@mtrk.kz

24 Apr 2024
Central Asia, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan

AI Takes Hold in Kazakhstan’s Finance Industry

The National Bank of Kazakhstan has conducted a survey on the prospects for developing artificial intelligence (AI) in the country. The results of this survey showed that 31% of respondents who work in the finance industry are already using AI in their work.

Analysts from the National Bank concluded that AI technologies are gaining popularity in Kazakhstan, with domestic banks becoming leaders in implementing AI in business processes. Among the most popular AI technologies in the Kazakhstani financial market are machine learning and computer vision — as well as large language models (LLMs) and natural language processing. This indicates a wide range of innovative technologies are being applied to various financial activities.

However, besides the sheer potential of the technologies, major barriers to further development of AI in the country have also been identified. These include lack of infrastructure and computing power, lack of security standards for AI products, difficulties in accessing data, and unreliable internet connections. The lack of an active national research and development (R&D) institute and low demand for AI products among potential customers were also cited.

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@Sputnik.uz

24 Apr 2024
Central Asia, Uzbekistan, International Affairs, Business & Economy, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Rosatom Set to Build Small Nuclear Power Plants in Uzbekistan

Russian state nuclear power corporation Rosatom is ready to offer lower-capacity nuclear power plant (NPP) projects to Uzbekistan. That’s according to comments made by Denis Manturov, Russia’s Minister of Trade and Industry, at the fourth annual international industrial exhibition, Innoprom, Central Asia.

“Currently, the Rosatom state corporation and the Uzatom agency are working out the general contract for the construction of a nuclear power plant. This is a large-scale and complex project. Rosatom is ready to offer Uzbekistan additional solutions, including solutions related to low-power nuclear power plants,” Manturov said.

According to Manturov, who is also a Deputy Prime Minister, the site for the construction of the NPP has already been chosen, and the spot is located near Tuzkon Lake in the Jizzakh region, which studies have confirmed is a favorable place. In addition, the optimal technical configuration for the project has already been determined. Rosatom plans to build a complex consisting of two power units with VVER-1200 reactors.

“Now, together with Uzbek and international experts, technical issues related to the integration of the nuclear power plant into the energy system, cooperation with renewable energy sources, reducing the volume of water for the use of the plant and maximum production of electricity are being considered taking into account the climatic characteristics of the region,” Manturov stated.

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Image: UNODC

24 Apr 2024
Central Asia, Opinion Head, Kyrgyzstan Justice, Home, Justice, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Features

Growth of Non-Custodial Sentences in the Kyrgyz Republic Since 2020

The Kyrgyz Republic has reported a decrease of its prison population, which speaks to the ongoing humanization of its criminal justice system. In 2023, the prison population amounted to just 7,728 persons, a 20% decrease compared to 2020 (9,658 prisoners).

Despite a 22% increase in the number of convictions, from 5,074 in 2020 to 6,202 in 2023, the number of non-custodial sentences has risen by 55 %. This information was relayed at a roundtable discussion organized by the Ministry of Justice and the UNODC Programme Office in the Kyrgyz Republic on 17 April 2024.

Within the framework of the EU-co-funded project, JUST4ALL, which focuses on the establishment of a probation and criminal justice information management systems, the UNODC conducted an analytical review on the judicial practice of custodial and non-custodial sentences between 2020 and 2023. This research was aimed at analyzing court decisions on alternatives to incarceration, and collecting data to inform evidence-based technical assistance within the aforementioned project.

An intra-agency working group was tasked with conducting an analytical review by representatives from the Supreme Court, the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Prison Service, and the Probation Department. Zarylbek uulu Almazbek, Deputy Minister of Justice of the Republic emphasized that this analysis would help identify positive aspects and shortcomings in the current system. “This work is necessary and relevant, and we are convinced that it will contribute, among other things, to the harmonization of regulatory legal acts, as well as improved cooperation and interaction with government agencies,” Almazbek stated.

Cosimo Lamberti-Fossati, Project Manager for the EU delegation noted that the EU-funded “JUST4ALL project plays a key role in promoting the humanization of the criminal justice system in Kyrgyzstan through strengthening the probation system. The collection and analysis of data on criminal justice is key to informing evidence-based sustainable policies and decision making.”

Participants at the roundtable highlighted the positive role of the probation service, and the need for tailored approaches when it comes to the social reintegration and rehabilitation. Further challenges include ensuring staff are well-equipped to address the needs of their clients by creating appropriate working conditions and tackling the high turnover rate of probation officers. The participants also agreed on the need to strengthen multistakeholder synergies when implementing alternatives to detention, bringing stakeholders together and allowing them to have an open exchange in a trusted environment.

JUST4ALL builds on the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for Non-custodial Measures (the Tokyo Rules), which encourages Member States to develop non-custodial measures within their legal system to provide alternatives, thus reducing the use of imprisonment, as well as to rationalize criminal justice policies, consider human rights, the requirements of social justice, and the rehabilitation needs of the offender.

 

Vasilina Brazhko is a specialist at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Central Asia

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Kazakh Ministry of Labour & Social Protection of the Population

24 Apr 2024
Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Home

Kazakhstan Encourages Ethnic Kazakhs to Return to Historical Homeland

According to the Kazakh Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population, from January -April this year, 4,351 ethnic Kazakhs returned to their historical homeland and received repatriate status.

Since 1991, 1,132,700 ethnic Kazakhs have returned to the country. From 2023, a pilot scheme, to assign repatriate status based on the “one window” principle through the embassies of Kazakhstan abroad has accepted applications from 7,518 ethnic Kazakhs.

Amongst this this year’s repatriates, 51.1% arrived from China; 31.9% from Uzbekistan; 6.4% from Turkmenistan; 5.4% from Mongolia; 3.7% from Russia, and 1.5% from elsewhere. Those of working age made up 59.1%, minors, 31.7%, and retired people, 9.2%.

Repatriates are resettled by the government in labour-scarce regions in the north and east of the country including Akmola, Abay, Kostanay and Pavlodar.

To support their relocation, the state provides subsidies for each family member, and financial aid towards rent and payment of utility bills. The government has also introduced an economic mobility certificate for the purchase or construction of housing, and will partly cover down payment on mortgage loans of up to 50% or 4.28 million tenge per family.

In addition, the government offers support to employers involved in the resettlement of repatriates in its northern regions.

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Uzbek Ministry of Ecology,Environmental Protection & Climate Change

24 Apr 2024
Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Environment, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Chinese Entrepreneurs to Help Address Environmental Issues in Uzbekistan

An Action Plan has been signed to develop cooperation between the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan and the Association of Chinese Entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan.

According to the ministry, the Plan covers a wide range of activities, including the construction of a waste incineration plant and the establishment of a high-tech industrial park (eco-industrial park). It also includes the introduction of an online environmental monitoring system for key polluting enterprises and the introduction of wastewater treatment technology.

Alongside the Action Plan, ongoing cooperation between the parties will further the exchange of knowledge and best practices in combating desertification and creating green belts.

In addition, the Ministry and the Association of Chinese Entrepreneurs reviewed proposals for the development of green technology projects, the recycling of household and solid waste, prevention of air pollution, and eco-tourism. The application of Chinese experience in landscaping desert areas and creating seedling farms was also discussed.

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Italian govt

24 Apr 2024
Tajikistan, Tajikistan International Affairs

Tajikistan and Italy Engage in Dialogue to Enhance Collaboration

On April 23, Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon and the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy Giorgia Meloni met in Rome to discuss expanding bilateral relations regarding political, economic, trade, cultural, humanitarian, and security issues.

According to Tajikistan’s president’s press service, both sides expressed interest in expanding cooperation in the fields of hydropower, light, food, metallurgical, mining, and chemical industries, as well as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and tourism.

Seeking to attract Italian capital for the development of his country’s industrial sector, President Rahmon emphasized that Tajikistan has all the necessary components for creating joint ventures in processing agricultural and industrial products and increasing their export to European countries.

The leaders also discussed opening direct flights between Tajikistan and Italy, cooperation in education and healthcare, and the allocation of quotas for Tajik students wishing to study at Italian universities.

As reported by the Italian prime minister’s office, the meeting resulted in the signing of several bilateral agreements aimed to strengthen Italy’s relationship with Central Asia through enhanced dialogue and collaboration in all sectors of common interest including security, drug control and tourism, as well as cultural, scientific and technological cooperation, and sustainable development.

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