Uzbekistan
Central Asian states drained rivers at lower-than-expected levels in 2024
Aral Sea inflow falls short.
Rights watchdog documents forced mobilisation of Central Asian labour migrants in Russian military
Citizenship wielded as instrument of coercion.
PANNIER: It’s exactly 20 years since Kyrgyzstan’s Tulip Revolution. What lessons did Central Asia’s rulers learn?
Proponents of democracy won’t like the answer.
Uzbekistan welcomes 678,700 foreign visitors in January, up 30% y/y
Country ambitious to host 12mn this year compared to 8.2mn last year.
Several EU countries back push to fund Prague-based RFE/RL in response to Trump axeing it
Member states want EU to fund Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty after US President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at dismantling the Agency for Global Media.
Air quality in Tajikistan ranked among world’s worst – survey
Central Asia one of globe’s most air-polluted regions.
Number of foreign-invested companies in Uzbekistan grows by 340 in February to 15,503
China continues to extend lead in ranking of number of companies foreign investors have set up and backed in Central Asia's second largest economy. Russia second, Turkey third.
Turn 'brain drain' into 'brain gain' by attracting home skilled migrants, World Bank urges Central Asia
Report also underlines value of remittances said to contribute 45% of Tajikistan’s GDP, 24% of Kyrgyzstan’s and 14% of Uzbekistan’s.
Environmental groups caution against overdevelopment of river resources in Central Asia
Call on international financial institutions to reevaluate projects.
France’s Voltalia secures 25-year power deal for 526 MW hybrid project in Uzbekistan
Euronext-listed Voltalia inks agreement on sidelines of Uzbek President Mirziyoyev's official visit to Paris.
Uzbekistan launches drive to develop minerals & mining sector
An invitation for the United States to invest.
Georgian prime minister doubles down on commitment to develop Middle Corridor during visit to Central Asia
Irakli Kobakhidze's visits to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan were aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, with a particular focus on connectivity.
Turkmenistan is trying to come out of its shell
Economic necessity is the mother of diversification.
Question: Where in the world may you soon be advised to not take a “selfie”?
Country’s language czars also frown on people getting a “cashback” or saying the Russian word “svetofor” for traffic light.
Uzbek unicorn Uzum reports net income up by half in 2024
Uzum, Uzbekistan’s first tech unicorn, had a good year in 2024 with net income up by half year on year to $150mn, the company’s head of strategy Nikolai Seleznev told bne IntelliNews.
Central Asia and Caucasus are some of the most hazardous places to drive in the world
Traffic-related deaths and injuries taking an economic toll.
PANNIER: China’s big push into Uzbekistan
Wave of projects in energy, mining, factories and construction and water conservation. Critical minerals could be next.
Uzbekistan’s public debt tops $40bn in 2024, borrowing cap exceeded
Indicator has risen from $17.8bn in 2019 and $34.9bn in 2023.
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%.