IFPRI CA WEEKLY NEWS DIGEST (JANUARY 13 – 20, 2014)

News

President Nazarbayev calls to develop GM crops in Kazakhstan

Tengrinews, 17 Jan., 2014. In his national address, President Nursultan Nazarbayev has commissioned the Government with developing drought-resistant and GM crops, and said that by 2030, in line with the national concept of shifting to the green economy, 18% of areas under crops should turn to water-saving technology.

Kazakhstan produced 18.9 million tons of cereals in 2013 (in Russian)

Kazakhstan produced 18.9 million tons of cereal, including 14.5 million tons of wheat, in 2013, according to the Statistics Agency of Kazakhstan. In 2012, national cereal production was 12.8 million tons and the record national cereal production was achieved in 2011 with about 27 million tons of cereal harvest.

Kyrgyzstan agrees on gas price for 2014 delivery with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

TREND.az, 11 Jan., 2014. Kyrgyz National Company KyrgyzGas agreed on the price for gas supplies from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Kyrgyzstan will buy 25 million cubic meters of Uzbek natural gas at $290 per 1,000 cubic meters, and 100 million cubic meters of Kazakh gas at $224 per 1,000 cubic meters in the first quarter of 2014.

Centerra Gold Inc. produces 90% more gold in Kyrgyzstan in 2013 (in Russian)

Centerra Gold Inc., Canadian gold mining company, increased gold production in its Kumtor, in Kyrgyzstan, and Boru fields, in Mongolia by 78 percent in 2013. Production in Kumtor increased by 90 percent in 2013 reaching 600,402 thousand ounces of gold. Gold is an important export commodity for Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyz GDP increases by 10.5% in 2013 (in Russian)

CA-NEWS reports that Kyrgyz GDP increased by 10.5 percent in 2013, according to the national statistical agency. GDP growth, excluding Kumtor gold mine activities, would have been 5.8 percent. Increase in food production including beverages and tobacco was 4.5 percent, mainly due to 90 percent increase in sugar production.

Kyrgyzstan impairs the freedom of transit for Tajikistan, says ITC survey

ASIA-Plus, 16 Jan., 2014. International Trade Center (ITC) surveyed trade obstacles for Tajik private exporters. Report highlights the progress made by both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in improving the road infrastructure. However, problems remain in bilateral border crossing agreements between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan for transit to Chinese market.

Land reform gaining momentum in Tajikistan (in Russian)

ASIA-Plus, 9 Jan., 2014. Acting governor of Soghd province comments on the uneven pace of farm reform during a field visit to the Bobojon-Gafurov raion.  Only 9 out of 148 collective dehkans have been disbanded so far in the district. 

Seeds sprout a healthier economy and environment in Tajikistan

This UNDP blog discusses Tajikistan’s efforts to improve cotton productivity through improved seed quality. In jamoat Ortiqov in northern Tajikistan, UNDP is supporting a project to breed high quality cotton seeds through a new trust fund mechanism. High-yield seeds can lessen environmental impact in multiple ways: They vegetate for less time and use less water, while increasing the cotton yield to more than three metric tons per hectare.

Tajikistan’s poverty rate decreased by 2.6% in 2013

ASIA-Plus, 16 Jan., 2014. Tajik President announced that money incomes of the population rose by 18% and wage salaries by 21.5%, in 2013. He also informed about a 2.6% fall in national poverty rate from 38.2% in 2012 to 35.6% in 2013.

Turkmenistan's GDP growth exceeds 10% in 2013

CA-NEWS, 15 Jan., 2014. Growth rate of gross domestic product (GDP) in Turkmenistan amounted to 10.2% in 2013, Ministry of Economy and Development of Turkmenistan reported on Monday. International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted that economic growth of Turkmenistan will reach 10.1% in 2013 and 10.7% - in 2014.

Physical volume of production grew in Turkmenistan in 2013 (in Russian)

CA-NEWS reports that according to the national statistical agency Turkmenistan achieved a growth in commodity production. This includes, growth in oil and gas condensate production - 2.1% and cotton fiber production - 1.4%. In agricultural sector, wheat, cotton and rice production grew by 30%, 13.7% and 18.3% respectively. 

Petrol prices increase by 20% in Uzbekistan

TREND.az, 10 Jan., 2014, reports about increase of the retail petrol price by 20 percent in Uzbekistan. At the same time, production of liquid hydrocarbons and petrol decreased by 11.6% and 6.3% respectively in 2012 compared to 2011.  

Biodiversity conservation issues discussed in Tashkent

UzReport, 13 Jan., 2014. On January 10, Uzbek State Committee for Protection of Nature hosted a press conference on "National parks and reserves in Uzbekistan", dedicated to National Parks and Reserves Day. As noted at the event, a network of protected natural territories (PNT) plays a crucial role in the conservation of biodiversity in Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan to upgrade water-supply system

Following last year's decision to modernise Tashkent's water-supply system, the Uzbek government has decided to do the same for the provinces. The program targets health and sanitation improvements.

Salaries are raised for researchers in Uzbekistan (in Russian)

NORMA, 13 Jan., 2014. Salaries of researchers is increased by 5% in Uzbekistan according to the resolution of Cabinet of Ministers from Jan. 8, 2014. Director of a research institute or professors will be receiving abound 674 USD per month at an official exchange rate of 2203.3 UZS per 1 USD.

Central Asia countries are unlikely to join Customs Union

This article discusses the likelihood of Central Asian countries joining the Russian-led Customs Union. Moscow will continue to pursue accession talks with Bishkek, Dushanbe and Tashkent. The economic slowdown in the CU will negatively impact its attractiveness to potential candidates for membership. Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are unlikely to reorient themselves towards the CU. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, which will remain economically weak and politically unstable, are also unlikely to join in the near term.

Publications

World Bank publishes Global Economic Perspectives report

World Bank, Jan., 2014. World Bank published GEP report with a special chapter for Europe and Central Asia.

The articles included in this news digest have been generated from online news sources.