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The administration of President Donald Trump has instructed US embassies and consulates to suspend interviews for student visa applicants, according to Politico, citing a directive from the State Department.

The suspension comes as Washington prepares to introduce stricter screening procedures, including the review of applicants’ social media activity. Politico notes that the measure could significantly impact US universities, many of which rely on international students for both academic and financial sustainability.

Previously, US authorities had monitored social media accounts of students suspected of participating in protests against Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

The move coincides with the peak period for university admissions...

17 international IT companies will open offices in Uzbekistan and join the country’s IT Park following the Tochka Rosta international forum held in Tashkent, the Ministry of Digital Technologies announced.

Five companies have already registered their legal entities through the forum’s one-stop platform. Another 12 firms are expected to complete registration and apply for resident status in the coming weeks.

Held from May 21 to 23 in the Uzbek capital, the forum brought together representatives from more than 160 foreign tech companies, digital agencies, game developers, and creative studios.

The event opened with speeches by Deputy Minister of...

The volume of market services in Uzbekistan reached over UZS 290.3 trillion ($22.4 bn) in January–April 2025, according to the State Statistics Committee.

Compared to the same period last year, the figure increased by UZS 57.4 trillion ($4.4 bn), marking a 12.6% annual growth.

As of early May, the per capita volume of market services stood at UZS 7.7 mln ($595), showing a 10.4% increase year-on-year.

Small businesses accounted for 54.5% of all services provided across the country.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported on trends in Uzbekistan’s education services market.

Protasco Berhad, a Malaysian company, has expressed readiness to support Uzbekistan in developing a digital database on the condition of its roads. Uzbekistan’s Ambassador, Karomiddin Gadoev, discussed the initiative with Chong Ther Vern, Executive Director of Protasco Berhad, and Mohd Fauzi bin Yakob, Director of its subsidiary HCM Engineering, according to Dunyo News Agency.

Alongside the digital platform, the Malaysian side proposed modern technologies for road repair and maintenance. They also presented a project to produce bio-bitumen — an innovative material derived from plant-based waste.

The meeting also explored the potential for launching new projects in Tashkent region. These...

Afghan investors plan to invest $5 mln in Gulistan district of Uzbekistan’s Syrdarya region, according to UzA. The projects include a bottled water plant and the construction of multi-storey residential buildings.

During a meeting with acting Hokim of Gulistan district, Olimjon Juraev, the Afghan entrepreneurs discussed their investment plans. Following the talks, local authorities allocated land for housing development in the Ahmad Yassavi mahalla and space in the small industrial zone of the Akhillik mahalla.

The current Afghan government, led by the Taliban, has expressed strong interest in economic cooperation with Uzbekistan. Kabul is ready to launch large-scale investment...

Uzbekistan hosts 11,900 foreign enterprises as of May 1, according to the State Statistics Committee.

The number of foreign-invested companies increased by 7% over the past year.

Chinese investors have opened more than 3,200 enterprises, while Russian-owned businesses total 2,100. The country also hosts 1,400 Turkish and 844 Kazakhstani firms.

Additionally, there are 4,000 joint ventures operating across Uzbekistan, the committee reported.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan published an overview of changes in business activity across the country.

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will visit Uzbekistan on May 28–29, according to a statement from the Italian government.

The official meetings between the Italian and Uzbek delegations will take place in Samarkand. The talks aim to continue the bilateral dialogue launched two years ago, when President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited Italy. That visit resulted in €9 bn worth of signed contracts. In 2024, bilateral trade between the two countries reached $438 mln.

Meloni’s visit was originally scheduled for late April 2025, but it was postponed following the death and funeral of Pope Francis.

The delay also affected...

Uzbekistan will raise the volume of gold offered on the commodity exchange from 6 to 8 tonnes this year, making more raw material available to local jewellery producers. The decision was announced at an industry development meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

According to the president, jewellery centres have opened in Tashkent, Andijan, and Khiva. Six more are expected to open by the end of the year.

He also stressed the need for greater order and transparency in the sector. To support this, the State Tax Committee and the Prosecutor General’s Office will tighten oversight of the jewellery...

Uzbek and Pakistani companies have agreed to jointly manufacture tractors and other agricultural machinery, according to the Dunyo news agency.

The agreement was reached during a visit by Uzbekistan’s AgroTech Klaster to Lahore, where the delegation reviewed equipment and technologies developed by Pakistani manufacturers.

The Uzbek side also explored marketing methods used in Pakistan’s agricultural machinery sector.

The two parties agreed to:

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that Tulpor tractors will be produced in the Fergana region.

The Central Asia-Italy summit will take place on May 30 in Astana, bringing together the heads of Central Asian states and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The announcement came from the press service of the President of Kazakhstan.

The summit was originally scheduled for late April, and Prime Minister Meloni had planned a visit to Uzbekistan as part of the trip. However, she cancelled due to the passing of Pope Francis.

Looking ahead, Central Asian nations are expected to hold a summit with China this summer, followed by the Central Asia–Russia summit in Dushanbe this autumn.

Kursiv Uzbekistan previously...

The administration of US President Donald Trump has revoked Harvard University’s authorisation to admit foreign students, according to The New York Times.

The decision marks another escalation in the standoff between the White House and the university’s leadership. Foreign student admissions have long been a major source of funding for Harvard.

In the last academic year, international students made up 27% of the university’s total enrolment.

«These retaliatory actions threaten to inflict serious harm on the Harvard community and our country as a whole, and they undermine Harvard’s academic and research mission,» said Jason...

Saidа Mirziyoyeva, Assistant to the President of Uzbekistan, stated that the updated credit rating outlook by S&P reflects growing international confidence in the country’s reform agenda.

«Thanks to the efforts of the Head of State, Uzbekistan has become more attractive to foreign investors, which supports economic growth and directly improves citizens’ quality of life,» she noted.

Mirziyoyeva also added that, as the head of the working group on improving the country’s credit rating, she would continue efforts to further strengthen this indicator.

On May 23, S&P Global Ratings revised Uzbekistan’s sovereign...

Egypt will invest $660 mln in Karakalpakstan, according to the Dunyo news agency. The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic signed five memorandums of understanding with Bell Energy and its partner companies.

The agreements were signed during a meeting between Amanbay Orynbaev, Chairperson of the Jokargy Kenes (Parliament) of Karakalpakstan, and Haitham Hussein, Chairman of Bell Energy.

Under the deal, Bell Energy will implement several projects in the region, including waste-to-energy electricity generation, the construction of underground oil storage facilities, and the development of the Kairaktas gold deposit.

In addition, the Egyptian company plans to establish bamboo plantations in Karakalpakstan...

On May 29-30, Tashkent and Samarkand will host the Days of Russian Culture, according to Russia’s Ministry of Culture.

Audiences in the capital can expect live performances by Russian singer Pelageya and other artists at the Palace of International Forums on May 29.

On 30 May, the performers will take the stage at the Eternal City tourism complex in Samarkand. Alongside the concerts, visitors can explore a photo exhibition showcasing Russian architecture and natural landscapes.

In addition, from May 29 to 31, the Alisher Navoi Cinema Palace in Tashkent will screen films as part of a Russian cinema festival.

Earlier, Kursiv...

In 1Q25, 46,600 Uzbek citizens travelled to Türkiye, marking a 35.5% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the State Statistics Agency.

Most Uzbek visitors went for tourism purposes — over 35,000 people. Around 9,900 travelled to visit relatives, while 668 went for medical treatment.

As of mid-March 2025, 58,200 Uzbek citizens held residence permits in Türkiye.

Tashkent and Ankara plan to discuss joint tourism projects at the upcoming Strategic Cooperation Council.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that businesses in Uzbekistan would receive subsidies to build modular hotels.

From January to April 2025, more than 59,000 marriages were officially registered across Uzbekistan, according to the State Statistics Agency.

Samarkand region topped the list, with 6,400 couples getting married during this period.

Kashkadarya came in second, reporting over 6,300 newly formed families.

Meanwhile, Navoi and Syrdarya regions saw the lowest number of marriages.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that the country’s population is approaching 38 million.

The pavilion Garden of the Past and Future, showcasing contemporary Uzbek design, will make its debut at the London Design Biennale on June 5. Visitors will be able to explore suzani works by Madina Kasimbayeva, as well as furniture pieces by Tigran Erdman and Timur Parmanov, among others.

The pavilion is organised by Uzbekistan’s DNA Strategic Communications Agency, with the design developed by NAAW Studio from Almaty.

«The pavilion draws inspiration from the magnificent gardens that surrounded Samarkand during the reign of Amir Temur,» DNA said in a statement.

The agency also...

International ratings agency S&P Global Ratings has revised Uzbekistan’s sovereign credit rating outlook from stable to positive, while affirming the long- and short-term foreign and local currency ratings at ‘BB-/B’.

The outlook upgrade reflects the country’s robust economic growth, progress on structural reforms, including energy tariff adjustments, and the government’s commitment to fiscal consolidation.

«We expect ongoing reforms and favourable gold prices to support exports, budget revenues, and overall macroeconomic stability,» the agency stated.

Key Factors Behind Upgrade

Tajikistan’s lower house of parliament has ratified the agreement on the demarcation of the border junction with Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, TASS reports.

The presidents of the three countries signed the document in late March this year during a meeting in Khujand. Tajik President Emomali Rahmon described the deal as historic.

TASS noted that during the Soviet era, the borders between the three republics were administrative and never formally legalised.

Following the collapse of the USSR, unresolved border issues sparked recurring tensions. The most recent clash between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in 2022 claimed the lives of over 100 people on both sides.

Uzbekistan-based company Nosirxon-Muslim plans to invest in a new plastic granule production facility in Kyrgyzstan, according to the Kyrgyz Republic’s Trade Mission in Uzbekistan.

The plant will use local polyethylene waste as its primary raw material. The recycled granules will be used to manufacture composite panels.

Nosirxon-Muslim currently produces aluminium and composite panels under the Trade, Alu-Magnit, and Yasar brands. These panels are used for façade and interior finishes, public infrastructure, and advertising structures.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that China is ready to invest in cotton fibre processing plants in Surkhandarya.

Mobile technologies will add $270 bn to Eurasia’s economy by 2030. The forecast comes from GSMA’s Mobile Economy Eurasia 2025 report released this week in Tashkent. The report highlights rising smartphone adoption, 5G growth, and AI’s role in public services.

GSMA M360 Eurasia took place on May 21-22 in Tashkent, its first time in Uzbekistan.
The event gathered telecom operators, ministers, and innovators to discuss digital inclusion and infrastructure.

The summit was co-hosted by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Digital Technologies and Beeline Uzbekistan, part of VEON. Talks focused on improving regional connectivity and supporting languages often left out of AI models.

The GSMA M360 Eurasia summit, held in Uzbekistan’s Tashkent on May 21–22, gathered telecom operators, policymakers, and tech leaders from across the region. Kursiv Uzbekistan spoke with Kaan Terzioğlu, VEON Group CEO about why Uzbekistan was chosen to host the summit, how taxation impacts investment, and which technologies will define the region’s future.

Uzbekistan’s digital policy gains global recognition

— Why was Tashkent selected as the host city for M360 Eurasia this year, and what does it represent in terms of the region’s ambitions and future?

— Tashkent was selected because of the country’s clear commitment to...

Uzbekistan will introduce a new healthcare delivery model and digitise the sector under a presidential decree signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Ministry of Justice reports.

The digital transformation aims to reduce the workload on medical personnel by 30% and significantly cut the use of paper-based documentation.

Authorities also plan to increase the share of family doctors in providing healthcare to 70% across the country.

The new model will roll out in pilot districts from July 1, 2025, with full implementation scheduled in Samarkand region from January 2026.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that the country adopted a...

Uzbekistan produced just over 15 bn cubic metres of natural gas from January to April 2025, according to data from the State Statistics Committee. This marks a drop from the same period in 2024, when output exceeded 15.3 bn cubic metres.

While domestic production declined, Uzbekistan ramped up its fuel exports. As of early May this year, gas exports rose by 85%, reaching $199.7 mln. China accounted for the majority of this volume, purchasing $143 mln worth of gas.

Meanwhile, the country cut back on gas imports. Over the past year, import volumes fell to $150.5 mln.

Earlier...