News

Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and approximately 30 other companies have been fined for breaching outdoor advertising regulations in Tashkent, according to the Committee for the Development of Competition and Consumer Protection of Uzbekistan.

In January and February 2025, the committee’s metropolitan department conducted inspections and issued warnings to various companies and entrepreneurs. The agency initiated cases regarding violations of the Advertising Law and a government decree concerning outdoor advertising.

As a result, fines were imposed on these companies, and they were required to correct the violations and prevent future occurrences.

The agency did not specify the exact reasons for the penalties...

A total of 192 medical institutions across Uzbekistan now offer primary support rooms for individuals affected by violence. These facilities operate 24/7, providing immediate assistance.

Women and their underage children can seek help in these rooms with a referral from a prevention inspector or the Inson centre. They are entitled to psychological and psychotherapeutic support for up to three days.

The initiative began on June 1, 2024, in the Jizzakh, Navoi, and Khorezm regions. From October 1, these rooms have been introduced nationwide.

The recent arrest of a Tajik citizen in New York on charges of supporting the Islamic State (ISIS) has renewed discussions about terrorism-related threats linked to individuals from Tajikistan. The suspect, Mansuri Manuchekhri, 33, faces allegations of financial support for ISIS operatives in Turkey and Syria. Prosecutors state that he transferred approximately $70,000 to individuals associated with ISIS-K, including a suspect involved in a 2024 terrorist attack in Istanbul.

Authorities allege that Manuchekhri, who entered the U.S. in 2016 on a tourist visa and overstayed, later attempted to obtain legal status through a fraudulent marriage. He is also accused...

Kazakhstan plans to raise oil transit through the Aktau-Baku-Ceyhan route to 1.7 mln tons in 2025. The current volume under the agreement with Azerbaijan’s State Oil Company (SOCAR) has reached 1.4 mn tons, reflecting a 27% increase. The expansion aligns with Kazakhstan’s strategy to diversify export routes and strengthen regional energy cooperation.

The agreement between KazMunayGas (KMG) and SOCAR was signed in 2022. In March 2023, a trial shipment of 7,000 tons from the Kashagan field was transported through Azerbaijan. Since then, regular shipments have been facilitated to support Kazakhstan’s long-term export plans.

Kazakhstan transported 83.5 mn tons of...

In 2024, Uzbekistan’s consolidated budget expenditures reached UZS 433.6 tn ($33.3 bn), a 3.3% increase from UZS 381 tn ($29.3 bn) in 2023. The state budget accounted for UZS 310.9 tn ($23.9 bn) of this total, with additional funding from joint operations, extrabudgetary funds, and external borrowings.

Budget growth and deficit reduction

The consolidated budget revenues for 2024 amounted to UZS 385.8 tn ($29.7 bn), marking a 5% rise compared to UZS 321.9 tn ($24.7 bn) in 2023. Joint operations contributed UZS 40.8 tn ($3.1 bn) in 2024, up from UZS 32.4 tn ($2.4 bn) in 2023.

The...

Mobility for all

For many, Yandex is primarily known as a reliable and convenient taxi service. Its features are available to all users of the Yandex Go app, including individuals with disabilities.

“Limited mobility is a significant challenge for people with disabilities. To address this, municipal authorities are working to improve infrastructure and create barrier-free urban spaces. At Yandex, we prioritise accessibility in our services and actively contribute to fostering an inclusive environment in Uzbekistan,” said Izzat Shukurov, Head of Yandex Uzbekistan, in an interview with Kursiv.

The Yandex Go app now...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the United States to take a firmer stance in supporting Ukraine following a tense exchange with US President Donald Trump at the White House on March 1. Speaking in the United Kingdom, where he attended a European leaders’ summit, Zelensky stressed the need for continued US assistance despite what he described as a challenging dialogue with the American administration.

US-Ukraine tensions over support and security guarantees

During the White House meeting, Trump told Zelensky that Ukraine should negotiate a deal with Russia or risk losing US support. US Vice-President JD Vance...

The global electric vehicle (EV) market saw sales surpass 17 mn units in 2024, with China maintaining its position as the leading producer and exporter, Rho Motion reports. Chinese EV manufacturers continue to expand internationally, offering cost-competitive vehicles in various markets. However, access remains highly dependent on regional policies and trade restrictions.

The United States and Canada remain the only major markets without Chinese EVs. In 2024, the U.S. imposed a 100% tariff on Chinese-made EVs, followed by further restrictions banning Chinese technology in vehicles operating on U.S. roads. Canada adopted the same tariff measures, aligning with its trade relationship with the U.S. These policies have effectively blocked Chinese EVs from entering North...

Kyrgyzstan has officially become a pilot country in the Green Agriculture Initiative, marking a significant step toward sustainable agricultural development. The initiative, launched in 2022, aims to address climate change, environmental degradation, and food security challenges while promoting green technologies and resource-efficient farming practices.

Commitment to sustainable agriculture

Kyrgyzstan has already experienced a 1.12°C rise in temperature over the past 40 years, nearing the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement. If current trends continue, up to 80% of the country’s glaciers could melt by 2100, leading to severe water shortages. Additionally, unsustainable monoculture farming, pesticide overuse, and...

Over 9 mn people in Afghanistan risk losing access to healthcare and support services due to reductions in international financial aid, according to UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The funding cuts are expected to suspend hundreds of mobile medical teams and disrupt essential programs, particularly in remote areas where these teams provide critical care.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) highlighted climate change as a major factor driving displacement and the rising need for aid. IOM’s Afghanistan head, Mihyung Park, called for continued international support to prevent a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy acknowledged a decline in UN agency activities and urged that humanitarian aid remain independent of politics, emphasizing its...

Kazakhstan and China continue to strengthen their collaboration in the renewable energy sector and other key industries. During a recent meeting, Chairman of the Board of Samruk-Kazyna Nurlan Zhakupov and Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Han Chunlin discussed new opportunities for cooperation in energy, oil and gas, and logistics. The upcoming Kazakhstan-China Business Council meeting was also on the agenda.

Strategic partnerships in key sectors

Samruk-Kazyna is actively working with China’s leading corporations across various industries. Among them are China National Nuclear Corporation, China National Petroleum Corporation, and State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) in the energy sector. Huawei and...

In February of this year, Uzbekistan’s annual inflation rate was reported at 10.1%, according to the State Statistics Agency.

Throughout the year, food prices increased by 2.9%, service costs rose by 27.1% and non-food prices went up by 7.7%.

The agency also noted that prices for public utilities surged by 36.5%, healthcare services increased by 20.9% and transportation costs rose by 11%.

Specifically, the prices of meat products grew by 14.4%, vegetables by 6.1% and oils and fats by 15.9%. Conversely, prices for sugar and confectionery decreased by 18.8%.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Uzbeks anticipate an overall...

Chess players from Uzbekistan will participate in the second stage of an international chess tournament in Russia, according to TASS, which cites the organisers of the event.

In addition to players from Uzbekistan, participants will include competitors from the Middle East and other CIS countries. The prize fund for the tournament will total 2 million rubles, which is over $22,300.

The third stage of the chess tournament is scheduled for May of this year, while the final will take place in July.

The first stage of the competition was held at the end of 2024, attracting more than...

Uzbekistan footballer Abbosbek Faizullaev, who plays for CSKA Moscow in Russia, recently confirmed in an interview with Championship that German Bavaria has expressed interest in him.

He stated, “There have indeed been certain contacts with my agency, ProSports Management. They informed me that Bavaria was interested in the overall situation and some details. However, we are calm about it and understand that it doesn’t mean anything definitive yet.”

Faizullaev emphasised that his current focus remains on playing for CSKA Moscow, but he acknowledged that Bavaria would be a great opportunity.

The Uzbek player dreams of playing...

In 2024, more than 2.9 tonnes of gold and silver were traded on the Uzbek Republican Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange (URTSB), as reported by the press service of the exchange.

Out of this total, gold accounted for over 2.5 tonnes, while silver comprised 377 kg. The exchange prices for precious metals were set at 977,500 soums per gram for gold and 11,300 soums per gram for silver.

In January of this year, entrepreneurs purchased a total of 195.7 kg of gold through the exchange.

The Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Company JSC and the Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Company...

Assistant to the President of Uzbekistan, Saida Mirziyoyeva, extended her congratulations to the people of Uzbekistan on the upcoming month of Ramadan through her Telegram channel.

“May Almighty God make this holy month a time of peace, tranquillity, harmony and grace for our Motherland and for all Muslims around the world,” her message reads.

Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also congratulated his fellow citizens on the beginning of Ramadan.

Uzbekistan’s mobile operator, Perfectum, plans to establish its own Standalone 5G (SA 5G) network within the next three years, as reported by Finland’s state-owned financial company, Finnvera.

SA 5G is a type of mobile communication that operates independently, without relying on existing 4G networks.

The necessary equipment for this network will be supplied by the Finnish telecommunications company Nokia, which signed a delivery agreement in April of last year.

Nokia has emphasised that this will be the first autonomous 5G network in Central Asia, expected to significantly accelerate Uzbekistan’s digital transformation. The construction of the network is set...

At the end of February, the world witnessed a tense meeting between American President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During their discussion, the leaders exchanged mutual reproaches, and Washington and Kyiv did not reach an agreement on rare earth metals.

Kursiv Uzbekistan has compiled the opinions of foreign leaders regarding this meeting.

The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, expressed support for Ukraine through his press office. Similarly, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasised that Ukraine can count on Germany, stating, “No one desires peace more than the Ukrainians. That is why we are working toward...

In 2024, Uzbekistan’s public debt reached $40.2 bn, accounting for 35% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the Ministry of Economy and Finance reports. This development indicates a consistent upward trend in the country’s debt levels over recent years.

The external debt stands at $33.7 bn, representing 84% of the total public debt. Of this, $17.9 bn comprises fixed-rate loans, while $15.64 bn is attributed to variable-rate loans. Notably, in 2024, external borrowing reached $7.3 bn, surpassing the legally mandated cap of $5 bn.

Domestic debt experienced growth, rising from $5.9 bn to nearly $6.5 bn within the...

By the end of 2024, approximately 40% of Uzbekistan’s population did not have personal savings, according to the Central Bank of Uzbekistan surveys. This figure represents an increase from less than 35% at the end of 2023 and is the highest since the 2020 pandemic.

The rise in individuals without savings coincides with a decrease in those holding short-term reserves, specifically savings covering one to six months. Conversely, there has been an increase in residents possessing savings sufficient for more than six months, indicating growth among larger depositors.

In the first half of 2024, Uzbekistan’s banking system maintained financial...

The new storage solution is fully compatible with the S3 protocol, allowing seamless integration with existing applications and services that support this standard. This enables users to access local storage via standard APIs and utilities designed for S3 protocol interaction.

The storage is ideally suited for working with backups, archives, logs and media files. It does not require the placement or transfer of sensitive data to third-party services or storage outside Uzbekistan.

fortifAI S3 storage integrates with commonly used business backup systems, analytical tools and other applications that support the S3 protocol.

“Our customers can create...

Temu, an international e-commerce platform, has been operating in Uzbekistan since 2024. However, it may soon face restrictions. Kamronbek Mukhamadiev, head of the e-commerce development and regulation department at the National Agency for Perspective Projects (NAPP), stated that the platform has not obtained a license. It has also not taken steps to formalize its status.

In December 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers approved new regulations for e-commerce. These rules will take effect on July 1, 2025. They apply to marketplaces, order aggregators, streaming services, and self-employed individuals like couriers and taxi drivers.

The regulations require all e-commerce platforms to...

Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Afghanistan has become one of the largest sellers of military equipment, utilizing American weapons and vehicles left behind following the U.S. withdrawal. Speaking during his first Cabinet meeting of the new administration, he compared the volume of abandoned hardware to the largest used car lots in the United States.

Scale of U.S. military equipment left in Afghanistan

According to Trump, Afghanistan possesses approximately 777,000 rifles and 70,000 armored trucks and vehicles. He referenced an official report estimating that $7.12 bn worth of U.S.-funded military equipment remained in the country after the previous...

Uzbekistan scored 12 out of 100 in the Freedom in the World 2025 index by Freedom House, categorizing it as a «not free» country. Among Central Asian nations, Uzbekistan ranked third in terms of political and civil liberties.

Uzbekistan’s position in Central Asia

The country outperformed Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, which scored 5 and 1 points, respectively. Kazakhstan received 23 points, while Kyrgyzstan led the region with 26 points, maintaining its position as the most free country in Central Asia despite a decline from 39 points in 2020.

Despite its classification as «not free,» Uzbekistan has shown gradual improvement. In 2020, it scored 10 points, while in 2017, it had only 3. The report...