Kursiv Uzbekistan (Eng)

📦 Tashkent to Host Chinese-Backed Logistics Hub 🤝 Tashkent will establish a logistics hub and exhibition centre under a cooperation agreement with China, the city administration announced. 📝 The memorandum was signed between Tashkent’s industrial zones management directorate and the Shihezi National Economic Zone. 📈 The agreement aims to boost trade between industrial zone residents, organise regular business visits, and attract new investment. 🌏 Located in Xinjiang, the Shihezi National Economic Zone is a major economic and educational hub specialising in agricultural processing, textiles, and food industries. Telegram/Site/LinkedIn

🧸 Labubu Doll Supplier Accused of Exploiting Workers in China ⚠️ A U.S.-based labour rights group, China Labor Watch (CLW), claims workers at Shunjia Toys Co Ltd in Guangdong, which makes Labubu dolls, faced long overtime, incomplete contracts, and denied paid leave. 👥 CLW interviewed 51 employees at the Xinfeng County facility, which employs 4,500+ workers. No child labour was reported, but 16-year-olds worked under adult conditions, against Chinese law. Safety training was also inadequate. 🏢 Pop Mart, the Beijing-based retailer behind Labubu, said it is reviewing the allegations, requires suppliers to correct improper practices, and conducts annual third-party factory audits. 🌏 CLW urged immediate action, compensation for affected workers, and compliance with Chinese labour regulations and international standards. The group noted that brand sourcing schedules heavily influence labour conditions in these factories. 🎉 Labubu dolls, elf-like figures with jagged teeth, have become a global craze, boosted by celebrity endorsements from Kim Kardashian and Blackpink’s Lisa, making Pop Mart a major international toy retailer. Telegram/Site/LinkedIn

🚁 Uzbekistan Opens Airbus Helicopter Service Centre 🏭 Uzbekistan launched a dedicated Airbus helicopter service centre at the Chirchik Aviation Repair Plant, the only facility of its kind in the CIS and Central Asia for Airbus rotorcraft. 🛠 Engineers are trained to service models including the H-125, H-215, and H-130. During a visit, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev inspected workshops modernising Su-25 attack jets with advanced navigation and night-vision systems. 🇺🇿 The Uzbek military operates Airbus helicopters, including AS550 and AS532 models. 📆 Founded in the 1940s, the Chirchik Plant also upgrades European-made helicopters, modernises Mi-8 transport and Mi-24 attack helicopters, and produces spare parts. Telegram/Site/LinkedIn

⚽️ Canada to Face Uzbekistan in Edmonton Friendly Before World Cup 2026 🇨🇦 Canada’s men’s national team will play Uzbekistan in an international friendly on June 1, 2026, as part of preparations for the FIFA World Cup 26. 🏟 The match will take place at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Canada’s largest open-air venue with a capacity of 55,000+, Canada Soccer announced during the January training camp in Los Angeles. 🗣 Head coach Jesse Marsch said the game will help engage fans in Western Canada and build momentum ahead of the World Cup, which Canada will co-host later in June. 📅 The fixture opens the June FIFA International Window, allowing Canada to play two warm-up matches before the tournament. Another friendly is scheduled in Montreal shortly before kickoff. 🎟 Tickets go on sale January 23, with presale access for CanadaRED members. Edmonton officials expect strong attendance and an economic boost from the event. Telegram/Site/LinkedIn

⚠️ Kazakhstan Condemns Drone Attacks on Black Sea Tankers 🛢 On January 13, 2026, drone attacks targeted three tankers bound for the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal in the Black Sea, prompting serious concern from Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry. 🌍 Spokesperson Yerlan Zhetybayev said urgent talks were held with European and US diplomats to ensure protection of maritime hydrocarbon transport. 🛡 Kazakhstan stressed it is not involved in any armed conflict and plays a key role in global and European energy security, with all affected tankers having proper permits and identification. 🤝 Zhetybayev warned that attacks highlight risks to international energy infrastructure and called for closer cooperation to prevent future incidents. Telegram/Site/LinkedIn

✈️ Airbus Delivers 793 Jets, Secures 1,000 New Orders in 2025 📊 In 2025, Airbus delivered 793 commercial aircraft to 91 customers, a 4% increase from 2024 despite a challenging environment. 📝 The company recorded 1,000 gross orders, resulting in 889 net orders, pushing its order backlog to a record 8,754 aircraft by year-end. 🌐 Widebody demand surged, with the backlog reaching 1,124 jets. Orders included 49 A220s, 656 A320s, 100 A330neos, 2 A330 MRTTs, and 193 A350s. 📈 Deliveries rose across most families: A220 – 93, A320 – 607, A330 – 36, A350 – 57. The A321XLR entered service, and new operators joined the A220, A330neo, and A350-1000 fleets. 💰 Airbus will release its full-year financial results on February 19, 2026. Telegram/Site/LinkedIn

💨 Gazprom Increases Gas Supplies to Uzbekistan by 22% 📈 Russia’s Gazprom boosted gas exports to Uzbekistan by 22.2% in 2025, with similar growth to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, and a 40.4% rise to Georgia. 🌍 Moscow plans to expand shipments to Uzbekistan from 5.6 bn to 12 bn cubic metres over the next four years, highlighting Central Asia’s strategic role in Russian exports. ⚡️ Analysts say growth depends on technical upgrades to the ageing Central Asia–Centre pipeline and pricing agreements, as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan compete for access. Telegram/Site/LinkedIn

✈️ Uzbekistan Airlines Launch 33 New Routes in 2025 📊 In 2025, airlines in Uzbekistan opened 33 new routes and carried 15.6 mln passengers, according to the Ministry of Transport. 🛫 The country is now served by 17 domestic and 51 foreign carriers, operating a combined fleet of 109 aircraft. Contracts have been signed to purchase 22 Boeing 787 jets. 🏗 Major infrastructure upgrades were completed, including the full renovation of Andijan Airport and the Sariasiya airfield, while Tashkent opened the new “Tashkent – Humo” aviation complex. Construction of a new international airport has also begun. 📈 Looking ahead to 2026, the aviation sector plans to operate 140,000 flights and carry 17 mln passengers, continuing to expand connectivity and modernise infrastructure. Telegram/Site/LinkedIn

🚢 Chevron Tanker and Kazakh Oil Ship Struck by Drones in Black Sea ⚠️ Two oil tankers were hit by drones in the Black Sea on Tuesday, including one chartered by U.S. oil giant Chevron. Both vessels were en route to the Yuzhnaya Ozereyevka terminal, a major hub handling around 80% of Kazakh oil exports and some Russian crude. 👷‍♂️ Chevron confirmed all crew are safe, and the tanker remains stable, proceeding to a safe port while authorities coordinate response efforts. 🌨 The strikes follow earlier disruptions to Kazakh oil output in January caused by winter storms and prior Ukrainian drone attacks. Oil and gas production in Kazakhstan fell 35% between January 1–12 due to export constraints, a source told Reuters. 🛳 The targeted vessels included Delta Harmony, carrying Kazakh oil from Tengizchevroil, and Matilda, managed by Thenamaris and chartered by a KazMunayGas subsidiary. Both sustained minor damage, and all crew were unharmed. 💰 War insurance costs for Black Sea shipping nearly doubled after the attacks. The region is strategically vital, handling over 2% of global crude and key grain exports. Telegram/Site/LinkedIn

🚚 Uzbekistan’s International Freight and Transit Surpass 2.8 Mln Tonnes in 2025 📦 In 2025, international freight and transit through Uzbekistan exceeded 2.8 mln tonnes, the Ministry of Transport reports. 🌐 Central Corridor volumes doubled from 500,000 tonnes in 2020 to over 1 mln tonnes in 2025. The fastest-growing route was China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan, rising from 33,700 tonnes to 1.8 mln tonnes over five years. 🚆 Uzbekistan is advancing the Trans-Afghan railway project, with a technical and economic feasibility study underway. 🛣 In road transport, an e-Permit system in partnership with Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan has streamlined cross-border operations. 🏗 24 transport and logistics hubs have been granted international dry port status, speeding up cargo processing and strengthening Uzbekistan’s role as a regional logistics hub. Telegram/Site/LinkedIn

🌏 China Posts Record $1.19 Trln Trade Surplus in 2025 📈 China recorded a full-year trade surplus of $1.189 trln, the first time exceeding the trillion-dollar mark, as both exports and imports beat expectations. The surplus highlights Beijing’s reliance on overseas demand amid weak domestic conditions. 🚢 Exports and Imports: December exports rose 6.6%, imports climbed 5.7%, both exceeding forecasts. Strong overseas demand is helping offset sluggish consumer spending and a prolonged property downturn. 🌍 Global Reach Expands: Trade with the U.S. fell sharply (exports -20%, imports -14.6%), but China boosted shipments to Africa, ASEAN, and the EU. Auto exports jumped 19.4%, with EV shipments up 49%, keeping China the top car exporter globally. 💹 Market Impact: Chinese equities rose over 1%, and the yuan held steady. Policymakers say diversified trade partners and solid foreign trade fundamentals strengthen China’s resilience to global risks. ⚖️ Policy Signals: Premier Li Qiang called for more balanced trade, expanding imports, and reducing export incentives, signalling a gradual shift towards open commerce. Telegram/Site/LinkedIn

🛑 Iran Acknowledges 2,000 Deaths Amid Protests ⚠️ Iranian authorities have for the first time admitted that around 2,000 people, including security personnel, have died in two weeks of nationwide protests, an official told Reuters. Authorities blamed “terrorists” but gave no detailed breakdown. Among the dead are 26-year-old football coach Amir Mohammad Koohkan and 23-year-old student Aminian. 💥 The unrest, driven by economic hardship, is Iran’s most serious domestic challenge in years. Protests began on December 28 after a sharp fall in the rial and expanded into wider demonstrations against the clerical establishment. Communications blackouts have limited information, though phone services are partially restored. 🪓 Executions and Crackdowns: Authorities have carried out rapid trials, including the death sentence of 26-year-old Efran Sultani, just days after his arrest. Human rights groups say the government is using fear tactics to suppress dissent, while thousands have been detained. 🌐 International Pressure: The U.S. imposed 25% tariffs on countries doing business with Iran and warned military action remains an option. China condemned the tariffs, and Iran continues to export most of its oil to China, Turkey, Iraq, the UAE, and India. 🕊 Potential Dialogue: Despite tensions, Tehran says it is keeping channels with Washington open. A government spokesperson stated, “We have the duty to do dialogue and we will certainly do so,” while the White House confirmed diplomacy is still the preferred option. Telegram/Site/LinkedIn