News Roundup

News Roundup - March 6, 2008

By SRI ⋅ March 6, 2008 ⋅

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty: Yushchenko seeks energy imports in Kazakhstan

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko is on a visit to Kazakhstan this week, ostensibly to help kick off the “Year of Ukraine in Kazakhstan.” But given Ukraine’s current problems with Moscow over natural-gas supplies, Yushchenko’s presence in Kazakhstan — the energy baron of Central Asia — could not come at a better time…

Ferghana.ru: Yuschenko is going to Central Asia to challenge Russia

President of Ukraine Victor Yuschenko begins his brief tour of Central Asian countries on March 5. In Tajikistan, the Ukrainians hope to elbow Russia out (Russian deliverers of hardware for hydroelectric power plants and Rosoboronexport)…

The Korea Times: KEPCO to tap Kazakhstan’s electricity market

The Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO), a state-run power firm, said Wednesday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Kazakhstan’s energy company for electricity projects worth some $500 million (roughly 473.6 billion won)…

Reuters: Kazakh banks see asset quality decline in H1 2008

Kazakh banks expect their asset quality to weaken this year in the aftermath of the global liquidity squeeze and will tighten lending rules accordingly, a survey by the central bank showed on Wednesday…

Project Syndicate: Back to the Great Game in Kazakhstan

Those who oppose Western rapprochement with Kazakhstan cite the country’s lack of political and human rights. But, while Kazakhstan has not gone down the “color revolution” route to democracy that other post-Soviet republics like Ukraine and Georgia have followed, its timidity about reform does not justify isolation…

Ferghana.ru: The government of Kazakhstan will promote national internet

The government of Kazakhstan is out to develop the national segment of the Internet or Kaznet. The development concept is expected in the government within a week. Prime Minister Karim Masimov is convinced that the government should adopt the Kaznet development concept “the sooner, the better”…

Neweurasia.net: Party changes name, not too well

Last week the major opposition party of Kazakhstan, the “Nagyz Ak Zhol” [True Bright Path] has called a party congress and changed its name to “Azat” [Freedom] party…

IFC: IFC private equity fund investment supports small and medium businesses in Central Asia

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, announced today that it has invested in the Aureos Central Asia Fund, a private equity fund that will finance small and medium enterprises in Central Asia and the Caucasus…

Mineweb: Central discovers new gold zone in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan-focused gold exploration company Central Asia Resources (CVR) drilling program has resulted in the discovery of a new gold zone and confirmed extensions to the mineralisation along strike and at depth in zone #3 at the Altyntas gold prospect…

Interfax: Kazakhstan, Qatar signed agreement to stimulate and protect investments

Kazakhstan and Qatar have agreed to bolster trade and economic cooperation. “With a view to stimulate trade and economic ties, the parties have agreed to expand their cooperation within a high-level joint commission between Kazakhstan and Qatar,” press service of the Kazakh president said following the visit of Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani to Kazakhstan…

Interfax: Kazakhstan to keep building democratic society based on international human rights standards – Kazakh Foreign Ministry

Astana will keep pursuing political reforms aimed at building a civil society in line with international human rights standards, Kazakh Foreign Minister Marat Tazhin said…

Institute for War and Peace Reporting: Germans urged to address Central Asian media problems

The international media watchdog Reporters Without Borders has urged Germany to pay more attention to questions concerning freedom of speech in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The Independent: The taste of excess: Can we save the prized Caspian sturgeon?

If the current demand for caviar continues, the prized Caspian sturgeon will be extinct in just 14 years. Can we save it – and still enjoy one of nature’s greatest luxuries?