ADB said that challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic "underlined the need for economic diversification."

The Central Asian's country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 2.3 percent year-on-year in January-June, the National Statistics Bureau said, after a contraction of 1.4 percent in the first quarter.

The Central Asian country's economy is state-controlled and the transition towards a market economy is slow relative to other former Soviet states.

After completing her master’s degree, Yusupova had two choices: either to continue working at an international organisation such as the UNDP or start her own business. She chose the latter.

The affirmation reflects Fitch’s expectation that the city’s debt sustainability metrics will remain in line with its ratings, despite the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and growing CAPEX that is counterbalanced by the moderate debt level.