Uzbekistan and BlackRock to Launch Joint Investment Fund

Uzbekistan has reached an agreement with BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, to establish a joint investment fund. The deal was discussed during President Mirziyoyev’s recent visit to New York, where infrastructure, energy, and transport were highlighted as priority areas.

The Uzbek side has proposed eight major projects in sectors such as energy, transport, tourism, and infrastructure. A joint working group is already working on feasibility studies and the fund’s structure, with project implementation expected soon.

This collaboration could mark a new phase in Uzbekistan’s efforts to attract global capital and strengthen its position in international markets. BlackRock’s participation adds credibility and may open doors for further foreign investment, though questions about governance, risk, and long-term returns remain.

Source: Kun.uz (23 September 2025)
@fineconim

LinkedIn's Top 100 MBA Programs and here are the Top 5 for 2025:

1. Stanford Graduate School of Business (Stanford University)



Most common job titles: Co-Founder, Product Manager, Chief Executive Officer

Most notable skills: Go-to-Market Strategy, Product Strategy, Deep Learning

Top locations: San Francisco Bay Area (US), New York City (US), Los Angeles (US)

🏆 Where they stand out: Top 5 program for career advancement and leadership potential


2. Harvard Business School (Harvard University)



Most common job titles: Product Manager, Founder, Chief Executive Officer

Most notable skills: Go-to-Market Strategy, Strategy Consulting, Deal Execution

Top locations: New York City (US), Boston (US), San Francisco Bay Area (US)

🏆 Where they stand out: Top 5 program for advancement and leadership


3. INSEAD


Most common job titles: Product Manager, Strategy Consultant, Engagement Manager

Most notable skills: Private Equity, Strategy Consulting, Stakeholder Management

Top locations: London (GB), Paris (FR), The Randstad (NL)

🏆 Where they stand out: Top 5 program for leadership


4. The Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania)


Most common job titles: Investment Banking Associate, Product Manager, Founder

Most notable skills: Go-to-Market Strategy, Venture Capital, Corporate Development

Top locations: New York City (US), Philadelphia (US), San Francisco Bay Area (US)

🏆 Where they stand out: Top 5 program for job placement and leadership


5. Indian School of Business


Most common job titles: Product Manager, Program Manager, Management Consultant

Most notable skills: Growth Strategies, Product Vision, User Research

Top locations: Bengaluru (IN), Delhi (IN), Mumbai (IN)

🏆 Where they stand out: Top 5 program for advancement


You can see the full list here
@fineconim

Deloitte was caught using AI in $290,000 report to help the Australian government crack down on welfare after a researcher flagged hallucinations.

Deloitte’s member firm in Australia will pay the government a partial refund for a $290,000 report that contained alleged AI-generated errors, including references to non-existent academic research papers and a fabricated quote from a federal court judgment.

Deloitte reviewed the 237-page report and “confirmed some footnotes and references were incorrect,” the department said in a statement Tuesday.

The revised version of the report includes a disclosure that a generative AI language system, Azure OpenAI, was used in its creation.

Source: https://fortune.com/2025/10/07/deloitte-ai-australia-government-report-hallucinations-technology-290000-refund/

@fineconim

Join Our Team

We’re looking for a volunteer content creator to help grow our Instagram channel.

If you’re passionate about storytelling and finance, enjoy creating short videos, and want to build your real-world portfolio, this is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience and make an impact.

We host interviews with industry experts and share insights that help inspire and connect finance enthusiasts across Central Asia.

Our goal is to become the go-to place for everyone interested in the world of finance.

We’re looking for someone who can create 2–3 Instagram Reels per week, bring fresh ideas and creativity, and collaborate closely with our team.

If you’re ready to contribute and grow with us, send a message to @unsmartboy explaining what content strategy you think we should follow. We’d love to hear from you. If you know someone who might be interested, please share with them.

Thanks

@fineconim

Faster Alternatives to ACCA and CPA for Entry-Level Finance Careers

We’ve all heard of the “big names” like ACCA, CPA, and CFA — the gold standards of finance.
But what if you’re just starting and want to gain recognised credentials faster, cheaper, and still valuable enough to help you land entry-level jobs or internships?

Here are 10 faster certifications (usually completed within 3–6 months) that can give your resume a real edge:

⸻

1. FMVA® (Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst)
Focuses on financial modelling, valuation, and Excel-based analysis — one of the most career-oriented programs available.
Issued by: Corporate Finance Institute (CFI)
Duration: 3–6 months

⸻

2. CBCA® (Certified Banking & Credit Analyst)
Covers credit analysis, loan structuring, and banking fundamentals — ideal for those aiming for corporate or commercial banking.
Issued by: CFI
Duration: 3–6 months

⸻

3. FPWM™ (Financial Planning & Wealth Management)
Introduces personal finance, investment planning, and portfolio construction — good for future wealth managers and advisors.
Issued by: CFI
Duration: 2–4 months

⸻

4. Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC)
A concise, interactive course on market structure, economics, and Bloomberg terminal functions — widely respected by employers.
Issued by: Bloomberg
Duration: 1–2 weeks

⸻

5. Google Data Analytics Certificate
Teaches data cleaning, visualization, and Excel/SQL — skills now essential for financial and business analyst roles.
Issued by: Google (via Coursera)
Duration: 3–6 months

⸻

6. Intuit Bookkeeping Professional Certificate
Practical program for accounting and bookkeeping fundamentals — perfect for finance assistants or small business roles.
Issued by: Intuit (via Coursera)
Duration: 3–5 months

⸻

7. Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)
Develops strong dashboard-building and data reporting skills, highly useful for FP&A and business analysis.
Issued by: Microsoft
Duration: 2–4 months

⸻

8. Business & Financial Modeling Specialization
Learn how to build financial models and evaluate projects in Excel — great foundation for investment or FP&A roles.
Issued by: Wharton School (via Coursera)
Duration: 3 months

⸻

9. Corporate Finance
Short, structured course explaining time value of money, valuation, and financial decisions — strong beginner option.
Issued by: Columbia University (via edX)
Duration: 8-12 weeks

⸻

10. Excel Skills for Business Specialization
Practical Excel program that teaches automation, formulas, and data management — a must for any finance-related job.
Issued by: Macquarie University (via Coursera)
Duration: 2–4 months

⸻

These certifications might not replace the depth of ACCA or CFA, but they can open doors faster, giving you tangible skills, credentials, and confidence to begin your career in finance or analytics without years of preparation or high tuition costs.


@fineconim

“Money is pouring into Uzbekistan”

Uzbekistan is currently experiencing the largest wave of foreign investment in its history, with Foreign Direct Investment projected to surge to $42 billion in 2025, up significantly from the previous year. This massive capital inflow is a direct result of the country's extensive economic reforms, including currency market liberalization and tax changes, which are aimed at transforming it into Central Asia's leading economic hub. Global financial giants like Citibank and JPMorgan are establishing a strong presence in Tashkent, signifying a major shift as the nation rapidly integrates into global capital markets. Investment is strongly focused on strategic sectors such as renewable energy, with companies like ACWA Power implementing multi-billion dollar projects to modernize infrastructure. Furthermore, the rapid growth of the local fintech sector—driven by innovators such as TBC Bank, Uzum, and Payme—is cementing its role as a key engine for future economic expansion. The government's "Uzbekistan-2030" strategy is promising continued deep modernization across infrastructure, digital technologies, and agriculture.

Read full article at Bloomberg

@fineconim

The selection for CBU Coding Challenge 2025 is now open — a competition for those ready to tackle real-world data problems and grow in one of the most in-demand fields.

Over the course of 48 hours, participants will work with real datasets: cleaning, analyzing, and building a risk prediction model for borrowers. This is your chance to apply your knowledge in practice and demonstrate data skills at a level highly valued in the financial industry.

💼 The top participants will not only receive cash prizes but also have the opportunity to join the data science team of the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

📍 Location: Agrobank (Tashkent, 2a Batir Zakirov Street)
📅 Dates: November 15–16
📌 Registration is open until November 7

If you’re eager to advance in data analytics and build a career in a strategically important field — don’t miss this opportunity.

Register now and show what you’re capable of!

Link For registration


@fineconim

Please welcome our new member Alpomishbek. He’ll be responsible for reaching out to new speakers and finding amazing people in finance and economics to interview.

Hey everyone! I’m Alpomishbek from Samarkand, Uzbekistan, a junior majoring in Economics at Yonsei University. I’m passionate about learning languages, exploring new places, and creating positive impact. After graduation, I plan to return to Uzbekistan to begin a career in finance or consulting, and I look forward to contributing meaningfully to the FinEcon team.

On behalf of the entire FinEcon team, we wish you a great start and an exciting journey ahead with us. We’re confident that your enthusiasm, fresh ideas, and dedication will bring a lot of value to our projects.

@fineconim

Important Updates on the American H-1B Visa.

A month earlier, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, signed an executive order mandating that new H-1B visa applicants pay a $100,000 fee (read here).

A few days ago, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released an update clarifying which applicants are subject to the $100,000 fee and outlining the payment procedures (source). According to USCIS, applicants who already hold a valid non-immigrant visa and are filing an H-1B petition to get their status changed are exempt from paying the $100,000 fee.

What does that imply?

International students currently residing in the United States, including those pursuing MBA degrees, are likely exempt from paying the hefty fee. The exemption facilitates the process of securing post-graduation employment in the United States, allowing recent graduates to acquire meaningful professional experience.

@fineconim