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LATEST NEWS : NOVEMBER 2007

On November 28, 2007 the Fourth Sitting of the Uzbek-Swiss Intergovernmental Commission on trade and economic cooperation was held in Tashkent, the Uzbek newspapers reported.

The heads of the ministries of the two countries on foreign trade and economic relations, banking and finance, investments, industry, tourism and healthcare participated at the event.

The First Deputy Minister of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan N.Najimov said that the trade and economic cooperation is also consistently developing between Uzbekistan and Swiss Confederation as in many spheres.

The head of the Bureau on development and cooperation at the State secretariat on economy of Switzerland Jorg Al. Reding has underscored that Switzerland is interested in further expanding ties with Uzbekistan.

The cooperation between the two countries is especially developing in such areas as banking and finances, light industry, healthcare, pharmacy, agriculture, telecommunication and high technologies.

In 2006 the trade between Uzbekistan and Switzerland made up US $64,8 million. In January-September this year this index rose up to six-fold in comparison with this period last year.

Uzbekistan exports to Switzerland the cotton fiber, cotton fabric, thread and individual kinds of services. And it imports the electrical, mechanic and technological equipments, instruments and pharmaceutical products.

At the moment 94 enterprises have been established in Uzbekistan jointly with the Swiss businessmen and are successfully operating. The offices of 32 Swiss firms and companies were opened in Uzbekistan.

At the conference in Tashkent the representatives of business circles of Switzerland are reported to have learned about the economic transformations in Uzbekistan – the results of ongoing reforms, conditions created for foreign investors, as well as economic potential of the country, as a whole.

The sides discussed further expanding the scales of trade, economic, financial and investment cooperation between the two countries, and elaboration and implementation of new projects in the said directions. They have also exchanged views on fuller using the huge economic potential and opportunities of Uzbekistan and Switzerland. The participants of the event offered suggestions on increasing the volume of trade, number of joint enterprises and kinds of goods, as well as have set plans of further cooperation.
 

Tenth session of the Uzbek-Russian intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation was held in Tashkent on 28th of November, UzA reported.

Heads of ministries and departments, companies and concerns responsible for foreign economic relations, energy, oil and gas, commerce and industry sectors, defense, banking and finance, chemical industry, agriculture, customs, pharmaceutics, furniture and tourism participated in the session.

Prime minister of Uzbekistan, commission co-chairman Shavkat Mirziyoyev and first vice chairman of the government of Russian Sergey Ivanov spoke at the sitting.

Uzbekistan and Russia cooperate in trade, energy, mining, metallurgy, insurance, finance, food, pharmaceutical and wood processing sectors. Relations in machinery and aircraft building are expanding. Cooperation in telecommunications and software, production of chemicals and construction materials, textile and tourism has a high potential.

Trade turnover between the two states exceeded USD 3 billion in 2006. In the three quarters of 2007, the figure made up USD 2.95 billion. Russia accounts for more than 30% of the total foreign trade of Uzbekistan today. Uzbekistan exports food items, equipment, cotton fiber, black and ferrous metals, plastic and other products to Russia.

More than 500 joint ventures created in partnership with Russian investors operate in Uzbekistan, and 284 joint enterprises set up with Uzbek capital function in Russia. 145 Russian companies have offices in Uzbekistan.

At the sitting of the commission, the sides discussed perspectives of trade and economic relations, namely in the fuel and energy and aviation sector. A particular attention was paid to increasing the volume of turnover, the number of joint ventures and the types of manufactured products.

The economic forum “Uzbekistan-Russia: strategic cooperation” was organized on the same day. The Russian businessmen familiarized themselves with the pace of privatization in Uzbekistan, reforms in economy and development of small business and private entrepreneurship.

A number of bilateral documents were signed at the economic forum.
 

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received first vice chairman of the government of Russia Sergey Ivanov at Oqsaroy residence in Tashkent on 28 November, UzA reported.

Welcoming the Russian official, the head of the state said cooperation between Uzbekistan and Russia was developing in line with the Allied relations treaty signed in 2005.

Mutual respect and trust of the heads of two states, as well as commonness of views on issues of cooperation, security and many international problems, play a great role in development of Uzbek-Russian relations.

Russia accounts for more than 30% of the total foreign trade of Uzbekistan today. Export and import covers machinery and equipment, energy, black and ferrous metals, cotton fiber, plastics, wood, food items and other goods. Mutual turnover in 2006 exceeded USD 3 billion. Last year, Russia bought more than 1 million tons of agricultural produce from Uzbekistan.

More than 500 joint ventures created in partnership with Russian investors operate in Uzbekistan, and 284 joint enterprises set up with Uzbek capital function in Russia. Cooperation covers fields like trade, energy, mining, metallurgy, insurance, finance, food, pharmaceutical and wood processing sectors.

Relations in machinery and aircraft building are also expanding. Cooperation in telecommunications and software, production of chemicals and construction materials, textile and tourism has a high potential. A number of regions of Uzbekistan and subjects of Russia have established direct contacts.

Cooperation in humanitarian sphere covers culture and arts, healthcare, science and technologies. Branches of the Russian Plekhanov Economic Academy, Moscow State University and Russian State Oil and Gas University function in Uzbekistan.

Uzbek-Russian intergovernmental commission for trade and economic cooperation holds regular sessions to discuss new opportunities to expand ties and determines priority directions.

In July, first vice chairman of the Russian government Sergey Ivanov visited Uzbekistan for the first time as a co-chairman of the Russian-Uzbek intergovernmental commission.

At the joint commission’s session that took place on 28 November and the economic forum “Uzbekistan-Russia: strategic cooperation”, perspectives of development of relations were considered. A particular attention was paid to increasing the volume of turnover, the number of joint ventures and the types of manufactured products.

At the meeting with President of Uzbekistan, Sergey Ivanov said Russia highly valued cooperation with Uzbekistan and partnership relations developing in all spheres.

The sides considered issues of development of cooperation between the two states and other issues of mutual interest.
 

This year, Hajj pilgrimage coincided for Uzbek citizens with the final stage of the presidential elections. About 5,000 citizens of Uzbekistan will go to Hajj this year, UzA reported.

The law allows them to use their voting right and cast their votes ahead of the schedule.

Article 31 of the Law on election of the President of Uzbekistan states that voters who are unable to be present at the place of their residence on the election day may request a voting paper from the district election commission and leave it filled and sealed in an envelope there.

At its 16 November meeting, the Central Election Commission of Uzbekistan passed a resolution on organization of voting for citizens making Hajj pilgrimage.

The resolution states, in particular, that district election commissions should organize pre-schedule voting for the pilgrims at their place of residence. All citizens going to Hajj will be provided with voting papers in the order established by the law.
 

On November 19, 2007 a briefing was held at the National Press Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the representatives of national and foreign media.

The Chairman of the Central Election Committee (CEC) Mirzo-Ulugbek Abdusalomov stated that the number of the contenders for the post of the president was reduced to four after the checking of all submitted papers, UzReportcom reported.

The contenders are: Asliddin Rustamov (from the National-Democratic Party of Uzbeksitan), Dilorom Toshmuhamedova (from the Adolat Socio-Democratic Party of Uzbekistan), Akmal Saidov (from the initiative group of voters), and Islam Karimov (from the Entrepreneurs and Businessmen's Movement, Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan).

The registered candidates have been issued registration certificates. The Milliy Tiklanish Democratic Party of Uzbekistan and Fidokorlar National-Democratic Party of Uzbekistan could not gather the required number of voters' signatures in support of the contenders for the president they have nominated, which served as a reason for their disqualification.

Earlier, the permission for participation in the Presidential elections scheduled for 23 December 2007 had been issued to five political parties functioning in Uzbekistan and one citizens' initiative group.

The Head of the Central Election Committee informed the media on the fact that the Committee had held a meeting to discuss a number of issues concerning the course of electoral campaign. Thus, according to the agenda the members of the Committee discussed the registration of the contenders for the President of Uzbekistan, their pre-election campaigns in mass media, the preparation of printed materials with the auto-biographies and pre-election programmes of the candidates, the approval of the text of the electoral bulletin, and protection of the electoral rights of citizens for the early voting.

Within five days after the registration of the contenders for the President, the Central Election Committee will publish an announcement of their registration stating their last names, first names and patronymics, the year of birth, the membership in any of the registered parties, the position held, the place of work and residence, as well as the names of the political parties or the initiative groups of citizens who nominated the candidates.

During the briefing it was noted that as defined in the national electoral legislation, the pre-election campaign will start from the day of registration of the contenders by the Central Election Commiteee. In light of this, according to the Head of the Central Election Committee, the participants of the meeting discussed the issue concerning the beginning of the pre-election campaign in mass media. The contenders for the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, political parties, voters' initiative groups, according to the legislation, will be given the right to use mass media in line with the order established by the Central Election Committee.

"For this purpose, guided by the Articles 5, 14 and 28 of the Law "On elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan", on 18 September 2007 the Central Election Committee passed a resolution which approves the Statute "On the order of using mass media by the contenders for the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, political parties, and voters' initiative groups during the pre-election campaign."

According to this document, the weekly schedules of the contenders' speeches on radio and television channels of Uzbekistan and Yoshlar of the National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan, as well as in the national papers of Halk Suzi, Narodnoye Slovo, and Pravda Vostoka have been approved. Jointly with the National Television and Radio Company, the programme on elucidation of the course of preparation and administration of the elections was developed," M. Abdusalomov said. In particular, he noted, that in order to create equal conditions for the contenders for the President to announce the main provisions of their pre-election programmes to the voters every week they will be allowed equal time of radio and television broadcasting in the evenings.

Contenders of the President independently decide on the content of their pre-election speeches on air. Regular broadcasts of video and radio clips, television and radio programmes on the contenders for the President, their pre-election programmes, and meetings with the voters are planned. It is worth noting that on the request of the contenders they will be allowed additional broadcast time on equal conditions. Moreover, the course of the pre-election campaign, measures being taken by the Central Election Committee, explanations of the provisions of the national electoral legislation will be covered in the Wednesdays' and Saturdays' "Demokratiya – Saylov Kuzgusi" television programme. The pre-election campaign will also be widely elucidated in the daily broadcasts of Ahborot and Davr programmes.

The Head of the Central Election Committee said during the pre-election period, national periodicals – Halk Suzi, Narodnoye Slovo and Pravda Vostoka will publish autho-biographies and pre-election programmes of the candidates for the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. These same materials will be also published in the parties' publications. "Taking into account the fact that each political party to nominate a contender for the President has its own printed publication, and in order to create equal opportunities for the voters' initiative group participating in the elections it will be allowed to use Jamiyat Newspaper for its pre-election campaign. The newspaper is owned by a non-governmental nonprofit organization. It is worth mentioning that the principle of equal conditions for the pre-election propaganda through the media does not apply to the parties' publications and Jamiyat newspaper. They have the right to print the materials in the volume which they find necessary, Abdusalomov explained. He also informed that the next issue discussed at the meeting of the Central Election Committee concerned the publication of printed products with auto-biographies and pre-election programmes of the contenders for the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

According to the Chairman of the Central Election Committee, the Committee has taken measures to publish the information and propaganda materials. Taking into account the experience of the 2000 and 2004 elections, and the number of the electoral districts formed, equal amounts of agitation materials with the autobiographies and pre-election programmes of the contenders will be published in Uzbek, Karakalpak and Russian languages. Also, in addition to this, equal circulations of brochures with the autobiographies and pre-election programmes of each registered contender will be published.

"The expenses for the preparation of the printed materials are covered from the funds appropriated by the Central Election Committee for the preparation and conduct of the elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan," the Head of the Central Election Committee said. Moreover, according to Abdusalomov, the members of the Committee approved the text of the election bulletin. "According to the existing legislation the bulletins will be printed in the state language not later than 20 days earlier of the elections. According to the decision of the district election committee, the bulletins may be printed in the languages used by the majority of the population in the area," he said.
 

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Italian Republic Jahongir Ganiev presented his credentials to the President of the country Giorgio Napolitano, the Uzbek media reported.

During the meeting with the Italian President, the Uzbek Envoy touched upon the issues concerning the current status and development prospects of bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and Italy in the political, trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

The President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano in turn expressed the interest of his country in further development of mutually beneficial and equal cooperation between Uzbekistan and Italy in the best interest of both nations.
 

The Central Election Committee of Uzbekistan is conducting preparatory work for the presidential elections to be held on 23 December 2007. The main purpose of these preparations is to provide their openness and transparency.

In particular, on the initiative of the Central Election Committee a number of special TV programmes (talk shows, roundtable discussions, space bridges etc.) devoted to the presidential election campaign and upgrading voters' knowledge about the elections procedure have been made and aired on Wednesdays and Saturdays, according to the Uzbek media.

The live TV programme "Saylov - Demokratiya Ko'zgusi" (Elections as a Mirror of Democracy) aired on 17 November was made as a space bridge between the Uzbek Central TV and Namangan, Ferghana and Samarkand Regional TV stations.

In this TV programme experts from the above-mentioned regions shared their views on elections on a multiparty and alternative basis and on strengthening the role of political parties in the process of democratic renovations.

The experts said that the electoral legislation system of Uzbekistan provides a necessary legal basis for holding presidential elections on an alternative basis.
 

The People's Bank of Uzbekistan has hosted a seminar on "Enhancement of the legal norms envisaging the development of the financial mechanism to guarantee social protection", the Central Bank's press service said.

The seminar was organized by the Committee for Budget and Economic Reforms of the Senate of Oliy Majlis (parliament) of Uzbekistan jointly with the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population and the People's State Commercial Bank.

From the first days of independence under the immediate direction of the President close attention has been given to the social protection of the population.

An important step in this direction was the Presidential Resolution of 19 March 2007 "On measures to further develop and strengthen the system of social protection of the population."

This resolution states that the appropriation and payment of allowances to the needy families with many children, child-care allowances to unemployed mothers with children under the age of two, and material support to the needy families is to be decided by the citizens' self-government agencies in strict compliance with the principles of social justice, objectivity and transparency, as well as provision of the financial support to the truly needy entities taking into account the income and financial status.

The parameters of the State Budget for the year 2007 envisages the appropriation of three types of social allowances, including to the needy families with several children under the age of 16, to unemployed mothers for caring after the child aged under two, and allowances for those who need social protection. The total sum of appropriations for these purposes makes up 350 billion soums (1 USD=1250 UZS).

Seminar participants specifically noted the importance of the process of intensification of the reforms in the sphere of social protection of the population, and increasing the role of the citizens' self-government agencies in provision of social protection to the population and the necessary financial support to needy families.

During the seminar participants discussed the measures to improve the financial mechanism to guarantee social protection, made comments and pointed out the shortcomings revealed in the process of implementation of the above-described measures. A conclusion was reached that there is a need to introduce a number of amendments and additions to the existing legislation to further liberalise the mechanism of provision of social protection to the population.

Upon the results of the discussion, seminar participants considered the recommendations on improvement of the legal norms aimed at the improvement of the financial mechanism of social protection of the population.
 

This year the agricultural workers of Uzbekistan have harvested over 3.7 million tones of cotton, the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management of the Republic of Uzbekistan informed. Undoubtedly this is good news not only for the farmers themselves but for the Uzbek nation as a whole.

Speaking of the successes in cotton growing, President Karimov congratulated cotton farmers and all workers of Uzbekistan with this great achievement. The head of state specifically noted on the entrepreneurial qualities, diligence, and skillfulness that are traditionally used to describe the Uzbek people. He also noted the important role of the companies and organizations that provide open and free assistance to farmers during the harvesting season.

One of such companies is the leading construction materials producer of Uzbekistan – AhangaranCement. The enterprise is a part of the EuroCement Group, an international industrial holding specialized in the production of construction materials. The management has decided to appropriate a number of harvesting machines – ZILs, KamAZs, MAZs and tractors for this purpose.

Also, the company directed 550 of its employees to help the farmers of the region, who gathered more than 800 tonnes of cotton.

The management of the company said the AhangaranCement's contribution to the cotton-harvesting campaign was not left unnoticed, which is illustrated by a number of thank-you letters sent to the director of the company D. Dotsenko.

In particular, the khokimiats of Akkurgan and Chinaz districts of Tashkent region expressed their appreciation to the staff of the company for the assistance given in sowing and harvesting of cotton this year.

Undoubtedly, the integration of advanced technologies, the strengthening of financial-technical base of agriculture, hard labour of farmers, and the invaluable assistance being provided to the farming businesses have a positive impact on the economic power of the country and the welfare of the Uzbek nation.
 

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received head of Isuzu Motors (Japan) Ida Yoshinori on 16 November, UzA reported.

At the meeting in Oqsaroy residence in Tashkent, the sides considered issues related to implementation of new joint projects with Isuzu Motors, as well as expansion of technical and investment cooperation between the companies of Uzbekistan and the Japanese company.

“Uzbekistan highly values the developing economic cooperation with Japan,” President Karimov said at the meeting. “Your cooperation with Uzbek partners, in particular, is a significant contribution to the development of economic relations between our states.”

Ida Yoshinori said Isuzu Motors was interested in expanding cooperation with Uzbekistan.

Automobile building is one of the areas Uzbekistan and Japan are successfully cooperating in. Isuzu buses, trucks and cranes are currently produced by Samarkand automobile plant.

Japan has supported socioeconomic reforms in Uzbekistan since the early years of the country’s independence. More than 10 large projects are being implemented in the country with participation of Japanese investments. Japan has invested almost USD 2 billion in Uzbekistan since establishment of diplomatic relations.

Nine Uzbek-Japanese joint ventures operate currently in Uzbekistan. Organizations like JICA and JETRO, as well as more than 20 large corporations of Japan (including Mitsui, Mitsubishi, Sumitomo, Marubeni, Itochu, Toyota Tsusho, Kintetsu Eurasia Express and Sojitz) have offices in the country.
 

A two-day roundtable meeting took place in Tashkent on 15-16 November where international and local experts discussed the issues of security, human rights, and the development of democratic institutions, UzReportcom reported.

The conference had four plenary sessions during which experts on security, human rights and democracy, and political scientists discussed the role that civil society and political parties play in the process of developing democratic government institutions that protect security and promote human rights.

The Foundation of Regional Policy (FRP) conducted the roundtable in cooperation with the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan and the Representative Office of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs in Uzbekistan.

Experts and political scientists at the conference represented countries including France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, and the United States of America, and Uzbekistan.

The participants of the forum summed up the discussions held during four plenary sessions over two days and collaborated on developing joint recommendations for the future cooperation.
 

Chairman of Isuzu Motors Ida Yoshinori and Itochu Corporation president for automobile building Furuta Takanobu are on a visit in Uzbekistan, UzA reported.

On 16 November, they held talks vice prime ministers of Uzbekistan Rustam Azimov and Kuvondik Sanakulov.

The negotiations touched upon issues of cooperation between Samarkand automobile plant SamAuto and Isuzu Motors, in particular, expansion of production and development of new projects.

Isuzu Motors is the world’s largest bus, truck and diesel motor producing company, supplying its products to more than 130 countries.

Itochu is a large trade company operating in virtually all fields of economy, including the car building, textile and food industries and the financial sector.

In January 2007, SamAuto and Isuzu Motors signed a Technical Assistance Agreement, in accordance with which production of two models of buses and three models of trucks was launched at the Samarkand plant.

More than 1,000 Isuzu vehicles were produced at the plant in the 10 months of its operation.

On the results of the negotiations, Uzavtosanoat, SamAuto, Isuzu Motors and Itochu signed an Agreement on strategic cooperation.
 

Lukoil Overseas and Uzbekneftegaz national holding company have started the supply of gas from the Khauzak area (Bukhara region of Uzbekistan) within the framework of implementation of the PSA for the Kandym-Khauzak-Shady-Kungrad project.

The start of the gas supply is the most important stage of the implementation of the Khauzak gas field development project. As of today, five wells have been commissioned in the field, a gas treatment unit has been started, gas-refining facilities at the Mubarek gas plant and the gas transportation via the Central Asia-Center Pipeline have been prepared, according to a press release of Lukoil.

Starting from 8 November, continuous supply of feedstock from the wells to the Dengizkul-Mubarek pipeline is being ensured. All equipment that has passed the necessary inspection, start-up and commissioning and pilot operation is working in a normal mode.

The field is fully staffed; the engineering and technical personnel underwent relevant training at the professional training centers of the gas industry of Uzbekistan and Russia. Marketing services started commercial operations for selling the marketable gas, the release said.

At the same time, further drilling and additional exploration of the area are carried out using three drilling rigs. All construction, assembly and commissioning operations are carried out at the highest technical, technological and organizational level with obligatory observance of the strictest environmental and industrial safety requirements.

The ceremony of starting up the Khauzak gas field will be held at the end of November this year.
 

Russia's second-largest mobile phone operator, Vimpelcom, has received licences for third-generation (3G) mobile services in Uzbekistan, Reuters reported quoting Vimpelcom's Uzbek subsidiary.

Unitel, acquired by Vimpelcom in 2006, said in a statement the Uzbek communication regulator had awarded it the licences to construct and use a 3G network and provide services across the Central Asian state.

The company did not say when it planned to launch the new network and start providing the services, which allow faster downloads of music, video and data on mobile phones.

Vimpelcom controls 35.6% of the Uzbek mobile service market. Its main rival, Russia's largest cell phone operator, Mobile TeleSystems (MTS), controls 50.1%.

MTS subsidiary Uzdunrobita was awarded 3G licences in April.
 

Iraq and India have qualified for the AFC Under-16 Championship alongside Central Asians Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, East Asian powerhouse Japan, Indonesia, Syria and Yemen.

Iraq and India emerged as the top two teams from strong Group C, which also featured Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. Both Iraq and India scored identical 3-0 victory over Saudi Arabia. They finished with 13 points each with four victories and a 2-2 draw between them.

Uzbekistan and Tajikistan made it to the finals from Group D, which also included the UAE, Turkmenistan, Bangladesh and Palestine. Uzbekistan won four and drew one game with hosts the UAE 2-2. Tajikistan overcame the UAE 3-2 and finished second with 10 points, three less than Uzbekistan.

Japan, who won the last edition of AFC U-16 Championship in Singapore, won all their matches to top Group F. Indonesia and Laos finished with nine points each but the former qualified on the basis of their 1-0 victory over Laos.

Syria topped Group A winning all the five matches while Yemen finished second with 10 points, one more than strong Qatar.

Earlier, Iran, Bahrain, China, Singapore, DPR Korea, Australia and Korea Republic qualified for this tournament. These 15 teams will be joined by the host country, which has not been identified yet.

16 FINALISTS: Syria, Yemen, Iran, Bahrain, Iraq, India, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, China, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, DPR Korea, Australia, Korea Republic, host country (to be determined).
 

As has been reported by the Information Agency “Jahon”, on November 13, 2007 the International scientific and practical conference “Uzbekistan – Homeland For Great Thinkers of Islamic world” opened in Samarkand. On November 14 the Conference moved onto the ancient city of Bukhara, where it has continued its work.

The prominent scientific and public figures from the countries of Near and Middle East are participating at the said Conference, Muzaffar Zakhidov and Ghayrat Shukurov of the Information Agency “Jahon” reported from Samarkand.

While speaking to the Information Agency “Jahon” the participants of the event shared their views on contribution of scholars and thinkers of Uzbekistan to the development of Islamic civilization, as well as the current undertakings of the Uzbek leadership and the people on preserving the historical, spiritual and architectural monuments.

“The goal of our visit to Uzbekistan is to promote further development and strengthening of scientific, cultural and spiritual relations between the people of Uzbekistan and Arab states through prism of common Islamic religion”, - the Professor at the Bahrain University Umar Abdul Aziz Ali has said. “I want to note that there is long standing traditionally friendly ties between Uzbekistan and the Arab world”.

It is an open secret that the outstanding scholars and thinkers lived and worked on the ancient soil of Movarounnakhr. Thanks to their scientific feat they have enormously contributed to the dissemination of Islamic teaching.

According to the prominent Egyptian scholar, the founder of the Institute for Asian Researches az-Zakozik Rafat al-Sheikh, holding of such conference in Samarkand and Bukhara is “an evidence of recognition of flourishing of Islam in the Uzbek soil”. “We know that 57 states are the members of the ISESCO”, - al-Shaikh has further said, “and the fact that Tashkent has been announced by this respected international organization as the capital of Islamic culture in 2007 is another confirmation to the aforesaid”.

Abdulla bin Arafa of Morocco, who represents the ISESCO at the Conference, has said: “During our visit to Uzbekistan we have become convinced that the large-scale work on preserving and reviving the historical monuments of culture is now underway in the country. It is of an enormous cultural, political and economic significance, which promotes the globalization of cultures. ISESCO will strive to support the efforts of Uzbekistan on preserving of its invaluable Islamic cultural heritage”.

According to the head of the department for Orient at the University of Ayn-Shams Majid Mahluf of Egypt, “in the medieval centuries among the mamlyuks, who ruled Egypt, there were also the Uzbeks. There was a man by the name Uzbek Saif. He was very influential and strong-willed military commander, who has left his trace in the history of Egypt. In particular, he built the Friday Mosque in the center of Cairo. Thus, up to date in honor of this mosque the park has been preserved in the downtown Cairo, which is called “Uzbekiya”.

“If to speak about “takiyas” (part of the territory of one state or another, where the Muslim pilgrims could stay there along their travels to holy Mecca), I would like to say that such Uzbek “takiya” has been in place alongside the contemporary Salahitdin Fortress in Cairo. Some sources say that one of such Muslim pilgrims, who used to stay awhile on his route to Mecca, was the great compiler of hadeeth (sayings, orders and traditions of holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Imam Bukhariy. His scientific works testify to the aforesaid”, he added.

According to Mahluf, the aforementioned facts are evidence of close historical and cultural ties between the Uzbek and Arab people, as well as invaluable contribution of the scholars and thinkers of Uzbekistan to the development of Islamic civilization.
 

A six-week diploma course in Indian studies organized at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Centre of Indian Culture (LBSCIC) in Tashkent concluded 12 November with an interesting and illuminating talk by Kusum Tayal on "The Women Achievers of India."

The talk aroused great interest among the participants as well as distinguished guests. There is little doubt that no country or society can claim to be truly modern and forward-looking without its share of women achievers, UzReportcom reported.

The course was inaugurated on 24 September by the Ambassador of India to Uzbekistan Skand Ranjan Tayal in an impressive ceremony attended by several ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps, distinguished professors and members of Uzbek academia and a large number of university students.

Ambassador Tayal's keynote address entitled "India: Sixty Years of Independence, Progress with Stability" presented a comprehensive, lucid and objective analysis of the multiple achievements of India along with the challenges faced by the country in the course of its 'tryst with destiny' as an independent player in the world arena.

India today is widely seen as a factor for stability in the entire region, and an attractive business destination with a rising economy and confident foreign policy of friendship and cooperation with all the major powers and countries.

The distinguished faculty - comprising both Indian and Uzbek scholars, experts as well as acting and former diplomats - gave lectures on Indian history, culture, economy, foreign policy, education, science, technology, yoga, languages, literature, philosophy, films and places of tourist interests.

The course, thus, provided a panoramic view of modern India and its age-old culture to bright young students from nine leading universities/institutes of Tashkent. Some of the participants were also young teachers and other professionals.

All the lectures, particularly the ones on Indo-Uzbek historical and contemporary ties and modernization in the two regions, underscored close and friendly multifaceted ties between India and Uzbekistan. The lectures were followed by lively question and answer sessions that showed keen interest and enthusiasm of the participants.

In the concluding session on 12 November, Ambassador Skand Tayal awarded diploma certificates to 40 participants. Special prizes were given to those who had done well in the essay writing and quiz competitions held during the course.

Almira Tabaeva of the Uzbek State University of World Languages, Elyorhuja Torahodjaev of the Tashkent Institute of Oriental Studies and Elvira Ziyatdinova from the University of World Economy and Diplomacy were declared the winners of the quiz competition.

The University of World Languages and the Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies had the distinction of sending the biggest two groups for the diploma course. Dr. Jyotsna Bakshi of India Chair at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, Tashkent, coordinated the course along with the Director of LBSCIC, V.Vasudevan.
 

The Khorezm Mamun Academy, which has been revived ten years ago upon the initiative of President of Uzbekistan, serves the noble goal – to develop the native science and strengthen the international cultural and scientific cooperation.

On November 11, 1997 President Islam Karimov signed the Law “On reviving the Khorezm Mamun Academy”, according to UzA.

At the festivities on the occasion of the 1000th anniversary of the Khorezm Mamun Academy the Uzbek Leader said that this academy is one of the ancient cradles of civilization, which stands on the same rank with the Plato Academy in Athens, Alexandria Library, renowned Baghdad Academy of “Baytul-Hikma”, and serves as a vivid example of the Oriental Renaissance.

The history of the Academy, which has been glorified with the name of “Dorul-hikma”, dates back the early tenth century. Such researches as those in astronomy, mathematics, medicine, chemistry, geography, mineralogy, history, philosophy, literature and theology were undertaken there. The scholars of the Academy were engaged in translations and studied the works of Indian, Greek and Arab scholars.

Ten centuries have passed before the Academy has again been reopened – now on the territory of modern Uzbekistan. The profound work on further raising the scientific potential of the country is now underway.

At the moment, the Museum of History of Science operates at the Khorezm Mamun Academy. The modern information resource center offers about 17,800 copies of books, more than one hundred of them make up the rare historical manuscripts and lithography. Besides, there is a publishing department at the Academy, which issues the Khorezm Mamun Academy News Bulletin and other science collections.

The scholars of the Academy are cooperating with a number of scientific institutions. Such relations were established with the Sorbonne University and Academy of Sciences of France, the Egyptian University Ayn Shams, the Korean University Kwon-hi, the Royal Scientific and Research Center Faysal in Saudi Arabia and other prestigious scientific institutions.

Recently a group of scholars from Malaysia specially arrived in Uzbekistan to propose about the exposition of the Khorezm Mamun Academy Museum to be held at the exhibition “The contribution of Muslim scholars to the world civilization” due in this country in 2008.
 

Four workshops dedicated to explanation and discussion of the main provisions envisaged in the draft New Revision of Tax Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan were held in the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis on October 26-29, 2007.

The workshops were arranged by the Legislative Chamber [lower house] of the Uzbek parliament jointly with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Public Finance Reform in Uzbekistan Project.

Government's tax policy amid economic reforms underway in many respects determines the focus and success of economic processes. In this regard President Islam Karimov has noted that improvement of tax policy and strenchening the incentive role of taxes plays a significant role in economic stabilization and reinforcing financial situation in the country.

The Tax Code adopted in 1997 does not fully meet the new objectives and priorities of economic reforms. More than 1500 amendments have been introduced into the Tax Code and a number of regulatory acts have been adopted since then. As a result, tax legislation lost its systemic nature and became non-transparent.

In this regard, Resolution of the President of Uzbekistan on Preparation of Draft New Revision of Tax Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan has been issued.

Elaborated Draft New Revision of Tax Code is a direct-action law incorporating all taxes and dues payable to the state both by individuals and legal entities reflecting the specific features of taxation in different sectors of the economy.

Draft Tax Code encompasses entire "tax field" in the country enabling taxpayers to be fully aware of their rights and responsibilities in the area of taxation and effectively plan their activities. The New Revision envisages strengthening the incentive role of taxes for the business, ensuring rational end economic usage of recourses, as well as simplification of tax system by unification of calculation rules and payment order of separate taxes.

The opinions of public, business community, international organizations, NGOs and many other stakeholder institutions as well as positive international experience of tax reforms both in the CIS and other foreign countries were incorporated during development of the New Revision of the Tax Code.

The workshops were arranged for providing explanations to the major provisions in the New Revision of the Tax Code and their compliance with other domestic regulations as well as eliciting constructive proposals and comments on the New Revision.

The workshops were held by the officials of the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Justice, and State Tax Committee.

In the course of the workshops the speakers made an introduction for the participants into the prerequisites for developing draft New Revision of Tax Code, main approaches in its development, issues of improving tax administration as well as on tax liabilities of legal entities and individuals.

Representatives of Committee on budget and economic reforms of Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, representatives of Social Democratic party of Uzbekistan Adolat, Peoples' Democratic party of Uzbekistan, National Democratic party Fidokorlar, Liberal Democratic party of Uzbekistan, as well as representatives of public organizations, entrepreneurs, chief accountants of major Uzbek companies and organizations participated at the seminars.

Open discussions followed the reports of the speakers, where it was noted that all proposals and comments collected in the course of development of the Code were reflected in the New Revision and they represent both government's and taxpayers' interests. Furthermore, a set of recommendations on improving the New Revision of Tax Code was proposed during the seminars.
 

An international scientific conference "Uzbekistan – Homeland for the Great Thinkers of Islamic World" will be held on 13-14 November in the cities of Samarkand and Bukhara according to “Jahon” agency.

The conference is held in connection with announcement of Tashkent by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) as the capital of Islamic culture in 2007.

This conference is a logical continuation of the International scientific and practical conference "Uzbekistan's contribution to the development of Islamic civilization", which was held on 14-15 August 2005 in the cities of Tashkent and Samarkand and received a broad resonance in the Muslim world.

More than 60 participants including 24 scientists from the Middle East countries are participating at this held in Samarkand and Bukhara under the ISESCO auspices.

Upon their arrival in Tashkent the participants of the conference early morning of 12 November traveled to Samarkand by special train. In Samarkand the guests were acquainted with historical and architectural places of interest and visited the Memorial Complex of Imam al-Bukhariy.

The conference started its work in Samarkand on 13 November and will continue in Bukhara. The participants of the conference including the prominent Uzbek and foreign scientists and historians will address the issues related to the study of the role of great scientists and theologians, the natives of Uzbekistan – to the development of the world and Islamic civilization.

For over the years of independence much has been accomplished in the country on the profound and comprehensive study of lives and activity of the theologians, scientists and thinkers who were born on the soil of ancient Movarounnakhr - Imam Bukhariy, Imam at-Termiziy, Imam Moturidiy, Makhmud Zamakhshariy, Burkhaniddin Marghinoniy, Bakhouddin Nakshband, Muhammad Khorazmiy, Akhmad Farghoniy, Abu Raikhon Beruniy, Abu Ali ibn Sino, Mirzo Ulughbek, Alisher Navoiy – and had attained a profound fame in Islamic world thanks to their scientific feat and great discoveries.
 

On November 9, 2007 the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Uzbekistan held its meeting. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoev, members of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as heads of the republican organizations participated at the event, UzA reported.

The lawmakers considered the draft of the State budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2008, as well as the concept of the draft of new Tax Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan R.Azimov has appeared with a report on the said issues, as well as with co-report – the chairman of the Committee at the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis on budget and economic reforms A.Akhadov.

The detailed discussion of the draft of the main finance document of the country, during which the representatives of all factions at the political parties spoke, was held after answers to the questions. The lawmakers have said that the forecast of main macro-economic indices for 2008 has been worked out taking into account ensuring the sustainable and balanced growth rates, structuring and modernizing of economy, technical and technological renewal of its most important branches, further liberalizing the tax policy, establishing maximum favorable conditions for business, attracting the foreign investment. At the same time the social directivity of state expenditures remains in place, which envisages the consistent growth of citizen incomes, further increase of quality of services in the system of education and healthcare, as well as protecting the socially vulnerable layers of population.

Taking into account the views expressed during the discussion the Legislative Chamber is reported to have approved the State budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2008 and adopted the respective resolution.

During the discussion of the draft of new Tax Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan the lawmakers have underscored the significance to further enhance the tax legislation of the country thanks to curbing the number of taxes and duties, maximum unification the tax bases and regulations of calculation on certain taxes, as well as the procedure of their payment, regulating the tax lifts, elaborating the clear, tested and the world-accepted principles of taxing.

Taking into account the suggestions proposed at the discussion of the document, the deputies are reported to have approved the concept of the draft of new Tax Code and have passed it in first reading.
 

The world-known historical cities of Khiva in Uzbekistan and Versailles in France have established the partnership relations. Such protocol has been signed during the visit of Mayor of the city of Versailles, lawmaker at the National Assembly of the Lower Chamber of France Etien Pinte to Uzbekistan, “Jahon” reported.

Mr. Pinte is highly respected among the political, economic and social circles of France. While manifesting interest in culture, history and traditions of the Uzbek people he has promoted holding of a number of joint cultural events in Versailles dedicated to Uzbekistan, as well as contributed to strengthening of parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.

Before leaving to France the Versailles Mayor spoke to the Information Agency “Jahon”. He has said that the outcomes of his visit and meetings were very successful and fruitful. Apart from establishing the partnership relations between the cities during the visit the initial steps were taken to establish cooperation between the Versailles University with the Bukhara and Urgench State Universities.

According to him, many cities around the world would like to establish partnership relations with Versailles. But to date such relations with the city were only established with the Japanese city of Nara from the Asian continent.

Thus, Khiva has become the second privileged city-partner of Versailles in Asia. Mr. Pinte believes that there is much in common between Versailles and Khiva. Firstly, it is rich history and architecture, which promote the year round inflow of tourists. There are also some similar objectives before the cities, including the protection and restoration of architectural monuments.

While speaking on his impressions of stay in Uzbekistan Mr. Pinter has firstly underscored the atmosphere of interethnic harmony and religious tolerance in Uzbekistan.

“The potential of your country is enormous”, - he has said, “especially it is related to economic, investment, educational and tourist spheres. I will be glad to render my efforts to further develop and strengthen the beneficial cooperation between our countries in this and other areas”.
 

The Third International Specialized Exhibition UZAGROEXPO-2007 – “Agriculture. Nutrition products”, UZPRODTECHEXPO-2007 – “Food equipment and technologies of production” and the Second International Specialized Exhibition “Tea and coffee” opened at the “Uzexpocenter” in Tashkent, according to the “Narodnoye slovo” newspaper.

The first exhibition is set up on individual sectors and includes the five specialized sections: “Agrotek” (agricultural techniques and equipment), “Cattle-breeding, veterinary medicine, feed”, “Agro-chemistry”, “Food and processing equipment” and “Food complex”. About 50 companies from the 17 countries around the world are exhibiting their products.

The “Tea and coffee” exhibition presents not only the products, but also the traditions of making these drinks in many countries. Thus, the event promotes not only the strengthening of economic, but also the cultural ties.

The equipment of making a big amount of tea and coffee is also displayed at the exhibition. It will assist to develop the vending in Uzbekistan that is to say by way of installing the vending machines at various places.

“Serikum Grup” Company presented the capabilities of one of such vending machines to sell tea, coffee, and other drinks adapted for the local market. The machines distinguished bills of various amounts, can work with coins and even gives out the change.

The organizers of the exhibition from the “EG Uzbekistan” Company have said that compare to last year the number of participants of the event saw their rise by 25%. This witnesses about the fact that the Uzbek market is prospective, as well as its profound investment potential.
 

On November 8 along with signing another Decree “On awarding A.Atoev the order of “El-yurt hurmati” (‘Respect of the nation’) the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov inked the Decree “On conferring on O.Mukhamedov the honorary rank of “Honored coach of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, “Jahon” agency reported.

The document has read that “for the selflessness manifested in popularizing the mass sports, and particularly, the boxing in our country, the merits in upbringing the young generation in the spirit of love to Homeland, nourishing the matured persons, the considerable contribution to training the highly professional boxers able to worthily defend the honor of our country at the international competitions the boxing coach of the Sporting School of Olympic reserves of the Bukhara Province Olim Muzaffarovich Mukhamedov shall be conferred on the honorary rank of “Honored coach of the Republic of Uzbekistan”.

The Information Agency “Jahon”, among other media outlets in Uzbekistan, has reported earlier on the fact that O.Mukhamedov’s trainee Abbos Atoev has earned gold in Chicago AIBA World Boxing Contest having worthily battled Artur Beterbiev of Russia.
 

“Announcement of 2007 as the Year of Social Protection is a major factor in further expanding the scale of work in addressing the employment, creating jobs for the youth and women, developing the cooperation of companies and the sphere of services with home-based workers,” – the spokesman for the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Uzbekistan Ravshan Ibragimov has said, “nearly UZS 100 billion has been allocated to implement such measures”.

According to the regional job creation programs for over the past period this year about 500,000 new jobs were created in Uzbekistan. 77,1% of them accounts for small businesses and private entrepreneurship. The bulk of the new jobs were established in the Ferghana, Kashkadarya, Samarkand and Surkhandarya provinces – the areas known for the high density of population, the report by UzA has said.

The special attention paid in Uzbekistan to the further development of services promotes the increase of a number of employees engaged in the sphere. Creation of 172,000 jobs this year in the said sphere vividly testifies to the aforesaid. For the support of this field more than 3,000 entities engaged in servicing the population gained the microcredits worth nearly UZS 4,5 billion.

The profound work is also underway to further expand cooperation based on the home labor. In this direction 81,700 new jobs were created based on the job contracted. A number of large enterprises efficiently use such method of operations. For example, the special department has been established at the Asaka-based car making plant UzDaewooAuto on extending the home labor. The department coordinates the work of packagers, manufacturers of tin products and component parts, and other.

Besides, the consistent work is being continued in the country to implement the presidential Decree “On additional measures to materially and morally support the young families” of May 18, 2007. Thus, the special attention is now accorded to strengthening the support of newly established families, rendering the necessary assistance in establishing the sources of income and bettering the household conditions of stay. By now the young families throughout the nation have obtained UZS 36,2 billion-worth of mortgage and consumer credits.

The State program of the “Year of Social Protection” sets the social protection of families with limited means as one of the main objectives to be addressed. In this context, UZS 216,1 billion-worth of budget funds have been channeled to the socially vulnerable families. Besides, the large families and those with limited means received 48,300 cattle.

Last year Uzbekistan allocated UZS 20,5 billion to protect the children left without parental care and guidance, strengthen their health, and establish for them the normal conditions of life.

The handicapped persons received more than 2,500 disability wheelchairs, over 1,000 hearing devices and nearly 5,000 prosthetic and movement devices. The lone elderly, orphans, families with limited means and persons, who stay at the “Sakhovat” and “Muruvvat” charity houses, received humanitarian aid worth about UZS 4 billion.
 

The maternity department and polyclinics of the Central hospital of the Besharyk District in the Ferghana Province earned the “Friend of children” UNICEF Certificate, UzA reported.

The hospital now implements this prestigious organization-led “Protection of breastfeeding and friendly attitude towards child” program. The program envisages the special training courses for the doctors and medium-level medical personnel, according to the report.

“Last year the maternity department has been fully repaired and supplied with the latest medical equipment,” – the deputy head doctor of the district health department Saidakhmad Yuldashev is reported to have said, “the projects and programs being accomplished jointly with the UNICEF play an important role in protecting motherhood and childhood. Special attention is being paid to the awareness work and propaganda. The conversations with young mothers about the priority of breastfeeding now bear their positive results”.

Number of programs and projects are being carried out along with UNICEF to protect motherhood and childhood, prevention of AIDS and drug abuse. The retraining of doctors is also in full sway throughout the province, the report added.

“As a result of implementation of such programs we have established the solid system of protection of motherhood and childhood,” – the head of the regional department of health Shavkat Khusanbaev has said, “by now all our maternity houses and polyclinics have earned the respective UNICEF certificates. We are going to further take such work at their next stage at 293 countryside medical stations”.
 

The Second sitting of the Joint Uzbek-South Korean committee on cooperation in the sphere of energy and natural resources took place at the International Business Center (IBC) in Tashkent, according to the Uzbek News agencies.

The representatives of several ministries and agencies, firms and companies of the two countries engaged in the oil and gas industry, the sphere of energy, mineral resources, economy, as well as banking and financial sphere are reported to have participated at the sitting.

The First Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan Galina Saidova has underscored that the cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea has been consistently developing in all spheres. The arrangements secured during the meetings of leaders of the two countries serve as an important legal basis in this, according to her.

Uzbekistan pays a profound attention to the development of all branches of economy, including the oil and gas industry. Year to year the volume of extraction and supplies of natural gas and oil see their rise. Uzbekistan takes one of the leading positions on extraction of natural gas not only in the CIS area, but also the whole world.

The head of the delegation of the Republic of Korea, the Deputy Minister of Commerce, Industry and Natural Resources Kim Jong Gwan has said that the cooperation between the two countries, which is based on friendship, mutual respect, trust and commitment, has been intensively developing as much as in all areas in the sphere of energy, as well.

In particular, during the State visit by President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov to the Republic of Korea in March 2006 a number of documents was signed between the “Uzbekneftegas” National Holding Company and the Korean Oil Corporation.

At the meeting in IBC in Tashkent the sides discussed the issues vis-à-vis the realization of these documents, expansion of cooperation on the use of alternative sources of energy, exploration and commissioning of new deposits of oil and gas in Uzbekistan.
 

The Glier Republican Special Music Academic Lyceum has embraced the good news: the student of the lyceum, the pianist Tokhirjon Askarov has secured the second place at the international contest of young musicians “Le musi” to have taken place in the Italian town of Agropol.

The judges of the said contest of young talents, which saw the participation of representatives of over 15 countries around the world, according to the report by UzA, have highly assessed the performance by T.Askarov from Uzbekistan, who performed the works of world and national classic music.

The students of the same lyceum – Kamola Zakirova and Dilnoza Turaeva are reported to have taken the second and third places, respectively, at the international festival of young musicians, which has taken place in Lithuania.

The fact that the young Uzbek performers are embracing such successes at the prestigious international music contests is certainly not for nothing. After all, all conditions are now created in Uzbekistan for young men and women to fully manifest their abilities. And their successes are the outcome of care and attention the Uzbek youth is now surrounded with, the report has said.
 

On November 5 the visiting Minister of Internal Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Bakhodir Matlyubov, the Uzbek newspapers reported.

The sides have noted that the cooperation between Uzbekistan and the UAE, as much as in several other spheres, are also consistently developing in the security area. The arrangements secured during the high-level meetings serve as an important legal basis in this.

The talks saw the discussion of issues related to consolidating the interaction in combating terrorism, separatism and extremism, and crimes vis-à-vis the human trafficking. Also, the sides have exchanged views on strengthening stability and security.

Further, the parties have agreed on further developing cooperation of the interior ministries of the two counties, elaborating and implementing the new projects in the security sphere.

The same day the UAE Interior Minister visited the Khazrati Imam Complex (Khastimom) in Tashkent and observed the Khazrati Imam Mosque, the Barokkhon Madrassah, and the Muyi Muborak Sanctuary.

The high-level guest is reported to have highly assessed the profound creative and improvement work locally accomplished upon the initiative of the Uzbek Leader.

“Building such facilities is a practical reflection of the ongoing work in the country to provide for the religious tolerance, as well as bring up the youth in the spirit of respect towards national values,” – the Interior Minister Sheikh Al Nahyan has said, while speaking to journalists.

He has also visited with the Board of Muslims of Uzbekistan, where he observed the unique Koran known as the Usman Koran.

“The enormous work being carried out in Uzbekistan is worth mentioning,” - the UAE minister has said, “which is aimed at preserving, restoring and reconstructing the ancient monuments and architectural facilities”.

At the moment, the relations between the two countries are developing in the interests of both nations. We do support the further development of cooperation with Uzbekistan, he added.
 

On November 5, 2007 at the Oksaroy Residence in Tashkent the President Islam Karimov received the Minister of Internal Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to the Uzbek News agencies.

Welcoming the guest the President has underscored the sustainable development of relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates.

“Even though the diplomatic relations between our states have been established not long ago yet the ties between our people go back deep into centuries,” – Islam Karimov has said, “the Uzbek people treat the Arab world with a special respect”.

The United Arab Emirates is Uzbekistan’s reliable partner in the Persian Gulf region as much as the Arab world. These days it has turned 15 years since the two countries have established the diplomatic relations.

The Vice President, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, the Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Muhammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum visited Uzbekistan in October this year. During such visit the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Government of the United Arab Emirates signed the agreement on preventing the income double taxation and capital tax evasion, promoting and protecting the investment, as well as the protocol of cooperation and consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries.

The visit of the UAE Interior Minister to Uzbekistan witnesses about that both countries are also traversing the path of developing the cooperation in the sphere of security. The two countries support the partnership in safeguarding society, and especially, the young men and women from the impact of various hostile ideas and ideologies, the struggle against destructive forces that operate under the guise of religion.

At the negotiations in the Oksaroy Residence the Minister Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan thanked the President for the sincere welcome and has said the United Arab Emirates, as much as in other spheres, also supports further development of cooperation with Uzbekistan in the sphere of security.
 

On November 3 the Premier of the State Council of China Wen Jiabao held talks with the chairman of the Senate of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Ilgizar Sabirov, according to the UzA.

The sides have underscored that the official visit of the Chinese Premier to Uzbekistan would serve for further intensifying the bilateral cooperation.

Wen Jiabao has said that he supports furthering the friendly ties and mutually beneficial cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and Uzbekistan, in keeping with the New Agency.

Also, the sides have said that the parliamentary cooperation plays an important role in advancing the bilateral relations.

The same day the Premier of the State council of the People’s Republic of China Wen Jiabao concluded his official visit to Uzbekistan.
 

Adolat Social-Democratic Party of Uzbekistan has held a meeting in Tashkent. The members of parliament, the elected representatives of the party councils of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regions and the city of Tashkent, the members of the Adolat fraction of parliament, deputies of local Kengashs (Councils), and the representatives of media participated in the meeting, UzA reported.

The First Secretary of the Political Council of the Adolat Party Dilorom Tashmuhamedova delivered a report. The report said that the activity of the Adolat Socio-Democratic Party of Uzbekistan was observing some positive changes. The popularity of the party is rising (over 60,000 members). Ten deputies elected by the members of the party work in the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis. The members of the party are taking an active part in the socio-political life of Uzbekistan.

It was particularly noted that the presidential elections scheduled for 23 December 2007 would be an important political event with special implication for the intensification of democratic reforms being implemented in the country. That is why the Adolat Socio-Democratic Party of Uzbekistan thinks it is an important task to participate actively in the upcoming elections, which promise to be a serious political school, a school of democracy, a trial of the socio-political maturity of all members of the party, its primary organizations. The elections will provide an opportunity to implement the principles of democracy into practice, the report said.

During the meeting a decision was made to put forward the candidacy of the First Secretary of the Political Council of the Adolat Party, the head of the fraction of this political party in the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis Dilorom Tashmuhamedova.

The participants of the meeting discussed the main programme items of her report.

They also discussed other issues concerning the activity of political parties, and made appropriate decisions.
 

The First Consulting Forum in Uzbekistan, Consult-Forum, opened on November 2 at the Tashkent House of Photography.

The Chairman of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Uzbekistan Alisher Shayhov, the National Director of the BAS Uzbekistan Shukur Mirzajanov, the Regional Director of the BAS Programme for Central Asia Gabriel Al-Salem and others spoke at the opening ceremony of the event.

Consult-Forum is the first event of its kind in Uzbekistan, intended to demonstrate the current condition and the prospects of the development of the consulting market in the country, to demonstrate the potential and opportunities available for consulting companies to the representatives of the business community.

More than 50 enterprises are taking part in the forum. It is the first event, where consulting and training companies, as well as the certification bodies have come together at one place.
 

Navoi airport has recently been given the status of an international airport. It can now send and receive international flights.

The official opening of the new international airport was held in Navoi. At the ceremony, the officials said the airport would play an important role in raising the economic potential of the region and the country as a whole, UzA reported.

The head of the Navoi Agency of Air Communication Salohiddin Nurimov said the first flight en route Andijan-Navoi-Moscow has already been conducted.

Regular flights have been opened between Navoi and Tashkent.
 

Uzbekistan national boxing team finished 7th at the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) World Boxing Championship in Chicago in the United States, collecting one gold medal thanks to 81 kg light heavyweight Abbos Atoev’s 20:17 win over Russian Artur Beterbiev in the finals.

Along with securing his place in the final competition of 2008 Beijing Olympics, Atoev become the next 81 kg light heavyweight AIBA World Champion winning his all five games during the tournament.

First came Konstantin Bejenaru from Romania, who failed to continue the fight after round 3 due to referee decision to stop the contest, as Uzbek boxer was already outscoring his opponent, leaving him no chance to recover. Atoev’s next opponent - Mamadou Diambang from France also left the ring immediately after the start of the contest being unable to continue because of his injury.

On his way to the finals Atoev also defeated Mario Saviola from Croatia in the quarterfinal stage (17:6) and Erkebuyan Shinaliev from Kazakhstan (17:8). In his final contest Atoev defeated Russian Artur Beterbiev in four rounds (20:17).
 

The session of the Council of heads of governments of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held in Tashkent on 2 November, UzA reported.

Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Masimov, Premier of the State Council of China Wen Jiabao, Acting Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev, Head of Russian Government Victor Zubkov, Prime Minister of Tajikistan Akil Akilov, SCO General Secretary Bolat Nurgaliyev and Director of the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Antiterrorist Structure Myrzakan Subanov participated in the session.

Representatives of the SCO observer countries (India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan), as well as the First Vice President of Afghanistan A.Masud also participated.

They discussed issues of cooperation in strengthening security and stability in the region, as well as development of economic and humanitarian ties among the SCO member and observer states.

The talks focused on the fields like transport, fuel and energy, industry, agriculture, high technologies and the humanitarian sphere.

The session ended with signing of a Joint communiqué, the Agreement on cooperation and mutual help in customs field among the SCO governments and other documents.
 

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received head of the Russian government Victor Zubkov on 2 November in Tashkent, UzA reported. The latter arrived in Uzbekistan to participate in the session of the council of heads of governments of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states.

Welcoming the Russian official, President Karimov expressed satisfaction with the development of relations in the framework of the Allied relations treaty and within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

The sides considered issues of development of cooperation and other matters of mutual interest.

Victor Zubkov said Russia highly valued cooperation with Uzbekistan, which is expanding in all fields.

It was noted that leaders of Uzbekistan and Russia have similar views on the issues of cooperation, security and stability, as well as international problems.

Today Russia accounts for more than 30% of Uzbekistan’s foreign trade. In 2006, trade turnover between the two states comprised over USD 3 billion. Russia purchased more than 1 million tons of agricultural products from Uzbekistan last year.

More than 450 joint ventures created with participation of Russian investors operate in Uzbekistan. Russia, in turn, hosts about 285 joint ventures with Uzbekistan.

The cooperation covers spheres like trade, energy, metallurgy, insurance, finance, food, pharmaceutics, machine and aircraft building and other industries. The countries have a huge potential for cooperation in telecom and software industries, chemical production, construction materials, textile and tourism.

The intergovernmental commission for bilateral cooperation holds regular sessions, which consider new opportunities for expansion of ties and identifies priority sectors for that. The ninth session of the commission was held in March 2007 in Moscow.

Cooperation in humanitarian sphere covers fields like education, culture, arts, healthcare and science. Prestigious Russian higher educational establishments have branches in Uzbekistan, including the Plekhanov Economic Academy, Moscow State University and the Russian State Oil and Gas University (opening this year).
 

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Wen Jiabao on 2 November in Tashkent, UzA reported.

During the talks at the Oqsaroy residence, the sides considered the current state and perspectives of the Uzbek-Chinese relations.

The first official visit to Uzbekistan of the Chinese State Council’s Premier is a great opportunity to discuss relations between the two countries, Islam Karimov said at the meeting.

The President stressed that he highly evaluated the current state of the Uzbek-Chinese relations, including the states’ cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Wen Jiabao, in his turn, said China was interested in expanding cooperation with Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan and China signed an Interstate agreement on partnership relations of friendship and cooperation in 2005.

Trade turnover between the countries made up almost USD 600 million in 2006 and USD 477 million in January-August 2007.

The agreements signed during President Islam Karimov’s May 2005 visit to China envisage investment of USD 1.5 billion in the Uzbek economy.

Uzbekistan and China signed, among others, agreements on joint fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism, as well as cooperation and consultations between the foreign ministries.

The two countries also cooperate widely in the humanitarian sphere. Representatives of Uzbekistan are regular participants of the Shanghai international culture and arts festival, and Chinese musicians and singers participate in the Samarkand international music festival Sharq Taronalari.
 

Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held talks with Premier of the State Council of China Wen Jiabao in Tashkent on Saturday, UzA reported.

The two premiers considered issues of expansion of economic and humanitarian cooperation between Uzbekistan and China.

A Joint communiqué was signed between the governments of Uzbekistan and China.

The sides also signed the memorandum of understanding in environmental protection and intergovernmental agreements on technical and economic cooperation and the project on Treatment and Surgery Center in Tashkent.

Other signed documents include the memorandum of understanding between the Uzbek Finance Ministry and Chinese Ex-Im Bank, credit agreement between Uzpromstroybank and Ex-Im Bank of China, contracts on the projects on improvement of meliorate state of lands in Ferghana and improvement of water supply in Ferghana region, electrification of Tukimachi-Angren railway line and the framework contract on delivery of 150,000 tons of cotton fiber to China.
 

Premier of the State Council of China Wen Jiabao held talks with the Chairman of the Senate Ilgizar Sabirov in Tashkent on Saturday, UzA reported.

At the negotiations, it was noted that the visit of the Chinese official to Uzbekistan would serve to further strengthening of the bilateral cooperation.

It was also stressed that the inter-parliamentary cooperation played an important role in expanding the relations between the two states.

During his visit to Uzbekistan Wen Jiabao also met the Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis Erkin Khalilov.

The head of the State Council of China familiarized himself with the activities of the parliament of Uzbekistan.

The sides discussed the current state and perspectives of cooperation between the legislative bodies of Uzbekistan and China.

Also on Saturday, Wen Jiabao laid flowers to the Monument of independence and humanism on the Mustaqillik (Independence) Square in Tashkent.
 

Member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will further enhance regional multilateral cooperation in the fields of economics and humanity, and boost their economic growth, UzReportcom reported.

That was the message contained in a joint communique issued at the Sixth Meeting of Prime Ministers of the SCO member states on Friday in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

"The prime ministers all agree that since the meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, in September 2006, all member states have apparently intensified their efforts to deepen and broaden their cooperation in the fields of economics and humanity, with a number of model projects launched successfully," the communique said.

The meeting of ministers in charge of trade and economic affairs, held in Astana last month, reviewed and confirmed the concrete measures for fulfilling the program of multilateral trade and economic cooperation among SCO member states, and yielded positive results. Resolutions adopted at the meeting are being implemented in an orderly way, added the communique.

The commmunique noted that selecting priority projects that are up to international standard and doing a good job of their economic and technological assessment will inject new vitality into the integration of organization.

Large-scale projects closely related to the SCO Business Council and Interbank Consortium are of great importance in future cooperation between member states, especially those concerning high tech, infrastructure, primary economic sectors and export-oriented projects, the communique said.

The prime ministers expressed satisfaction with the Agreement on Cooperation of the SCO Business Council and Interbank Consortium, and believe that the council and consortium should strength the pragmatic and effective cooperation within the SCO framework on the basis of fair partnership and mutual benefit, said the communique.

The leaders also believe that the regulations on selecting, evaluating and implementing investment projects by the SCO Interbank Consortium are of great significance in boosting investment in the member states, the communique said.

The prime ministers instruct the SCO secretariat, with the help of experts groups, to make an assessment of the projects designated in the plan for action to implement the program, said the communique.

The leaders believe it is necessary to intensify the research on setting up a SCO development fund, as trade, economic and investment cooperation, including the launching of model projects, all need fund support, said the communique.
 

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Uzbek President Islam Karimov vowed to promote the win-win cooperation between the two countries "to a higher level" when they met in Tashkent on 2 November.

During the meeting, Islam Karimov congratulated China on its successful convening of the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Xinhua reported.

He said he was confident that China will achieve greater achievements along the path of the socialism with Chinese characteristics and contribute more to the world's peace and development.

Karimov hailed the growth of the bilateral relations and expressed his appreciation for China's support and assistance to the country's economic and social development.

Uzbekistan is satisfied with the high-standard cooperation in economy, trade and investment between the two countries, and hopes to expand cooperation in electromechanical technology and energy, he said.

The Uzbek president reiterated his country's adherence to the one-China policy, pledging continued support for China on the issues of Taiwan and the combat against the "East Turkistan" separatist forces.

Echoing the views of Karimov on bilateral ties, Wen called the two countries "friendly neighbors and good partners" of mutual trust and sincere cooperation.

China and Uzbekistan support each other on major issues of common concern and have achieved fruitful results in various fields, Wen said.

Both sides coordinate closely in dealing with regional and world affairs in an effort to promote regional stability and development, Wen said.

China appreciates the long-term support from the Uzbek side on the Taiwan issue and China's combat against the "East Turkistan" terrorist forces, Wen said, adding that China will continue to respect Uzbekistan's path for social development chosen by its people and honor the efforts made by the Uzbek government in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and boosting the national economy.

The Chinese premier also noted that the security and stability in Central Asia can only be maintained by the countries in the region.

Wen proposed that the two nations should enhance bilateral cooperation in security, fight against drug trafficking and against terrorism under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in a bid to safeguard peace and stability for both countries and the whole region at large.

Responding to Wen's proposal, Karimov said Uzbekistan would strengthen its cooperation with China in law enforcement on security issues and jointly combat the "three evil forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism.

Karimov agreed to the proposals Wen put forward at the sixth Meeting of Prime Ministers of the Member States of the SCO, noting that SCO has a great potential for development.

He called on the SCO member states to expand mutual understanding and trust to promote cooperation.
 

More than 100 mass media representatives from Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, India, Pakistan, Iran, Mongolia and Afghanistan covered the meeting of the Council of heads of governments of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member-states, which took place in Tashkent on November 2, the report by UzA has said.

The press center has been specially established for such purposes at the International Business Center (IBC) next to the main building of the Intercontinental Hotel in Tashkent to transmit the breaking news on the event to various countries around the world.

Nearly 300 local and foreign journalists, according to the report, used 100 computers with an Internet access, as well as telephone and facsimile connection.

“There are all conditions needed to transmit the story,” – Oleg Dubin, the producer of the “Vesti” news program of the Russian state television channel, is reported to have said, “and such conditions speak about the fact that serious work has been accomplished to prepare for the session of the Council of the SCO member-states heads of governments”.
 

Goals from Bikmaev and Usmankhodjaev helped Uzbekistan score a narrow 2-1 victory over host Vietnam in the opening match of the Agribank Cup in Hanoi Friday.

At the My Dinh Stadium the Uzbeks came out strongly and quickly took control of the game thanks to its bigger players, Thanhnien News reported.

In the eighth minute Bikmaev opened the scoring with an unstoppable strike from close range.

It came as a wake-up call to the Vietnamese who began to thread together some attacks and striker Le Cong Vinh nearly put the team level, narrowly heading over a cross from Nguyen Tan Tai.

The hosts looked livelier after the break but to their frustration the finishing let them down on several occasions.

At the other end, Erkinov almost doubled his team's lead in the 50th minute when a fierce header beat goalkeeper Duc Cuong but sailed inches wide of the upright.

In the 63rd minute Vietnam's Austrian coach Alfred Riedl replaced his ineffectual strikers Cong Vinh and Anh Duc with Phan Thanh Binh and Quang Hai, who had been named the Best Player at the U-21 Thanh Nien Cup last month.

The move paid off almost immediately as Binh leveled with a delicate header from Quy Suu's free kick past a diving goalie Asurov.

The goal lifted the host team who began to put pressure on the Uzbeks. But a dreadful mistake by its defense helped the visitors regain the lead ten minutes from time. Usmankhodjaev, unmarked inside the penalty area, crashed the ball into the net.

A shell-shocked Vietnam threw everything into finding an equalizer but to no avail as the Uzbeks' defense held on until the final whistle. The hosts next take on Zimbabwe, who lost 2-3 to Finland earlier in the day.
 

Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov arrived in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, on Thursday with an official visit, UzA reported.

During his two-day visit, Zubkov is expected to meet with Uzbek Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyayev and President Islam Karimov to discuss bilateral trade and economic cooperation, mainly in the energy sphere.

The Russian premier will also take part in the session of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Friday.

Premiers from the six SCO members (Russia, China and four Central Asian states) will discuss Russia's proposal to establish an energy alliance within the bloc, to more efficiently use energy resources and emprove economic ties.

The agenda for the Friday meeting will also include transport, cooperation in emergency situations, education, health, and tourism.
 

The President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Haruhiko Kuroda arrived on 31 October in Tashkent for a two-day official visit as part of efforts to further strengthen ADB's relationship with Uzbekistan and to gain first hand perspective on the progress of ADB operations in country, UzReportcom reported.

Mr. Kuroda met with President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov to exchange views on major issues related to the country's and region's economic and social progress, strengthening cooperation in economic reforms, and the role of ADB in these processes.

"This is Mr. Kuroda's second visit to Uzbekistan as ADB President after he assumed office on 1 February 2005," said Hong Wei, Country Director of ADB's Uzbekistan Resident Mission. "It shows great importance ADB attaches to its partnership with Uzbekistan as one of its most important and valued clients in the region."

Mr. Kuroda signed a Loan Agreement for the Public Finance Management Reform Project. The US$20.7 million loan, approved by the ADB's Board of Directors on 28 June 2007, will improve planning and utilization of public resources and will promote efficiency and transparency in budget execution processes.

The project includes the establishment of a nationwide network of treasury offices that will serve budgetary organizations and revenue collection agencies; the modernization of treasury operations through the development of a government financial management information system and telecommunication networking; and project management, monitoring and evaluation through a central accounting system.

Mr. Kuroda will visit ADB-supported education projects in Samarkand to see the progress of ADB's assistance to country's education sector.

ADB has strong relationship with Uzbekistan in education and has now provided loans and technical assistance grants for more than US$260 million in the sector, including projects for the development of textbooks and the textbook rental scheme, policy reform, rural school development, and senior secondary education development since 1996.

ADB is helping to improve the livelihoods of the poorest people of Uzbekistan. Since 1996 ADB have provided US$995.6 million for 24 loans and 69 TA grants totaling US$37.24 million for education, health, agriculture, water supply and transport sectors of Uzbekistan.

ADB is dedicated to reducing poverty in the Asia and Pacific region through pro-poor sustainable economic growth, social development, and good governance. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region. In 2006, it approved loans and grants for projects totaling US$8.5 billion, and technical assistance amounting to almost US$242 million.
 

International conference dedicated to the issues of securing the ecological safety and stable development in the Central Asian region has opened in Tashkent, Jahon agency reported.

Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of Uzbekistan jointly with the OSCE Department on coordination the activities related to economy and environment organized the event.

The scholars, specialists and experts from about 20 countries of the world are participating in the event.
 

A photo exhibition following the theme of "China Today" opened in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent on 30 October, showing the style and features of contemporary China with more than 400 exquisite pictures, UzReportcom reported.

The opening ceremony was attended by Chinese Ambassador to Uzbekistan Yu Hongjun, Uzbekistan government officials and people from various circles.

The exhibition, scheduled to last five days, is co-hosted by the China Society For Human Rights Studies, the Chinese Embassy in Uzbekistan and a Uzbek cultural and artistic forum fund, Xinhua reported.
 

Federal Group is planning to update the natural gas infrastructure of Uzbekistan, having recently signed an agreement with Uzbekistan's Gas Ministry to undertake the project, UzReportcom reported.

According to the agreement, a joint company named Federal UZ Gas will be established, with shares split between Federal Group, holding 51%, and the Uzbek government 49%.

Federal Group Chairman Mustafa Nurdogan said the projects would cost over US$5 billion and that it is projected to be finished in seven years, Today's Zaman reported quoting the Anatolia news agency.

Nurdogan said the Federal Group currently has 1,200 employees and that they were going to add 1,000 employees in Uzbekistan. According to him, the Federal Group had already been producing meters for electricity and natural gas in large quantities for export to Central Asian countries. He said this had paved the way for them to cooperate with the Uzbek government.

Nurdogan said 30% of the total natural gas consumed by Uzbekistan, which has a population of 27 million, was lost due to leakage. He said this could be attributed to the old technology used in natural gas delivery in Uzbekistan and added that in the first phase of their efforts they were going to transport the necessary products and equipment from Turkey but that they would eventually produce them in Uzbekistan.

Negotiations with the Uzbek government had lasted more than eight months, said Nurdogan, adding that in the end the agreement was approved by the Uzbek Cabinet. "We are producing the meters in Adapazari. We have 800,000 meters on order to meet the urgent need," he said, adding they had pledged to produce them in Uzbekistan.

He said they would also build a factory towards the summer of 2008 and that they would produce gas pipes in Uzbekistan. Nurdogan said they were also going to build 1,000 liquified petroleum gas (LPG) stations and install LPG conversion kits to allow vehicles to use LPG instead of regular fuel. According to the agreement, the Federal Group will have a tax exemption for seven years.
 

Meeting of the Council of heads of governments of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states will be held in Tashkent on 2 November, UzReportcom reported.

Prime Minister of Kazakhstan K.Masimov, Premier of the State Council of China W.Jiabao, acting Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan A.Atambaev, Head of the Russian Government V.Zubkov, Prime Minister of Tajikistan A.Akilov, Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Sh.Mirziyayev, SCO Secretary General B.Nurgaliev and Director of the SCO Regional Antiterrorist Structure Executive Committee M.Subanov will participate in the meeting.

The representatives of the SCO observer countries – State Minister of Foreign Affairs of India E.Ahamed, First Vice-President of Iran P.Dawudi, Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia M.Enhsayhan and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan H.Kasuri, and as a guest – First Vice-President of Afghanistan A.Masood will also take part in the meeting.

During the meeting, reports will be made on the implementation of decisions by the Council of heads of states and heads of governments of the SCO member states on the development and measures to further intensify trade, economic, and humanitarian cooperation in the Organization's framework, as well as the activity of the SCO Business Council and Banking Association during the period, which followed the last meeting of the SCO Council of heads of governments in September 2006 in the city of Dushanbe.

Within the framework of the Council of heads of governments the Joint Communiqué and Agreement between the governments of the SCO member states on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs, and a number of other documents will be signed, Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan said.
 

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received president of the Asian Development Bank Haruhiko Kuroda on 31 October, UzA reported.

At the meeting in Oqsaroy residence, the sides discussed relations between Uzbekistan and the ADB, as well as implementation and possible development of new joint projects.

The ADB is one of Uzbekistan’s reliable and active partners. The bank occupies the first place among international financial structures in financing projects in Uzbekistan.

Since 1995, when Uzbekistan joined the financial institution, the ADB has issued credits worth USD 875.6 million to the country.

The credits were used for implementation of 21 projects of strategic importance in transport infrastructure, energy, agriculture, small business, education and other fields.

Besides, the bank has provided 62 technical assistance grants for the total sum of USD 32 million.

16 credit projects worth USD 510.7 million are currently being planned in the framework of the new three-year Financial Cooperation Program. The projects are aimed at improvement of drinking water supply and meliorate condition of lands, equipment of schools and introduction of ICT in education, modernization of transport infrastructure and supporting small business.

The ADB attaches a great importance to continuing and development of cooperation with Uzbekistan, Haruhiko Kuroda said at the meeting with Islam Karimov.
 

Uzbekistan and the Asian Development Bank signed a loan agreement on the Reforming the State Finance Management project. The signing took place on 31 October in Tashkent in the framework of the visit of the ADB president Haruhiko Kuroda to Uzbekistan, UzA reported.

The ADB has supported reforms in Uzbekistan since 1996 by investing in various spheres of the country’s economy. The cooperation with the bank covers fields like education, development of natural resources, agriculture, transport and transport communications, healthcare, finance, industry, trade and energy.

Last year the ADB approved the program and the strategy of cooperation with Uzbekistan for the years 2006-2010. These documents envisage realization of 14 projects during 2007-2008 in agriculture, drinking water supply, equipment of schools and small business.
 

Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Director General of the Uzbek Agency of Communication and Informatization (UzACI) Abdulla Aripov met with the President of Korea Telecom Corporation Nam Jung-Su on 29 October, UzReportcom reported.

The sides discussed issues on further development of bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation in the newest areas of the sphere of information and communication technologies, Jahon reported quoting local newspapers.

Thanks to favorable investment climate and the system of legal guarantees and privileges for foreign investors created in Uzbekistan the transnational corporations Korea Telecom and Japanese Sumitomo Corporation are jointly acquiring 85% of East Telecom joint venture's shares. The 15% of shares of the joint venture belongs to Uzbektelecom joint-stock company.

East Telecom is the first communication operator in Uzbekistan, which provides services on technologies and solutions of the so-called next generation network (NGN). The main direction of East Telecom's activity is to render the complex of modern telecommunication services, including digital telephony, intellectual communication networks, organize virtual private networks and high-speed Internet access.

Korea Telecom Corporation was founded in 1892. Its annual turnover makes up US$12 billion. The company is one of the largest communication operators in Asia. It owns the biggest and technologically saturated telecommunication network of South Korea, which renders services of local, interurban and international communication, as well as data transmission.

Sumitomo Corporation is one of the oldest trade and industrial structures of Japan. It was founded in 1919. The corporation operates in many branches of economy, including the sphere of information and communication technologies. The annual turnover of the corporation makes up over US$22 billion.

During the meeting in Tashkent the sides also discussed further development of East Telecom network based on the technology of broadband wireless access WiMAX.
 

Korea Telecom said it has acquired East Telecom, an Uzbek Internet service company, to start broadband and wireless Internet services in the Central Asian region, The Korea Times reported.

The Korea's largest fixed-line telephone and Internet company said that it purchased 51% of East Telecom shares at an undisclosed price. It also bought a 60% stake in Super-iMax, which has the right to use the radio frequency for the Mobile WiMax wireless Internet service in the former member of the Soviet Union.

"Uzbekistan's communication infrastructure is underdeveloped but the corporate demand for high-speed Internet and mobile and fixed-line phone services is rapidly increasing," the company said in a statement. "Especially, Mobile WiMax has a large potential as there are around 60,000 Internet subscribers who use slow telephone connections."

KT's domestic business has been stagnant for years as the fixed-line phone and Internet markets are saturated here. The company, however, began to see increasing profits in Russia's Far Eastern region where it operates the telecom company NTC.

KT's acquisition of East Telecom and Super-iMax are the first such actions by a Korean firm in Uzbekistan, which has a population of around 26 million. The annual revenue of East Telecom for this year is estimated at US$11 million, the firm said.

Earlier this month, KT celebrated the recognition of Mobile WiMax as the sixth standard third-generation mobile communication platform in an international forum in Geneva. The company, as well as several other Korean firms including Samsung Electronics and Posdata, has played a leading role in developing the technology. It is also participating in a consortium to get the Mobile WiMax business operated in Japan.

KT's operating profit in the July-September period amounted to 400.4 billion won, down 7.2% from 431.6 billion won a year earlier. Sales also declined 1.9% to 2.95 trillion won.
 

Major Japanese trader Sumitomo Corp. said Tuesday it will launch high-speed wireless communications services in Uzbekistan in the second half of 2008, UzReportcom reported.

Sumitomo will offer the services based on the worldwide interoperability for microwave access, or WiMAX, format, by acquiring two firms based in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent jointly with South Korea's leading telecommunications carrier KT Corp, Jiji Press reported.

Specifically, Sumitomo will snap up a 34% stake in one of the two firms, East Telecom, and a 40% stake in the other, Super iMax. KT will buy a stake of 51% in East Telecom and a 60% stake in Super iMax.

Sumitomo and KT are expected to spend a total of 8 billion yen on the share acquisitions and purchases of new shares to be issued by the two local companies later.

East Telecom and Super iMax will aim to achieve combined annual sales of US$61 million in 2012, according to Sumitomo.

Sumitomo, which is currently offering WiMAX-based wireless telecommunications services in 25 cities in Russia, is aiming to promote the services in former Soviet republics.
 

The UNDP's "ICT Policy" project with assistance of the Uzbek Agency of Communication and Informatization (UzACI) has prepared the Report on analysis of progress made by Uzbekistan in implementing the decisions of the World Summits on the Information Society (WSIS stocktaking) conducted in Geneva and Tunis in 2003 and 2005 accordingly, UzReportcom reported.

The WSIS stocktaking is intended to fulfill the dual purpose of providing an inventory of activities undertaken by the Government of Uzbekistan and all stakeholders in implementing the decisions specified in the WSIS Declaration of Principles and Plan of Actions and taking stock of the progress made in building the Information Society.

The information in the Report is divided according to the following WSIS action lines: the role of public governance authorities and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development; information and communication infrastructure; access to information and knowledge; capacity building; building confidence and security in the use of ICTs; enabling environment; ICT applications; e-government; e-business; e-learning; e-health; e-employment; e-environment; e-agriculture; e-science; cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content; media; ethical dimensions of the Information Society; international and regional cooperation.

UNDP's project "Assisting the Government of Uzbekistan in the formulation and implementation of ICT for development policy" is aimed at supporting the development of ICT policy in Uzbekistan and facilitating use of ICT for achieving development goals.
 

Visitors from France led by the French ambassador to Uzbekistan Jean-Bernard Hart visited the museum in the Afshona Village of Peshkun District, the birthplace of the great Abu Ali Ibn Sino.

They presented some copies of the translations "Canons of Medical Science" by Jerard Cremon into Latin, as well as copies of manuscripts of 1447-1448 dedicated to Avicenna, Jahon agency reported.

"Our association "Avicenna-France" is the non-governmental organization," the head of the association Mark Bonnel said. "Usually we assist on retraining the Uzbek doctors, and for over the last four years we have also established contacts with the Abu Ali Ibn-Sino Museum in Afshona. It is not a secret that the copies of manuscripts of works and documents related to his life and activities are kept in the museums in many countries. The French friends decided to make their copies for the museum in Uzbekistan for free".