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On February 24, the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Oman, Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, to discuss the future of bilateral relations and ways to expand cooperation in key sectors.

Expansion of trade and investment cooperation

During the meeting, the Omani minister conveyed a personal message and warm greetings from Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said to President Mirziyoyev. The two leaders focused on strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, especially in the fields of trade, economy, and investment. Both parties acknowledged the growing number of joint ventures...

On February 21, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree to further develop the country’s housing and mortgage market. The decree outlines plans to construct 135,000 apartments across various regions, totaling 8.1 mln square meters of living space.

Additionally, subsidies for mortgage loans will increase by 1.5 times. The state will allocate UZS 2.5 trln ($222.2 mln) from the national budget to cover part of the down payment and interest payments for mortgages.

The government will also provide UZS 20.9 trln ($1.85 bn) in mortgage loans to support the housing market. To help construction companies, UZS 700 bn...

Uzbekistan’s national pavilion at the 19th International Architectural Exhibition, Venice Biennale, will be presented by the Institute of Materials Science (formerly known as the Sun Heliocomplex), as announced by the Foundation for the Development of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan.

The theme of the upcoming exhibition will explore the concepts of Intelligence, Natural, Artificial and Collective. The Uzbek pavilion is titled A Matter of Radiance and aims to highlight the study of modernist architecture in the republic.

The national pavilion will be curated by Ekaterina Golovatyuk and Giacomo Cantoni from the GRACE architectural studio.

The Institute of Materials Science, established...

On the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Union (EU) adopted its 16th package of economic and individual sanctions. The new package focuses on vital sectors of the Russian economy, further weakening its capacity to sustain the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. A significant portion of these measures targets entities and individuals in Central Asia, including Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, that support Russia’s military and industrial complex.

Entities supporting Russia’s military in Central Asia

The EU’s 16th sanctions package includes 53 new listings, consisting of 48 individuals and 35 entities, primarily focused on those undermining Ukraine’s...

Uzbekistan has agreed to lower the cost of its electricity export project to Afghanistan by $30 mln. Originally valued at $252 mln, the project now stands at $222 mln, following negotiations between the two countries. The initiative involves the transmission of 500 kV electricity from Uzbekistan to the Dashti Alwan area in Afghanistan.

This decision was confirmed by Nuruddin Azizi, the Afghan Minister of Commerce, who stated that the primary objective of the talks was to establish a balance between the import and export of goods and services between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.

Beyond the electricity deal, Uzbekistan pledged...

Electricity demand across Eurasia increased by 4% in 2024, driven by population growth and economic development. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that, excluding Kazakhstan and Russia, electricity demand in Eurasian markets will continue to grow at an average annual rate of 3.7% between 2025 and 2027. 

Uzbekistan’s electricity generation rose by 4.7% in 2024. The country remains predominantly reliant on gas but is actively diversifying its energy mix by investing in renewable energy. The government aims to increase wind and solar power generation capacity to 20 GW by 2030. 

Turkmenistan’s energy sector expanded in 2024, increasing electricity exports...

Tajikistan’s mining sector has experienced notable growth, with the total value of production in the industry reaching TJS 13.3 bn (approximately $1.2 bn) in 2024. According to data from the Statistical Agency of Tajikistan, industrial production in the country saw a substantial 43% increase compared to 2023.

The mining industry’s performance was particularly strong, with several key sectors showing impressive increases. Coal production, including both hard coal and lignite, grew by 20%. In addition, metal ores production saw a significant 1.5-fold rise, and other mineral production increased by 20.9% compared to the previous year.

Overall, Tajikistan’s industrial output reached...

Uzbek gymnast Oksana Chusovitina, renowned for her remarkable career, recently added another achievement to her long list of accolades. At the 2025 World Cup stage in Cottbus, Germany, the 50-year-old athlete secured a bronze medal in the vault event, earning a score of 13.249 points.

Oksana Chusovitina began her gymnastics career in 1982 and quickly rose to prominence. In 1991, she secured the all-around title at the USSR National Championships in the junior division. The following year, she won the floor exercise at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships and placed second on the vault. In 1992, competing for the...

S&P Global Ratings has confirmed Kazakhstan’s long-term sovereign credit rating at ‘BBB-‘ and its short-term rating at ‘A-3,’ with a stable outlook. This rating reflects Kazakhstan’s strong financial position, which helps protect the country from external challenges.

The stable outlook indicates that while Kazakhstan faces some fiscal challenges, such as higher government spending and interest costs, these risks are manageable due to ongoing reforms and the country’s strong financial assets.

However, S&P cautioned that Kazakhstan’s growing domestic debt and reliance on the National Fund to cover budget gaps may strain its finances in the future. The National Fund, which...

Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover for January 2025 stood at $4.5 bn, reflecting a 7.1% increase compared to January 2024. Exports from Uzbekistan reached $1.31 bn, marking a 14.1% increase y/y. Imports totaled $3.2 bn, an increase of 4.4%, resulting in a negative trade balance of $1.89 bn, as imports continued to exceed exports.

Who were Uzbekistan’s key trade partners

The country’s main trade partners in January 2025 were China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Germany. China made up 22.1% of the total trade turnover, followed by Russia at 17.7% and Kazakhstan at 7%. Other significant partners included Turkey...

Saudi Arabia donated a fragment of Kiswa, the cloth that covers the holy Kaaba, to the Centre for Islamic Civilisation in Uzbekistan.

Tawfiq bin Fawzan al-Rabia, the Minister of Hajj and Umrah Affairs, presented the donation to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on behalf of King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud during his visit to Uzbekistan.

The Kiswah is a black silk covering for the Kaaba in Mecca, adorned with embroidered gold verses from the Quran. It is replaced annually on the day of Hajj, known as the Feast of Arafah, and is traditionally manufactured in a specialised workshop in Saudi Arabia.

Uzbekistan plans to establish a free economic zone along its border with Afghanistan. This zone will include facilities for processing pine nuts and cotton, as well as food production, packaging and logistics centers.

The announcement was made by Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Zhamshid Khodjaev during a meeting with a Taliban delegation, which was headed by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economy of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. This information was reported on the Taliban administration’s website.

Uzbek investors are also prepared to invest in the construction of a cement plant in Samangan Province, along with mineral...

Uzbekistan and the Russian Republic of Mari El have agreed to cooperate in trade and tourism, according to the head of the region, Yuri Zaitsev.

The day prior, Zaitsev met with Uzbekistan’s ambassador to Russia, Botirjon Asadov.

“There is significant potential for strengthening our ties. Together with Botirjon Zakirovich, we have agreed to assist business representatives in increasing trade turnover,” the Mari El leader mentioned on his Telegram channel.

He also noted that Uzbekistan and Mari El collaborate in the economic, educational, and cultural sectors.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reported that last year, Uzbekistan became one...

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have signed an agreement on the delimitation of their state border. The document was signed in Bishkek.

This treaty also includes intergovernmental agreements related to energy facilities, water resources, road communications and the construction of new highways.

Border disputes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have persisted since the collapse of the USSR. Currently, only half of the 984 kilometers of their shared border is officially defined. In recent decades, there have been over 230 documented cases of armed clashes in the region. In 2022, an escalation of conflict led to the evacuation of approximately 140,000 people.

In...

Uzbekistan is implementing stricter fines for speeding violations, as per a law signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Under the new regulations, if a driver exceeds the speed limit by 20 to 40 km/h, the fine will be five basic calculation units, amounting to 1,875,000 UZS/145.05 US Dollars (at today’s exchange rate). If the driver exceeds the speed limit by 40 to 60 km/h, the fine will increase to nine basic calculation units, totalling 3,375,000 UZS/261.1 US Dollars. For speeds exceeding the limit by more than 60 km/h, the fine will be 15 basic calculation units, which equals 5,625,000 UZS/435.1 US Dollars.

It...

Bakhodir Kurbonov, the Chairman of the State Security Service, has been appointed as the president of the Uzbekistan Football Association, according to the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan.

This appointment took place during an extraordinary selection congress attended by Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov.

Kurbonov expressed his commitment to creating conditions that will help the national football team secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup.

He emphasised, “We have big goals ahead of us. Our national team will soon participate in crucial matches of the World Cup qualifying round. Securing a place in the World...

Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Company (NMMC) plays a key role in Uzbekistan’s efforts to expand its green spaces as part of the national Yashil Makon initiative. This project aims to increase urban greenery by planting 200 mln trees annually, boosting green coverage from 8% to 30%. NMMC’s involvement in this significant environmental initiative helps support the government’s push toward a greener and more sustainable future.

NMMC’s contributions to tree planting and environmental rehabilitation

In 2024, NMMC successfully planted 460,000 seedlings, contributing to the broader goal of improving Uzbekistan’s environmental landscape. One of the key achievements includes the planting...

Kazakhstan’s oil production has reached a new peak, with daily output surpassing 2.12 mln barrels per day as of February 19. Despite facing significant challenges due to disruptions in its primary export route, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), the country has managed to maintain and even increase production levels. This growth in output is attributed to enhanced production at key oilfields, notably the Tengiz oilfield, operated by Tengizchevroil, a joint venture led by Chevron Corp.

Kazakhstan relies heavily on the CPC, which accounts for over 80% of its oil exports. However, Russia recently reported a 30-40% reduction in the...

Uzbekistan will provide each World War II veteran, including those with disabilities, $10,000 (approximately UZS 118 mln) as part of the Victory Day celebrations on May 9, also known as the Day of Remembrance and Honor. The announcement was made in a decree signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

In addition to veterans, citizens recognized as equivalent to WWII veterans will receive UZS 25 mln (around $1,930). Wartime workers from 1941-1945 will be given UZS 3 mln (roughly $230) by May 9. These payments will be fully funded by the national budget.

Uzbekistan has a long-standing tradition of honoring its...

Qanot Sharq, Uzbekistan’s first privately-operated airline, secured a long-term lease for five new Airbus A321neo aircraft from U.S.-based Air Lease Corporation. The deliveries are scheduled for 2026 and 2027.

The order includes two A321-200neo LRs with extended range and three A321-200neo XLRs, the ultra-long-range version. With a range of 8,700 km, the A321neo XLR offers 2,300 km more than the standard model. As the first airline in Central Asia to acquire this variant, Qanot Sharq takes a significant step in fleet modernization, with the XLR certified in summer 2024.

These aircraft will support Qanot Sharq’s expansion into new routes across...

Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Ismatulla Irgashev, Special Representative of Uzbekistan’s President for Afghanistan, met with Jonathan Henick, the US Ambassador to Uzbekistan. They discussed Afghanistan’s future and the importance of regular talks to resolve its challenges. Both sides emphasized their shared interest in supporting international efforts to improve Afghanistan’s situation.

Both countries agreed on the need for continued cooperation to address Afghanistan’s issues. Political analysts, such as Jannat Fahim Chakari, highlighted the importance of strong regional partners like Uzbekistan and China advocating for Afghanistan.

He noted, «The more influential the lobby...

Uzbekistan completed its first digital substation, the Zafarabad 220kV Digital Substation, located in Jizzakh Province. Built by Shanghai Electric, the substation covers 75,000 square meters and is designed to improve power supply in eastern Uzbekistan. With a capacity of 400 MW, it will double the power supply to the Jizzakh region, ensuring more stable electricity delivery to both industrial and residential areas.

For years, Uzbekistan faced challenges with natural gas and electricity shortages. The Zafarabad substation is set to address these issues, supporting the region’s growing energy demand. The substation includes 250 MVA auto-transformers made by Shanghai Electric, which...

Uzbekistan ranks 34th out of 164 countries in the world regarding water scarcity, according to data from the World Resources Institute (WRI). This situation poses significant water management challenges, especially in rural and remote areas with limited access to clean drinking water.

The high level of water stress necessitates innovative solutions to manage and improve the efficiency of this vital resource to prevent depletion and pollution. In this context, projects to enhance water supply are crucial for the country’s socio-economic development and adaptation to climate change.

Coca-Cola, the largest beverage producer globally, is actively working to reduce water consumption at...

Kazakhstan is set to open its first external sea terminal in Poti, Georgia, in April 2025. The $30 mln project has been in development for two years and aims to handle 120,000 containers annually. This terminal will strengthen Kazakhstan’s role as a transit hub in Central Asia.

The terminal is located at the Poti port, which has over 20 berthing cranes and 17 kilometers of railway tracks. This infrastructure will improve Kazakhstan’s position in logistics and trade, facilitating smoother cargo movements across borders. The terminal will also support the transport corridor linking Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and the Black Sea...