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By the end of 2024, Uzbekistan’s poverty rate declined from 11% to 8.9%, according to the press service of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, citing a joint study with the World Bank.

As a result, the number of people living below the poverty line decreased by 719,000, reaching 3.3 mn.

The most significant reduction in poverty was recorded in Bukhara region, where the rate fell from 11.8% to 8.7%. In Samarkand region, it dropped from 10.5% to 7.5%, in Namangan region from 10.4% to 7.6%, and in Karakalpakstanfrom 13.6% to 10.8%.

Meanwhile, real household incomes grew by 10.7%, averaging UZS 2.1 mn per...

Businessman Elon Musk, recently appointed as the head of the U.S. Government Efficiency Department, claimed that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been funding bioweapons research.

“Did you know that USAID, using your tax dollars, funded bioweapons research, including COVID-19, which killed millions of people?” Musk wrote on his social media page on X.

Musk also shared a post from a user with the handle KanekoaTheGreat, who alleged links between USAID, EcoHealth Alliance, and the Wuhan lab.

Officials from Uzbekistan and Jordan have signed two cooperation agreements, one of which establishes a visa-free regime for diplomatic passport holders, Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov announced.

The Uzbek foreign minister met with Jordan’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, to discuss bilateral relations.

In addition to the visa exemption for diplomats, both sides signed a cooperation programme between their foreign ministries.

Saidov highlighted the significant potential for cooperation between the two countries, particularly in tourism, economic ties, and sister-city partnerships.

Since the beginning of 2025, Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov’s wealth has increased to $17.5 bn, TASS reported, citing Bloomberg.

In just one month, the Uzbek-born entrepreneur added over $2.7 bn to his fortune.

As of June 27, 2024, Usmanov’s wealth stood at $13.4 bn. In Forbes’ ranking of 125 Russian billionaires, he held the ninth position.

Usmanov owns shares in Metalloinvest, MegaFon, and the Udokan Copper enterprise.

Trend, citing the European Commission, reported that the European Union has announced a grant of 8.8 million euros for a project aimed at land restoration in the Aral Sea region.

The project will focus on creating protective green belts, where plants that can withstand arid climates and saline soils will be planted in the former seabed. A portion of the funding will also support the cultivation of trees and fodder crops and finance the activities of the Forestry Agency of Uzbekistan.

These initiatives are designed to gradually restore degraded lands and improve the socio-economic and environmental conditions in Karakalpakstan...

In 2024, Uzbekistan exported 6,400 tonnes of pepper, generating $8.9 mn, according to the country’s Statistics Agency.

Kazakhstan remained the largest buyer, importing 2,300 tonnes of Uzbek pepper. Kyrgyzstan and Russia followed, purchasing 1,400 tonnes and 835 tonnes, respectively.

Uzbekistan’s total fruit and vegetable exports reached 2 mn tonnes last year, marking a 15.8% increase compared to the previous year.

Starting in May 2025, Uzbekistan will allow products and services to be labelled with the Halal certification mark, according to a resolution issued by the country’s Cabinet of Ministers.

To receive this certification, products and services must comply with the standards of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC).

Additionally, Uzbekistan will establish certification bodies and a national standard for the Halal label.

The Uzbekistan Agency for Technical Regulation and the Committee on Religious Affairs will oversee the accreditation of certification bodies.

Donald Trump has once again called on Canada to become part of the United States, arguing that such a move would exempt the country from newly imposed U.S. tariffs. The American president made the statement on his social media platform, Truth Social.

Trump highlighted the lower tax rates and strong military as key advantages of the U.S. over its northern neighbour. He also claimed that American subsidies to the Canadian economy amount to hundreds of billions of dollars.

This is not the first time Trump has made such a proposal. He initially suggested Canada become the 51st state of...

Between March 20 and December 20б 2024, Uzbekistan purchased Iranian oil worth $292 mn, according to Trend, citing data from Iran’s Customs Administration. Oil supplies to Uzbekistan increased by 18% y/y.

In volume terms, oil imports to Uzbekistan grew by 14%, rising from 364,000 to 414,000 tonnes.

Beyond crude oil, Iran also exported petrochemical products, foodstuffs, pipes, agricultural machinery, and other goods to Uzbekistan. The total trade turnover between the two countries during this period amounted to $358 mn.

According to Uzbekistan’s Statistics Agency, total trade turnover with Iran for the year 2024 reached $497 mn.

Tashkent’s Humo ice hockey team secured a 3-1 victory over Kazakhstan’s Nomad on February 1, Kursiv Uzbekistan reports.

The match took place at the Humo Arena in the capital, attracting over 5,700 spectators, setting a new attendance record for the ice rink.

In the first period, Nomad’s Ali Kassenov scored against the Tashkent team. However, Humo quickly equalised, with Denis Ludtsev netting the first goal for Tashkent.

In the second period, Andrei Pavlenko scored again for Humo. Later, Vyacheslav Litovchenko extended the team’s lead with a third goal.

Following the game, the traditional Mishkopad event took place, where spectators threw soft toys onto the ice. These will be distributed to sick...

A Centrum Air aircraft experienced an engine oil leak while operating a flight from Medina to Fergana, the airline reported on its Telegram channel.

The incident occurred while the plane was flying over Turkmenistan. The crew decided to make an emergency landing in Mary, where a backup aircraft was dispatched to transport passengers to Fergana.

Engineers have resolved the oil leak issue, and the aircraft will now operate a technical flight to Tashkent.

Russia’s Ministry of Education proposed introducing penalties for migrant parents whose children fail the Russian language test and are not enrolled in educational institutions. The draft law has been published on the government’s legal acts portal.

If a migrant child fails the test and does not attend additional language courses, child welfare authorities will be notified. After assessing living conditions, these authorities will inform the Ministry of Internal Affairs and juvenile affairs commissions, potentially leading to administrative measures against the parents.

Additionally, if a child who initially passes the test later demonstrates insufficient Russian proficiency for completing the curriculum...

Apple decided to halt the development of its new augmented reality (AR) glasses, according to Bloomberg.

The glasses were designed to connect with other Apple devices, including Mac, and were expected to compete with Meta’s AR headset.

Apple has not officially commented on the reasons behind the decision. However, Bloomberg analysts suggest that the company may have struggled to create a mass-market product that would appeal to a broad consumer base.

The United States has imposed a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10% tariff on goods from China, following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, CNN reports.

Trump had pledged this move just two days earlier.

“Today, I have imposed a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada (including a 10% tariff on Canadian energy products) and an additional 10% tariff on China,” he announced on Truth Social on Saturday.

The US president cited the growing threats of drug trafficking and illegal migration as the basis for his decision, invoking...

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan has responded to a video circulating on social media that contains insulting remarks about Uzbek citizens.

In the video, a man compares migrants from Uzbekistan to dogs and refers to migrant workers as “beggars.”

Foreign Ministry spokesman Akhror Burkhanov stated that the video, which insults the Uzbek people, is a provocation.

“Such statements are unacceptable, and Uzbekistan has always defended the rights of its citizens,” the Foreign Ministry emphasised.

Upon discovering the video, the Foreign Ministry promptly contacted its counterparts in Russia. The Russian side acknowledged the video’s provocative nature and...

Starting July 1, 2025, shareholders in Uzbekistan will have two options for investing in construction projects: they can use special escrow accounts or continue with the current investment system, as stated in a decree by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. However, beginning January 1, 2026, only Escrow accounts will be permitted for such investments.

An electronic platform for construction oversight will be operational by then. Until July 1, 2025, agreements for share participation can be executed and submitted to the tax authorities electronically.

A project office will be established under the Ministry of Economy and Finance to oversee all stages...

The Electronic Pasture platform, which aims to enhance the efficient use of pasture lands, will be operational in Uzbekistan by December 1, 2025. This initiative was authorised by a decree signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

According to the decree, territorial pasture farms will be established in Karakalpakstan and Bukhara, Jizzak, Kashkadarya, Navoi, Samarkand and Surkhandarya. The Veterinary Committee will oversee the operations of these farms.

Pastures will be available for lease for up to 49 years. The Republican Commission will determine the allocation of plots to livestock and other farming operations.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that farmers will...

From January 27 to 31, Uzbekistan conducted large-scale anti-terrorist operations, during which 42 criminal groups were dismantled. The State Security Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs carried out the raids.

A total of 946 special operations were executed. As a result, criminal cases were initiated against 418 individuals suspected of planning serious crimes. A total of 169 suspects were detained, while 399 people were held administratively accountable, with 270 currently in custody. Additionally, 109 previously wanted individuals were apprehended.

Officers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs engaged in preventive discussions with 536 citizens, and 402 individuals received official...

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev made the decision to dissolve the Committee for the Development of the Silk and Wool Industry in Uzbekistan and redistribute its functions among other government departments.

Pasture management will be transferred to the Committee on Veterinary and Livestock Development. The Ministry of Agriculture and the Uzbekkipaksanoat Association will take responsibility for cocoon cultivation and silk breeding.

The Research Institute for Karakul Breeding and Desert Ecology and the Bukhara Center for Seed Production of Desert Plants will be integrated into the Committee on Veterinary Medicine. The Silk and Natural Fiber Institutes will be transferred to the...

Bakhtiyor Ibragimov has become Uzbekistan’s first ambassador to Albania, residing in Vienna. He recently presented his credentials to Albanian President Bairam Begay.

Following the official ceremony, the two sides engaged in discussions regarding enhancing cooperation between their countries. They explored potential projects in various sectors, including trade, economy, culture and tourism.

Ibragimov was accredited in Austria in 2023 and serves as Uzbekistan’s representative in several international organizations based in Vienna.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Uzbek Ambassador Gairat Fazilov presented his credentials to Crown Grand Duke Guillaume (Wilhelm) of Luxembourg.

According to reports from Sport Business journalists, the inaugural cybersport Olympics may be postponed to 2027.

Initially scheduled in Riyadh in November 2025, potential participants have expressed concerns due to the lack of specific competition dates. The event’s official name remains undisclosed, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has yet to approve the rules for athlete selection.

This event was intended to be the world’s premier cybersports competition. Saudi Arabia secured the rights to host the event until 2037, with Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Saud highlighting the kingdom’s aspirations to become the global hub for cybersports.

It has...

Lithuania plans to employ 200 Uzbeks, training them to become drivers and car mechanics, according to the Uzbek Migration Agency.

The agency has signed a memorandum with the Confederation of Industrialists of Lithuania to facilitate the employment of Uzbek citizens. To support this initiative, training centers will be established in Uzbekistan in collaboration with Lithuanian companies Girteka and TVG Groupe.

Founded in 1996, Girteka Group specializes in cargo transportation across Europe and operates a fleet of 4,000 trucks.

Established in 1992, TVG Groupe provides food and various cargo delivery services.

Previously, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that Girteka Group intends...

Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are discussing the possibility of allowing citizens to enter using ID cards instead of passports, according to the Dunyo news agency.

This issue was addressed during an online meeting between representatives of the two countries. Participants noted that permitting entry with ID cards could help strengthen trade and economic ties between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

It’s worth mentioning that citizens of Uzbekistan can visit 32 countries without a visa, while 45 countries issue visas on arrival. Entry permits are required for 121 countries.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Uzbeks can travel to China without a...

As of September 2024, Uzbekistan’s pharmaceutical market reached 20.3 trillion soums, reflecting an annual growth rate of 13%, according to data from the pharmaceutical company STADA.

Notably, 98% of drug sales in the country occur in retail, with prescription drugs making up 70% of those sales.

As reported by Proxima Research, in September of the previous year, the leading companies in the Uzbek pharmaceutical market included KRKA, with a 3.5% market share, Stada, with 3.1%, and Yuria-Pharm, with 3%. The residents of Tashkent spent the most on medicines, accounting for 31.4% of all drug sales in the country.

The...