Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan, 19 September 2014 -The University of Central Asia’s Institute for Public Policy and Administration (UCA IPPA) held a seminar on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on 19 September 2014. IPPA presented the results of its research on MSMEs in Tajikistan, with a focus on recommendations to unlock their growth potential. The research and seminar were conducted within the framework of the Small and Medium Enterprise Growth Project for Central Asia, an initiative of USAID and the Aga Khan Foundation.
Forecasts cut for 2014 in Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco. The EBRD has cut its 2104 economic forecasts for the southern and eastern Mediterranean region after a weaker-than-expected performance in the first quarter from Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco.
Russia slowdown affecting Central Asia, Eastern Europe and Caucasus. Remittances from Russia to countries in Central Asia and Eastern Europe and the Caucasus contracted in the first quarter of 2014 for the first time since 2009, primarily because of the Russian economic slowdown, the EBRD said.
New report sees risks from tensions in Iraq. The EBRD has revised up its forecasts for economic growth in Turkey for 2014, following a stronger-than-expected performance so far this year that was driven mainly by rising exports and also supported by a reduction in central bank interest rates.
Outlook revised following floods and Bulgaria’s banking problems. The EBRD has cut its 2014 economic forecasts for south-eastern Europe as a result of major flood damage in the region and stresses in the Bulgarian banking sector.
Post-Soviet peace dividend under threat. The continuing crisis between Russia and Ukraine is weighing on the economies of the EBRD region, with only a modest recovery expected in 2015 after a sharp slowdown in growth this year.
Economy to stagnate in 2014 and contract slightly in 2015. The Russian economy will come under pressure both from Western sanctions and the sanctions that Moscow has imposed on the West in response, the EBRD said in its latest economic outlook.
Baltics states more vulnerable to impact from Russia. The EBRD has revised up its forecasts for economic growth in central Europe for this year following strong growth in the first half, particularly in Poland and Hungary.
The University of Central Asia (UCA) hosted its third annual football tournament at its main Naryn campus from 29 to 31 August 2014. Following the inaugural 2012 tournament marking the opening of its international standard sports facilities, the University brings together teams for an annual friendly competition as part of Kyrgyz Independence Day celebrations in Naryn.