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                                              LATEST NEWS : May 2010                             ARCHIVES

 

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov visited Ferghana region on May 27 in order to have a first-hand review of the ongoing social and economic reforms as well as creative and improvement work undertaken in the region. At the core of these consistent reforms underway in the country are such noble objectives as ensuring the priority of human interests, improving living standards, cultivating a comprehensively advanced young generation, perfecting the appearance of our towns and villages.

Large-scale transformations implemented within the anti-crisis program of measures developed with the President’s initiative, have been yielding fruits in Ferghana region. In the first quarter this year, the gross regional product grew by 10.1 percent.

Measures to modernize production, attract investment, increase manufacturing volumes are consistently implemented in the region. In particular, a new enterprise, “Fargonaavtoglass”, was put into operation in the first quarter this year in Ferghana district, “Uz Dong Yang Fargona” in Uzbekistan district, “Ferae” in Oltiariq.

Exported products have been worth over 80 million US dollars. A coherent work is aimed at the development of small businesses and private entrepreneurship, production of import substituting goods. In the 34 enterprises included in the Localization Program manufacturing exceeded 40 billion soums.

A special attention is paid to the National Program “Year of Harmoniously Advanced Generation”.

Most of the jobs generated by the measures aimed at increasing employment, especially among young people, have been in the countryside.

Increasingly expanding is the scope of work to improve rural infrastructure, build housing on modern model projects. In accomplishing this, crucial have been the President Karimov’s Resolution “On Additional Measures to Expand Housing in Rural Areas” signed August 3, 2009.

Today, modern, comfortable houses with all the conveniences are being constructed in most towns and districts in Ferghana region. Built on standard designs, the dwellings combine the traditions of national architecture and those of modern requirements. This indicates the increasing living standards, changing appearance of our villages.

The President began his trip to Ferghana region with a visit to Mindonobod village of Ferghana district. Islam Karimov reviewed 20 two-storey residential houses constructed here on model projects. According to the head of state, it is important that we take into account the climatic conditions in the development of architecture and design process of such housing that ensured all the necessary engineering services.

President Islam Karimov spoke with owners of new homes. ”Transforming the appearance of villages, constructing modern buildings, communication systems, embodies a splendid goal like creating a worthy village for the residents, in no way inferior to urban conditions”, the head of nation said. “Living in these homes uplifts the mood, stimulates people for work and ensures prosperity in the family.

”Such amenities and comfort has been the dream of every rural woman”, says Tulqinoy Boborahimova, owner of a new house. “Our children living in these constructions, grow up healthy of course, firmly believing in the bright future and, as you said, nothing and no one should be inferior. For this we first of all thank you.

Building new housing in the village with typical projects increases the demand for construction materials. Now there are a number of such enterprises. In the past year in seven districts, mini-factories were put into operation to produce from 300,000 to 1 million bricks every year.

Owners of 610 modern houses will be handed keys this year. At the same time, a portfolio of orders for 2011is being formed and packed.

The President visited a military unit. Islam Karimov assessed the process of military training, living conditions of soldiers and their families.

”We are glad that the protection of Motherland has become a truly honorable duty for every young person”, the supreme commander-in-chief stated. “This is the outcome of large-scale reforms implemented in the first years of independence to perfect the national army. Today, our forces may serve as an example for many in combat readiness and military capabilities.

Head of state underscored the necessity to create all conditions for soldiers to improve their living conditions and life, to accomplish such an honorable and responsible task as protecting the native soil.

Ferghana region is one of the leading ones in the country in terms of economic potential. In recent years, the region has been reaping tangible yields in modernization of industrial enterprises, expansion of competitive domestic products production.

Acquainted with a general plan of the city of Ferghana, the President of the country pointed to the need for its further improvement. In particular, we must strictly observe the traditions of national architecture and the requirements of modern urban planning, landscape design, construct buildings that architecturally do not duplicate each other. He stressed the need to pay particular attention to building up the center of town, the creation of new gardens and alleys.

Islam Karimov gave recommendations for improving the road transport infrastructure in order to advance passenger and cargo transportation on the basis of modern requirements, improve the infrastructure for communications, in particular water, gas and electricity services not only in Ferghana, but also in other cities.

The basis of consistently carried out reforms in all spheres are such notions as consolidating the peace and harmony in the country, further enhancing the welfare of the people, including villagers, bringing up a harmoniously developed generation inferior to nothing and no one. The large-scale work in Ferghana region confirms that.

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President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov visited Andijan region May 26 in order to have a closer look at the enduring social and economic reforms, large-scale transformation on the ground. A tremendous creative work has been ongoing in Andijan region like every other corner of the nation.   Towns and villages are being improved and face-lifted, new enterprises and businesses, educational institutions and healthcare stations, sports complexes and stadiums, modern roads and alleys are being built, gardens and parks planted.

In the first quarter this year, gross regional product has grown by 11 percent. Industrial production, consumer goods and paid services have been on steady rise.

During independence years Andijan has grown to become one of those regions with thriving manufacturing and engineering sector. Cars produced at Asaka automotive factory have been enjoying enormous demand both in our country and abroad. Technological re-equipment and modernization of industrial enterprises are in full swing.

In line with the anti-crisis program of measures elaborated by President Karimov enterprises oriented to external markets are supported, ensuring their stable activity and increasing export capacities. As a result, the region’s exports amounted to 59.6 million US dollars in the first quarter of 2010.

The President’s trip started with a visit to an armed forces division. The head of state enquired into living conditions of the military and their families, and came up with a number of recommendations.
Islam Karimov suggested that comprehensive improvement of armed forces’ combat readiness and security of nation’s borders has always been imperative.

In recent years, the services sector has seen consistent development in Andijan region. New shopping centers, consumer service points are working in urban as well as rural areas. Just over the past year, as many as eight modern shopping malls were commissioned in various districts of the region, creating greater convenience to the public and promoting the infrastructure advancement.

One of those complexes built in Khojaobod district has turned into one of the most preferred places to visit thanks to a state-of-the-art design and a high level of services. Built in strict compliance to modern requirements, the complex boasts more than twenty trading stores, a mini-bank and a pharmacy – an encouraging environment for retailers and customers. Foods and industrial and textile goods produced in such major associations and companies as O’zbekyengilsanoat, Faiz Holding, O’zeltekhsanoat.

President Islam Karimov visited the trade center. “We must support businesspeople and farmers who create new industries in the countryside and produce finished goods. We should expand the scope of opportunities for them”, Islam Karimov said. “The people’s worldview has changed. Today they buy high quality goods. Hence every product sold in this mall and services provided must meet strict requirements”.

In Uzbekistan, a lot of work is directed at improving rural infrastructure and welfare of the population, at enhancing the services and perfecting the villages.

Resolution “On Additional Measures to Expand Housing in Rural Areas” signed by the head of nation August 3, 2009, provides guidance to work in this direction. Sixty houses of model projects are built in Shahrikhon, Asaka and Oltinkul districts.

The President reviewed the dwellings constructed in accordance with standard designs, in citizens’ community center Ittifoq of Oltinkul district. The leader of nation had a talk with homeowners.

“Transformations in villages, construction of modern houses, of new roads, of water and gas and electricity pipes, and infrastructure development contributes to change in the thinking and outlook of people, strengthens confidence in the future”, President Karimov put. “We must create the environment essential to nurturing a harmoniously advanced generation inferior to no one”.

“By no means had we ever even dreamed of living in such a gorgeous home with all amenities”, Asalhon Rasulova, a resident, shared. “Your attitude to life changes when you have a modern house like this”.

In the year of harmoniously advanced generation, 620 new residences of model projects are to be erected in Andijan region.

Head of state visited a modern sports complex that meets international standards, built in Shurbuloq quarter of downtown Andijan. The youth are provided with all comfort to work and recreate.

President proposed to name this site Andijan football boarding college. As young people going in for this sport should not merely be physically strong, but equally intellectually powerful, it is necessary that experienced coaches be employed, available opportunities used effectively.

Andijan regional public education department’s Children’s Town comprises 16 modern residential buildings, an amphitheater and a music hall, a sports complex containing a swimming pool, halls for boxing and gymnastics. 112 children are currently being brought up there.

While visiting the Children’s Town, President Karimov chatted with kids, asked about their studies, future plans, reviewed the conditions of life in the quarter.

Islam Karimov presented a gift for the Town – a bus produced in Samarkand automobile plant. All the kids received various gifts.

Universiada-2010 sports competition among students is to open in Andijan on May 28.

In connection with the Universiada, huge construction and improvement work is carried out in Andijan. On the basis of modern requirements, 31 facilities hosting the contest have been reconstructed. In particular, a new image is granted to Andijan State University, Institute of Agriculture, Institute of Foreign Languages, Medical Institute, Sports College of Olympic Reserve, where major races of the Universiada will be held. Gyms have been renovated and equipped with required equipment. The contenders will enjoy all the conditions.

The head of state visited the stadium Soghlom Avlod that is to host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Universiada-2010, and acquainted with the preparatory work.

Appreciating the large-scale creative work done in Andijan, President Islam Karimov focused on the challenges ahead and gave proper recommendations.

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The fifth sports games of university students of Uzbekistan Universiad-2010 opened in Andijan on Friday. Holding the Universiad in 2010, which was announced by the President as the Year of harmoniously developed generation, has a symbolic meaning.   Sport plays a great role in upbringing healthy generation.

Prior to the games, huge construction and preparation work has been carried out in Andijan. Representatives of state and public organizations, world sports champions, students and their parents participated in the opening ceremony at the Soglom Avlod (Healthy Generation) stadium.

Hokim (governor) of Andijan region A.Usmanov announced the Universiad-2010 open.   State advisor to the President H.Sultanov read the congratulatory message of the head of the state to the games participants. The state anthem of Uzbekistan is played and the country’s state flag is raised at the stadium, followed by the flag of Universiad. The torch of the games is then lit. It was brought to Andijan from Parkent district of Tashkent region by young sportsmen.

This year, the Universiad will include competitions in 12 kinds of sports, including basketball, volleyball, kurash, belbogli kurash, judo, track-and-field athletics, tennis, table tennis, football, handball, chess and swimming. The first Universiad was held in 2000 in Namangan. In 2002, the games were held in Bukhara and in 2004, in Samarkand. In 2007, the Universiad was hosted by the capital city, Tashkent.

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People’s representatives discuss the new legislative initiative to strengthen legislation in children’s rights protection within the implementation of the national program “Year of Comprehensively Advanced Generation”.

The State Program, adopted in the beginning of the year, envisages the improvement of the national legislation on guaranteeing the protection of children’s rights and interests.

Parliamentarians have already amended the Code on Administrative Liability this year to prevent antisocial behavior of adolescents at night.

The use of cellular communication in education institutions is another topical issue debated in parliament factions. The reiterated appeals of community, and particularly the teachers, on the necessity of restricting the use of mobile phones by juveniles during the study process caused the scrupulous attention to this issue. Besides, the question of the cellular communication’s impact on children’s health is currently raised by scientists and medical workers of the republic.

Deputies of the UzLiDeP parliamentary faction spoke about this last week. They find it necessary to take some immediate legal measures on protection of children from the harmful effect of mobile phones.

“Some states have already introduced the legal restrictions on the use of mobile phones by juveniles. We appeal for adoption of the state program for study of the cellular connection’s impact on human health,” suggested Adham Shadmanov, member of the UzLiDeP faction.

The deputy emphasized, in compliance with the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, juvenile rights are protected by the state, and childhood and motherhood is protected by the law. Therefore, as liberal democrats believe, taking measures on protection of children’s rights is the national task.

Besides, the Law “On children’s rights guarantees” envisages the each child’s right for protection of his health. In compliance with the Law “On protection of civil health” citizens have a right for reliable and timely information of factors, threatening their health, including information about sanitary and epidemiological state of the residential area, goods, services and their security and conformity with sanitary norms and regulations.

“We think it is necessary to amend the current legislation in the sphere of children’s rights protection,” Adham Shadmanov stressed.
 

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Tuesday, May 25, all general and secondary educational institutions of Uzbekistan celebrated the Farewell Bell Day marking a good-bye to school. Lush bouquets of bright spring flowers, words of earnest gratitude to teachers and good farewell to fellow graduates made this day memorable in the lives of everyone who is related to school in one way or another. The festive atmosphere reigned everywhere on the streets, parks, but this day proved especially touching in educational institutions.   The key participants of celebrations, of course, were students and teachers; however, schools were also full of past years’ graduates. Teachers say it gives the celebrations a special meaning, the meaning of succession of generations. Also in those days, tutors, students, activists, parents’ committees received cheering gifts.

For example, representatives of city and district administrations, departments of public education and large enterprises of Surkhondaryo region received souvenirs and rewards for their contribution to the development of schools and education.

The country celebrated the end of the school year by street festivities. 18 mass festivities were arranged in Andijon region alone: they took place in central parks of four towns and 14 district centers. They held contests, shows and feasts.

They broadly popularized various circles to be attended by children on their leisure time during summer vacation. Children were informed about children’s grounds that will work under schools all summer long, and about health-improving camps. They took every effort to provide each student with the choice of spending summer vacation usefully and pleasantly. The graduates are in for rush summer: they have final exams and then…They will start the new stage of their adult life and learning.
This year’s farewell bell was particular as it was ringing in the Year of Comprehensively Advanced Generation. Care of the growing generation entered the new stage of the state policy. They carry out a complex of measures to improve the system of supporting young people in their search of profession and life in general.
 

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Uzbekistan is presented at the World Universal Exhibition EXPO-2010. “Better City, Better Life” is the topic designated for the current EXPO to be held in Shanghai from May 1 to October 31, 2010. This year's exhibition featured a record number of participants: 189 countries and 57 international organizations. The number of visitors has exceeded 5 million. The Chinese exhibition’s hosts expect that the EXPO-2010 to be visited by 70 million people in next six months.

Officially opening an exhibition, its honorable guest, President Hu Jintao noted that the “EXPO-2010” will showcase the highest achievements of human civilization. “EXPO-2010” is an opportunity for China and for the whole world,” President Hu Jintao said.
In accordance with the topic, participants of the exhibition will present their visions of a “city of the future”, will affect all aspects of urban life, share good ideas in this field. As planned by the hosts, each country offers its own model of ideal life in the city, which later, in one form or another will be translated into reality.

For example, Uzbekistan opened the exhibition topic “Better City - Better Life” in the exhibition “Uzbekistan: crossroad of civilizations”. The Uzbek pavilion designed in accordance with national traditions of architecture and at the same time using modern design, presented the economic and investment potentials of our country, the role of the state in improving quality of urban and rural life, ancient and ever young Tashkent - a modern metropolis.

As Professor Zhou Hanmin, Deputy Director of the EXPO-2010 Executive Committee noted, “a bright saturated Uzbek exhibition allows visitors to obtain full information about today’s ongoing changes in the country. I am confident that the Uzbekistan’s participation at the world exhibition will further deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of Uzbekistan and China, and will boost the bilateral cooperation”.
 

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A popular Indian monthly magazine Business Central Asia, covering political, economic and cultural life of Central Asian countries, regularly writes about Uzbekistan.

For instance, in the April issue of the magazine several articles about Uzbekistan were published, devoted to the environmental situation in the Aral Sea region, policies towards youth pursued in the country and tourist industry of the country.
An Article “Ban Ki-moon visited Uzbekistan” reports that the United Nations Secretary-General visited to the Aral Sea region, where he had an opportunity to become more familiar with the evolving ecological situation in the region and to exchange views on important and topical issues.

In this regard, the publication noted that “the Aral Sea, from which Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan are most affected, is one of the evidences of the devastating effects of climate change and violation of environmental and water balance in the region. Undoubtedly, without joined efforts and close cooperation with the United Nations it will be difficult to solve the existing socio-economic problems”.

Uzbekistan continues to develop the infrastructure of children's sport”, the magazine’s a title of published article on the measures undertaken in the country in the framework of the Year harmoniously developed generation.

In this regard, referring to the infrastructure development of children's sports, the publication writes that the three-phase system of mass involvement of young people in sport - competition “Umid nihollari”, “Barkamol Avlod” and the Universiada, which are an integral and important part of the National Program for Personnel Training (NPPT) - allows to bring highly skilled athletes who are honored to carry the flag of Uzbekistan at international competitions.

Furthermore, the magazine, noting that the youth policy in Uzbekistan is highly appreciated in India, quoted Salim Saleh al-Vahishi, representative of the Secretary of the League of Arab States in India: “I have observed with great interest how young people in Uzbekistan are instilled love to their unique spiritual and cultural heritage and, at the same time, the young generation has wide access to information and communication networks, allowing to enrich their knowledge”.

The publication “Uzbekistan is a popular tourist destination” offers readers information on tourist potential of the country. “Over the years Uzbekistan has created a hotel infrastructure that meets the highest international standards. Hotels can satisfy a taste of any traveler. A national air carrier - Uzbekistan Airways - offers nonstop flights to most major cities in the world”, Business Central Asia emphasizes.
 

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An international specialized exhibition fair of mini technologies and compact equipment for agriculture Uzbekistan Agrominitech Expo-2010 took place at Uzexpocenter.

Farmers, entrepreneurs, managers of agricultural companies, representatives of Matlubotsavdo company and the wholesale and retail trade companies from the Republic of Karakalpakstan and all regions of the country took part in this exhibition organized by the Ministry for Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Association of Farmers of Uzbekistan. Along with domestic enterprises about 200 companies from 25 countries such as Germany, Italy, France, Poland, Hungary, Turkey, Israel, South Korea, China, Russia and Ukraine showcased their production and services.

This year there were about 100 types of mini technologies and mini equipment on processing of agricultural and livestock production, preparation of seed and nursery plants of fruit-and-vegetable production, producing of feedstuff, gardening, winegrowing, fishery, poultry keeping and greenhouses as well as cooling systems, packaging-and-weighing equipment and chemicals for protection of plants.

Within the exhibition there were presentations of technologies held by leading companies of the world, as well seminars on the crediting procedure on preferential terms for acquisition of technologies, their implementation in rural areas which, according to the organizers, promote opportunities of agricultural owners and the support in choosing the necessary equipment.

Representatives of banks, leasing and transport companies, customs and tax services were invited to the exhibition to ensure more efficient conclusion of agreements, timely delivery of purchased technologies. Particularly, Agrobank offered a good piece of assistance to small businesses. During the first day of the exhibition they concluded agreements on financing more than 20 contracts between farmers and product companies.

In total, within the international specialized exhibition of mini technologies and compact equipment for agriculture Uzbekistan Agrominitech Expo-2010 more than one thousand agreements were signed.

Shaim Ochilov, the manager of farming enterprise Dur Gavhar of Mirzaobod district of Sirdaryo region:

At previous exhibitions I was able to buy four pieces of agricultural equipment via loans provided by Agrobank. And at the current exhibition I purchased fish processing equipment. Every year we sell more than 50 tons of fish. For the development of fishery, this year we are going to start processing more than 100 tons of produce.

Jura Helmut, managing director, Wachtel (Germany):

Our company is specialized in manufacture and delivery of ovens and different equipment for bakery. All sectors of economy including agricultural sphere are developing In Uzbekistan. The growth in the number of medium and small businesses specializing the bakery and confectionery is a bright evidence of successive development of private sector in your country. We want to consolidate and extend the partnership relations with the enterprises of Uzbekistan in this direction.

Pieter Humen, engineer, Van Wamel (the Netherlands):

Due to the great attention paid by the government of Uzbekistan to the development of economy, your country has almost avoided the impact of the global financial crisis. This large exhibition is a bright evidence of that. All conditions for getting comprehensive information, holding talks on cooperation and conclusion of agreements and contracts were provided at the forum.

Dak Jong Ko, president, Delice company (South Korea):

Our countries have really great potential in the development of mutual trade and
economic relations. Today Uzbekistan and South Korea have the most favored nation treatment in economic. It worth mentioning that in conditions of global financial and economic crisis the Uzbek-Korean economic cooperation are developing at a growing rate and the volume of mutual trade turnover grows steadily. Our purpose is the further extension and consolidation of cooperation with Uzbek businessmen.
 

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Although the long summer vacation has just started, education specialists discuss some organizational issues for the new academic year. Thus, they conducted two seminars in Tashkent to discuss promising ways of improving the tuition process in
the future school year.

The Qori Niyoziy Scientific Research Institute of Pedagogical Sciences hosted the seminar on rational use of material and technical base at schools within the state nationwide program for school education development in 2004-2009. According to Jahongir Musaev, chief of the information service at the Ministry of Public Education of Uzbekistan, they focused on improving classes with the use of modern laboratory equipment and computer facilities as well as further introduction of the foremost pedagogical technologies.

Another seminar was held by the specialists of the Center for Higher and Secondary Special Education together with representatives of higher education institutions and Ministry of Higher and Secondary Special Education. The participants touched upon the development of educational standards and curriculums for new specialties to be introduced upon the approval of the plan for admission to higher education institutions in the 2010-2011 academic year and improvement of the current regulatory documents.

The participants came to a conclusion that improvement of standards should meet programs and curriculums of academic lyceums and professional colleges and take into account the expanded application of modern progressive teaching technologies, emphasized Rahimberdi Rajabov, deputy director of the center.

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During the meeting within the “Doctor Says” project of UT, Professor Shavkat Teshaevich Salimov, chief pediatric surgeon of the Ministry of Healthcare of Uzbekistan, director of the Republican Scientific Practical Center of Low Invasive and Endovisual Pediatric Surgery told about the pediatric surgery, unique experience and partners.

Pediatric surgery

- We will start with the most frequently asked question. What is done today in the country for the development of pediatric surgery, introduction of advanced methods of conducting surgeries.

- The process of technical re-equipment is underway: we are switching from traditional surgery methods to endovisual surgery. All regional branches of the Republican Scientific Center of Emergency Medical Aid already have the necessary equipment to conduct such surgeries. Currently, it is expected to supply regional children's diversified medical centers that specialize in treatment of scheduled patients with endovisual equipment. In the meantime, virtually all of the planned thoracoscopic and laparoscopic pediatric surgeries performed in the country, are conducted in our center.

I am often asked why introduction of endovisual technology in pediatric surgery is so important? The answer is simple. Such surgeries provide minimum number of complications, and high plastic effect. Furthermore: children are much more mobile than adults. After many chest or abdomen surgeries conducted in the traditional manner, the child is restricted in his movements for months. After an endovisual surgery he can be active without substantial restrictions on the second day.

On feelings and unique experience

- What are the features of endovisual equipment? - asks Nigina Ismatova from Bukhoro.

- The difference is in perception. During a normal surgery the surgeon can feel the organs with his hands and in an endovisual surgery he does everything with special tools which look like ordinary sticks. In the first case, the doctor sees the operated organs in their natural state, and in the second – they are displayed on a screen in 4x zoom, and he has to deal with the mirror effect. Therefore, working with endovisual equipment requires doctor's training.

- Nigina also asked who is involved in the training of such specialists in the country?

- Medical institutes. By the way, special classes for students of the Tashkent Medical Academy are conducted on the basis of our center. We also carried out several training seminars for the regional children's doctors, who will soon have to work on such equipment. To improve the learning process and make it more effective, our center with the support of the world's leading manufacturer of endovisual surgical equipment - the Storz Company acquires a special simulator, it will help beginner specialists to overcome all the difficulties of adopting to the new technology.

- And what is unique in the national pediatric surgery? – a question by Farhad Kabilov from Tashkent.

- Doctors and Their Experience is what makes the National Pediatric Surgery Unique. Work of a doctor, especially surgeon, is an art. There is a general technique of conducting a surgery, but how to apply it to a particular patient is up to the doctor. Every patient is special and so is every surgery.

About the Center

- This year, the Republican Scientific Practical Center of Endovisual and Low Invasive Surgery celebrates its fifth anniversary, - said Rihsivoy Abdutalipov from Namangan and asked, what has the staff achieved so far.

- Yes, in December this year it will be five years since our establishment. Our team has four candidates and one doctor of science. With the use of endoscopic equipment, we have performed virtually all types of chest and abdomen surgeries. We have accumulated some experience, which we share with colleagues at international conferences and in publications. In total, we published more than one hundred scientific articles for the last five years. Our latest issues addressed parasitic surgeries and surgery for pyoinflammatory diseases of the pleura, published in the Australian medical magazine. We are about to publish two training manuals in the Uzbek language for students and beginner pediatric surgeons. This year we will also publish the textbook “Pediatric Surgery” for graduate students. A feature of this textbook is that it teaches to work in modern conditions of the technical re-equipment of clinics. And the second edition is the first “Atlas of laparoscopic and thoracoscopic pediatric surgeries” in the Uzbek language. This we plan to publish in 2011.

Partners

- Shuhrat Saidov of Samarqand asked about other medical institutions throughout the country who are engaged in development of pediatric surgery.

- Samarqand doctors from the Republican Center for Pediatric Surgery make great contribution. Its specialists are engaged in improving the traditional methods of conducting surgeries. For further improvement of pediatric surgery it is important to develop both endovisual and traditional surgeries, because there are diseases that are not treatable via endovisual equipment, and during any endovisual surgery there may be a situation that will require traditional technologies for a successful outcome. Speaking of the development centers of pediatric surgery, we should acknowledge the contributions of the Republican Perinatal Center, its specialists are leaders to conduct surgeries for newborn children (up to 28 days), the clinic of the Tashkent Paediatric Medical Institute - the country's only center of cardiac surgery of infancy and early childhood, the National Center of Pediatric Orthopedics and the Republican Scientific Center of Emergency Medical Aid and its regional branches.

- Madina Sharipova of Qashqadaryo asked about partnership of domestic clinics with foreign specialists.

- Just couple of hours after this meeting, I will go to Minsk to take part in a major international conference addressed to the 40th anniversary of the Department of Pediatric Surgery of the Minsk Medical Institute. We are working closely with them. And on June 15 the world-famous doctor, director of the Russian Center for Emergency Children’s Surgery and Traumatology Leonid Roshal will visit Uzbekistan. He will be the first opponent at the defense thesis on improving diagnostics of appendicitis. This is the first defense thesis in Uzbekistan addressing research in the field of endovisual equipment in pediatric surgery, written by young and promising specialist of our center Bobur Abdusamatov. I should note that along with Leonid Roshal, famous physicians as Alexander Razumovskiy, Igor Poddubniy helped specialists of our center in development of advanced technologies of conducting surgeries. Our center supports scientific relations with specialists of the CIS, Australia, Germany, and Israel. I also know that students Samarqand children's surgeon Azamat Shamsiev from the Republican Center for Pediatric Surgery, staff of the surgical department of the Tashkent Paediatric Medical Institute clinic, working under the leadership of Mahmud Aliev, doctors of the Republican Perinatal Center, and many others are closely working foreign experts.

New surgeries and prospects

- Tamila Kan of Karakalpakstan would like to know about new types of surgeries that experts of the center are grasping.

- Two years ago, we mastered thoracoscopy – they are surgeries conducted on the organs of the chest using endovisual equipment. This year, together with the head of the department of pediatric surgery of the Moscow Stomatological Institute Igor Poddubniy for the first time we have conducted endovisual surgeries on the colon. Today we can say that the center performs all surgeries on the abdominal and chest organs, except heart.

- In one of your interviews you said that the center plans to move to a new building. Many readers ask where the center is located at the present time.

- We are still located in the 8th building of the second clinic of the Tashkent Medical Academy. We need our own building to develop research activities and create most convenient conditions for specialists from the regional diversified medical children centers to learn new techniques. The construction of a building for our center is scheduled for 2011, and it will locate on the territory of the Republican Specialized Scientific Practical Medical Pediatrics Center. Thus, there will be another unique complex, which will provide high-quality pediatric care.
 

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President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received members of the session of the Foreign Ministers Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states at Oqsaroy residence on May 22. The current meeting of the council sums up all the preparatory work and defines the documents that would be included in the agenda of the upcoming SCO summit. Signing of these documents will serve to further development of the organization, President Islam Karimov said.

At the meeting in Oqsaroy, preparation to the SCO Heads of States Council session, scheduled for 10-11 June in Tashkent, was considered. Besides, important issues of strengthening regional security were also discussed.

The President of Uzbekistan drew the attention to the importance of optimization and improvement of mechanisms of adopting decisions by various structures of the SCO.
 

The meeting participants, in their turn, stressed the importance of the efforts of Uzbekistan in increasing the SCO authority and expansion of economic cooperation in the region.   The active position of Uzbekistan in defining the SCO development strategy and on a wide range of modern world policy issues is giving positive results, the guests said.

One of the important results of Uzbekistan’s activity during its chairmanship in the SCO was unanimous adoption of the UN General Assembly Resolution on cooperation between the UN and the SCO, as well as signing of a Joint declaration on cooperation between the UN and SCO secretariats. These documents defined the legal bases and prospects of the two organizations’ practical interaction.

The heads of the SCO foreign ministries’ delegations sincerely thanked President of Uzbekistan for warm reception and expressed confidence that the upcoming SCO summit in Tashkent would be held on the highest level.

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On May 21 this year at the Oksaroy Residence in Tashkent the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Yang Jiechi, according to the report by the Uzbekistan National News Agency May 22.   “We highly appreciate the particular attention and significance paid and attached by the leadership of the People’s Republic of China to the work of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,” President Islam Karimov is reported to have said as he had welcomed the high-ranking Chinese diplomat in Tashkent, “the international authority of your country and such a broad participation in

 the forthcoming events in Tashkent tangibly promote strengthening of the role and influence of this

 Organization in the modern architecture of world politics.”

“In China we treat you with high respect as a great politician of modernity,” Foreign Minister Jiechi said in response to President, “and it is under your leadership that the people of Uzbekistan have achieved enormous successes in independent nation building. Along with Chairman Hu Jintao you took the Uzbek-Chinese relations up to a qualitatively new level.”

At the moment, the bilateral relations between the two countries are developing in the spirit of traditional friendship and partnership, and cover a broad spectrum of issues in the investment, trade-economic, energy and transport and communications spheres. In many directions of cooperation the sides observe coincidence of positions of both countries on bilateral and multilateral levels.

Uzbekistan and China jointly counteract any manifestations of terrorism, extremism, separatism, drug trafficking, illicit arms trade and other challenges of regional and international security. These issues are also defined as the key ones in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Charter.

The trade and economic relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and People’s Republic of China are known for their special level of development in the framework of most favoring regime in force yet since 1994 on the parity basis. China has been solidly securing the position of one of the leading trade partners of Uzbekistan, according to the report.

At the May 21 Oksaroy talks the Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi sincerely thanked the President for a warm welcome and paid a special attention to ever solidified role of the SCO in the international arena, particularly, thanks to the efforts of the Uzbek Leadership during its chairmanship in the Organization.

During the negotiations the sides have also exchanged views related to prospects of further expanding the bilateral cooperation, as well as on the issues of forthcoming State visit of the Chairman of PRC Hu Jintao to the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s top-level summit with participation of heads of its member-states is due in Tashkent on June 10-11 this year.

The Organization’s member-states include China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan hold the observer status.
 

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REPORT
on the meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member-States

On May 22, 2010 Tashkent hosted a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member-States.

It was attended by the Secretary of State - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan K. B. Saudabayev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Yang Jiechi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic - SCO National Coordinator of the Kyrgyz Republic T.K. Makeev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation S.V. Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan Kh. Zarifi and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan V. Norov.

The meeting was also attended by the SCO Secretary-General M.S.Imanaliev and Director of the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-terrorist Structure (RATS) SCO D.M.Djumanbekov.

The heads of delegations were received by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.

The meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of SCO Member-States was chaired by the Uzbek side.

In preparation for the meeting of the Council of Heads of the SCO Member-States due in Tashkent on June 10-11, 2010, the parties considered a number of priorities in terms of further expanding cooperation in the framework of the Organization.

The sides had an exchange of views on important regional and global issues, the main trends of the world situation development, as well as on strengthening stability and security in Central Asia, further strengthening the status of the SCO as an influential international structure, expanding its contacts with other multilateral organizations.

The heads of delegations expressed their solidarity with the people of Kyrgyzstan in the current difficult situation. The security and stability in the SCO space is inseparably linked with security and stability in each of the Member-States, including in the Kyrgyz Republic. The SCO Member-States, while standing committed to independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kyrgyz Republic, are ready to render it necessary support and assistance.
The heads of delegations stated that for over the period since the meeting of the Council of Heads of the SCO Member-States on June 15-16, 2009 in Yekaterinburg, it was carried out a significant work to further strengthen the Organization, expand in its framework the practical interaction in political, economic and humanitarian spheres, as well as extend external contacts. The activity of the SCO truly contributes to addressing social and economic problems, ensuring security and stability in the region.

The ministers emphasized that strengthening of stability in Central Asia remains to be the first and foremost task of the SCO Member-States in the sphere of security. They confirmed the intention to expand cooperation in such spheres as jointly counteracting terrorism, separatism and extremism, illicit drug trafficking and transnational organized crime.

The participants of the meeting expressed serious concern over the complex situation in Afghanistan, from the territory of which it continues to emanate the threat of terrorism, drug trafficking and transnational organized crime. It was stressed that it was impossible to secure stability in Central Asia without resolving problems related to Afghanistan.

The Member-States reaffirm the leading role of the UN in coordinating efforts of the international community in addressing the situation in Afghanistan. They believe that the Afghan problem cannot be resolved exceptionally by military means and advocate promotion of the negotiating process under UN auspices with participation of the Afghans themselves in the interests of building Afghanistan as a peaceful and stable state.

It was noted that further deepening of regional economic cooperation and creation of favorable conditions for trade and investments, consolidation of practical interaction in the spheres of trade, finance, energy, transport, communications, agriculture, science and technology would promote ensuring stability and security in the region.

The approval by ministers of the draft Regulations on admission of new members to the Organization served as confirmation of openness of the Organization to other states in the region that undertake to observe the goals and principles of the SCO Charter and provisions of other international treaties and instruments adopted in the framework of SCO. Approval of this document during the meeting of the Council of Heads of the SCO Member-States in Tashkent will trigger the process of forming a mechanism to expand the Organization.

The heads of delegations welcomed the signing of the Joint Declaration on cooperation between the Secretariats of the SCO and the United Nations (April 5, 2010, Tashkent) initiated by the Republic of Uzbekistan, which set the basic principles and directions of cooperation between the two Organizations as they have been defined in the Resolution A/64/183 of the UN General Assembly of December 18, 2009.

The SCO permanent bodies are recommended to intensify cooperation with the UN, ASEAN and other international organizations and institutions on ensuring security and stability, economic, social and humanitarian development.

The ministers believed that the Procedure rules of the Organization, which will be approved at the forthcoming SCO Summit in Tashkent, would contribute to further dynamic development and strengthening of the Organization, improvement of legal framework of the SCO permanent bodies and the effectiveness of decisionmaking.

The parties reaffirmed the need to fuller realize the cooperation potential in various areas in the framework of the Organization with the SCO observer- states and dialogue partners.

The SCO Secretary-General M.S.Imanaliev presented Report on the work of the Organization’s Secretariat for over the past year, which was approved by the heads of delegations.

The meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the SCO member-states passed in the traditional spirit of friendship and mutual understanding.
 

Information Agency “Jahon”
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As has been reported on several occasions, on May 3-4 this year the capital city of Uzbekistan – Tashkent hosted the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank. On completion of such a high-profile event – first ever held in Central Asia and Caucasus – in Tashkent and returning home the President of the Asian Development Bank Haruhiko Kuroda sent a message of appreciation to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.

Here is the full text of this message in English as it has been kindly provided by the ADB officials at the Office of the President of the Asian Development Bank.
***

His Excellency Mr. Islam Karimov
President
Republic of Uzbekistan

Your Excellency:

On behalf of the Asian Development Bank and all those who participated at the recently concluded 43rd Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank in Tashkent, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to you, your Government and the people of Uzbekistan for the outstanding manner in which the meeting was held. Under your leadership and with the hard work of your officials, the Meeting was one of the most successful ever held.

The impeccable organization of the official events under the Uzbekistan Organizing Committee; the exceptional hospitality of the Uzbek people; the rich history that your wonderful country offers, and the remarkable achievements with modern infrastructure were constantly commented upon by the many participants.

The success of the Annual Meeting clearly demonstrated that the decision to hold the Annual Meeting in Tashkent was right. It showcased the economic and social achievements of Uzbekistan, especially the effectiveness of the anti-crisis measures, the soundness of the Uzbekistan model of development with gradual reforms and prudence in fiscal management, and the potential for future development.

Your welcome address at the Opening Ceremony, especially your strategic vision of post-crisis development of Uzbekistan and Asia in general, was insightful and visionary. It was appreciated by the many participants who attended. I would also like to thank Your Excellency for setting out in your speech the directions for future cooperation between Uzbekistan and ADB, truly an opportune moment for consideration.

This Annual Meeting also signified the partnership between ADB and Uzbekistan by signing agreements for financing arrangements exceeding $1 billion and nearly doubling the portfolio size. I can assure Your Excellency that Uzbekistan will remain ADB's strategic partner in Central Asia in the time to come. With Uzbekistan's leading role in regional integration and cooperation, ADB will continue and further strengthen our utmost support to Uzbekistan.
 

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About 2.89 million children under the age of 5 will be vaccinated against poliomyelitis in Uzbekistan. The immunization campaign will be held in two rounds – from 17 to 23 May and from 7 to 13 June.

Uzbekistan has not registered any cases of poliomyelitis since 1996. However, the outbreak of this disease in some countries of the region has caused the need to hold immunization in the country.

The national immunization campaign will be coordinated by a staff under the Health Ministry with branches in all regions, cities and districts.

To raise the awareness of the population, various information materials, including posters and handouts, have been distributed.

Doctors have held meetings with parents at residential areas, kindergartens and medical establishments to explain the importance of the immunization.

The World Health Organization and the UNICEF representative offices in Uzbekistan are assisting in holding the national vaccination campaign.
 

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The round table dedicated to the presidency of Uzbekistan in Shanghai Cooperation Organization and forthcoming Tashkent summit of SCO was held in India.

The Indian experts and analytics, the representatives of public and mass media took part in this event; they were informed on the activity of SCO and priority directions of presidency of Uzbekistan. In this connection it was remarked that within the presidency the active steps directed at further consolidation of fruitful and efficient cooperation among the member countries of SCO.

As is known, Uzbekistan focuses on further growth of effectiveness of SCO activity through development of its international contracts and strengthening of regulatory legal base, strict compliance to the purposes, tasks and principles of SCO charter, development and implementation of initiatives concerning the ensuring of safety and stability in the region.

Indian experts noted that the presidency of Uzbekistan and priority spheres of cooperation determined by our republic are aimed at the improvement of activity of the organization.

According to the chairman of the Center of Studies of Russia and Central Asia, International Researches School at the University of G. Nehru Anuradha Chenoy, Uzbekistan tries to pay more attention to the economical cooperation supporting within the frameworks of organization the extension of trade and economic cooperation of member countries as well as the development of transport passages, the level of development of which will influence directly on the activation of cooperation.

The Indian expert Ajay Patnaik drew attention to the currency of the initiatives of Uzbekistan on development of cooperation of SCO with other leading international organizations. In this connection he remarked: “It will permit the organization to play more active role in global political economical processes as well as in resolution of current regional and international issues of different sorts including terrorism, illegal drug turnover, climate changes, overcoming of consequences of natural disasters etc.”

The Professor of the International Researches School under Jawaharlal Nehru University Sanjay Kumar Pandey noted that India is quite interested in active participation in activity of SCO which is one of the largest international organizations both by the number of population of member countries and their territory.
 

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Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan with the residence in London Otabek Akbarov presented credentials to King Harald V of Norway.

During the talks they exchanged opinions on current state and outlooks of development of bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and Norway in political, socioeconomic and cultural spheres.

The King Harald V of Norway noted the great contribution of Uzbek nation representatives in development of world civilization, culture and science, emphasized the important role of Uzbekistan in ensuring of security and stability in Central Asian region.

King Harald V conveyed his sincere wishes of prosperity and success to the President and the people of Uzbekistan.
 

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It all started 125 years ago. The first barrel of oil in the territory of modern-day Uzbekistan was produced using technologies available at that time. In the early 1990s, the country’s oil and gas industry entered a new phase in its history of evolution. The last two decades has proven tantamount to an entire epoch for Uzbekistan’s hydrocarbon production.   The country has turned from an importer of liquid energy into a major exporter of gas, polyethylene and oil refined products.

The interests of domestic consumers have for sure been given priority over those abroad. Yet it took colossal efforts and resources to achieve the current high rates of growth. The expansion of oil and gas sector has been a crucial element in the nation’s economic and social development strategy. And even at a superficial look at the immediate past stage of its modern history, accomplishments are apparent. Today Uzbekistan generates a solid range of petroleum and gas processed products. Moreover, the country boasts now a brand new sector – gas chemistry. In a word, statistical terms speak for themselves. In 2009, Uzbekistan produced more than 85 million tons of standard fuel, whereas in 1991 the figure was 53 million tons.

The sector comprises almost 120,000 professionals. Every next project regularly raises the number of oil and gas workers. And there are a lot be in future. They involve to exploration and development of new deposits, and production of new types of refined petroleum and gas products. A resolution of the President of Uzbekistan “On the program of measures to implement important projects on modernization and technological re-equipment of industries for 2009-2014”, adopted in March 2009, provided a key step at the present stage of development of the industry. Uzbekneftegaz national holding company is working on 52 investment projects worth $21.5 billion. These funds are directed toward capacity building.
 

First of all this involves the expansion and technical perfection of geological exploration works. Thanks to large investment inflow they now provide almost 100% increase in commercial reserves of hydrocarbons. Foreign partners are attracted for new exploration projects.   Thus, as experts note, there is an active exchange of best practices, modernization of business processes, of course, introduction of latest technologies. For example companies of the sector use seismic technology with three-component digital geophone for the spatial study of oil and gas reserves.

Which means that the geological survey involves 2D and 3D prospecting. The complex of measures taken in the past year has allowed to discover and prepare 47 prospect objects for drilling, 30 new wells have been introduced in exploratory drilling, 78 wells have been developed. Thirteen fields have been discovered. As a result, stocks of liquid energy increased to 113.8%.

The priority is given to the modernization of the technological infrastructure of mining and processing industry enterprises. In 2009, an installation of gas dehydration was constructed at Kungrad compressor station. By the end of the year, Uzbekneftegaz is commissioning Block 18 of Mubarek gas processing plant and is installing a propane-butane mixture. These projects promise to increase production of liquefied gas to 258,000 tons and up to 125,000 tons of condensate. Among the promising project there is also the development of Gazli underground gas storage facility. It provides for drilling of new wells and construction of the pipeline Gazli - Kagan. It is expected to ensure optimal operation of gas storage, increase in daily gas production and exports. These objectives are included in projects being worked out for deposits in Southern Kamachi, Urtabulak, which provides for the construction of booster stations.
 

Another fundamentally important issue is the direction the funds and investment of foreign partners to be channeled. This will be a reconstruction and renovation of the country’s gas supply system to ensure reliable provision of domestic consumers with the ‘blue fuel’, and exports.   For these purposes, Gazli booster station has been commissioned, or rather updated. The first stage of Uzbekistan-China pipeline, Ohongaron-Pungan gas mainline (through Kamchik pass) has been completed. Thus, an uninterrupted supply of valuable energy source is insured in the Farg’ona Valley. Perhaps, a strategically important result of the modernization oil and gas industry was the establishment of gas chemistry. Prerequisites for this was, figuratively speaking, the subsoil of Uzbekistan.   The quality of raw materials, in this case high content of valuable components, determined the possibility for the development of new industries.

The first and very successful, experience was the first gas and chemical complex built in Shurtan. The successes of gas chemistry have attracted foreign investors. Construction of Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex have been started in Surgil deposit jointly with a consortium of companies of the Republic of Korea. The project promises to produce 400,000 tons of polyethylene and polypropylene products with the annual output capacity of 100,000 tons for the first time in Central Asia. Perhaps in the nearest future there will be the most branded project for the production of synthetic liquid fuels from natural gas. It is going to be the first such company in the CIS. This ambitious plan is being implemented with the assistance of Uzbekneftegaz’s longtime partner, Malaysias Petronas and South Africa’s Sasol (license holder of GTL technology).

UZBEKISTAN GTL joint venture created as a result of cooperation will annually refine natural gas and produce diesel, jet fuel, liquefied petroleum gas and naphtha, totaling 1.4 million tons.

These are just some examples of ongoing and developed projects in the industry. They give a clear picture of the growing potential of oil and gas industry in the country capable of meeting not only the growing needs of the national market, but also raise exports.

The facts and plans provided above outline another condition for the stable development of the sector. This is international cooperation. It may seem that the country is rich enough in subsoil reserves that it can attract investors without additional efforts. However, this is not the only determinant. Political stability, optimal climate and government guarantees are also key stimuli. This was confirmed at the fourteen international exhibition and conference ‘Oil and Gas of Uzbekistan’. The forum was attended by over 190 companies from 28 countries – manufacturers and importers of hydrocarbons. Companies discussed the possibilities of new partnerships, spoke on current issues in the international energy community. In the lights of the global economic crisis this issue is fairly sharp. In this regard, Uzbekistan’s experience in overcoming the negative impact of the crisis was especially mentioned. Traditionally, there were new cooperation agreements announced, which again highlighted the increased interest of partners in mutually beneficial cooperation.
 

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Tashkent has hosted the traditional media days organized in every May by the National Association of Electronic Mass Media (NAEMM). The round-table has been held within the national program “The Year of Comprehensively Advanced Generation” and “Program for the Development of Private Broadcasting for 2010”. The meeting also reviewed the international journalist competition for the award Oltin Qalam (Golden Pen). Participants of the media days attended the award ceremony of winners who included some NAEMM members.

The media days were organized in partnership with the Public Fund for Support and Development of Nongovernmental Electronic Media working within the NAEMM, and UzNTT television network. As organizers pointed out, the event aims to develop the professionalism of creative staff at nongovernmental TV and radio outlets, to review the work, as well as improve the entire creative process.

According to participants of the media days, the three-day event was filled with heated discussions, business and creative suggestions. Various seminars, trainings and conferences were held in six major directions that separately addressed the progress of TV stations, radio stations, youth television studios, news services, as well as cooperation of NAEMM with international organizations. The media days were traditionally closed with a final conference with the participation of all members and invited experts.

On the first day of media days there was a seminar meeting with directors of 30 regional television stations. One of the major topics of the meeting was a discussion of the coverage of socioeconomic reforms undertaken in the field, creative plans and the progress achieved in the first four months of the year.

“The 2010 development program adopted at the beginning of the year mapped out the directions of work for this period and outlined specific objectives. At the joint meeting of both houses of parliament, head of state put many objectives before the media outlets. Thus, we focused over 140 reports in our channel on these objectives. We also place great emphasis on the coverage of socioeconomic reforms, not only in news reports, but in some programs. Another important topic for us is the national program Year of Comprehensively Advanced Generation whose progress we have covered in more than 150 reports. It is noteworthy that these reports were prepared by young people. We have recently launched a radio station Mulokot, and now are selecting employees,” said Burkhon Shermatov, director of Muloqot TV station (Quqon), laureate of an Oltin Qalam incentive award in the nomination for the best analytical piece on socioeconomic issues.

As commented Bakhtiyor Toshpulatov, chief editor of Margilon TV, this meeting allowed an exchange of views in the framework of the development programs adopted by the NAEMM to adjust the current plans and objectives, identify gaps for their further resolution. In general, seminar meeting was held in a spirit of
constructive dialogue, analysis of every single television and radio outlet.

“In our work, we attach great importance to regional socioeconomic development. Along with this, a priority issues are related to the comprehensive development of the new generation. We are going to tell our viewers about the measures taken under the relevant national program in special programs, as well as media reports,” said B. Toshpulatov.

One of the important meetings in the media days was a seminar of leaders of youth television studios on the national program the Year of Comprehensively Advanced Generation. Leaders and young journalists discussed the work of youth TV studios, preparation of reports, peculiarities of youth coverage.

“During 4 months this year journalists have produced about a hundred programs, over 330 stories on the Year of Comprehensively Advanced Generation,” shared Bakhtiyor Turahanov, chief editor of Kelajak Ovozi youth television station. “The studios are aimed to cover events from the perspective of young people and for the youth. At the meeting leading journalists, watched the stories prepaired by young people and give their recommendations on the form and style of feeding, improving the quality of works.

There were also training seminars held for representatives of the news center of the association, FM-radio editors, creative groups involved in social projects of the NAEMM.
“As part of media days, we were able to learn many new things, especially for those who are involved in preparing social videos, attend a training seminar with the participation of leading experts from the NAEMM. I have new ideas I hope to show during the festival of social TV and radio clips to take place this year,” said Zamira Artikova, a Karshi-TV journalist.

In turn, regional correspondents of information analytical program Hudud discussed the quality of reports, new forms of presentation.

“We have come to a conclusion that the reports should give advanced disclosure of the chosen theme, essence and values of those events by selecting a particular hero of the story. Today faceless reports from dry statistics and weak arguments are not interesting. Our meeting with colleagues from different regions was very interesting, everyone was able to shared experience, opinions on what how reports could be done better on live examples. I think that the training will bring many qualitative changes to TV channels,” noted a journalist from Andijon, Sabohat Rahmonova.

At the final conference, representatives of regional television and radio stations, together with a number of invited experts, government organizations discussed issues of further development of nongovernmental television and radio studios and their support.

As commented Farid Sharipov, Director General at UzNTT television network, today Uzbekistan carries out a program of switching analog TV broadcasting to digital. It is projected that by 2015 Uzbekistan should switch completely to this format of the broadcast.

“The transition from analog television to digital one will solve a problem of shortage of frequencies, for a single frequency is capable of bearing twelve different channels in digital format. Therefore, nongovernmental television and radio studios put great importance to issues reflecting the conditions of their inclusion in the packets of digital broadcasting, licensing services, frequency allocation, that is economic and legal aspects of this process. And this issue was discussed at the conference,” said F. Sharipov.

Participants of the media forum also took part in the traditional festival Journalists’ Spring.

It should be noted that these efforts are aimed at increasing the participation of electronic media in building a strong civil society and further development of the national media market.
 

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The 3rd conference of the youth branch Istiqbol of the People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan took place in Tashkent.

As Ulug’bek Vafoev, chairman of the PDPU faction, noted, this meeting was of big importance both in terms of raising the efficiency of Istiqbol’s activity and lawmaking processes of PDPU deputies. The conference aimed at specifying some promising areas of cooperation and elaboration of certain plan within the implementation of the State Program The Year of Harmoniously Developed Generation. The dialogue of deputies with young activists enabled them to reveal many topical issues requiring to be solved in local conditions, the participants recognized.

“Istiqbol should pay more attention to employment of young people, graduating from colleges, lyceums and universities, of the country. The local work with youths on vocational guidance issues taking into account the situation in every certain region and facilities available, can contribute much to the solution of this problem,” thinks Maksud Rakhimov, leader of the Hankin district affiliate of the Istiqbol youth branch.

According to Dilshod Mirzokulov, another member of the party, deputy of the Bekobod municipal people’s representatives’ council, leader of the affiliate of the Istiqbol youth branch, the young members of the party should assign a bigger part to communication with the electorate and make certain proposals to deputy groups of People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan.

The conference participants expressed various views on the joint collaboration and coordination of efforts between Oliy Majlis deputies and PDPU’s youth branch to promote the enhancement of the effectiveness of the whole party’s activity. Activists of Istiqbol could acquaint with the working process at the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan.
 

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The presentation of the Republic of Uzbekistan held in cultural center As-Savi became the informational reason of publishing the article “The country of Islamic scientists” in The Egyptian Gazette.

The article underscores that “the government of Uzbekistan pays great attention to renovation of culture and traditions, renewal and reconstruction of historical monuments and sacred places, ensuring peace and harmony among the representatives of more than 130 nations living in the republic.

The recognition of Tashkent as “The capital of Islamic Culture” in 2007 was the acknowledgment of the contribution of the Uzbek nation to development of Islamic culture and education.

The edition reports: “Uzbekistan is the homeland of great thinkers who made substantial contributions in Islamic culture. The contribution of Uzbek scientists in world science is inestimable they played an important role in the development of such sciences as astronomy, medicine, chemistry, physics and mathematics.”

Then the authors of the article recall that “there are more than 4,000 monuments of history and architecture. At the same time, modern Uzbekistan is the country oriented at the creation of stable social-oriented market economy, ensuring of dynamical development on the basis of its own intellectual natural resources. The liberalization of economics and introduction of advanced technologies bring their fruit, that’s why today’s Uzbekistan is the leading industrial country of Central Asia.”

Concerning the Uzbek-Egyptian cooperation the gazette reports: “The economic interaction between Uzbekistan and Egypt is developing in different spheres nowadays. Uzbek export in Egypt includes the non-ferrous metals and the production of it, cotton fiber, silk etc. The import consists of pharmaceutical production, perfumery and food staff. It worth remarking that Uzbekistan possessing rich deposits of mineral resources ranks nowadays among the leader-countries of gas, precious metals resources and cotton cultivation.”
 

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Uzbekenergo reported on the construction of first wind power plant in Uzbekistan with the capacity of 750 kW scheduled for the current year.

A forty-meter high anemometer is to be constructed in the vicinity of Chorvoq water reservoir with the assistance of South Korea’s Doojin Co. Ltd, and appropriate devices and equipment are installed while wind parameters are being measured.

The average annual speed of the wind is 4.3 m/sec here, while in winter period this rate reaches 6.6-7.1 m/sec which ensures stable functioning of wind power turbines.

The wind turbines are expected to annually generate 2.3 million kWh of additional power and which enables to save 700,000 cubic meters of natural gas a year.
In future it is planned to construct fleet of wind power turbines.
 

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Uzbekenergo reported on the construction of first wind power plant in Uzbekistan with the capacity of 750 kW scheduled for the current year.

A forty-meter high anemometer is to be constructed in the vicinity of Chorvoq water reservoir with the assistance of South Korea’s Doojin Co. Ltd, and appropriate devices and equipment are installed while wind parameters are being measured.

The average annual speed of the wind is 4.3 m/sec here, while in winter period this rate reaches 6.6-7.1 m/sec which ensures stable functioning of wind power turbines.

The wind turbines are expected to annually generate 2.3 million kWh of additional power and which enables to save 700,000 cubic meters of natural gas a year.
In future it is planned to construct fleet of wind power turbines.
 

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The Ministry of Public Education together with concerned ministries and agencies is developing a program Summer-2010 targeted at the arrangement of eventful leisure for schoolchildren during summer holidays. Along with that, the festival Strength Is in Knowledge is held throughout the republic in order to demonstrate schoolchildren the advantages of out-of-school education institutions. One of such events was held for Tashkent children in the Alisher Navoi National Park.

Representatives of all creativity centers, technical centers, art and music schools, sports complexes, children’s sports schools of the capital –over 100 organizations in total took part in the event. They informed children about circles and sections that would work in those organizations and school children’s health improvement grounds during summer holidays. The circles are expected to admit 143 thousand Tashkent schoolchildren.

“The festival was counted first of all on children who plan to spend their summer holidays in the city,” noted Nargiza Rakhmonqulova, head of the Tashkent municipal public education administration. “In cooperation with the municipal administration and the Youth Civic Movement Kamolot we will continue this campaign in schools to attract children to summer circles.”
 

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Furthermore, architects and restorers are going to start works on other eleven objects that are of historical and cultural value. All those ongoing actions are the start of implementation of the state program on research, conservation, restoration and adaptation of the objects of cultural heritage of Bukhoro for the modern use, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan in March, 2010. The program is considered the instrument for implementation of the forms of the law “On Protection and Use of Objects of Cultural Heritage” with respect to historical monuments of Bukhoro.

Moreover, this complex of actions is to favor further conduction of scientific-cultural research works, popularization and propagation of historical-architectural, social-cultural and tourist potential of the ancient town.

In total, 152 architectural monuments will be reconstructed by 2020. It is of a great importance not only for preservation of these unique historical buildings, but for preservation of those things kept there that are highly-valued because they tell us about special features of the way of life of the Bukhoro residents. Hence, most of those buildings are now in use. For instance, the citadel Ark runs the local history museum, the biggest museum in Bukhoro region, while the Museum of Woodcutting locates in the Abdulazizkhon Madrasah. Totally, 13 historical architectural constructions are used now as various museums.

It is noteworthy, that the program will allow to return for use some premises of several dozens of monuments of architecture, that are not in use yet, because they need strengthening of designs, major repairs and the adaptation to the modern needs.

The most complicated part in the works on preservation of historical monuments of Bukhoro is considered the restoration of the lost elements of constructions. The rich working experience of the specialists makes us to be convinced that they are to cope with their task. In particular, last year, such city gates of ancient Bukhoro as Samarqand and Shaykh Jalol have been restored from the very basements. Scales of the work impress hugely. Before the erection of these constructions, the exact location of the then gates was ascertained according to the remains of fundaments of the originals.

Then by photos and other sources drawings of the gates have been restored and the building materials prepared which were made in accordance with ancient technologies. And after that the gates have been recreated with high accuracy in relation to those original ones that not reached our days. Today they admire both citizens and visitors of the tourist pearl of Uzbekistan.

“Besides restoration, conservation and beautification of the architectural monuments, the program has another task, yet not registered,” noted the dean of the architectural-building faculty of the Bukhoro Technological Institute of Food and Light Industry Shamsitdin Mirzayev. “Students of our faculty will undergo practical trainings in the objects that are under restoration. This is a very good opportunity for them to grasp all points and special features of the Bukhoro architecture. Even the most experienced tutor is not able to discover all subtleties of these monuments.”

That is, we can train highly-qualified specialists who from this time onwards will preserve the monuments of architecture in a proper state. By the way, we have students who have already participated in restoration works. For instance, hereditary architect Zaurbek Bobomurodov actively took part in restoration of the Bukhoro city gate “Samarqand”.

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President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman Yusuf Bin Alawai bin Abdullah at Oqsaroy residence in Tashkent on 14 May. Welcoming the guest, the head of the state said that the relations between Uzbekistan and Oman were developing not only in the diplomatic sphere, but also in the economic field. “The historical, spiritual and cultural closeness of our peoples is an important factor in the development of bilateral relations,” President of Uzbekistan said.   The relations between Uzbekistan and Oman have been developing in a friendly and dynamic way. In October 2009, President Karimov paid a state visit to Oman.

During that visit, important agreements on the bases of trade, economic and investment cooperation and on air communication were signed, along with over 10 documents on joint activity in oil and gas, chemical and construction sectors, education, tourism, culture and humanitarian area.

The two countries have signed intergovernmental agreements on joint stimulation and protection of investments, avoiding double taxation of incomes and preventing avoidance of capital tax payment.
Uzbekistan and Oman have also reached an agreement on creating a joint Uzbek-Oman investment fund.

Oman considers Uzbekistan as one of the key states in Central Asian region. Cooperation with Uzbekistan opens wide opportunities for Oman in terms of participation in the regional economic relations.

At the meeting in Oqsaroy, Yusuf Bin Alawai bin Abdullah expressed gratitude to President Islam Karimov for warm reception and confirmed the interest of the Sultanate of Oman in further development of bilateral cooperation with Uzbekistan in various spheres.

During the talks, the sides exchanged opinion on the perspectives of expansion of Uzbekistan-Oman relations and other topics of mutual interest.

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On the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov May 9 in Uzbekistan is announced as the Remembrance and Honors Day and marked as a nationwide holiday. The man is alive with memory. It is our duty to remember those gone, their glorious deeds, courage and bravery of heroes, and to render them homage. Honoring the memory of thousands of the Uzbek compatriots who fell on the battlefields of the World War II, showing respect and care towards the veterans, who returned from war, the selfless people, who bore on their shoulders all hardships of those tough days, who possess a firm will and convictions became a true national value in Uzbekistan.

The Decree of the nation’s President “On awarding participants and disabled of the war of 1941-1945 on the occasion of celebrating the 65th anniversary of Victory in the World War II” of March 24, 2010 serves as yet another vivid manifestation of honoring and showing respect to veterans of war.

In accordance with this Document, in all cities and districts, villages and makhallas (neighborhood community areas) the participants and disabled of war have solemnly been awarded the jubilee medals and money prizes.

May 9, 2010. Tashkent – the capital city of Uzbekistan. The Remembrance Square (Khotira Maydoni) is crowded with visitors in a special way. Here are the veterans of war and labor, members of government, lawmakers and senators, servicemen and representatives of public.

The calm melody is heard on the Square.

8.30 am. President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov enters the Square.

The Head of State, accompanied by sounds of the military orchestra, laid a wreath to the Grieving Mother Monument.

President rendered homage to the memory of thousands of the Uzbek compatriots, who died in the World War II.

“Above all, I sincerely and from the bottom of my heart congratulate all participants of war, who stay today with us in sound health, the honored fathers and mothers, all our compatriots on this sacred holiday – the Remembrance and Honors Day,” said President Islam Karimov.

“It has now been for 12 years since we announced May 9 – the Victory Day to be the Remembrance and Honors Day,” President continued. “Now, we can speak with confidence: this date, which has received a quite symbolical name in our country, became a nationwide holiday and a kind tradition. The notions of remembrance and honoring meet our centuries-old national values, which we inherited from our ancestors,” President went on to say.

Remembering those gone and rendering them homage is our sacred tradition that lives in our blood.

“We bow our heads before the memory of people, who did not return from the battlefields, who have been famous for their courage and bravery and died in severe battles, - all those, who participated in that terrible war. Time and again we remember how that ruthless war damaged lives of millions and left numerous women as widows and countless children as orphans,” said Islam Karimov.

“When I speak about this,” President continued, “I would like to touch upon yet another important task – the attitude towards participants of war, esteemed veterans, which now renders a special meaning to our life.”

“One should not forget that nothing is eternal on this land. It is both the duty and honor of each of us, and above all, the government and bodies of power at the local levels, to care about veterans as they are still with us and create decent living conditions for them,” President added.

“Speaking about the contribution made by our people alongside with other peoples of the former USSR in the World War II, I deem it necessary to cite some figures. If on the eve of war about 6.5 million people lived in our country, then 1.5 million of them took an immediate part in the battles. That is to say, without taking into account babies and kids, elderly and women, more than 40 percent of our population participated in the war with arms in their hands. The war took lives of about 500 thousand our compatriots, i.e. 30 percent of all participants of war,” President Islam Karimov said.

“We all well understand that how many lives and losses the war cost to our people for the sake of liberating Homeland from fascism and fascist enslavement.”

“At the same time, I have to reiterate one notion,” President went to say, “I am convinced that our fathers gave their lives in tough battles not for liberating some nameless hill and hoisting a red banner on it, but, above all, for their kin – their father and mother, children, a beloved one, for their future and peaceful life.”

“Indeed, when person thinks about that as if he hears the voices of brave fighters, who shed blood and fell in ruthless battles addressed to us, who live now under a peaceful sky. It is necessary to take for granted their thoughts and aspirations addressed to us from a far past in which their wishes are heard: “Let our children be well, let our country and our people be eternal, who have never been and shall never be inferior to no one and in nothing,” the Uzbek Leader also said.

“When a man ponders about it, then he realizes that embodiment of these noble strives, realization of a creative potential of our country, people, contributing to a further prosperity of our beautiful and unique Homeland is a sacred duty of each and everyone alive now,” Islam Karimov underscored.

“Such a state and such a people are recognized and respected in the world, who possess the feeling of pride and dignity, believe in their capabilities and power, are able with their labor and intellectual potential to build future and protect themselves,” President further said.

“What conclusion can be drawn from this?” President asked a question.

“Above all, today’s complex and restless time, which we are living in, requires that the issues of consolidating power and potential, strengthening capabilities of our Armed Forces capable to withstand independence of Homeland, inviolability of our borders and peaceful life of our people must constantly remain in the focus of our attention,” President noted.

According to the Uzbek Leader, “in this respect it is important to preserve peace and tranquility, friendship and unity, mutual respect, inter-national accord which now reign in Uzbekistan and are the most valuable wealth, as well as consolidate kind relations and cooperation with near and far countries.”

“Yet another outstanding task is to secure by Uzbekistan a deserved place among developed states, build a free and democratic society, as well as channel to achieve these goals all available capacities and resources,” President believed.

“We must never forget that for the sake of achieving this goal, in particular, one of the priority tasks is to bring up the youth – our buttress and hope that symbolizes the future of our Homeland, having our children to master contemporary knowledge and become a decisive force of society’s development,” President Islam Karimov underscored.

“The holiday which we are marking today is a historical date which left an indelible trace in the life of each family in Uzbekistan and which has an immediate relation to each of us,” the Uzbek Leader added.

“And this day I consider it is my sacred duty to be together with our people, distinguished veterans, and time and again to congratulate them and entire people on this historical date,” President underscored.

“I wish all our fellow countrymen peace, a sound health, happiness and luck,” President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov concluded.

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The national team of Uzbekistan brought two medals and four diplomas from the 44th International Mendeleev Competition in Chemistry in Baku.

Navruz Jabborov, student of the academic lyceum №2 at Urganch State University and Doniyor Nasriddinov from academic lyceum №2 at Samarqand State University distinguished themselves in this year’s competition.

Meanwhile, the rest of Uzbek participants at the Mendeleev Olympiad just lacked some one hundredths of points to rise to pedestal. Bobur Mirzakarimov from Namangan, Nizomiddin Khusniddinov from Navoi and students of Tashkent academic lyceums Dilafruz Ganieva, Dilorom Juraeva, Sharif Nizomov and Kamila Raimova have been awarded honorable diplomas.

Specialists from the Center of Secondary Special and Professional Education say they anticipate many more medals for the next year. Tutors have currently intensified training talented students for the participation in the republican competition in chemistry for students of schools, academic lyceums and professional colleges. Its winners are enlisted in the national team to attend international competitions.

“The training is going to be arranged in line with the renewed scheme showing higher outcome,” shares Murat Shorakhimov, key specialist of the department for academic lyceums at the Center of Secondary Special and Professional Education. “Previously we used to build the national team by organizing a contest among first-prize winners of regional rounds of the competition.

Today, in contrast, we take top three triumphant students from every region to vie for a membership in the national squad. Thus we now have about 50 hopefuls instead of the previous 14 students. With this tighter competition, they are required to solve more advanced tasks. Only the strongest candidates are entitled to participate in the international contest.

As in previous years, we entrust only the most skilled tutors of the chemistry department at the National University of Uzbekistan (NUU) to train the participants. We have also started attracting the former competition winners to the training process. Thus, for instance, the winner of the 39th International Mendeleev competition Ravshan Rustamov, who is currently an undergraduate at NUU, has been assisting in training the national team members this year”.

In a word, new accomplishments by young Uzbek chemists are ahead.

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First wind energy plant will be built this year in the mountains in Tashkent region as part of the wide-scale program of alternative energy sources development.

A 750 kW plant has been installed near Charvak water reservoir, and specialists are currently measuring the wind parameters.

The 40-m high anemometer tower was built by Uzbekenergo company jointly with South Korean Doojin Co. Ltc.

According to Uzbekenergo, country’s main energy operator, the launch of the power plant will bring 2.3 million kWh additional energy every year, allowing to save 70,000 cu m of gas.

The yearly average wind speed in the region is 4.3 meters per second, and 6.6-7.1 meters per second in the winter period.

Wind energy plants require 4+ meters per second wind speed for efficient operation.

Such wind speeds are also observed in Karaalpakstan, Navoi, Bukhara and Kashkadarya regions, making this regions attractive for building new wind energy plants in the future.

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“Prospects of the Oil and Gas Sector in Central Asia in the Context of the Current Global Financial and Economic Processes” was the topic of the round table in Tashkent. It was organized by the Political Research Center, Uzbekneftegaz and British Company International Trade and Exhibition Group.

Major foreign experts and analysts from the US, Russia, China, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain, South Korea, Malaysia, Iran, Kuwait and other countries gathered in Tashkent for the event. Specialists of economic and financial analysis and prognostication and representatives of such oil and gas structures as PETRONAS, Lukoil Overseas Uzbekistan, Gasprom Zarubejneftegaz, Tethys, DG RELEX working in the Central Asia market participated as well.

The forum discussion was aimed at opinion exchange in the current transformation processes in the global currency and finance system, its impact on the development of the world energy and assessment of prospects of Central Asia in the system of continental energy security.

In this connection, in their opening speech the organizers noted: “Such theme correlation is explained by the fact that the Central Asian region has been actively and purposefully integrated into the global economic relations over the last two decades. Consequently, it has become their integral component in many sectors, including the energy sector. That integration resulted in synchronized functioning of the Central Asian and global energy markets responsive to various fluctuations in pricing and demanding.”

In the course of the expert discussion, participants focused on such issues as the possibility of the second wave of the global economic crisis, the future of the global currency and finance system, prospects of expanding the resource base of Central Asian exporters, their transport facilities, especially in terms of the competition for the key consumer markets, investment streams and routs of raw materials supply.

Experts presented different assessment as regards of the shale gas, which has been recently considered by American and European energy companies as the resource of the decade. They say it can influence the price of the natural gas, reducing it down to the historical minimum. According to their forecasts, the volume of the shale gas extraction in the USA will double by 2015 and make up over 180 billion cubic meters a year.

The view of the round table participants on this issue was not that optimistic. Thus, for example, Ambassador for Energy Security of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Vaclav Bartushka said that the shale gas extraction is not that easy process: it requires drilling many wells, each of which will provide only a very small volume of the gas. The extraction and development of the shale gas in Europe will move on in a very slow rate and will be economically considerable.

According to the French expert, the Northern America copes well with the shale gas extraction. However, in order to start its development in Europe it requires studying properly the ecological aspect of this process. Generally, Europe estimates the prospects of the European shale gas quite conservatively.

As regards of the gas price fluctuation, the president of the Uzbek-Italian trade chamber Luigi Iperti noted: “Prices for oil and gas will not change synchronously in prospect. For instance, the price for oil will grow with the lapse of time, but the price for gas will be more stable and will hold in the close future.”

In this context the participants offered to scrutinize the opportunities of exporting the Central Asian gas to Europe. Thus, the president Tethys Petroleum David Robson suggested diversifying the export routes of the Uzbek gas. According to him, there are favorable conditions and good base in Uzbekistan to diversify gas supplies.

Mahmud Hagani, the planning and control director of the North Drilling Company said in his speech: “I congratulate the government of Uzbekistan on the boost in introduction of new technologies. I think we, experts, need to consider the establishment of the international clearing union with participation of Central Asian countries.”

Generally, almost all participants of the round table expressed their professional view on the prospects of the impact of possible scenarios of the global and Central Asian energy market development. Their opinions were valuable both practically and theoretically. They raised the level of credibility of expert assessments and forecasts, which, in their turn, would tell upon more precise specification of the common development tendencies.

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During the Second Plenary Meeting, the Senate of Oliy Majlis appointed Ambassadors of Uzbekistan to the Russian Federation, the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany.

According to the Senate’s Resolutions, Ziyaduylla Pulathojaev has become Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Russia. Previously, he headed an Uzbek diplomatic mission in Kyrgyzstan.

The former Ambassador to Moscow Ilhomjon Nematov was appointed as Ambassador to the United States of America.

Dilshod Akhatov has been appointed head of Uzbek diplomatic mission in Germany. He is the ex-chief of the Department for Cooperation with European Countries of and NATO at Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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The fourteenth international fair Oil and Gas of Uzbekistan – OGU 2010 launched in Uzexpocenter on May 11.

The fair is organized by National Holding Company Uzbekneftgaz, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and Tashkent city administration with the assistance of international exhibition companies ITE Uzbekistan and ITE Exhibition & Conferences LTD (Great Britain).

At the opening of the exhibition it was noted that the carried out large-scale reforms in oil-and-gas sector of Uzbekistan give their considerable results.

A particular attention is paid to the creation of favorable investment climate for the liberalization and further development of economy in Uzbekistan. The efforts on the construction of new facilities for oil-and-gas industry, reconstruction and modernization of existing ones are carried on at a growing rate. In 2009 as a result of exploration works 47 promising deposits were discovered and prepared for boring.

The participation of numerous representatives of major foreign companies in Oil and Gas of Uzbekistan exhibition is a good example, Oil-and-gas potential of the country increases steadily.

About 200 leading companies from 30 countries such as the United States, Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Cyprus, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, UAE, Iran and others took part in current exhibition.

Such large companies as Uzbekneftgaz, Uznek (Uzbekistan), Lukoil, Gazprom, Integra (Russia), CNPC (China), MAN (Germany), Sercel (France), Sasol (South Africa), Petronas (Malaysia), Dressta (Poland) and Pietro Fiorentini (Italy), etc were presented at the exhibition.

“Our company is specialized on production of technologies for oil-and-gas industry, particularly in issue of special fire bridges,” said sales manager of Dr. Sthamer Hamburg Ilian Lukanov. “The oil-and-gas industry of Uzbekistan will have a great future. Many countries of the world take an interest in cooperation with Uzbekistan. The current exhibition gives an opportunity to enlarge the mutually beneficial cooperation with Uzbek partners.”

The OGU 2010 exhibition provides the acquaintance of the specialists with the latest achievements and promising projects of domestic and foreign companies of oil-and-gas extraction, delivery and processing of hydrocarbon. The special place at the exhibition is occupied by modern technologies which give opportunities to increase the effectiveness of extraction and processing of oil and gas. The leading companies demonstrate the technologies of oil and gas delivery, exploration and reclamation of deposits as well as the latest elaborations of geodynamic and hydrocarbonic potential of Central Asian region.

“The current exhibition gives chance to extend and strengthen the cooperation with local and foreign business circles,” remarked manager of Uzbek-Russian joint venture Uzbek Zakir Askarov. “Our company is engaged in delivering of technologies for oil-and-gas industry. We regularly take part in the exhibition. It is the evidence of stable development of economy of our country, creation of big opportunities for vigorous activity of industrialists and entrepreneurs. At the exhibition every participant can get the full information about the sector, hold negotiations on cooperation and conclusion of agreements; all this ensures the successful realization of the exhibition.”

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Like the rhythm of time passing by years and centuries, the potter’s wheel twirls around as if reflecting various types of fascinating national traditions, songs, and dances.   Even today they keep on sounding with new power and colors bearing the entire depth and beauty of the soul of people echoed from the ancient times. Two years ago, when we first heard of the festival of national artistic creativity Asrlar Sadosi (Echo of Ages), we had little idea of the scale of this project initiated by the Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan Foundation.

Yet the festival has withered all our expectations. Turning into a traditional occasion, this major holiday of national art is held every year as open-air festivities in various regions of Uzbekistan, in historical and cultural centers with unique cultural heritage and centuries-old customs passed carefully from generation to generation.

The first Asrlar Sadosi festival was organized in Kitob district of Qashqadaryo region. Early in the morning that day, Kitob locals woke up to discover that their boundless picturesque native land designed all around in glittering decorations. This land from the far past was famous for its beauty, unique culture and fine legends. The festival organized in Qashaqadaryo region took its worthy place in the list of those legends that echoed in the future, to tell the next generations about the events occurred in the 21st century.

People were in expectation of miracle and they got it, the festivities spread far and wide. The picturesque places of the region and tops of green hills won admiration of visitors. Throughout the whole festival the hills were full of bright marquees, while slopes were decorated with emblems of Asrlar Sadosi.

The program of the festival was rather eventful. It gathered a record number of participants and guests. Long before the beginning of the festival, hundreds of folk singers, over 60 masters of applied art, dozens of chefs willed to participate in the project. In total, more than 500 people became active participants of the Asrlar Sadosi festival.

Last year, it was Tashkent region to host Asrlar Sadosi festival, occasioned to the 2,200th anniversary of the capital. It also brought customs and cultures from all regions of Uzbekistan. Open-air festivities spread across Bo’stonliq district, on the pastoral sceneries of which among green hills and warm May days a picturesque park was pitched to display pieces of fine and applied art by masters from all around Uzbekistan.
 

Like at the previous festival, its agenda was quite eventful and, besides, was supplemented with scientific projects organized within cultural and educational programs. Moreover, the festival agenda included master classes by widely-known academicians of the country. As for the scale and extraordinary features of the project, the Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan has started the range of measures following the outcomes of each festival.   Thus, in accordance with the results of the first festival held in 2008, a scientific expedition to Qashqadaryo region was organized. The expedition included renowned academicians, art historians, as well as art workers of Uzbekistan.   The expedition studied national traditions, unique types of art and folklore, local way of life, ceremonies and customs preserved in remote areas of the region.   This year, the territory of historical monument Ichan Qala, the historical center of one of the most ancient towns in Uzbekistan, Khiva, has become the venue for the third Asrlar Sadosi festival.

This place is considered the center for many traditional forms of the Uzbek art and crafts where ancient traditions of the Uzbeks are passed down from generation to generation. There is no other town where a whole part of the town has been preserved to our days, like Ichan Qala in Khiva which, being a historical and architectural monument, gives a clear idea about the medieval town of Central Asia. The ancient and beautiful Ichan Qala, a silent witness to ages-old events awakened on these days having filled with life, creativity and joyful laughter.
 

Each day began with a festive procession. With the sounds of karnay and sunray, festival participants walked through the main street of Ichan Qala, conveying their mood to numerous spectators through their songs and dances.   It is hard to imagine how many people walked on the ancient stone streets during the festival, where like a bright rainbow under the generous sun embroidered suzane, national fabrics – shokhi bekasam, adras, bakhmal, atlas, khon-atlas, shawls and skullcaps – jewelry and many other things carrying unique patterns and shades through centuries blurred with colors.   There was a large fair spread throughout the entire festival, where, just like centuries ago, there was a brisk trade.   Here, craftsmen sincerely and heartily pleased visitors with their exquisite wood carving works, subtlety and richness of patterns of minting copper and brass, elegant pottery, luxurious of gold-embroidery and many more. And the dolls dressed in brightly colored traditional costumes delighted adults and children.

The festival became a great celebration of arts which included festivities, performances of folklore bands, national games and many other things. Also, there was an auction of antiques organized by the Association of Antiquarians of Uzbekistan MEROS.

The performances of bahshi were quite spectacular. Getting preserved the national traditions, they even today are considered the living art, which now is skillfully grasped by the youth. Songs performed by laureate of the Kelajak Ovozi contest, young bahshi from Karakalpakstan Azim Dauletmuradov caught the people’s fancy as well, who danced to the songs with great enthusiasm. Heart of the nation, its wise words sounded that reflected all the riches and diversity of live creative art.

There was a fascinating development everywhere on the improvised scenes and just on the streets and squares of the ancient city – a competition of folk groups that always distinguish with immediacy of perceiving the world and the natural expression of feelings. This symphony of colors of national costumes, born under the bright sun of the sacred land of Uzbekistan, stirring songs and dances displayed all the grandeur to the admirers of folk music.
 

Usually, popular games are most spectacular. They tend to collect a large number of fans. The most crowded event is usually the competition of oshpazs, where even the most seasoned connoisseurs can get confused in the aroma of dishes. The best chefs from different parts of the country participate in it.   The national empire of taste presents a lot of different dishes here. And tandyr-kabob (meat baked with archa in tandyr - a clay oven) and pilaf are the main dishes, of course.

Regular participants of the festival Asrlar Sadosi are the youngsters – laureates of the contests Yangi Avlod and Kelajak Ovozi, no less successful projects of the Fund Forum. Here the young talents could not only to see and admire the events occurring, but also to demonstrate their skills, to be the part of the unique centuries-old culture. Getting held their own among the well-known hereditary ustoz (masters), they demonstrate their best products looking at which none will stay indifferent. So many names of genuine talents managed the organizers of the contests to discover, and then support them on their way of gaining higher and higher heights. And this task is the part of the mission of the Fund Forum – not only to discover a talent but support it in the future. And the Fund defines this problem a special part of mission - not simply to light an asterisk, but also to cherish light of its creativity, to support and direct in the future. Original master classes on festival opening days inspired the young artists who with bated breath were learning more about secrets of the present creativity from eminent masters.

The project has also held several scientific and educational activities. These are lectures and master classes conducted by scientists and archaeologists.

One of the central events of the festival was a scientific conference on “Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan: the Art of Calligraphy and Architecture Epigraphy”, that brought together leading domestic and foreign scientists. Today, a lot of work to study the culture of the region since the ancient period is conducted in Uzbekistan. The topics of medieval culture on which the Fund Forum focuses in preparation of basic research projects with participation of leading scientists of the country are of particular relevance. Phased work of the Fund in this area includes publishing the results of scientific research data in the form of impressive publications, catalogs, books, albums worldwide and their further presentation at the international level. Last year, the British edition of a book by academician of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan E. Rtveladze “Civilizations, nations, cultures of Central Asia” was presented at the festival which was quite successful at home and abroad.

This time, the Fund Forum presented another fundamental work “Samples of eastern calligraphy and miniature art of 7-21st centuries”. It is the first experience of ordering and systematization of rare specimens of calligraphy and miniatures of the East. The presentation of this edition was held at the scientific conference organized within the festival and turned out to be quite interesting for the scientists. Currently, with the support of the Fund Forum the scientists are preparing other interesting works that include a project to create an archaeological map of Uzbekistan and the catalog of architectural monuments of Uzbekistan. An attempt to systematize and cataloging of historical heritage in this area is conducted the first time and now attracts attention of many specialists in this field.

Besides, researchers of Bukhoro, Samarqand, Termiz and Qarshi conduct a joint project on study and decryption of epigraphic inscriptions on the monuments of medieval architecture in Uzbekistan. on the initiative of the Fund Forum, during 9 months scientists of the country studied and decrypted inscriptions on world famous architectural monuments Shokhi Zinda, Gur-Emir, Amir Temur Mosque, Bibikhanum Mausoleum, Registan and others, a total of over 2000 ethnographic episodes.

Prominent scientists directly involved in these studies reported the results of their work during the conference. Thus, the academic secretary of the Ichan Qala museum of Khiva, candidate of historical sciences, Kamiljan Khudaiberganov made an interesting remark in its report ‘The Role of Epigraphic Inscriptions in the Study of the History of Khiva Khanate’.

As it turned out, Khivan epigraphic inscriptions represent a range of historical sources which telling much about the history of our country. More than a hundred architectural monuments of the city contain about 200 epigraphic inscriptions in Arabic, Persian and Old Uzbek languages. They are carved on marble, metal, majolica as a decoration. They contain the names of architects, artists and calligraphers, engravers, dates of life and death of great people, names of buildings, economic situation of that era and much more.

Poetic stone chronicles bear information about the development of literature, names of unknown poets, historical dates and abjad calendar, while Sharab puzzles provide an opportunity to learn about the development of mathematics.

Analysis shows that Khivan epigraphic inscriptions differ from others because they are mainly contain verses of poets, dates of some historical events in verse. A lot Rubai (quatrains) are written on the architectural monuments. We have analyzed epigraphic inscriptions on mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud, a famous fighter, craftsman, great philosopher. His 350 Rubai written under a penname Puroyvali were translated from Persian into the Uzbek language. Twenty one Rubai are written on the tiles at the base of the dome in the interior honako.

The study of epigraphic inscriptions reveals still unknown pages of history of Khorazm, helps find answers to queries of numerous travelers and visitors. But most importantly, it allows us to fill the lost parts of inscriptions for future generations.

Thus, every year the scientific component of Asrlar Sadosi festival opens new themes in the study of culture and history, brings together scientists and researchers, as well as presents the result of laborious work to the public.

This year the festival coincided with the Day of Memory and Honor in Uzbekistan, as the Fund Forum organized a special charitable event in Khiva. On this occasion, veterans and their families were invited to the holiday pilaf.

A traditional festival of national dress became a true ornament of Asrlar Sadosi. Young designers from all regions of the country presented their collections of costumes demonstrated by students of local universities. The show consisted of several parts: first went ancient national costumes from all regions, then modern ones. Those were spectacular apparels combining traditional motifs with modern style. Children who left nobody indifferent with enthusiasm and spontaneity of presenting children’s collections, won a particular delight and applause.

Asrlar Sadosi festival ended with a big gala concert that featured amateur folk groups, winners of Yangi Avlod and Kelajak Ovozi contests along with popular singers. The mood and enthusiasm filled the entire space and hearts of numerous participants of this festive event, where performers and the audience united in one rhythm of songs and dances, while the bright colors of folk costumes soaked in the generous sun of Uzbekistan riveted the eyes to one scene that embraced the diversity and colors from all regions of the country under the arches of Ichan Qala.

The open-air festival drew a wide response among the wider public of Uzbekistan and foreign experts. That is the reason of the regular increase of number of guests. Yet, the last year festival was visited by more than 15 thousand people including over a hundred foreign guests from France, US, Turkey, South Korea, Italy, Japan, Switzerland, Austria, Russia, - many of whom were well-known art and culture figures, academics and researchers, representatives of authoritative international media, diplomatic corps and international organizations.

Today the national art, its role in modern culture becomes rather urgent. And Asrlar Sadosi festival once again proves that showed up the Uzbek people’s talent, power and the major aspect – the unity in love for homeland, national traditions and culture.

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Sparkling glares in the eyes, happy smiles, children's sincerity and elevated mood ruled the holiday – Republican Festival of Children's Fashion Bolajonlar-Shirintoylar 2010 (Kids, Sweet Kids). The annual event is organized under the aegis of the Fund Forum and the Association of Modelers of Uzbekistan Osiyo Ramzi (Symbol of Asia). To present the children such a “trendy” holiday has turned into a tradition, and this year’s festival is already the fifth. Throughout the years of this unique project’s existence, the festival has got rather wide popularity among both spectators and designers.

Inspired with “colors of life”, the fashion designers create their inimitable collections that are presented to the people’s judging.

This year festival was distinct in a great number of design works. 48 talented fashion designers have delighted spectators’ view with more than 40 exclusive collections that got reached the final stage. It is noteworthy that along with celebrated Uzbek fashion designers the young and promising designers - students of the Tashkent Institute of Textile and Light Industry, professional colleges, academic lyceums and schools presented their collections.

The festival is the fine opportunity for young designers to grasp practical skills. Working over the certain fashion line, it is necessary for them to take into account the whole range of moments the success of a collection depends on,” comments Holida Komilova, the chairperson of the Association of Modelers of Uzbekistan Osiyo Ramzi. “For instance, working out the gowns of national style, it is necessary to study profoundly the features of a traditional suit. It concerns all models, including sports line and clothes for future mothers.”

The collections made in national and sports style, clothes for future mothers, gowns in avant-garde style were the basic thematic units have reached the competitive fashion show of looks.

“One could barely imagine from what the creative person can be inspired. Some fashion designers got their inspiration from such children's sports as artistic gymnastics, kurash (Uzbek national wrestling) and wushu.

“I choose sports theme as the basis of my collection because this year is declared as the Year of Comprehensively Advanced Generation. And sports take one of the leading positions in this process. My collection is developed for female gymnasts, and all looks are presented by young talented girls from the children's sports complex Forum Junior Sport,” tells fashion designer Gulshoda Rashidova. “Gymnastic outwear is the wide scope for imagination, here we can use rather wide range of colors, as well as fabrics. For this reason I called my collection Fireworks. It is outburst of colors, fireworks of childhood!”

Designers have done rather complicated and laborious work in order to present a genuine holiday to children. Students of fashion schools Art bureau Kolibri, Paradise, Baby Style and the Center of Children's Creativity Eski Shahar had the honor to demonstrate “fruits” of these works, having performed as models.

“I present the collection Colors of Summer, it is my first practice as a model. I do like everything here, beautiful decorations, and lots of people. I am very glad to be here today, says Yulia Zubkova, 12. “The collection I represent consists of all-purpose gowns that can be put on every occasion.”

“This festival gives the chance to discover talents, for designers to demonstrate their creativity, for people to see interesting beautiful products and to take pleasure,” emphasizes Zebo Abdug’aniyeva, 16, the author of the collection Fetching Mix.

It is rather difficult to present, that is to demonstrate clothes beautifully, than it is appeared at first sight. Not every child can walk on a runway with confidence and demonstrate the cloth and him/herself, yet Bolajonlar-shirintoylar is a good opportunity to grasp these skills: to develop correct bearing, beautiful step, good taste. That is the reason of huge success of this project

It would be noted that the Festival of Children's Fashion contains not only fashion shows. It is also included the scientific-practical conference on the theme Perfection of Process of Designing Clothes, the exhibition of national toys, contest of sketches.

Bolajonlar-shirintoylar is the holiday of childhood where the sincerity of children touches the hearts of grown-ups, makes returning involuntarily to the fairy world full of miracles and magic, and never to forget that only children are capable to present this inimitable happiness!

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Young people from Bukhoro can be met in all higher education institutions of the country. Boys and girls from other regions come to study to Bukhoro at such venues as State University, Institute of Technology for Light and Food Industry, and Medical Institute. Bukhoro State University, one of the most aged in the republic, celebrates its 80th anniversary this year. Nowadays it is not only teachers that are trained, as it was the case 18 years ago when the university was founded on the basis of a pedagogical institute, but also psychologists, sociologists, economists as well as specialists for the agrarian sector and tourism industry.

Profound and deep knowledge remains a stable indicator throughout the university’s activity. This is a result of strict discipline and high proficiency of teachers, experts note. Tutors try to provide students with broad opportunities for the comprehensive training on the chosen specialty, to burn a desire for the profound study in them. The young people are demonstrated high outcome that can be achieved by applying a creative approach.

Unique training laboratories and centers founded in the process of students and teachers’ scientific and research activity are broadly used. A planetarium and mini-observatory were established there. Biologists opened the zoological museum that collected all representatives of the animal kingdom of Bukhoro region. The botanical scientific-practical ground gathered over a hundred of various pants from all parts of the world.
 

The staff learned effective solution of many economic issues related to raising the training quality over the years of the market economy. Thus, they established the entrepreneurship center under the university several years ago to strengthen the material and technical base. By the present time they have renewed almost all furniture in the classrooms for 100 seats equipped with latest computers, established a computer center, and opened a minimum of two computer rooms in each department. Other universities of the country take interest in this experience.

The Bukhoro Institute of Technology for Light and Food Industry started training specialists for oil and gas sector and architects within the learning development and improvement.

Incidentally the majority of students coming to Bukhoro from other regions study at this institute. Many of them study in specialties related to the food and oil and gas industry.

The institute started training architects and builders two years ago. This solution grounds on the availability of numerous architectural monuments and traditions in the town building sector. In short, there are all conditions for young people to learn the refinements of creating the complicated architectural structures by real examples. Such specialists are required for both building new utility all over the republic and preserving the architectural heritage of tourism gems of Uzbekistan.
According to students, the study in the light industry specialties is interesting. They learn how to design new garment models taking into account the natural and climatic peculiarities and work specifics in different professions. The teachers and students’ proposals are in the permanent demand in the market.

Besides, Bukhoro Institute of Technology is known for its publishing activity. The teaching staff developed and issued 180 textbooks, learning aids and other literature for academic lyceums and professional colleges of the republic over the last three years. The majority of them are on professional disciplines. This is one of the highest results of the publishing activity among the higher education institutions. Most importantly, the textbooks’ content is of high elaborating quality to provide an easy comprehension.
 

The State Medical Institute is the youngest higher education establishment in Bukhoro region. It was founded in 1991. The 2010 will enter its history as the year of launching the magistracy for training single-functioned specialists. This displays rise and strengthening of the institute, its ability to provide a high training quality on the foremost turn of science. The Bukhoro State Medical Institute hosted an international conference in 2006 and brought together morphologists from over 20 countries.

The theoretical conferences with participation of a student scientific community have turned into tradition. Thus, the last conference this April covered topical medicine reports.

The institute disposes a rich information and resource center provided with national and foreign literature as well as compact disks with electronic textbooks and video films. Incidentally, many learning films were created by the institute’s staff. Video conferences are quite effective as well: Bukhoro students communicate with student and specialist communities from other medical universities and centers of the country. The high training quality is also achieved thanks to the operation of clinical bases of the institute’s departments locating in the leading medical establishments in the region.

The upgrade process is continued in the institute. Very soon it is projected to start the construction of new model units and a clinic. This will arrange some additional opportunities for the training process and scientific activity of teachers and students.

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Uzavtosanoat JSC and Daimler AG signed an agreement for the establishment of a bus joint venture in Tashkent. The new company will assemble coaches, intercity buses, city buses and midibuses. The contract’s closing is scheduled for the third quarter of 2010.

Deputy chairman of board of Uzavtosanoat Gairat Niyazov said Uzbekistan was pursuing an effective investment policy with attraction of the largest foreign partners in various sectors of economy. The favorable investment climate created in the country has allowed to create highly technological industrial capacities, which manufacture competitive production, he added.

In accordance with the agreement, Uzavtosanoat will provide the factory buildings to the new venture. Daimler Buses will deliver Mercedes-Benz chassis, while bodies will be built in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz’ long-standing partner, Manufacturing Commercial Vehicles (MCV).

The production capacities being created allow a minimum of 600 buses annually under full-scale production, with the possibility to gradually increase the volumes. The first batch of vehicles is to be delivered as early as September.

The products manufactured in Uzbekistan will include luxury coaches as well as intercity buses and low-entry city buses and midibuses, which will be sold under the Mercedes-Benz brand. All buses fulfill the Euro 3 emission standard which has been effective in Uzbekistan since January 2010.

It is envisaged that the joint venture will use advanced production technologies and will also localize automotive parts and components. The parties agreed to assist the JV in establishing its sales and after-sales network. In order to support export, it is planned to use the existing dealer networks of both Uzavtosanoat and Daimler in neighboring countries.

To date, Daimler Buses has sold around 1,000 buses to customers in the capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent. All city buses sold over the past years were Mercedes-Benz Conecto vehicles.

Tashkent has a very well-organized local public transportation system, which operates Central Asia’s largest and most modern bus fleet on an extensive network of roads. The city’s existing fleet of Mercedes-Benz 0405 city buses is gradually being replaced with Mercedes-Benz Conecto vehicles.

“I’m delighted that we have taken another important step today in our efforts towards opening up growth markets,” said Andreas Renschler, member of the board of management of Daimler AG with responsibility for Daimler Trucks and Daimler Buses. “We have been selling Mercedes-Benz buses to customers in Uzbekistan, and in particular in Tashkent, since 1994. Today we have created the basis for also producing a wide range of buses in the country and for serving the neighboring growth markets with locally manufactured products.”

Hartmut Schick, head of Daimler Buses, said local production would significantly improve the market opportunities for Daimler Buses in Uzbekistan and Central Asia. “With Uzavtosanoat, we know that we have a strong, professional and reliable partner that knows the Central Asian markets inside out and has considerable experience in production and sales.”

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Mr. Naoyuki Shinohara, Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), issued the following statement today in Tashkent at the conclusion of his visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan:

“This is my first visit to Uzbekistan as Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, and I wish to thank the Government and the Central Bank of Uzbekistan for their warm hospitality and the productive discussions on the state of the Uzbek economy. During this visit I also participated in the Annual Meetings of the Asian Development Bank. This was a good opportunity to exchange views with a wide range of representatives from private and public sectors on the reform of the global monetary system as well as on enhancing regional cooperation in Asia.

“Uzbekistan has remained resilient to the global economic crisis largely because of the authorities’ prudent policies, which have enabled them to accumulate considerable resources to support growth in this period. A very cautious approach to borrowing on global financial markets also limited the country’s exposure to the global crisis. With the global recovery and improved regional conditions, output is expected to continue growing at a healthy pace in 2010.”

“Uzbekistan’s strong fiscal and external position provides an excellent opportunity to further improve its great economic potential and the living standards of the population.”
“We look forward to continuing our excellent relations with the Uzbek authorities.”

May 5, 2010
International Monetary Fund
Washington, DC, USA

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President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov met with Minister of Strategy and Finance of the Republic of Korea Yoon Jeung-Hyun, in Oqsaroy, May 4. Having welcomed the guest, the head of state expressed satisfaction with the high level of dynamically developing relations between Uzbekistan and South Korea and noted in particular: “I well remember our meeting in Seoul this February. It was a conversation pretty rich in content and important for us. We even decided to definitely meet in Tashkent in the course of Your participation in the ADB international forum.

Today You are our welcome visitor and dear guest. And the fact that we have established quite confidential relations with President Lee Myung-bak furthermore underscores the closeness and trust-based cooperation that has been forming for many years between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea”.

Traditionally, the friendly cultural and economic ties between our countries, united by common interests and aspirations, are permeated with a spirit of strategic partnership and a determination to further strengthen amity between the two fraternal peoples. Regular Uzbek-Korean summits confirm this time and again. Bilateral contacts serve to jointly explore promising areas of cooperation and elaborate mutually beneficial projects in various spheres, particularly biggest of which are implemented in the hydrocarbon, mining, transport and logistics, banking and finance, and many other areas.

Republic of Korea is considered one of the most reliable and time-tested economic partners of Uzbekistan with a joint realization of a number of strategically important investment projects. One of them, in particular, is a free industrial and economic zone and international multimodal logistics center in Navoi. The cooperation with KOGAS Corporation is particularly noteworthy, especially in the construction of Ustyurt gas chemical complex aimed at not only field development with high-tech, but also production of ready products – polyethylene and polypropylene. In the framework of this project it is intended to attract investments worth more than 3 billion US dollars.

As a result of the most favored nation regime in economic relations between Uzbekistan and South Korea, the volume of mutual trade turnover amounted to 1.2 billion US dollars in 2009 alone.

 

During the meeting in Oqsaroy, Yoon Jeung-Hyun expressed his sincere gratitude to the head of our nation for the warm welcome, stressing the Korean side’s interest in expanding the scales of mutually beneficial ties with Uzbekistan. Minister of Strategy and Finance of the Republic of Korea underpinned that Tashkent became the site for an international forum of Asian Development Bank owing primarily to the successfully implemented Uzbek model of development acknowledged by many leading countries as effective.

“In the context of global financial and economic crisis Uzbekistan has demonstrated the robustness of protective mechanisms inherent in the national model of economy effectively applied today in practice”, the guest emphasized.

Issues related to further enhancement of trade, economic and investment cooperation between Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea have been discussed during the conversation.

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President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov met with Secretary General of the World Customs Organization Kunio Mikuriya, on May 4 in Oqsaroy. Head of our state, welcoming the guest, said, “Your attendance of the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank in Tashkent we perceive as a sign of respect for Uzbekistan and our region as a whole.   Uzbek customs officials personally feel the practical support provided by the WTO in the development and introduction of modern methods and standards to the system and professional training in this field.     “In Uzbekistan we well understand the effective role played by the World Customs Organization in elaborating rules and procedures of international trade”, the President said.

International institutional integration of national customs structures on such a level was formalized back in 1947 and currently includes 176 countries. Its core functions are defined as development of trade standards, perfection of internationally recognized customs rules and procedures, improvement of the effectiveness of – and development of cooperation between – customs authorities of member states.

Uzbekistan has fruitfully cooperated with this international organization since its accession as early as 1992. In particular, “Development Strategy of Customs Services of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2007-2010” was developed in 2007 together with WTO experts, and is today effectively put into practice. In the framework of this document, projects are implemented to introduce information technologies and modern equipment to the work of customs services, to augment the professional skills of officers in this sphere.

It should be noted that with the initiative of President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, a higher education institution unique to entire region was established in our country in 2003 that specializes in training highly qualified specialists in customs service. The national cynological center of the republic’s customs agency instituted earlier by the initiative of President Karimov, assumed the status of an organization of regional standing.

During the meeting in Oqsaroy, Kunio Mikuriya expressed his sincere gratitude to the head of our state for the warm welcome. “First of all, I was glad to learn that ADB chose the city of Tashkent for such a forum first in Central Asia”, Kunio Mikuriya said. “Back in 2002, when I served as deputy secretary general of WTO, Mr. Tadao Chino who then headed the ADB, invited me to a ministerial conference in Central Asia and talked a lot about Uzbekistan and admired You as a farsighted politician, economist and just a person. Thus, I would like to say Mr. President, that when I joined the Ministry of Finance of Japan, Tadao Chino was my principal, mentor, and I went through his school. My current visit represents a good opportunity to take a closer look at the life of the republic and the dynamics of its development”.

Secretary General gave his high appreciation of the wide-scale economic development strategy outlined by President Islam Karimov in his welcoming address to participants of the 43rd Annual Meeting of ADB Board of Governors. Kunio Mikuriya pointed out that especially praiseworthy is the work of customs authorities of the republic in improving the legislative framework, providing with modern equipment and technologies, special facilities, which allow to effectively organize the customs activities.

Issues related to further enhancing the interaction of the Republic of Uzbekistan with the World Customs Organization have been discussed at the occasion.

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President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov met with Xie Xuren, Minister of Finance of the People’s Republic of China, in Oqsaroy on May 3.

Welcoming the guest, head of our state noted in particular, “I take this opportunity to thank the President of the People’s Republic of China Mr. Hu Jintao for a decision to send such a representative delegation led by You to the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank in Tashkent. It will surely provide a corresponding impetus and weight to an international forum of such level. We in Uzbekistan highly appreciate and value the close, friendly relations established between our countries, and know well what lies behind the current growth of China’s prestige and influence in world affairs, which was laid in the renowned reforms course by Deng Xiaoping”.

The constructive nature of Uzbek-Chinese summit meetings has proved particularly critical in the steady development of bilateral relations. Contacts between specialists and representatives of business circles of our nations at different levels have been constant and productive. Uzbekistan and China vigorously cooperate, in particular, in the framework of Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

The most favored nation regime in trade and economic cooperation between our countries has been practical since 1994. China has established itself as one of the major economic partners of Uzbekistan. In 2009, for instance, mutual trade turnover exceeded two billion US dollars. 223 Uzbek-Chinese joint ventures are active in our country.

During the meeting in Oqsaroy, Xie Xuren expressed his sincere gratitude to the head of our nation for the warm welcome, highly appraising the magnitude and practical effect of the Uzbek model of economy and the anti-crisis program successfully implemented in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

A thorough exchange of views regarding the prospects for further expansion of bilateral relations in trade, economic and investment spheres took place in the course of the talks.
 

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President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov met with Japan’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance Naoto Kan on May 3 in Oqsaroy.

“Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my sincere respect to the leadership and people of Japan. The fact that You personally head the Japanese delegation at the meeting of Asian Development Bank is a great honor for us, and at the same time testifies to the consolidating friendly relations between our countries and peoples year by year starting from the very first days of Uzbekistan’s independence”, the head of state said welcoming the distinguished guest.

Today, bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and Japan are developing rather intensively and entirely in line with the spirit of the 2002 Joint Declaration on Friendship, Strategic Partnership and Cooperation. Japan has been one of the oldest and most reliable investment partners of our nation. The volume of Japanese financial resources drawn into the Uzbek economy reaches two billion US dollars.

Advancement of economic ties has enjoyed a notable impetus by the work of bilateral committees on economic cooperation. At their joint meetings, substantial proposals are singled out to facilitate further consolidation and expansion of mutual interaction in relevant sectors of economy and social development.

Representative offices of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) operate today in our country. They have promoted direct contacts between business circles and assisted in the development of social, humanitarian, trade and economic cooperation between our countries. Signed in Tashkent, May 1 in the framework of 43rd Annual Meeting of the Council of Governors of Asian Development Bank (ADB), the latest 300-million-dollar loan agreement between the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and JICA has underscored the consistently enlarging mutually beneficial cooperation.

In Oqsaroy, Naoto Kan thanked the head of our state for the warm welcome and expressed his high appreciation of the effectively implemented anti-crisis program and the one on wide-scale modernization of basically all spheres of life in Uzbekistan.

During the talks it was stressed that ADB’s current international forum in Tashkent has constituted a good opportunity to discuss and appreciate the essence of pressing issues of regional and international significance as well as the further development of investment cooperation.

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The opening ceremony of the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank was held on 3 May at the International Forums Palace “Uzbekistan” in Tashkent. President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov made a speech at the opening ceremony of the forum. The head of the state said that Uzbekistan highly valued the growing cooperation with ADB and considered the bank as an important strategic partner, which in recent years has become a leading international financial institution for the country both in terms of its credit portfolio, and in the framework of regional cooperation in Central Asia.

The ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda expressed his gratitude to President Islam Karimov and the people of Uzbekistan for their great support in organizing the ADB forum – the first meeting of the Board of Governors ever conducted in Central Asia. The main goal of ADB is to promote economic and social progress in developing countries of the Asia-Pacific region, including supporting economic growth, raising living standards, human resource development, and solving environmental issues, particularly related to climate change.

Founded in 1966, the Asian Development Bank today possesses large financial and technical resources. Its members include 67 states, of which 48 countries are in the Asia-Pacific region, a number of industrialized countries in Europe, as well as Canada and the USA. The bank provides financing of development and regional cooperation projects, and technical support in these areas. Particular attention is paid to assisting countries that implement socioeconomic policies aimed at enhancing national potential and quality of life.

Uzbekistan and the ADB have had a long and effective cooperation. The country became a full member of this largest international financial institution in 1995. Through implementation of its own “Uzbek model” and gradual reforms based on five principles set by the head of the state, Uzbekistan has retained macroeconomic stability and sustained economic growth.

This is why the decision to hold the important forum of the ADB in Tashkent was quite logical. The country’s experience in implementation of the Anti-crisis program developed by President Islam Karimov is being studied in various countries.
 

As a result of effective and timely comprehensive anti-crisis measures, the GDP growth in Uzbekistan in 2009 amounted to 8.1 percent. Total investment in national economy grew by almost 26 percent, including foreign investments by 68 percent.   The later figure is especially important, as it proves high confidence of foreign businesses in the country and the favorable investment climate. In the first quarter of 2010, foreign direct investment used in Uzbekistan were 2.6 times more than in the same period of last year.

A distinctive feature of the financial policy of Uzbekistan is the fact that external borrowing, including ADB credit lines, are attracted on a long-term basis to fund strategic investment projects included in the modernization and technological re-equipment program, as well as for support of small business and private enterprise.

The ADB occupies the first place among international financial institutions in terms of credit cooperation with Uzbekistan. This cooperation covers many directions, with joint projects implemented in strategic areas like transport infrastructure, energy, agriculture, small business and private entrepreneurship, water resources management, healthcare, education and others.

Uzbekistan and the ADB are cooperating in expanding the network of automobile roads and railways, in particular, development of the Uzbek national highway, which is an important part of the Central Asian regional transport corridor. One of the major ongoing projects in 2009 was the program of financing the water supply and sanitation sphere worth USD 300 million. In the framework of a similar project pipelines are laid and corresponding equipment is being installed in 170 settlements of Kashkadarya and Navoi regions.

Timely fulfillment of obligations to repay the ADB funds increases trust to Uzbekistan on the world financial markets. In the conditions of the global crisis, many investors faced insolvency of not only individual banks, but also entire countries. The banking and financial system of Uzbekistan, being one of the most stable in the Asia-Pacific region, has a large reliability reserve. Measures to strengthen the banking system within the Anti-crisis program allowed to double the banks’ cumulative capital in the past two years.

The level of sufficiency of the banks’ capital currently exceeds 23 percent, which is almost three times higher than international standards set by the Basel Committee. The total current liquidity of the banking system is 10 times higher than current liabilities of banks for external payments.

At the opening ceremony, it was noted that ADB’s support of long-term economic and social programs in the Asia-Pacific region was carried out in the framework of global cooperation for sustainable development and contributes to the world progress in general.

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“Asian integration and global development” was the topic of ADB governors’ seminar, held in the framework of the bank’s 43rd annual meeting in Tashkent. ADB governors from different countries discussed the possibility of accelerating the integration processes in the Asia-Pacific region, which are important not only to fully overcome the effects of the global financial crisis, but also to enhance capacity building in the post-crisis period.

The global crisis has demonstrated the importance of creating a new financial architecture, developing domestic markets and expanding economic integration, which creates mutual benefit, said ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda. Last year, despite the global crisis, Asian countries showed economic growth. Today, leaders of the region should develop policies that will promote diversity of national markets, and determine the most effective ways of development in the framework of G20.

In Uzbekistan, economic progress is based on comprehensive modernization, with focus on increasing capacity of all economic sectors and the social sphere, as well as expansion of regional cooperation, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, ADB Governor for Uzbekistan Rustam Azimov said. The countries of Asia are contributing greatly to the global economy. At the same time, there is vulnerability of Asian markets, therefore measures are needed to strengthen Asian countries’ banking and financial sector and harmonize issues that relate to global system.

According to forecasts, by 2050 up to 50 percent of total world production will be concentrated in Asia, it was noted at the seminar. This is why Asian countries should strengthen their integration in industry, trade, finance, in order to make their economies more competitive on world markets. To achieve these goals, coordinated action by governments is required. The global crisis has shown that countries must be willing to change, to further study the structure of demand and consumption, to facilitate the establishment of free trade zones and logistic centers, and to strengthen financial cooperation.

It was stressed that the ADB plays an important role in enhancing the integration processes in the region, financing key projects that are important for growth of national capacity and strengthening regional cooperation. In accordance with its objectives, the ADB annually increases the volume of its support, which in turn helps sustainable development in the region and the world at large.
 

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The national presentation of the Republic of Uzbekistan was one of the important events of the 43rd annual meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank, which is underway in Tashkent. After proclamation of independence, Uzbekistan has chosen its own path of development based on five principles proposed by President Islam Karimov, which has been recognized worldwide as the “Uzbek model” of reforms and modernization of the country, said ADB Governor from Uzbekistan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance Rustam Azimov.

As a result, the country maintained macroeconomic stability and stable economic growth, created a reliable financial and banking system, achieved energy independence and grain. The state budget is consistently executed with a surplus, growth is observed in all sectors of economy, new jobs are created and incomes are growing. A great contribution to the dynamic development of the country is made by new high-tech industries like automotive, oil and gas, chemical, electrical and many others.

All this has become a solid foundation for mitigating the negative impact on the economy of the world financial crisis. Realization of the Anti-crisis program for 2009-2012 developed by President Islam Karimov made it possible not only to maintain the previously achieved results, to continue to diversify production and exports, but also to lay the foundation for future intensive development. In the structure of exports, which exceeded USD 11.771 billion, more than 70 percent of products are with high added value. At the same time, the social sector every year receives more than 50 percent of the state budget, which contributes significantly to its strengthening, development of human capital, including through improvement of educational sphere and construction of new educational institutions.

The Asian Development Bank highly values its partnership with Uzbekistan, said ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda. The bank has financed large projects worth over USD 2.4 billion in the country. Uzbekistan’s economy has been developing very effectively. It managed to overcome the negative impact of the global crisis and ensure 8.1 percent GDP growth in 2009, the head of ADB said.

According to ADB forecasts, in 2010 the Uzbek GDP growth could reach 8.5 percent and 9 percent in 2011, which is one of the highest rates in the Asia-Pacific region. The ADB’s strategy of cooperation with Uzbekistan aims at supporting the development of economy and social sphere.

“We are very grateful to Uzbekistan for its initiatives to enhance regional cooperation,” said Haruhiko Kuroda, “in particular, for Uzbekistan’s intention to increase supply of electricity to Afghanistan, and active participation in the construction of transnational communications. All of this will contribute to sustainable development not only of Uzbekistan, but also of the region as a whole.”

Uzbekistan has large investment attractiveness for foreign business. It is guaranteed by political and economic stability in the country, favorable geographical position, accelerated development of all types of infrastructure, rich mineral base and highly skilled workforce. Since 2007, the annual growth of total investment, including foreign ones, in the economy of Uzbekistan has made 20 percent. Together with international partners, large-scale investment projects are implemented, including creation of new industries, and modernization and technological renovation of existing ones.

It is important that reforms in Uzbekistan are based on real possibilities and potential of the country, said Director General of the Department of Central and West Asia of ADB Juan Miranda.

This is a key condition for their effectiveness. Thanks to carefully developed policy, the country has created a buffer to protect the national economy and the population from the negative impact of the global crisis. Uzbekistan is open for cooperation, and ADB within its strategy will continue funding projects in key sectors. Among the new projects are reconstruction of water supply systems in several cities of Fergana Valley, development of regional roads, microfinancing small business, participation of commercial banks in trade financing program, as well as construction of two combined-cycle plants at Talimarjan TPP.

An example of effectiveness of the “Uzbek model” of economic development is the establishment of the free industrial zone in Navoi, President of Korean Air (Republic of Korea), Chi Chang Hoon said. Wide opportunities have been created for creation of a multi-modal logistics center, which will unite Europe, India, China and Southeast Asia, on the basis of Navoi international airport. In the past year, about 8,500 tons of cargo was transported on international routes from Navoi airport, which made it possible to integrate it into the global logistics network. Rapid development of Navoi free industrial zone and attraction of foreign investment may help it become one of the largest Asian economic centers in the near future.

Development of economic cooperation with Uzbekistan has great prospects, continued Mike Arcamone, President and CEO of GM DAT, which has a joint venture in Uzbekistan. Together with Uzbek partners, GM has stepped up production in the automotive industry. This work also contributes to growth of human capital. Last year, 1,200 jobs were created, and training of specialists was established. Uzbekistan runs a very thought-out economic policy. Much work is being done to develop the infrastructure – not only in the cities, but also in rural areas, Mike Arcamone said.

Dynamic progress is observed in realization of joint projects in oil and gas industry, said head of representative office of Petronas in Uzbekistan Ilasegeran Nadaraj. The Malaysian oil and gas giant, which operates in 30 countries, opened its office in Uzbekistan in 2006. At present, it implements a number of major projects in the regions of the country with national holding company Uzbekneftegaz. Recently, an agreement was signed on joint exploration in the Aral Sea region. Today Uzbekistan is one of the most important partners of Petronas, and this cooperation will continue expanding, Ilasegeran Nadaraj said.

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The program of the 43rd annual meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank includes various thematic seminars.   One of them, held at Tashkent’s International Business Center, was devoted to reviewing the effectiveness of the ADB in 2009. The seminar participants discussed issues related to improving the bank’s work, as well as ways and methods of evaluating the parameters of ADB activities.

The speakers noted that ADB used a scorecard in its management system, approved in 2008. They announced key findings from the review for 2009.   This management system aims to achieve the objectives of the banks’ Strategy 2020. The system defines the priorities and objectives of ADB. It uses 70 indicators to monitor the development in the region and determine how ADB is contributing to this development, and how to effectively manage its activities. Particular attention was paid to the existing problems in this area and their solution.

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The new trends in urban development were considered at a seminar held in Tashkent in the framework of the ongoing 43rd annual meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank. It brought together experts, scholars and specialists in urban planning from various countries. With growth of population on the planet, existing towns are developing and new ones are being built. More and more mega-cities, which have a complex infrastructure and a variety of industries that consume resources and affect the environment, appear on the world map.

In this regard, it was stressed at the seminar, the 21st-century cities should become leaders in resource saving and environmental protection.

Creation of cities where environmentally safe technologies, modern methods of processing of secondary resources and waste, including sewage, are widely used has already begun. The example can be found in a number of countries in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly Japan, China, Malaysia, the Philippines and others.

The program of the so-called circular economy, based on transformation, upgrading and re-using of resources, is already being implemented in 15 countries in the region and involves 120 cities. According to speakers at the seminar, including Hironori Hamanaka, Chair of Board of Directors of the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, Tokyo, and Amy Leung.

Director of East Asia Urban and Social Sectors Division, ADB, such cities are the cities of the future.

Therefore, it was noted at the forum, the regional states should pay more attention to this problem, improving relevant legislation, using market-based instruments to promote the interest of businesses, including private ones, and society in general in the development of circular economy.

All this would contribute to achieving sustainable development, this is why ADB attaches great importance to funding these projects.

“Renewable energy has great prospects in Uzbekistan,” Harrison S. Fraker, Chair of Architecture and Urban Design at University of California, Berkeley, said. “In addition to using solar energy, there are wide opportunities for producing electricity from waste.”

“This is my first visit to Uzbekistan, and I was pleasantly surprised how beautiful and green the city of Tashkent is. Greenery is a very important factor for creating a favorable environment for the people, and it is effectively used in your country,” he added.

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The government of Uzbekistan, the Asian Development Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency signed a number of credit agreements on 1 May in Tashkent. Seven documents inked during the 43rd Annual Meeting of ADB Board of Governors, are worth a total of USD 1.015 billion and foresee financing projects in important sectors of Uzbekistan.   Among these projects are reconstruction of water supply system in Ferghana Valley cities, development of regional roads, support and microfinancing small business, participation of Uzbek banks in trade

financing program, as well as construction of two combined cycle gas turbines at Talimarjan thermal power station.

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President of the Asian Development Bank Haruhiko Kuroda held a press conference during the 43rd Annual Meeting of the ADB Board of Governors in Tashkent on 1 May. The head of the international financial institute spoke to local and foreign media about the modern tendencies of economic development in the countries of Asia. The developing countries of this region are reviving their economies fast after the global economic crisis, he said.   Despite many problems remaining unsolved, the revival process has started.

Using additional resources from the total growth of its capital, the ADB could provide significant assistance to countries that experienced the negative influence of the crisis.

In 2009, the volume of this support comprised USD 16 billion, which is 42% more than in 2008. This has helped the developing ADB member states save their principally important expenses for development of healthcare, education and infrastructure development, which contributed to the speeding up of the post-crisis revival of the region. The main task for today, ADB President stressed, is to ensure that this process is stable in the long-term perspective.

The 43rd Annual Meeting of the ADB is taking place at the moment when the region’s countries are facing adoption of a number of very important decisions. On the one hand, they have to carefully develop the strategy of the fastest revival from the crisis and to take measures to improve the situation in the monetary and credit system. On the other, they have to create and develop a system of social protection for softening the impact of possible future economic crises on low-income population, and boost response measures for serious ecological challenges, which are also related to climate change.

Haruhiko Kuroda stressed that to solve all these problems, the countries of the region have to work together to expand cooperation and deepen economic integration. This will help the region to become more stable and bring benefit for economies on all development levels.

Answering journalists’ questions, the ADB President said there are many lessons that could be learnt from the global crisis. For instance, Uzbek economy has felt the crisis’s negative influence, however, the impact was significantly lower than in many other countries.

The government of Uzbekistan adopted timely measures in tax, monetary and credit policy, supporting industry, export-oriented sectors, small and private business and social sphere. AS a result, the country could retain economic growth. The ADB forecasts that the Uzbek economy will grow 8.5% this year, which is one of the highest figures in the whole region.

In the framework of the long-term cooperation with Uzbekistan, the ADB plans to expand its support of the reforms implemented in the country, Haruhiko Kuroda said.

In conclusion, he expressed gratitude to the leadership of Uzbekistan for active assistance in organizing the annual ADB forum in the city of Tashkent.

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Enhancing integration in Asia and the Pacific region was the topic of a seminar that took place in the framework of the 43rd annual meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank in Tashkent on Saturday. Specialists and experts from leading financial institutions discussed the most important issues to enhance the economic cooperation among the countries of the region.   The speakers emphasized the need for further promotion of not only regional cooperation, but also expansion of global ties of Asian countries, demonstrating openness, pragmatism and mutual benefit.

 The phrase “Asia without borders” was voiced at the forum, implying a closer economic interaction of the continent’s sub-regions.

The Asian Development Bank should also intensify partnerships with global financial institutions like the IMF, the World Bank and others. Uzbekistan was called a positive example of such partnership – the country is stepping up cooperation with ADB, World Bank and other financial institutions.

Uzbekistan became a full member of ADB in 1995. Projects implemented in the country with ADB participation prove that the cooperation is expanding. The effective implementation of these projects is possible thanks to the country’s legal basis and favorable investment climate.

The seminar participants discussed the institutional architecture for Asia and the Pacific in the 21st century. They considered the optimality of the present model, the need for strengthening existing regional institutions and possible creation of new ones.

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