News

On the sidelines of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Summit in the city of Khankendi, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held talks with Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Acting Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan for Economic Affairs, the president’s press service reports.

The parties discussed current issues related to expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, transport, logistics and energy.

Particular attention was given to the continued growth in trade turnover and the number of joint ventures.

Business contacts have intensified. In May this year, Uzbekistan opened trading houses in Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif. In June, a Preferential Trade...

Tashkent authorities have signed agreements totalling $400 mln with Azerbaijani companies, according to Sharof Rakhmanov, Deputy Mayor of the Uzbek capital. He made the announcement during an interview with Uzbekistan 24 TV.

The planned projects include the construction of hotels, a shopping centre, restaurants and cafés. Rakhmanov highlighted the development of the Uzbekistan Park in Baku as a strategic initiative.

Earlier, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev called Uzbekistan a highly attractive destination for investment.

“Both Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are not only actively investing in the development of their own economies but are also expanding their capital...

US President Donald Trump has announced via Truth Social that he plans to sign the new budget and tax bill on July 4, America’s Independence Day.

He described the bill, passed by Congress, as «big and beautiful,» stating that its signing would mark the beginning of a new «Golden Age» for the United States.

The bill includes provisions to increase the national debt by $3.3 trillion and cut social spending while boosting defence expenditure.

However, the legislation has drawn criticism from one of Trump’s former allies — Elon Musk. The businessman previously labelled the bill...

Quarter-final bouts continued yesterday on June 3 at the World Boxing Cup: Kazakhstan – Astana 2025, held at the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Art Palace.

36 quarter-final matches were held in two sessions. All winners progressed to the semi-finals and secured bronze medals.

Nigeria’s Patricia Mbata won 5:0 against Poland’s Aleksandra Cyrek in the women’s 70kg category, marking Nigeria’s first win in the competition. In the men’s 60kg, Luiz Oliveira of Brazil defeated India’s Sachin Sachin in a 3:2 split decision.

Germany’s Nikita Putilov, a former World Boxing Cup gold medallist, advanced to the semi-final with a 5:0 win over...

The Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR), in collaboration with IT Park, has released a comprehensive new study assessing the business environment for foreign IT professionals and companies in Uzbekistan. The findings highlight the country’s rapid transformation into a regional IT hub, underpinned by a stable macroeconomic environment, favorable tax policies, and growing international integration.

A Growing IT Ecosystem

The study, based on surveys of foreign specialists and companies, as well as focus groups with IT Park residents, paints a positive picture of Uzbekistan’s IT sector. According to CERR, 96% of surveyed companies and 82% of foreign professionals...

Anorbank has issued a statement regarding the kidnapping of a shareholder in Paris, stressing that the incident is personal and unrelated to the bank’s operations.

The bank confirmed that all branches and digital services are functioning as usual, and all projects are progressing according to plan.

Anorbank also called on the media to observe ethical standards, avoid spreading unverified information, and respect the privacy of those involved. The bank noted that excessive public discussion could impact the official investigation.

According to French outlet Le Monde, Kakhramonjon Olimov, an Uzbek banker and owner of Anorbank, was kidnapped in Paris on June...

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has set the official USD exchange rate at 12,557.56 UZS for July 4. The dollar dropped by 34.15 UZS in a single day, according to the regulator’s Telegram channel.

As of 16:00 Tashkent time, exchange offices are buying USD for 12,495–12,580 UZS and selling it for 12,620–12,680 UZS.

The Russian ruble was set at 159 UZS, and the euro at 14,809 UZS.

At the same time, banks are buying rubles for 90 to 150 UZS and selling them for 161 to 190 UZS. The euro is being bought for 12,800 to 14,550 UZS...

Uzbek players will take part in the superfinal of the SCO and BRICS chess tournament, the Russian Embassy in China has announced.

The tournament will be held from July 10 to 13 in Moscow. The superfinal is expected to gather 200 of the top chess players, including participants from China, South Africa, Armenia and Belarus.

An additional 20,000 players are expected to join the online competitions via the myChess platform. To take part in this format, players must choose an age category and register.

«A cultural program is planned for the finalists, including visits to...

Starting July 1, entrepreneurs and private employment agencies in Uzbekistan can receive subsidies for hiring individuals with Category I and II disabilities. The resolution was signed by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Business owners will qualify for financial support if the person with a disability has been employed for at least three months. During this period, the employee must be paid no less than twice the minimum wage.

The program also includes subsidies for workplace adaptation. In such cases, businesses can receive up to 50 mln UZS for providing services such as sign language interpretation...

Microsoft has carried out layoffs within its Xbox gaming division, affecting developers of the Call of Duty franchise, Insider Gaming reports.

Among those impacted are employees at Raven Software and Sledgehammer Games—both studios responsible for developing Call of Duty titles. Their past projects include Call of Duty: Black Ops and Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.

Raven Software has been active in the gaming industry since 1990 and was acquired by publisher Activision in 1997.

Sledgehammer Games was founded in 2009 by Glen Schofield and Michael Condrey, who previously worked on the horror game Dead Space. In addition to Advanced...

A photography exhibition titled Timeless Textures: Analogue Visions of Uzbekistan by Stanislav Chernyavskiy opened in Warsaw, attracting Polish academics, experts and media representatives, Dunyo reports.

The exhibition presents a striking collection of black-and-white analogue photographs that capture the historical essence of Uzbekistan. According to the artist, the works invite viewers on a journey through time, exploring the ancient lands of the Khorezm Khanate and beyond.

Shot entirely on film, the images carry a sense of timelessness, blurring the line between past and present. Their grainy texture and sharp contrasts evoke the feeling of leafing through long-lost historical archives.

The...

Nearly 95% of all cars imported to Uzbekistan in May were manufactured in China, according to the National Statistics Committee.

Vehicle imports have been steadily increasing in recent months. From January to May, Uzbekistan imported 18,378 passenger cars worth $325.3 mln.

In May alone, 6,307 cars were brought into the country, valued at $111.6 mln. In April, imports reached 5,121 vehicles worth nearly $99 mln.

More than half of all imported cars this year have been electric. A total of 9,789 electric vehicles were delivered to Uzbekistan since the start of 2024.

China Dominates Market as Korea and...

Qwizzserial and Telegram

The malicious software (malware) known as Qwizzserial has infected 100,000 Android smartphone users, most of them in Uzbekistan, according to cybersecurity firm Group-IB.

Qwizzserial was first detected in late March 2024. The malware spreads via Telegram as an apk file under names like “Financial Aid” or “President’s Gift”. Scammers also disguise the app as legitimate banking or government service applications.

To spread Qwizzserial, scammers create fake Telegram channels impersonating government agencies, public figures, or publishing fabricated presidential decrees.

Qwizzserial

Once installed, the app requests permission to access SMS messages and then asks for bank card...

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has described Uzbekistan as a highly attractive country for investment during a media briefing in Baku.

He praised the reforms introduced by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, noting their positive impact on the investment climate. Aliyev also said that Uzbekistan remains a priority destination for Azerbaijani investments.

Aliyev highlighted the work of the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Investment Fund, which was launched in winter 2023 with an initial capital of $500 mln. As of early July, more than ten projects are currently under investment consideration.

«Our plans far exceed this initial amount. am confident that...

Portuguese international footballer Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva, have died in a car accident in northern Spain, Spanish authorities confirmed early Wednesday morning, as reported by BBC.

The fatal crash occurred around 00:30 local time in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora province. According to Spain’s Guardia Civil, the Lamborghini in which the two were travelling suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking another vehicle. The car veered off the road and caught fire, killing both occupants instantly.

Jota, 28, had only recently married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso, in a ceremony on June 22. The couple shared three...

Kahramonjon Olimov, a prominent Uzbek banker and owner of Anorbank, was kidnapped in central Paris on June 23, according to Le Monde. He was held captive for nearly two days, severely beaten and threatened with death before being released after a ransom was paid.

Olimov had arrived in France to meet with business partners. He met a woman of Caucasian origin shortly before the incident. They arranged to dine together at a Paris restaurant. However, as he left his hotel nearby, he was abducted.

He was later transported to a basement in a villa in Nice. There, he was...

Last night in Paris, Delphine Arnault, CEO of Dior, was awarded the Legion d’honneur by French President Emmanuel Macron. These news were shared by Derek C. Blasberg, an American writer, socialite, and fashion industry personality.

The ceremony took place at the Élysée Palace and gathered a select group of guests, including figures from the fashion industry and close associates of the Arnault family.

President Macron’s speech was both personal and light-hearted. He recalled Delphine’s rebellious youth — joking that she once smoked cigarettes — and praised her strength as a leader in a historically male-dominated industry. Referring to her...

As part of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s state visit to Azerbaijan, a ceremony was held in Baku to lay the foundation for the Uzbekistan Park, the president’s press service reports.

The park will be located in the modern and fast-developing White City (Ag Sheher) district of the capital. Spanning 4.5 hectares, the $80 mln project will highlight Uzbekistan’s rich culture and architecture.

The park will include reconstructions of landmarks from Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva alongside landscaped paths and green spaces. Buildings will feature traditional Uzbek design elements such as domes, mosaics and carved ornamentation.

There will also be craft workshops...

Tashkent and Baku are accelerating joint efforts to launch a strategic electricity export project aimed at the European market. The agreement followed a high-level meeting between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President Ilham Aliyev during the second session of the Supreme Interstate Council held in Baku.

The leaders confirmed their commitment to energy cooperation, building on the trilateral agreement signed in November 2024 between Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan. The project involves laying a subsea cable across the Black Sea, creating a new transcontinental electricity corridor connecting Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Europe.

As part of the roadmap, national grid operators from the three countries established a joint venture last December...

During his state visit to Azerbaijan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the official opening of Uzbekistan’s new embassy building in Baku, the president’s press service reports.

The ceremony was attended by both President Mirziyoyev and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan. The leaders cut a symbolic ribbon and formally inaugurated the new diplomatic mission.

They toured the building and reviewed the working conditions created for diplomats stationed in Baku.

The embassy is designed to support the further strengthening of the strategic partnership and alliance between the two countries. Each hall in the building is named after a region of...

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has announced plans for Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan to jointly host the Futsal World Cup, according to Azerbaijan’s state news agency Azertag.

«We have agreed to jointly approach FIFA to organise the Futsal World Cup together,» said Mirziyoyev during a press briefing.

Azerbaijan won the most recent Futsal World Cup, held in Baku at the end of May. The national team defeated Hungary 4–2 in the final, while Serbia claimed bronze.

The tournament brought together national teams from 32 countries. The next edition is expected to take place in...

Day three of the World Boxing Cup: Kazakhstan – Astana 2025 concluded with 44 bouts held across two sessions, World Boxing reports.

Kazakhstan led the day with eight victories, followed by India with six and Brazil with five.

Fourteen quarter final matches took place, as the tournament advanced to its most intense stages.

In standout performances, Finland’s Pihla Kaivo-Oja claimed victory by RSC in the women’s 51kg bout. In the women’s 65kg, USA’s Morelle McCane also secured an RSC win, continuing her strong run.

Uzbekistan saw three women compete, with two advancing to the next stage of the tournament:

The World Bank has appointed Najy Benhassine as its new Regional Director for Central Asia, with effect from July 2025. He will lead the Bank’s regional office based in Tashkent, according to the institution’s press service.

Benhassine replaces Tatiana Proskuryakova, who held the position from 2021 until June this year. Prior to his new role, he headed the World Bank’s office in Pakistan from 2020 to June 2025.

«It is an honour to lead the World Bank’s dynamic and wide-ranging operations in Central Asia — a region of more than 80 mln people undergoing rapid economic and demographic transformation,» Benhassine said.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev discussed key international and regional issues with Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev during his recent visit to Baku, according to the Azerbaijani news agency Azertag.

«We touched on all matters — international, regional, bilateral and sensitive ones — because in today’s turbulent world it is important to consult and exchange views,» Mirziyoyev told journalists.

He highlighted the alignment of positions between Tashkent and Baku on several serious issues, noting that both countries intend to promote these shared views across international platforms.

The two leaders also discussed closer cooperation...