Nearly 100,000 people have been displaced in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan after an Uzbek dam burst, flooding thousands of homes and destroying agricultural fields.
All in Economy
Central Asian migrants squeezed by Russia's virus lockdown
Russia’s lockdown to slow the spread of COVID-19 is compounding the economic crisis in Tajikistan, where remittances from migrant workers make up 30 percent of gross domestic product.
Turkey lifts ban on export of medical equipment to fight virus
Turkey on Saturday lifted restrictions on the export of medical supplies, a move that should facilitate the sale of equipment to western countries where there have been shortages.
Russia sees record rise as virus cases surge past 100,000
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Thursday announced he has tested positive for the coronavirus, as the country's number of confirmed cases surged past 100,000 after its largest daily increase.
Tajikistan declares first coronavirus cases
Tajikistan registered its first coronavirus cases on Thursday, one of the last countries in the world to
confirm it had been affected by the pandemic.
Kazakhstan sees coronavirus 'perfect storm' looming over economy
In February, Renaissance Capital crowned Kazakhstan its "top pick for equity investors in the frontier markets" of Europe, Africa and the Middle East. But the COVID-19 crisis has quickly derailed a long-awaited recovery.
Kyrgyzstan says negotiating debt restructuring with China
Kyrgyzstan's government said Wednesday it was in talks with China to restructure nearly $2 billion in loans after having asking Beijing for debt relief in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus lockdown adds to misery of Moscow's homeless
With Moscow residents shut in their apartments during the COVID-19 lockdown, an estimated 15,000 homeless people are not getting the street handouts they often used to buy food.
Kyrgyzstan’s sewing industry reorients to survive coronavirus slump
COVID-19 has not stopped thesewing machines at Zukhra Kemelbekova’s factory in northern Kyrgyzstan. Her seamstresses are busy making protective gowns and masks.
Putin warns Russia has not reached peak of virus infections
President Vladimir Putin warned Tuesday that Russia had not yet reached the peak of coronavirus infections but said that a 'phased exit' from the country's lockdown measures could begin in two weeks.
Turkey to send medical equipment to US
Turkey will send medical equipment including masks to the United States to help its NATO ally in the fight against the coronavirus, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday.
Russia suspends grain exports until July 1
Russia, the world's largest wheat exporter, is suspending grain exports, including wheat, rye, barley and corn until July 1, the ministry of agriculture said Sunday.
Russia central bank sees GDP drop of up to 6% in 2020
Russia's Central Bank on Friday said the economy would shrink by four to six percent this year, as hopes of a revival were dashed by the coronavirus and falling oil prices.
For Russians, humble dacha provides refuge from coronavirus
After years spent on submarines with Russia's Northern Fleet, Ivan Chernyshyov is having no problem adjusting to life on coronavirus lockdown—especially as, like many Russians, the retired sailor can escape to the countryside.
Luxury Moscow clinic becomes coronavirus 'battleground'
Until a week ago, Moscow's K+31 private hospital was a luxurious private clinic where you could get a nose job. Yet as the capital shoulders the weight of Russia's virus onslaugh, the facility has switched entirely to treating coronavirus patients.
Kyrgyzstan medics face 'huge' virus threat as cases spike
Kyrgyzstan admitted Thursday its medical staff face a "huge threat" from COVID-19, with infections within the medical community accounting for almost 20 percent of the Central Asian country's total.
Uzbekistan asks global retailers to lift cotton boycott due to pandemic
Uzbekistan asked global retailers and apparel brands to lift a long-lasting boycott on its key cotton crop Thursday, citing its overhaul of forced labour practices and the virus pandemic's economic shocks.
Moscow to review virus lockdown passes over metro crowds
Moscow said Wednesday it will review a new electronic permit system to regulate its coronavirus lockdown after large crowds formed in metros as police checked passes.
Kyrgyzstan asks China for debt relief amid pandemic
Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday asked China for debt relief, as the impoverished Central Asian state struggles with the economic shocks of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Experts doubt isolated Turkmenistan's virus-free 'show'
Isolated Turkmenistan, which held mass aerobic exercises and a cycling event with coordinated tracksuits this week, is one of only a handful of countries to have reported no coronavirus cases.