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 [email protected].

Get full access to Havli - A Central Asia Substack at havli.substack.com/subscribe