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headlines from the caspian, november 29, 2021

Headlines from the Caspian, November 29, 2021

Author: Caspian Policy Center

Nov 29, 2021

Energy and Economy   Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan Sign $5.9 Billion of Business Projects   On December 4, the Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan Business Forum and the 4th meeting of the Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan Business Council were held in Nur-Sultan. Representatives of ministries, agencies, and businesses outlined prospects of cooperation and signed contracts and bilateral agreements for $5.9 billion in total. The signed agreements will create 20,000-30,000 jobs in the next few years.   Source: AKIpress Kazakhstan, Iran, and Turkmenistan Agree to Boost Cargo Volume via Railroad   As part of the Business Forum held on the sidelines of the 15th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit in Ashgabat, officials from Kazakhstan, Iran, and Turkmenistan signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding to expand railroad cooperation and boost cargo volume. The document  was signed following an agreement between the Head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (RAI), Miad Salehi, and the Head of Turkmen state-run Railway Agency, Azat Atamuradov, a month ago.   Source: Caspian News     Electricity Tariffs for Low-Income Families To Be Reduced in Kyrgyzstan   Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov passed a decree on November 26 to support low-income families through lowered electricity tariffs. The support focuses on families with children under 16 years old and will come into effect on January 1, 2022. Low income families with children under 16 will pay 0.5 soms ($.006) per Kilowatt hour for up to 700 kWh per month.   Source: AKIpress   Kyrgyzstan To Exempt Farmers from Land Tax for Three Years Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov announced on Facebook that he signed a decree exempting Kyrgyz farmers and peasant farms from paying land taxes starting January 1, 2022. The president also announced that loans would be made available at 6% per year. Source: Fergana News Germany Issues 3 Million Euro Grant to Georgia to Support Families Affected by COVID-19 Germany has given Georgia a three million euro grant to support vulnerable families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant agreement was signed on November 30 between Georgian Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili and the German Development Bank’s (KfW) South Caucasus Office Director Birgit Holderied-Kress. The purpose of the assistance is to alleviate economic consequences for the Georgian families who lost their income during the COVID-19 pandemic.   Source: Agenda.ge       Security and Politics   Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Sign a Declaration on Allied Relations   Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a declaration of allied relations during Mirziyoyev’s visit to Nur-Sultan. The declaration will strengthen the strategic partnership between the countries with emphasis on strengthening trade and economic cooperation, increasing mutual trade turnover, attracting investments, and cooperating in agriculture, construction, and transport.   Source: Sputnik   Azerbaijan and Armenia Exchange Detainees and Mine Maps Ten Armenian soldiers were released after being captured following a border clash. During the exchange, Armenia gave Azerbaijan maps of the Nagorno-Karabakh region with details of where mines were located to assist demining efforts. This exchange comes after increased calls by the international community for Armenia and Azerbaijan to finish the process of demarcating their border and to increase the rate of demining, reconstruction, and resettlement in the region.   Source: RFE/RL   Military Helicopter Crash in Azerbaijan Leaves 14 Dead   A transport helicopter carrying 18 officers crashed on November 30, leaving 14 people dead and injuring several more. The crash has been attributed to technical malfunctions and weather conditions.   Source: Eurasianet   CSTO Member States Release Joint Statement on Fight Against Terrorism   Members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)  expressed concern about the increasing rate of terrorist attacks in its region and bordering territories.  Additionally, concerns were raised about the growing prevalence of hate speech, radicalization, and misinformation in the region via the Internet.   Source: Armenpress     President of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan meet in Nur-Sultan   President Tokayev and President Mirziyovev held an official meeting in Akorda Residence, during which cooperation and bilateral ties between the two countries were discussed. The two leaders focused on trade and economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.   Source: Akipress   U.S. President Biden Extends Congratulations on 30th Anniversary to President Tokayev   United States President Joseph Biden congratulated Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the state of Kazakhstan on the 30th anniversary of its independence from the Soviet Union. This was followed by remarks from President Biden affirming the U.S. strategic partnership and support of Kazakhstan in promoting stability in Central Asia, as well as cooperation on combating climate change and increasing connectivity and economic growth throughout the region.   Source: Astana Times         Sources: (Agenda.ge, AKIpress, Armenpress, AstanaTimes, Caspian News,  Fergana News Agency, RFE/RL)


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