BUSINESS & ECONOMICS

Tajikistan: More Woes With the Cotton Harvest
Tajikistan’s cotton crop is lagging far behind government targets, officials say. The crop shortfall could serve as an early warning sign of a humanitarian crisis in the Central Asian nation.

Kazakhstan: IMF Official Praises Kazakhstani Bank Bailout Plan
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is endorsing Kazakhstan’s multi-billion dollar bailout program, which aims to shore up the country’s sagging banking sector.

Kyrgyzstan: Energy Crisis Threatens Country’s Stability
BY ARSLAN MAMATOV
It is the main topic of conversation at every dinner table in the country. After nine months of erratic blackouts and broken government promises, the Kyrgyz are growing restless. Many are even saying the situation is worse than before the Tulip Revolution in 2005.

Kyrgyzstan: Court Orders Canadian Mining Entity to Cough Up Back Taxes
A court in Kyrgyzstan has ordered the Canadian-controlled company that operates the Kumtor gold mine to pay almost $2.5 million in back taxes.