Author: Ghafur Narzuqulov

The number of Chinese maritime militia vessels around key features across the South China Sea grew by 35% last year as Beijing continued to bolster its presence amid rising regional tensions, according to data by the Washington-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI). A report released on Wednesday and based on satellite imagery of nine features in the sea, including reefs and shoals, identified an average of 195 militia ships present on any given day. The increase from a year earlier was accompanied by “a dramatic shift” in vessels to Mischief Reef in the summer of 2023 when over 180 boats…

A large majority of the parliamentary group of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) believe that President Ranil Wickremesinghe should run for president, but the party will have to decide on who they will support, an MP said. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday March 06, State Minister Arundika Fernando said the SLPP’s parliamentary group overwhelmingly believes that President Wickremesinghe should be the one to govern the country going forward. “We think at the moment that it is Ranil Wickremesinghe who can govern this country going forward. We will present our proposal to the party. If the party decides there’s…

Rustam Emomali is increasingly the face of his country on the international stage On January 29, China signed off on an agreement to hand Tajikistan the gift of $2 million to fund the construction of a conference room in a government building. As grants go, it is not a lot, but the real significance of the development lies elsewhere. As an official press release asserts, that the money was disbursed at all was the result of a visit paid to Beijing by the 36-year-old chair of the Senate, Rustam Emomali, better known to the public for being the son of President Emomali Rahmon. Common…

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Uzbekistan on Nov. 8-9 to participate in the 16th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), the country’s Communications Directorate said on X. Erdogan will address the summit session in Tashkent on Wednesday and is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with participating leaders on the sidelines of the summit. Discussions on various topics, such as enhancing the effectiveness of the organization of which Türkiye is a founding member, as well as improving trade, transportation networks, and connectivity among member countries, are planned. Source: AA

On November 9, a ceremony was held to sign an investment agreement between the Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov and the Chairman of the Board of AKSA Enerji Cemil Kazanci, Azernews reports, citing Kun,uz News Agency. According to the document, AKSA Enerji will invest $250 million in the construction of a 400 MW gas piston power plant in the Nishan district (Kashkadarya region), which will operate on a PPP basis. The Turkish company will carry out the design, financing, construction and operation of the power plant during the implementation of the project for 25 years. The start of construction…

According to the World Bank report, global waste production is forecasted to surge by 70% from present levels by 2050, unless nations undertake necessary interventions. Waste generation in lower middle-income countries is expected to double in 2050, including several emerging economies. Uzbekistan, as one of these economies, currently produces around 7 million tons of solid household waste and only recycles 32% of this amount. It is worth noting that local media investigations have uncovered that the recycling rate of 32% reported includes waste imported by businessmen for recycling purposes. Regrettably, the majority of the remaining waste is disposed of in landfills that do not meet sanitation…

One of the critical tasks Uzbekistan faces today in our complex era is the proper education of the younger generation and effective implementation of youth policy. Therefore, particular emphasis is placed in the country on addressing the pressing issues related to the health, social status, education, and employment of the youth on a systemic basis, and to delivering an environment conducive for their growth as a mature generation of citizens. Currently, 55% of Uzbekistans population is ‘children of independence’, that is, kids born after the country attained national independence in 1991. They are more than 18 million free-thinking generation of…

EastFruit analysts have repeatedly drawn attention to record high prices for grapes in Uzbekistan this season. After a short pause in the first week of September, prices for these products resumed rising. Over the past two weeks, wholesale prices for the seedless Kishmish grape variety have increased by 17%, white grapes have risen by 38%, and black grapes have increased by 22%. According to EastFruit price monitoring data, from September 8 to September 22, 2023, the average wholesale price for Kishmish grapes in Uzbekistan increased from 18,000 to 21,000 sum/kg (from $1.18 to $1.72). Considering that the price increase for these products began…

Qatar Chamber and the Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed yesterday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to boost co-operation relations. The MoU was signed by Qatar Chamber first vice-chairman Mohamed bin Towar al-Kuwari and Uzbekistan Chamber chairman Davron Vakhabov. Before the signing ceremony, both officials held a meeting during which they discussed ways to enhance co-operation between both chambers and between the Qatari and Uzbekistani private sectors. Both officials emphasised the importance of strengthening investment and commercial co-operation, highlighting the favourable investment climate and opportunities available in both countries. They also explored the potential for boosting co-operation and partnerships…

BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Cooperation between the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Uzbekistan will turn into a key planning software for attaining the nation’s Global Methane Pledge targets, a supply on the EBRD instructed Trend. The EBRD is presently working with the Uzbek authorities on the improvement of a nationwide methane emissions program. “It will turn into a key planning software for attaining the nation’s Global Methane Pledge targets,” the source said. “Our help, each technical and monetary, ought to assist Uzbekistan with a speedy discount in its emissions by 2030.” The initiative adopted a current assembly between…