News

Deputy Director of Uzbekcosmos joins UCast podcast and explain that Space exploration is different that we imagine. Photo: AI

Uzbekistan is exploring the possibility of launching a constellation of Earth Observation (EO) satellites, according to Mukhriddin Ibragimov, Deputy Director of the national space agency Uzbekcosmos, who spoke on the UCast podcast.

He noted that the domestic market for EO data is still in its infancy, with users limited to Uzbekcosmos, a few government bodies, and an emerging private sector.

«It’s mainly us, a few other state agencies, and a private sector that’s just beginning to...

On June 28–29, residents and visitors in the Samarkand region can attend the International Hot Air Balloon Festival in the Urgut District, according to Uzbekistan’s Tourism Committee.

Alongside balloon launches, the event will feature a cultural program with folk ensembles, DJs and a symphony orchestra.

Guests can enjoy exhibitions of national costumes, painting, and calligraphy, as well as motorcycle shows and horse riding. The culinary highlight will be the baking of a record-setting 75-meter lavash.

Urgut is about 40 minutes by car or taxi from Samarkand. Public transport takes 1.5 to 2 hours.

Kursiv Uzbekistan reports on the...

The third and final season of the global hit series Squid Game is now available on Netflix, with all six episodes released on June 27.

The finale follows Seong Gi-hun as he returns to the deadly survival game in an attempt to end the inhumane experiment behind it.

Created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, Squid Game is a South Korean drama-thriller that premiered on September 17, 2021. The first two seasons attracted over 600 mln views, making it the most popular show in Netflix history.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that production on the upcoming Harry Potter series will begin at the end of 2025.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to supporting journalists and strengthening media development as a key priority of the New Uzbekistan policy.

In a congratulatory message to media professionals, Mirziyoyev stated:

“We still have much to do to address pressing challenges such as ensuring objectivity and rule of law in mass media, enhancing professional skills, and adopting modern methods of information dissemination.”

The president also highlighted Uzbekistan’s recent progress in journalism. The country is now home to 2,400 media outlets, most of which are privately owned. He noted that ongoing...

At least 64% of employees in Uzbekistan use artificial intelligence (AI) in their work, according to a survey by HeadHunter, seen by Kursiv Uzbekistan. For 22% of respondents, using AI has already become part of their daily routine.

AI tools are most commonly used by employees in industry, IT, finance, and accounting. Most respondents apply neural networks for tasks such as information search and filtering, report writing, and responding to routine messages.

Only 5% of employees are currently willing to delegate document completion or client communication to AI systems.

The majority of respondents see AI development and workplace automation as part of technological progress. Around 54% describe generative technologies as helpful tools that save time and...

London-listed TBC Bank Group, which operates the leading financial services group in Georgia and the largest digital banking ecosystem in Uzbekistan, announces its acquisition of a majority stake in BILLZ, Uzbekistan’s leading retail management SaaS platform, further strengthening its offering for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the country. 

Subject to standard regulatory approvals, this strategic partnership agreement signifies a landmark deal for Uzbekistan’s rapidly developing tech sector and ranks among the top M&As in the country over the past three decades. It will see TBC Uzbekistan, the Group’s digital banking ecosystem in Central Asia, partnering with BILLZ and incorporating the...

Cocaine production, consumption, and seizure volumes reached an all-time high in 2023, according to the latest United Nations report on global drug trends.

Experts say cocaine output rose by 34%, reaching 3,700 tonnes, while global seizures surged by 68% to 2,300 tonnescompared to the previous year.

The number of cocaine users worldwide has grown significantly, rising from 17 mln in 2013 to 25 mln in 2023. The UN warns that producers are increasingly targeting Asian and African markets, contributing to a sharp rise in cartel-related violence beyond Latin America.

Cocaine is now the fourth most consumed drug globally, following cannabis, opioids, and amphetamines.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that smugglers attempted...

Tashkent has begun creating a digital registry of trees with the support of the Zamin Foundation, according to the organisation’s press service.

Authorities plan to compile a unified electronic database covering green spaces across the capital. By the end of this year, the registry is expected to include at least one mln trees.

The Ministry of Ecology and the Digital Development Department of the Tashkent city administration are developing the online platform.

The Zamin Foundation stated that the digital registry will enable full tracking of trees and integration with government information systems related to urban planning, land use, and development. The...

Fitch Ratings has upgraded Uzbekistan’s long-term foreign currency sovereign credit rating from ‘BB-’ to ‘BB’, assigning a stable outlook, the agency stated in its latest report.

Fitch attributes the upgrade to accelerated reforms and strong economic growth prospects.

«The rating continues to reflect Uzbekistan’s low government debt, substantial external and fiscal buffers, and strong potential growth, balanced by relatively low GDP per capita,» the agency noted.

In 2023, Uzbekistan’s consolidated budget deficit reached 3% of GDP, performing better than the government’s earlier estimate of 4%. Fitch projects the deficit will remain at 3% in both 2025 and 2026.

The agency also...

Jennifer Lopez will perform three concerts in Central Asia as part of her Up All Night: Live in 2025 tour:
📍 Astana – August 1
📍 Tashkent – August 7
📍 Almaty – August 10

Tickets are now on sale, and Kursiv Uzbekistan compared prices in both countries—revealing it’s more expensive to sit in Uzbekistan, but more expensive to stand in Kazakhstan.

Ticket prices were taken from Ticketon.kz (Kazakhstan) and Iticket.uz (Uzbekistan), then converted to USD using the average exchange rate for June 2025.

Ticket Price Comparison:

🔹 The most expensive...

From January to May 2025, the median salary for journalists and correspondents in Uzbekistan reached nearly 5 mln UZS, according to job platform hh.uz. This marks a 13.9% increase compared to the same period last year.

Tashkent leads in job seeker activity, with nearly 50% of all resumes submitted from the capital. Activity also rose significantly in Fergana and Chirchik, where the number of resumes increased by over 50%.

Employers most frequently search for journalists in Tashkent and Bukhara, while the highest growth in job postings was seen in Navoi and Andijan. Despite demand, competition remains high, 21 resumes...

The Wolt delivery service has officially launched in Samarkand, offering access to 120 restaurants and 10 retail stores on its first day, according to a company press release shared with Kursiv Uzbekistan.

Wolt entered the Uzbek market in September 2024, initially launching in Tashkent, where it now partners with 1,400 restaurants and over 200 stores.

The platform uses a smart algorithm that considers location, courier activity, and mode of transport to optimize fast delivery. Couriers can track orders in real time, manage their schedules, and monitor earnings through the app.

Kursiv Uzbekistan reports that couriers in Uzbekistan will soon...

The bill was previously passed by Iran’s parliament. Photo: Mostafa Meraji / Unsplash

Iran’s Guardian Council has approved a bill to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Kommersant reports.

The day before, the bill was backed by the Iranian parliament. For it to take effect, it must now be approved by the Supreme National Security Council.

Earlier, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi had proposed a meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss the continuation of nuclear inspections.

In late June, the U.S. launched strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. According to...

Wunder Digital has updated its ranking of Uzbek banks’ digital visibility, identifying the top performers in Google and Yandex search results (data obtained by Kursiv Uzbekistan).

Experts compiled the most popular banking-related search queries among Uzbek users and calculated how visible each bank was in the search results.

Compared to the previous report in February 2025, the latest rankings show significant shifts.

Former leader Ipak Yuli fell to second place, overtaken by UzNatsBank (NBU), which had previously ranked third. Aloqabank entered the top three, improving its visibility by 34% since February. Meanwhile, Uzpromstroybank dropped from second to fourth place. Asia...

Uzbekistan’s Senate has approved a law for the country to join the 1963 Vienna Convention, which governs liability for nuclear damage.

The move means Uzbekistan will adopt international standards outlining who is responsible and how compensation is provided in the event of incidents at civilian nuclear facilities. In the case of a nuclear accident, Uzbek citizens will be entitled to claim damages.

The main goal of the legislation is to establish operator liability, set minimum requirements for financial protection, and strengthen public trust in the country’s nuclear safety framework. According to senators, the law will improve protection for victims...

Uzbekistan has not yet made a decision to raise the retirement age, the country’s Pension Fund announced.

«At this time, no final decision has been made regarding pension system reform. The matter is still under study, with analysis and development of proposals underway,» the fund stated.

Previously, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recommended that Tashkent increase the retirement age. Currently, men in Uzbekistan can retire at 60, and women at 55.

The Pension Fund emphasized that recommendations from international experts are not binding and will be carefully reviewed with respect to their potential...

U.S. financial giant Citigroup plans to open a representative office in Tashkent, according to a statement from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade (MIIT).

On June 25, MIIT hosted a meeting with a Citigroup delegation led by David Livingstone, Chief Client Officer.

The two sides discussed cooperation in investment, export support, and the development of public-private partnership (PPP) projects.

Citigroup, a multinational investment bank and financial services corporation, was founded in 1998 through the merger of Citicorp and Travelers Group. Headquartered in New York, it is the third-largest U.S. bank by assets and a member of the country’s...

Between January and April 2025, nearly 6,800 French citizens visited Uzbekistan, according to the country’s National Statistics Agency. This marks a 20.8% increase compared to the same period last year.

Statistics show that 6,100 of these visitors cited tourism as their main purpose. Another 380 people came to visit relatives, and 333 arrived for work-related purposes.

In addition:

Kursiv Uzbekistan reports on plans to build a ski resort in the Parkent district.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has declared that his country has emerged victorious in its standoff with the United States, according to the state news agency IRNA.

Khamenei argued that US President Donald Trump’s decision to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities revealed the weakness of Washington’s position.

He added that Iran views the US attacks as a sign of fear over the potential destruction of Israel, effectively marking the beginning of direct military confrontation.

Khamenei stated that the current situation proves the growing influence of Iran and the decline of US power in the Middle East.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that Iran’s parliament supported suspending cooperation with the IAEA.

International service Bolt, which combines ride-hailing, food delivery, and courier logistics, plans to enter the Uzbekistanmarket.

Umid Shadiev, Chair of Uzbekistan’s Tourism Committee, discussed the company’s potential launch with Geert-Jan Kistemaker, Bolt’s Global Director for Partner Markets, during a meeting in London.

They agreed to begin with a pilot project in one of Uzbekistan’s major cities, with plans to expand the service nationwide in the future.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that Yandex Go had launched its food delivery service in Karshi.

Uzbekistan saved UZS 80 bn ($6.5 mln) in 2024 by optimising costs at state-run specialised medical centres, according to the Committee for the Development of Competition and Protection of Consumer Rights.

The committee helped healthcare institutions reduce certain expenditure lines and lower base prices for medical services by 5–20%. The savings were redirected to provide additional medical assistance to 6,000 patients.

In 2023, similar measures saved UZS 60 bn ($4.8 mln), which enabled treatment for 5,000 patients.

The Competition Committee reviews and approves pricing for medical services at state specialised centres as part of its oversight responsibilities.

Earlier, Kursiv...

Denis Villeneuve, acclaimed director of Dune and Blade Runner 2049, will direct the next instalment in the James Bond franchise, Amazon’s press office has confirmed.

Villeneuve said he has been a fan of Agent 007 since childhood. He thanked the studio for its trust and described the opportunity to direct the next Bond film as both a great responsibility and a personal honour.

“To me, James Bond is sacred ground. I intend to respect the legacy while opening the door to new challenges. It’s an enormous responsibility, but also incredibly exciting and a huge honour,” Villeneuve...

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended that Uzbekistan transition from its current flat income tax rate to a progressive tax system. The proposal also includes reviewing existing tax exemptions and reducing the number of investment incentives.

Uzbekistan currently applies a flat income tax rate. However, as Gazeta.uz recalls, authorities have previously stated that a progressive system could be introduced once the taxpayer base expands.

The IMF believes that broadening the tax base and reforming the tax system are essential steps to ensure sufficient funding for key social and infrastructure initiatives.

In addition, the IMF has advised the government to...

Japan will support a new pilot project in Uzbekistan to extract methane from biogas, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change has announced.

The initiative will launch in partnership with Japanese company Le One Co., Ltd., following a meeting between Uzbekistan’s Minister of Ecology Aziz Abdukhakimov and company president Haruki Yamasaki.

The project involves installing a facility in Uzbekistan that will produce methane from biogas generated from organic waste. It aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote safe waste processing, and produce biohumus for agricultural use.

The ministry stated that the technology fully aligns with Uzbekistan’s sustainable development goals and the...