Briefs
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Kyrgyzstan's overall exports began recovering after a 2025 decline despite a gold export plunge. Ministry of Labor data shows citizens working abroad decreased from 798,400 in 2025 to 736,600 in 2026, with over 472,000 residing in Russia as of March 2026.
Tajikistan's industrial output reached 53.2 billion somoni in January–September 2026, up 13.7% year on year. Meanwhile, the National Bank is discussing a national electronic platform to improve business access to financing.
Uzbekistan announced 54 U.S. agreements worth $12 billion, while over 2.274 million Tajik citizens visited the country and rental services topped 10 trillion soums in 9 months.
Uzbekistan's public catering turnover exceeded 200 trillion soums, while mining output reached almost 58 trillion soums. Machinery and transport equipment accounted for approximately one-third of total imports.
NVIDIA has invested in Kazakh AI startup Higgsfield, while Gucci revenue fell by 6% amid weak demand in China and Japan, pulling its owner's shares down by over 10%.
In H1 2026, Dushanbe police identified 93 cases of fortune telling, resulting in five criminal cases and fines for 11 clients. This follows legal provisions imposing fines up to 2,000 calculation indicators and prison terms for repeat offenders.
The Asian Development Bank is considering $500 million for Tajikistan's Roghun hydropower project, which has drawn 60.3 billion somoni since 2008. Meanwhile, cement prices reached 70 somoni per 50-kg bag in Bokhtar.
Russia plans to supply over 300,000 tons of diesel initially and 500,000 tons in November 2026, while proposed US legislation targets Russian energy importers with up to 100% tariffs.
Kazakhstan returned land worth 1.7 billion tenge to state ownership in Aktobe after finding it was privatized without tender procedures. Meanwhile, Bank RBK launched lending operations in digital tenge.
Tajikistan has established three standard residential solar designs of 5 and 15 kW, while reporting 526 kg of psychotropic seizures (up 3.3-fold) and 2,963 kg of narcotic seizures (down 5%) in H1 2026.
Uzbekistan's trade services hit nearly UZS 214 trillion over an eight-month period as UNCTAD projects 7.9% GDP growth in 2026. Metallurgical industry output reached UZS 243.6 trillion across trade networks spanning over 200 countries.
Trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Belgium grew by almost 10% since the beginning of the year, supported by cumulative Belgian FDI exceeding $15 billion.
Kyrgyzstan received $386.7 million in FDI in Q1 2026, a 34% increase year-on-year. This comes after 2025 inflows reached $618.8 million in manufacturing and $246.3 million in mining, despite a 35% decline in Russian investment.
Tajikistan plans an 800 MW hydropower station and AI traffic management across two Dushanbe intersections, following language policy shifts dating back to October 2009 and 2010.
On October 2, 2026, Uzbekistan's Senate approved legal amendments introducing life imprisonment for child sexual crimes, following a rise in complaints from 56 in 2023 to 141 in 2025. Concurrently, health authorities placed services on high epidemiological alert.
Kazakhstan's renewable energy output grew 20% YoY in Q3 to 7.8 billion kWh, while the National Bank set the USD rate at 453.65 tenge on October 7. Meanwhile, global chip sales passed $1 trillion YTD and Kazakhstan ratified a European legal assistance convention.
Kazakhstan is raising spending on scientific research to 1% of GDP while introducing corporate incentives for university research. Meanwhile, international tech players adjust R&D and funding strategies.
Tajikistan recorded 2.7% inflation for January–August 2026, while the EBRD committed 32 million euros to Khujand sewage infrastructure. Meanwhile, an August 28, 2026 decree mandates HIV testing for beauty salon employees.
In December, Kazakhstan will auction 56 subsoil plots with investment obligations, while the AI Month event launches with a $1.1 million prize fund supported by OpenAI. Chinese logistics player YTO is also preparing to expand its investment presence in the country.
Uzbekistan recorded UZS 61.6 trillion in communication services over 7 months, while 68.3% of construction works went to buildings and over 46,000 foreign nationals visited for medical care.
Tajikistan fulfilled its cotton harvest plan by only 17.3%, while proposed tax changes advocate a 3 million somoni VAT threshold and a 3% online trade tax.
In August, job listings on Kazakhstan's Electronic Labor Exchange grew by over 25%, with top salaries reaching 2M KZT on Enbek.kz. Meanwhile, Zhasyl Damu funded 10.8B KZT for a recycling plant in Pavlodar, and US PNTR advocacy took place on Sept 2.
Over a seven-month period, Uzbekistan residents spent over UZS 27 trillion on educational services and produced over UZS 17 trillion in electrical equipment, alongside UZS 1.7 trillion in R&D.
In 2025, Russia supplied approximately 84% of Tajikistan's petroleum imports. Meanwhile, Asia-Plus launched a Persian service on September 7, 2026, drawing on its 2 million monthly visitors, while Dushanbe drone flights remain banned until September 12.
As of September 1, 2026, National Bank of Kazakhstan set its base rate at 16.75%, EUR/KZT at 536.09, and RUB/KZT at 5.34. Kurultai elected leadership on August 28, 2026, while Astana Hub reported higher H1 2026 residency applications versus H1 2025.
In January-June, Russia accounted for 18.4% of Kazakhstan's foreign trade. On August 28, 2026, the unicameral Kurultai legislature elected its leadership during its first session, alongside ongoing employment growth and falling prices for key food items.
Kazakhstan's Kurultai elected its leadership and eight standing committee heads during its first session on August 28, 2026. President Tokayev called on the legislature to modernize national laws and improve lawmaking quality.
In January-June, Russia accounted for 18.4% of Kazakhstan's trade turnover as labor market employment grew. July recorded 169.1 thousand vehicle registrations, while 47.7% of citizens engage in physical culture and sports.
In July, Kazakhstan registered 169.1 thousand motor vehicles, while prices for socially significant food products continued to decline. The official exchange rate was 462.31 KZT per USD as of September 1, 2026.
Permanent residence relocations to Uzbekistan surged 2.5 times, while travel to Türkiye grew by 17.7%. Meanwhile, domestic paper production reached UZS 5.4 trillion over a six-month period.
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