Economy | Eurasianet

Islam Karimov (left) and Nursultan Nazarbayev, first presidents of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan respectively, seen here during a meeting in Astana in 2016. George Krol served as US Ambassador to Uzbekistan in 2011-2014 and Kazakhstan in 2015-2018. (Photo: akorda.kz)

Memoir: A tale of two first presidents: Islam Karimov and Nursultan Nazarbayev

It was the most challenging of times, it was the most fascinating of times.

George Krol Jun 21, 2024

Chinese, Kyrgyz and Uzbek experts discuss the details of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railroad project during a field trip to Kyrgyzstan’s Jalal-Abad Province in April 2023. More than a year later, many details remain unclear. (Photo: Kyrgyz Railways)

Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan & China: When is a done deal really done?

Railway construction agreement doesn’t answer all the questions, especially about financing.

Jun 20, 2024

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze shakes hands with Iranian officials in Tehran in late May. (Photo: gov.ge)

Georgia probing closer ties with Iran

Are tighter ties with Tehran part of a geopolitical pivot?

Brawley Benson Jun 19, 2024

Work at a uranium tailings site in Naryn Province. Earlier this month, there was an accident linked to the site that fed fears that Kyrgyzstan’s decision to resume uranium mining may give rise to new hazards and accidents. (Photo: gov.kg)

Kyrgyzstan: Environmentalists raise alarm about resumption of uranium mining

For government, the possible economic rewards outweigh the risks.

Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Jun 18, 2024

The sanctioned Kazakh firm reportedly supplied Russia with components used in products with military applications, including drones. (Photo: gov.ru)

Astana authorities to probe operations of sanctioned Kazakh company

Kyrgyz entities also contained on latest list of entities targeted by US sanctions.

Almaz Kumenov Jun 18, 2024

The bridge from mainland China to the half of the Bolshoy Ussuriysky island controlled by Beijing. (Photo: Akihiro Iwashita)

One island, two countries: A look at how Chinese-Russian relations are playing out in the Far East

Russia and China have signed a roadmap on joint development of a once-disputed island. But is it a “win-win” scenario?

Ekaterina Venkina Jun 14, 2024

An employee of Gazprom Kyrgyzstan at a station in Bishkek. Under a recently signed deal, Gazprom Kyrgyzstan will be supplied with Russian gas for 15 years, beginning in 2025. (Photo: bishkek.gov.kg)

Energy Roundup: Eurasian natural gas exporters making headway in reorienting operations

Russia looking south instead of west, while Azerbaijan aims to replace Russian supplies to EU.

David O'Byrne Jun 13, 2024

Construction of a lined canal in Turkestan province. The authorities have developed a draft water management plan that seeks to improve water-usage efficiency nationwide. (Photo: gov.kz)

Kazakhstan: Astana seeking public input for water-management plan

Government acknowledges need for “radical improvement” in efficiency of water usage.

Jun 13, 2024

A Georgian official addresses participants of the Georgia Investment Forum in London in March 2024. Foreign direct investment in Georgia for 2024 was down 64 percent from the same period in 2023. (Photo: gov.ge)

Political turmoil taking a toll on Georgia’s economy

Government officials deny the economic roof is starting to cave in.

Brawley Benson Jun 12, 2024

A recent presidential degree includes a provision to loosen the state’s iron grip on citizens’ access to information. (Photo: gov.uz)

Uzbekistan making push to gain World Trade Organization membership

Government willing to experiment with allowing the free flow of information.

Jun 11, 2024

An informal ban on the wearing of hijabs by women and beards by men has long existed in Tajikistan, but now the parliament is in the final stage of making things official. (Photo: cabar.asia)

Tajik authorities keep fiddling as economy smolders

Economic expert says quick action to develop green economy is needed.

Jun 10, 2024

Chinese workers in Xinjiang inspect a natural gas pipeline arriving from Central Asia. Turkmenistan accounts for a lion’s share of the region’s natural gas exports to China. (Photo: China Daily)

Turkmenistan’s balance of trade with China tilting heavily in Ashgabat’s favor

Despite big deficit, Beijing treats Turkmenistan like a supplicant.

China-Central Asia Monitor Jun 3, 2024

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev (front, second from right) at the launch ceremony of a BYD electric vehicle plant in Uzbekistan in early 2024. Mirziyoyev aspires to transform the Uzbek economy by 2030 by developing new industries, including electric vehicle production, green energy exports and expansion of the mining sector. (Photo: president.uz)

Uzbekistan: Government racing to retool the economy

Necessity driving change; global warming and war pose threats to Tashkent’s old economic mainstays.

May 29, 2024

This photo, from summer 1992, shows Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs Thomas Niles with ten of the first Ambassadors to the New Independent States. Left to right: Kent Brown, Georgia; Joseph Hulings, III, Turkmenistan; William Courtney, Kazakhstan; Richard Miles, Azerbaijan; Edward Hurwitz, Kyrgyzstan; Thomas Niles; Mary Pendleton, Moldova; Harry Gilmore, Armenia; Henry Clarke, Uzbekistan; Stanley Escudero, Tajikistan; David Swartz, Belarus.

Memoir: Diplomacy at the crossroads of Eurasia

The first US envoy to independent Kazakhstan recalls the embassy’s early days.

William Courtney May 24, 2024

Ebrahim Raisi and Ilham Aliyev speak on May 19 at the launch of a hydropower facility on the Araz River, which forms the frontier between Iran and Azerbaijan. Raisi’s sudden death hours later is not expected to significantly impact the course of bilateral relations. (Photo: president.az)

Perspectives: Iranian president’s sudden death will not impact Tehran’s relations with Azerbaijan

Raisi-Aliyev meeting marked expanding era of bilateral pragmatism.

Eldar Mamedov May 20, 2024

TALCO workers moving product. (Photo: Tajik presidential administration)

Tajikistan: Officials sign deal to modernize TALCO, the country’s largest industrial enterprise

Details are lacking on work timeline and investment.

China-Central Asia Monitor May 20, 2024

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan meets with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on May 8. Politically, Pashinyan has been quick to bolster relations with the European Union and United States, but making a political shift is proving a faster process than reorienting the Armenian economy. (Photo: kremlin.ru)

Armenia: Tax records tell tale of continuing economic dependency on Russia

Moscow’s financial gravitational pull on Yerevan remains powerful.

May 17, 2024

Chinese officers check the credentials of a cargo truck headed to Kyrgyzstan at the Irkeshtam border crossing between Kyrgyzstan and the PRC. Chinese exports to Kyrgyzstan during the first quarter of 2024 totaled $4.163 billion, while only $22 million of Kyrgyz goods and services made their way to China, according to the PRC’s customs agency. (Photo: gov.cn)

Kyrgyzstan running huge trade deficit with China

Chinese trade turnover almost doubles that of the Moscow-dominated Eurasian Economic Union.

China-Central Asia Monitor May 16, 2024

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan signed a deal to link their power grids with an intention to export electricity to the EU. (Photo: gov.kz)

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan press ahead with ambitious electricity export plan

The European Union seen as the primary export market.

May 14, 2024

Police conduct a security inspection at a construction site in Kazakhstan. (Photo: gov.kz)

Kazakhstan cracking down on illegal migration in aftermath of Moscow terror attack

Tajik nationals bear brunt of security sweeps.

Almaz Kumenov May 9, 2024

The Azeri Central East (ACE) platform. The $6 billion ACE project is the next stage of development of the giant Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli field in the Caspian Sea. (Photo: BP)

Azerbaijan: BP launches new oil production facility, buying Baku budgetary breathing room

New facility stabilizes declining production at Azerbaijan’s oil largest field, while providing the EU with some natural gas.

David O'Byrne May 6, 2024

A Russian citizen at a Kazakh border control checkpoint. Since the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a stream of Russians have fled to Central Asia and the Caucasus. (Photo: gov.kz)

Relokanty: Is Russia’s loss Central Asia’s gain?

Maximizing the benefits of Russia’s surprising exodus.

Marsha McGraw Olive May 3, 2024

Russia’s Power of Siberia pipeline is projected to start delivering up to 38 bcm of natural gas to China by 2025. Meanwhile, the collective capacity of three pipelines connecting Turkmenistan and China totals 55 bcm. (Photo: gov.ru)

Turkmenistan’s natural gas exports to China outearn Russia’s supplies

Turkmen gas boss announces major new development project.

China-Central Asia Monitor May 1, 2024

Most Uzbeks heading abroad, especially those going to Russia, work mainly in menial jobs in such fields as construction, transportation or janitorial services. (Photo: mos.ru)

Uzbekistan: Striving to improve conditions for labor migrants

A presidential decree aims to reduce illegal labor migration.

May 1, 2024

Russia dispatched a massive delegation, led by the industry and trade minister and many regional governors, to Uzbekistan’s Innoprom trade fair in late April, hoping to boost bilateral trade. But the negotiations did not result in any breakthroughs. (Photo: gov.uz)

Russia doesn’t like taking a back seat to China in Central Asia trade

But domestic economic woes may be slowing Beijing’s exports.

Apr 30, 2024

Eurasianet

Visual Stories

Blogs

Podcasts

Economy | 1870 Articles