CBJ Exclusive: First US-TBC Mission to Ashgabat

It is “America Week” in Turkmenistan.  The name is a propos considering the U.S.-Turkmenistan Business Council’s first mission to Ashgabat finishes its third day today and the Obama Administration is wrapping up its first Annual Bilateral Consultation (ABC) in the country.

Eleven companies – Belam, Boeing, Case New Holland, Caterpillar, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, GE, Honeywell, John Deere, and Parker Drilling – sent delegates with the US-TBC mission.  According to US-TBC Executive Director Eric Stewart, the visit began with a traditional warm welcome, and will finish tomorrow with a business and U.S. government delegation flying to Awaza to tour the development of their large scale tourism center on the Caspian. Keep Reading »

Kazakh Economic Updates

Several updates to Kazakhstan’s economy from the past week:

• The IMF has upgraded its forecast for economic growth in Kazakhstan from 2.4% to 4%.  However, worries about the financial sector persist. (SRI) 
• Alliance Bank has had its long-term credit rating adjusted by Standard & Poor’s from ‘D’ to ‘B-’ after undergoing a massive restructuring.  (SRI)

Keep Reading »

New Survey on “Female Face” of the CIS Released

A new survey looking at the most visible female faces of the CIS has been released by Za Rubezhom,  a Russian-based publication.  The survey looked at appearances in media (print/TV) as well as public perception of charity works and entrepreneurship.   The full survey can be viewed here:

Changes to Kazakhstan Commodities Market

The addition of a new tax on aluminum exports from Kazakhstan has recently been announced. According to Silk Road Intelligencer (SRI): “Kazakhstan will introduce a 15-percent export tariff on aluminum alloys, or no less than 100 euros per metric ton, starting on June 23, the government said on Thursday.”

Turkmenistan Weekly Energy Review

The latest TWER report is now available from the Caspian Business Journal.  Click on the link below to open the latest PDF presentation. TURKMEN WEEKLY ENERGY REVIEW N. 39

Opportunities for New Ventures in Central Asia’s Construction Boom

According to a recent article on Eurasianet.org:  “The Pentagon is preparing to embark on a mini-building boom in Central Asia.”  The potential infusion of cash for a variety of military, border and customs related projects should mean new opportunities in the regions booming construction and infrastructure sectors.  The various projects being outlined by the Pentagon include joint military training facilities (Kyrgyzstan), upgrading existing infrastructure and new border posts (Turkmensitan).  Many of these projects are already being put out for tender in the U.S. but should have strong local components as well.  One sector that will certainly benefit from additional construction will be in heavy equipment.  Turkmenistan already is faced with a lack of heavy equpment, from cranes to industrial cement mixers, due to the already robust nature of projects underway.  This includes the massive effort on the Caspian coast in Awaza where new hotels and road networks are being constructed at this very moment.  Procurement and leasing of these equipment types should prove to be a lucrative venture for the region, not only in Turkmenistan but Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan as well.

Azerbaijan Business Cables

(courtesy of the USACC) Azerbaijan Heads into Space with First National Satellite The Azerbaijan Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies has signed a contract with Orbital Sciences Corp. to build Azerbaijan’s first national satellite, Orbital announced May 27. Orbital Sciences Corporation will produce the satellite over 26 months. Azerbaijan plans to launch the synchronous space telecommunications satellite between July and August 2012. The country will use the satellite to start developing its space industry. “I understand that this contract is only the start. Keep Reading »

First U.S. Business Delegation to Turkmenistan

American Business Delegation Announces the First-ever American Business Mission to Turkmenistan

(Washington, DC) The US Turkmenistan Business Council announced today that the members of the Council will lead a 3 day mission to Turkmenistan to further explore investment and trade opportunities.  The mission will be held from June 14 – 16^th and will coincide with the inaugural Annual Bilateral Consultations (ABC) between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the United States of America. The ABC Keep Reading »

More Customs Problems on Tajik-Uzbek Border

Kyrgyzstan's mountains in the fall. Photo by Sam Tranum.

For the second time in almost as many months, rail traffic between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan has ground to a halt.  Much of the cargo now idleing is destined for NATO forces and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.   In addition to the headache this is giving logistics officers and Keep Reading »

June 1: Turkmenistan Energy Reports

The following new energy reports are now available on the Caspian Business Journal.   The first report analyzes Turkmenistan’s pipeline to China and the economic and local business impact.  The second is part of our continuing series presenting news, government developments, local business updates and energy issues in Turkmenistan.  To access either report, please click on the links below.  Keep Reading »