Uzbekistan is selling off state properties, including the former local KGB headquarters - and later the Uzbek Security Service.

The recent establishment of a special judicial panel to review investment cases or disputes – which formally began work early this year – was another sign of the country’s sprint to attract major international investors.

The energy ministry. said Kazakhstan produced 21.1 million tonnes of oil and gas condensate in the first quarter of 2021, in compliance with the country's obligations under OPEC+ deal.

Central bank governor Yerbolat Dosayev said the introduction of new COVID-related restrictions may slow down economic growth in Kazakhstan by 0.5 percent to 3.2 percent in 2021.

The European Union (EU) has accepted Uzbekistan as a beneficiary country of the special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance (GSP+)  in a move recognising the country's ongoing reforms.