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Uzbekistan will introduce a visa-free regime for citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman starting from June 2025. The move is part of a presidential decree by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev aimed at developing the country’s tourism industry.

The government plans to increase tourism service exports to $4 bn by the end of the year and establish over 370 new tour operators.

Authorities expect the number of foreign tourists to reach 15.8 mдn, with domestic travellers projected at 40 mдn by year-end.

In April, Uzbekistan welcomed over one million foreign tourists for the first time in a single month...

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide advisory support to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Health and Ministry of Economy and Finance to develop the country’s healthcare services. The ADB will involve its Office of Markets Development and Public–Private Partnership (PPP) to lead this initiative.

The bank will assist in modernising five hospitals across Uzbekistan, with a focus on engaging private investors. The main priority is to improve the quality of medical services.

«This programme shows how PPPs can deliver inclusive outcomes in Uzbekistan’s healthcare sector,» said Kanokpan Lao-Araya, ADB Country Director for Uzbekistan.

The...

As of early April, there were 8.9 CVs submitted per open vacancy in Uzbekistan’s IT sector, down from 10.3 in the same period last year.

The highest level of competition this year was among network engineers, with 67 applicants for each vacancy.

Art directors (26 applicants per vacancy) and analysts (19) also faced strong competition.

Among technical and IT directors, testers, and project managers, the number of candidates per position ranged from 12 to 16.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that Uzbekistan’s telecom market is projected to grow by 12.5% in 2025.

Most high-liquidity stocks listed on the Republican Stock Exchange Toshkent showed mixed performance during the week of May 12–16.

Meanwhile, the UCI stock index remained virtually unchanged.

According to data compiled by Kursiv Uzbekistan, the biggest gain of the week came from Uzbektelecom, whose shares rose by 3.96%. Other top performers included Alokabank’s common shares (+2.38%) and preferred shares of the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex (+1.11%).

On the downside, the sharpest drop was seen in Uzbekinvest, whose shares fell by 7.40%. Other notable declines came from Chilonzor Buyum Savdo Kompleksi common shares (-5.79%) and Dori-Darmon (-2.46%).

Kursiv Uzbekistan also...

Snipers from Uzbekistan have claimed the gold medal at the international competition Most Advanced Sniper Team, held from May 5 to 16 in Isparta, Turkey, according to the Uzbek Ministry of Defense.

The tournament brought together more than 40 teams from 15 countries, including Pakistan, Qatar, Azerbaijan, Italy and the UAE. Observers from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, the UK and Kuwait also attended.

The snipers competed across 15 grueling challenges, which included shooting while wearing gas masks, firing from cover, helicopters and boats, as well as completing tasks at night and after running with heavy gear and weapons.

This marks Uzbekistan’s...

On May 19, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed plans to expand Uzbekistan’s construction materials industry during a sectoral presentation.

Officials plan to raise construction materials exports to $1.2 bn by the end of 2025.

They also intend to launch 312 new projects worth $2.4 bn. These projects aim to increase total production to UZS 53 trillion.

President Mirziyoyev instructed the government to create a national registry of manufacturers through the Shaffof Qurilish digital platform to strengthen quality control.

He also emphasised the need to prioritise geology, energy efficiency and scientific methods in the production process.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan...

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev departed for Budapest on 19 May for an official visit at the invitation of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

The visit includes high-level talks, meetings with government officials, and discussions with executives of leading Hungarian companies.

The agenda focuses on expanding practical cooperation and advancing the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Hungary.

President Mirziyoyev will also take part in the informal summit of the Organisation of Turkic States, which is being held during the visit.

Starting from June 30, foreign nationals entering Russia under visa-free arrangements must obtain a digital QR code, according to a statement from the Embassy of Uzbekistan in the Russian Federation.

Travellers can generate the code through the “Gosuslugi RuID” mobile application. To obtain the code, users must register in the app, upload a photograph, and provide personal information.

The system also requires details about the intended entry and exit dates. Travellers must complete the process at least 72 hours prior to their trip. In exceptional cases, such as illness or the death of a close relative, border officials will...

Kazakhstan has received a supercomputer with a processing capacity of nearly two exaflops, the Ministry of Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan announced. The machine is powered by H200 graphics chips produced by US-based technology company Nvidia.

The supercomputer will be accessible to public institutions, private organisations, and startups. Officials say the project forms a crucial component of Kazakhstan’s efforts to advance artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities across the country.

«This supercomputer will strengthen Kazakhstan’s digital sovereignty and reinforce its leading position in the region in AI development and attracting global IT players,» said Zhaslan Madiyev, Minister of Digital Development...

Since 2021, Afghanistan has received 144,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid from Uzbekistan, according to Akramjon Nematov, Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies, speaking to TASS.

The aid deliveries were routed through the Termez Cargo Centre, a key transport and logistics hub in southern Uzbekistan.

The supplies included flour, grain, medical supplies, tents, and other essential goods.

Nematov also highlighted the opening of the Aytrum Trade Centre in Termez, which allows citizens of Pakistan and Afghanistan to enter visa-free and remain on the premises for up to 15 days.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that Afghanistan gifted Herat marble to Uzbekistan. Authorities plan to use it...

DemirBank, an international bank based in the Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan’s leading digital bank, Uzum Bank, have entered a strategic partnership aimed at advancing innovative, user-friendly, and secure financial technologies for customers across Central Asia.

The partnership focuses on broadening access to digital services, streamlining customer interactions, and strengthening technological and business collaboration in the region. One of the top priorities is to introduce fast and convenient cross-border transfer services.

«We are excited to begin this journey with Uzum Bank. This partnership is not merely a formal agreement but a strategic alliance. Together, we...

Beeline Uzbekistan, part of the VEON Group, continues its active network expansion across the country, improving the quality of mobile connectivity. The company has launched a pilot project using advanced Triple Band Massive MIMO 32T32R equipment and shared the results of its network modernization efforts since the beginning of 2025.

Ahead of upcoming GSMA Forum, Beeline Uzbekistan launched a pilot project featuring RAN equipment based on Triple Band Massive MIMO 32T32R technology. This solution, unique in Uzbekistan’s telecom market, enables simultaneous LTE deployment across three different frequency bands. The technology is compatible with both existing 4G/LTE network and future 5G...

During the European Political Community summit in Albania, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan grasped the finger of his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in what appeared to be a subtle non-verbal exchange.

Footage shared by Turkish media shows the two leaders greeting each other with a handshake. Erdogan lightly pats Macron’s hand, prompting the French President to place his second hand over Erdogan’s — a gesture often interpreted as a show of dominance. As Macron begins to withdraw, Erdogan unexpectedly holds onto his finger.

The two leaders continue their conversation for several seconds with the help of interpreters. Erdogan releases...

Environmental specialists have explained the cause of the recent dust storm in Tashkent. Member of the Oliy Majlis Bakhtiyor Pulatov shared the details via his official Telegram channel.

Batyr Khalmurat, an environmental expert, stated that the storm resulted from an abrupt change in weather. Cold air moved in from the north while warm air rose from the south. As the two air masses collided over Tashkent, strong winds formed.

The wind picked up dust from the dry ground and spread it across the city. In some areas, wind speeds exceeded 20 metres per second. Experts refer to this meteorological...

On May 18, Pope Leo XIV formally assumed his position as head of the Catholic Church, receiving the pallium and the Ring of the Fisherman — key symbols of his spiritual authority.

The inauguration ceremony began with a prayer in the crypt of St Peter’s Basilica. Pope Leo XIV, accompanied by Eastern Catholic Patriarchs, descended to the tomb of the Apostle Peter — the first Bishop of Rome — where he knelt and prayed.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, who currently heads the Dicastery for Evangelisation, presented the pope with the traditional ring bearing the image of...

Construction of a new knitwear and garment factory has begun in the Mirishkor district of Kashkadarya region.

The project is being implemented by Sulton Tex Group, with a total investment of $7 mln. The site boundaries have already been marked, and initial foundation work is underway.

Once the factory opens, it will create 500 new jobs in the area.

Kursiv Uzbekistan previously reported that a 35-hectare tourism complex will be developed in Margilan.

Austrian singer JJ has won the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest with his performance of the track Wasted Love.

The final took place last Saturday in Basel, Switzerland. Based on combined jury and public voting, JJ secured first place with 436 points — achieving a clear lead over the competition.

Israeli singer Yuval Raphael finished second with 357 points, followed closely by Estonia’s Tommy Cash with 356 points. Contestants from Sweden and Italy completed the top five.

On May 17, Tashkent and several other regions in Uzbekistan experienced dust storms and strong winds. In response, the Ministry of Health published recommendations on how to stay safe in conditions of heavy dust exposure.

Dr. Elmira Razikova, Doctor of Medical Sciences and Director of the Republican Specialised Scientific Centre of Allergology, advised individuals with chronic respiratory conditions — including bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and bronchitis — to avoid going outdoors during such weather.

Dust-laden air often contains high concentrations of pollen and fungal spores, which pose serious health risks, especially for people with allergies and asthma.

Medical professionals...

Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy and Russia’s Perm Krai have signed a cooperation roadmap, according to the regional government of Perm. The agreement was concluded during the OGU 2025 oil and gas exhibition held in Tashkent.

The roadmap outlines joint efforts in industrial cooperation, investment and technology exchange, as well as workforce development.

Perm Krai Governor Dmitry Makhonin announced plans to expand the supply of oil and gas equipment to Uzbekistan. He noted that the region already exports equipment, transport, and timber to the country. The number of joint ventures is increasing, and cooperation between Uzbek and Perm-based industrial enterprises...

On May 16, the international video game and animation festival Game Fest 2025 officially opened in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, according to IT Park.

The event brought together game developers, investors and representatives of major international publishers. Festival attendees had the chance to explore cutting-edge developments in virtual and augmented reality technologies.

Local industry experts exchanged insights with international colleagues. At the same time, Uzbek development teams had the opportunity to pitch their projects to venture capitalists, compete for funding, and seek access to global markets.

The event included representatives from leading companies such as Gem Capital, ProxyPlanet...

Abduqodir Khusanov has made it into Manchester City’s squad for the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace, though he is not in the starting XI. The match will be held at Wembley Stadium.

Starting lineup: Ortega, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Riley, Bernardo, De Bruyne, Savinho, Marmoush, Doku, Haaland.

Husanov has been named among the substitutes and could see game time during the match.

Since March 2025, Khusanov hasn’t featured in any official games for the club, missing six consecutive matches — some as an unused sub, others entirely out of the squad.

However, ahead of the final, he was...

Uzbekistan has developed and officially approved a national strategy to combat childhood cancer for the years 2025–2030, according to the country’s Ministry of Health.

The strategy aims to strengthen pediatric care and promote a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosing and treating childhood cancers. Its implementation is expected to enhance the healthcare workforce, modernise infrastructure, and establish a unified approach to delivering high-quality medical care for young cancer patients.

The initiative will be supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, the International Medical University of Vienna and other global partners.

The strategy includes measures to improve early cancer detection and...

The Uzbek national boxing team claimed nine medals and took first place overall at the Feliks Stamm Tournament held in Warsaw, according to Uzbekistan’s National Olympic Committee.

The event was recently recognised as part of the World Boxing global championship series. Uzbek boxers earned six gold, one silver, and two bronze medals.

🥇 Gold medalists:

🥈 Silver:

🥉 Bronze:

In Brazil’s previous World Cup stage, Uzbekistan also led the team standings with five gold medals.

Notably, Kazakhstan did not...

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a phone call with Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to congratulate the President of Kazakhstan on his birthday, as reported the press service of the Uzbek head of state.

Mirziyoyev wished Tokayev continued success in his work for the prosperity of the Kazakh people. The two leaders discussed strengthening strategic cooperation and good-neighbourly relations between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. They also outlined plans and dates for upcoming bilateral meetings and events.

During the conversation, the presidents focused on industrial cooperation, logistics projects, tourism, education and agriculture.

President Tokayev turned 72 years old on May 17.

Kursiv Uzbekistan...