Kyrgyzstan’s average wages rise sharply by 20.4% year-on-year in early 2025, boosting purchasing power amid persistent regional and sectoral disparities that challenge labor market balance.
All lots were offered on prepayment terms with EXW delivery directly from the Turkmenturba factory, highlighting Turkmenistan’s role as a supplier of building materials for international markets.
Uzbekistan and China’s CNPC have signed a memorandum to build a new underground gas storage facility at the Korabayir field, with a capacity of 1.5 billion cubic meters. The project aims to enhance the country’s energy stability and manage seasonal demand fluctuations, marking a strategic step in strengthening Uzbekistan’s energy security
Passenger traffic through Iranian airports fell by 17% during the first five months of the current Iranian year, with 1.52 million travelers compared to 1.83 million in the same period last year. Mashhad Airport recorded the highest throughput, followed by Shiraz and Tabriz, as Iran’s 54 operational airports—including 14 international hubs—continue to serve a network handling around 30 million passengers annually.
In the first half of 2025, Uzbekistan's GDP accelerated to 7.2 percent year on year, supported by rising real wages and remittances, according to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
Kazakhstan is enhancing investor support by strengthening the Council for Investment Attraction and establishing Regional Investment Headquarters. New measures include Investment Agreements offering up to 25 years of legal stability for major projects, a National Digital Investment Platform to track the investor journey, and a Fast Track system for priority sectors.
The first half of this year saw a decline in the volume of remittances both from Azerbaijan abroad and into the country from abroad, with an increase in remittances to certain destinations.
In the first half of 2025, the volume of remittances between Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom changed in different directions: remittances from Azerbaijan decreased, while remittances from the United Kingdom increased.
Azerbaijan’s aluminum production dropped by about ten thousand tons in the first eight months of this year, falling nearly a quarter compared with the same period last year.
A meeting took place between Timur Onzhanov of Baiterek National Managing Holding and the Cypriot Successful Business Leaders’ Club delegation to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation. Key topics included attracting investments to Kazakhstan, collaboration in corporate law, fund management, tax planning, ESG, and joint innovation projects.
Iran is investing $2.1 billion in LNG and Dehloran plant upgrades, Ahdaf Investment Company reports. It also aims to export 120,000 barrels of oil daily from two key fields. A new trading company is planned to attract foreign investors.
The tender includes supplies of pipes and metal products, technological and general plant equipment, as well as electrical equipment.
Iran’s imports from Tajikistan rose to about $40 million, totaling roughly 21,000 tons, driven by cotton, silk fabrics, and equipment. Overall trade between the two countries reached nearly $192 million and 271,000 tons, marking a significant increase in both value and volume.
The minister noted that this year’s grain harvest is six times higher than domestic demand, ensuring stability in the flour and bakery market. The needs of the population for rice and buckwheat are also fully met.
Kazakhstan has allocated over 700 billion tenge (approx. $1. 26 billion) to support its agricultural sector, including discounted diesel for farmers and funding for grain drying and equipment leasing.
Azerbaijan invested $47. 6 million into Spain’s economy in the first half of 2025, marking a 2. 7-fold increase compared to the same period last year. According to the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, Spain accounted for 3.
The volume of direct foreign investment from Belarus to Azerbaijan increased significantly in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year, while the total volume of foreign investment in Azerbaijan's economy also increased.
Azerbaijan’s oil exports to Thailand dropped sharply in the first eight months of the year, falling to about 138,000 tons valued at $76 million, down from nearly 377,000 tons worth $234 million last year.
Iran’s non-oil exports to Uzbekistan jumped to nearly $240 million in the first five months of this year, up more than half compared to last year. Trade between the two countries also expanded sharply, exceeding $270 million during the same period.
Sales on the Iran Mercantile Exchange (IME) rose slightly last week, with around 3.5 million tons of products traded for roughly $1.1 billion. Industrial goods, oil products, and export items all saw notable activity, reflecting ongoing demand and the exchange’s role in supporting market pricing.
Uzbekistan has issued over 62 million bank cards by September 2025, with Xalq Bank leading the market, followed by Agrobank and Ipoteka Bank.
Akim of Almaty, Darkhan Satybaldy, met with the Governor of South Korea’s Gyeongsangnam-do Province, Park Wan-soo, to sign three key memorandums on cooperation in education, high-tech industries, and elevator manufacturing.
Iran’s GDP, including crude oil, fell by 0. 1 percent in the first quarter of the Iranian year 2025. It totaled 24. 2 quadrillion rials ($42. 5 billion), slightly down from last year’s 24. 3 quadrillion rials ($42.
Despite sanctions and external pressures, Iran continues to export crude oil steadily, with production reaching around 3. 2 million barrels per day in August, though down sharply from the previous month.
Turkmenistan’s economic indicators suggest continued stability and gradual growth over the coming years. Export performance is projected to see modest increases, with a slight contraction of 1.7 percent in 2025 followed by gradual growth through 2030.
The source emphasized that today’s connectivity is measured not just by kilometers of railways or highways, but by how efficiently goods can cross borders.
The principal commodities imported from Turkmenistan included inorganic chemicals, aircraft, and mechanical power generators. Other imports comprised metal ores and scrap and intermediate manufactured goods.
The report, published on the Asian Development Bank (ADB) website, highlights trends in digital trade among Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) member countries.
In 2024, Kazakhstan became a digital trade leader in Central Asia with $7. 91 billion in digitally delivered services, trailing only Pakistan among CAREC nations. However, its digital trade remains far behind ASEAN countries.
Uzbekistan is projected to balance electricity production and consumption through 2030, according to PwC, with experts highlighting the need for continued investment in renewables to secure long-term energy stability.
Between 2022 and 2024, Georgia attracted $1.23 billion from IFIs — the highest in the South Caucasus. This includes $528 million from EBRD, $310 million from IFC, $147 million from EIB, $111 million from ADB, $67 million from BSTDB, $36 million from MIGA, and $30 million from AIIB.
Applications from companies registered in or having bank accounts in offshore zones will not be accepted. The documentation must be delivered to Turkmengas headquarters in Ashgabat.
Additional products available for export include packaging pellicle, bentonite powder for drilling, and liquefied petroleum gas. Several lots of mixed paraffin slack and polypropylene TPP D382 BF are also being offered.
The number of issued Visa credit payment cards in Georgia in July 2025 marked the highest level this year, the country's National Bank reported.
Azerbaijan’s foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows exceeded $3. 2 billion in the first half of the year, marking an 8 percent increase from the same period last year. Outward investment from Azerbaijan also surged to $1.
All lots were offered under prepayment terms, with delivery conditions set as EXW Ashgabat city for vehicles and FCA Anew city for cables. Automotive products were imported from Germany, while the insulated cables were of Turkmen origin. Prices were denominated in US dollars.
The number of issued American Express credit payment cards in Georgia reached 156,935 in July 2025.
In the first half of the year, German investment in Azerbaijan dropped significantly to around $17 million, while Azerbaijani investment in Germany remained steady at roughly $14 million.
Azerbaijan invested $21. 4 million in Uzbekistan during the first half of 2025, down from $67. 4 million year on year. This marks a decline of $45. 9 million, or 68. 2 percent year-on-year. Uzbekistan accounted for 1.
The number of issued Mastercard credit cards in Georgia in July 2025 declined month-on-month, according to data from the National Bank of Georgia.
All lots are available for international buyers under payment deferment terms, with prices listed in US dollars and delivery conditions set as FCA.
Passenger flights from Iranian airports fell by around 20 percent in the first five months of the current Iranian year, totaling roughly 121,000 flights compared to 151,000 over the same period last year.
The electricity mix in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region remains overwhelmingly dependent on fossil fuels, which accounted for nearly 95% of supply in 2023, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Iran’s Bahar Azadi gold coin slipped to about $1,620 on September 18, reflecting continued volatility in the market after the country adopted a floating exchange rate earlier this year.
France’s foreign direct investment in Azerbaijan surged to $60 billion in the first half of the year, more than eight times higher than last year, while Azerbaijani investment in France fell to $12 billion.
Iran’s National Gas Company (NIGC) is offering opportunities for investment in 15 gas projects worth $8 billion, promising returns above 30% and guaranteed product supply for investors. The country, holding 34 trillion cubic meters of gas and operating 22 active fields, produces over 1 billion cubic meters of rich gas daily.
During the first half of 2025, Azerbaijan experienced a substantial augmentation in its net portfolio investment assets, totaling an impressive $947. 4 million. This growth trajectory was predominantly driven by the banking sector, contributing $739.
The issuance of bank cards continues to grow in Turkmenistan's banks, reflecting the expansion of digital payment infrastructure and efforts to enhance financial accessibility nationwide.
In the first half of 2025, Azerbaijan’s mutual tourism services turnover grew 2. 1% to $1. 7 billion. Exports of $946. 4 million surpassed imports of $752. 1 million, creating a $194. 3 million surplus.
Iran consumed roughly 4.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas between September 6 and 12, with more than half used by thermal power plants, official data shows. Industrial facilities and households together accounted for nearly 2.3 billion cubic meters during the week.
OECD Europe’s primary natural gas supply rose sharply by an estimated 6.5% year-on-year in Q1-Q3 2025, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
From January through September 2025, trade between Azerbaijan and T
Russia’s LNG deliveries to the European Union are expected to cease by January 1, 2027, with piped gas supplies set to be fully phased out by January 1, 2028, under the European Commission’s proposed regulations.
After robust growth in 2024, Asia’s natural gas demand slowed in 2025 amid weaker economic activity, high LNG prices, and mild weather, according to the International Energy Agency’s latest outlook.
A large portion of this surge in imports comes from China, which accounted for over 77 percent of the total volume.
Azerbaijan’s life insurance market collected around 655 million manat ($190 million) in premiums in the first nine months of the year, up 17% from last year.
The procurement is being carried out by the State Service for Maritime and River Transport of Turkmenistan as part of the country’s broader efforts to strengthen its maritime infrastructure and transport capacity.
Azerbaijan’s property insurance market recorded strong growth in the first nine months of the year, with collections reaching about 183 million manat, nearly ten percent higher than last year.
Azerbaijan’s non-life insurance sector demonstrated steady growth in 2025, with rising premiums and moderate payout increases signaling a stable and expanding market environment.
Azerbaijan imported around $1.2 billion worth of high-technology products in the first nine months of the year, marking a slight increase compared to the same period last year.
Between January and August 2025, Azerbaijan supplied Italy with 6.2 billion cubic meters of natural gas worth $3.1 billion.
Eni’s refining business delivered a positive performance in the third quarter of 2025, posting earnings of 135 million euros, compared with a breakeven result a year earlier.
France received fewer crude oil and petroleum product shipments from Kazakhstan in January-August 2025. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan’s overall exports of these products increased slightly.
Eni reported a moderate year-on-year increase in hydrocarbon production in Kazakhstan in the third quarter of 2025, although output slightly declined compared to the previous quarter.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will extend a sovereign loan to support a project aimed at modernizing the water supply, sewerage, and stormwater management systems in Sheki city.
In 2025, Uzbekistan commissioned 42 energy projects totaling 4,647 MW and began construction on 21 more, boosting renewable and conventional power capacity.
Azerbaijan significantly increased its sugar exports last year, shipping around 80,000 tons and earning approximately $57 million, up nearly one and a half times in both volume and revenue compared to the previous year.
Uzbekistan significantly expanded its renewable energy output in 2025, with electricity generation from solar and wind power doubling over the year.
Lending to Azerbaijan’s trade and services sector climbed to about 4.3 billion manat by early December, marking steady growth both month-on-month and year-on-year, according to the Central Bank of Azerbaijan.
Uzbekistan’s natural gas production is set to decline through the end of the decade, according to the draft updated Uzbekistan-2030 Strategy released for public discussion.
Uzbekistan's trade turnover with China has surged to $14.6 billion in the first eleven months of 2025, solidifying China’s role as the country's largest trading partner.
Azerbaijan's Mortgage and Credit Guarantee Fund (MCGF) has issued 3. 7 billion manat ($2. 2 billion) in loans to 56,808 borrowers, according to Trend. Additionally, business loans with guarantees have totaled 687.
The tender is issued as a request for price quotations and is currently active. Interested service providers are invited to submit their proposals by January 12, 2026, at 23:00.
In the first three quarters of 2025, the money flow from Azerbaijan to Canada hit $6. 9 million, taking a hit of 8. 5% compared to the year before. Canada's slice of the pie in total remittances sent abroad from Azerbaijan was a modest 1.
The Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) strengthens EU-Uzbekistan ties, focusing on governance, trade, and the green economy. EU Ambassador Toivo Klaar emphasizes the agreement’s role in supporting reforms and creating mutual benefits through consistent implementation.