Central Asia News Bulletin

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

The World Bank pledges $350 million to constructing the Rogun HPP; AIIB provides $250 for Uzbekistan’s green transition; Construction of Kambar-Ata 1 HPP will begin in the summer of 2025; Kazakhstan establishes $1 billion venture capital fund. /Dec.23

_{PM Olzhas Bektenov chairs a meeting with leading experts in venture capital, representatives of Kazakhstan's business community, and international partners. Source: PM's office}

This week, the media in the region reported on various investment projects targeting green transition in Central Asia, such as the World Bank pledging $350 million in grants and loans to construct the Rogun HPP and the AIIB providing a $250 million loan to Uzbekistan to finance various green and renewable energy projects. They also noted that Uzbekistan and Afghanistan extended their electricity supply agreement. Several outlets focused on the dismissal of Kyrgyzstan’s Prime Minister and Kazakhstan’s establishment of a new venture capital fund. Multiple sources picked up on the announcements that construction on the Kambar-Ata 1 HPP would begin next summer, while the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway is set to officially commence on December 27. Finally, the media also disclosed that a Chinese company has bought Rosatom’s stakes in numerous Kazakhstani uranium deposits.

: 23 December 2024

CIS establishes unified air defense system; ADB revises upwards 2025 economic outlook for Central Asia; Kazakhstan plans new wind and solar power plants; announces the discovery of 60 new mineral deposits. /Dec.16

_{The CIS Heads of Government Council meeting was held in Moscow. Source: Ria Novosti}

This week, the media in the region focused on the CIS Heads of Government Council meeting in Moscow, where the various heads of state agreed to establish a unified air defense system. They also reported that the ADB is revising its 2025 economic outlook for Central Asia upward. Several outlets reported on new renewable energy projects in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan agreeing to export more gas to Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan announcing the discovery of up to 60 new mineral deposits. Multiple sources highlighted Kazakhstani Railways closing the Altynkol and Dostyk rail crossings with China until January and Kazakhstan’s efforts to boost its exports by constructing new logistics hubs. Lastly, other outlets focused on Russia’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal immigration. This week, the Russian Duma voted to ban children who cannot demonstrate the necessary proficiency in Russian from attending school.

: 16 December 2024

New restrictions on foreign labor in Russia; Tajikistan - Afghanistan reach electricity supply agreement for 2025; President Tokayev visits Saudi Arabia & Qatar; EDB pledges $500 mil to Kambar-Ata 1 HPP; New critical minerals found in Kazakhstan. /Dec.09

_{Kyrgyzstani President Sadyr Japarov visited South Korea this week. Source: Daryo}

This week, the media in the region covered several important summits and state visits, such as Kyrgyzstani President Sadyr Japarov’s visit to South Korea and Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s attendance at the One Water Summit in Riyadh and the Doha Forum. They also reported on Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan finalizing the demarcation of their shared border. Several outlets noted the introduction of new restrictions on migrant labor in Russia, while multiple sources also reported on the EDB promising $500 million towards constructing the Kambar-Ata 1 HPP. Finally, some media organizations noted the discovery of a significant new mineral deposit in Kazakhstan.

: 09 December 2024

President Putin visits Astana; Kazakhstani banks cease servicing Gazprombank-issued UnionPay cards; President Japarov visits Austria-Germany; Russia to increase gas exports to Uzbekistan; Kazakhstan to increase oil exports through Ceyhan port. /Dec.02

_{Kazakhstan and Russia concluded several bilateral agreements during President Putin’s state visit. Source: Astana Times}

Last week, the media reported on Russian President Putin’s visit to Astana to attend the CSTO Collective Security Council summit. They also discussed Kyrgyzstani President Sadyr Japarov’s state visits to Germany and Austria. Outlets in the region also noted several developments in the energy sector, including Kazakhstan’s plans to increase exports through the Turkish port of Ceyhan and its decision to ban gasoline exports outside the EAEU until 2027. Many sources also reported on the depreciation of currencies in the region following the collapse in the value of the ruble. They also explored the various forex interventions by Central Banks in an effort to bolster their currencies.

: 02 December 2024

President Tokayev visits Hungary and Serbia; EBRD invests in water infrastructure upgrades in Kyrgyzstan; The World Bank and the AIIB pledge $650 million towards Middle Corridor; ADB promises $250 mn. for Uzbekistan’s green transition. /Nov.25

_{At the invitation of the Hungarian side, President of Kazakhstan paid a state visit to Hungary on 20 November 2024. Source: Akorda}

This week, the media covered Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s state visits to Hungary and Serbia. They also highlighted several new investment projects, such as the EBRD pledging $17 towards new water infrastructure in Kyrgyzstan, the World Bank and AIIB promising $650 million towards the Middle Corridor, and the ADB providing Uzbekistan with $250 million for its green transition. Several sources also explored Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan’s budgetary crises. Multiple outlets noted the mass deaths of seals in the Caspian Sea. The media also concentrated on the decrease in oil production at the Tengiz field and Kazakhstan’s planned auction of 26 critical mineral deposits.

: 25 November 2024

Central Asia's Weekly

Media Monitoring

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

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

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

The World Bank pledges $350 million to constructing the Rogun HPP; AIIB provides $250 for Uzbekistan’s green transition; Construction of Kambar-Ata 1 HPP will begin in the summer of 2025; Kazakhstan establishes $1 billion venture capital fund. /Dec.23

CIS establishes unified air defense system; ADB revises upwards 2025 economic outlook for Central Asia; Kazakhstan plans new wind and solar power plants; announces the discovery of 60 new mineral deposits. /Dec.16

New restrictions on foreign labor in Russia; Tajikistan - Afghanistan reach electricity supply agreement for 2025; President Tokayev visits Saudi Arabia & Qatar; EDB pledges $500 mil to Kambar-Ata 1 HPP; New critical minerals found in Kazakhstan. /Dec.09

President Putin visits Astana; Kazakhstani banks cease servicing Gazprombank-issued UnionPay cards; President Japarov visits Austria-Germany; Russia to increase gas exports to Uzbekistan; Kazakhstan to increase oil exports through Ceyhan port. /Dec.02

President Tokayev visits Hungary and Serbia; EBRD invests in water infrastructure upgrades in Kyrgyzstan; The World Bank and the AIIB pledge $650 million towards Middle Corridor; ADB promises $250 mn. for Uzbekistan’s green transition. /Nov.25