Author: Salizhan Abdraimov

China is on the verge of a financial crisis after its local governments accumulated trillions of dollars worth of debt due to massive spending amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Wall Street Journal reported, citing a survey by the New York-based research firm Rhodium Group, that about a third of China’s major cities are struggling to pay their debt interests. Rhodium Group further revealed that debt interest costs accounted for at least a fifth of the fiscal space in 25 Chinese cities in 2021. China’s 31 provincial governments have also accumulated around $5.1 trillion in debt, including bonds held by local and…

The departure of Western forces from Afghanistan in August after nearly two decades exposed the shocking reality of what had been happening in the country. For years in Western capitals, local officials aided by Afghan leaders and diplomats had been telling a story of strengthening institutions and democracy. But it bore little resemblance to the reality on the ground. By the time that became clear, it was already too late. Now, in one of the last remaining democracies in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan, that eventuality is at risk of happening again. To date, the European Union has spent more than €200…

Amb Anil Trigunayat India’s rise on the global landscape has been nothing short of remarkable. It has expanded its economic and political reach across international borders and has created lasting partnerships with a number of important trade and political players. With India’s population and demographic dividend justovertaking China, the country wants to expand global partnerships with the aim of securing new engines for economic growth and maintaining stability in the long-term. It is in this context that India spent the past decade trying to expand its interests through soft power and economic cooperation into regions where it was historically not…

Akramjon Nematov, First Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan The state visit of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Kyrgyzstan ended the day before. Undoubtedly, the significance of its results will go down in the history of bilateral relations. Moreover, they mark a new stage in the process of regional cooperation. I would even say that the significance of the results of the visit goes beyond the region and may even play an important role in stabilizing the entire system of international relations. There are good reasons…

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan agreed on Jan. 6 to build the Kambar-Ata-1 hydroelectric power plant (HPP) on the Naryn River in Kyrgyzstan to generate electricity to Central Asian countries and ensure the region’s sustainable water supply, reported the Kazakh Energy Ministry press service. The construction costs of the Kambar-Ata-1 HPP, set to become the largest in Kyrgyzstan, will be divided equally among three countries, according to the ministry. Kazakhstan joined the project as part of the agreement reached during the official visit of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Kyrgyzstan in May 2022. “The main goal of Kazakhstan’s participation should be sustainable water supply…

The government plans to finish construction of up to 150 social facilities this year, Deputy Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers Bakyt Torobaev said at the annual review meeting within the State Architecture and Construction Agency. Ambitious plans were set for 2023, he added. The Deputy Chairman of Cabinet urged the attendees of the meeting to inform the general public about positive outcomes of work of the Cabinet of Ministers. No matter how well the government works, incorrect information is spread across social networks, Bakyt Torobaev said.

Days of Culture of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are planned to be held this year, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov said during an official meeting with President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on January 27. This event will make a significant contribution to the development of bilateral relations in the cultural and humanitarian spheres. “The overhaul of the Osh State Academic Uzbek Music and Drama Theater named after Babur will be completed soon. We could time its opening to the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries,” Japarov noted. The President also expressed gratitude to the Uzbek side in connection with…

The bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan has grown 7 times since 2016, Chief of Uzbek President’s Administration Sardor Umurzakov said during Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Business Forum. The number of joint ventures in Uzbekistan has grown 8 times, he said. “I will not cite absolute figures, since they are far from existing potential,” Sardor Umurzakov said. Sardor Umurzakov noted all prerequisites are in place for development of commercial and economic relations. Kyrgyzstan imported goods from other countries for $800 million, which analogues are produced in Uzbekistan. He suggested to establish exchange of goods between two countries. “President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that we…

Uzbekistan exported $1.07 billion worth of gas to China in 2022, the Chinese customs authorities said in a report. Exports in value terms increased by 33.9% compared to 2021 ($799 million). While, according to the Uzbek Statistics Agency, Uzbekistan exported$910.9 million worth of gas over 12 months. Kyrgyzstan reported about $5.2 million worth of gas imports from Uzbekistan. Thus, most of the Uzbek gas supplies (about $905.7 million) went to China. However, the statistical data of the Chinese authorities is by 18.2% higher than the Uzbek ones. In particular, if in November Uzbekistan, according to the Agency of Statistics, exported gas…

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov met with his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi, the Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan said, Report informs via TASS. During the meeting, the ministers discussed cooperation in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres. An exchange of views took place on issues of collaboration within the framework of the “Central Asia + Japan” Dialogue. Speaking about bilateral relations, the Turkmen minister focused on the leading and most important areas of cooperation. The first is interaction in the political and diplomatic sphere, including contacts at the highest level and inter-parliamentary cooperation. The second is…