DOWNLOADS

Visa Form (PDF file)

National Anthem

Web

uzbekembassy.in

LIVE WEATHER

USEFUL LINKS

President's Press-office

http://www.press-service.uz 

Portal of the State Authority Republic of Uzbekistan

http://www.gov.uz

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Uzbekistan

http://www.mfa.uz

Uzbek National Information Agency

http://www.uza.uz/eng/

Jahon Information Agency

http://www.jahon.mfa.uz

EXPLORE UZBEKISTAN

EXPLORE UZBEKISTAN

LATEST NEWS : MARCH 2007

On March 29, 2007 the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov at the Oksaroy Residence in Tashkent received the FIFA President Joseph Blatter, the Uzbek Media reported.

The Uzbek leader said that cooperation with such international organization has an important significance to the development of football.

The FIFA highly assesses the successes of Uzbekistan in the sphere of sports, in particular, the football. For over the years of independence the Uzbek football has gone up to a new level. Upon the initiative of the President of the country its development became o­ne of the directions of the state policy.

The Decree “On additional measures to develop football in Uzbekistan” of May 1, 2006 is an important factor in further development of the football in the country. The care and close attention of the Uzbek leadership towards the sports, in particular the children’s sports, finds its real implementation at the modern sports complexes which are erected in cities and villages nationwide.

Mr. Blatter and accompanying him the President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Mohamed bin Hammam first visited Uzbekistan in 2004. During the current visit the Uzbekistan Football Federation (UFF) and world football top-level officials have commissioned the turf pitch (the football playground with artificial covering).

Islam Karimov awarded Joseph Blatter the “Dustlik” (‘Friendship’) Order and Mohamed bin Hammam – “Shuhrat” (‘Glory’) Medal for the big contribution to the development and comprehensive support of the football programs in the Republic of Uzbekistan, assistance in establishing the younger healthy generation, as well as fruitful activity on strengthening the friendship and mutual understanding among the peoples.

At the Oksaroy Residence the sides have exchanged views on further development of cooperation of the Uzbekistan Football Federation with the FIFA and Asian Football Confederation.

As a part of his stay in Uzbekistan the President of the International Football Federation – FIFA Joseph Blatter participated at the opening of the new building of the Uzbekistan Football Federation (UFF) and football stadium with artificial covering, which are commissioned within the framework of the “Goal-1” FIFA project, Uzbek Media agencies reported.

With a view to support the development of football in the world the FIFA renders financial aid to the national football federations. During his visit to Tashkent o­n September 2004 Mr. Blatter got acquainted with the large-scale works held in the country under the leadership of the Uzbek President to further develop football. He had said that FIFA would allocate the funds to the Uzbekistan Football Federation (UFF) for the construction of the stadium with artificial covering.

Also, the FIFA President visited the new building of the Uzbekistan Football Federation (UFF). The exhibits of the museum on famous traditions of the Uzbek football, successes achieved by the Uzbek football players at the international sports arenas prompted a profound interest in Mr. Blatter.

Besides, FIFA President has learned about the activities of the Republican High School of the Sports Skills on football and “Uzbekiston” Sports Complex in Tashkent.

Mr. Blatter has highly assessed the big works on the development of football in Uzbekistan. He said that the relations between the FIFA and Uzbekistan are consistently developing and would further be strengthened.

The official reception ceremony on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Russian Federation was held at the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Moscow, Jahon Agency reported. The representatives of official, social, political, business and analytical circles, diplomatic corps, as well as journalists have attended the event.

Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister A.Denisov addressed the gathered and said that the countries had traversed a long journey along establishment and development of a friendly ties for over the last 15 years.

“The principles of strategic partnership and alliance, trust and sincerity of bilateral dialog at the highest level lie o­n the foundation of our cooperation,” – Mr. Denisov has said.

The Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC) Secretary General G.Rapota also spoke at the reception and stressed the importance of Uzbekistan’s joining the Community, which has significantly expanded the capabilities and potential of this integration structure.

“For a comparatively short period of time the Uzbek side has managed to join the works on all spectrums of cooperation at the EurAsEC,” - Mr. Rapota has said.

President of the Russian Academy of Military Sciences, the army general M.Gareev drew attention to the fact that the signing of the Treaty on Allied Relations by the presidents of both countries in 2005 has opened a new stage in the Russian-Uzbek relations.

“The treaty has consolidated the security of not only Russia and Uzbekistan but also the entire CIS territory, especially its Central Asian segment,” – the General said.

Fifteen years of Uzbek-Russian diplomatic relations has coincided with the brightest holiday of spring – Navruz. O­n this occasion the “Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan” Fund, the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Uzbekistan in cooperation with the Uzbek Embassy in Moscow held a concert show of the Uzbek artists.

The Uzbek students of Moscow universities, representatives of cultural and scientific circles and the Uzbek Diaspora in the Russian capital enjoyed the show by the “Ofarin” music band and dancing group of “Sabo”. One-and-half-hour show drew continuous applauds of the spectators. Following the concert guests were invited to holiday enjoyments to taste a traditional spring dish of the Uzbek people – the delicious sumalyak.

Empire Promotions will hold a boxing event at "Krylya Sovetov" Sports Palace in Moscow, Russia, on April13, 2007. Two Uzbek boxers will feature in title boats, UzReportcom reported.

Leading the card is the WBO #5 super flyweight contender Kahramon Arzykulov (12-2-1, 7 KOs) of Uzbekistan, who will defend his WBO Asian Pacific title for the first time against tough Thai journeyman Sairung Suwanasil (42-9, 26 KOs).

Huge underdog Arzykulov, 27, put his name into contention the last July, when he sensationally floored experienced Kazakh Marat Mazimbaev amazing four times on his way to a hard-fought decision in a mouth-watering wild brawl.

Thai Suwanasil, 31, fought a good share of sound name in lighter divisions, including Jesus Chong, Jesus Salud, Z Gorres, Diosdado Gabi, Adrian Kaspari (losses) and a victory over Bobby Pacquiao. He fought once this year, dropping UD 8 to Japanese Nobuyuki Matsumoto in January. Provided he is victorious in April, Arzykulov team will try to land a shot at current WBO champion Fernando Montiel.

In another title clash unbeaten Alisher Rahimov (13-0, 6 KOs) of Uzbekistan, but fighting in Russia, will collide Russian-based Belarussian Yuri Romanovich (14-4, 10 KOs) for an interim national super featherweight belt.

Rahimov, 29, has victories over fellow prospect Vyacheslav Gusev, Serikzhan Yeshmagambetov (who knocked down Manny Pacquiao in their non-title fight in 2003) and world-rated Stanislav Merdov. Romanovich lost last free on points, however, to the opponents with a combined record of 57-0, including perennial contender Janos Nagy and IBF champion Valdemir Perreira in a non-title effort.

Subscribers of MTS-Uzbekistan in Samarkand, Andijan, Ferghana and Namangan regions now can pay for communication services via Paynet points, located in all regions of Uzbekistan, UzReportcom reported.

Paynet said in its release on March 29, 2007 the company is working to create conditions to accept payments from MTS-Uzbekistan users, registered in other regions of Uzbekistan.

Paynet system is currently used by subscribers of MTS-Uzbekistan in Tashkent city and Tashkent region.

The article entitled "Samarkand is a capital of wealth and beauty" dedicated to the history and sightseeing of the ancient Samarkand has been published recently at the leading Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Watan in Arabic, Jahon reported.

"Everyone who comes to this fairy city shall discover not only the history of one of the world's ancient cities, but also the wonderful world of the grand monuments, which have no equals on beauty and charm, receive the valuable information about great civilization, the city has been the hub of which," the paper wrote.

Al-Watan has also written that the great military leader and statesman Amir Temur had chosen Samarkand as a center of his state and transformed it into a beautiful and majestic city – the Pearl of the East.

"And his grandson – the great astronomer, scholar and statesman Mirzo Ulughbek had done more to make the city beautiful and glorious", the newspaper underscored.

The story has also dwelled upon the social, political and economic life of the ancient Samarkand. "The city during the centuries has been famed for its goods such as textile, carpets and paper. The first paper factory in Baghdad appeared only in a half century after that its production has been founded in Samarkand. It is remarkable that the paper of Samarkand thanks to its high quality had driven out various sorts of the Egyptian papers and leathers from markets".

The newspaper has also told about that Samarkand during many centuries was famous as a center of science and enlightenment.

The story has concluded with lines on the history of the most interesting monuments of Samarkand as well as the great scholars and thinkers who lived there and worked.

Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Bolat Nurgaliev visited Tashkent, Uzbek capital city, on March, 27-28, UzReportcom reported.

Within his visit, Mr Nurgaliev attended a ceremony dedicated to accession of Myrzakan Subanov to the post of director of Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure of the SCO.

During his visit to Uzbekistan, SCO chief acquainted with sights of Tashkent city, in particular, he visited State Museum of Temurids' History.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a regional alliance of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The heads of state of these six countries signed a declaration on its formation in Shanghai on June 15, 2001. Mongolia, India, Pakistan and Iran have observer status in the Organisation.

The aim of the Organisation is to stabilise the situation in Central Asia, consolidate friendship and good-neighborly relations among the member-states, and develop cooperation in the political, economic, scientific and other spheres.

The SCO member states adopted Shanghai convention "On fighting with terrorism, separatism and extremism" on June 15, 2001 and in accordance with the same convention the SCO RATS centre opened in Tashkent on June 7, 2002.
 

Uzbekistan-Japan Centre for Human Development opened its branch at the Bukhara State University, UzA reported.

The report said the task of the branch of the centre is to acquaint citizens of Bukhara region and its guests with culture, traditions, national customs of Japan, as well as teach Japanese language. Various cultural and educational courses will be conducted at the branch.

Yuchi Kusumoto, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Uzbekistan, said the business courses, which is will be organized at the centre, will be useful for entrepreneurs of Bukhara.

President of Uzbekistan allocated 31.5 billion soums from State Budget to finance complex measures on protection of vulnerable layers of population, UzReportcom reported.

Uzbek President Islam Karimov signed a decree "On measures on further improvement and deepening system of social protection of population" on March 20, 2007.

The document envisages wide-scale complex measures on strengthening social protection of vulnerable layers of population, improvement of salaries at all social establishments, strengthen material and technical base of hostels for disabled and elder people, rehabilitation centres for disabled people and others.

Several committees of Senate (upper house) of Oliy Majlis (parliament) of Uzbekistan held a session on March 27, 2007 to consider agenda of upcoming plenary session, UzA reported.

As earlier reported, the plenary session of Senate will take place on March 29, 2007 in Tashkent, Uzbek capital city.

The report said that the Senators paid special attention to Constitutional Law of Uzbekistan "On strengthening role of political parties in modernization and further democratization of management and modernization of the country" and the Law "On introduction of amendments to several articles (article 89, clause 15 of article 93 and part two of article 102) of Constitution of Uzbekistan". Both Laws are initiative of the Uzbek President Islam Karimov.

They also considered a Law "On introduction of changes and amendments to some legislative acts in connection with adoption of Constitutional Law of Uzbekistan "On strengthening role of political parties in modernization and further democratization of management and modernization of the country".

Committee also considered other laws, passed by Legislative Chamber and which will be considered during upcoming plenary session.

The Fund Forum of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan opened its representative office in Paris in a ceremony at the Carrousel du Louvre exhibition hall, Pravda Vostoka reported.

The fund has similar offices in China, Russia and Japan.

The Fund Forum of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan, launched in May 2004, aimed at support Uzbek science, culture, education and spiritual heritage.

Presentation of the Interview of President Islam Karimov to the “Turkiston-press” non-state news agency o­n the occasion of Tashkent’s being conferred a title of the world capital of Islamic culture in 2007 by the Islamic Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) was held at the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Tehran late last week, Jahon agency reported.

The representatives of the social, political, academic and analytical circles of Iran, international organizations, and journalists have attended the event.

They have received the detailed information about the Uzbek capital of Tashkent. The participants of the event had underscored that a number of institutes, universities and madrassahs, which train the theologians, religious scholars, specialists of Islamic law, source studies, as well as international economy and information technologies, are operating in Tashkent at the moment.

Of them the Imam Al-Bukhariy Tashkent Islamic Institute, the Tashkent Islamic University, which was established upon the initiative of President Islam Karimov and Kukaldosh Madrassah are the leading o­nes.

Participants said that the interview by the Uzbek leader covers the most important aspects of state policy o­n spiritual development of society and preserving the historical and cultural heritage, traditions and customs of the Uzbek people.

ISESCO Deputy Regional Representative Ali Ibrahimi highly assessed the profound importance attached by President Islam Karimov to the issues of upbringing the young generation in the spirit of national traditions. “The choice of the ISESCO is a high recognition of the efforts of Uzbek government and particularly President Islam Karimov o­n strengthening the spiritual and moral principles of the Uzbek society”, - he said.

Deputy director at the Iranian Institute for Research of Russia, Central Asia and Caucasus, Doctor Bahram Amirahmadiyon has said that Tashkent played a role of significant cultural, scientific and political center of region and the whole Islamic world during the different historical periods.

“The region has faced sweeping changes over the last fifteen years, but Tashkent has kept its leading positions in Central Asia”, - Mr. Amirahmadiyon said. Director of the Institute of Culture of the Organization of Economic Cooperation (ECO) Mohammad Rajabi noted that the other ancient cities of Uzbekistan such as Samarkand and Bukhara also deserved a high title, which Tashkent had been conferred.

“I hope that these cities with their richest cultural and historical heritage will also secure this recognition”, - he said.

The publishing unit of the Tashkent Islamic University and Information Agency “Jahon” put out the book “Tashkent is a Capital of Islamic Culture” in the Uzbek, Russian and English languages, Pravda Vostoka newspaper reported.

Uzbekistan is rightly considered as one of the cradles of the world civilization, and particularly, culture of the Islamic religion. The world community recognizes the invaluable contribution made by the great Uzbek ancestors to the development of world science and culture.

Under the leadership of President Islam Karimov a profound work is now held to revive and further develop the rich cultural heritage of the Uzbek ancestors. Reconstruction and improvement of the holy places of worship of the great scholars and saints, enormous research of their rich scientific and cultural heritage now render the expected results.

The fact that Tashkent has been announced by the ISESCO as a world capital of Islamic culture in 2007 has served as another recognition of such enormous work.

The book “Tashkent is a Capital of Islamic Culture” has the answers by President Islam Karimov to the correspondent of the “Turkiston-press” non-state news agency vis-à-vis the announcement of Tashkent as a world capital of Islamic culture in 2007 from the entire Asian continent among other three cities in the world.

Besides, the book offers the felicitations from the heads of foreign states and international organizations, renowned political and social figures addressed to the President Islam Karimov on such fine occasion.

The book also presents the views and comments by the representatives of diplomatic corps, foreign specialists and experts. Articles and stories by the leading news agencies, newspapers and magazines, websites of various states on the said occasion have also been included in the edition.

The Association of Enterprises and Organizations of Information Technologies of Uzbekistan (IT-association of Uzbekistan) and the Microsoft Corporation have signed the agreement on cooperation in the field of information technologies, UzA reported. The establishment of partnership aims introduction of new information technologies in Uzbekistan, development of a high-quality information and telecommunication infrastructure, and developing and strengthening the contacts between public, state and commercial IT organizations.

As it was said during the signing ceremony one of the important problems of IT sector of Uzbekistan is coordinating and effective policy in the field of copyright protection of software developers. Besides the mutual expertise and consulting help, sides plan carrying out training programs for members of association on Microsoft technologies and organization of process of software development. Experience of Microsoft Corporation will have importance in developing the e-government.

The signed document will increase the investment attractiveness of our country and help in its integration into to the world of information medium, assist domestic companies in large-scale joint projects in education, governance and in the market of the local software developing.

Executive director of Association of the Enterprises and Organizations of Information Technologies of Uzbekistan, Ilhom Abdullayev has emphasized, that the signed memorandum proves the interest of leaders of the international IT sector, and in particular of the Microsoft Corporation in developing the business relations with Uzbekistan.

Thus, it is an issue of not only of commercial interests, but also about multipurpose joint activity on development of an information society in Uzbekistan. One of such dynamical directions is the partnership of Uzbekistan IT-association and the Microsoft Corporation on creation of the Center of the Competence on e-governance in Tashkent.

These days the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of India are marking the 15th anniversary since the two countries have established the diplomatic relations. On such occasion the group of Indian journalists is now visiting the country, UzA reported.

The group is reported to have led by the political editor of the Indian newspaper “Aaj” Mr. Satya Prakash Aseem. This week Indian journalists had got acquainted with the activities of the local mass media in Uzbekistan.

“Our countries promote relations in all spheres, including the area of mass media and dissemination of news,” – Mr. Sh. Gulyamov, the Chairman of the Creative Association of Journalists of Uzbekistan, has said while taking floor at the meeting with the Indian counterparts at the National Press Center of Uzbekistan. “The arrangements concluded at the highest-level meetings indeed serve as an important legal basis in this”, - he further added.

The exchange of views and experience, rise of the professional skills and retraining of the cadres play a significant role in further democratizing the mass media. And the Uzbek and Indian journalists have accumulated the much experience in this, according to the report.

“During our stay in Uzbekistan we have been able to closely learn the activities of the Uzbek mass media,” – Mr. Satya Prakash Aseem has said, “the work of both Uzbek and Indian reporters is similar, since they operate based o­n such criteria as sincerity, fairness, and honesty. And we have come to believe o­nce again that our Uzbek counterparts work in keeping with the times”.

This is evidence to the fact that in Uzbekistan a much work is being accomplished now to build a democratic, law-governed and free civil society. We are confident that the relations between the journalists of both countries will have an effective development, he has also said.

Uzbekistan, led by Rauf Inileev, lost to China in friendly match in Macau, China, on March 27, 2007, UzReportcom reported.

Rauf Ineleev, who is testing "new bloods", lined up only players of Uzbek premier league and some key players were missing friendly matches.

Han Peng of Chine recoded double (5th and 41st minute), while Kara scored a goal from penalty kick on the 67th minute of the match.

Shishelov of Kuruvchi Tashkent scored consolidation goal for Uzbekistan on the 82nd minute of the match.

As earlier reported, Uzbekistan registered 1-0 win of Taipei on Saturday, 24 March.

Football Federation of Uzbekistan and Russian Football Union have signed in Moscow a Memorandum on cooperation, Jahon Agency reported.

The heads of the relevant agencies of the two countries Mirabror Usmanov and Vitaliy Mutko signed the document.

The goal of the signed document is to bring up the healthy generation and popularize football, exchange views in the sphere of football, strengthen the friendship and partnership relations between Uzbekistan and Russia.

The heads of the Football Federations of both countries have highly assessed the role of the signed document to strengthen cooperation of the two federations with an effort to further popularize the game, increase the level of performances of national and club teams at the national and international contests.

The implementation of the Memorandum will begin shortly. The sides also planned that late March the youth national team of Russia led by coach Ravil Sabitov will come to Tashkent to hold friendship match with Uzbek footballers.

This week the FIFA President is making an official visit to four Central Asian countries: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, UzA reported.

Following the visit to Turkmenistan, president Blatter will then head to the Uzbek capital of Tashkent.

In Tashkent, Mr. Blatter, according to the report, will be welcomed by the chairman of the Uzbekistan Football Federation Mirabror Usmanov and hold meetings at the Federation's Football House.

While in the country, the FIFA president will also pay a visit to a football academy, the report added.

Ninth plenary session of the Senate of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan will open on March 29, 2007. This decision was made by the Senate Kengash (council), UzA reported.

The senators will consider a number of laws adopted by the Legislative Chamber and submitted to the Senate for approval.

The Senate will also consider other issues within its competency.

Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan won the $ 25,000 ITF women’s tennis championship with a 6-0 7-5 win over Stefanie Voegele of Switzerland in the final at the University of Mumbai, Kalina campus here on Saturday, UzA reported. She had won the doubles on Saturday.

Voegele also lost in the doubles final in straight sets on Friday, with Olga Panova, to Amanmuradova and Nina Bratchikova. The event was organised as part of Mumbai University`s 150th year celebrations.

"She played well the whole week to get past seeded players. I felt weak due to an upset stomach but hung on. Now I will return home for rest, then come the Fed Cup preparations," the champion Amanmuradova said.

The results: Singles: Final: 4-Akgul Amanmuradova (Uzbekistan) bt Stefanie Voegele (Switzerland) 6-0, 7-5. Doubles: Akgul Amanmuradova (Uzbekistan) / Nina Bratchikova (Russia) bt Stefanie Voegele / Olga Panova 6-2, 6-3.

"Tashabbus-2007" national showcase contest for the prizes of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan has determined the best, the most initiative and innovative businessman, farmer and craftsman of the country. This year the contest marked its 11th anniversary and its history counts more than 100,000 participants, Uzreportcom reported.

The solemn ceremony of awarding the winners of "Tashabbus-2007" contest was held on March 24, 2007 at Turkiston palace, Tashkent.

Winners of the contest had been determined taking into account their contribution to the country's economy and satisfaction of the population's demands in consumer goods. Among other factors considered, the jury also paid attention to the contribution to creation of new jobs, attraction of foreign investments, increase of import substituting and export oriented products.

Winner in the "Best entrepreneur" nomination was head of private enterprise Urgut Yashil Oltini Zayniddin Ahrorov (Samarkand region), "Best farmer" – director of Tayimbet farm Sersenbay Seytnazarov (Republic of Karakalpakstan), and "Best craftsman" – Sodikjon Nematov (Andijan region). Each of the three winners was awarded with the prize of the President of Uzbekistan – Matiz car.

Odilbek Matchanov (Khorezm region) took the second place in the nomination for the "Best craftsman", director of Ollohnazar Shohnazar Bobanar farm Bobonazar Choriev was the second in the "Best farmer" nomination, and director of medical and cosmetology scientific production enterprise Sharofiddin Ergashev was the second in the "Best entrepreneur" nomination. The second place winners received diplomas and President's prize – cheque for 3.5 million soums.

The third prizes were shared as follows: "Best craftsman" – Azimjon Alibekov (Tashkent city), "Best farmer" – director of Surhon Vohasi farm Risolat Mamatkulova (Surkhandarya region), and "Best entrepreneur" – director of Manzura Ishmatova small enterprise Manzura Ishmatova (Jizzakh region). The winners of these places were handed over cheque for 2 million soums.

Qualifying stages at district, city and regional levels of the "Tashabbus-2007" contest were held during the past two months. Winners on the following new nominations had been determined: "The most active entrepreneur in the field of social protection", "Best business woman", "The most young entrepreneur", "For the services on improvement of life culture in rural area".

In addition, this year too the steering committee created several incentive prizes in the following nominations: "The best company to integrate efficient enterprise management", "For high quality services provided to entrepreneurs", "The best journalist", "The best financial institution", "The best exporter-entrepreneur", "The most efficient project", "The best organization in provision of business-courses", "The vest software product", "The best project proposed by students", "The best investor", "the best technical assistance project", "For ecologically clean technology", "The best cotton-farmer", and "The best grain-farmer".

Mahmuda Ismailova of Ferhgana region won in the nomination for "The most efficient project", and Zarlan Industriya LLC in the nomination for "The ecologically clean technology". The winners were awarded diplomas and Pentium 4 computers.

Other winners in the abovementioned nominations were: Kashkadarya branch of Microcreditbank – in "The best financial institution", Kelajak Ilmi International Business School – in "The best organization in provision of business-courses", a student of Tashkent State Technical University Nargiza Fayzieva – in "The best project prosposed by a student". The winners received diplomas and will be directed for training abroad.

Mosyantex LLC (Syrdarya), Andijoncable and Alubond Roison Building Technology won in the nomination for "The best exporter-enterprise", and Vim Bill Dann– in the nomination for "The best investor".

Hujayor Ota and Toshhuja Fermer farms won in the nominations for the "Best cotton farmer" and the "Best grain-farmer". Also, the prize for the "services in improvement of cultural life in rural areas" went to Muhammadjon Buva farm.

The prizes for other nominations went to the representatives of different spheres who have achieved certain success in their fields of activity.

More than 5,000 non-governmental, non-commercial organizations are presently carrying out their activity on the territory of Uzbekistan, according to Akmal Saidov, chairman of the Legislative Chamber's Committee on democratic institutions, non-governmental organizations and self-government institutions at the national Oliy Majlis (parliament), Jahon agency reported.

At the same time, he has underscored the fact that "the main thing is not a mere increase in the number of non-governmental, noncommercial organizations or their type".

"What matters is the contribution they make to the formation and thriving of civil society in Uzbekistan", Saidov said.

As civil society institutions win greater authority, so the non-governmental, non-commercial organizations will turn into the main instrument for executing public control over the workings of state and administrative bodies.

For now, the Committee led by Akmal Saidov is busied in drafting a law, which is designed to ensure and support the activity of domestic non-governmental, non-commercial organizations. This document envisages, among other things, the provision of state subsidies, grants and state orders with the purpose of propping up their successful functioning. The Uzbek lawmaker also believes that "there is an urgent need now in the new laws which regulate this field, such as the o­nes "On public organizations", "On guarantees to ensure the activity of self-government institutions of citizens", "On charitable activity and charitable organizations" and other.

The management of Nizhni Novgorod International Airport is negotiating the arrangement of regular flights to Scandinavia, Czech Republic, the UAE and Uzbekistan, the airport's commercial director Viktor Parhomenko said.

"We continue to work on expansion of the geography of flights from our airport. For instance, we are currently actively negotiating the arrangement of flights from Nizhni Novgorod airport to Scandinavia, Czech Republic, UAE and Uzbekistan. It currently appears that the flights to these destinations can be opened by the end of this year" he said.

According to Parhomenko, the organization of such flights is technically possible, and the only barrier at this point is uncertainty about the market demand for these destinations.

"This is exactly what we are working on today in cooperation with airline companies – studying the demand and interest of, for example, travel agencies. If the interest of the parties concerned is revealed and the flights find demand among the residents of Nizhni Novgorod, I do not see any reason why the regular flights are not opened by the end of this year," noted Parhomenko.

Negotiations on the arrangement of regular flights are being held with several airline companies, in particular Orenburg Airways.

Gissarneftegaz, an Uzbek-Swiss joint venture set up by Zeromax and Uzbekneftegaz, has recently started to produce natural gas at the Shimoliy Nishan deposit located within the Bukhara-Khiva oil-and-gas-bearing region of Uzbekistan, UzReportcom reported.

It was announced by Ulmaskamal Abdazimov, the first deputy director-general of the joint venture. "At the moment, some 1.5 million c. m. of natural gas is extracted at the deposit a day. In a month, when the construction of new boreholes is completed, the daily extraction volume is expected to amount to 3 million с. m.," he said.

According to Mr. Abdazimov, a 33-km gas main from the Severny Nishan deposit to the Shurtanneftegaz Gas Refinery has been built and put into operation.

In addition, he has said that "in the near future, a new construction project will be launched under which a 42-km gas pipeline will be placed to link the Severny Nishan deposit with the Shurtanneftegaz enterprise".

Gas extraction at the Severny Guzar deposit is expected to start at the early April. When reached a full rated capacity, it will produce 430 million с. m. of gas and 30,000 tonnes of gas condensate. As far as the Severny Nishan deposit is concerned, its rated capacity stands at some 2 billion с. m. of natural gas.

Gissarneftegaz JV was established in 2005 by Switzerland's Zeromax GmbH o­n a par with Shurtanneftegaz (incorporated in the National Holding Company Uzbekneftegaz), with the purpose of carrying out reconnaissance within the Tagam - Shimoliy area of the Gissar region and developing gas-condensate deposits of Severny Nishan, Kamashi, Beshkent, Severny Guzar and Shakarbulak in the Bukhara-Khiva region.

When all these deposits reach their rated capacity, Gissarneftegaz JV will produce up to 3 billion с. m. of gas a year. Overall, the company plans to extract some 30 billion с. m. of natural gas, 1 million tonnes of gas condensate and 500,000 tonnes of oil.

Uzbekistan Olympic team played a friendly against Russian U-19 in Tashkent, UzA reported.

Uzbekistan led by Vadim Abramov will face South Korea on March 28, 2007 within Beijing Olympic Games qualifiers. Both Uzbekistan and South Korea lead in group with 6 points.

Abramov lined up the second choice players in the first half and Russian side scored only goal of the first half. Alexander Salugin of CSKA Moscow opened the score.

In the second half, Abramov substituted eight players and in the early minutes of the second half Aziz Ibragimov of Slovan (Slovakia) equalized the score.

The match ended with the score 1-1.

It is expected that Russian team will play another match against Uzbekistan U-18.

Over 30 leading companies from Austria will take part at the trade and economic mission in Tashkent, UzA reported. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and commercial department of the Austrian Embassy in Tashkent are organizing the event.

The goal of the meeting is to establish business contacts between Austrian and potential Uzbek partners for further mutual cooperation.

Such large Austrian companies as the Austria PUMA Dassler, the leading producer of the sports-ware, Norbert Schaller GMBH – operating on the production equipments to process meat, poultry, fishes and cheese packaging, SIEMENS VAI Metals Technologies – the largest producer of domain and electric ovens, and other are expected to participate at the event.

According to the Uzbek Ministry for Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade, 30 enterprises are now operating in Uzbekistan, with the participation of the Austrian capital and seven among them with 100 percent Austrian investments.

On the outcomes of last year the trade between the two countries made up over USD $33 mln. In accordance with the agreement “On bilateral foreign and economic cooperation” the most favoring regime has been established in the bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and Austria.

The agreement has been signed in December 2001 during the official visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov to Austria.

In 2007 UzDaewooAuto plans to manufacture 170,000 motor vehicles, up 21,4 percent compared with the last year's indicator. The forecast figures for the current year have been endorsed at the annual meeting of UzdaewooAuto shareholders, Jahon agency reported. The SamAuto (the former Samkoch Auto JV based in Samarkand) plans to turn out 1,500 motor vehicles with bodies of different modification.

Last year, Uzautosanoat exported 82,500 motorcars against 53,090 in 2005 (a 55,3 percent increase). The company is expected to augment its car exports volume by 35,6 percent in 2007.

In 2006, Uzautosanoat produced 140,189 automobiles (a 38,4 percent growth compared with the 2005 level), with Joint-Stock Company UzDaewooAuto contributing to this increase. Last year, the latter manufactured 140,080 cars (a 38,7 per cent growth). As for SamAuto, it has reduced its production volume by 45,7 percent in the period under review.

Established in 2004, Open Joint-Stock Company Uzautosanoat incorporates 20 enterprises, including 11 joint ventures, of which the Joint-Stock Company UzDaewooAuto and SamAuto Limited Liability Company are the largest. UzDaewooAuto specializes in the production of automobiles, while the latter is engaged in the manufacture of buses and lorries. Other enterprises incorporated in Uzautosanoat produce completing parts and components for the national motorcar industry.

With the state owning a controlling stake in Uzautosanoat, the rest 49 per cent of shares in the company will be sold to foreign investors.

Starting April 1, 2007, organizations rendering micro-crediting services on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan, should obtain a corresponding license from the country's Central Bank, the “Business Partner” newspaper wrote. According to the newspaper, this provision is specified in the recent Resolution “On measures to ensure further development of the market for micro-crediting services”.

In compliance with this document, the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan should complete taking stock of legal entities registered in the country as micro-crediting organizations with appropriate licenses being subsequently issued to them in accordance with the established procedure.

Organizations involved in micro-crediting activity are granted exemption till the year 2010 from income (profit) tax and unified tax payment, the newspaper also wrote.

Apart from banks, micro-crediting services in the country are offered by 37 credit unions, a number of non-governmental organizations and other enterprises, the registration of whose activity has so far been uncoordinated, according to the newspaper.

Uzbekistan beat Chinese Taipei 1-0 in an international friendly in Taipei on Saturday March 24, 2007, which according to a coach was a test of new players, UzA reported.

Uzbekistan was missing several of their star players in the squad for the game.

Playing on home stadium, Chinese Taipei could hold off the offensive of Uzbek national team until the second half when midfielder Khikmatjon Khoshimov headed the ball past Chinese Taipei goalkeeper Hsu Jen-feng.

Chinese Taipei coach Imai Toshiaki said his players should have to play a better game and subdue the visitors who were missing several star players.

Uzbekistan head coach Rauf Inileev denied reports that their absence was intended to hide the team`s strength ahead of their clash with China on Tuesday.

"The game today was supposed to test the new blood," he told in press-conference.

In tha last game between national teams, Chinese Taipei last lost to Uzbekistan 1-0 in 2004 during a qualifier for the Olympic Games.

The roundtable held at the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Cultural Center (ACCU) in Tokyo has underscored that the "Forum of culture and arts of Uzbekistan" Fund has been doing much to propagate the multifaceted Uzbek culture, history, customs and traditions abroad thus promoting the closeness of the peoples, Jahon agency reported.

The event has been organized jointly with the Fund representation in Japan alongside with the support of the Ministry of education, culture, sports, science and technologies of Japan as well as Uzbekistan Embassy to this country.

The prominent public figures, people of arts and culture of the Sunrise country are reported to have participated in the roundtable dedicated to the presentation of the Fund's activity accompanied by the demonstration of the video footages and cultural, educational and humanitarian programs implemented in numerous festivals held under the Fund's auspices. The participants are reported to have also enjoyed the exposition of the decorative and applied arts of Uzbekistan held o­n the site.

The information o­n the expanding cooperation of the Fund with UNESCO has aroused much interest among the gathered. The roundtable has also considered the implementation of the new joint projects with the Japanese partners, and particularly, the operating UNESCO institutions in Japan, including the ACCU, according to the report.

Legislative chamber (lower house) of Oliy Majlis (parliament) of Uzbekistan held its next session on March 22, 2007, UzReportcom reported.

MPs considered a Law "On introduction of changes to appendix No 1 to agreement of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan dated 12 May 2001 No 222-II "About list of activity, to carry out which licenses are required". The MPs passed the bill taking into account proposals, suggested during discussion.

MPs also discussed a Law "On introduction changes and amendments to Law "On trade marks, service marks and information on origin of goods" in the second reading. The MPs after consideration decided to revise the law again.

Law "On introduction changes and amendments to legislative acts of Uzbekistan to improve efficiency of organization of operative- research measures at telecommunication networks in Uzbekistan" was also considered. The MPs passed the bill in the second reading, taking into account proposals, suggested during discussion.

Next session of the Legislative chamber of Oliy Majlis will be held on March 27, 2007.

President of Uzbekistan expressed condolences to President of Russia Vladimir Putin in connection with tragedies in Kemerova region and Krasnodar region, UzReportcom reported.

Uzbekistan received information on tragedies in Kemerova region and Krasnodar region, which resulted in large number of victims, with deep sorrow and sympathy, Uzbek president's message reads.

Uzbek President Islam Karimov expressed sympathy with relatives and friends of victims on his own behalf and on behalf of Uzbek people

The World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) have announced the new February rating of the strongest professional boxers of the world, UzA reported. The first place in the WBA rating went to the invincible Uzbek boxer in the super heavyweight category Ruslan Chagaev, who is one of the official pretenders to the champion’s belt, but now the world champion in this version Nikolai Valuev of Russia owns it. The championship battle between them will be held on April 14, 2007 at the sports complex “Porsche-Arena” in Stuttgart.

Also, Ruslan Chagaev has been enlisted in the “troika” of the strongest in the February WBO rating, which allows him in the course of a time to hold championship battle in this version, as well.

The Uzbek boxer Kakhramon Orzikulov secured the fifth position in the WBO rating among the boxers in the weight category of up to 52 kg. The Uzbek boxer, who is now being trained in Moscow, owns the championship belts of the WBO Intercontinental and International Boxing Association (IBA). Kahkramon earned these titles last year when he downed Marat Mazimbaev of Kazakhstan.

His next battle Kakhramon will have on April 13, 2007 in Moscow. Although the name of his rival is not yet known this fight will be for the Uzbek boxer to secure the championship belt in the WBO Intercontinental version.

Names of the two Uzbek boxers – Farkhod Bakirov and Kuvonchbek Tayganbaev have also been taken to the list of the strongest boxers of world.

The strongman from the Tashkent boxing school Farkhod Bakirov who comes out in the weight category of 66,5 kg is 13th in the WBA rating, and Andijani tough-man Kuvonchbek Tayganbaev (69,8 kg) is also 13th but in the WBO version.

The international tourist fair “ITB-2007” has concluded in Berlin, Jahon agency reported. More than 11,000 firms and companies from 184 countries around the world participated at the event, Makhmud Bobonazarov reported from Berlin. The 41st fair was held at the one of the largest exhibition complexes in the world - “Messe Berlin”. All spectral services of the tourism industry and global tendencies of the tourist market development ranging from the air company services and hotel complexes to the addressing of the transport renting were presented at the 26 pavilions of the fair subdivided into geographical and thematic features.

The “Uzbektourism” National Company, “Uzbekiston Havo Yullari” National Air Company and a number of the tourist agencies presented Uzbekistan at this prestigious forum.

Vast information o­n tourist route of the country, cultural, historical and spiritual heritage of the Uzbek people and historical monuments were displayed at the nationally styled Uzbek exposition.

Director General of the German company “Ventus Raisen Gmbx” Regina Herbertz while speaking to the Information Agency “Jahon” said that the participation of Uzbekistan at the large world tourist fair is an evidence of enormous opportunities of the tourist industry of the country.

“It has encouraged us to establish the advertising and information office of “Uzbekturism” National Company in Germany about which we have agreed at this fair”, - she said. “We are going to actively promote the tourist products of your country among the German and European travel amateurs”.

According to the editor-in-chief of the “V.I.P Reisse Magazine” tourist magazine Dirk Jacobs, the “ITB-2007” will open up the new opportunities to the German tour agencies to take part in the development of the tourist infrastructure of Uzbekistan.

“The historical monuments of Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Shakhrisabz and Tashkent, the century-old heritage of the Uzbek people, their hospitality are not o­nly the business card of the country, but also an important factor of an increasing interest of German people to the current Uzbekistan”, - the German journalist has said.

Within the framework of the fair the documentary o­n Uzbekistan, which told about the modern life of the country, its economic development, rebirth of spiritual and historical traditions of the Uzbek people, has been demonstrated to the participants of the exhibition.

The member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will discuss creation of SCO Energy Club in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, this year, head of the SCO said, UzReportcom reported.

SCO Secretary-General Bolat Nurgaliyev said after completion of the council of the national coordinators of the SCO in Beijing on 16 March: "The question concerning creation of the SCO Energy Club will be considered during the Council of the heads of the governments of the SCO member states which will be held in Tashkent this year."

He said: "During the council of the national coordinators of the SCO, a lot of attention was paid to the first oncoming meeting of the heads of ministries and departments of the SCO member states, responsible for fuel and energy complex, which is going to be held in April-May this year."

It is expected that SCO official will consider a wide range of issues concerning fuel and energy complex.

Foreign Minister of Slovakia Jan Kubis has started his official visit to Uzbekistan. As part of the visit, its planned to hold meetings, aimed at further developing and expanding bilateral relations, at several ministries and agencies, Uzbek Media reported.

March 19, 2007 the members of the delegation led by the foreign minister visited the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan [Uzbek parliament's lower house].

As is known, interparliamentary relations between Uzbekistan and Slovakia are developing within the framework of international organization and various assemblies. During the talks, views were exchanged on establishing direct bilateral relations between the parliaments and further strengthening the legal foundations of relations.

The speaker of the lower house, Erkin Khalilov, thoroughly briefed the guests on the activities of the bicameral parliament, the work being carried out in the sphere of legislation and the role of political parties and civil society institutions.

He stressed that this visit would be an important factor in developing mutual cooperation at a new stage. The meeting discussed the prospects for interparliamentary cooperation and the further strengthening of friendly relations.

On the same day, Jan Kubis met his Uzbek counterpart Vladimir Norov.

Uzbek President Islam Karimov received Foreign Minister of Slovakia Jan Kubis at presidential residence Oqsaroy on March 19, 2007, UzA reported.

Foreign Minister of Slovakia Jan Kubis is paying two-day official visit to Uzbekistan. After Uzbekistan, Mr Kubis will visit Kazakhstan.

Uzbek President Islam Karimov, welcoming the guest, noted that Uzbek-Slovak relations had always been developing in the atmosphere of friendship and mutual respect.

President Islam Karimov said: We have always had the best relations with Slovakia. I do not remember any problem and do not know any problem or any issue which could be a subject for discussion or disagreement, nor there was any confrontation. We have always supported Slovakia in all international forums and our support, our last initiatives, when we supported you as a temporary member of the UN Security Council, and in various other international structures, at which today Slovakia represents itself and Europe with dignity, show this."

In his turn, the Slovak foreign minister thanked for the sincere reception and expressed his belief in the further development of bilateral relations. During the meeting, views were exchanged on the prospects for strengthening Uzbek-Slovak cooperation and making better use of the existing opportunities.

It should be noted that trade between Uzbekistan and Slovakia was nearly US$15 million in 2006. This means that at present the existing opportunities are not being fully used. This is why, at present several joint projects aimed at expanding relations in this sphere are being worked out.

Over ten joint ventures with Slovak investments operate in Uzbekistan. They work in such sectors as pharmaceuticals, construction, light industry, construction materials production, processing of agriculture goods, trade and others.

International roundtable on "Islam and tolerance. The example of Uzbekistan" took place at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED) in Tashkent, Jahon agency reported.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan and UNESCO Office in Uzbekistan organized the event, the report said.

The forum took place in the framework of the events now held vis-a-vis the announcement of Tashkent as the world capital of Islamic culture in 2007. The heads of ministries and agencies, the locally accredited diplomatic corps in Tashkent and international organizations, as well as the representatives of various religions participated at the roundtable.

The UWED Rector Kh. Karamatov, the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sh.Minovarov, and others spoke about that since the early days of national sovereignty the renaissance of national values of the Uzbek people, raise of the national consciousness and culture, preservation and profound study of the invaluable spiritual heritage receive an enormous attention in the country.

Other speakers including the head of the UNESCO Representation in Uzbekistan Michael Barry Lane, Egyptian Ambassador to Tashkent Ms. N.Ibrahim Kaffafi, the prominent scientist Edward Rtveladze have said that "the great spiritual and cultural heritage, created o­n the territory of Uzbekistan for over the span of millennia, now prompt an ever increasing interest in the world community.

As has been reported, last month the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov spoke to a correspondent of the non-state news agency Turkiston-press, in which he had said that "it is an open secret that at the moment the interest in the Islamic religion is o­n the rise in the world".

According to the Uzbek leader, the main reason for that is "the trueness and purity, humaneness and tolerance pertaining to Islam, in its appeal to the kindness and charity, as well as its profound role and significance in delivering to the forthcoming generations the life-tested values and traditions".

The forum at the UWED has o­nce again underscored that the conferral o­n Tashkent such an honorable title speaks about the outstanding merits of Uzbekistan before the Islamic culture and science, preservation of monuments and further enrichment of the Islamic heritage.

In Khorezm, the centenary of Sergey Tolstov, a discoverer of ancient Khorezm civilization, is marked this year, Jahon news agency reported.

In 1937, he was charged to head an archeological-ethnographic expedition to Khorezm. Sergey Tolstov spent three decades of his life, investigating the history of this ancient land.

His passion for studying Khorezm's architectural monuments made him to cross the Usturt Plateau, loose sand-hills and uninhabited deserts.

Sergey Tolstov is appraised for establishing an open-sky museum in the ancient city of Khiva - Ichan-kala, an architectural national reserve, where the tens of centuries-old cultural monuments and artifacts are protected by the state.

Over 300 of his scholarly works o­n archeology and history of ancient Khorezm were published in many parts of the world, including the US, Great Britain, and Germany. The majority of his manuscripts are now stored in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and the Tashauz Province of Turkmenistan.

Archeologists at the Khiva branch of the Samarkand Archeological Institute named after Jakhya Gulamov have made a sort of gift to Tolstov's 100th anniversary. During their excavation works in Kumbuz-tepa, near the town of Khazarasp, they had unearthed a Bronze Age site of hunters and cattle-breeders. Called Sharofat, the site is no less than 3,500 years old, according to experts.

The archeological-ethnographic complex expedition founded by Sergey Tolstov has been carrying out successful large-scale research into the history, archeology and ethnography of Central Asian peoples for over the span of seven decades now.

The fruitful activity led by the famous Khorezm expedition enabled local scientists to address the broad spectrum of the region's historical, ethnographic and archeological problems. Many scholarly works, monographs and brochures they have created as a result have made a great scientific contribution.

A total of 63 monuments of Zoroastrianism, an extinct religion of the remote past, have been preserved up to the present day across the globe, including Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. Uzbekistan is a home to 38 of them, of which 17 monuments are located in the Khorezm oasis.

Conference dedicated to the outcomes of social and economic development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2006 and priority directions to deepen the economic reforms in 2007 was held at the Japanese city of Osaka, Jahon agency reported.

The "Kankeyren" Economic Federation of the Kansay region along with the Uzbek Embassy in Tokyo organized the event. The representatives of the business, social and cultural circles of the region participated at the conference.

The Honorary consul of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the city of Osaka Toshio Toura has said that the government of the "Sunshine country" supports the course of political and economic reforms in Uzbekistan and that the country plays o­ne of the key roles in Central Asia.

During the conference the participants acquainted with the main provisions of the report of the Uzbek leader at the session of the Cabinet dedicated to the outcomes of the social and economic development of Uzbekistan in 2006, as well as the investment opportunities. At the end of the conference the participants exchanged views o­n the discussed issues.

The advisor of the Japan-Uzbek committee o­n economic cooperation, advisor of the "Toshiba Corporation" Tetsuji Tanaka has highly assessed the address by President Islam Karimov where the seven priorities to deepen the reforms in 2007 have been highlighted. To implement them is an exclusively important to create the favorable conditions to further develop the country's economy.

The president of the International Business Organization of the city of Osaka, former Honorary consul of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Osaka Hisao Nakamura believed that the joint projects in the areas of cotton processing, silk and agricultural production are very prospective directions of the economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Japan. Both countries also have an enormous potential to further develop the cooperation in tourism.

According to the chairman of the "Chori Joho Systems Co LTD" company, the former vice-president of the Japan-Uzbek committee o­n economic cooperation Hiroaki Hanzawa, the information technologies, textile industry and tourism are securing the important place in the bilateral economic cooperation.

The article entitled "The world music compositions" has been published at the French newspaper "Figaro", Jahon agncy reported.

The paper told about the opening of the 11th International Music Festival in Paris. It was organized by the French institute of the World Culture House, which is founded under the patronage of the French Ministry of Culture.

The organizers of the festival shall attract the representatives from many countries of the world, whose music has been enlisted in the UNESCO special list of spiritual and cultural heritage masterpieces.

The traditional music compositions of people of the world, which will present amazing rhythms of South America and Africa, Spanish barocco and many others, will be performed.

The article also said that in keeping with the program schedule the performance of the well-known Uzbek group "Shashmakom" should be the apotheosis of this large-scale international music forum. The group led by Nodira Pirmatova represents the rich musical heritage of the Uzbek people.

The international music festival will continue for a month and must be the outstanding and exciting event of the French cultural life.

Hotel "Sayohat" in Tashkent will hold Asian checkers championship among youth in March 22-31, 2007, UzA reported. Uzbekistan Federation of Checkers and the Ministry of Culture and Sports will be the main organizers of the tournament.

120 checkers players in the age of 12 till 20 years from South Korea, Mongolia, Iran, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and India will take part in the competitions besides our compatriots. Checkers is one of promptly developing kinds of sports in our country.

Our checkers players Saidkosim Aliev, Gulsum Aliev, Ravshan Tolibjonov, Alisher Ortikov and Nikolay Mishansky repeatedly became prize-winners of the World championships and Asian tournaments.

Last year in the World Olympiad on 64-cellular checkers among teenagers and youth which was hold in St.-Petersburg the combined team of Uzbekistan outperformed the representatives of ten countries and was the second place among men and the third among girls.

Uzbekistan will join the collective rapid deployment forces in Central Asia in due time, the CSTO deputy secretary-general told a news conference after the meeting of the organization's interstate commission on military and economic cooperation, UzReportcom reported.

"Now we are discussing what forces and funds Uzbekistan should allocate to the collective rapid deployment forces. The republic has to ratify those documents that had been adopted by the presidents of the six member-countries earlier," Valery Semerikov said.

The collective rapid deployment forces in Central Asia include three battalions of Kazakhstan, two – of Russia, including the air base in Kant, two – of Kyrgyzstan, and three – of Tajikistan.

In 1998 Uzbekistan decided to suspend its membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization, but did not denounce the Collective Security Treaty signed back in 1992.

Last June Tashkent announced its wish to resume its membership in the CSTO.

The document on Uzbekistan's resumed membership was signed at the informal summit of the Eurasian Economic Community in Sochi in August 2006.

The CSTO includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Third international forum Dental Salon Uzbekistan was held at the Arts Academy’s Central Exhibition Hall, UzA reported.

It has been organized by the Health Ministry, Tashkent City administration, Zar Expo Company and Uzbek Dentists’ Association.

Many professionals from Russia, Germany and Switzerland participated in the event.

Scientific and practical conference on new technologies in dentistry was held in the framework of the forum.

Today, more than 300 dental clinics operate in Uzbekistan.

In the next invitation of the management of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), sent to the Uzbekistan Football Federation, it was informed, that the Uzbek referees will rule the matches of the two most prestigious tournaments in the continent – the Asian Champions League and AFC Cup? UzReportcom reported.

FIFA referee Rustam Saidov will be the main arbiter in the AFC Cup match between MTTU (Turkmenistan) and Al Hilal Khadid (Yemen) which will be held on March 20th in Turkmenistan.

Arslon Khotamov, Bakhtiyor Togayev and Valentin Kovalev will assist him.

Under the decision of AFC, at the match between football clubs Ash Shabob and Sepakhon (Iran) of the Asian Champions League tournament referees will be from Uzbekistan. They are the FIFA referee Ravshan Ermatov, Victor Sarezitdinov and Abdukhamid Rasulov. The match will be held on March 21st in Saudi Arabia.

A delegation of Austrian businesses will pay visit to Uzbekistan in the end of March, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan said.

The visit is organized by Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and Trade Department of Austrian Embassy. The trade-economic mission of leading Austrian companies to Tashkent city will take place on March 29-30, 2007.

The aim of the visit is to establish business contacts and opportunities of mutual cooperation between Austrian and potential Uzbek partners.

When talking about the health, many of us often mentions about such disease, as an anemia. Anemia of deficiency of iron in a human body, in other words, today anemia is a problem disturbing the whole world community.

The health millions Uzbekistan people is benefiting from flour fortification project.

The program is being implemented by the Health Ministry of Uzbekistan, Uzdonmahsulot Company, UNICEF and World Bank, UzReportcom reported.

Preparation to this started several years ago with pilot projects in five regions of Uzbekistan.

In the program framework, specially equipped flour combines of Uzbekistan started flour fortification. The total budget of the five-year program is about US$6 million.

Flour enrichment is one of the most efficient and economical ways to prevent vitamin and mineral deficiency in the human organism.

Uzbekistan has become the first country in Central Asia where flour fortification is being implemented on a national scale, UzA reported.

This year the number of mills fortifying wheat flour with vitamins and micronutrient will increase from 14 to 20 under the project, and total production of fortified flour to 1.44 million tons per year by 2009.

Uzbek President Islam Karimov received the Prime Minister of Pakistan Shaukat Aziz at presidential residence Oqsaroy on March 14, 2007, UzA reported.

“We see your visit as a sign of developing relations between Uzbekistan and Pakistan”, said Islam Karimov.

Visits of Islam Karimov to Pakistan in May, 2006, and of the President of Pakistan Parvez Musharraf to Uzbekistan in March, 2005 became a strong legal basis for the development of mutual relations between two countries.

Pakistan is interested in connecting the communications from the Central Asia to new transport networks of a southern direction. The access of Uzbekistan through the Pakistani communications to the coast of Arabian sea is in the interest of both countries. The need for energy resources is increasing in the world. The Pakistani companies are expressing their interest in exploring the oil-and-gas deposits in the territory of Uzbekistan.

At a meeting in the residence Oqsaroy, sides talked about the further developing and strengthening the cooperation between Republic of Uzbekistan and Islamic Republic Pakistan in areas such as trade, humanitarian spheres, culture, and also in fighting the international terrorism.

Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met the Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan Shaukat Aziz March 14, 2007, UzA reported.

During the meeting the sides considered the issues on cooperation between two countries. The parties have especially noted, that consecutive development of bilateral relations is a great value of agreements and documents signed during the visits of the leaders of two countries.

The visit of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov in May 2006 to Pakistan has lifted bilateral relation between our countries to a new level.

Pakistan offers the export of engineering goods, medical equipments, sports goods, and textile fabrics to Uzbekistan, while Uzbekistan can provide the export of cotton fibre, silk, minerals, fertilisers, cables, construction materials, agriculture machinery, chemicals and aircraft to Pakistan.

During the meeting Prime ministers analyzed present state of mutual relations, all-round exchange of opinions on development of perspective tasks and further expansion of scales of mutually beneficial cooperation between the countries has also been held within the framework of the meeting. The two sides also discussed cooperation in various fields including energy, cotton and textiles, and agriculture sectors and pointed that their strong diplomatic and political relations need to be translated into deeper economic interaction.

Prime Minister two countries witnessed the signing of agreements on transit trade and transportation, Assistance in Criminal and Legal Matters, Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation between the Tashkent Islamic University and the International Islamic University of and another for Cooperation between the Tashkent city department of Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce and Karachi Chamber of Commerce.

Uzbekistan beat Yemen 1-0 on Wednesday in their second preliminary for the 2008 Men`s Olympic Tournament in the capital of Yemen, Sana, UzA reported.

Midfielder of Lokomotiv Tashkent and National Olympic Team of Uzbekistan Aziz Haydarov scored the only goal in the match in the 33th minute.

Korea Republic will host Uzbekistan on 28 March in third qualifier.

With three Asian spots up for grabs, 12 nations - the winners and runners-up of the six preliminary groups - will be drawn into three groups.

The winners of those groups will qualify for the finals of the Olympics in the Chinese capital next year.

First National Software Exhibition "Best Soft Uzbekistan" will be held at the exhibition hall of Art Academy of Uzbekistan on 17-18 May, Uzbek Agency for Communication and Information (UzACI) said in its release.

The exhibition is organized by Uzbekistan IT Companies Association at support of the UzACI. The release said Uzbek and foreign companies, specializing in development of software, were invited to participate in the event. The organizers also invited content providers to exhibition.

The exhibition will pay special attention to present national internet projects, creation of advertisement products with use of information technologies and others.

National Bank of Uzbekistan for Foreign Economic Activity (NBU) and Export-import bank of the Chinese People's Republic (Eximbank) signed individual loan agreements for financing of two projects, UzReportcom reported.

The documents have been signed within the framework of visit to Uzbekistan of the Chinese Eximbank's delegation led by the Vice President Li Jun.

NBU and Eximbank of China signed individual loan agreements for financing of "Supply of equipment from China fro hydroelectric station 2 under Andijan reservoir" project with total loan sum worth US$10.03 million and "Supply of equipment from China for small hydroelectric station under Akhangaran reservoir" worth US$5.9 million, according to a press release of NBU.

The agreements envisage supply of Chinese technologies and services for the loan period of 15 years, including 5 years of grace period at 3% interest rate. The documents are continuation of active bilateral cooperation between the two financial institutions.

As reported earlier, NBU signed a number of individual loan agreements worth a total of US$18.07 million in 2006, which were directed on financing of investment projects of such industries as telecommunications and agriculture.

During the meeting in Tashkent, the sides discussed prospective projects for the total sum of loans worth US$186.3 million to be financed in 2007. These are projects of fuel and energy complex, water supply systems, etc. Also the sides inked an amendment to General loan agreement on prolongation of access to the Chinese Eximbank's credit line for US$300 million.

Exhibition hall of the Art Academy of Uzbekistan is hosting three day International Dental Forum "Dental Salon Uzbekistan", organized by ZarExpo.

"Dental Salon Uzbekistan" is only event of such level in Uzbekistan. Uzbek Health Ministry, Tashkent city Administration, Russian Dental Association, Russian Dental Product Producers and Sellers Association and Uzbekistan Dental Association are supporting the event.

Over 20 companies from nine countries are participating in the event and present materials and equipment for dental rooms, clothes, hygienic means and others.

Within the exhibition, the organizers will hold international conference "New technologies in dental sphere". Specialists from Uzbekistan, Russia, Germany and Switzerland will participate in the event.

Council of the Senate [upper house] of Oliy Majlis [parliament] of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted resolution on holding the tenth plenary session of the Senate on March 29, 2007 in Tashkent, the Senate's press service said on March 09, 2007.

The Senate will consider several bills, passed by the Legislative Chamber [lower house] of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan and submitted to the Senate for approval.

Constitutional initiatives of the Uzbek President Islam Karimov on strengthening the role of political parties are among considered issues.

The session will also consider introduction of changes and amendments to several legislative documents in connection with approval of Law "On Mortgage", changes and amendments to National specialists' training programme, Law "On charity", as well as ratification of agreement on Nuclear Free Zone in Central Asia.

General Prosecutor's Office, State Committee on Natural Resources, Human Rights Commissioner of Oliy Majlis (Ombudsman) will present reports on their activity in 2006. The session will also discuss issues of its competence.

In line with the Resolution of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov “On nationwide celebration of Navruz”, the residents of the Syrdarya Province are currently undertaking the pre-holiday preparations to duly mark the forthcoming event – the ‘festival of spring’ and ‘new beginnings’.

On the Navruz day the people will enjoy the national outdoor activities. The elderly and lone citizens and disabled will receive a special care and attention, according to the report by “Narodnoye slovo” newspaper.

The culture and leisure parks in Gulistan, the administrative capital town of the Syrdarya Province, and several residential administrative facilities shall be the venues for the main festive events of the commemoration.

The sports contests are expected to attract masses, while the youth and other will fly the kites, engage in various public games, and enjoy the clown and rope-walking shows.

The national cultural centers in the province are also expected to appear with their performance shows.

The Chinese experts from the Jing Hai Province in China had recovered the 700-year-old manuscript of the Holy Koran then brought to the locality from Samarkand, the Xinxua News Agency reported.

This copy of Koran is considered to be the most ancient in China. The 867-page two-volume Holy Book has been kept in the two small cases in the Jieji Mosque in Sung Xua area. The experts date back the sacred writing as far as the late 13th century.

The restoration began in August last year by the specialists at the Nanking city museum led by Si Sang Kai, the director of the research institute for preserving the cultural relics. The state administration o­n cultural heritage is reported to have allotted 440,000 Yuan Renminbi (CNY) (USD 55,000) to implement the project.

According to experts, the Holy Koran has been brought about 700 years ago by Salars, the ethnic group who has earlier resided in Samarkand. The Salars profess the Sunni Islam. They speak the Salar language of the Altai family Turkic group. The Salars who mainly reside in Sung Xua autonomous area of the Jing Hai Province make up 90,000 people.

Ma Weiming, the deputy director of the Jing Hai Province Cultural Heritage Bureau, has said that “the manuscript had been made by the Arab calligraphers, meanwhile the much later writings of Koran in China were made by Chinese Muslims”. Mr. Weiming added that the given copy of the sacred text was an important tool for studies of origins and history of Salars.

The recovered Holy Koran, according to Chinese experts, will be preserved in constant temperature and humidity in a special covered area that will prevent the relic from impacts of ultraviolet and harmful gases.

Islam had penetrated to China yet in the 7th century. For the first time the sacred text has been published in Arabic with a foreword in Chinese during the rule of o­ne of the last Chinese Emperors – Tung Ji (1861-1875).

The delegation of the business people and the leading specialists at various ministries and agencies of the People’s Republic of China visited the Uzbek Republican Commodity Exchange in Tashkent, Uzbek media reported.

According to “Pravda Vostoka” newspaper, the delegation included the heads of o­ne of the largest Chinese imports and exports company «Xinjiang Nongken (Group) Imp&Exp Co. Ltd», which leads its business operations with the cotton fiber imports and exports.

The visit to Uzbekistan has been viewed, according to the reports, as a part of the goal to observe and learn the operations at Uzbek enterprises and small companies in the cotton processing industry.

Chinese partners spoke about their keen interest to import the high quality Uzbek-made products through the exchange trade at the Uzbek Republican Commodity Exchange, the reports have said.

On March 08, 2007 Pakistan and Uzbekistan agreed to establish joint ventures in pharmaceutical industries, manufacturing medical equipment and exchange of technology in the health sector, Uzbek Media reported.

The agreement has been reached at the third session of Pakistan-Uzbekistan Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) held in Islamabad March 8. The document of understanding was exchanged between the two countries in this regard.

Water and Power Minister Liaquat Ali Jatoi led the Pakistani side while Uzbek Agriculture and Water Resources Minister S. Ismailov represented the Uzbek side. At the meeting the Uzbek side has learned that the pharmaceutical industry in Pakistan comprised of 409 units out of which 28 were multinational companies, while Pakistan was exporting pharmaceutical products to 70 countries.

Pakistan offered export of engineering goods, medical goods, sports goods, textile fabrics, while Uzbek side had proposed for exports of the cotton fiber, silk, mineral fertilizers, cables, construction material, agriculture machinery chemical and aircraft to Pakistan.

Both sides noted the need of initiating the cooperation between the chambers of commerce and industry for the benefit of businessmen of both countries.

Both sides have also agreed to exchange trade information o­n regular, preferably six months basis to take suitable measures for enhancement of trade volume between the two countries.

The parties decided to exchange information about the number of units being privatized by Uzbekistan so that the Pakistani entrepreneurs could also participate. Pakistan side has said that the government provides incentives to private sector to invest in the power sector and that Uzbekistan can participate in the development of power sector particularly in the coal-based power generating projects.

Besides, it has been revealed that Pakistani companies could provide infrastructure services and consultancy to the Uzbekistan if required. Pakistan has said that Pakistani telephone industry was producing a wide range of products, which could be exported to Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan Journalists' Union in cooperation with International Journalists Retraining Center announced international contest Oltin Qalam (Golden Pen).

The contest is dedicated to Media Freedom Day, marked on 3 May worldwide and aimed at wide popularization of achievement of national and international journalism, formation of critical thinking and new approaches in journalistic activity.

Re-representatives of print and internet media, radio and television can participate in the contest.

Winners of the contest will be awarded with money prizes and Oltin Qalam symbol.

On March 19-20, 2007 Tashkent State Economic University is planning to conduct an international scientific-practical conference on "Modernisation of higher economic education: challenges, priorities and prospects", UzReportcom reported.

Representatives of the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialised Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan and customer-ministries, economic universities and institutes, regional representatives of the UNDP, UNESCO TACIS-TEMPUS, Embassies of Russia, Japan, Korea, and china, as well as managers of the offices of foreign companies accredited in Uzbekistan will participate in the event. It is planned that the heads of several universities of Russia, Japan and Korea will also attend the meeting.

The key issues to be addressed during the conference include:
 

1. Conceptual approaches to modernization of higher economic education: from academism to professionalism.
2. Quality and efficiency of higher economic education: normative-regulatory framework, means for achievement, and approaches to assessing the results.
3. Advanced pedagogical techniques and information and communication technology in higher economic education: resources, integration and efficiency.
4. Integration of higher economic education, science and production as a means of raising the competitiveness of preparation of specialists: experience, results and prospects.
5. Development of social support and stimulation of teachers and students as a factor of improving the competitiveness of higher economic education.
6. International and inter-university cooperation in preparation of specialists and conducting researches in the system of higher economic education: experience, resources and distribution.

In pursuance of the Resolution of the President "On nation-wide celebration of Navruz", and in the framework of the month of planting of trees and gardens, the nation-wide khashar (community work), and the first stage of the Days of Ecology and Health conducted on the occasion of Navruz, on March 10, 2007 ECOSAN International Organisation conducted an ecological campaign on the territory of the Scientific-Research Institute named after Schreder of the Meva-Sharbat (Fruit-Juice) Scientific-Production Corporation, UzReportcom reported.

It has become a tradition for Ecosan to gather the members and representatives of diplomatic corps and international organizations accredited in Uzbekistan, the members of the Senate and Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis, eminent scientists, literary men, and artists and plant trees in the "Diplomats' Garden".

Participants of the campaign planted over 1,000 saplings, and expanded the territory of the earlier established Diplomats' Garden.

Every tree has a tag with the name of the embassy or international organization, whose representative planted it. Participants of the campaign also laid flowers at the monuments of the Academician Richard Schreder and Academician Mahmud Mirzaev, visited the museum of the Institute and the experimental base, where the unique collection of over 1,500 sorts of fruit trees and vine is stored.

The Chairman of the Ecosan Yusufjan Shadimetov said the organization had been cooperating with the Institute for several years. The scientists and specialists of the institute participate in the development of Ecosan's projects and programmes on regular basis, and develop recommendations for scientific practical conferences, seminars, and actively participate in the events of the Days of Ecology and Health. Ecosan, together with the institute has conducted a number of international scientific-practical conferences and roundtable meetings with foreign partners and delegations.

The same day, needy families of Tashkent district of Tashkent region received Ecosan's humanitarian aid worth 3 million soums, which included bed sets, disinfectant solutions, and other goods.

Uzbek Scientific-Research Institute of Gardening and Wine-Growing named after Schreder is the oldest agricultural scientific institution of Central Asia.

The Institute was set up on the base of Turkistan Agricultural Test Station, which dates back to 1898. In 1926 the station was reorganized into the Uzbekistan Agricultural Test Station, and in 1935 into Uzbek Test Station of Fruit and Berry and Subtropical Agriculture named after Schreder. For 42 years, the station was headed by one of the founders of agricultural science of Central Asia, Academician Richard Richardovich Schreder.
 

An article titled as "Uzbekistan – homeland of the representatives of 130 nations and ethnic groups" was published in the March issue of Javon journal, published in Tehran with the circulation of 150,000 copies, Jahon agency reported.

The article tells the audience about the history, socio-political and economic life of contemporary Uzbekistan, unique historical cities and monuments of the country. "Uzbekistan is located in the very heart of Central Asia, where the representatives of 130 nations and ethnic groups live together in peace," the author wrote.

Speaking of the country's economy, the article notes that Uzbekistan has the fourth largest gold reserves and is the second largest cotton exporter in the world. "Rich natural resources, such as oil, gas, coal and other precious resources, as well as metallurgical, chemical, plant-building and car-production industries illustrate the promising future and good condition of the Uzbek economy," emphasizes the article.

As regards culture and education, the publication wrote: "Currently over 34,000 scientific workers are working at 434 higher educational facilities of the country, of them 2,353 hold Ph.D. degrees. As for Uzbekistan's libraries, they are the most famous and largest in Central Asia."

Particular attention is given in the article to historical cities, tourist sites and monuments of Uzbekistan. Naming just a few most famous ones, Javon mentioned the cities of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Shahrisabz, Termez, Namangan, Karshi, and Margilan. "Over 4,000 ancient historical and cultural monuments are the evidence of the invaluable role and position of Uzbekistan in the world civilization," the publication concluded.

Russia and Uzbekistan are debating the possible inclusion of the Tashkent-based Chkalov aircraft building association into Russia's United Aircraft Building Corporation (UABC), UzReportcom reported.

"We discussed the issue and agreed to instruct those people who can address it in a professional way to work on it," Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov told journalists following intergovernmental talks in Tashkent. "It is an urgent and sensitive issue."

UABC, which is 90% state owned, consolidates aircraft building companies and state assets engaged in the manufacture, design and sale of military, non-military, transport and unmanned aircraft in a bid to streamline the Russian aviation industry.

It incorporates commercial and military aircraft makers, such as Sukhoi, Ilyushin and Tupolev, as well as companies involved in distribution, including Aviaexport.

The Tashkent aircraft builder produces Il-76 Candid military transport planes.

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov has said that he regrets there are fewer women engaged in politics than expected.

In a Women's Day [8 March] congratulatory message, Karimov also said that the country needed women's "decent representation" as a condition for taking a significant step towards a democratic state, UzReportcom reported.

Uzbek President said: "In connection with this wonderful holiday, we have one more opportunity to praise and glorify woman, an incomparable wonder created by God, to express the kindest and sincerest feelings to her and to stress her irreplaceable role in the life of the country and society."

"We all know well that from the first days of gaining independence, respect and attention to women, raising their role and status in society, and ensuring their legal rights and interests have become one of the priorities of our country's state policy," Uzbek head said.

Uzbek leader noted: "Practical evidence of this policy is large-scale work being carried out to create and improve the necessary legal basis, to foster women's social and political activeness, to increase their physical, spiritual and intellectual potential, to strengthen their health and social protection, and to protect family, motherhood and childhood, as well as to provide employment and support businesswomen."

"At the same time, we should stress the need for the unconditional implementation of measures stipulated in the state programme which was adopted in connection with declaring the year of 2007 in our country the Year of Social Protection. The programme is aimed, above all, at strengthening the family, which is our society's firm foundation and prop, providing it with all possible material and moral support, improving its well-being and creating decent conditions for our women," President Karimov said.

He said many things still have to be done in order to ensure really equitable and active participation of women in the work of all branches of power - legislative, executive and judicial - in a new society, which is built now.

"In this regard, I think it is appropriate to cite this example. At the president's initiative, the country's existing law on elections has a clause on allocating at least a 30-per-cent quota for women from the total number of the candidates for deputies nominated by each political party to the Oliy Majis [parliament] and local representative bodies," Karimov said.

However, regrettably it should be stated that despite this, at present the number of women in local representative bodies makes only 16%, in the Legislative Chamber [lower house] 17.5% and in the Senate [upper house] 15%, Uzbek leader said.

"Of course, we all understand well that citizens themselves elect deputies of all levels. But, at the same time, one should not forget that women's active participation in elections and their gaining the necessary number of places in the legislative and local representative bodies, in many respects, depend on our people and their political and legal culture."

Uzbek president said: "The experience of developed democratic countries, above all, European states with high living standards they have achieved, and our own accumulated experience show that only by ensuring women's decent representation in the legislative, executive and judicial bodies and making this norm compulsory in our social life, I am confident that we will be able to take a significant step on the path of fair resolution of problems we are facing, and building a legal and democratic state and civil society."

Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs of US State Department Evan A. Feigenbaum paid a working visit to Uzbekistan from 28 February to 5 March, Jahon agency reported.

The report said Mr. Feigenbaum met senior officials from Uzbek ministries and departments and visited Samarkand city.

Akmal Holmatov scored the only goal of the game to give Uzbekistan’s Neftchi a 1-0 victory Al Najaf from Iraq at Sabah Al Salem stadium in their AFC Champions League opening Group C match on March 07, 2007.

Holmatov`s goal came in the 71st minute to give his side their first three points in the competition and put them at the top of the group along with last year`s runners-up Al Karama, who edged Al Sadd 2-1 in the other group match on the same night.

The match was held in Kuwait City due to the critical security situation in Najaf, but the Iraqi fans, cheered for their side throughout.

After a goalless first half, Neftchi relied on the counter attacks and the dangerous set plays by Holmatov, who opened the scoring with one such set piece.

In the 71st minute, Holmatov sent a long range free kick from the right flank directly into the area but instead of going into the path of his teammates, it surprised everyone and landed in the back of the net.

Holmatov nearly added a second in the fourth minute of stoppage time with another free kick but his powerful drive smashed against the woodwork.

"It was a tough game for both sides, especially for my players who were still suffering from jet lag,” said Neftchi coach Yuri Sarkisyan after the match.

"The weather in Kuwait is also different than that in Uzbekistan.”

"We didn`t play with an attacking style because we have played only one match in the league and we didn`t know anything about our opponents."

In the other match of Group C whare Neftchi plays, Al Karama (Syria), runners up in last year’s AFC Champions League, came from a goal down to defeat Al Sadd 2-1 at the Khaled Ibn Al Waleed stadium.

After trailing at the end of the first half to a Magid Hassan goal, Al Karama levelled the scores in the 70th minute through their Senegalese striker Senghor Koupouleni while Abdulrahman Akkari scored the winner seven minutes from time.

Al Sadd, who missed several players due to injury including their Brazilian striker and Qatar league top scorer Emerson, soon got themselves back into the game.

Carlos Tenorio set up the first goal of the game when he beat three players before playing a pass inside the area to the unmarked Magid Hassan who opened the scoring in the 22nd minute.

Stunned by the goal, Al Karama went on the attack and they had two chances in the space of five minutes to pull level but Akkari, the Syrian league’s leading scorer, could not find a way past Zaidan.

Two minutes after Al Sadd`s opener, former Al Jaish midfielder Firas Ismail sent a tempting cross inside the area but Akkari headed wide.

In the second half, Al Karama coach Mohammed Kwid made two substitutions, bringing on Iyad Mandou and Senghor Koupouleni.

And it was the latter who scored the equaliser as Ismail collected a loose ball in the box and passed to Koupouleni who fired home with 20 minutes remaining.

The goal sent the capacity crowd at Khaled Ibn Al Waleed stadium into raptures and their team went on the attack in search of a winner.

And it duly arrived in the 83rd minute when Koupouleni this time turned provider for Akkari who headed past Zaidan to give his side their first three points in the competition.

Uzbekistan won over Kyrgyzstan with a large score, 6-0, in the second match of the four-nation Alma TV Cup in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, on March 09, 2007.

Uzbekistan’s six goals were scored by Anvar Soliev (2), Ulugbek Bakaev (7 penalty-kick, 43, 89), Yanis Mandzukas (63) and Vladimir Shishelov (80).

In the first match of the tournamnet, Rauf Inileev’s side went down by a solitary goal to Azerbaijan.

Uzbekistan plays with Kazakhstan on Sunday while Kyrgyzstan will face Azerbaijan.

The tournament is important preparation for Uzbekistan’s campaign in the July 7-29 AFC Asian Cup 2007 for which they have been pooled with Iran, China and hosts Malaysia.

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received Prime Minister of Russia Mikhail Fradkov at his presidential Oqsaroy residence on March 07, 2007, UzA reported.

Welcoming the guest, Uzbek President Islam Karimov said the visit of Prime Minister of Russia to Uzbekistan is another evidence for dynamic development of bilateral cooperation, which covers practically all spheres.

He said the bilateral turnover increased by 42% [to US$3 billion] last year. Today's meeting is good opportunity for wide-scale exchange of opinion on actual issues of cooperation, Uzbek leader said.

In his turn, Mr. Fradkov noted that Russia considers Uzbekistan as one of reliable partners in Central Asia and his visit to Uzbekistan aimed at discussion of current affairs and perspectives of relations in economy and humanitarian spheres.

He said the sides have great opportunity for further improvement of bilateral trade turnover, expansion of scientific-practical cooperation in high technology.

Uzbek President Karimov and Russian Prime Minister Fradkov exchanged opinion on development of bilateral cooperation and other issues of mutual interest.

Prime Minister of Russian Federation Mikhail Fradkov has arrived in Uzbekistan on an official visit, UzA reported.

Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with Mikhail Fradkov on March 07, 2007.

During the meeting the sides considered the issues on cooperation between two countries.

During the meeting Prime ministers analyzed present state of mutual relations, all-round exchange of opinions on development of perspective tasks and further expansion of scales of mutually beneficial cooperation between the countries has also been held within the framework of the meeting.

In particular, the sides considered the growth of potential of cooperation in the spheres of energy. In addition, government officials discussed prospects for Uzbek-Russian cooperation in the framework of various regional organizations, including the CSTO, EurasEC, and SCO.

Grant-contract signing ceremony will take place on March 13, 2007 at the Embassy of Japan in Tashkent, UzReportcom reported.

The Government of Japan will issue the total of US$341,554 in grants for the delivery of equipment in the framework of the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects for 6 projects in Uzbekistan.

The recipients of the grants are secondary schools of Surkhandarya and Kashkadarya regions, medical institutions and a centre for socio-economic protection of women.

According to the contact, City Clinical Hospital No. 1 will receive US$84,934 and Obstetric Complex No. 6 of Mirzo-Ulugbek district of Tashkent city – US$76,289. Also, secondary school No. 3 of Jarkurgan district will be issued US$45,982, secondary school No. 24 of Kumkurgan district – US$62,175, and secondary school No. 25 of Karshi district – US$56,368. "Begoyim" Ferghana regional Centre of Socio-Economic Protection of Women will receive US$15,815 for the equipment of the centre by modern technology.

Grant aid of the Japanese Government is a form of ODA involving the provision of funds to the governments of developing countries without the obligation of repayment. The aim is to cooperate with economic and social development by helping the government of the recipient country to introduce and upgrade its facilities and equipment. Grant aid is made available mainly for social development in such fields as education, health and medical care, everyday water supply, and agricultural development; upgrading of public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and airports; and environmental conservation projects.

In Uzbekistan, Japanese Government's assistance is intended primarily to improve the living conditions and the welfare of the Uzbek population through the improvement of studying conditions, the provision of medical services, the status of women, as well as general living standards of the population. With this intention in mind, grants has been issued to the abovementioned institutions, for the procurement of school, medical and other technical equipment required for the professional operation of the facilities.

Russia and Uzbekistan have signed an agreement to set up a joint venture to carry out repairs on helicopters, Boris Alyoshin, director of Russia's Federal Industry Agency, told reporters.

The joint venture, called Uzrosavia, is to be set up later this year in the city of Chirchik in Uzbekistan.

The plant will repair and modify Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters.

Russian companies, including state-controlled helicopter producer Oboronprom and arms exporter Rosoboronexport, are expected to hold at least 51% in the joint venture. Uzbek companies, including aircraft maker Tashkent Aircraft Production Corporation, or TAPOich, and state-owned Uzmakhsusimpeks are expected to hold the remaining stake.

Minister for Water and Agriculture of Republic of Uzbekistan, Sayfiddin Ismoilov met Foreign Minister of Pakistan Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri in Islamabad, Pakistan, on March 07, 2007, UzReportcom reported. He was accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Sh. Minovarov and Uzbek Ambassador to Pakistan O.Usmanov.

The two ministers discussed issues of bilateral interest as well as regional situation.

They agreed that there was a great potential for mutual cooperation especially in the field of trade and economy, the report said.

The Pakistani Foreign Minister emphasized that the two countries should take full advantage of their geographical proximity to enhance economic cooperation.

Referring to strong commonalities of history, faith and culture, the Foreign Minister also highlighted the scope of increased cooperation in cultural exchanges.

The Uzbek side welcomed the completion of the Gwadar Port which would provide Central Asia with the shortest access to the sea.

Talking about the situation in Afghanistan, both the Ministers hoped that peace and stability in Afghanistan will lead to open this transit corridor.

The Uzbek Minister for Agriculture is leading a delegation at Pakistan-Uzbekistan Joint Commission Meeting (JMC). The Co-Chairman of the JMC from Pakistan side is Minister for Water and Power Liaqat Ali Jatoi.

The flow of foreign investments into the economy of Uzbekistan grew by 20% in 2006, Kazinform quoted the Ministry of Economy of Uzbekistan. Last year, according to official data, foreign investments attracted in the framework of the national investment programme comprised US$895.7 million.

In the reporting year, foreign investments attracted under the guarantee of the Uzbek Government increased by 5.4% to US$211.9 million. Direct investments grew by 25.4%. The total sum of foreign direct investments made up US$683.8 million.

In 2006 according to the government investment programme it was planned to attract US$917.97 million for investment in 134 projects. It was envisaged that some US$365.41 million would be attracted under the guarantee of the Government, and US$552.56 million – in the form of direct investments.

Industry-wise, according to the Ministry of Economy, investments were directed mainly in the oil and gas complex, electric energy, non-ferrous metals, machine engineering, and light industries. Of the total investments, 34.5% were made in the sphere of fuel and energy complex, chemical industry, metallurgy and machine engineering. They are followed by the complex of agriculture and water economy, agricultural product processing and consumer goods with 17.8%.

Investments were actively made in the light industry. The sphere of ICT received the total of 15.3% of foreign investments.

Uzbekistan says Gazprom is falling behind the schedule in implementation of the projects on the development of new gas fields on its territory, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Russia Andrey Sharonov told journalists commenting on the results of intergovernmental talks held in Tashkent March 07, 2007, UzReportcom reported.

He said that Gazprom had been issued a territory of over 38,000 square kilometers in Uzbekistan for the exploration works.

"The course of implementation of the oil and gas field development projects was discussed during the talks. The Uzbek party is very content about cooperation with LUKOIL, but at the same time it claims that Gazprom has fallen behind the schedule on some of the projects on the development of new fields," the official noted.

According to the Deputy Minister, the Uzbek party is not very happy about the delays in implementation and the flow of investments regarding two of the tree projects currently being run by Gazprom. To be precise, to date the company was supposed to make investments in the amount of US$300 million, however until now only US$30 million has been directed.

"The Uzbek party said cooperation was developing slower than it was originally planned," he added.

At the same time, deputy head of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade emphasized that the license for the development of new fields in Uzbekistan was issued to Gazprom only in the late December 2006.

"The license was received only in the late December, and in January Gazprom actively started the field work," Shafronov said.

Speaking of other results of negotiations with the Uzbek government, he said, Russia was considering increasing the supplies of VAZ, GAZ and UAZ automobiles to Uzbekistan with the aim of brining bilateral trade to balance, RIA Novosti reported.

He said last year Russia bought 67,000 Daewoo cars from Uzbekistan. At the same time, the Russian party delivered only 3,500 cars (2,000 VAZs, 1,000 GAZs, and 500 UAZs) to Uzbekistan.

"The supply volumes are incomparable," emphasized Sharonov, adding that to the supply of Russian automobiles to Uzbekistan would be increased to correct the situation.

At the same time the official noted that "We are not talking about the reduction of import from Uzbekistan, but about the increase of Russian export, including the export of equipment and machinery."

Undefeated WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev expects his first mandatory title defense to be business as usual. The Russian Giant (46-0, 34 KOs) comes face to face with top-ranked contender Ruslan Chagaev (22-0-1, 17 KOs) in Stuttgart on April 14, 2007.

"The fight will be no different from my other bouts," Valuev said at today’s press conference in Stuttgart. "The fact that it will be my first mandatory boxing defense does not make a difference at all. I take him very seriously. I’ve been in training for weeks."

Last Sunday, Valuev flew from St. Petersburg to Berlin to continue his boxing preparations in the Max-Schmeling-Gym. "Together with my coach Manuel Gabrielian I have been watching tapes of Chagaev every day in order to work out the strategy for the fight," the 33-year-old added.

"However, I can’t say anything else about my tactics or my opponent since he is sitting right next to me right now."

Chagaev’s camp remained tight-lipped on how they plan to overcome the gigantic height advantage of 11 inches. Yet the Uzbek challenger is confident he will be ready come April 14, 2007.

"This is the biggest fight of my life," he said. "To have the chance and fight for the world title is the highlight of my career. I will do all I can to make the most of it. I have been working out very well and will be in top shape on April 14, 2007"

Sauerland sports director Hagen Doering admitted he was pleased that both Sauerland Event and Universum Box Promotion had found common ground during the negotiations. "It was good that both sides came to terms before the purse bid," he vowed. "Now we can focus on the boxing."

After the press conference was over, Valuev wasted no time and immediately called his wife Galina in St. Petersburg. She had given birth to their second child - Irina - last week. Both Galina and Irina are doing fine and were allowed to leave the hospital today. "Now Grisha (5) has to get used to having a little sister," the Russian Giant smiled.

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov held a telephone conversation with President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguli Berdimukhamedov on March 06, 2007, UzA reported.

During the conversation, the two leaders exchanged opinions on the state of current cooperation, discussed the situation in the Central Asia and improvement of friendly relations between two countries.

Prime Minister of Russian Federation Mikhail Fradkov arrived in Uzbekistan on an official visit, UzA reported.

Main events of the visit will take place on March 07, 2007. Mikhail Fradkov is expected to hold talks with President Islam Karimov and Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev and discuss the current state and perspectives of relations between Uzbekistan and the Russian Federation in the framework of international organizations.

"Azerbaijani national squad participetes in European championship which involves best teams of the world. It is not bad to face Eorpean championship representative second time in last month in Alma TV Cup tournament.

The result of the match will depend on the preparation of the teams", Uzbek team head coach Rauf Inileyev told a local press. He said he prefers to play against stronger team than Azerbaijan.

"Of course, it would be better if we play stronger team than Azerbaijani team", he noted.

Azerbaijani and Uzbek national squad will meet on 7 March in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, in the Alma TV Cup tournament. Previous match on 7 February took place in Uzbekistan and ended in 0-0 draw.

Server Djeparov and Anvar Soliev will lead Uzbekistan’s charge against Chinese Taipei and China in friendlies lined up this month for Rauf Inileev’s side, UzA reported.

The matches are part of Uzbekistan’s preparations for the July 7-29 AFC Asian Cup and R.Inileev has packed his side with 10 players from Uzbek champions Pakhtakor.

“We are going to Kazakhstan first for the Alma TV Cup from March 7 to 11. Then we will move to East Asia for playing Chinese Taipei in Taipei on March 24 and China in Macau on March 27. All these matches are to prepare for the AFC Asian Cup,” said R.Inileev, who did not name Uzbek star striker Maksim Shatskikh in the squad.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan FF confirmed one more friendly against Ukraine on August 22 in Kiev .

Following players considered to be candidates to the national team;

Ignatiy Nesterov, Temur Juraev, Pavel Bugalo, Asror Alikulov, Bakhtiyor Ashurmatov, Islom Inomov, Ilhomjon Suyunov, Davron Fayziev, Askar Muhitdinov, Timur Kapadze, Server Djeparov, Vladimir Shishelov, Leonid Koshelev, Khikmatjon Khoshimov, Rustam Azamov, Ildar Magdeev, Anver Soliev, Yanis Maidzukas, Alexander Genyrikh, Ilyas Zeytulaev, Ulugbek Bakaev, Mansurjon Saidov, Ikbol Akramov, Maksim Usmanov, Ibrogim Atahanov, Batir Koraev, Hamza Karimov, Anvar Gafurov.

Forthcoming friendly matches for Uzbekistan national team: March 7 – v Azerbaijan, March 9 – v Kyrgyzstan, March 11 – v Kazakhstan, March 24 – Chinese Taipei, March 27 – China, August 22 – Ukraine, October 17 – Estonia, November 17 – China, November 21 – Estonia.

International Football Federation of history and statistics (IFFHS), which headquarters are located in German city of Wiesbaden, has published new rating of 350 strongest football clubs in the world, UzA reported.

“Seville,” winner of UEFA Cup and Super Cup, “Inter” of Italian series “A” and “Barcelona” from Spain are in the first places of the rating.

In the new list "Paxtakor" occupies 151st place. Thus, the Tashkent football club takes the third place among football clubs of Asia, after Jordanian football Club "Al-Faysali" and Syrian “Al-Karama”.

On March 02, 2007 at the Oqsaroy Residence in Tashkent the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received the Minister for International Cooperation of the Arab Republic of Egypt Ms. Faiza Abunnaja, Jahon Agency reported.

“The Arab Republic of Egypt and its leader Hosni Mubarak are known well in Uzbekistan,” – President Islam Karimov said, welcoming Ms. Abunnaja, “this political figure is known not only in the Arab and Muslim, but also in the whole world”.

At the moment, the relations of Uzbekistan and Egypt are developing in political, economic and humanitarian spheres. The lawmakers of both countries began to extend ties. At the same time, now more consultations taking place between the foreign policy institutions of the two countries.

The Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt became the first Arab diplomatic mission in Uzbekistan, which was established back in 1993.

One of his initial foreign visits following Uzbekistan’s gaining independence in 1991 Uzbek President had made to Egypt in December 1992. It has become an important event in the history of bilateral relations. The visit has founded the legal basis for cooperation between the two countries. Uzbekistan and Egypt have signed more than 20 bilateral documents.

Both countries enjoy vast potential to expand the trade and economic ties. For example, the sides could elaborate and implement a number of projects in such areas as tourism, textile, pharmaceutical, and petrochemical sector, as well as the light industry, and agriculture.

The current indicators of cooperation are far low than the opportunities available to both sides. In 2006 the trade between Uzbekistan and Egypt accounted for USD 3,6 million. Adding to those indicators, there are just two joint ventures operating in Uzbekistan.

Certainly, the fifth session of the Uzbek – Egyptian Intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, science, and technical cooperation is important in developing the relations.

Ms. Abunnaja has been active in the sphere of diplomacy since 1975. In 90s she has served as the UN Secretary General special assistant on political affairs.

At the talks in Oqsaroy Residence the sides have agreed that there is a vast unclaimed potential and the action must be taken to further utilize it in extending the cooperation.

The Egyptian Minister handed over to Islam Karimov the message by the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Hosni Mubarak.
 

The presentation of the book by the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov “The Uzbek people will never depend o­n anyone” published in Polish has been held at the Uzbek Embassy in Poland, Jahon Agency reported. The representatives of the official, scientific and research circles of Poland, foreign diplomatic corps accredited in Warsaw, as well as the mass media participated at the event.

During the presentation the participants have had an opportunity to thoroughly learn the book.

The expert of the institute of political sciences at the Warsaw University, doctor of political sciences A.Veczbizci said that the facts accounted in the book clearly depict the picture of a hard regional situation in the Central Asia.

“I believe that Uzbekistan is an important partner for the EU and Poland in ensuring the security and political stability. Besides, Uzbekistan is one of the historical cradles of culture, which is an important factor in strengthening the humanitarian cooperation”, - the Polish scholar has said.

The head of the department of the Caucasus and Central Asia at the “Center of the East Researches” K.Strahota has underscored that the Polish analysts are finding the answers to all their questions in Uzbek President’s book in terms of the regional security, drugs threat, religious extremism, ways to address and overcome them.

Certainly, today the Uzbek film is on the rise. The evidence to this is the fact that it has already become a good tradition the participation of the Uzbek films at many prestigious international cinema festivals. And this is not o­nly about participation, but also earning the honorable prizes at these international cinema forums.

And now the new glad news arrived from France. The film by the young Uzbek film director Yolkin Tuychiev “Chashma” (‘The spring’) has been honored with a special prize of judges “For the original sound” at the 13th traditional international film festival of the Asian films in the French city of Vesul, Jahon Agency reported.

This cinema forum is one of the respected international film festivals dedicated to the Asian cinema. The film festival has gathered cinematographers from more than 20 countries around the world.

Over 70 fiction films and documentaries of various genre and directions were presented to spectators and high-profile judges.

In particular, the general director of the film festival Jean Mark Terroin has been quite impressed of the Uzbek cinema. He has said: “The French audiences have already loved the Uzbek cinema. This year our townsmen are manifesting an enormous interest in the film festival. This is the evidence to that the Asian films still remain the mysterious and exciting to the European moviegoers. In my turn, I want to congratulate the Uzbek moviemakers on the enormous success, which I believe has especially lively distinguished from other films with its unusual cinematography. I hope very much that Uzbekistan will become a constant participant of our film festival in the days to come”.

Fifth meeting of Uzbek-Egyptian Intergovernmental Commission for Trade-Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation of Uzbekistan and Egypt was held at the International Business Centre in Tashkent, Uzbek media reported.

Egyptian delegation was led by the Minister of International Cooperation, Co-Chairman of the Commission Fayza Mohamed Aboul Naga participated in the meeting of the commission.

During the meeting consecutive development of relations in all spheres was discussed, and arrangements reached during meetings of heads of two states serve as a legal basis for the development of cooperation. Members of delegation representing Egyptian business circles have visited the ministries and departments, have carried on negotiations concerning expansion of cooperation.

At the end of negotiations bilateral documents, in particular, programs of cooperation between National company "Uzbektourism" and the Ministry of Tourism of the Arab Republic of Egypt, between the Academy of Sciences of Republic Uzbekistan and Academy of technologies and scientific researches of the Arab Republic of Egypt, memorandums of mutual understanding between Academy of the state and public construction under the President's office of Republic of Uzbekistan and Academy of administrative sciences of after Anvar Sadat of Egypt, between Social movement of youth "Kamolot" of Uzbekistan and National Council of Youth of the Arabian Republic Egypt were signed.

The Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan R.Kasimov, Minister of the International Cooperation of Arab Republic of Egypt Fayza Aboul Naga have taken part in the ceremony of signing the documents.

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received International Cooperation Minister of Egypt Fayza Mohamed Abul Naga at presidential residence Oqsaroy on March 2, UzA reported.

A delegation of Egypt led by Ms. Fayza Mohamed Abul Naga is paying visit to Uzbekistan to participate at the session of the intergovernmental commission and held talks with senior officials.

President Islam Karimov said Uzbekistan knows Arabic Republic of Egypt and its head Hosni Mubarek, who is known both in Arabic and Muslim world and in the world.

The sides discussed issues on further expansion and strengthening of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Egypt, further use of existing potential of two nations.

Fayza Mohamed Abul Naga handed over message of Egyptian President to Uzbek President Islam Karimov.

Egypt is the first Arab country, which opened its diplomatic mission in Uzbekistan in 1993. Bilateral trade turnover between countries made up US$3.6 million in 2006. The sides can cooperate in tourism, textile, pharmaceuticals, petrochemical, light industry and agriculture. Two joint ventures with Egyptian capital work in Uzbekistan.

On March 1-2, 2007, more than 50 experts gathered in Tashkent to discuss how Uzbekistan's travel document security can be improved, a press release of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan said.

Experts from the Interior Ministry, the Foreign Ministry, the National Security Service and other institutions participated in the two-day OSCE organized workshop, UzReportcom reported.

"Upgrading travel and identity document security is important not only to counter terrorism, but also to protect our citizens against identity theft and other forms of crime," said Dimitar Jalnev, Programme Co-ordinator with the OSCE's Action against Terrorism Unit, which organized the workshop together with the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan and the Interior Ministry.

Alisher Toshmetov of the Interior Ministry added: "Studying the technological security features of travel documents, including biometrically enabled electronic passports, management standards and issuance is of great importance to us. We also are interested in hearing about international co-operation in this area."

Topics discussed at the workshop, which ended today, included international standards for machine-readable travel documents, biometric identifiers, handling and issuance, as well as a search tool for Interpolґs database on lost and stolen travel documents.

OSCE Ambassador Miroslav Jenca, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, encouraged the participants to use the event to learn more about the possibilities of implementing a new passport system.

Representatives from the OSCE, Interpol, the International Civil Aviation Organization and experts from Britain, Estonia, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands shared their experiences during the workshop.

National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek and Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology signed agreement on educational exchange and cooperation on March 01, 2007, UzReportcom reported.

The agreement envisages exchange of teachers and students between universities carry out joint researches and other manuals, as well as scientific activity. The universities will exchange publications, periodicals and other library materials.

Mr Muhammedov, rector of National University of Uzbekistan, said the agreement will allow to fruitful cooperation with Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology.

After official signing ceremony, the delegation of Japanese university acquaint with university and its staff.

Coscom, Uzbekistan's third largest mobile operator, has fully resumed its services after a license suspension, a spokesperson with the company told Prime-Tass on March 02, 2007.

Uzbekistan's Communications and IT Agency suspended Coscom's mobile license for 10 days starting February 5, citing violations of its license agreement. The agency said that the operator failed to inform the regulator of network malfunctions in late January.

Although the regulator allowed Coscom to resume services starting on February 16, national fixed-line operator Uzbektelecom and East Telecom, which lease telecom channels to the operator, had not re-opened the telecommunications channels as of late February, the company said earlier.

The USA' MCT Corporation holds 85% in Coscom, which had 378,000 users before the license suspension. Some market experts estimated that the company might have lost 20%-40% of its subscribers.

The Eighth International Exhibition "Construction and interior, heating and ventilation – UzBuild-2007" will open on March 13, 2007 in Tashkent, UzReportcom reported. The event is being organised by the ITE Uzbekistan International Exhibition Company.

UzBuild 2007 is the largest international construction exhibition in Uzbekistan held on annual basis. The exhibition is expected to gather over 10,000 representatives of construction industry from around the world.

UzBuild 2007 demonstrates the latest achievements and trends in the construction materials and technology industries. The event promises to grow even larger in scale and be located in two halls of the Central Showroom of the UzExpoCentre.

This year the exhibition gathered a record-breaking number of participants – 100 companies have confirmed their participation, which has once again confirmed its status of a number 1 construction exhibition of Uzbekistan. Among new participants are companies from Denmark, Kyrgyzstan, China and Iran. Around 40 companies are participating in the exhibition for the first time.

The exposition includes a number of sections, which are intended to provide the visitors full information about the new products in the construction industry.

The traditional sections of the exhibition are: Construction Materials; Construction Equipment; Heating, Ventilation and AC Systems; Doors and Window Frames; Saunas and Swimming Pools; Sanitary Ware; Flooring; Electric Technology and Lighting; Interior and Design. Four new sections have been added: Road and Construction Technology; Varnishers and Paints; Roofing Materials; Landscaping.

Official support is provided by the Khokimiat (City Hall) of Tashkent city, State Committee for Architecture and Construction, UzStroyMateriali (Uzbekistan Construction Materials) Company, Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Uzbekistan.

The exhibition is held with organizational support of the UzExpoCentre under the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade of Uzbekistan.

The organizers of UzBuild 2007 expect the event to be a success – every visitor will find something that will be interesting to him or her, something new or useful. In this sense, it is hard to overestimate the importance of the exhibition, since it is a place for the establishment of dialogue between the producers and consumers – the key players in the market environment.

United Nations Development Programme's ICT Policy Project together with the Association of IT Enterprises and Organisations of Uzbekistan are conducting the analysis of software exports from Uzbekistan for 2006, UzReportcom reported.

The main aim of the research is to collect objective and up-to-date information on the size, structure and current trends in the export of software from Uzbekistan, as well as develop recommendations on the ways to increase it.

The study will touch upon the aspects of current status and dynamics of the software market, the size and structure of exports from Uzbekistan, and the opinions of market participants on the urgent issues of IT sector development.

The main results of the research will be obtained through the survey of the software exporters of Uzbekistan. Also, the research will study the opinions of the reputable IT specialists and company managers.

The firth meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission for Trade-Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation of Uzbekistan and Egypt was held on March 01, 2007 at the International Business Centre in Tashkent, UzReportcom reported.

Egyptian delegation of business circles headed by the Minister of International Cooperation, Co-Chairman of the Commission Fayza Mohamed Abul Naga participated in the event.

In the course of the meeting, the parties familiarized with the current status of Uzbekistan's economic development and the country's investment climate, as well as the future prospects of trade and economic cooperation with Egypt.

The countries established diplomatic relations in January 1992. Commercial and economic relations between the countries are regulated by the agreements "On mutual stimulation and protection of investments", "On economic and scientific-technical cooperation", "On air communication", "On avoidance of double taxation and evasion of taxes on profit", and "On trade".

The Intergovernmental Commission for Trade-Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation is an effective mechanism in the development of trade and economic relations at the intergovernmental level. The Commission's previous meeting was held in November 2003 in Cairo.

The trade turnover between the countries however does not yet correspond to the potential available, which was particularly stressed during the meeting. In 2006, the indicator comprised only US$3.58 million.

Only two joint ventures opened in partnership with Egyptian investors currently operate on the territory of Uzbekistan: Hayot JV (furniture producer), and Arab Constructors JV (construction works).