Welcome back to the CAPS Unlock Podcast! After a brief (ahem) break, co-hosts Peter Leonard and Tlegen Kuandykov return with another look at some fresh developments in Central Asia.
In this episode:
VAT hike drama in Kazakhstan: The government’s proposal to raise VAT sparked public and expert backlash. We break down what this means for the economy, businesses, and the “social contract.”
EU-Central Asia connectivity: We sit down with Henrik Hololei, adviser at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships to discuss EU-Central Asia transport links, the Middle Corridor, and how digital solutions can improve regional logistics.
And finally, Kyrgyzstan’s anthem competition: Kyrgyzstan is on the hunt for a new national anthem, offering a 1.5 million soms ($17,000) prize for the best composition. What does this mean for national identity and the region’s shifting cultural landscape?
We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts and feedback at pleonard@capsunlock.com.
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