IFPRI CA NEWS DIGEST (FEBRUARY 15, 2017 – FEBRUARY 21, 2017)
News
Kyrgyzstan to purchase 140,000 tons of mineral fertilizers in 2017
(15 February 2017 24.kg) Kyrgyzstan uses about 200,000 tons of mineral fertilizers annually and intends to purchase 140,000 tons of mineral fertilizers in 2017, with up to 40,000 tons being purchased from Uzbekistan.
European Union allocates grant to Kyrgyzstan for regional development
(16 February 2017 24.kg) An agreement between the EU and Kyrgyzstan, signed on February 16, grants financial assistance to Kyrgyzstan for the purpose of regional development. The first portion of 10 million euros will be allocated to the development of agriculture in the Jalal-Abad region, while the second portion of 13 million euros will be dedicated to rule of law.
Kyrgyzstan to be able to supply more than meat and dairy products to Russia
(18 February 2017 24.kg) During a regular meeting of the Intergovernmental Kyrgyz-Russian commission on trade-economic, scientific-technical and humanitarian cooperation, the committee agreed to increase the volume of Kyrgyz exports, including products of animal origins. The list of Kyrgyz companies permitted to export products of animal origins to Russia will be expanded.
Kyrgyzstan suspends import of meat products from China
(20 February 2017 24.kg) Kyrgyzstan has temporarily suspended the import of animal products from China until a joint inspection of the quality of the meat products, eggs, and animals that China supplies to the Eurasian Economic Union can be conducted by the countries of the EAEU.
Kazakhstan sees fall in food exports
(20 February 2017 AzerNews) Kazakhstan experienced losses in the CIS market as its food exports decreased by 20 percent in 2016 and amounted to only $623 million. The main reason for the fall is decreasing demand in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Kyrgyzstan in talks with China to get permits for export of its agricultural products: Ambassador
(21 February 2017 AKI Press) Kyrgyzstan is in talks with China to obtain permits to export flour, meat, kidney beans, grapes, melons, cherries and pet food. China’s internal procedure for approving imports is a long multi-stage process that includes phytosanitary and quarantine checks. Volumes of exports will be approved only after the permits have been issued.
To export more meat, Kyrgyzstan needs 45 mobile slaughterhouses
(21 February 2017 24.kg) According to the Deputy Economy Minister, Kyrgyzstan will establish 45 mobile slaughterhouses in order to provide the planned large volumes of production and export of meat.
Uzbekistan presents its fruit and vegetables in Germany
(21 February 2017 Times of Central Asia) During the Fruit Logistica 2017 exhibition in Berlin, the Uzbek delegation held talks with representatives of importer. The negotiations produced agreements on the delivery of Uzbek melons, herbs and dried fruits to foreign markets. The representatives also discussed the supply of machinery and equipment for investment projects implemented in Uzbekistan in the sphere of production and processing of fruit and vegetables.
Analysis
Kaznex Invest reveals top four sectors for international investors
(15 February 2017 Astana Times) Kaznex Invest, the national export and investment agency, and global strategic management consulting firm McKinsey & Company have determined the four most attractive sectors for foreign investors in short and medium terms: food manufacturing, chemicals, machinery, and retail trade.
Kazakhstan takes 42nd place in Heritage Foundation’s World 2017 Index of Economic Freedom
(20 February 2017 Astana Times) Kazakhstan ranked 42nd on the Heritage Foundation’s 2017 Index of Economic Freedom. The report indicates Kazakhstan’s economy has substantially benefited from increased openness and flexibility during the past decade. Beneficial structural reforms have included bank privatization, implementing competitive flat tax rates and modernizing the trade regime. Foundation experts advise organizing deeper institutional reforms contributing to investment and increasing judiciary efficiency.
Turkmenistan studies possibility of WTO membership
(21 February 2017 Azernews) Turkmenistan continues to consider the possibility of joining the World Trade Organization. The EU offered Turkmenistan accession to the WTO in January 2011 and a working group was established in early 2013 to study and analyze the economic implications of potential accession.
Other Information
Kyrgyzstan improves position in Index of Economic Freedom
(17 February 2017 24.kg) Kyrgyzstan has risen from 96th to 89th place on the 2017 Index of Economic Freedom. It is now categorized as “moderately free”, along with Kazakhstan (42nd). Tajikistan (110th) and Uzbekistan (148th) are considered “mostly unfree”, while Turkmenistan (170th) is the only Central Asian country categorized as “repressed”.
EU countries – main trade partners of Kazakhstan
(20 February 2017 Trend) In 2016, 39% of Kazakhstan’s foreign trade took place with EU countries. By contrast, trade turnover with members of the Eurasian Economic Union made up only 21% of all of Kazakhstan’s foreign trade. However, Russia remains Kazakhstan’s largest individual trading partner.
MP: Exports from Kyrgyzstan to EAEU go 22% down, while imports increase by 137%
(21 February 2017 AKI Press) Kyrgyzstan's exports to the Eurasian Economic Union countries decreased by 22%, while imports from the EAEU increased by 37% in 2016.
Kyrgyzstan, Russia trade hits $1.05 bn in 2016: Deputy PM
(21 February 2017 AKI Press) The trade turnover between Kyrgyzstan and Russia totaled $1.05 billion in 2016. The overall foreign trade turnover of Kyrgyzstan over 2016 amounted to $5.467 billion, which means Russia's share is almost one-fifth of the total. The main export items are food products (34%) and fruits and vegetables (36.6%). Remittances from Russia to Kyrgyzstan by Kyrgyz labor migrants in the first eleven months of 2016 increased by 18.5%.
Publications
Kazakhstan: Public Expenditure and Institutional Review for
World Bank Group, 2017.
Project Summary Document: Kyzyl Project
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, approved 17 February 2017.
Events and Calls for Papers
Central Asia Security Workshop
March 6, 2017; 10:00am-4:00pm;
Central Asia Program, IERES
George Washington University
1957 E Street, NW, Lindner Commons, Suite 602
Tropentag 2017: Future Agriculture - Social-ecological transitions and bio-cultural shifts
September 20-22, 2017, University of Bonn and the Centre for Development Research, Bonn, Germany.
The call for papers and preliminary conference information is now available; the deadline for submission of abstract(s) is May 15, 2017.
The articles included in this news digest have been generated from online sources. Any opinions stated herein are not representative of, or endorsed by, the International Food Policy Research Institute or its partners.
