IFPRI CA NEWS DIGEST (APR 5, 2016 – APR 11, 2016)

IFPRI CA News Digest

Apr 5, 2016 – Apr 11, 2016

Price for petroleum products grows in Kyrgyzstan

(24 News Agency, 11 Apr 2016) The price for petroleum products is growing in Kyrgyzstan. Oil Traders' Association reported.

According to it, cost of gasoline AI 80, AI 92 and diesel fuel grew by one som from April 11 in all regions of the country. AI 95 gasoline rose in price by 0.5 soms. This is connected with 10-15 percent increase in wholesale prices at Russian refineries.

It should be noted that in April fuel prices will expectedly grow by other 7-10 percent.

Iran to construct 3 power plants in Kazakhstan

(Akipress 11 Apr 2016) Bahman Salehi, the CEO of Iran Power and Water Equipment and Services Export Company known as SUNIR, announced that his company plans to build a wind power plant as well as two thermal power plants in Kazakhstan in 18 months, IRNA news agency reported on Sunday. “We penned a contract, at the value of $600 million, with the Kazakh Eurasia Invest Group, in this regard,” Salahi said on the sidelines of Iran-Kazakhstan Business Council meeting in Tehran. According to him, the Iranian company aims to expand its cooperation with Kazakhs in various sectors including water and wastewater, construction of gas pipelines, development of roads and also in mining sector.

Putin signs agreement on writing off debt of Uzbekistan

(UzDaily, 06 Apr 2016) President of Russia Vladimir Putin signed a law “on ratification of the agreement between the Government of Russia and the Government of Uzbekistan on settlement of mutual financial claims and liabilities. Russian State Duma passed the law on 25 March 2016 and Federation Council approved it on 30 March 2016. Uzbekistan and Russia signed the agreement on settlement of mutual financial claims and liabilities in December 2014 within the visit of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin to Uzbekistan. The document envisages that Russia will write off debt of Uzbekistan for US$865 million.”

Kyrgyzstan improves its position in international Doing Business 2016 ranking

(24 News Agency, 05 Apr 2016) Kyrgyzstan has improved its position in the international Doing Business 2016 index, ranking 67th out of 189 countries, the department of information support of the government's executive office reported. According to it, during the year KR has risen by 35 positions: from 102nd place last year up to 67th. "In particular, the rating improved due to the reforms in the sphere of obtaining credits by improving access to credit bureau information that began to spread both positive and negative information. In addition, the indicator "Property registration" has been improved, which is one of the best in the world and the first among the CIS countries and the region - 6th place out of 189 countries. According to this indicator, the process of transfer of ownership has been simplified by the introduction of online procedures for issuance of the certificate on the absence of charged property."

World Bank provides US$10 million to support strengthening of property market in Tajikistan

(Asia-Plus, 05 Apr 2016)  On Monday April 4, the World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved the financing of US$10 million from the International Development Association for the Tajikistan Real Estate Registration Project, which will support the implementation of a unified registration system for immovable property, which should contribute toward the development of property market in Tajikistan, the World Bank Country Office for Tajikistan said. “The World Bank has been supporting land reform in Tajikistan for more than a decade, especially in rural areas through the provision of land certificates to households,” said Patricia Veevers-Carter, World Bank Country Manager for Tajikistan.  

Publications

Yield and water use efficiency of potato varieties under different soil-moisture stress conditions in the Fergana Valley of Central Asia

Jumaboev, K., Bobojonov, I.,Carli, C., and Eshmuratov, D. (2016). Yield and water use efficiency of potato varieties under different soil-moisture stress conditions in the Fergana Valley of Central Asia. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, Volume: 40, Issue: 5, Page(s):407-431. Abstract: Deficit irrigation could be considered as one potential option to improve water productivity and obtain some level of assured income under water scarcity and drought conditions in Central Asia. This article investigates water productivity and economic returns to two varieties of potato crop under four different soil-moisture regimes in Uzbekistan. Results suggest that deficit irrigation may not be considered as an option to improve water productivity of potato crop, particularly when the deficit is high. However, deficit irrigation options could be still considered as a viable option to maintain food security and some assured farm income even under extreme drought conditions.

Kyrgyz Republic: The Changing Pattern of Poverty Reduction, 2003-2013

(World Bank Report, April 2016). Following the significant changes in the political and economic development of the Kyrgyz Republic, it is essential to now take stock and assess the impact of economic growth on the welfare of the country's citizens.

But while economic growth is important, it is not the only factor ensuring sustained improvements in the welfare of the population. Progress in shared prosperity could be achieved only in the context of inclusive growth, when all groups of the population - and especially the bottom 40 percent - benefit from income growth. A World Bank report, Kyrgyz Republic: Poverty Profile For 2013, provides an overview of how poverty (in monetary and non-monetary terms) and employment in the Kyrgyz Republic have been changing over the last decade, and describes the living conditions of poor and non-poor groups of population. The overall objective of the report is to inform policy thinking and contribute to development dialogue in the country, focusing particularly on how historic developments in economic growth have impacted poverty, employment and specific groups of population. 

Economic Update: Impact of China on Europe and Central Asia

(World Bank Report, April 2016). The economies of Europe and Central Asia (ECA) are facing complex headwinds. Against the backdrop of adverse global developments, the prospects for many ECA economies are for weak growth, at best. However, several of the headwinds also carry seeds for future growth. The collapse in oil revenues and remittances, and the associated sharp real depreciations, improve competitiveness in the production of internationally tradable products…..This report analyses all of these challenges and points outs the opportunities to become more competitive in global markets. These opportunities are strongly supported by the real depreciation that many countries in the region have undergone.