News

From January to April 2025, the Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) index of the Uzbek soum fell by 6.2 points to 105.2 points, according to experts from the Institute for Macroeconomic and Regional Studies (IMRI).

The Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER) index declined by 5.4 points, landing at 88.7.

IMRI noted that a decline in the real exchange rate index leads to lower export prices and higher prices for imported goods.

The index is calculated as a weighted average of the Uzbek soum’s exchange rate against the currencies of its trading partners, factoring in the share of each foreign...

According to The Telegraph, China has sent several Boeing 747 cargo planes to Iran over recent days, with flight routes passing through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

The British outlet described these aircraft as «mysterious,» noting that they disappeared from radar as they approached Iranian airspace. Interestingly, the listed final destination for the flights was Luxembourg.

Cargolux, the Luxembourg-based airline operating the aircraft, stated that its planes did not fly over Iran. However, the company did not respond to questions regarding the nature of the cargo on board.

Experts interviewed by The Telegraph believe the Boeing 747 cargo aircraft could have been used...

During an interview with Telegram founder Pavel Durov, TV host Tucker Carlson remarked that «nobody is afraid to go to Uzbekistan.» His comment was picked up by journalists from Podrobno.

Durov and Carlson were discussing which countries can truly be considered safe. The American journalist concluded that countries often perceived as backward or unfree may actually turn out to be safer.

«I’m not promoting Uzbekistan — I’ve never been there. But I’ve never met anyone who said, ‘I’m too scared to go to Uzbekistan,’» Carlson explained.

In response, Pavel Durov reminded him that he visited...

Uzbek agricultural products now account for 80% of fruit and vegetable sales in Russia’s Novosibirsk Region, according to Dunyo News Agency.

The rise in exports follows the February 2025 launch of the Asia–Siberia wholesale distribution centre, which employs Uzbek nationals and has significantly improved logistics and market access for produce from Uzbekistan.

As of early May, Uzbekistan had exported 463,200 tonnes of fruits and vegetables despite a 9.8% year-on-year decline.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that between January and April 2025, Russia imported 2,000 tonnes of cucumbers from Uzbekistan.

Over the year, the company’s long-term loans and borrowings surged from UZS 8.8 bn ($0.69 mln) to UZS 79.6 bn ($6.26 mln). Its total long-term liabilities exceeded UZS 122.5 bn ($9.63 mln) in 2024, up from UZS 20.3 bn ($1.60 mln) in 2023.

Earlier this year, Singapore-based Humans Mobile Ltd, which includes Humans, filed a lawsuit against Uzbekistan. The company claimed that the Central Bank of Uzbekistan and Uztelecom caused operational damage to its local business.

Shortly afterwards, Octobank announced the suspension of its services for Visa cards issued by Humans, citing violations of contractual terms.

The...

Uzbek citizens wishing to leave Israel can do so through designated border crossings with Egypt and Jordan, according to a list published by the Embassy of Uzbekistan.

Travellers may exit Israel via the Menachem Begin / Taba crossing between Eilat and Taba (Egypt). Additional options include the Itzhak Rabin / Wadi Arava crossing between Eilat and Aqaba (Jordan), and the Sheikh Hussein Bridge between Beit She’an (Israel) and Irbid (Jordan). The embassy confirmed that all of these border points operate 24 hours a day.

At the Menachem Begin / Taba crossing, Uzbek nationals may stay in the Sinai Peninsula...

Beelab JSC (Beepul fintech service) officially announces an early increase in its authorized capital to 27 billion soums. This step significantly exceeds the requirement of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan for payment organizations and financial services on the need to increase the minimum capital to 20 billion soums from July 1, 2025.

The increase in capital for companies providing services in the fintech segment, such as accepting and processing payments, P2P transfers, payments in the field, and transport, is justified by the desire to create a reliable platform for protection against digital threats: fraud, cyberattacks, and personal data leakage.

Brad Pitt girlfriend 2025: The Hollywood star is once again making headlines, this time for stepping out with his new partner, Ines de Ramon, in New York. The couple’s 30-year age gap has fueled a wave of commentary online, with many drawing comparisons to Leonardo DiCaprio’s dating history.

Social media was quick to respond with sarcasm and critique. Comments like «Just a father and daughter» and «Is Keanu Reeves the only man in Hollywood dating someone his own age?» reflect growing frustration over recurring celebrity age gap relationships.

The couple’s romantic weekend was captured by...

China will allocate 1.5 bn yuan (nearly $209 mln) in non-repayable aid to Central Asian countries to improve public welfare, as reported by Zakon.kz.

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the grant during the China–Central Asia Summit held in Astana. The funds will support impactful development projects aimed at benefiting citizens across the region.

In addition, Xi pledged to provide 3,000 scholarship quotas for Central Asian students to attend preparatory programs in China focused on in-demand professions.

The international summit is taking place in Kazakhstan’s capital, bringing together leaders from all Central Asian states alongside the Chinese president.

Kursiv Uzbekistan...

In the presence of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Chinese President Xi Jinping, a protocol was signed marking the conclusion of bilateral negotiations on Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The document was signed during a meeting between the two leaders in Astana, where the China–Central Asia Summit is taking place.

During the meeting, the two leaders also discussed expanding trade and economic cooperation, ongoing and future investment projects, and collaboration in green energy, digital technologies, and education.

Special attention was given to accelerating construction of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway and strengthening coordination within international organizations.

Key practical...

David Beckham will serve as guest editor for the October issue of Country Life, a magazine dedicated to rural living. The announcement was published on the magazine’s website.

This marks the first time the magazine will be curated by someone not affiliated with the British royal family. In the past, guest editors have included royalty, King Charles III edited the magazine in 2013 and 2018, Princess Anne in 2020 and Queen Camilla in 2022.

The special issue curated by Beckham will include his favourite countryside landscapes, recipes and stories about the artisans who helped design his Cotswolds country home.

He...

Job platform hh.uz surveyed over 350 job seekers in Uzbekistan and found that most of them value not only high salaries but also stability and professional growth.

The greatest satisfaction at work comes from a high salary, noted by 58% of respondents. However, nearly half also value interesting tasks and growth opportunities (46%), as well as team dynamics and workplace atmosphere (43%).

The top source of dissatisfaction is low income (50%), followed by emotional burnout (33%), lack of career progression (30%), and leadership style (26%). Only 16% said they are satisfied with their current job situation.

Uzbeks often refrain...

On June 17, the Central Bank of Uzbekistan set the exchange rate for the U.S. dollar at 12,668.14 UZS. The American currency fell by 46.99 UZS in a single day.

On this date, banks were buying dollars at 12,605–12,710 UZS and selling them at 12,750–12,775 UZS.

The exchange rate for the Russian ruble stood at 161 UZS, while the euro was set at 14,640 UZS.

In exchange offices, the ruble was being bought at 90–153 UZS and sold at 162–190 UZS. The euro was bought at 12,800–14,500 UZS and sold at 14,740–15,550 UZS.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that...

On July 1, Kursiv Uzbekistan’s discussion platform will host an industry conference in Tashkent Uzbekistan’s Capital Market: New Opportunities for Investment. The event will bring together leading experts, investors, top executives, business owners and government officials to discuss the investment prospects currently emerging in the country.

Uzbekistan’s capital market is undergoing significant transformation. Accelerated privatisation of state-owned enterprises and preparations for their public listing are drawing increased attention from international investors. At the same time, the economically active population is gaining access to new capital investment mechanisms beyond traditional approaches.

The opening session, Where Investors Are Focusing in Uzbekistan, will explore...

On June 17, forecasters expect air temperatures in Tashkent to rise to +38…+40°C, according to Uzhydromet.

Scorching weather of up to +43…+44°C is expected in the southern and desert regions of Uzbekistan.

In other regions, meteorologists forecast +37…+42°C. In the north, wind speeds may increase to 13–18 m/s (6–8 on the 12-point Beaufort scale).

In the mountainous areas, temperatures will reach +27…+32°C. No precipitation is expected across the country.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reports on how climate change is impacting our lives.

The Tashkent city administration and Chinese firm CAMCE Engineering Co., Ltd. have agreed to jointly manage the Yangi Avlod SIZ.

The agreement was signed by representatives of the city administration, the SIZ, and Toshkent Invest Kompaniyasi.

«This step will open up new opportunities for the capital’s industrial development and attract international investment into key sectors of the economy,» Toshkent Invest Kompaniyasi stated.

The agreement also includes provisions to bring in investors and new technologies to further develop the industrial hub.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that aircraft will be manufactured in the Navoi Special...

According to the Institute for Macroeconomic and Regional Studies (IMRI), Uzbekistan’s share of high-tech products in total exports has tripled since 2017, reaching 1.5% by the end of 2024.

During the same period, the share of raw material exports was cut by more than half—from 36.3% to 17.3%. Major export items include copper, fruits and vegetables, natural gas and precious metals.

Exports of processed raw materials doubled over seven years, now accounting for 8.4% of total exports. This category includes mineral products, petroleum derivatives, cement and construction materials.

Low-tech exports (mainly textile yarn) rose from 14.2% to 17.1%, while...

Turkey will increase transit fees for ships passing through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits by 15% from early July, according to Interfax. The updated tariff will reach $5.8 per tonne.

Turkish Minister of Transport Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said the revenues from transit fees continue to support improvements to the straits’ infrastructure. Ankara is also working on upgrading the vessel monitoring system.

Uraloğlu added that Turkey earned $227.4 mln from ship transits last year.

The Bosphorus and Dardanelles are two strategic straits in Turkey linking the Black Sea with the Mediterranean. Both are vital for maritime trade and are governed by...

Between January and April 2025, 15.5 thousand Uzbek citizens visited Thailand, according to the Statistics Agency under the President of Uzbekistan. This figure is 2.3 times higher than during the same period in 2024.

Most travellers from Uzbekistan — 13.6 thousand — chose Thailand as a holiday destination.

Additionally, 1.7 thousand Uzbek citizens visited Thailand to see family, while 57 travelled for work and eight for education.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported on the most popular destinations among Uzbek tourists.

The Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan has clarified the government’s recent resolution that permits citizens to change their surname, first name, and patronymic following an official gender reassignment.

The new regulation allows changes to personal data if the gender initially recorded at birth was incorrect and later amended based on a medical certificate.

Previously, legislative gaps made it legally impossible to update names even when gender was officially corrected. For instance, a child born in 2008 was registered as male. At age 16, medical examinations confirmed the child was female. Despite this, the law did not permit changing the...

The Criminal Court of Shaykhantakhur District in Tashkent has sentenced former deputy Kabul Dusov to five years and two months in a general-regime penal colony.

The court found Dusov guilty of defamation, insult, and spreading false information about five individuals. These include the head of the Secretariat at the Ministry of Preschool and School Education, officials from the Navoi regional education department, and a probation officer in Chirchiq.

According to the ruling, Dusov used Facebook and Telegram accounts he created to publish offensive and inaccurate content. The charges fall under Articles 139, 140, and 237 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code.

Russia and Tajikistan have agreed to gradually write off a $297 mln debt owed by the Tajik energy company Barki Tojik to the Sangtuda Hydroelectric Power Plant, according to the Khovar news agency.

On June 16, the lower chamber of Tajikistan’s parliament, the Majlisi Oli, approved amendments to the intergovernmental agreement on the plant’s operation. Under the revised agreement, the investment return period has been extended to 2048.

The debt will be written off in stages until 2034. Additionally, the electricity purchase tariff from the Sangtuda HPP will drop from 3.2 cents to 1.5 cents per kWh.

However, the...

According to Kazakh Invest, the Astana city administration and Huawei Technologies Kazakhstan signed a memorandum of cooperation to begin testing a 10G network based on 50G PON technology.

They signed the agreement during the Central Asia – China Industrial and Investment Cooperation Forum.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that China became the first country to launch a 10G network.

Foreign ministers of 20 Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan, Kuwait, Libya, and Jordan, have jointly condemned Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites. The joint statement asserts that the attack violates the United Nations Charter and deserves international condemnation.

The ministers called for dialogue as the only viable path to resolve the conflict and proposed the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.

On June 13, Israel launched a series of strikes targeting Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure, including the homes of Iranian scientists. The assault left more than 220 people...