August, PMI survey shows
New orders surge to highest level since April while cost inflation decelerates to lowest point yet recorded.
COMMENT: The water and energy nexus in Central Asia
Climate change is real, and it calls for action at the global, regional, and national levels. One of its impacts is additional water stress in addition to what many countries experience already. Effective counteraction requires joint action.
PROFILE: Timur Turlov, the Kazakh financier behind Nasdaq-listed Freedom Finance
His Kazakhstan-based brokerage has come under attack from short-seller Hindenburg Research for alleged sanctions busting and money laundering.
bneGREEN: ExxonMobil says world will fail to meet Paris goal in 2050
Oil supermajor ExxonMobil says that the world will fail to meet the Paris Agreement goal to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius by 2050.
_1693207014.png)
Kazakh central bank introduces first policy rate cut since 2020
Benchmark reduction of 25 bp to 16.5% comes as global trends help lower inflation, while recent depreciation of ruble pushes the other way.
bneGREEN: Water shortages alarm sounded in southern Kazakhstan and Istanbul
Amid drought, Kyrgyzstan stops irrigation water transfers to its neighbour. Mayor of Turkey’s largest city urges heatwave-struck residents to save "every precious water drop flowing from the tap".
Exports from the West to Central Asia boom as sanctions on Russia remake global trade routes
Extreme sanctions on Russia have dramatically remade global trade flows Russia turns to its friends to act as transit countries for banned goods. And most have cooperated, both because of pressure placed on them by Moscow and the money they can make.
_and_China’s_ambassador_to_Kyrgyzstan,_Du_Dewen_speak_150823_1692082622.jpg)
Central Asia: Low water levels on Irtysh River create quandary for Kazakhstan
An update on recent developments in Chinese-Russian-Central Asian affairs.
MACRO ADVISORY: Ruble’s fall creates currency risk in Central Asia and the Caucasus
The Russian ruble has fallen by 28.5% in value vs. the US dollar since the start of this year but it has yet to have a big impact on the currencies of the other members of the CIS. But it could do so soon.
Kazakhstan’s tech success shows way out of raw resources addiction
Astana Hub estimates that by the end of this year, about 40 percent of the revenue will come from foreign sales.
Black Sea war zone threatens to knock out Kazakh oil
Tankers imperilled as, following drone attacks on shipping, aide to Ukraine’s president says everything the Russians are moving back and forth on the sea is now a “valid military target".
bneGREEN: TotalEnergies takes full control of Total Eren to boost renewables portfolio
French multinational energy company TotalEnergies revealed on July 25 that it will acquire complete control of joint venture Total Eren.
PMI shows Kazakh manufacturing moving up a gear at start of second half
Output, new orders and hiring all up.
Russian e-commerce major Ozon floats on Kazakh AIX
Russian e-commerce major Ozon Holdings said on July 28 its American Depositary Shares are admitted to trading on Kazakhstan's Astana International Exchange (AIX), in a bid to maintain liquidity as Ozon struggles to keep its primary Nasdaq listing.