Is There a Future for Central Asia’s Indian Ocean Transport Projects?
October 12th, 2024
Via The Diplomat, commentary on the viability of Central Asian projects aiming to connect the region to the Indian Ocean: Central Asian countries are actively exploring new trade routes that could connect them to the Indian Ocean, focusing on partnerships with Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. These routes offer the potential for expanded economic ties with […]
Read more »Kazakhstan: Well Positioned To Become Global Player In Green Hydrogen Industry
September 28th, 2024
Courtesy of Illuminem, a detailed analysis of Kazakhstan’s green hydrogen-water-food nexus: Kazakhstan is well-positioned to become a global player in the green H2 industry. According to Carbon Tracker (2023), “the upcoming 10-15 years will be crucial for laying the foundation of the new economy [in Kazakhstan]. Failure to do so will result in economic stranding […]
Read more »Metals-Rich Kazakhstan Seeks Niche in Battery Supply Chain
September 14th, 2024
Via Reuters, an article on Kazakhstan’s battery supply chain ambitions: Industry minister says country is reliable supplier Aims to capture 10% of market for manganese sulphate Also looking at processing lithium iron phosphate Country is in Russia-led blocs, but neutral on Ukraine war Kazakhstan aims to boost output of metals needed for electric vehicle (EV) […]
Read more »Can Central Asia Deepen Multilateral Cooperation Without Institutionalization?
August 14th, 2024
Via The Diplomat, a report on the sixth consultative meeting of the Central Asian leaders concluded without a major breakthrough, but recent Kazakh-Uzbek bilateral agreements could be the key to deepening cooperation in the region: In 2024, Astana became a hub for a series of pivotal meetings that each marked as a significant “first” in […]
Read more »The ‘Corridorizing’ of Asia: Cooperation, Competition, and Consequences
July 25th, 2024
Via The Diplomat, an article on the intense competition, epitomized by competing “corridors,” is emerging in Asia and beyond between the U.S., China, and Russia: “Corridor” has become a ubiquitous buzzword in governance and analyst circles. To fully assess the meaning of “corridors” it is appropriate to fashion an outline of a definition. While the […]
Read more »How Kazakhstan Became a Player in the Global Mineral Trade
July 18th, 2024
Via the New York Times, a look at how Kazakhstan’s bounty has enriched the country and grabbed the attention of entrepreneurs scrambling to control the ingredients needed to fight climate change: Kenges Rakishev, one of the richest men in Kazakhstan, stepped off a private jet at a Soviet-era airport and hopped into the lead car […]
Read more »Focusing primarily on The New Seven Sisters - the largely state owned petroleum companies from the emerging world that have become key players in the oil & gas industry as identified by Carola Hoyos, Chief Energy Correspondent for The Financial Times - but spanning other nascent opportunities around the globe that may hold potential in the years ahead, Wildcats & Black Sheep is a place for the adventurous to contemplate & evaluate the emerging markets of tomorrow.