Foreign investment in Kyrgyzstan to increase by 17 per cent; Kyrgyzstan facing tough economic times on the basis of latest economic growth data; China begins construction on the third China-Central Asia pipeline;
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    • According to reports, Kyrgyzstan’s Economy Minister Temir Sariev has said that foreign investment in Kyrgyzstan in 2013 is projected to be around US$ 456.9 million. The figures are based on the assumption that Kyrgyzstan will accede to the Customs Union of which Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan are already members.1

    Reports noted that the Kyrgyz government has run up a budget deficit of $456 million in the first nine months of 2012 and at this rate, the full-year deficit will easily surpass the critical threshold of $488 million, or 7.4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).2

    Reports noted that China has begun construction of the third China-Central Asia pipeline. The pipeline will extend from western province of Xinjiang and extend 4,584 miles to the southeast Fujian province. It will transport 30 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas annually, of which 25 bcm will be imported from Central Asian states. The remaining 5 bcm will come from the Xinjiang province. Construction of the fuel pipeline is expected to be completed in 2015 and is expected to cost US$ 19.7 billion. China’s other two pipelines have a carrying capacity of 30 bcm and 17 bcm. The 30 bcm pipeline is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2012.3

    According to reports, the U.S. anti-drugs agency (Drug Enforcement Administration-DEA) has inked a tentative anti narcotics deal with Uzbek officials to crack down on narcotics trafficking and the growing abuse of drugs within the Central Asian country. Uzbekistan’s anti-drugs agency reportedly seized around 12,000 pounds of narcotics in 2011, some 1,800 pounds more than the year before.4

    In other developments, Bangladesh has renewed its request to participate in the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project.5

    Turkmenistan officials believe that the construction of the ambitious Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-Indian (TAPI) gas pipeline will begin in 2017.6

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