Central Asia, holder of some of the largest deposits of rare metals such as tungsten and chromium, is increasingly an investment target for China because of low regulatory hurdles and transport cost, Ernst & Young LLP said.

ALMATY, Kazakhstan -(Dow Jones)- The U.S. ambassador to Kazakhstan traveled to western Kazakhstan Tuesday to visit and demonstrate U.S. support for Karachaganak Operating Company, or KPO, which is currently in dispute with the Kazakh government over export duties and overproduction.

Chevron shareholders say - suggestion of illegal overproduction is without merit

Kazakhstan's oil reserves may be too valuable for an export-tax increase to deter companies from drilling for crude in the former Soviet republic.

Turkey sees its influence rising in construction projects as well as diplomatic affairs

 Oil consultant Jim Giffen, whose arrest 7 1/2 years ago in an international bribery case threatened U.S. relations with a key Central Asia ally, is set to return to court today for at least the 20th time, still without a deadline for prosecutors to bring him to trial.