Latest news with #EldorAripov
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Central Asian countries push for regional development at Termez Dialogue
Representatives of Central Asian countries have come together to maximise the region's economic opportunities and make an effort to support Afghanistan, which is now signalling a business-oriented international outreach after years of isolation. The Termez Dialogue on Connectivity Between Central and South Asia, which included leaders from Central Asian countries along with India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, was held in the southern Uzbek city of Termez. The meeting was initiated by Uzbekistan, a strong supporter of the economic integration of its neighbour Afghanistan, which is now in the fifth year of the Taliban government. The Central Asian countries have for years been pushing for what they call "acceptance of reality" in the region and engagement with Afghanistan. In 2022 Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, proposed a platform for Central and South Asian countries to collaborate, which was later reflected in a UN General Assembly resolution. The meeting in Termez is an effort to turn the ideas presented in the resolution into a reality. "The main goal of this dialogue is to create a permanent, functional platform within which the representatives of Central and South Asian countries can discuss a wide range of cooperation issues, from interconnectivity, trade and economic cooperation to humanitarian exchange," Eldor Aripov, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies, said. Most of the region's countries have already started their first infrastructure projects in Afghanistan. There are now high-voltage power lines to Afghanistan running from both from Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Through them Afghanistan receives regular aid in the form of electricity. Turkmenistan's deputy foreign minister Temirbek Erkinov pointed out a new road and a railway from his country to Afghanistan projects are in the planning for the route to be extended as far as the city of Mazar-i-Sharif. The participants in the Termez talks repeatedly pointed out the cultural and historic ties between the countries in the region and were all clear about one thing. Since they became independent from the Soviet Union, the landlocked countries of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, were cut off both from the nearest deep sea ports in Pakistan and from the vast markets of Pakistan and India due to ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. No pipeline, road or railway line was viable through the vast swathes of Afghanistan that were deemed unsafe. That situation has changed and Afghanistan now has a government which seems to be able to provide security for major projects. An opportunity not to be missed, in the opinion of Central Asian leaders. "We want active engagement on a number of concrete infrastructure projects, first of all Afghan Trans Railway Corridor. You know that all the countries of the region are land-locked, Uzbekistan is double-land locked as we have to cross two borders to reach the nearest sea," explained Aripov. "This is why the question of transport communication is the most important topic for all the central and south Asian countries. We are committed to the Trans Afghan corridor above all because it will connect Pakistani ports to the countries of Central Asia." "Right now, trade between Central and South Asia is worth five billion dollars. That is nothing. It does not remotely reflect the potential that's there. Europe is much further away and our trade exchange with them is ten times higher," he added. Afghanistan's deputy foreign minister Mohammad Naeem Wardak joined the summit to announce Kabul's intentions to get involved in trade, transit and stronger regional economic cooperation, to act what he called "a regional connector and a transit route." "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is making efforts to make Afghanistan the connectivity point in this region. Afghanistan's position is to the benefit of all the countries around us in the region," he said. He insisted that Afghanistan is already providing security in the region by tackling drug trafficking, eradicating poppy fields and fighting organised crime and terrorism. But his government is eager to engage more, economically, he said. "Afghanistan is centrally located and is the bridge between Central and South Asia. As such, it represents a bridge. Unfortunately, we had 40 years of fighting and the opportunity did not exist. Now, thanks to Allah, with the return of the Islamic Emirate, the opportunities for development are in place," he told Euronews. The city of Termez, situated on the border between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan on the bank of the Amu Darya river, has been a logistics hub for the caravans travelling between east and west along the ancient Silk Road. During Soviet times it was reduced to a distant outpost and served as the Red Army's entry point to Afghanistan in 1979. A project which envisions the city regaining some of its former glory and bringing the prosperity of a trade hub is under way. On a patch of land on the border, Uzbekistan built a free trade zone in 2024 for Afghan companies and a logistics centre. Afghan nationals can enter the zone as part of a 15-day visa-free regime. Almost half a million Afghans have already made use of the opportunity, opening businesses thanks to a simplified registration procedure and enjoying duty free trade. Around 100 shops are currently active there and a further 500 have been announced. A cargo centre within the zone is used to load more than 70 lorries, and a daily train transports goods to both sides of the border. A modern hospital, opened last year, with 380 doctors working in 15 different areas has treated around 48,000 Afghan patients, paid for by the Uzbek government. Related The race for Central Asia's transport routes: Who will dominate the new Silk Roads? Samarkand's celestial legacy: Tracing Ulugh Beg's astronomical achievements on the Silk Road The New Silk Road: What is it and why has Italy abandoned the project with China? Around 300 complicated surgeries were performed that patients were unable to have in Afghanistan. A business school for medium and small enterprises was also opened and teaches some 500 shop owners how to run and develop their business. "We have seen the surge of trade contracts in the last year. Last year the increase was 160%, and they are now worth $560 million (€494 million)," said the governor of the Surkhandarya region, Ulugbek Kosimov. He also hopes that the development of trade routes from Russia in the north to India in the south and from Iran in the west and China in the east, with all the countries along the road, will see his province prosper in what he called a "new renaissance."
Euronews
21-05-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Dutch citizens advised to keep cash on hand in case of emergency
The Netherlands' Central Bank (DNB) has advised citizens to keep enough cash on hand to last them three days in case of disaster or emergency, citing rising geopolitical tensions and cyber threats that could jeopardise the country's payment system. Citizens should keep €70 per adult and €30 per child in cash as a precautionary measure, the bank warned this week. The money should be enough to cover necessary expenses for 72 hours "such as for water, food, medicine, and transportation", it said. "Think of a power failure, a technical disruption at your bank or the Wi-Fi going down. Then you might not be able to pay the way you are used to. But paying with cash is almost always possible," the DNB's advisory said. The recommendation "was prompted by increased geopolitical tensions and cyber threats that could challenge our payment system", it added. In addition to holding hard cash, the DNB said people should consider having a debit card and using contactless with their phone or smartwatch. The bank's warning follows a massive power outage that hit Spain and Portugal on 28 April. The causes of the blackout are still being investigated. Card payment systems went offline and ATMs were out of order, meaning that many people in the two countries had to rely on cash to buy water, food, torches and battery-powered radios to stay up-to-date with the news. The European Commission released a preparedness plan in March that encouraged the public to maintain sufficient supplies for at least 72 hours in case of emergencies such as natural disasters or conflict. The plan listed items including cash, medication, a power bank and a radio. Representatives of Central Asian countries have come together to maximise the region's economic opportunities and make an effort to support Afghanistan, which is now signalling a business-oriented international outreach after years of isolation. The Termez Dialogue on Connectivity Between Central and South Asia, which included leaders from Central Asian countries along with India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, was held in the southern Uzbek city of Termez. The meeting was initiated by Uzbekistan, a strong supporter of the economic integration of its neighbour Afghanistan, which is now in the fifth year of the Taliban government. The Central Asian countries have for years been pushing for what they call "acceptance of reality" in the region and engagement with Afghanistan. In 2022 Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, proposed a platform for Central and South Asian countries to collaborate, which was later reflected in a UN General Assembly resolution. The meeting in Termez is an effort to turn the ideas presented in the resolution into a reality. "The main goal of this dialogue is to create a permanent, functional platform within which the representatives of Central and South Asian countries can discuss a wide range of cooperation issues, from interconnectivity, trade and economic cooperation to humanitarian exchange," Eldor Aripov, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies, said. Most of the region's countries have already started their first infrastructure projects in Afghanistan. There are now high-voltage power lines to Afghanistan running from both from Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Through them Afghanistan receives regular aid in the form of electricity. Turkmenistan's deputy foreign minister Temirbek Erkinov pointed out a new road and a railway from his country to Afghanistan projects are in the planning for the route to be extended as far as the city of Mazar-i-Sharif. The participants in the Termez talks repeatedly pointed out the cultural and historic ties between the countries in the region and were all clear about one thing. Since they became independent from the Soviet Union, the landlocked countries of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, were cut off both from the nearest deep sea ports in Pakistan and from the vast markets of Pakistan and India due to ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. No pipeline, road or railway line was viable through the vast swathes of Afghanistan that were deemed unsafe. That situation has changed and Afghanistan now has a government which seems to be able to provide security for major projects. An opportunity not to be missed, in the opinion of Central Asian leaders. "We want active engagement on a number of concrete infrastructure projects, first of all Afghan Trans Railway Corridor. You know that all the countries of the region are land-locked, Uzbekistan is double-land locked as we have to cross two borders to reach the nearest sea," explained Aripov. "This is why the question of transport communication is the most important topic for all the central and south Asian countries. We are committed to the Trans Afghan corridor above all because it will connect Pakistani ports to the countries of Central Asia." "Right now, trade between Central and South Asia is worth five billion dollars. That is nothing. It does not remotely reflect the potential that's there. Europe is much further away and our trade exchange with them is ten times higher," he added. Afghanistan's deputy foreign minister Mohammad Naeem Wardak joined the summit to announce Kabul's intentions to get involved in trade, transit and stronger regional economic cooperation, to act what he called "a regional connector and a transit route." "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is making efforts to make Afghanistan the connectivity point in this region. Afghanistan's position is to the benefit of all the countries around us in the region," he said. He insisted that Afghanistan is already providing security in the region by tackling drug trafficking, eradicating poppy fields and fighting organised crime and terrorism. But his government is eager to engage more, economically, he said. "Afghanistan is centrally located and is the bridge between Central and South Asia. As such, it represents a bridge. Unfortunately, we had 40 years of fighting and the opportunity did not exist. Now, thanks to Allah, with the return of the Islamic Emirate, the opportunities for development are in place," he told Euronews. The city of Termez, situated on the border between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan on the bank of the Amu Darya river, has been a logistics hub for the caravans travelling between east and west along the ancient Silk Road. During Soviet times it was reduced to a distant outpost and served as the Red Army's entry point to Afghanistan in 1979. A project which envisions the city regaining some of its former glory and bringing the prosperity of a trade hub is under way. On a patch of land on the border, Uzbekistan built a free trade zone in 2024 for Afghan companies and a logistics centre. Afghan nationals can enter the zone as part of a 15-day visa-free regime. Almost half a million Afghans have already made use of the opportunity, opening businesses thanks to a simplified registration procedure and enjoying duty free trade. Around 100 shops are currently active there and a further 500 have been announced. A cargo centre within the zone is used to load more than 70 lorries, and a daily train transports goods to both sides of the border. A modern hospital, opened last year, with 380 doctors working in 15 different areas has treated around 48,000 Afghan patients, paid for by the Uzbek government. Around 300 complicated surgeries were performed that patients were unable to have in Afghanistan. A business school for medium and small enterprises was also opened and teaches some 500 shop owners how to run and develop their business. "We have seen the surge of trade contracts in the last year. Last year the increase was 160%, and they are now worth $560 million (€494 million)," said the governor of the Surkhandarya region, Ulugbek Kosimov. He also hopes that the development of trade routes from Russia in the north to India in the south and from Iran in the west and China in the east, with all the countries along the road, will see his province prosper in what he called a "new renaissance."
Euronews
21-05-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Central Asian nations push for regional development at Termez Dialogue
Representatives of Central Asian countries have come together to maximise the region's economic opportunities and make an effort to support Afghanistan, which is now signalling a business-oriented international outreach after years of isolation. The Termez Dialogue on Connectivity Between Central and South Asia, which included leaders from Central Asian countries along with India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, was held in the southern Uzbek city of Termez. The meeting was initiated by Uzbekistan, a strong supporter of the economic integration of its neighbour Afghanistan, which is now in the fifth year of the Taliban government. The Central Asian countries have for years been pushing for what they call "acceptance of reality" in the region and engagement with Afghanistan. In 2022 Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, proposed a platform for Central and South Asian countries to collaborate, which was later reflected in a UN General Assembly resolution. The meeting in Termez is an effort to turn the ideas presented in the resolution into a reality. "The main goal of this dialogue is to create a permanent, functional platform within which the representatives of Central and South Asian countries can discuss a wide range of cooperation issues, from interconnectivity, trade and economic cooperation to humanitarian exchange," Eldor Aripov, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies, said. Most of the region's countries have already started their first infrastructure projects in Afghanistan. There are now high-voltage power lines to Afghanistan running from both from Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Through them Afghanistan receives regular aid in the form of electricity. Turkmenistan's deputy foreign minister Temirbek Erkinov pointed out a new road and a railway from his country to Afghanistan projects are in the planning for the route to be extended as far as the city of Mazar-i-Sharif. The participants in the Termez talks repeatedly pointed out the cultural and historic ties between the countries in the region and were all clear about one thing. Since they became independent from the Soviet Union, the landlocked countries of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, were cut off both from the nearest deep sea ports in Pakistan and from the vast markets of Pakistan and India due to ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. No pipeline, road or railway line was viable through the vast swathes of Afghanistan that were deemed unsafe. That situation has changed and Afghanistan now has a government which seems to be able to provide security for major projects. An opportunity not to be missed, in the opinion of Central Asian leaders. "We want active engagement on a number of concrete infrastructure projects, first of all Afghan Trans Railway Corridor. You know that all the countries of the region are land-locked, Uzbekistan is double-land locked as we have to cross two borders to reach the nearest sea," explained Aripov. "This is why the question of transport communication is the most important topic for all the central and south Asian countries. We are committed to the Trans Afghan corridor above all because it will connect Pakistani ports to the countries of Central Asia." "Right now, trade between Central and South Asia is worth five billion dollars. That is nothing. It does not remotely reflect the potential that's there. Europe is much further away and our trade exchange with them is ten times higher," he added. Afghanistan's deputy foreign minister Mohammad Naeem Wardak joined the summit to announce Kabul's intentions to get involved in trade, transit and stronger regional economic cooperation, to act what he called "a regional connector and a transit route." "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is making efforts to make Afghanistan the connectivity point in this region. Afghanistan's position is to the benefit of all the countries around us in the region," he said. He insisted that Afghanistan is already providing security in the region by tackling drug trafficking, eradicating poppy fields and fighting organised crime and terrorism. But his government is eager to engage more, economically, he said. "Afghanistan is centrally located and is the bridge between Central and South Asia. As such, it represents a bridge. Unfortunately, we had 40 years of fighting and the opportunity did not exist. Now, thanks to Allah, with the return of the Islamic Emirate, the opportunities for development are in place," he told Euronews. The city of Termez, situated on the border between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan on the bank of the Amu Darya river, has been a logistics hub for the caravans travelling between east and west along the ancient Silk Road. During Soviet times it was reduced to a distant outpost and served as the Red Army's entry point to Afghanistan in 1979. A project which envisions the city regaining some of its former glory and bringing the prosperity of a trade hub is under way. On a patch of land on the border, Uzbekistan built a free trade zone in 2024 for Afghan companies and a logistics centre. Afghan nationals can enter the zone as part of a 15-day visa-free regime. Almost half a million Afghans have already made use of the opportunity, opening businesses thanks to a simplified registration procedure and enjoying duty free trade. Around 100 shops are currently active there and a further 500 have been announced. A cargo centre within the zone is used to load more than 70 lorries, and a daily train transports goods to both sides of the border. A modern hospital, opened last year, with 380 doctors working in 15 different areas has treated around 48,000 Afghan patients, paid for by the Uzbek government. Around 300 complicated surgeries were performed that patients were unable to have in Afghanistan. A business school for medium and small enterprises was also opened and teaches some 500 shop owners how to run and develop their business. "We have seen the surge of trade contracts in the last year. Last year the increase was 160%, and they are now worth $560 million (€494 million)," said the governor of the Surkhandarya region, Ulugbek Kosimov. He also hopes that the development of trade routes from Russia in the north to India in the south and from Iran in the west and China in the east, with all the countries along the road, will see his province prosper in what he called a "new renaissance." The Polish military intervened in the Baltic Sea after a Russian ship carried out "suspicious manoeuvres" near a power cable connecting Poland and Sweden, Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Wednesday. "A Russian ship from the 'shadow fleet' covered by sanctions performed suspicious maneuvers near the power cable connecting Poland with Sweden," Tusk wrote on X. "After the effective intervention of our military, the ship sailed to one of the Russian ports." The term "shadow fleet" is used to describe ships Russia operates under concealed means to evade sanctions. Western countries say that Moscow is using hundreds of tankers under opaque ownership to ferry Russian oil around the world despite Western sanctions against them. Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz told reporters later on Wednesday that a patrol flight scared the Russian ship away, and that the Polish navy's ORP Heweliusz sailed to the scene to investigate further, according to local media. An emergency meeting will be held on Thursday with Tusk in attendance, reports said. "This shows how dangerous the times we live in are, how serious the situation in the Baltic Sea is," Kosiniak-Kamysz told a news conference. Moscow has publicly not commented on the incident. The 600-megawatt undersea cable targeted links Poland and Sweden and allows electricity grids in both countries to benefit from cheap cross-border power supplies. Some of the vessels Russia's "shadow fleet" have been implicated in previous damage to undersea cables in the Baltic Sea. In December 2024, Finnish police seized the Eagle S, a tanker thought to be part of the fleet, on suspicion it used its anchor to damage an undersea power cable supplying electricity from Finland to Estonia. Russia has denied any role in the damage. Nevertheless, NATO has stepped up its security in the region following a string of incidents in which power cables and gas pipelines have been damaged in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Estonia warned last week that Russia was willing to protect its shadow fleet of ageing tankers with military force. That came after Estonia recently intercepted a suspicious vessel in its waters. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday said that Russia would defend its ships in the Baltic Sea using "all means" at its disposal.
See - Sada Elbalad
23-04-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Central Asia, GCC: From Historical Ties to Strategic Partnership
Dr. Abdulaziz Sager - Dr. Eldor Aripov In recent years, relations between Central Asia (CA) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have shown a steady and positive dynamic. The economic potential of the CA and GCC countries, complemented by a deepening political dialogue, mutual interest in cultural and historical ties, and advantageous geostrategic positioning, is enhancing the strategic importance of this partnership format. A turning point in this process was the first historic Summit of the Heads of State of the GCC and Central Asian countries in Jeddah held on July 19, 2023, which laid the foundation for long-term strategic cooperation. The second summit of the said dialogue is scheduled for May 2025 in Samarkand. The choice of Samarkand as a venue for such an important summit is not coincidental. For centuries, this famous city, located at the intersection of the main roads of the Great Silk Road, has been an important center for the dialogue of civilizations, and diplomatic, trade, and cultural exchange between the East and the West. In this regard, holding the event in Samarkand is intended to give new impetus to historical ties. 1. Historical Ties and Their Transformation Many centuries of relations between Central Asia and the Arab Peninsula create a strong foundation for the revival of mutually beneficial cooperation. Since the 2nd century BC, the Great Silk Road ensured active trade: silk, paper, jewelry, and horses were supplied from Central Asia to Arabia, and incense, spices, and jewelry were carried back. This established the basis for our civilizational interconnectedness. With the spread of Islam in the 8th century, interaction reached a new level. A special place in this process was occupied by the famous House of Wisdom ("Bait-ul-Hikma") in Baghdad, where outstanding scholars of Central Asia and the Arab world together laid the foundations of global science. Samarkand, Bukhara, and Merv became not only trade centers but also intellectual centers in the Islamic world. Scholars of the region made a great contribution to theological and secular knowledge: al-Bukhari and at-Tirmidhi systematized the hadith, al-Khwarizmi developed algebra, and al-Farabi and Ibn Sina combined ancient philosophy with Islamic thought. The cities of Mecca and Medina played a special role in the development of Islamic science, becoming key centers for the study of hadith, where scholars such as Ibn Abbas and Malik ibn Anas developed a methodology for collecting and verifying hadith, which became the foundation for all Islamic jurisprudence. This network of intellectual centers, stretching from the Arabian Peninsula to Central Asia, enabled a process of regular circulation of knowledge, forming a unified scientific space in the Islamic world. However, beginning in the 16th century, traditional connections began to weaken due to a number of geopolitical and geoeconomic changes. The discovery of maritime trade routes during the Age of Exploration altered global trade patterns, rendering overland routes less significant. In the 20th century, the impact of international processes on the regions and the emergence of ideological barriers further distanced them from one another. The year 1991 marked a new starting point in developing international relations in Central Asia, as the independence of the region's states created conditions for the revival of centuries-old partnerships,. This stage is characterized by the GCC's political and diplomatic solidarity with Central Asia and limited but meaningful economic interactions. The Gulf states were among the first to officially recognize the sovereignty of the new republics of Central Asia. At the same time, the opening of embassies in Central Asian capitals was not only a formal action but also served as a special political signal of the GCC's readiness to support the Central Asian countries in their peaceful development. 2. Current dynamics of interregional relations Since 2020, a qualitatively new stage of interaction between Central Asia and the Gulf countries has been taking place. A significant trend of this period was the development of institutional forms of cooperation. This is confirmed by the first summit of heads of state and two ministerial meetings held in 2022, 2023, and 2024. As a result of these meetings, a Joint Action Plan for 2023–2027 was adopted, which today serves as the first conceptual document defining the long-term directions of mutually beneficial partnership. This has led to tangible progress in the dynamics of multilateral relations, evidenced by a notable increase in trade, tourism, and investment exchanges. The total volume of investments from GCC countries into Central Asia has grown steadily in recent years, increasing nearly threefold since 2022. Financial cooperation is also developing within the framework of Islamic financing mechanisms. The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has invested $9.1 billion in CIS countries, with 60% of these funds directed to Central Asia. Central Asia is turning into an attractive destination for tourists from the GCC region. For example, in 2023, more than 8,300 tourists from the GCC visited Uzbekistan; in 2024, this number rose to 12,000 (a 44.5% increase compared to 2023). The most significant increases came from Saudi Arabia (71%) and the UAE (51%). All this became possible due to fundamental changes in interstate relations in Central Asia. This is confirmed by the launch of the mechanism of Consultative Meetings between the heads of state of Central Asia and the rapid finding of mutually acceptable solutions to all contentious issues. As a result, in a fairly short period of time, Central Asia has transformed from a potential hotbed of conflicts into a zone of stability, good-neighborliness, and prosperity. This has a positive effect on the region's overall economic indicators. Over the past 7 years, the total GDP of the Central Asian countries has grown by 6.3%, intraregional trade has increased by 4.4 times, and the volume of mutual investments has nearly doubled. Another significant trend is the growing political subjectivity of Central Asia. This is evidenced by the creation of the dialogue formats 'CA Plus,' which allows for the combination of various interests of external partners, directing them in a constructive way in the interests of the sustainable development of Central Asia. Today, more than 10 such dialogue platforms are developing fruitfully, six of which were created in the last five years, including CA-GCC. Summarizing the above factors, it can be stated that recent years have passed under the sign of restoring historical ties between the two regions, building conceptual and institutional forms of multilateral cooperation, and identifying key areas of mutually beneficial partnership. 3. Strategic Goals of Partnership Central Asia and the GCC countries have similar goals in political, economic, and social development and common approaches to international and regional issues. The countries of the two regions continue their policy of mutual support within the framework of such influential international structures as the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Non-Aligned Movement. Both regions strive to diversify their economies, reduce dependence on raw materials, and create sustainable growth models. For the Central Asian countries, this means the development of industry, agriculture, and transport infrastructure, while for the Gulf states it means the promotion of innovative technologies, a "green" economy, and tourism. The strategic development programs of countries in both regions align in terms of goals and objectives: Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, Oman's Vision 2040, Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030, We the UAE 2031, Qatar's National Vision 2030, Kuwait's Vision 2035, and the national development strategies of Kyrgyzstan through 2040, Kazakhstan through 2050, and Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan through 2030 all open up wide opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships. In other words, the countries of the two regions are united by common goals of ensuring a qualitative transformation of their economies – from a resource-based development model to an innovation-driven model, which emphasizes high production concentration, scientific and technological knowledge, and new technologies. Both the GCC and Central Asia are experiencing positive economic growth dynamics. On average, the economy of Central Asia grew by 4.7% annually from 2022 to 2024. According to the Eurasian Development Bank, the nominal GDP of Central Asia in 2024 reached around $520 billion. A similar situation is observed in the economies of the Gulf Arab states. In particular, in 2023, the collective GDP growth of GCC countries was estimated at 1.5%, following a record 7.9% growth in 2022. In 2024, regional GDP growth reached approximately 2%. Another unifying factor is the complementarity of the two regions' economies. The Gulf occupies a key position in the architecture of global energy security. The GCC is also a major international investment hub, serving as a financial pillar for developing economies. Central Asia holds around 20% of the world's uranium reserves, 7% of oil and natural gas, significant deposits of rare earth metals, and strong hydropower and solar energy potential. At the same time, Central Asia is rich in a growing pool of labor resources. Both the GCC and Central Asia enjoy strategically important geographic positions. While the Gulf is located at the crossroads of major maritime trade routes between Europe, Asia, and Africa, Central Asia sits at a strategic junction of key overland transport corridors. In other words, from a geostrategic perspective, both regions are positioned to serve as connectors in global production and supply chains. All the factors above make the countries of the two regions natural partners, creating favorable conditions for intensifying trade and investment cooperation and implementing large-scale joint projects in various sectors. Recognizing this, Central Asia and the GCC have already begun establishing long-term cooperation in several mutually beneficial areas. 4. New Horizons of Partnership While the level of cooperation that has been achieved in the last 7-8 years is notable, the possibility for additional advancements exists. In this regard, future joint efforts can be focused on the following strategic areas, which can together, produce a multiplier effect. First, it is necessary to intensify trade exchanges. In 2024, the volume of trade turnover between the countries of Central Asia and the Gulf Cooperation Council states amounted to about $4 billion. This is less than 1% of the GCC trade with the outside world, and less than 2% of the trade turnover of Central Asian states with foreign partners. This situation actualizes the need to develop and adopt a multilateral trade agreement initiated by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan during the first Central Asia - Gulf Cooperation Council summit. Second, building an effective model of interregional connectedness is impossible without linking the countries of the two regions through a reliable and extensive transportation network. The underdevelopment of transport and logistics infrastructure remains a major barrier to the intensification of trade and economic exchanges. In this regard, Uzbekistan advocates for the development of interregional transport projects. Among them, the Trans-Afghan Corridor project – proposed by the President of Uzbekistan at the very first Central Asia-GCC Summit – holds key significance. According to experts, its successful implementation would enable the diversification of trade routes and reduce logistics costs. Thus, Central Asia could become a 'gateway' for the entry of Gulf goods and services into the vast Eurasian market. This would give a powerful impetus to developing the emerging non-oil sector of the Arab states. At the same time, the Central Asian states would gain the shortest access to the world market through the GCC seaports. Third, investment cooperation is mutually beneficial. Central Asia is a capacious market with growing investment attractiveness. The region offers resources, transit corridors, and demographic potential, which are becoming a natural focus for investment funds from around the world. The Central Asian states are distinguished from other markets by their internal political stability and neutrality in foreign policy, which makes them a safe haven for long-term investments. All of the above factors, combined with the opportunities for the Gulf states to diversify their investment portfolio, make the Central Asian region a potentially natural place for Arab investments to concentrate. Such a perspective requires systematization of the current level of investment cooperation. The countries of the two regions could create specific financial cooperation mechanisms that will facilitate major projects in infrastructure, energy, and high technology. Fourth, the development of cooperation in the field of agriculture is a promising area. The Central Asian countries could be key in ensuring food security in the GCC region. This direction is of vital importance for the Arab States of the Gulf. In particular, the GCC imports 85% of food products. It is expected that by 2028, the needs of the GCC food market will reach 59.6 million tons annually. In this regard, the GCC and Central Asian countries could establish joint agricultural clusters, with the final products intended for export to the Gulf region. Fifth, Central Asia and the GCC could also strengthen cooperation in the promotion of digital technologies by creating specialist exchange programs and joint projects in e-government, cybersecurity, and fintech. A further step could be the joint development of telecommunications infrastructure in Central Asia, including the construction of 5G networks and data centers. This would provide additional incentives for companies and investment funds from the Gulf states to carve out a niche in the technology sector of Central Asian countries. Another important area is strengthening scientific and intellectual interaction. Research institutes and analytical centers of the two regions should play a special role in determining priority areas for the development of relations. In this regard, the first Forum of Think Tanks from Central Asia and the GCC countries will be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Apil 28 and 29, 2025 under the overarching theme: 'Strengthening Strategic Partnership between Central Asia and the GCC: From Historical Ties to Comprehensive Cooperation.' Leading think tanks from both regions are attending this event. The organizers of the first interregional forum are the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Saudi based 'Gulf Research Center.' The idea is for such a forum to become a regular expert interaction. The platform created can become one of many tools that promote more effective interaction between Central Asia and the Gulf countries, complementing the official cooperation mechanisms. In general, cooperation between Central Asia and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf opens real strategic prospects. The unifying principle is not only the cultural and historical proximity, but also the complementary nature of the economies. Together, these two regions can build a mutually beneficial partnership model, where sustainable development, food and energy security, and digital transformation will become the basis of a new format of multilateral interaction. read more Analysis- Turkey Has 0 Regional Allies... Why? Analysis: Russia, Turkey... Libya in Return For Syria? Analysis: Who Will Gain Trump's Peace Plan Fruits? Analysis: Will Turkey's Erdogan Resort to Snap Election? Analysis: What Are Turkey's Aspirations in Iraq? Opinion & Analysis Analysis: Mercenaries In Libya... Who Should Be Blamed? Opinion & Analysis Analysis- How 'Libya Nightmare' Takes Erdogan to Algiers Opinion & Analysis Analysis: What Happens After Brexit? Opinion & Analysis Analysis: Strategic Significance of Libya's Sirte, Jufra! 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