Uzbekistan: Storied rave to skip Karakalpakstan after violence Organizers say the move to Bukhara is not political, but Tashkent is keeping a close eye on Karakalpakstan after unrest last summer. Joanna Lillis Feb 7, 2023
Kazakhstan studies domesticating endangered saiga antelopes Farmers complain that rebounding populations are encroaching on their pastures. Joanna Lillis Feb 1, 2023
Kazakhstan: Nazarbayev relatives mull reducing share in major bank While any sale may have been long planned, the family may be under pressure to reduce its presence in Kazakhstan’s financial sector. Joanna Lillis Jan 30, 2023
Russia forges ahead with gas ambitions in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan Moscow is driving forward its energy ambitions in Central Asia as it seeks new markets for gas that Europe now shuns. Joanna Lillis Jan 25, 2023
As Uzbekistan freezes, is it exporting valuable gas to China – or not? This latest winter energy crisis is undermining public confidence in the administration of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Joanna Lillis Jan 24, 2023
Kazakhstan: New migration rules to hit Russians fleeing the draft The changes make living long-term in Kazakhstan unviable for tens of thousands of Russian citizens who have fled the war. Joanna Lillis Jan 17, 2023
Uzbekistan: Courtroom dramas play out in trial over Karakalpakstan violence For all the government's boasts of transparency, critics of the trial say rigorous scrutiny has been sorely lacking. Joanna Lillis Jan 13, 2023
Kazakhstan slaps crypto miners with higher energy bills Miners flocked to Kazakhstan from China in 2021 after Beijing banned operations there. Joanna Lillis Jan 12, 2023
Uzbekistan kickstarts banking privatization with sale of ailing lender The bank is a minnow, but its sale allows Tashkent finally to start slashing state ownership of banking sector assets. Joanna Lillis Jan 9, 2023
Not lovin’ it: Russia’s war forces McDonald’s out of Kazakhstan McDonald’s exit offers the Kazakh beef industry food for thought. Joanna Lillis Jan 5, 2023
Russia’s war brings runaway inflation to Kazakhstan Inflation has continued to rise despite six interest rate hikes over the last year. Joanna Lillis Jan 5, 2023
Central Asia’s government-ordered internet blackouts costing millions Kazakhstan saw some of the priciest damage in the world. Joanna Lillis Jan 4, 2023
Kazakhstan moves uranium exports through Middle Corridor Sanctions are propelling a shift away from transit across Russia. Joanna Lillis Jan 3, 2023
Uzbekistan: 19 children dead from Indian-made cough syrup Uzbekistan is the second-largest market for Indian pharmaceuticals in the former Soviet Union. Joanna Lillis Jan 2, 2023
Kazakhstan finally floats state oil firm, revives privatization drive The “People’s IPO” program was conceived over a decade ago to create a class of retail investors in Kazakhstan. Joanna Lillis Dec 20, 2022
Uzbekistan: First private commercial airline to take off The state is ending its monopoly on the aviation sector by certifying a press-shy private carrier. Joanna Lillis Nov 28, 2022
Chinese expats lead Kazakhstan labor market It is not the energy sector that employs most foreign specialists but construction. Joanna Lillis Nov 23, 2022
Uzbekistan: Mirziyoyev courts French investors in Paris Plans to increase trade depend on new transport routes skirting Russia. Joanna Lillis Nov 22, 2022
Europe woos Central Asia as Russia’s appeal wanes The EU’s foreign policy chief is the latest high-level Western official to visit Central Asia. Joanna Lillis Nov 18, 2022
Russia lures Uzbek migrants to fill war-related labor shortages Russia’s labor market is experiencing its worst shortages since 1993. Joanna Lillis Nov 16, 2022
Uzbekistan: Privatization bounces back with revived bank buyout Reforms have helped the Uzbek economy weather the regional economic fallout from Russia’s war. Joanna Lillis Nov 15, 2022
EU taps Kazakhstan for rare earths, green hydrogen Kazakhstan is itching to get its lithium out of the ground. Joanna Lillis Nov 9, 2022
Uzbekistan lobbying to lift sanctions on oligarch Usmanov – report Brussels says the Russian billionaire has supported people behind Putin’s war in Ukraine. Joanna Lillis Nov 9, 2022
Kazakhstan: Tokayev hopes to quell Bloody January passions with amnesty The president is trying to move Kazakhstan on from the trauma 10 months ago, but the terms of the amnesty have not pleased everyone. Joanna Lillis Nov 2, 2022
Central Asia: Chinese cars race ahead Sanctions on Russia are helping China expand its market share in Central Asia. Joanna Lillis Oct 31, 2022