IFPRI CA NEWS DIGEST (OCTOBER 20 – OCTOBER 27, 2015)

News and Analysis

Uzbekistan to spend over $54.5 million for development of its infrastructure until 2020

(AKIpress, 27 Oct 2015) The government of Uzbekistan approved a 5-year national infrastructure development program. The given program foresees more than $54.5 million for development of the country's infrastructure until 2020. The program includes 216 projects on modernization, technical equipment of laboratories, and procurement of equipment for quality assurance at production facilities for around $53.5 million. International accreditation of 12 laboratories will require more than $1 million.

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to exchange disputable border areas

(24 News Agency, 27 Oct 2015) Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have decided to write finis to the issue of demarcation and delimitation of disputable areas of their common border and will exchange 12 ha of border areas according to the Deputy Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Abdyrakhman Mamataliev. The proposal was submitted unanimously by the residents of the border areas and Tajik delegation will go to Bishkek on November 5 with specific proposals on how to decrease tension along the Tajik-Kyrgyz border.

Moscow hosts fair of Kyrgyz food products

(24 News Agency, 26 Oct 2015) Fair of Kyrgyz food products is held in Moscow, near the cinema "Kyrgyzstan" on October 21-28, the press service of the Cabinet of the KR reported. One of the main objectives of the fair, according to the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, is the desire to acquaint residents and guests of the Russian capital with environmentally friendly products produced in the mountainous republic, as well as search for trade partners for long-term contracts for the supply of products.

Dushanbe hosts regional workshop on sustainable crop production ad conservation agriculture

(Asia-Plus, 20 Oct 2015)  According to FAO Country Office in Tajikistan, the main goal of the event was to review the current situation and enhance the capacity of national experts on sustainable crop production intensification and conservation agriculture. Experts from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Ukraine reportedly also participated in the workshop and presented achievements reached on conservation agriculture in their respective countries.

Uzbekistan Trade Unions Federation joins ITUC

(UzDaily, 20 Oct 2015) Federation of Trade Unions of Uzbekistan became a member of the International Trade Unions Confederation (ITUC). On 11 October 2015, the General Council of the ITUC adopted a decision to include the Federation of Trade Unions of Uzbekistan to the organization as associated member. The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) is the global voice of the world’s working people. It unites 328 national trade unions from 162 states with total members of 176 million people. The ITUC’s primary mission is the promotion and defense of workers’ rights and interests, through international cooperation between trade unions, global campaigning and advocacy within the major global institutions.

Publications

Regional Economic Outlook for Middle East and Central Asia (An IMF Report, Oct 2015)

Global growth remains moderate and uneven. Growth is projected at 3.1 percent in 2015, somewhat lower than last year, and is expected to accelerate to 3.6 percent in 2016. While the dynamism of advanced economies is still muted by post-crisis legacies, growth is projected to pick up modestly this year and next year. Growth prospects in emerging markets vary significantly across countries, but the outlook is generally weakening given lower growth in oil and other commodity exporters, a slowdown in China reflecting lower reliance on investment, adjustment in the aftermath of credit and investment booms, and geopolitical tensions and security challenges in some countries. Growth should rebound in 2016 owing to a partial normalization of conditions in countries currently in economic distress (Russia, Brazil and some other countries in Latin America, and some in the Middle East), spillovers from stronger activity in advanced economies, and the easing of sanctions on Iran. China is projected to slow further, albeit gradually.  Full Report can be found here.  

Europe and Central Asia: Modest Recovery in the West, but Sharp Slowdown in the East (A World Bank Publication, 26 Oct 2015)

In the midst of an uncertain global economic environment, GDP growth for the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region is expected to increase to 1.4 percent for 2015, with 1.8 percent growth projected for 2016. But prospects for countries vary widely: the western part of the region will likely continue its fragile recovery in 2016, while the eastern part of the region will increasingly suffer large income losses.  Full report can be found here.