News

A small hydropower plant (HPP) named Zarchob-2A has commenced operations at the Tupalang reservoir cascade in the Surkhandarya region, according to a report from the regional khokimiyat.

With a design capacity of 3 MW, this power plant is expected to generate 13.3 mln kWh of clean energy annually, sufficient to supply power to 6,000 households in the area. The operation of this small HPP will also save approximately four million cubic meters of natural gas each year.

The construction of the power plant cost $3.4 mln. Another small HPP, Zarchob-1A, was launched in August 2024, and work is...

The U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan has announced the opening of enrollment for free self-defence courses aimed at girls and women in Urgench, according to the diplomatic mission’s press service.

These courses will teach participants effective self-defence techniques, stress management, and conflict resolution skills. The organisers promise that joining the program will help girls and women enhance their physical fitness and self-confidence.

Classes will begin in February and run for three months. They will take place at the city judo and sambo center on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The first age group will include participants aged 13 to 17, while...

Uzbekistan is set to open new engineering schools, according to the press service of the Uzbek Ministry of Justice, which cited a decree from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

These educational institutions will be established at the Polytechnic Technical College No. 1 in Jizzak Oblast and the Akhangaran City Polytechnic Technical College in the capital region.

Enterprises engaged in high-tech production will benefit from a three-year exemption from profit tax and property tax.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that a Cyber University will also be established in Uzbekistan.

The government has outlined the responsibilities of the Scientific and Technical Center for Radiation and Nuclear Safety, according to a report from the Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan referencing a decree from the Cabinet of Ministers.

This new institution will be responsible for developing documents and recommendations related to radiation safety, as well as participating in the preparation of relevant state programs and international projects.

The center will issue licenses for handling radioactive materials. Its employees will also be tasked with creating and maintaining databases on nuclear safety.

The center will operate under the Committee for Industrial, Radiation, and...

The Senate of Uzbekistan has approved a new law that permits the establishment of microfinance banks, as reported by the press service of the Senate of Oliy Majlis.

This law will create a legal framework for microfinance banks, allowing them to provide banking services and accept deposits. It also includes provisions for the transformation of microfinance organizations into microfinance banks and subsequently into commercial banks.

Furthermore, the law sets the minimum authorized capital required for microfinance banks, outlines operational requirements, and prohibits the use of similar names for different credit institutions.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports on how changes...

Since the launch of trading at the Uzbek Republican Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange (UZRTSB), 51 domain names have been purchased for 34.1 mln soums, according to a report from the exchange’s press service.

The trading platform for buying internet domains began operating on December 14, 2024. It offers domain names consisting of two, three, and four characters, as well as premium category domains. The buyer and final price of each domain are determined during the auction.

According to UZRTSB’s calculations, the average auction price of domains has increased by 79.4% compared to the starting prices.

Currently, the exchange...

The press service of the Upper House of the Parliament reported that the Senate of the Oliy Majlis had adopted a law protecting bank deposits.

The Deposit Guarantee Agency is tasked with processing payments, which can amount to 200 mln soums per individual.

The new law also outlines a gradual reduction in the payment period when a bank closes. This year, the period will be 20 working days, decreasing to seven days by 2027.

Senators believe this law will help safeguard the deposits of both Uzbeks and entrepreneurs while strengthening the country’s banking system.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports

New methods and approaches to education were discussed during a meeting between Saida Mirziyoyeva, the presidential aide of Uzbekistan, and representatives from UNICEF, UNESCO, UNDP, OECD, and the World Bank, as reported on Mirziyoyeva’s Telegram channel.

“Today, we had an important meeting with our international partners. Together, we can create conditions to make quality education accessible to everyone,” the presidential aide stated.

She also expressed pride in Uzbekistan’s achievements in the field of education.

The meeting took place on the eve of International Education Day.

Kursiv Uzbekistan further reported that, in June 2024, Mirziyoyeva emphasized that improving the...

In 2024, Uzbekistan imported 74,700 passenger cars valued at $1.28 bn, according to the Statistic Agency of Uzbekistan.

The number of imported cars increased by 2% compared to 2023. However, in monetary terms, the total volume of car imports declined by 25%.

China remained Uzbekistan’s primary supplier of passenger cars, with its market share rising by 2.4%, which points to 81.7% of the total imports (in physical terms). Meanwhile, the share of car deliveries from South Korea increased slightly.

In contrast, imports from the USA plummeted almost fourfold, with only 639 cars imported by the end of the...

According to preliminary data from the Statistic Agency of Uzbekistan, the country’s real GDP grew by 6.5% in 2024, amounting to 1,454 trillion soums. This growth rate surpassed the figures recorded in 2022 and 2023, when the economy grew by 6% and 6.3%, respectively.

In 2024, GDP per capita reached 39.1 million soums in current prices, equivalent to $3.1 thousand at the average annual exchange rate. This represents an actual increase of 4.4% compared to 2023.

The industrial sector, trade, and hotel and catering services significantly contributed to the country’s economic growth. By the end of the year, the...

Tashkent Metro carried 270.3 mn passengers in 2024, marking a 57.2% increase compared to 2023, according to Uzbekistan’s Statistics Agency.

Late last year, the metro system reported the purchase of three new train sets.

In addition, Uzbekistan’s authorities plan to begin constructing a metro system in Samarkand, one of the country’s largest cities.

Uzbekistan’s railway network transported 73.9 mn tonnes of cargo in 2024, according to the country’s Statistics Agency.

Freight turnover increased by 0.3% compared to 2023 and grew by nearly 4.7% over the past five years.

As of the first half of 2024, the largest share of rail freight consisted of ore, coal, oil, and petroleum products.

China’s medium-term lending facility (MLF) rate remains unchanged at 2.0%, marking the fourth consecutive month at this level, according to Trading Economics.

On Friday, the People’s Bank of China provided financial institutions with ¥200 bn ($27.4 bn) through a one-year lending facility.

In September 2024, the central bank cut the rate by a record 30 basis points, highlighting efforts to support the economy.

From May 1, 2025, all foreign nationals entering Thailand will be required to complete an online version of the immigration form TM6, the Bangkok Post reports.

The online form will replace the paper version, which was discontinued in April 2024.

According to Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the form will be free of charge and mandatory for all travellers, regardless of whether they enter the country by air, land, or sea. The new system aims to streamline the entry process, enhance tourist safety, and improve monitoring of visitors during their stay.

The introduction of the TM6 system has also...

Republican Congressman Andy Ogles has proposed an amendment to the US Constitution that would repeal the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to two terms, according to Axios.

Ogles, a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, argued that the change is necessary to address the challenges left by the Biden administration.

«It’s vital to give President Trump every resource needed to correct the disastrous direction set by the previous administration,» he said.

To pass, the proposal requires approval from 290 members of the House of Representatives and 67 senators. It must then be ratified by at least 38 states.

The 22nd...

Citizens in Uzbekistan will retain the right to photograph and film law enforcement officers on duty. However, penalties have been introduced for actions deemed to discredit officers. These amendments were approved by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis.

The updated law allows citizens to record officers, share images or videos online, and use them as evidence in court. However, it specifically defines “discrediting” as distorting actions, words, or events, including through manipulated photos or videos. Offenders face fines of up to 18.75 mn soum or administrative detention of up to ten days.

Previously, the Ministry of Internal Affairs had proposed...

Uzbekistan-based Merit Chemicals plans to enter the Kyrgyz market, according to Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Economy and Commerce.

This development followed a visit by a delegation from Kyrgyzstan’s Trade Mission to Angren, where the company is headquartered.

The parties agreed to facilitate an exchange of expertise between Merit Chemicals and Kyrgyz enterprises involved in chemical production. Merit Chemicals is also considering opening a representative office or a branch in Kyrgyzstan.

Established in 2007, Merit Chemicals produces around 400 types of chemical products. The company already operates representative offices in Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Tajikistan.

Throughout 2024, the average annual business climate index in Uzbekistan stood at 42 points, according to a report by the Centre for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR).

This figure indicates a favourable business environment in the country. The highest business climate level was recorded in January at 61 points, while the lowest was in October at 42 points.

The survey revealed that construction, agriculture, and industrial enterprises remained optimistic throughout the year.

Business expectations for demand over the next three months ranged between 57% and 74%.

Additionally, 54% of surveyed enterprises reported no significant obstacles to conducting business.

Concerns...

Azerbaijan is proposing to allow citizens aged 21 and older to purchase civilian firearms, according to an amendment to the law “On Service and Civilian Weapons” introduced by the Milli Majlis Committee on Defence, Security, and Anti-Corruption, Haqqin.az reports.

Additionally, the amendment seeks to permit citizens aged 18 and above to purchase civilian weapons, excluding firearms.

If adopted, Azerbaijan will become the first country in the CIS and the post-Soviet region to legalise the acquisition and possession of civilian firearms.

On January 24, the price of a five-gram gold bar set a new record, rising to UZS 5.96 mn, the Central Bank of Uzbekistan reports.

The price of a ten-gram gold bar increased to UZS 11.93 mn, a twenty-gram bar to nearly UZS 23.87 mn, a fifty-gram bar to UZS 59.66 mn, and a 100-gram bar to UZS 119.32 mn.

The rise in the Central Bank’s gold prices aligns with a global surge in the value of the precious metal. Gold is currently trading near its all-time high, with a troy ounce priced at approximately $2,780.

The strong...

As the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan reported, the country has introduced a system for planning and monitoring uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) flights called ATM: Safe Sky. The platform was developed by the center Uzaeronavigatsiya.

ATM: Safe Sky allows users to create drone flight routes in advance. It features a map that displays the movement of other drones and current restrictions on airspace usage.

The software can be installed on a computer or smartphone and provides real-time flight data. In the future, the system will include capabilities for UAV position tracking and a module for submitting flight requests.

Construction has begun on an electrified railroad in the Parkent district of the Tashkent region. The project, which spans a total length of 23.8 kilometers, officially started on January 22 at the Baitkurgan-Parkent crossing.

The new railroad will feature the construction of two split points, four bridges, two trestles, a tunnel-type trestle, 78 aqueducts, and seven crossings for both road and railroad traffic.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that a toll road between Samarkand and Bukhara is set to be constructed by Turkish firm IC İçtaş İnşaat.

The Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan has announced the opening of tenders for the construction of a toll road from Tashkent to Andijan.

In the first phase, a 171-kilometer highway will be built from the capital to Angren and the Kamchik Pass. This project will be conducted under public-private partnership (PPP) principles. Once construction is completed, the winning bidder will also be responsible for the road’s maintenance and operation.

Bids will be accepted until April 21, 2025. To participate in the tender, a company must have experience in road construction under PPP projects and meet specific minimum requirements.

Qualified...

A Tashkent’s decree issued by the city’s khokim, Shavkat Umurzakov, encourages Tashkent’s civil servants to wear national costumes to work on Fridays.

Wearing national costumes will become a mandatory requirement at public events.

The city plans to organize costume contests, fairs, and training seminars for artisans to promote traditional crafts and cultural heritage.

The regional department of the Trade and Industry Board of Uzbekistan will create initiatives to support ethnic clothing producers. Additionally, the capital intends to establish training centers focused on designing and sewing traditional garments.

There are also plans to adorn public transport and travel documents with national...