The region of Central Asia has been a focus of the world’s political and economic attention due to its rich oil and gas resources. Ever since the 19th century when the natural riches of the area were first detected the region became a target for the dominant powers of the world such as the USSR and, after that – the United States. Some of the largest oil and gas basins are located on the territories of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. After the countries of central Asia declared their independence from the USSR in the 1990s, a number of Western companies started to expand to the region, especially in such industries as gas, oil, sport and tourism.
At the same time, there is a resource the region is lacking, this resource is water. The area has scarce natural water supply, and the water that Central Asia possesses is of poor quality. The supply of water is insufficient to fulfill the population’s needs for drinking and tap water along with the irrigation of the cotton and rice fields. Cotton is an important industry for the region, and the reduction of income coming from it will harm the whole area’s wellbeing.
Corruption is the main curse of Central Asian states such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. Corruption there is deeply rooted into the mentality is present is a variety of spheres such as politics, economy, social reforming, taxation and transportation.
Corruption has a social context as well since it is a part of lifestyle in the region where con-men, bribery, and theft are taken for granted by the citizens. Corruption there has managed to form a vicious circle and it very difficult to exterminate.