Azerbaijani president slams State Oil Company, announces privatization In an unprecedented speech, Ilham Aliyev blasted the “socialist economic model” behind his country’s largest companies. Aug 9, 2020
China business briefing: Unclear borders, uneasy neighbors Our monthly briefing on China in Central Asia. Niva Yau Aug 3, 2020
Tajikistan: Coronavirus brings bonanza of aid, but zero accountability $300 million has been given and another $70 million may be on the way Jul 29, 2020
Tajikistan: Coronavirus taking heavy toll on remittances Transfers have fallen by at least 15 percent so far this year. Jul 22, 2020
Uzbekistan: Second lockdown imposed, bringing specter of more economic pain The economy is set to contract sharply this year as a result of the crisis. Jul 8, 2020
Hundreds of Azerbaijanis languish on Russian border The labor migrants are trying to return home after losing their jobs in the coronavirus pandemic. Tensions are rising, and a protest on the border has been violently broken up by Russian police. Jun 16, 2020
The mystery of Tajikistan’s “win” on COVID-19 Officials are poised to reopen the country only weeks after the crisis began. Jun 9, 2020
Uzbekistan: Heartbreak and despair for expat laborers trapped by COVID Tens of thousands of Uzbek workers are trying to get home. In Uzbekistan itself, however, not everybody is eager to see them. Jun 5, 2020
Chinese business briefing: Working overtime Many Chinese workers have been stuck in Central Asia during the coronavirus lockdown, forced to work overtime to meet production quotas. Niva Yau Jun 4, 2020
Uzbekistan: Dam collapse raises uncomfortable questions Developments since the tragedy are prompting questions about the extent to which the Mirziyoyev government welcomes real scrutiny. May 15, 2020
Uzbekistan’s small businesses counting days to post-coronavirus freedom Before the pandemic, small businesses accounted for around 56 percent of Uzbekistan’s GDP. May 11, 2020
Azerbaijani villagers fear hunger, poverty more than COVID “The police say you can't go out the door, but no one says your husband can't beat you.” Meltem Talibzade May 7, 2020
Uzbekistan: President nixes helicopter money idea, appeals to business community Mirziyoyev says businessmen can pay money to people themselves. Apr 22, 2020
Perspectives | Azerbaijan’s exchange-rate fix The currency’s hard peg to the dollar could compound the economic cost of the crisis in Baku. Alex Nice Apr 21, 2020
Coronavirus leaves Tajikistan’s labor migrants high and dry Those who made it to Russia before the scale of the crisis became evident are now stranded. Apr 20, 2020