Kazakhstan
World Bank approves $350mn as Tajikistan bids to fund completion of $6.3bn Rogun mega hydro project
Funding agreed despite environmentalists warning “biggest dam in the world” investment “will turn into a nightmare”.
Russia sells stakes in Kazakhstan uranium JVs to China
Move kicks off debate on whether move illustrates a loss of Kremlin influence in Central Asia.
Growing Islamic finance in Central Asia to unlock GCC investment
The Eurasian Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank Institute and the London Stock Exchange Group have joined forces to support the rapid development of Islamic finance in Central Asia.
Freedom Holding Corp brings FIDE world rapid & blitz chess championships to Wall Street
The worlds of finance and chess may seem very different. However, there are some surprising similarities between chess and business when it comes to strategic planning, decision-making and adapting to ever-changing circumstances.
Russia’s economic woes starting to overflow into Kazakhstan
Kazakh currency takes a plunge.
COMMENT: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and China accelerate efforts to expand the Middle Corridor
Pressing need for expanded infrastructure as freight traffic along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route increases.
Growth returned to Kazakhstan service sector in November, PMI shows
Fresh improvement in underlying trends. Cost pressures remained subdued. New hiring sustained but job creation growth only marginal.
Kazakh manufacturing sector sees sharp improvement in November, PMI data shows
Situation, however, clouded by logistical problems, rising raw material and supply costs and significant depreciation of national currency.
CSTO states express serious concern over terrorist threat in Afghanistan
Putin says country’s security situation stabilising, but killing of Chinese worker in Tajikistan in possible cross-border raid has raised anxiety.
Putin juggles a “friendly” state visit to Kazakhstan with chilling missile threats for Ukraine
Anticipated announcements on big economic deals failed to materialise. Warnings Moscow could hit Kyiv with game-changing “Oreshnik” strikes did.
Single time zone in Kazakhstan messing with citizens’ circadian rhythms
Business owners contend fewer people are going out, spending money.
Armenia refuses to host Eurasian Economic Union summit
Yerevan's refusal to host the summit comes amid growing tensions with Russia over the latter's inaction against Azerbaijan's military activities in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
EBRD warns of risks for emerging markets pursuing industrial policies
Industrial policy is back "with a vengeance” but can have a distorting effect, EBRD chief economist Beata Javorcik told bne IntelliNews
COP29: Central Asian states losing arable land
Almost one-third of Tajikistan’s farmland in “critical” condition.
INTERVIEW: Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank financing Central Asia’s green future
The Chinese-owned multilateral development bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), has become a major player in Eurasia and a driving force between driving sustainable development in the region.
Turkmenistan, the isolationist black sheep of the five ‘Stans family
Ancient rivalries and a tortured relationship with Russia have made Turkmenistan the black sheep in the Central Asian family. But that is beginning to change as economic interests are slowly pulling the gas-rich country out of its isolationism.
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.