Latest news with #Tajikistan
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Presight signs strategic MoU with the Tajikistan Ministry of Industry and New Technologies
Dushanbe, Tajikistan – Presight, a leading global AI and big data analytics company, has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of the Republic of Tajikistan to establish strategic collaboration in the field of artificial intelligence. The signing ceremony took place during the Tajikistan-UAE Business Forum in Dushanbe and was attended by UAE Minister of Economy H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri and UAE Ambassador to Kazakhstan H.E. Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al Ariqi. The MoU outlines a strategic collaboration to support the growth of Tajikistan's AI ecosystem. The Ministry was represented by Sherali Kabir, Minister of Industry and New Technologies of Tajikistan, and Presight was represented by Maxat Koshumbayev, regional director of Central Asia operations. Sherali Kabir, Minister of Industry and New Technologies of Tajikistan, said: 'We are excited to engage with Presight on furthering Tajikistan's AI ecosystem. Our nation has pioneered the full supply chain of AI—from green AI compute to frontier synthetic data applications and introduction of AI in the school curriculum. We view Presight as a strategic AI partner for Area AI, our global AI technopark, with plans for joint AI deployments in smart cities, industry and infrastructure.' Commenting on the collaboration, Maxat Koshumbayev commended Tajikistan for their digital transformation vision: 'Presight is proud to support Tajikistan's national AI strategy leveraging Presight's global expertise through innovation, infrastructure and talent development. We believe this collaboration will bring lasting value to the country's digital future and contribute to regional technological development.' Under the MoU, the parties intend to cooperate in areas including the piloting of AI-powered government and enterprise solutions in key sectors such as smart cities, energy, and cybersecurity. The MoU also includes the creation of a joint working group to coordinate pilot projects, support the transfer of technologies, and explore AI-driven innovation across the country. In addition, the parties will explore AI-based operational solutions for critical infrastructure such as the Dushanbe International Airport. The collaboration is a testament to the growing economic and technological ties between Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates, and reflects Presight's commitment to advancing digital transformation across Central Asia. About Presight Presight is an ADX-listed public company with Abu Dhabi-based G42 as its majority shareholder and is a leading global AI and big data analytics company. It combines big data, analytics, and AI expertise to serve every sector, of every scale, to create business and positive societal impact. Presight excels at all-source data interpretation to support insight-driven decision-making that shapes policy and creates safer, healthier, happier, and more sustainable societies. Today, through its range of AI-driven products and solutions, Presight is bringing Applied Intelligence to the private and public sector, enabling them to realize their AI strategy and ambitions faster.
Times of Oman
7 days ago
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Tajikistan begins deporting Afghan refugees before deadline ends, over 150 sent back: Report
Dushanbe: The Tajikistan government has reportedly started forceful deportations of Afghan refugees ahead of the 15-day deadline set earlier this month, with more than 150 individuals rounded up from public areas and sent back to Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported on Thursday. Those deported include men, women, elderly people, and minors. In several cases, family members have been separated, children deported while parents remain behind, or spouses taken while the rest of the family is left in Tajikistan. According to Khaama Press, a majority of the deportees are legally recognised refugees registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and hold valid refugee cards. Many were also in the process of being resettled to Canada and had active asylum applications under review. The reason behind the sudden crackdown has not been officially explained by Tajik authorities. However, some analysts believe the move may be linked to recent geopolitical shifts, especially Russia's formal recognition of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Tajikistan, which has long hosted anti-Taliban voices and Afghan opposition leaders, might now be aligning with Moscow's position, the report said. Observers suggest that the presence of Afghan anti-Taliban groups within Tajikistan could be a reason the government is pushing them out. The move is being seen as a political realignment rather than a matter of domestic security. Most Afghan refugees in Tajikistan are settled in Wahdat, a district located approximately 20 km east of the capital, Dushanbe. Wahdat, formerly known as Kofarnihon, is densely populated and lacks proper infrastructure, making it challenging to support large displaced populations. The sudden nature of the deportations has left families in shock and fear. Activists and refugee support groups have raised alarm, describing the situation as "chaotic and heartbreaking." Several online petitions have now been launched, urging the Canadian government to fast-track the resettlement of vulnerable Afghan families whose cases are already in process, Khaama Press reported. Despite the involvement of the UN and other global humanitarian organisations in Tajikistan, their role has appeared limited. According to Khaama Press, the Tajik government has shown little interest in respecting international refugee agreements or responding to concerns raised by these groups.
Free Malaysia Today
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Free Malaysia Today
Malaysia's withdrawal from Cafa Nations Cup disrupts tournament plans
FAM said Harimau Malaya were pulling out of the Cafa Nations Cup 2025 following recent changes to the tournament schedule now falling slightly outside the official Fifa international window. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The Central Asian Football Association said the Football Association of Malaysia's decision to pull out of next month's Cafa Nations Cup 2025 has disrupted the tournament, particularly given the advanced stage of planning and preparations. Cafa said Malaysia's participation at the Aug 29-Sept 8 tournament in Tajikistan was confirmed well in advance, with FAM also fully aware of the tournament dates and schedule. 'Those dates have never been changed from the beginning,' it said in a statement. It said that while FAM was concerned about the restricted release of players from club duties as the competition does not fully fall within the Fifa international match calendar, the final registration of players, selected from a preliminary list of 35, can be submitted on a match-by-match basis. 'This allows for maximum flexibility, including the possibility of key players joining the team for subsequent matches,' it said. Earlier today, FAM said Harimau Malaya were pulling out of the Cafa Nations Cup following recent changes to the tournament schedule now falling slightly outside the official Fifa international window. It said this had brought about 'significant challenges' that affect player availability, logistics, and overall performance readiness. 'The latest tournament dates, which were updated after the official draw, now fall outside the official Fifa calendar. This means clubs are not obligated to release players. 'For Malaysia, with key players based in countries like Spain, Argentina, Colombia and Japan, this presents a major obstacle to assembling a full-strength squad,' FAM said. Malaysia were to open their Group B campaign against Tajikistan on Aug 29, followed by Iran on Sept 1, and Afghanistan on Sept 4, with all three matches taking place in Dushanbe. Group A will take place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, featuring four other teams – hosts Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan and Oman. In a separate statement, Harimau Malaya coach Peter Cklamovski said getting the squad's foreign-based players to Tajikistan in time to perform at the level required was not realistic under the current window. 'Then there's the impact on logistics, recovery, and budget. I would never want to compromise our players' wellbeing or go into a tournament not at full-strength,' he said. 'Beyond player release challenges, the long-haul travel, compressed match schedule, and increased operational cost, especially under Fifa's 72-hour mandatory recovery rule, added further strain to our ability to compete with quality and consistency.' He said the national team will instead regroup for a full training camp in Kuala Lumpur in September which will serve as a key step in their preparation for the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. Malaysia will continue their remaining 2027 Asian Cup Group F qualifiers against Laos in Vientiane on Oct 9 and Kuala Lumpur on Oct 14, before meeting Nepal in Kathmandu on Nov 18 and Vietnam away in March next year. Malaysia currently top the four-team Group F with three wins from as many matches.
France 24
16-07-2025
- Climate
- France 24
Tajikistan's apricot farmers grapple with climate change
This is one of the world's most exposed regions to the effects of climate change and its poor, rural farming communities are particularly vulnerable. Kuziev is one of more than 100,000 people employed in Tajikistan's apricot industry, a historic occupation across the mountains and valleys in the north of the landlocked country. Ten percent of all the world's orchards are located here, according to United Nations data. But mild winters, melting glaciers, late frosts and water scarcity all pose challenges to cultivation in Tajikistan's apricot capital of Isfara. "Last year, some land turned desert-like due to lack of water and the soil cracked into pieces," Kuziev told AFP. "The apricot trees dried up because they weren't watered," the 72-year-old farmer said, standing in front of stubby apricot trees swaying in the wind. The fruit is "especially vulnerable" to climate change, according to the World Bank, due to "escalating temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns and increased frequency of extreme weather events". Water shortages At street markets in Isfara, vendors sell buckets of fresh apricots next to piles of glistening red cherries, while on roadsides dried fruits are sold from giant sandbags. Tajikistan classifies the fruit as a "strategic product" with the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization. "Apricot cultivation in northern Tajikistan is very important economically and socially... It creates jobs and improves the standard of living of the population," Muminjon Makhmajonov, deputy director of Isfara Food, a major dried fruit producer, told AFP. So important is the furry orange fruit to the local economy that a giant monument to it has been erected in the middle of Isfara city. But chronic water shortages and shrinking levels in the Isfara river -- shared by Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan -- are disrupting both the industry and a way of life. "The effects of climate change and the melting of the glaciers are already being felt. In spring the water level in the Isfara river is low," Bakhtior Jalilov, the city's chief agriculture specialist, told AFP. Facing water shortages every spring, Kuziev has previously sacrificed wheat crops to "save the essentials -- the apricot trees". A lack of water is not the only problem faced by farmers. Paradoxically, bouts of heavy rainfall are also an issue, causing the fruit to grow with thorns or spots on its skin, which reduces its market value. Frosts "We are sad when it rains a lot because it spoils the product," said Muborak Isoeva, 61, who sells apricots in the neighbouring village of Kulkand. Drastic temperature swings pose another problem. The devastation of Turkey's 2025 apricot harvest by cold weather has worried Tajikistan's farmers. "When the temperature rises or falls sharply, even for a day or two, you won't get the harvest you want," Makhmajonov said. He buys supplies in the markets around Isfara, where small-scale farmers sell apricots grown in their gardens to make a living. Whereas before locals had no idea of the concept of a late frost, "over the last 20 years, the trees have frozen over five or six times during or after blooming", city specialist Jalilov said. Adaptation Producers and the local administration are trying to adapt. Orchards are being planted more intensively, while some 1,500 hectares of soil on low-yielding plots of land has been regenerated over the last five years. Some are switching to growing plums, more resilient to the changing climate. "Unlike apricots, plums bloom a little later and tolerate heat and cold better... so when the apricot harvest is poor, we can still export prunes," said Isfara Food's Makhmajonov. He has installed a water-efficient drip irrigation system to grow the sweet purple fruit. But not everybody has that option. Water fees were hiked 150 percent last year -- something Tajikistan said was necessary to improve infrastructure and balance usage from the river across the three countries. With an average national salary of just $260 a month, adaptation is both costly and complex for family farmers, who have for decades relied on the fruit to boost their incomes. "Regardless of their standard of living or social status, if they need money, they could go and sell them at the market," Makhmajonov said. Climate change is now making that safety net look increasingly fragile.
Daily Mail
15-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Meet the BlackRock Frontiers fund managers who go where most investors fear to tread
It's tempting to think of fund managers as desk-bound boffins with masses of research and data at their fingertips trying to make index-beating decisions. The managers of the buccaneering BlackRock Frontiers Trust, Emily Fletcher and Sam Vecht, have a different approach. Both are adventurers who tread where most sane City investors dare not go. The world is their oyster, and whether it is Syria, Tajikistan or Turkey, in the middle of a bombing of the parliament, they have travelled far and wide assessing investment opportunities. Sometimes the adventures of a fund manager can be a bust. Mr Vecht says: 'Going to Syria turned out to be a waste of time because there was a revolution, the Arab Spring.' Meeting them in a hospitality suite high up in BlackRock headquarters in the City of London, where breakfast is served by a uniformed waiter, it is hard to imagine them on the road. But there is an informal competition between Ms Fletcher and Mr Vecht to visit and make a judgment about investment conditions in the greatest number of countries. Mr Vecht has lost count of the nations he has visited but it is around 80; Ms Fletcher may be just ahead. She says: 'Our general rule is we will not invest in a country unless we've been there. Unless we have met management, typically five or six times, and we insist on meeting their customers.' The duo make an unlikely pairing for globe-trotting investors. Ms Fletcher is a devout Christian with three youngish children. Mr Vecht is a traditional, kippa wearing, member of the Jewish faith with five children, who's family life revolves around the North London community where he lives. The pair are the eyes and ears on the developing world and emerging markets within the sprawling $11.5 trillion (£8.5 trillion) BlackRock asset management colossus. They have become the first port of call for the most powerful figure in global investment, Larry Fink, the group's chairman and chief executive, when he heads off to exotic locations. Fink himself, or someone in his office, will consult the Frontiers managers on political, economic and investment conditions in the country to be visited. And shareholders in the trust can tap into that knowledge too, for a 1.41 per cent ongoing charges annual fee. Where BlackRock Frontiers invests around the world The Frontiers managers make a virtue of openness and reaching out to financial advisors and investors. In a year when the investment trust sector has been targeted by American hedge funder Boaz Weinstein, of Saba Capital Management, this matters. Mr Vecht says: 'We're interacting with investors at the AGM. We do open webinars and have answered as many as 70 questions in 45-minute. Understanding investing in countries inhabited by three billion of the world's people isn't a bad idea.' Frontiers represents a high-risk investment strategy, operating across volatile political and economic landscapes. If you can stomach the risk, this can be rewarding. Since the fund was revamped in 2010, net asset value has climbed by 178.6 per cent. This has considerably outperformed its current benchmark, MSCI Frontier Emerging Markets, by a cool 89.4 per cent. Ms Fletcher says: 'We now invest in anything that isn't in the top seven emerging markets. We step outside that to explore markets we think are under-represented, under-talked-about, under-researched and super interesting.' It means that China, Indian, Korea, Taiwan, South Africa and Mexico, which together represent 85 per cent of the global emerging markets index, are off the agenda. Frontiers has investments in the most volatile parts of the world, such as the Kurdistan region of Iraq. And it first visited Kazakhstan in 2004 and 2005, but it wasn't until 2018 that it felt comfortable about investing there. Mr Vecht says: 'It's about putting in the shoe leather across a range of places. One must remember these are very challenged countries. They are not Scandinavian democracies. 'When people are excited about them it's probably a dangerous time because the risks are being priced. We've made money for clients, but we are buying a single stock, not a country.' There is a tendency among many fund managers and investors to think of fast-growing India as the go-to place for future returns, but Frontiers has done well by investing in its neighbour, Pakistan. Ms Fletcher says: 'I did travel to Pakistan, seven months pregnant. It was wonderful. Going for a barbecue in the hills of Lahore. There is a jarring dissonance with what you might read in the Press.' Despite the risky places they visit, the pair prefer to travel without any particular security. Mr Vecht says: 'We want to learn about the country and the society. The worst experiences generally involve planes being stuck in the wrong place and realising you have no connectivity.' As an investment strategy the Frontiers fund is careful not to become too involved in natural resources as BlackRock has specialist funds in the area. 'At its peak holdings in minerals, materials and energy have been at 20 per cent but are now more around 15 per cent. Fletcher explains: 'We have a notably large holdings in banks. At a time when foreign capital is perhaps less welcomed in the United States, people start to look elsewhere. Banks are often early cyclicals. Almost all the banks we invest in are normal older banks such as a single country bank in Kazakhstan, Kenya, Argentina and Chile. There can be little correlation between them, and we tend to look for consumer exposure.' Picking winners in far flung destinations and some of the least hospitable countries of the world is not easy and Britain's colonial past carries its own burdens. Emily Fletcher, Sam Vecht and BlackRock Frontiers seek to overcome the history with capitalism and opportunity.
