Kazakhstan
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HALLIGAN: Power struggle in OPEC+ is pulling oil prices down
The oil market has entered choppy waters once again. Crude prices fell by a dramatic 18% in April y/y – the sharpest monthly drop since November 2021 – partly due to a global slowdown, but more due to a power struggle within OPEC+.
Kazakh service sector activity growth strongest in nine months, shows April PMI
Sustained optimism amid stronger competition noted. Rising price pressures a worry.
Looking at ramifications of China’s shifting energy usage patterns on Central Asia
Renewables are up, fossil fuels down.
InDrive pioneering a sustainable "fair" ride-hailing business
The Siberia-born InDrive ride-hailing service is doing something special. It cut margins, offers the cheapest prices possible and is generous to its largely freelance staff. IIt is pioneering a new "fair" business model that works.
Post-war order teetering – rights watchdog
Eurasia “at forefront” of assault on individual freedoms.
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PMI shows ongoing expansion in Kazakh manufacturing sector in April
Business activity said to remain in the optimistic zone, but the index has declined to a 14-month low.
COMMENT: Middle Corridor makes progress, but playing second fiddle to the Northern Route
The Middle Corridor linking China to Europe through the South Caucasus and Central Asia has expanded significantly in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but its long-term prospects remain uncertain.
MACRO ADVISORY: Kazakhstan’s high stakes oil gambit
Kazakhstan’s economy is estimated to have grown by more than 5.5% in the first quarter. Growth in February alone topped 7.5% y/y. The reason for the strong growth is the surge in oil production at the giant Tengiz oil field.
After Samarkand summit, Europe’s quest for Central Asian resources meets reality
Playing long game for rare earths.
Caspian Sea may become next Aral, but who is to blame?
Some forecasting even indicates the decline of the body of water could pose a threat to the shipping section of the rapidly expanding Middle Corridor transit route.
Trump policies won’t harm Emerging Europe badly – and will actively benefit Russia
Latest wiiw forecasts show little direct impact on Central and Southeast Europe from Trump trade wars.
Turkey’s foreign policy falling apart on all fronts, writes shadow minister
Ankara took a slap to the chops as Turkic Central Asian states inked an investment-linked deal on relations with Brussels that pointedly included no recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
COMMENT: Embracing “Greater Central Asia” has become a strategic imperative for US
Wider region increasingly seen as arena in which major powers’ interests, such as in sourcing critical minerals, collide and converge.
Will quiet Sino-Russian stranglehold damn West’s moves to source more uranium from Kazakhstan?
Brief halt at Kazakh-Canadian producer sparks investor concern and suspicion over Moscow factor.
Kazakhstan will put national interests over OPEC+ oil limits, says energy minister
Comments spark fears of price wars and even of a potential de facto exit from the coalition by the Central Asian country.
URUS-ClearPic: The Big Four of US, China, Russia and Europe vie for investment in Central Asia
Historically, it is the ultimate crossroads between Europe, the Middle East, South Asia and East Asia – and the central component for most of the Silk Road. Now the Central Asian countries find themselves caught between the Big Four.
China spikes Gazprom gas export plan in Central Asia
Russian energy company keeps gushing red ink.
Tajikistan: Rogun Dam project going under microscope
World Bank’s financing role facing scrutiny.
China trying to expand role as arms supplier to Central Asia
Uzbekistan reportedly considering purchase of Chinese fighters.
Measuring impact of US tariffs on Central Asia and South Caucasus
Little near-term pain, but lots of uncertainty about future.