Uzbekistan
London-listed TBC Bank expands digital ecosystem with OLX Uzbekistan acquisition
OLX Uzbekistan is the sixth-most visited website in Uzbekistan with with 5.4mn monthly active users and 2.2mn active listings.
Uzbekistan launches sweeping entrepreneurship reforms as Mirziyoyev pledges to cut red tape
Uzbekistan has announced a raft of new measures to support entrepreneurs, including a plan to allow businesses to be registered within 15 minutes from 2026.
Boost for event tourism as J.Lo concert showcases Tashkent’s ability to put on world-class entertainment
State coffers, meanwhile, get $3mn tax boost.
Kazakhstan pulls ahead of Russia for GDP per capita
Development a serious blow to Russian prestige.
The Caucasus and Central Asia are well wired – survey
Kazakhstan is the leader in “meaningful connectivity.”
US losing ground to China in competition over Central Asia’s critical minerals
Lots of talk, little action.
COMMENT: From an AI tax assistant to biometrics, Uzbekistan invests in digital services
The Uzbek government’s digitalisation effort is broad and all-encompassing.
Central Asia becomes launchpad for Freedom’s digital banking expansion
Group is bringing Kazakhstan's sophisticated banking technology to the wider region starting with Tajikistan and Georgia.
Uzbek digital doyen Uzum secures $70mn equity financing led by Ten Cent and VR Capital, hits $1.5bn valuation
Company to accelerate development of proprietary fintech, broaden product suite.
Russia detains 300 Tajiks for migration law violations in Moscow raid
Russian National Guard special forces detained 300 people for suspected migration law violations during a raid at a hostel in central Moscow.
$5bn Sea Breeze Uzbekistan resort project at Charvak Reservoir approved by government
Environmentalists unhappy with plans of Azerbaijani investor but officials have pledged strict oversight to allay concerns.
Uzbek inflation nudges higher to 8.9% in July from 8.7% in June
This time last year, headline rate was 10.5%.
Russian business travellers are discovering Uzbekistan
Are sanctions-busters scouting out a new hub?
Uzbekistan’s first women-focused tech accelerator debuts with Pitch & Rise event
Startup training, mentorship and networking to help turn early-stage ideas into viable, investor-ready ventures.
Court hears Uzbek group attempted to sell nuclear bomb material uranium on black market
National security officials world over are anxious to quickly shut down any such sales.
Gig economy gaining traction in Uzbekistan
Tashkent is working hard to expand its tax base.
EXPLAINER: The high stakes behind the Zangezur Corridor
Proposed corridor linking Azerbaijan’s main territory with its Nakhchivan exclave across Armenia could slash transit times from Asia to Europe along the Middle Corridor but faces fierce opposition from Yerevan.
Multimodal China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan rail and road freight route goes into operation
Corridor connects Wuhan in central China to Tashkent. With realisation of the “CKU” railroad years away, operators will hope for brisk business.
PANNIER: Stakes in fight against terrorism raised as Uzbekistan discovers ISKP cell led by teenage woman
Suspect in custody allegedly radicalised at Islamic school in Turkey. Development is disturbing for authorities.
Uzbekistan’s Click and Kazakhstan’s Halyk Bank announce $237mn fintech banking partnership deal
Combination to further integrate digital and traditional services on Uzbek market.