I had the pleasure of spending two weeks of my hard-earned holiday back in Central Asia as I completed a trip that I have been dreaming of for the last six years since I first set foot in the region. This time my challenge was the Pamir Highway (an account of which is contained within this issue) and if my account of the splendours of the region and the wondrous people doesn’t get your travel taste buds tingling for a trip, then I’ve failed to convey just how special the region is. Every time I visit Central Asia it is the people who truly amaze me with their kindness, knowledge and optimism.

CATBIG (Central Asia & Transcaucasus Business Information Group) was itself established just 5 years after independence, when the newly established British Embassies in the region saw the need for a forum whereby UK companies could exchange experiences of working in the region and also be briefed on the political, economic and commercial opportunities by our Embassies.

Happy Navruz! I had the honour and pleasure of attending the OSCE Summit in Astana early in December, the pinnacle of Kazakhstan’s chairmanship in 2010 and have watched with interest how the new chairman, Lithuania is taking up the challenges and difficult discussions that Kazakhstan has rightly re-invigorated

Open Central Asia is a quarterly magazine, published in the UK, which connects and highlight the links between Europe and Central Asia. It promotes the cultures, politics, events and communities of both regions and open a discussion and exchange of ideas between them to promote both business co-operation and tourist relations.

Interview with the Ambassador of Azerbaijan, H.E. Fakhraddin Gurbanov; Revolution in Kyrgyzstan: Postcard from Bishkek; Amudarya and Syrdarya- a source of life for all Central Asian countries; Expedition to the Tian Shan/

Water scarcity: A disaster in the making? Kazakhstan assume 2010 OSCE Chairmanship Interview with Lord Waverley

Exclusive Interview with Tajik Ambassador Central Asia Economic Outlook: Triumph of hope over reality? Student Life in the UK Revealed

Caspian Oil and Gas Industry Report. Central Asian Student Life in the UK. Interview: Hamid Ismailov. Life on the Jailoo

Realizing Central Asia's strategic position.
Exploring Expat Life in Kyrgyzstan.
Building bridges: Samarkand and Oxford