POLITICS 1
Support for privatized enterprises – an important factor of the economic growth of our country 1
President of Uzbekistan received the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia 2
INVESTMENTS 3
In the Tashkent region, by the end of 2020, a total of 21 investment projects will be implemented in the construction materials industry with a total value of over $ 1 billion 3
ECOLOGY 3
Modern technologies in waste processing 3
POLITICS
Support for privatized enterprises – an important factor of the economic growth of our country
On October 27, a meeting under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev was held on the ongoing work of raising the state policy in the sphere of development of private property and entrepreneurship on the basis of privatized state property to a qualitatively new level, effective support for privatized business entities.
It was attended by the State Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Deputy Prime Minister, heads of relevant ministries and departments.
A solid legislative framework is created in our country aimed at ensuring the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of private owners. Direct modern interactive forms of provision of public services are being introduced. A systematic dialogue has been established between state bodies and entrepreneurs. Reliable legal guarantees are established for the consistent support of small business and private entrepreneurship as an important factor in sustainable development of the country’s economy, creating new workplaces and improving the welfare of the population.
The Strategy of actions on five priority areas of development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2017-2021 outlines the actual tasks on strengthening the guarantees of reliable protection of the rights and legitimate interests of private property and entrepreneurship entities, fully supporting the categories of the population who intend to establish their own business.
During the trips to the regions, the President of our country criticized the inefficient use of production opportunities of privatized facilities, the lack of systematic measures on long-term development of enterprises, establishment of specialized production capacities, introduction of modern technologies that are important in ensuring the competitiveness of produced products.
In our country, joint consistent work of tax bodies, economic and statistical agencies on system analysis of financial, economic and production indicators of privatized enterprises, identification of inactive, low-profit and loss-making industries, empty and inefficiently used facilities and land plots, has been established.
Activity of almost 40 thousand previously privatized objects was studied, it was revealed that 3900 of them are empty or not fully used. Projects and road maps have been developed on restoring activities of 2700 of these facilities or establishing new production facilities on their basis.
Investments in the amount of 2,7 trillion sums (currency rates of CB RU from 30.10.2017, 1$= 8069,61 soum) will be attracted within the framework of these projects, more than 25 thousand workplaces will be created. To date, the activity of 420 enterprises has been restored, activity of 1800 objects will be restored until the end of the year.
The Decree of the Head of our state “On establishment of the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for assistance to privatized enterprises and development of competition” of April 18, 2017, serves as an important factor in this.
At the meeting, the work carried out by the newly formed State Committee was reviewed, and measures taken on development and implementation of the road map aimed at improving the efficiency of activities and modernization of production, development of privatized enterprises in order to assist them in creating new workplaces, expanding production volumes of competitive products, obtaining permits, connecting to communication networks and allocating loans by commercial banks, were found unsatisfactory.
Responsible persons were entrusted to develop and implement projects and road maps on restoration and development of activities of inactive 1200 objects with participation of their owners.
In the current year, 408 public facilities were sold to private owners. Of these, 278 were transferred at zero cost with condition of investing 1,6 trillion sums and creating more than 10 thousand workplaces.
Currently, 388 state facilities are on sale, of which 161 are planned to be provided at zero cost.
At the meeting it was noted that government bodies are not paying due attention to issues of monitoring the production activities and financial-economic situation of privatized enterprises, providing them with loans and material resources, identifying existing problems and their causes, providing practical assistance to entrepreneurs in restoring the engineering and production infrastructure, searching for sales markets.
Issues of development of competitive environment and the securities market, protection of consumer rights, licensing of exchange activities, system training, retraining and advanced training of modern personnel, and introduction of international best practice into the sphere were also discussed.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev gave corresponding instructions to officials on eliminating existing shortcomings in the sphere, tasks for the future.
(Source: UzA)
President of Uzbekistan received the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia
On October 27, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Rogozin who arrived in our country at the request of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.
The Head of our state, welcoming the guest, noted with deep satisfaction that a regular and productive dialogue at various levels promotes strengthening of relations of strategic partnership and alliance between Uzbekistan and Russia, as well as filling them with concrete practical content.
It was especially emphasized that the state visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Russian Federation in April this year, as well as the meetings of the heads of the two countries, including within the framework of the CIS summit in Sochi on October 10, allowed to bring bilateral long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation to a new qualitative level.
Today, trade volumes are growing steadily, large investment projects are being implemented with leading companies and banks of Russia in the oil and gas complex, metallurgy, mechanical and electrical engineering, textile, food, pharmaceutical and other sectors of the economy of Uzbekistan.
Interaction between regions and at the level of business has been intensified. A fruitful cultural and humanitarian exchange is developing.
Issues of practical implementation of arrangements and agreements on further expansion of trade, economic, investment and military-technical cooperation between Uzbekistan and Russia were discussed at the meeting.
The importance of strengthening industrial cooperation between the leading enterprises and companies of the two countries aimed at speedy promotion of joint prospective programs and innovative projects was noted.
Dmitry Rogozin expressed his deep gratitude to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the warm welcome and conveyed sincere greetings and best wishes of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and the Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Russia emphasized the interest and readiness of the Russian Federation for development of full-scale and mutually beneficial cooperation with the Republic of Uzbekistan in the spirit of strategic partnership and alliance.
(Source: UzA)
INVESTMENTS
In the Tashkent region, by the end of 2020, a total of 21 investment projects will be implemented in the construction materials industry with a total value of over $ 1 billion
Their implementation is envisaged by the targeted program for the development of the building materials industry in the metropolitan area until 2020, approved the other day by the government of the country.
Some of the largest projects will be implemented by representatives of the cement industry. For example, the Russian holding company Eurocement Group will invest $ 220 million in the creation of cement production by a “dry method” with a capacity of 2.4 million tons per year.
Two more cement plants will be built by Chinese investors. The first will appear on the basis of the Xin Lei enterprise in the Akhangaran district and will have an annual capacity of 1 million tons and cost $108 million, the other on the basis of Ahangaranshifer with a capacity of 1 million tons and a cost of $100 million.
An interesting project is planned to be implemented by a group of investors from Russia in conjunction with Uzpromstroybank. In the Parkent FEZ will be established production of modern wallpaper from various materials. The initiators are planning to increase production to 3 million rolls per year. The total cost of the initiative is estimated at $8 million.
The Iranian partners will not be left out. Kashi Ehsan Maybod Co Pjs intends to launch a factory for the production of glazed ceramic tiles based on the EMG enterprise in the Yukorichirchik district with an annual production of 2.1 million square meters of products.
According to the government’s forecasts, as a result of the implementation of all projects in the region, almost 4,000 new jobs will be created. At the same time, the total volume of foreign direct investment will exceed $519 million.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
ECOLOGY
Modern technologies in waste processing
The International Business Center in Tashkent has hosted an international roundtable discussion on modern technologies in the management of solid domestic waste: legal, technical and investment solutions.
It was organized by the Committee on Ecology and Environmental Protection of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and the Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan jointly with the OSCE Project Coordinator in the country in partnership with the Regional Environmental Center of Central Asia and “Toshrangmetalzavod” OJSC.
The purpose of the event was a wide discussion of legal, technical and investment decisions in Uzbekistan in the field of solid waste management, practical measures to solve problems of rational use of natural resources in order to reduce raw material losses and maximum utilization of solid household waste with subsequent use as secondary raw materials , as well as studying the experience of foreign countries in addressing the issues of ensuring the efficient use of natural resources by improving the management system from progress, improving the system of state regulation and the introduction of modern technologies in the management of solid waste.
Foreign experts from Russia, Belarus, Latvia, Italy, Great Britain, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, OSCE officials, the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia, UNDP, deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and local Kengashes of People’s Deputies, representatives of the National Assembly of the People’s Deputies, diplomatic corps accredited in the republic, scientists and specialists of scientific and educational institutions, representatives of public organizations, domestic and foreign journalists took part in this respectable and authoritative forum.
On the first day, the participants of the international forum visited “Toshrangmetalzavod” OJSC, which specializes in the processing of non-ferrous metals, waste batteries, batteries and other wastes. An acquaintance with the work of the workshops, the technology of processing electronic equipment, as well as an exhibition of finished products, which made an unforgettable impression on the guests.
The Joint Stock Company with Foreign Investments “Toshrangmetalzavod” is the only specialized company in Central Asia for the collection and processing of secondary non-ferrous metals. In general, their processing is a strategic task of any state and an important condition for the conservation of natural resources. More than 60% of the non-ferrous metals consumed in the world economy are recycled. And today OJSC is a modern enterprise with an extensive network of procurement organizations throughout the country and providing all sectors of the economy with quality products. This is facilitated by the availability of modern equipment, advanced technology and highly qualified personnel.
Due to the processing of non-ferrous metals, the factory produces vintage aluminum alloys, bronze and brass products, consumer goods, copper wire rod and much more. Its products are exported to 20 countries of the near and far abroad.
In recent years, all technologies in the enterprise have been completely updated and modernized. Factory specialists positively solve problems of air pollution, introduction of non-waste technologies, rational use of energy resources. Successfully continues the work on reconstruction and modernization through the acquisition and installation of modern energy-saving technologies, the technical re-equipment of production, upgrading the skills of workers.
For example, an important step towards increasing the efficiency of production was the use of 10 thousand tons of slag waste accumulated on the factory territory for decades. Improved slag processing technology with modern equipment “Remetal” (Spain) has allowed not only to significantly reduce damage to the environment, but also to arrange the export of new products. Today, 50% of slag waste is exported; the rest is sold to local producers.
The great interest and admiration of the participants in the roundtable caused an introduction to the work of the waste electrical and electronic equipment disposal unit. Its capacity allows a year to process up to 550 tons of household appliances, computers, cell phones. Commissioned this year, it operates under the project “Give a chance to nature.”
In 2016-2030 the enterprise plans to invest over $28.5 million in modernization and technical renovation, while creating hundreds of new jobs.
On the second day of the forum, on October 24, a meeting of the international “round table” took place. In it, the “mainstream” was the idea that the existing problems in the sphere of handling domestic waste practically on a global scale require urgent solution.
Due to the fact that the system of preliminary sorting of solid domestic waste has not yet been created, and one of the methods of their disposal are the polygons, useful components that can be re-used are irretrievably lost. Increasing volumes of waste require allocation of additional territories for their disposal and burial, their negative impact on the environment and human health is increasing. The situation is aggravated also due to the fact that most of the specialized landfills and sites for collection and disposal of domestic waste do not meet environmental and sanitary standards and requirements, become sources of pollution of the atmosphere, soil, ground and groundwater, and the spread of infectious diseases. In these circumstances, the role and importance of legislative acts and the adoption of technical solutions in the field of waste management, as well as the attraction of investments for the introduction of modern technologies in the management of solid domestic wastes are important and relevant.
During the years of independence, a lot of work has been done in Uzbekistan to create a solid legislative base in the field of environmental protection, rational use of natural resources. However, the Law “On Waste”, adopted in 2002, designed to prevent their harmful impact on the lives and health of citizens, the environment, the reduction of SDW formation and ensuring their rational use in economic activities, currently does not meet modern conditions and not fully reflects the provisions of the regulatory and legal acts adopted in recent years and international legal norms. In this connection, it is necessary to improve the legislative base in the field of regulation of relations in activities related to the formation, storage, collection, transport, burial, processing, utilization and sale of solid domestic waste, and especially with the creation of a system of preliminary sorting and neutralization for their reuse as secondary raw materials.
The round table noted that, taking into account the established practice and foreign experience in this area, there are many issues awaiting solution. Including the development of utility networks and enterprises for the collection and utilization of waste, the creation of conditions for competition among economic entities of the municipal sector, working with waste, creating conditions for small businesses to carry out activities in this area.
Due to the imperfect system of sorting, processing and utilization of solid domestic waste, which are buried at 186 operating landfills of the country, now more than 33.4 million tons of solid waste is accumulated in the country. At the same time, the value of this indicator is constantly growing: annually the volume of accumulated waste is increased by 12-13 million cubic meters, which requires additional areas for landfills.
Taking this into account, in order to improve waste management and modernization of enterprises, territorial programs were implemented to improve the city’s sanitation system, within which new garbage transfer stations were built. However, problems remain in this area.
The negative impact of waste on people’s living conditions indicates the need for “gardening” in this sector, which implies the introduction of a system for separate collection, sorting and storage of solid waste, improving the efficiency of the waste management system at specialized landfills.
They are more effective in building waste-processing plants with preliminary sorting of solid waste and reducing their harmful impact through recycling and processing. At the same time, the creation of new jobs is an important effect of such construction. Each plant with a processing capacity of 75 thousand tons per year requires a staff of 100 people. At present, approximately two or three plants for one region are needed to completely cover the waste generated annually. Hence, about 4.2 thousand people will be provided with working places.
As the participants of the event noted, today the work is underway in the republic to create a new mechanism for solid waste management, which will promote the wider use of solid domestic waste as secondary raw materials, reduce the level of environmental pollution and the negative impact of waste on nature and human health.
Important in this case is the formation of the population, especially among young people, knowledge and skills in the proper handling of domestic waste.
An important step in this direction was the adoption of the Decree of the President of Uzbekistan of April 21, 2017 “On the improvement of the system of public administration in the sphere of ecology and environmental protection”, according to which in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, oblasts and Tashkent in the structure of departments for ecology and environmental protection, unitary enterprises “Toza Hudud”, whose task is to organize a complex of works on waste management and improvement of the sanitary condition of the territories.
The Resolution of the President of the country “On Measures for Cardinal Improvement and Development of the Waste Management System for 2017-2021” approved a comprehensive scheme for the formation, collection, transportation, utilization, processing and disposal of solid domestic waste and measures to improve the management of solid domestic waste for a five-year period. In accordance with it, in a number of regions of the republic construction of enterprises for waste processing is carried out.
During the roundtable, reports were heard by foreign experts who presented experience in improving the waste management system for efficient use of natural resources, the practice of implementing regional environmental programs for handling homogeneous waste groups, and organizing state regulation in this area.
For example, in Kazakhstan, as in Russia, the initiative of the expanded responsibility of the manufacturer was introduced. Its principle is simple: who pollutes, he pays. That is, the manufacturer or importer must take care of the entire life cycle of their own products, including packaging. China also pays much attention to the solution of the problem of waste processing. Issues of ecology and environmental protection are identified as priorities for the development of the economy of the Celestial Empire. The PRC closely cooperates with Uzbekistan in this direction, in particular, in training specialists for this industry. In Latvia, a gradual transition to a closed cycle economy was implemented, involving the maximum processing of waste and the secondary use of resources.
– In Italy, there are national, regional, local and municipal programs in the field of waste management. Management bodies at different levels are responsible for a particular site, – said Massimo Koccone, senior specialist at the Ministry of the Environment, Land and Sea Resources of Italy. – Our Ministry has established a constructive dialogue with the State Committee for Ecology and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Uzbekistan. We hope that this cooperation will continue in the future, especially since we have something to share, in particular, experience in introducing technologies for separate collection of domestic waste.
Shynbolat Baykulov, Chairman of the Board of the Association of Legal Entities “Kazakhstan Waste Management Association “KazWaste”, noted that “in our countries the morphology of the formation of solid household waste, the system for their collection and processing is identical. I learned that in Uzbekistan there is also an emphasis on public-private partnership in this area. Our association unites more than 40 companies and individual entrepreneurs associated with the collection, sorting, transportation, utilization, processing and disposal of domestic and industrial waste. Excursion to “Toshrangmetalzavod” JSC allowed on the spot to see how the lead batteries are being recycled, a technology successfully introduced into production. We fully support the project “Give a chance to nature” for the recycling of electrical waste sold in your country.”
Experts and representatives of NGOs mentioned during the discussion noted the importance and importance of sharing practical experience in applying modern technologies in the management of solid domestic wastes, involving entrepreneurs and the private sector in this process, creating mechanisms to stimulate the recycling and recycling of domestic waste.
For example, forum participants stressed that these issues have always been in the field of view of public environmental organizations. So, the practice of the hotline of the Eco-movement, which has been in effect since 2009, shows that among the environmental problems affecting the interests of the general public, the issues related to the placement of solid waste, the emergence of unauthorized garbage dumps, and its irregular export take a leading position. During this period, more than 2,500 reports of violations of environmental and health standards were received, more than 500 raids were conducted, with a significant number of issues related to waste.
It was also noted that the formation of a new one and the transformation of the existing production potential must be carried out, relying on a new legislative framework, oriented to the rational use of natural resources and maximum waste disposal.
The presentation of the short film “Khush Kelibsiz Uzbekistonga” (Welcome to Uzbekistan), prepared by the Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan with the support of the Oliy Majlis Public Fund for Support of NGOs and Other Civil Society Institutions, took place during the event.
Following the meeting, recommendations on the management of solid waste were adopted.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
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