Read Uzbekistan Dances to a Russian Tune, by Alisher Khamidov, Central Asia Now’s latest piece of analysis.
Free trade received a boost in Tajikistan this week as the government decided to allow foreign banks to operate in the country. At the same time efforts were being made to get a better deal for Tajik cotton exports, by adopting a new quality standard. Meanwhile Kazakh and Uzbek leaders are meeting in Tashkent to discuss ways of enhancing economic cooperation between the countries.
Turkmenistan created its first ‘free economic zone’ last weekend in a bid to increase tourist revenues and encourage investment. It is one of several signs that President Berdymukhammedov is beginning to loosen some of the restrictions that kept Turkmenistan isolated under his predecessor.
In Kyrgyzstan the saga of Bermet Akayeva, daughter of former President Akayev continues, with the authorities pressing charges against her for contempt of court. She was the first member of the ruling family to return to the country after the 2005 Tulip Revolution that ousted her father. EurasiaNet carries a fascinating commentary on US-Central Asian relations which predicts a gradual draw-down of US assistance to the region, focussing in particular on the troubled US-Kyrgyz alliance. The United States certainly won’t be pleased by the Iranian President’s decision to attend the next meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Bishkek, scheduled for August 16th.
In a week when Kazakhstan was criticised for imposing too many restrictions on internet use, RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty takes a look at internet use across the region which, despite official censorship, is growing.
Stay tuned to Central Asia Now for weekly news digests. Keep an eye out for our fortnightly analysis slots by regional experts.
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