Energy and Economy 

Rosatom Continues to Face Financial Problems  

The Russian state-owned enterprise that oversees the country’s nuclear energy sector is set to slash its investment program and operating costs. Director General of Rosatom Alexei Likhachev stated that operating costs will shrink by nearly 10% by 2028, with financial troubles continuing due to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Likhachev also announced that several Rosatom projects will face significant delays, raising doubts over the fulfillment of new nuclear projects in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan by the mid-2030s.  

Source: The Moscow Times, Eurasianet  

Extreme Heat Scorches Central Asia and Causes Forest Fires, Power Outages 

Extreme temperatures regularly exceeding 40 degrees Celsius have scorched Central Asia in recent days. A 50-year temperature record was exceeded in Almaty, and 43 forest fires were recorded around the country. Electricity consumption in Uzbekistan reached a record high of 294.4mn kilowatt-hours on July 18, while mass power outages related to a grid failure and extreme energy consumption infected parts of Kyrgyzstan. Extreme weather phenomena have become increasingly common in Central Asia amid a warming climate, and this trend can be expected to continue in future years. 

Source: Tengri News, The Times of Central Asia, Daryo, 24.kg 

Kazakhstan and China Launch IBI Digital Economy Hub 

Kazakhstan and China have launched the IBI Digital Economy Hub in Almaty, a new platform designed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in digital trade, e-commerce, investment, and cross-border logistics. The opening ceremony, attended by Vice Minister of Trade and Integration Aidar Abildabekov alongside business representatives from both countries, marks a significant step in deepening economic ties between the two countries. The hub will help companies develop joint investment projects, expand digital commerce, localize production, and improve supply-chain connectivity across both markets. 

Source: Times of Central Asia 

Kazakhstan and China Sign Agreement worth over $15 Billion 

Chinese and Kazakhstani companies signed over 70 agreements worth more than $15 billion during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s recent visit to Shanghai. The agreements span the fields of AI, digitalization, transportation, mechanical engineering, finances, and agriculture. At the Kazakhstan-China High-Tech Company Roundtable, President Tokayev welcomed further Chinese investment and involvement in Kazakhstan’s ongoing digitalization project, which includes the planned Data Center Valley in Ekibastuz and Alatau Smart City, and in further mining and refining of critical minerals.  

Source: Fergana News 

Kazakhstan Enacts Wheat Import Ban, Risking Dispute with Russia 

Kazakhstan enacted a 6-month wheat import ban that risks a trade dispute with Russia. While the ban does not explicitly target a particular country, it seeks to address undeclared, cheap Russian grain imported across Kazakhstan’s northern border. Kazakhstan’s authorities have portrayed the ban as a measure to protect local producers. Certain importers remain exempt from the ban. A similar measure in 2024 resulted in retaliatory restrictions from Russia that continued in 2025. Kazakhstan’s restrictions contradict its promotion of a barrier-free market as part of its Eurasian Economic Union chairmanship this year.  

Source: The Times of Central Asia 

Transit Through Kazakhstan Has Increased 24 Percent Since January   

Kazakhstan saw a 24 percent increase in transit volumes between January and June 2026 compared to the same period last year, with freight rising from 17.5 million tons to 21.7 million tons. The country is reaping the benefits of its major infrastructure initiative as a record 11,000 kilometers of roads were under construction or repair this year, including toll road expansions. Moreover, Kazakhstan's 111-aircraft fleet grew this year with the addition of an Airbus A321neo and two Boeing 737 MAX 8s, and the country now operates 915 international flights per week across 158 routes serving 32 countries.  

Source: Baq.Kz  

Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan Sign New Agreements on Joint Investment  

During the 15th meeting of the Uzbekistan – Azerbaijan Intergovernmental Commission on July 17, state officials from both countries signed agreements on projects ranging from tourism to geological exploration and investment collaboration. The meeting also revealed a list of new projects that are set for the near future, including gas and oil block development, the construction of new hotels, and new factories in both countries. After the meeting, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev spoke with Azerbaijan’s Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov, where both parties reviewed the progress of current projects.   

Source: UZ Daily, Kun  

New Chairman of Kazakhstan’s State-owned Railway Company Appointed  

Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna JSC appointed Elzhas Otynshiev as the new director of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) on July 20. Otynshiev brings nearly two decades of experience in finance, business, and the extractive and railway sectors. He has served on the Board of Directors of KTZ since February 2024. This appointment comes as KTZ expands and improves its rail infrastructure, strengthening Kazakhstan’s position as a transport hub on the Middle Corridor.  

Source: vlast.kz   

Security and Politics 

Armenia Initiates Ratification Process for Framework Agreement on TRIPP Corridor 

Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan presented a draft law of the Framework Agreement on Strategic Cooperation between Armenia and the United States on July 16.  It’s goal is to facilitate joint cooperation on the development of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP). The draft of the agreement now requires passage by Armenia’s Constitutional Court, and, pending approval, it would then be sent to the National Assembly.  The agreement establishes the TRIPP Development Company, which would be granted land use rights and for 49 years to build the trade corridor. The framework also would grant the U.S. a 74% stake in the project and Armenia a 26% stake.  

Source: ArmenPress 

Drones Attack Tankers Carrying Oil from Kazakhstan 

Over the past weekend, drones hit the tankers ASIA, NISSOS IOS and later NELSA in the Caspian Sea as they were being loaded with cargo – including oil from Kazakhstan – in a sea terminal owned by the Russia-dominated Caspian Pipeline Consortium. While the attack resulted in fires onboard the ships, there were no casualties or loss of cargo. The Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan characterized the attacks as “unacceptable,” and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs similarly condemned the attacks as an “encroachment on the economic interests of Kazakhstan.” The government of Kazakhstan has not yet named the drones’ origin.  

Sources: TengriNews, TengriNews 

Berdimuhamedov Concludes Two-Day Visit to Georgia 

On July 16-17, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov met with Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze in Tbilisi. The parties reportedly signed a number of memoranda and agreements to strengthen bilateral cooperation, stressing the importance of growing economic cooperation between the states. During the Turkmenistan head of state’s visit, the Georgia-Turkmenistan Business Forum also took place, where Kobakhidze highlighted how trade turnover between the two countries had increased by 26% in the last year. 

Source: Anewz