News

Uzbekistan’s Central Bank has accredited the representative office of Turkish CitiBank AS, a subsidiary of the American CitiBank, according to the regulator’s press service.

The representative office will focus on studying Uzbekistan’s financial market and expanding cooperation with government agencies and financial institutions. Unlike a branch, it will not provide banking services to businesses or individuals.

On June 25, a Citigroup delegation met with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade. The parties discussed attracting investment, supporting exporters and collaborating on public-private partnership (PPP) projects.

At the meeting, it was also announced that Citibank’s office in Tashkent would be...

In June 2025, Beeline Business achieved the status of a certified Microsoft partner, strengthening its team of specialists certified in the areas of Modern Work (M365) and Azure. Now the company’s corporate customers in Uzbekistan can access Microsoft cloud and software solutions with professional local support.

New business solutions include Microsoft Modern Work (M365) services for agile collaboration, as well as Microsoft Azure cloud platforms for building and scaling IT infrastructure. Beeline Business specialists have been trained and certified in these areas, which enables them to provide qualified support at all stages: from selecting optimal use cases to implementation, configuration...

Foreign currencies rate against UZS for today, July 15, rose noticeably.

Here are Central Bank Reference Rates to exchange USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, JPY, or KZT into soums:

Several banks have updated buy rates to exchange USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, JPY, or KZT into soums:

As of the latest news, all foreign currencies above have weakened against the UZS on July 14.

Global stock markets saw gains on Wednesday as U.S. chipmaker Nvidia made history by becoming the first publicly traded company to reach a $4 trln market value, fueled by continued demand for artificial intelligence technologies, as reported by the NY Times.

Nvidia’s share price rose 2.6% to over $164 in early New York trading, bringing its year-to-date gains to 22% and marking a 24% increase over the past year.

The rally came despite fresh economic tensions, with President Donald Trump announcing a potential 50% tariff on copper imports, a key material for electronics and chipmaking. U.S. copper prices surged...

A new research paper by London-based think tank Exponential Science reveals significant inequality in how decision-making power is distributed across popular blockchain platforms like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, Hedera and Algorand.

The study “Consensus Power Inequality: A Comparative Study of Blockchain Networks” analysed data from 2022 to 2024 using economic tools like the Gini coefficient and Theil index to measure how evenly consensus power is shared. Consensus power refers to the influence participants have in validating transactions and shaping the network.

Key findings:

U.S. President Donald Trump has pledged to deliver advanced weaponry to Ukraine through NATO countries and threatened to impose 100% secondary tariffs on Russia’s trade partners if no peace deal is reached within 50 days, as reported by Bloomberg.

Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Washington, Trump announced the transfer of “top-of-the-line” U.S. military equipment to Ukraine, with European allies expected to cover the financial costs. Patriot air defense systems, missiles, and ammunition are reportedly part of the package, although specific details remain limited.

«This is a message to Russia: we’re serious...

Bitcoin surged to a new all-time high of $122,000 on Monday, fueled by growing optimism around U.S. legislation aimed at positioning the country as a global hub for cryptocurrency innovation, as The Financial Times reports.

The price jump comes just as the U.S. Congress begins “Crypto Week”, during which lawmakers in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives are set to debate a trio of bills that could reshape the digital asset landscape:

Meta Platforms, the tech giant behind Facebook and Instagram, plans to invest hundreds of billions of dollars into AI infrastructure, including the construction of two massive data centers in the United States, as part of its long-term strategy to dominate artificial intelligence, as reports Bloomberg.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that the company will launch its 1-gigawatt Prometheus data center in Ohio by 2026, and build a larger Hyperion facility in Louisiana capable of reaching 5 gigawatts — enough to power nearly a million homes.

These investments will support the company’s new Meta Superintelligence Lab, designed to develop AI...

Russia exported over $170 mln worth of chocolate in the first four months of 2025, with most of it going to its closest neighbours, according to RIA Novosti. The figures are based on official trade statistics from various countries and the UN Comtrade platform.

Kazakhstan ranked first, importing $78.3 mln worth of Russian chocolate between January and April. It was followed by Azerbaijan with $23.4 mln, Uzbekistan with $21.4 mln, Kyrgyzstan with $14.7 mln and Georgia with $8 mln. Belarus is likely among the top importers as well, though its trade data has not been disclosed since 2022.

China...

Kazakhstan has successfully launched its first high-precision robotic telescope outside its borders, choosing the renowned Atacama Desert in Chile — one of the world’s top locations for astronomical observation. Developed by the Fesenkov Astrophysical Institute, the telescope is now operational at the ObsTech International Observatory, a major global centre for astrophysical research.

This landmark project took nearly seven years to complete and was made possible through cooperation with Chilean experts from the University of Santiago. The partnership not only resulted in the installation of the telescope but also inspired plans to establish an astronomical hub within Kazakhstan. The new...

Uzbekistan is strengthening ties with Qatar to boost foreign investment in its growing tourism sector. Chairman of the Tourism Committee, Umid Shadiev, met with key Qatari stakeholders to discuss future cooperation in infrastructure and hospitality development.

Investment in tourism: Qatar eyes Uzbek tourism sector

Talks in Doha centred around investment opportunities in hotel construction, theme-based tourist complexes, and joint hospitality projects. The delegation highlighted Uzbekistan’s untapped tourism potential and its strategic location in Central Asia.

High-level meetings with Qatari leadership

Shadiev held key discussions with Sheikh Naif Eid Muhammad Thani Al Thani, who chairs Retaj Group and serves as Deputy Chair of the Arab...

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Yerlan Nyssanbayev, visited the Kyzylorda region on July 8–9 to monitor ongoing afforestation efforts aimed at rehabilitating the dried seabed of the Aral Sea. These large-scale projects are part of the country’s wider environmental strategy.

In Kazalinsk, the minister inspected a forest nursery launched in late 2024. Spanning 33 hectares, the nursery currently has 10 hectares in active use, where saxaul seeds have been sown. Once mature, these are expected to yield around three mln seedlings to support reforestation in arid zones.

Nyssanbayev also surveyed areas planted in 2023, covering 4,000 hectares...

The United States has cut $500 mln in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, worsening the country’s fragile situation. The move has led to a sharp decline in healthcare access and food security.

Until early 2025, the US was the largest aid donor to Afghanistan. It provided over 40% of international assistance. That support helped combat hunger and keep health facilities running.

Trump Halts Funding

After returning to office in January, President Donald Trump cancelled all USAID programmes. His administration said the aid no longer aligned with US interests.

The White House also cited evidence that the Taliban had intercepted supplies, preventing them from reaching...

Kazakhstan plans to begin construction of its nuclear power plant in two years, according to Timur Zhantikin, Deputy Chairman of the Atomic Energy Agency. He shared the details in an interview with Jibek Joly TV.

Nuclear Power Plant: Pre-Construction Phase to Take Two Years

Zhantikin said that one year will be needed to evaluate and choose among four shortlisted international vendors. Another year will be required to prepare essential documents, including safety and environmental reports.

Only after these preparations are complete will the actual construction begin.

Five Years for Construction

Once ground is broken, construction is expected to take around five years. This brings...

South Korea’s port city of Busan is preparing to send trade delegations to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan this autumn, according to the Yonhap news agency. The move is part of a broader effort to expand into Central Asian markets, which Busan views as a key area for growth.

The delegations will visit Tashkent and Astana between 15 and 20 September. Central Asia is described as an emerging market with strong demand for both industrial and consumer goods, making it an attractive destination for Korean exporters.

Delegation members will take part in export negotiations, one-on-one business meetings and specialised seminars.

Busan’s...

Uzbekistan may be losing up to $4.5 bn annually because of its rigid data localisation rules. A new report by Kotib AI Research outlines the economic cost of the 2019 law on personal data.

Local Servers Rule Out Global Integration

Under Article 27-1, all personal data must be stored on servers inside Uzbekistan. This rule affects cloud services, increases infrastructure costs, and discourages foreign tech companies.

Localisation Rules: Billions Lost Across Key Sectors

Annual losses by sector include:

These losses add up to 5.7% of GDP each year.

Global...

As glaciers continue to retreat at an alarming rate, scientists and international organisations are raising urgent concerns over the far-reaching consequences for both human health and the environment. The latest Frontiers report from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) highlights the growing threats linked to glacial melt, particularly for older populations and communities dependent on cryospheric regions.

The report warns that surpassing a 2°C rise above pre-industrial temperatures could lead to dramatic losses across the cryosphere — including permafrost, sea ice, snow cover and glaciers. Around 670 mln people live in these areas, and billions more rely on freshwater originating...

Most people are familiar with Egypt’s three iconic pyramids — now imagine over 300 of them reduced to fine particles and swept into the air. That’s roughly the amount of sand and dust lifted into the atmosphere each year by powerful storms, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

The WMO’s latest annual report reveals that although the total dust levels slightly declined in 2024, their effects on public health and economies are worsening. The agency estimates that more than 330 mln people across 150 countries are regularly affected by these storms, which are linked to respiratory illnesses, heart...

Uzbekistan has doubled its agricultural exports to the United Kingdom in the first five months of 2025, according to Dunyo news agency.

In particular, Uzbek melons began entering the British market in July this year. Within a short period, 10 tonnes of melons were delivered by Uzbekistan Airways on the Tashkent–London route. The melons, known for their unique sweetness and flavour, have generated strong demand among British consumers.

Exports of legumes, dried fruits and nuts have also increased this year. These include grapes, cherries, raisins, chickpeas, mung beans and apricot kernels. Fresh produce and processed goods grown in Uzbekistan...

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has shared that he has gone twenty years without alcohol, tobacco, coffee, medication or drugs. According to him, this lifestyle choice is key to maintaining good health, mental clarity and high productivity.

«If you want to reach your full potential and maintain clarity of mind, stay away from addictive substances. My success and health are the result of 20+ years of complete abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, coffee, pills, and illegal drugs. Short-term pleasure isn’t worth your future,» he wrote in a recent post.

Durov stressed that brief moments of pleasure...

Foreign currencies rate against UZS for today, July 14, remained the same as on July 11.

Here are Central Bank Reference Rates to exchange USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, JPY, or KZT into soums:

Several banks have updated buy rates to exchange USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, JPY, or KZT into soums:

As of the latest news, all foreign currencies above have weakened against the UZS.

Uzbekistan has officially recognised Zaamin Kazan Patyr bread as a geographical indication, adding it to the State Register as the country’s 20th protected regional product.

The designation confirms that the bread is made using a traditional recipe specific to the Zaamin district in the Jizzakh region. The preparation involves dough made with local milk and butter, baked in a kazan (cauldron). This bread is known for its unique flavour and soft texture.

Under the new status, the name, recipe and origin of Zaamin Kazan Patyr are now protected by law. This aims to preserve regional culinary heritage, support local producers and ensure consumers receive an authentic, high-quality product.

Kursiv Uzbekistan...

Kazakhstan has denied entry to over 3,500 foreign nationals since the start of 2025 due to suspected links with terrorist organisations. The figure was confirmed by Yermek Sagimbayev, Chairman of the National Security Committee (NSC), in an interview with Kazinform.

According to the NSC, 246 individuals directly involved in terrorism were stopped at the country’s borders. Authorities also identified 16 people wanted in their home countries for religious extremism or terrorist crimes.

Kazakhstan ramps up anti-terror border checks

Security services have strengthened screening at entry and exit points. Migration routes are being closely monitored to prevent infiltration by foreign radicals, Sagimbayev said.

An additional...

North Korea has confirmed its full support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. The announcement followed a meeting on July 12 between Kim Jong Un and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Wonsan, a coastal city in North Korea.

State media reported that North Korea supports all measures Russia takes in Ukraine. A new cooperation plan for 2026–2027 was signed during the visit.

North Korea and Russia Expand Strategic Ties

North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui also met Lavrov. The two discussed joint action in global forums and closer military and diplomatic cooperation.

Lavrov called the talks a strategic dialogue. He praised North Korea’s firm support for...