Central Asia News Bulletin

This weekly section provides an overview of key political, economic, and social developments across the five Central Asian states. It highlights the region’s most relevant policy trends, international engagements, and sectoral updates in areas such as energy, digital development, environment, and finance. The section is compiled and edited by Maryam Agharabi, Coordinator of the China & Central Asia Studies Center. For enquiries, you may contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Russia and Uzbekistan to streamline migrant work permit application process; EU Commissioner for Int’l Partnerships tours Central Asia; Kyrgyzstani President Japarov proposes visa-free regime in Central Asia. /Mar.17

_{Uzbekistani President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited France from March 11 to 13. Source: Kun.uz}

Last week, the media in the region covered several diplomatic visits, including President Mirziyoyev’s visit to France, President Rahmon’s visit to Kyrgyzstan, and EU Commissioner Síkela’s tour of Central Asia ahead of the first EU-Central Asia Summit. Several outlets reported that Russia and Uzbekistan agreed to streamline the work permit application. Others noted Kazakhstan's announcement that German and Canadian companies had begun exploring several new deposits and that Kazakhstan once again surpassed its OPEC quota in February. Lastly, multiple sources also covered Kyrgyzstani President Sadyr Japarov’s proposal for a visa-free regime in Central Asia.

: 17 March 2025

Kazakhstan’s oil output surges; Inflation continues to rise across Central Asia; New cargo train connects Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan with India; Eni withdraws from offshore projects in Kazakhstan. /Mar.10

_{Georgian PM Irakli Kobakhidze visited Tashkent last week. Source: Gazeta.uz}

Last week, the media in the region reported on several critical investment and trade stories, such as the new cargo train service connecting Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan with India, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan launching a free trade regime; Uzbekistan investing $2.6 billion in rare earth minerals, and Kazakhstan building a $1.35 billion fertilizer production facility. They also reported on numerous energy stories, including the surge in Kazakhstani oil production and Eni’s withdrawal from several offshore projects in Kazakhstan. Multiple outlets also reported on various diplomatic visits, such as the Kyrgyzstani PM’s visits to Tajikistan and Vietnam, the Kazakhstani PM’s visit to Azerbaijan, and the Georgian PM’s visit to Tashkent. Other sources also covered the inflation situation across the region.

: 10 March 2025

Central Asia’s Electricity demand rose by 4% in 2024; Kazakhstan to build $1.2 billion steel plant; New EU sanctions target Kazakhstani companies; Chinese company to build Central Asia’s longest bridge in Tajikistan. /Mar.03

_{Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid an official visit to Tashkent.. Source: Kun.uz}

This week, the media in the region covered several critical diplomatic events, including the Kyrgyzstani Prime Minister’s visit to Astana, the Pakistani Prime Minister’s visit to Tashkent, and new details from the Kyrgyzstani-Tajikistani border agreement. They also reported on numerous energy stories, including Kazakhstan confirming where it will build its first nuclear power plant, electricity demand rising by 4% across Central Asia last year, and Kazakhstan halting all exports of petroleum products. Several outlets have noted Kazakhstan's plans to build a new $1.2 billion steel plant and Tajikistan's signing of a contract with a Chinese company to construct the longest bridge in Central Asia. Multiple sources also covered the new EU sanctions package that targeted two Kazakhstani companies.

: 03 March 2025

Chinese company to construct $12 bln. metallurgical plant in Kazakhstan; Large ADB & IsDB investments in Uzbekistan; American company to construct $3 bln. Makmal-Karakol railway; Kazakhstan continues oil transport along CPC despite drone attack. /Feb.24

_{Chinese company East Hope Group plans to construct a $12 billion non-ferrous metal production plant in Kazakhstan. Source: Kazakh Invest}

This week, the media in the region covered several substantial investment and infrastructure stories, including the Chinese company East Hope Group investing $12 billion in a new metallurgical complex in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan securing critical funds for its green transition from the ADB and IsDB, and an American consortium winning the contract to construct the $3 billion Makmal-Karakol railway. The media also reported on several diplomatic events, including President Mirziyoyev’s visit to Kuwait, President Tokayev’s visit to Jordan, and Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan signing a historic border agreement. Multiple sources also focused on the drone attack on the CPC pipeline, which transports most of Kazakhstan’s oil exports. Nevertheless, it appears that there has been little disruption to its operation. Lastly, several outlets also focused on the impact of U.S. aid cuts in the region, with countries such as Afghanistan likely to face significant difficulties.

: 24 February 2025

Türkiye & Turkmenistan conclude a gas deal; Int’l consortium to develop Uzbekistan’s Nuclear Energy sector; New $264 mln. Railway project to connect Herat and Kandahar; Canadian Mining Company begins exploring large copper deposit in Kazakhstan. /Feb.17

_{Tajikistani Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin met with President Tokayev and Foreign Minister Nurtleu in Astana. Source: Akorda}

This week, the media in the region covered several important energy stories, such as Türkiye and Turkmenistan finalising a deal that will see Turkmenistani gas exported to Türkiye through Iran and Uzbekistan’s plans to form an international consortium to develop its nuclear energy potential. They also reported on a number of trade developments, including Russia lifting restrictions on the transit of Kazakhstani agricultural products and Uzbekistani and Pakistani businessmen negotiating of 181 deals valued at $500 million at the “Made in Uzbekistan” expo in Pakistan. Several outlets noted Afghanistan concluded a $264 million contract to design a new railway from Herat to Kandahar and the Canadian mining company, Ivanhoe Mines, began the exploration of a significant copper deposit in Kazakhstan. Lastly, multiple sources also covered the surge in remittances received by Kyrgyzstan.

: 17 February 2025

Keremet Bank ceases issuing Visa cards; Kaspi and Home Credit banks stop providing debit cards to foreigners; Kyrgyzstan receives five bids for Kambar-Ata 1 HPP; Kazakhstan will decide on NPP contractor by June, 2025. /Jan.27

_{Defense Ministers of Russia and Uzbekistan signing a military cooperation plan for 2025 and a strategic military partnership for 2026-2030. Source: Gazeta.uz}

This week, the media in the region covered several banking stories, such as Keremet Bank of Kyrgyzstan no longer issuing Visa cards following sanctions imposed by the U.S., and Kazakhstan’s Kaspi and Home Credit banks ceasing to provide debit cards to foreigners in Kazakhstan without a residence permit. They also covered several energy-related stories, including the government receiving five bids for the Kambar-Ata 1 HPP in Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan reporting a steep rise in gas imports. Multiple outlets reported that Kazakhstan will choose a principal contractor for its NPP by June 2025. Other sources noted Russia’s and Uzbekistan’s concluding a strategic military partnership, and the EBRD publishing its record investments in Central Asia last year. The media also analyzed the World Bank’s latest growth forecasts for the region.

: 27 January 2025

U.S. sanctions Keremet Bank; Mirziyoyev and Tokayev visit the UAE; Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits Tajikistan; TAPI pipeline construction updates; AD Ports Group invests $30 million in Sarzha grain terminal in Aktau. /Jan.20

_{Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited Tajikistan as part of his regional tour. Source: Asia Plus}

Last week, the media in the region reported on the U.S.’s decision to sanction Keremet Bank. They also covered Presidents Mirziyoyev and Tokayev’s respective visits to the UAE and their attendance at the Adu Dhabi Sustainability Week summit. Several sources noted President Trump’s Secretary of State nominee, Marco Rubio, is considering removing trade restrictions on Central Asian states. Multiple outlets also discussed Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Tajikistan. They also reported on AD Ports Group’s investment in Aktau Port and the construction of the TAPI pipeline.

: 20 January 2025

Russia to increase Gas supplies to Central Asia by up to 15 billion cubic meters; Tajikistan aims to be energy independent by 2027; Kazakhstan to invest $17 billion in transport infrastructure by 2030; Kyrgyzstan launches tax amnesty. /Jan.13

_{Pipelines and Gas Export Routes across the CCA. Source: EIA}

This week, the media in the region covered several diplomatic events, such as Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev meeting Kyrgyzstani Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubayev and the Prime Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan meeting to discuss border issues. They also reported on several energy-related stories, such as Tajikistani President Emomali Rahmon proclaiming that Tajikistan will be energy-independent by 2027 and Russia announcing its plans to increase gas exports to Central Asia to 15 billion cubic meters. Many outlets concentrated on the Russian police receiving new powers to investigate and deport illegal migrants, as well as the surge in deportations from Russia last year. Multiple sources also reported that Kazakhstan is going to invest $17 billion in transport by 2030 and that Kyrgyzstan is soon to launch a tax amnesty program.

: 13 January 2025

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