Eurasia / Tech
Uzbekistan to acquire ANKA combat drones from Turkey
News comes as US defence contractor CEO urges Elon Musk to help battle Turkish dominance on world UAV market by ending sluggish bureaucracy.
China’s satellite internet provider Spacesail sets up in Kazakhstan
"Mega-constellation" company emerging as potential rival to Elon Musk's Starlink.
Uzbekistan privatises HUMO, Paynet succeeds with $65mn bid
National Interbank Processing Centre sold to highest bidder.
NEO: Why pick-up points for online orders are gaining popularity vs. home delivery
The share of European consumers preferring home delivery for online orders dropped from 73% to 64% over the past year, according to a Last Mile Experts study.
Central Asia emerges as new e-commerce hub
The Central Asian region, encompassing five countries with a combined population of 75mn — Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan — is poised for an e-commerce boom.
Azerbaijan trades barbs with French and US diplomats in online "Twiplomacy"
Azerbaijani foreign ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada calls France a "failed state" and slams US "hypocrisy" in heated exchanges on X.
Uzbekistan’s first unicorn Uzum to launch a second funding round and fuel faster growth
Uzum is Uzbekistan’s leading tech giant and has doubled in size since its launch in 2022. It already raised $144mn this year, giving it a valuation of over $1bn that makes it the country’s first ever unicorn, and now will go for a second round.
Kyrgyzstan: MPs seem willing to give police a free hand
Critics say introduced bill marks a step towards a police state.
Corruption probe launched into Armenian satellite project
Armenian officials cited potential financial mismanagement tied to the May 2022 launch of Armenia's first satellite.
Top Uzbek e-commerce and fintech player Uzum posts $100mn in 9M24 net income
Express delivery service now significant revenue stream. Users represent third of Uzbekistan’s population.
Bitcoin mining in Georgia's Svaneti risks leaving households without power this winter
The mountainous Svaneti region has become a cryptocurrency haven in recent years after the Georgian government slashed electricity prices for highland areas.