COVID-19: NEW CHALLENGES FOR CENTRAL ASIA

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 060-071
Author(s):  
Sergey Zhiltsov
Keyword(s):  
Central Asia ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
Economic Situation ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Economic Relations ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Central Asian Countries ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
The Impact

In 2020, Central Asian countries faced new challenges that are bound to have a huge impact on the development of the region. The coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic has posed the region’s countries with the need to find mechanisms for adapting the economy and social sphere to the new reality. Despite the difficulties, regional states were able to respond quickly enough to the pandemic and tried to minimize the economic and social consequences. Application of quarantine measures and various restrictions, i.e., border closures and the termination of transport links have yielded positive results. These measures have reduced the incidence of sickness and mortality in all countries. At the same time, they encountered a decline in key macroeconomic indicators. Inflation rate, tumbling GDP and rising unemployment were observed in all Central Asian states. The pandemic has negatively impacted bilateral and multilateral relations of the Central Asian countries. The level of trade and economic relations was lowered, the volume of transported goods decreased. The countries of Central Asia were forced to structure their foreign policy in a new way, which factors in the complicated economic situation in each of the states. Specifically, one of the new trends is the active use of multilateral and bilateral mechanisms of interaction with nonregional states. Despite the steps taken, the countries of the region managed to stabilize the economic situation for a short time. By the fall of 2020, the epidemiological situation remained problematic in the countries of Central Asia. This forced them to develop new measures to support specific sectors of the economy and preserve social and economic stability. The countries did not rule out the introduction of new restrictions and the development of additional economic support measures for the essential sectors of the economy. The slowdown in economic growth in 2020 and the lack of prerequisites for the improvement of the situation do not allow us to expect changes in the region in 2021. The Central Asian states may face a further drop in production volumes, increased unemployment, decreased domestic demand, and inflation. Economic problems in each of the Central Asian countries will negatively affect the geopolitical situation and serve as an obstacle for multilateral interaction of the Central Asian states. Finally, there is still no clear understanding of the impact of the coronavirus on the economies of Central Asia. There are also no calculations that would show how effective the measures taken in the fight against COVID-19 were, and most importantly, it is unclear what resources may be required if the epidemic continues.

KAZAKHSTAN’S POSITION IN THE ECONOMIC COOPERATION WITH OTHER COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL ASIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-121
Author(s):  
Karlygash MUKHTAROVA ◽  
Yermukhambet KONUSPAYEV ◽  
Klara MAKASHEVA ◽  
Karim SHAKIROV
Keyword(s):  
Central Asia ◽  
Economic Model ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Economic Cooperation ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Regional Economic ◽  
Economic Relations ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Central Asian Countries ◽  
Economic Ties

Improving the forms and mechanisms of regional economic integration, deepening the mutual understanding on the formation of an economically and politically secure integrated space, expanding trade and economic relations, elaborating joint actions to maintain regional peace and stability, creating a single information space are among the key areas that have become the basis of cooperation among the Central Asian region (CAR) states. The authors reveal the positive aspects of cooperation among the CAR countries—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan. First and foremost, these include common historical roots, linguistic and cultural similarity, convenient geographical location and established economic ties, which allow the states of Central Asia (CA) to establish a deeper and more active understanding of each other, to solve economic and political problems related to finding and realizing domestic investment potential and expanding regional trade and economic ties. The joint establishment of international transport corridors and infrastructure will help reduce the transport costs for Central Asian countries that supply export products to external markets, which is an important area of ​​cooperation in Central Asia. In addition, the economic problems that exist among the regional countries largely determine the nature of relations between them. Future solution of problems determines the subsequent viability of the Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) and the regional development prospects. Based on the use of economic research tools, the authors examine the problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and their impact on the state of trade and economic relations between the regional states. Post-crisis plans for economic recovery in the Central Asian countries will be developed and implemented in the context of the need to solve the present-day problems associated with the gradual lifting of quarantine measures. In this regard, the quickest possible transition of economies to an upward growth trajectory should launch the expansion of trade and economic cooperation and ties among the Central Asian countries. The authors emphasize the fact that another important problem within CAREC is the fact that CAR economies are dominated by raw materials, which does not solve the problems of reducing social inequality and improving the welfare of the regional population. For this reason, Kazakhstan, like other Central Asian countries, is currently in search of a new economic model. The transformation is crucial because the country needs to overcome its excessive long-term dependence on the export of oil and raw materials. The new economic model should be focused on further industrialization and diversification of the economy, on the search for new innovative approaches and development strategies.

scholarly journals EXPORT POSITIONS OF RUSSIA IN CENTRAL ASIA: REALITIES AND PROBLEMS

2021 ◽  
pp. 48-52
Author(s):  
M. M. Butakova ◽  
O. N. Sokolova
Keyword(s):  
Central Asia ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Russian Regions ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Economic Relations ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Market Capacity ◽  
Central Asian Countries ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
State Of Affairs

The article is devoted to researching and assessing the state of affairs, identifying problems and prospects for Russia’s presence in the markets of Central Asian countries. The relevance of the problem is connected with the goals of maintaining the export positions of the Russian Federation in this market and with the goals of increasing the volume of non-resource non-energy exports. The authors investigated the dynamics and structure of world and Russian exports to the countries of Central Asia, highlighted the dominant commodity groups of Russian exports for each importing country. As a result of the study of the territorial aspect and the related specifics of trade and economic relations, it was concluded that a deeper study of export opportunities and prospects of Russian regions bordering on countries-importers of Russian products in Central Asia was made. The article outlines the problems of increasing competition in the markets of Central Asia and the negative impact on the prospects of Russian exports of falling incomes of the population and reducing market capacity due to the pandemic, the need to take a set of measures to maintain Russia’s competitive position in this market. As a result the studies of the problems of the development of Russian exports the authors came to the conclusion that it is mutually beneficial and promising, to increase the supply Russian products to the countries of Central Asia the need to find ways to increase its efficiency, and strengthen state support for non-resource non-energy exports.

scholarly journals Regional Economic Integration in Central Asia: Realities and Prospects

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jusup Pirimbaev ◽  
Dzhumabek Dzhailov
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Central Asia ◽  
Economic Integration ◽  
Economic Potential ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Economic Relations ◽  
Balanced Development ◽  
Cooperative Development ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Central Asian Countries

The analysis of the socio-economic development and the state of trade and economic relations in Central Asia. The features of economic development in Central Asian countries, conditional on the development of disintegration processes in the region. Substantiates the role, importance and the need to strengthen economic integration in the region. Determine the vector of development of trade-economic and investment cooperation between the Central Asian countries. Grounded perspective directions of economic integration and cooperation mechanisms. Perspective forms of cooperative development, integration links sharing the natural and economic potential of the region. Identified economic factors and conditions for balanced development of the economy of the region in the context of increasing globalization processes.

PROSPECTS FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION IN CENTRAL ASIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 094-108
Author(s):  
Karlygash Mukhtarova ◽  
Klara Makasheva ◽  
Zere Kenzhebaeva ◽  
Mansiya Sadyrova
Keyword(s):  
Central Asia ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Economic Cooperation ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Clear Trend ◽  
Economic Relations ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Central Asian Countries

This research article examines the state and prospects of economic cooperation among the countries of Central Asia (CA). As history would have it, economic cooperation within the CA region was previously limited, and investments in Central Asia were mainly concentrated in the mining sector of the economy. Demographic and economic trends in the region have led to an expansion of the internal market; most Central Asian states have implemented wide-ranging reforms, which have improved the overall investment climate; and the CA states have stepped up the development of multilateral trade and economic relations, laying the groundwork for broader cooperation. The article also covers recent problems related to the economic situation in the region. For example, the current situation associated with COVID-19 has had an impact on economic relations between the CA countries. In the view of international experts, this crisis has not provided any new reasons for integration in the region. The quarantine measures taken in various Central Asian countries have had a negative effect on their foreign trade and thus on intra-regional trade and economic cooperation in general. The authors also examine other problems, such as those caused by the CA countries’ economic dependence on other countries, namely their dependence on imports from outside the region. These problems also affect the prospects of economic cooperation in Central Asia. All countries, including those rich in natural resources, want to produce and export finished goods with high value added. The production of high value added products and services enables a country to earn more revenue and reduce its dependence on primary commodity exports. The Central Asian countries are no exception. But for many reasons their finished products are often insufficiently competitive in countries outside the region. Despite the existence of economic problems connected with the need to improve the economic aspects of cooperation, there is a clear trend towards diversification of the economy of the CA countries caused by a desire to develop various specializations. These include agricultural processing, production of consumer goods for the population, development of the service sector, and other areas. Thus, the choice of a new model for the development of multilateral relations and the emerging trend towards economic growth in the region have made it possible to lay the foundation for long-term cooperation among the Central Asian states. Keywords: regional cooperation, Central Asia region, diversification of the economy, trade regimes, external economic policy, region, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan.

scholarly journals Development of Transboundary Trade and Economic Relations in Central Asia: Challenges and Solutions

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehri Vokhidova
Keyword(s):  
Central Asia ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Practical Result ◽  
Economic Relations ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Central Asian Countries ◽  
Transboundary Trade

This article will cover a wide range of key issues in the economies of the Central Asian countries, the extent of their development and opportunities for trade and economic relations.The aim of the study is to analyze trends and opportunities for improving trade and economic relations between the countries of Central Asia.The objectives of the study are:- to analyze the volume and tendency of GDP of Central Asian countries for 2000-2018;- analysis of the GDP per capita in the countries of Central Asia;- Comparative analysis of export and import volume, structure of export and import of Central Asian countries;- to study the relations of Central Asian countries with international organizations and to find mutual interests;- Identification of political, economic and social problems that impede the development of trade and economic relations in Central Asian countries.The results are as follows:- the main focus of improving trade and economic relations between the countries of Central Asia on the border of two or more countries is the Free Economic Zone;- Diversification of the economies of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in relation to other countries in the region can be a key factor in the development of trade and economic relations;- Expanding the role of regional organizations and integration in improving trade and economic relations between Central Asian countries.- The practical result of the establishment of transboundary free economic zones in Central Asia.

scholarly journals The Development and Interregional Integration Processes of Afghanistan

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuriddin Kayumov
Keyword(s):  
World Economy ◽  
Economic Situation ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Asian Region ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
The World ◽  
Central Asian Countries ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
The Given ◽  
World Development

The given report considers the integration processes within the Central Asian Region and EAEC region space and their influence on economic situation of Afghanistan. It is emphasized, that the globalization of the world economy, new challenges and threats, especially intraregional integration becomes the predominant tendency of the world economy. Today practically the whole world is considered as a complex regional coalition, union or federation. By integrating between each other these countries protect their corporative interests. Central Asian sub-region has all prerequisites and possibilities of becoming the new zone for the world development. However, during the years of sovereignty and independence the integration processes even aggravated. Integration processes in the framework of EAEC region are also not effective. All these do not allow rendering assistance and support to the neighboring country Afghanistan. The situation in this country, especially in the sphere of economy constitutes a threat not only to the Central Asian countries, but also for USA, Russia, China and the whole world. The ways of solving Afghan problems lie in the sphere of economy. The author considers possibilities and ways of achieving peace and stability in this country.

scholarly journals The Impact of the "Big Powers" to the Integration Processes in Central Asia

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ediliia Abdykadyrova
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Central Asia ◽  
Political Influence ◽  
Great Powers ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
The Soviet Union ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Central Asian Countries ◽  
External Forces ◽  
The Impact

It has been over 20 years since the Soviet Union collapsed. Despite that the post-Soviet countries were not able to build strong economic structure, which would be competitive in the international arena. They failed to implement the economic integration among themselves using communication that they had during the Soviet Union time. There have been various attempts to change the situation, but efforts were not successful due to various obstacles. Among these obstacles take place the influence of America, Russia and China, which are considered as great powers and which are pay great attention to Central Asia. This issue attracts attention due to the fact that the problems associated with the integration of the Central Asian countries still exists and that any integration process in the region does not achieve success without the involvement of other external forces. In this paper basic information about the integration processes between the Central Asian countries and their results will be analyzed. In addition, the attitudes of the Central Asian countries towards integration as well as economic and political influence of the great powers to the integration processes in the region will be examined.

scholarly journals The COVID-19 Pandemic as a Challenge for Post-Soviet Central Asia Countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-128
Author(s):  
A. M. Akhunov
Keyword(s):  
Central Asia ◽  
Kyrgyz Republic ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
State Of Emergency ◽  
Political Processes ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Central Asian Countries ◽  
Soviet Central Asia ◽  
Spread Of Infection ◽  
The Impact

The coronavirus pandemic has a significant impact on socio-economic and political processes in Central Asia. The political specifics of the countries in the region affected the methods and approaches taken by the authorities of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan to prevent the spread of infection. The article compares these approaches: from declaring a state of emergency and ordering a curfew to suppressing information about the spread of the epidemic. The impact of the pandemic on the relations of the Central Asian countries with Russia and the prospects for the development of Eurasian integration projects is also considered.

scholarly journals Perspectives of China's Belt and Road Initiative in the post-epidemic period

2021 ◽  
Vol 136 (3) ◽  
pp. 50-56
Author(s):  
K. Maigeldinov ◽  
◽  
E. L. Nechayeva ◽  
M.K. Dyussembekova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Central Asia ◽  
Belt And Road Initiative ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Epidemic Period ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
Central Asian Countries ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Further Development

The article presents the factors of influence of coronavirus on the «Belt and road» initiative and economic consequences for the participating countries from Central Asia. Systematic, comparative method and scenario method were selected as research methods. The coronavirus epidemic and the impending economic crisis will affect relations between Central Asian countries. They will not have a completely new reality, but existing trends will accelerate dramatically. In this situation, the economy and technological development of the Central Asian countries will become increasingly dependent on China, which will also affect other areas of cooperation. The article points out problematic issues in the further development of economic corridors, as well as the positive and negative consequences of the pandemic, the reasons for revising the pace and scale of infrastructure projects. Perspective directions of further development of this initiative in political and economic aspects are considered. The coronavirus and its consequences are likely to force the Central Asian countries and China to move closer together much more rapidly. The research objectives are to investigate how the crisis of the coronavirus affects the economy of China and its part, related to the initiative; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Central Asia, its economic, social and political situation; as well as how in recent times the policy of China in the region has changed. But despite some negative consequences, in the short term, Central Asian countries have no choice but to become even closer to China.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document