Afghanistan Business Resilience: A new report spotlights how women-led workshops in western Afghanistan are surviving under Taliban restrictions, with one Herat soap-and-herbs producer employing up to eight people and using income to stabilize family life. Central Asia Macro Snapshot: Central Asia’s combined economy is estimated at about $543bn, led by Kazakhstan at roughly $306bn and 66% of regional exports, underscoring where trade and investment gravity sit. Tajikistan Energy Watch: Tajikistan’s Bokhtar oil-and-gas project moves toward a first ultra-deep exploration well in early 2027, led by CNPC under a production-sharing deal, aiming to cut fuel import dependence. Tajikistan Aviation & Connectivity: Somon Air plans a weekly Dushanbe–Minsk route starting Aug. 29, adding to recent new links and supporting tourism and business travel. Regional Water Governance: Central Asian states agreed to prepare automated monitoring for the Syr Darya to improve shared water data and reduce costly coordination gaps. Tajikistan Fintech Angle: Coverage argues Tajikistan’s remittance-driven economy is shifting toward digital payments, with fintech seen as a lever for broader financial access. Korea–Tajikistan Dealmaking: Seoul and Dushanbe discussed industry cooperation ahead of the Korea–Central Asia summit, including a Tajikistan mineral forum and a new C5+Korea industry ministers channel. Fuel Prices (Neighboring Market Signal): Kyrgyzstan fuel costs in Bishkek remain high—AI-92 at 86.9 soms/l and diesel at 99.9—linked to regional supply pressures.