Central Asia: A Resource Hub Shaken by War

Introduction

As the war in Afghanistan inches closer to its 10th anniversary, faint hopes emerge that forces may withdraw by mid-2011. The war hasn't crippled trade in Central Asia but has severely damaged what was fast becoming a thriving trade bloc. Now the region has regained a semblance of calm and trade negotiations have tentatively resumed, Datamonitor asks how the region's energy markets might recover.

Scope

• An overview of how politics, regional trade and energy needs are inter-related in Central and South Asia, a region plagued with war and poverty
• Insight into the potential for a thriving energy trading bloc once peace has returned to the region
• An understanding of the development plans that have been in the pipeline since war in Afghanistan began
• Analysis of the region's energy balance, highlighting the different needs of these neighbouring countries and the potential for co-operation

Highlights

Were it not for war, Afghanistan would be a major energy market thanks to its plentiful resources and competent energy ministry. Although Afghanistan has very little generation capacity this is not a priority whilst it imports so much power from Uzbekistan.

Regional co-operation has helped Uzbekistan to become an invaluable asset to its neighbors. Natural gas is Uzbekistan's future and has already established the country as a key resource hub for the region. The country has been a net exporter for years. It has chosen wisely to upgrade infrastructure so that its exports remain reliable

Turkmenistan has exploited the global demand for natural gas by signing huge contracts with China but it is struggling to adapt to a market without Russia. To secure a portfolio of buyers it needs to look to its neighbors. Gas is Turkmenistan's primary asset but maintaining large potential export volumes will become the country's main challenge.

Reasons to Purchase

• Plan investment opportunities in a region awaiting foreign involvement. Identify the opportunities and develop an understanding of your chosen market
• Develop an informed opinion of a key region's outlook. Analyse the tactics these countries have employed to develop whilst facing conflict
• Gain a thought leading perspective on a region's changing investment environment and consider the wider implications on the global energy market

Please note: this is delivered as a Zip file.