IFPRI CA NEWS DIGEST (JULY 5 – JULY 11, 2017)
News
Belarusian agricultural machinery to be assembled in Tajikistan
(July 10) Planning is underway to start assembling Belarusian-brand agricultural machinery in Tajikistan. Belarusian agricultural machinery is well regarded in Tajikistan and comprises a major portion of Belarus’ exports to the country. – Belarusian Telegraph Agency
EBRD agrees new country strategy for Kazakhstan
(July 10) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has announced a revised four-year strategy for Kazakhstan that will focus on investing in private enterprises. The EBRD is aiming to improve the Kazakh economy’s competitiveness by supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises and infrastructure projects. The EBRD strategy will also help develop sustainable energy, water, and resource use. – Public Finance International
World Bank approves $10 million for Tajikistan natural disaster resilience project
(July 11) On July 10, the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved $50 million for the “Strengthening Critical Infrastructure Against Natural Hazards” project in Tajikistan. The project will be implemented over a six-year period by the Ministry of Finance of Tajikistan in coordination with other government agencies. Tajikistan is prone to a variety of natural disasters including floods, mudslides, earthquakes, droughts, and heavy snowfall. – The World Bank
Kyrgyzstan, Czech company sign deal to kick-start stalled hydropower project
(July 11) The Kyrgyz government signed a deal with Czech renewable energy company Liglass Trading to construct a series of hydropower dams in the Naryn region. Liglass will take over the project from a Russian investing firm that pulled out in 2015 because of financial reasons. The project is seen by the Kyrgyz government as an important component of future plans to export electricity to Afghanistan and Pakistan. – Eurasianet
Special fund to smooth price fluctuations for food in Uzbekistan
(July 11) A special fund for stabilizing food prices has been established via presidential decree in Uzbekistan. The Ministry of Finance of Uzbekistan will allocate approximately $100 million to the fund, which will attempt to smooth seasonal and other fluctuations in prices for selected staple foods. – Asia Plus, Norma.uz
Analysis & Other Information
Kazakhstan can supply camel products for export
(July 10) Camel-breeding expert Gauhar Konysbaeva believes that Kazakhstan has the potential to export camel products to the Middle East. She discussed misperceptions about camel meat, which is not commonly consumed locally, recommending it as an excellent source of nutrition. Moreover, Konysbaeva claims that camel production is more sustainable for the environment, especially in the arid regions of Kazakhstan. – Atameken
Publications & Reports
Evaluation of the development of various forms of agriculture cooperation in the republic of Kazakhstan
Akimbekova, E. Horska, G. Yegizbayeva (2017). Visegrad Journal on Bioeconomy and Sustainable Development, 6(1), pp. 39-44.
Impact of group formation on women's empowerment and economic resilience in rural Tajikistan
Molesworth, F. Secula, R. Eager, Z. Murodova, S. Yarbaeva, B. Matthys (2017). The Journal of Rural and Community Development, 12(1), pp. 1-22.
Structural change and economic growth in transition economy: the empirical case of the Kyrgyz Republic
R. Butabaev (2017). Nagoya University.
Events & Calls for Papers
ANICANET Summer School 2017
Training course. September 25-29, 2017 in Halle, Germany. Organized by Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO). Summer school on quantitative analysis featuring discussion about animal husbandry in Central Asia. Check link for detailed descriptions about program and eligibility. Deadline to register for the course is August 13, 2017.
Annual Eurasian Food Security Conference
Annual Conference. October 3-5, 2017 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Organized by the Eurasian Center for Food Security at Lomonosov Moscow State University (ECFS), World Bank Group, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), and International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). Deadline to register for the conference is September 17, 2017.
Life in Kyrgyzstan
Annual Conference. October 12-13, 2017 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Organized by Institute of Public Policy and Administration of the University of Central Asia (UCA), Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ), International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), International Security and Development Center (ISDC), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Deadline to submit papers is June 15, 2017. Deadline to register is September 15, 2017.
Archived issues of the news digest can be found on the Central Asia page under the ReSAKSS Asia website: http://resakss-asia.org/regions/central-asia. A link to the newsletter can be found under Blog Posts.
The articles included in this news digest have been generated from online sources. Any opinions stated herein are not representative of, or endorsed by, the International Food Policy Research Institute or its partners.
