Day: June 2, 2024

ASTANA: About 65.8 billion tenge (about $147.6 million) was sent abroad from Kazakhstan through international money transfer systems in April 2024, which is 11.1 percent more than in March (59.3 billion tenge or $$133 million), Trend reports.

The data from the National Bank of Kazakhstan shows that, compared to March 2024 (192,400 transactions), the number of translations increased by 6.6 percent and amounted to 205,200 transactions.

In April, the largest number of transfers abroad were made through Zolotaya Korona, Western Union, Moneygram, and others.

In terms of the volume of money sent from Kazakhstan abroad, the leaders are: Russia: 21.3 billion tenge or about $47.7 million (share 32.3 percent); Uzbekistan – 18 billion tenge or about $40.3 million (share 27.4 percent); and Trkiye : 12.6 billion tenge or about $28.2 million (share 19.1 percent).

Moreover, the main share of transfers through international systems was carried out in US dollars (share of the total number of transfers: 29.4 percent, share
of the total volume of transfers: 53.3 percent) and in Kazakhstani tenge (57.8 percent and 36 percent, respectively).

Meanwhile, the total number of money transfers through international money transfer systems (IMTS) in Kazakhstan amounted to 209,400 transactions worth 67.8 billion tenge (about $152.1 million) in April 2024. Compared to March 2024 (196,200 transactions worth $138 million), there is an increase in the number of transfers by 6.7 percent and in the volume of transactions by 10.2 percent.

Source: Trend News Agency

BAKU: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was Iranian president from 2005-2013, has registered to run in the new presidential election, Trend reports.

On May 30, the commencement of presidential candidate registration was announced by Ahmad Vahidi, Iran’s Minister of the Interior.

Anyone interested in seeking public office has five days from the date of this notice to apply with the Ministry of the Interior. Afterwards, all registered candidates will have their candidacy examined within seven days.

On June 11, it will announce the final roster of accepted candidates, and there will be fifteen days for each candidate to run for office after the list is published.

The special presidential election in Iran will be held on June 28.

In the event that no candidate obtains a minimum threshold of votes, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff election on July 5.

To note, due to the May 19 helicopter disaster that killed President Ebrahim Raisi and eight others, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian an
d several state officials, Iran is holding its 14th presidential election.

According to Iran’s constitution, a new election must be held within the next 50 days following the death of a president.

Source: Trend News Agency

BAKU: The leading mobile operator promotes reading culture among children from orphans’ home.

“Azercell Telecom” LLC has initiated an event dedicated to June 1, International Children’s Day for children aged 6 to 10 from Orphanage No. 3 with the support of the “Ümidli G?l?c?k” Social Initiatives Public Union and the company “S.E.N.S.U.M by Amapola.” The program, organized as part of Azercell’s ‘Book Club’ project, aimed to promote a culture of reading, enhance speech and creativity, and increase interest in education among children.

A special guest at the event, Fateh, the host of Public Television and Radio, introduced the children to the works of Yusif Vazir Chamanzaminli’s ‘Aziz’ and Ali Valiyev’s ‘Letter of Eyvaz.’ These books were also made available on the Bookmate and Litres applications. Furthermore, the program included a variety of educational games for the children. At the conclusion, Azercell representatives distributed gifts to the children living in the above-mentioned institution.

It is wort
h mentioning that Azercell prioritizes initiatives and projects for preserving cultural heritage. Therefore, the ‘Book Club’ project will continue its activities, which include a series of events tailored for various age groups. Additionally, within the project, the leading mobile operator plans to visit orphanages in different regions of Azerbaijan.

Source: Trend News Agency

BAKU: The Volunteer Centre for the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) held its official opening on 2 June, Trend reports.

The centre will organize the efficient work of volunteers for COP29, to be held on November 11-22 in Baku.

Volunteers will play a pivotal role in the successful running of COP29, when the eyes of the world will be on Baku. Through their selfless work and exemplary behaviour, they will act as ambassadors for sustainability. The Volunteer Centre, which began its work today, was established by the COP29 leadership to train volunteers to the highest level for this global event.

The opening ceremony was attended by COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev, Chair of COP29 Operating Company and Chief Operating Officer for COP29 Narmin Jarchalova, media representatives and other guests.

During the event the official visitors familiarized themselves with the work of the centre and its facilities. They highlighted that the centre will seek to
expand the unique skills of the volunteers and create an inclusive environment in order to foster a culture of collaboration.

It was noted that the Volunteer Programme opened only a few days ago and in the course of a single day received more than 9,000 applications from would-be volunteers, a record number for events held to date in Azerbaijan. The interview and training process will take place at the Volunteer Centre this June and July, followed by selection of the 3,000 volunteers who complete the process successfully. The centre’s training for COP29 volunteers will cover 10 different areas in all, including climate issues and personal development. The training will provide a comprehensive briefing for the volunteers and increase their competencies ahead of the climate conference.

In his speech, Mr Babayev wished success to the participants in the selection process, observing that in hosting COP29 and in combating the challenges of climate change Azerbaijan is relying on its human capital and young profe
ssionals.

Over the site tour to the Centre, the Cop29 Officials and guests witnessed a volunteer painting in the creative tree on the wall, and added the finishing touches to the drawing.

The Volunteer Programme is open to anyone who would like to contribute to the successful organization of COP29. On 29 May the online registration portal volunteers.cop29.az was launched to smooth the application process for potential volunteers. The today’s number of online applications is exceeding 14222. Those who are interested in becoming a COP29 volunteer may register their application via the portal until 5th of June.

Applicants may reach the dedicated the call centre on +994125352928 for potential questions on the process.

Source: Trend News Agency

BAKU: The number of officially registered candidates to participate in early presidential election in Iran has reached 37 in four days, a spokesman for the country’s election headquarters Mohsun Eslami said during a press conference, Trend reports.

‘In total, 37 people have registered to participate in the presidential election, tomorrow is the last day of registration,’ he said.

A department representative noted that on June 2, 20 out of 37 candidates submitted documents to the election headquarters.

Source: Trend News Agency

TASHKENT: A total of 80 projects valued at $14 billion have been formed in Uzbekistan’s Bukhara region, in which foreign investors and local entrepreneurs are investing, Trend reports.

According to the Uzbek president’s office, companies from China, Russia, Trkiye, Germany, Saudi Arabia, India, Malaysia, South Korea, and other countries are investing in these projects.

The projects are implemented in such industries as construction materials, electrical engineering, chemistry, textiles, food, pharmaceuticals, medicine, mining, fish farming, and others.

Within the framework of the projects, it is planned to build a 600 MW wind power plant in Uzbekistan’s Gijduvan district in cooperation with China, develop graphite deposits and organize the production of batteries for electric scooters in Peshkun district with the participation of Malaysian investors, as well as create a chemical cluster in Bukhara district with Iranian investors.

These 80 projects will provide employment for more than 22,200 people.

Mean
while, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Masdar have signed an agreement for a $46.5 million loan to construct the Nur Bukhara solar power plant with a battery energy storage system in Uzbekistan’s Bukhara region.

According to the ADB, the financing package includes $26.5 million from the ADB’s ordinary capital resources and $20 million from Leading Asia’s Private Infrastructure Fund, managed by the ADB.

Additionally, ADB mobilized $26.5 million from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Parallel lenders include the International Finance Corporation, the Canada-IFC Blended Climate Finance Program, and the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank.

Source: Trend News Agency