News

Earlier OSINT’s analyst Oliver Alexander raised these assumptions.

The claims of a plane being shot down near Aktau have no basis said Maulen Ashimbayev, Speaker of Kazakhstan’s Senate, speaking to journalists in Astana, according to TASS.

Ashimbayev stated that certain individuals are using such allegations for personal gain. He called the spread of such statements unethical and incorrect.

Kanat Bozumbayev, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister, stressed it is too early to draw conclusions about the damage to the plane. He noted that appropriate expert assessments would take place as part of the ongoing criminal investigation.

«I am not in a...

The Central Bank of Turkey reduced its key interest rate by 250 basis points, bringing it down from 50% to 47.5% annually. This marks the first rate cut in two years.

The reduction exceeded analysts’ expectations. A Bloomberg survey showed most experts predicted the rate would drop to 48.25%.

JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank anticipated a smaller cut of 150 basis points. Citigroup and Bank of America however correctly forecasted the rate reduction to 47.5%.

Uzbekistan has removed excise taxes on mobile communication services. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the law approving the changes.

The law offers temporary tax breaks to the IT sector and the publishing and printing industries.

Entrepreneurs can claim incentives for hiring students, young professionals, and individuals from low-income families.

From next year businesses adopting alternative energy sources will receive partial tax exemptions.

At the same time, the law eliminates profit and turnover tax benefits for export-oriented enterprises. This adjustment supports Uzbekistan’s preparation for WTO membership.

Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented on the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash in Kazakhstan. The statement was shared on the Telegram channel of Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov.

«We are deeply saddened by the tragic crash in Aktau (…). On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims during this difficult time,» the statement said.

Saidov also wished a swift recovery to those injured.

The previous day an Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashed in Aktau. It had been flying from Baku to Grozny but was diverted to an...

In the first ten months of 2024, Kyrgyzstan boosted its petrol exports to Uzbekistan by 95% increasing from $1.3 mn to $2.7 mn. Tazabek reported citing the National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan.

From January to October Kyrgyzstan sold nearly 5.8 mn litres of petrol to Uzbekistan, with an average price of 45 cents per litre.

Kyrgyzstan’s petrol exports to Afghanistan also surged by 90 times reaching $28.5 mn. During the same period Kyrgyzstan sold almost 62 mn litres of petrol to Afghanistan at an average price of 46 cents per litre.

Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Economics and Finance will receive UZS 96 trillion from the national budget for 2025, according to the relevant law.

The ministry will direct UZS 18.5 trillion to the Pension Fund. Another UZS 2.8 trillion will go to the Fund for Financing Educational Loans.

The ministry will also distribute UZS 18.4 trillion in regulatory transfers to local budgets. It will allocate UZS 15.1 trillion for redistributable funds.

In addition, the ministry will channel UZS 2.5 trillion to housing programmes for Uzbek citizens and UZS 9.1 trillion to development programmes.

The Asian Weightlifting Championships for juniors and youth wrapped up in Qatar, with Uzbekistan’s teams claiming 44 medals, the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Uzbekistan reports.

Uzbek athletes secured 17 gold, 17 silver, and 10 bronze medals.

On the final day of the competition, Omadillo Olimov triumphed with three gold medals in the junior +102 kg category. He also earned three bronze medals in the youth competition.

From January to November 2024 Uzbekistan imported 3.8 mn mobile phones worth $346.5 mn, the State Statistics Agency reports.

China supplied 3.1 mn devices securing the top position. Vietnam came second with 535,500 units followed by India with 110,700 units.

Uzbekistan plans to increase state budget expenditures to UZS 400 trillion by 2027, a 43% rise compared to 2024. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the budget law approving these changes.

The government expects state budget expenditures to grow to UZS 344 trillion by 2026. Revenues are projected to reach UZS 354 trillion in 2026 and UZS 406 trillion in 2027.

Consolidated budget expenditures will rise to UZS 552 trillion in 2026 and UZS 629 trillion in 2027. Revenues will increase to UZS 496 trillion and UZS 565 trillion over the same period. The consolidated budget deficit should remain stable at...

Following a fire at a farm in the Yelabuga District of Tatarstan which killed six people authorities opened a criminal case, according to the Regional Investigative Committee (SK).

Investigators are pursuing charges under four articles of the Criminal Code: causing death by negligence, negligence, organising illegal migration, and providing unsafe services.

The fire broke out on the night of December 24 in a workers’ barrack. Thirty-nine people were inside when the blaze started. Six workers died, five of whom were from Uzbekistan. Authorities believe a faulty electrical appliance may have caused the fire.

Staff from the Uzbek Consulate General in...

The Russian development group Etalon launched an IT service in Uzbekistan for property management companies, TASS reports.

The service is a mobile app that enables property managers to communicate with residents of the buildings they oversee. The app has been tailored to meet the needs of Uzbekistan.

This is the first time the company has introduced the service in the CIS. Etalon also plans to expand into other countries in the region.

On the night of 24–25 December, worshippers gathered at the Roman Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Tashkent to celebrate Christmas. Kursiv Uzbekistan captured the religious ceremony in a photo report.

Uzbekistan’s automotive industry will get a new development strategy with the help of the international consulting firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG), as reported by the corporate data portal.

The Board of Directors of Uzavtosanoat approved the initiative on December 12.

The Centre for Comprehensive Expertise of Projects and Import Contracts will review the decision.

BCG, founded in 1963 by American entrepreneur Bruce Henderson, is part of the «Big Three» consulting firms alongside McKinsey & Company and Bain & Company.

BCG has been operating in Uzbekistan since 2022.

Uzbekistan plans to allocate 41 trillion soum to its healthcare sector in 2025. These funds will be used to establish and equip new hospitals, expand existing facilities, and increase the coverage of preventive medical check-ups. This announcement was made during a meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Turkish experts conducted research on healthcare facilities in six regions of the country. Based on their findings, proposals are being developed to reform primary healthcare services. Officials have been instructed to draft a plan for changes in primary care.

Additionally, next year salaries for medical workers will increase, and family doctors will...

Trade between Uzbekistan and China dropped by 3.3% to $12.34bn in 2024, according to the Telegram channel Balbatas.

Meanwhile, trade turnover between China and Central Asian countries grew by 5.9%, reaching $85.58bn in the first 11 months of the year.

Kazakhstan boosted trade with China by 8.7% to $40.07bn. Kyrgyzstan recorded an 11% rise, bringing the total to $19.86bn. Turkmenistan saw modest growth of 0.4%, reaching $9.76bn. In contrast, Tajikistan’s trade fell by 1.6% to $3.55bn.

The Tatar company Kukmara, which specialises in cookware production, plans to establish a new plant in the Tashkent region of Uzbekistan. This was announced by Oleg Korobchenko, the Minister of Industry and Trade of Tatarstan.

According to the minister, launching the plant will be a significant step for Kukmara to enter the Uzbek market, though the timeline for the project has not been disclosed.

Kukmara is a brand known for manufacturing kitchen utensils and household goods, with its factory located in the town of Kukmor in Tatarstan, Russia. The company exports its cookware to various countries, including Uzbekistan.

Plans are underway to build a waste processing plant in Yangiyul. An agreement for the project was signed between Khokim Ravshan Raimov and representatives from Beijing China Science Runyu Technology Environmental Co. Ltd.

The new plant is expected to create over 250 jobs and serve Yangiyul and the neighbouring districts of Kuyichirchik, Akkurgan and China.

A working group has been established, and a feasibility study is underway. The project will include delivering 100 units of waste transport equipment and initiating construction and installation work.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that the cookware manufacturer Kukmara plans to open a factory...

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced that it will provide a loan of $66.4 mln for the construction of a power transmission line in Uzbekistan, according to a statement from the financial institution.

The loan will be received by the National Electric Networks of Uzbekistan. The transmission line will span 230 kilometers, connecting the settlements of Sarimai in the Khorezm Oblast and Muruntau in the Navoi Region. This project is expected to reduce the frequency of power outages in the area.

Furthermore, the construction of the transmission line will facilitate the integration of renewable energy...

According to the Statistical Agency of Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan exported textiles worth $2.6 bn to foreign countries from January to November 2024. This figure represents a 6.4% decline compared to last year’s period.

The country’s primary export was yarn, totalling $1.1 bn, followed by finished textiles at $1 bn and knitwear at $271.4 mn.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that the British company FashionNet is willing to help Uzbek textile manufacturers promote their products.

The government has announced the establishment of an aircraft repair center at Aktau airport, aiming to transform it into a central aviation hub for Central Asia, according to Kazakhstan’s Transport Minister Marat Karabayev during a parliamentary session.

This center will service civil and military aircraft from Central Asia and Russia. The project is expected to increase the annual turnover of the Aktau air harbour to KZT 520 bn (approximately $992 mln).

In addition to constructing the repair center, the airport’s infrastructure will also be upgraded. Plans include building a refuelling complex and enhancing the runways, enabling the air harbour...

The number of operating cryptocurrency shops in Uzbekistan has decreased from seven to six, as reported by Kursiv Uzbekistan.

At the end of October this year, the National Agency for Prospective Projects (NAPP) revoked the license of Crypto Trade Net. The agency informed Kursiv Uzbekistan that Crypto Trade Net had requested the cancellation of its license.

According to the USREO, Crypto Trade Net was established in September 2019 and is based in Navoi. As of December 24, 99.9% of the company’s shares belong to Crypto Express, while Khurshid Aripov holds 0.1%.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that in early July...

China is planning to issue a record amount of treasury bonds totalling three trillion yuan (approximately $411 bn for 2025, according to sources from Reuters.

The funds will be allocated to stimulate the economy and boost domestic demand. The government intends to expand consumption subsidy programs, support industrial modernization and recapitalise major banks.

The biggest assistance will be directed toward companies involved in semiconductor production, electric vehicle assembly and infrastructure development.

Chinese authorities anticipate that these unprecedented financial injections will help combat deflation and the stagnation of domestic demand. They aim to partially mitigate the potential impact of a...

Uzbekistan has approved a strategy for developing its public procurement system through 2027. The relevant decree from the country’s President has been published, as the Ministry of Justice reported.

The document outlines plans to expand the use of digital technologies and promote “green” public procurement practices. It aims to introduce new tools for monitoring, analysing, and ensuring compliance with the contracts of participating organisations.

Additionally, the authorities intend to encourage more entrepreneurs to engage in public procurement. Work will continue on legal documents that regulate this area.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Uzbekistan is ready to establish a...

On December 24, the dollar exchange rate at currency exchanges in Uzbekistan increased by 7.8 soums, reaching approximately 12,909.80 soums. The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has set the exchange rate for the US dollar at this same level.

The dollar is being purchased for 12,840 to 12,865 soums at bank exchange offices and sold for 12,905 to 12,965 soums.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that by 2027, the volume of remittances to Uzbekistan is expected to reach $20 bn.