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LATEST NEWS :
OCTOBER 2008 |
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Practical result of cooperation |
| October 31, 2008 |
| Uzbekistan Today
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received last week Mohammed
Abdullah Al Gergawi, United Arab Emirates Minister of State for Cabinet
Affairs and Chairman of Dubai Holding. The agreement on creation of
UzEmirateHolding joint investment company was signed as one of the
results of the meeting.
Uzbekistan sees the United Arab Emirates as a reliable partner in the
Arabian Gulf. The United Arab Emirates consider Uzbekistan the most
important partner in Central Asia.
The agreements between Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates
reached during the high level meetings are successively being
implemented to the benefit of dynamic development of the cooperation.
Trade turnover between the two countries totaled $93.1 million in
2007. In Uzbekistan there are 68 joint ventures with the UAE capital
participation that are operating in the food production industries,
electronics, textile, construction materials and transport services.
Dubai Holding, one of the largest investment companies, participates in
a number of economic projects in Uzbekistan, and this was a reason
behind the latest working visit of its chairman to Uzbekistan.
During the meeting with President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov,
Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi noted that the United Arab Emirates pay
special attention to the development of investment cooperation with
Uzbekistan, and are open to further this cooperation.
The meeting resulted in the agreement signed during the working visit
of Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi by government of the Republic of
Uzbekistan, the Reconstruction and Development Fund of Uzbekistan and
Dubai Holding.
The agreement covers the creation of UzEmirateHolding joint
investment company under the patronage of President of Uzbekistan Islam
Karimov and UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His
Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The new company will operate both in Uzbekistan and overseas, and it
will be attracting direct foreign investments in the Republic.
The share capital of UzEmirateHolding totals $1.25 billion with 80%
invested by Dubai Holding and 20% - by the Reconstruction and
Development Fund of Uzbekistan. The company will be headquartered in
Tashkent.
It is worth noting that the Reconstruction and Development Fund of
Uzbekistan, established in 2006 as the initiative of President of
Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, focuses on implementation of the projects
related to modernization and technical upgrading of the economic
sectors.
The Fund currently takes active part in the development and
implementation of the investment projects in oil and gas, chemical and
energy industries. It also effectively cooperates with numerous foreign
financial institutions.
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In face-to-face negotiations format |
| October 31, 2008 |
| Uzbekistan Today
Delegation of the Korean business circles has visited Uzbekistan. The
visit was organized by the Commercial and Industrial Chamber of
Uzbekistan and the Korean Polytechnic University. A cooperation and
information exchange took place within the Korean delegation visit.
The cooperation exchange was held in face-to-face negotiations
format. It was known beforehand who and with whom would discuss business
partnership. The Korean side presented companies specializing in
construction industry, machine building and transport navigation system.
“The aim of our meetings is, on one hand, to inform the Uzbek
entrepreneurs about the products manufactured in Korea and to find
partners in Uzbekistan on its distribution; from the other hand, we
would like to establish new enterprises in your republic. At the moment
we brought two specific offers on creation of plants specializing in
polyethylene production manufacture, in particular, the packaging
materials and aluminum window frames,” Yeng Il Kim, head of Industry and
Corporation Academy and chief professor of the Technical University of
the Republic of Korea said.
Such plants can be created both as foreign enterprises with 100%
Korean capital and in partnership with local entrepreneurs. At present
all options are under examination.
Yeng Il Kim also said “Uzbekistan was not accidentally chosen for
creation of new manufacture: its geographical position in Central Asia,
favorable investment climate and economic stability was taken into
account. It is early to speak about the investment amount figures; they
will depend on the market capacity and number of equipment, but I must
say that for launching of only one production line we plan to invest not
less than $1mln.”
Besides, the Korean side expressed its interest in assisting in
personnel training programs for small and medium business.
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Chinese Businessmen Discuss Doing Business in
Uzbekistan |
| October 30, 2008 |
| IA “Jahon”
The roundtable on the topic “Deepening trade and economic relations
between Uzbekistan and China: investment cooperation and trade” took
place in Shanghai. The Consulate General of Uzbekistan to China and
Information Business People’s Club of Shanghai organized the event.
The representatives of Chinese firms and companies busied in the
sphere of energy, textile and light industry, pharmaceuticals,
construction, food and chemical industry, transport communications and
tourism as well as local mass media took part at the roundtable.
The delegates to the gathering learnt about tangible social and
economic reforms in Uzbekistan, ongoing privatization processes,
transformations in the area of development of small businesses and
private entrepreneurship that are reflected on the regular rise of GDP
the growth rate of which made up 9.3% for the first half of this year.
At the roundtable Chinese entrepreneurs were thoroughly informed on
priority directions of attracting investments into Uzbekistan’s economy,
potential of the country in the spheres of oil and gas, mining industry,
tourism, machinery, production of construction materials and
agriculture.
They have paid a particular attention to establishment of legal basis
for doing business in Uzbekistan, adopted laws, expanding opportunities
for production companies and entrepreneurs.
During discussions the Chinese businessmen dwelled on the
opportunities of establishing contacts with the Uzbek partners and
engaging in mutually beneficial business in the country, including, by
way of organizing joint production of industrial products bound for
further exports.
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New Motherhood & Childhood Project Presented in
Tashkent |
| October 30, 2008 |
| IA “Jahon”
Presentation of a new project related to further enhancing protection
of motherhood and childhood was held in Tashkent, the local news
agencies reported.
The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan jointly with the
European Commission and the Office of the UN Children’s Fund – UNICEF in
Uzbekistan organized the event. The members of respective state
structures, non-state and international organizations, embassies, mass
media, scholars and specialists took part at it.
The Minister of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan Feruz Nazirov
said that medical and social aspects of protection of motherhood and
childhood, upbringing healthy generation, ensuring firmness and
prosperity of families were one of the priority directions of policy led
by the Uzbek Leadership.
Alongside the state programs specially worked out in the country the
cooperation with social and international organizations bears positive
results. A project on protection of motherhood and childhood implemented
in Ferghana Province with the support of the Ministry of Health of
Uzbekistan and UNICEF is a vivid example to this.
This project which was implemented yet ten years ago and aimed at
protecting healthy motherhood had already given positive results. The
work on rendering emergency medical aid to mothers and children at
maternity hospitals and resuscitation departments, monitoring health of
newborns, as well as training young mothers for nursing babies has been
cardinally bettered in Uzbekistan.
In the framework of the project aimed at popularizing secured
successes and ensuring considerable results in all regions in the
country several training centers at the local levels shall be repaired
with the new ones to be commissioned.
At the ceremony the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
France to Uzbekistan H.Perne and head of the office of UNICEF in
Uzbekistan Mahbub Sharif are reported to have said that such measures
directed at protecting healthy motherhood and childhood were one of the
priorities now led in Uzbekistan. They have expressed confidence that
cooperation for the sake of such noble goals was called upon to serve
development of society.
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Up-to-date Technologies to be Introduced into
Practice |
| October 30, 2008 |
| IA “Jahon”
Innovation technologies play a big role in realizing the tasks on
developing social and economic processes, protecting and improving
intellectual potential, broadening the scale of activity in production
sphere, raising the production quality and providing for exports of
goods. Therefore, leading technologies are well introduced into practice
and become an important factor for the development of society.
The delegates to the International scientific and practical
conference Innovation-2008 held at the Tashkent State Technical
University named after Abu Raykhan Beruniy spoke on aforementioned
issues, the news agencies reported.
The Ministry of Higher and Secondary Special Education, Uzbek
department of International Academy of Sciences of Higher school,
Strategic Innovations and Information Center at the Tashkent State
Technical University, Navoi Mining and Smelting Plant are reported to
have organized the event. Scholars, young researchers, manufacturers,
entrepreneurs and specialists from Russia, the Netherlands, the Ukraine,
Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have participated at the forum.
The scale of reforms now underway in this direction in Uzbekistan
promote introduction of up-to-date technologies into all sectors,
manufacturing of export-oriented goods from the local raw, saving
natural resources and preserving ecologic stability.
Achievements of scholars of Strategic Innovation and Information
Center of Tashkent State Technical University in the sphere of
information technologies can serve as an example to the said. Scientific
elaborations in this area are effectively used at the Navoi Mining and
Smelting Plant.
At the First Republican Fair of Innovative Ideas and Projects held on
April 30 – May 2 this year expansion of scale of scientific and
practical work, cooperation of scholars, manufacturers and entrepreneurs
were discussed.
The participants of the conference are reported to have paid
attention to realizing these priority tasks. They have discussed such
issues as enhancing leading innovative processes in the country,
introducing scientific achievements into industries, coordinating
activity of scholars, manufacturers and entrepreneurs.
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Tashkent Hosts Photography Masters from Four
Continents |
| October 29, 2008 |
| IA “Jahon”
From October 20 to October 27 this year the “TashkentALE – 2008”
Fourth Tashkent International Photo-biennale and the Second
International festival of actual photo- and video arts “East and West.
On the intersections of Tashkent” was held at the Uzbek capital.
The expositions of photographs were demonstrated at the six
exhibition halls in Tashkent and ancient city of Bukhara.
The Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan, Tashkent House of Photography and
Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan Fund organized the events which
were dedicated to the 2200th anniversary of Tashkent.
The forum of modern photography arts hosted about 100 photographers
from 20 countries such as Azerbaijan, Armenia, Canada, China, Egypt, the
Great Britain, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Lithuania, Pakistan, Puerto-Rico, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the
Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
The photography masters demonstrated their best color and black &
white photographs on three nominations: “Mind plus intuition”, “Gesture
and mimicry”, as well as “Youth and time” on which the connoisseurs of
photo-arts could observe historical development and significance of arts
of photography.
“If at the first biennales we have just acquainted the public with
phenomena which are in the world of modern photography yet now we have
an opportunity to show history on the move forward. First we were going
to present only historical photographs but later we have decided to
showcase works of modern photographs, as well,” the director of Tashkent
House of Photography Shakhnoza Karimbabaeva said.
“Photography is the most democratic from all other arts,” a historian
Boris Golender said. “It is the most available for millions of people
which allows to follow many things, which maybe now we do not notice.
These photographs are further becoming important documental sources of
our civilization. It has already been proved.”
“Such exhibitions give opportunity to get into contact with
professional masters and people from various countries, allow for
intersection of various cultures and various views, as well as exchange
of creative ideas which serve as a good impulse for further works,”
Midori Sakurai of Japan shared her view.
From above 700 photographs exhibited at the International
Photo-biennale vividly demonstrated modern tendency of photographic arts
of four continents – Asia, Europe, America and Africa.
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Industrial Fair to Consolidate Ties between
Producers |
| October 29, 2008 |
| IA “Jahon”
As has been reported earlier, on October 27 this year the Republican
Industrial Fair and Cooperation Exchange took off at the pavilions of
Uzexpocenter in Tashkent.
The forum of Uzbek manufacturers, organized in Tashkent for the
second time, hosted over 300 companies and enterprises now operating in
Uzbekistan.
The presentations of Navoi and Almalyk mining and smelting plants,
Tashkent aircraft manufacturing association named after V.P.Chkalov
State Joint-Stock Company, Uzbek Plant of Refractory and Heat-resistant
metals Open Joint-Stock Company, Uzmetkombinat Joint-Stock industrial
association and Uzbekko’mir Open Joint-Stock Company were held at the
first day of the Fair.
Mining and metallurgical branches are one of the priority spheres of
Uzbekistan’s economy. As a result of large-scale reforms now underway in
the country, these branches are being consistently developed. Profound
work on introducing modern technologies into developing new natural
deposits, extraction and processing mineral and raw resources bear
positive results.
Favorable investment climate created in the country serves as an
important factor to further strengthening the trade and economic
cooperation with foreign states, as well as integrating into world
economy.
“The volume of production at our company grows year to year,” the
Deputy Director General of the Navoi Mining and Smelting Plant Sergey
Lysenko said. “It is important that the Industrial Fair and Cooperation
Exchange became a traditional event. Last year we concluded agreements
worth over 100 billion soums. This year we offer our products at even
broader assortment. The Fair vividly demonstrates that we enjoy enormous
opportunities to produce many kinds of goods. Besides, it allows
establishing close ties with many companies and find new partners.”
“We export bulk of our goods to the countries in Europe,” the
director of the Uzbek Plant of Refractory and Heat-resistant Metals”
Open Joint-Stock Company Ilkhom Asadov said. “Last year we concluded
agreements with other enterprises worth 13 billion soums. Thanks to the
Exchange we can purchase necessary raw materials at the Almalyk Mining
and Smelting Plant. At the same time, other enterprises on processing
metals procure necessary equipments from us. During this Fair we plan to
sign agreements worth about 20 billion soums.”
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Uzbekistan’s GDP grows 9.4% in Jan-Sep |
| October 18, 2008 |
| UzA
Gross domestic product of Uzbekistan increased by 9.4% in the first
nine months of 2008 year-on-year, it was said at the Cabinet’s session
on Friday.
The volume of industrial production grew by 12.4%, consumer goods
production by 18.4%, agriculture by 4.1% and services by 18.5%. The
state budget was implemented with a surplus of 1.9% to GDP, and the
inflation level did not exceed the forecast.
Favorable investment climate and implementation of the investment,
localization and modernization programs led to increase of the
investments by 22.4%, including direct foreign investments by 3.5%.
284 industrial objects were launched in the reporting period. The
share of small business in GDP comprised 45.3% against 43.1% in the same
period of last year.
A total of 545,200 new workplaces were created in the nine months,
including 188,200 in the service sector and 85,100 on an outwork basis.
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Indian Mission to Uzbekistan Holds ITEC Day in
Tashkent |
| October 18, 2008 |
| Late last week an event on
the occasion of Day of Technical and Economic Cooperation of India took
place at the Embassy of India to Uzbekistan.
The representatives of scientific community, mass media as well as
students and graduates of ITEC program from Uzbekistan took part at the
gathering.
The guests to the event have learned about the ITEC program
elaborated by the Government of India in 1964 as a program of bilateral
cooperation and technical support for partner countries. As a part of
this program, India holds an exchange of experience in the sphere of
economic development, human resources, skills and technologies with 156
countries around the world.
Uzbekistan became a partner of India on ITEC program in 1993, and
year to year it obtained popularity among the public. By now over
thousand experts and specialists of Uzbekistan gained an education in
India in such spheres as information technologies, management,
administration, banking and finance, education and human resources
development, English, journalism, diplomacy, entrepreneurship,
administering textile plants, development of water resources and
non-state non-profit organizations, civil society and many other areas.
According to the Embassy of India, this program is a bright
confirmation of the successfully developing cultural and humanitarian
relations between Uzbekistan and India. The visit of the Prime Minister
of India Manmohan Singh to Tashkent in April 2006 paved way to raise a
quota in the ITEC program to Uzbekistan up to 120. That is the greatest
number of quota as a part of the program assigned to any other country
of the world.
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14th Tashkent tourism fair starts |
| October 17, 2008 |
| UzA
The 14th international Tashkent tourism fair “Tourism on the Great
Silk Road” started on 16 October in the capital of Uzbekistan.
The event, organized by the Uzbektourism national company, attracted
representatives of the local and foreign tourist companies, hotels,
restaurants, museums, diplomatic missions and other structures.
The main purpose of the exhibition is familiarizing the visitors with
the high tourist potential of the country and expansion of cooperation
with foreign tourist companies.
The fair, held regularly since 1995, has attracted more than 100
companies from 23 countries, including Russia, Spain, Greece, Latvia,
Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Turkey, Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia,
Malaysia, South Korea, Ukraine, Vietnam, Azerbaijan and Central Asian
states.
The forum visitors can get acquainted with the activities of the
tourism operators, transport companies, insurance and banking services,
ecological and sports tourism.
In the framework of the two-day fair, its participants will be able
to discuss joint projects and sign cooperation agreements.
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Uzbek Customs Committee launch website on customs
reform |
| October 17, 2008 |
| UzReport
The joint project of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
in Uzbekistan and the State Customs Committee of the Republic of
Uzbekistan entitled "Improving the System of Customs Administration in
the Republic of Uzbekistan" has launched the web site to facilitate the
coverage of ongoing customs reform.
Within the Government's policy framework aimed at creation of
enabling environment for private sector development and further
integration into global economy, a comprehensive reform of the system of
customs administration is underway. In particular, the new revision of
the Customs Code (which should become a regulatory act of direct action)
and additional measures aimed at improving the system of customs
administration are being developed.
The effectiveness of ongoing customs reforms as a whole and
elaboration of the new revision of Customs Code in particular, heavily
depend on reflecting the opinions and interests of business entities
engaged in foreign trade activity in the reform agenda. In this regard,
it is important to maintain a constant and constructive policy dialogue
between the government, private sector and other involved parties, thus
providing opportunities for the joint analysis and search for
comprehensive solutions of unresolved issues of the current draft
document.
One of the effective tools of facilitating the dialogue between the
government and private sector is creation of web resources which will
ensure convenient and efficient online access for domestic entrepreneurs
to the information about ongoing reforms, which in its turn will promote
the constructive exchange of opinions through respective online forums.
Taking into account the above-mentioned, the interactive web site on
the coverage of ongoing customs reforms (www.customsreform.uz) was
developed and launched within the framework of the joint project of the
United Nations Development Programme and the State Customs Committee of
the Republic of Uzbekistan entitled "Improving the System of Customs
Administration in the Republic of Uzbekistan". The main objective of
creation of the web site is to promote the involvement of government
officials, representatives of business entities engaged in foreign
economic activity, officials of business support centers, research
institutions and international organizations in the process of joint
consideration and discussion of clauses of the draft Customs Code in new
revision.
Besides this, the web site will provide information about the course
of offline discussions of the draft Customs Code in new revision and the
results of the meetings of Expert Council on customs reform, as well as
the measures undertaken on further improvement of the customs regulation
and creation of favorable conditions for foreign trade development. In
addition, the web site gives the opportunity to visitors to get
familiarized wit the latest changes introduced in the legislation of the
Republic of Uzbekistan in the sphere of customs regulation of foreign
economic activity and international agreements in this field, as well as
access to respective analytical and supplementary materials.
Taking into consideration the increasing demand for information about
the ongoing customs reform and the need for strengthening the dialogue
between government bodies and private sector, there is every reason to
believe that this web site will take its respective place in the
domestic market of web resources.
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Meeting of business circles of Uzbekistan and
Austria |
| October 16, 2008 |
| UzA
On 15 October, the cooperation exchange started in the city business
center, with the participation of representatives of business circles of
Uzbekistan and Austria. The event was organized jointly by the Ministry
of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade of the Republic of
Uzbekistan, “Uzinfoinvest” Agency and the Federal Chamber of Economy of
Austria.
The forum was dedicated to expansion of bilateral trade and economic
and investment cooperation. Companies and organizations of Uzbekistan,
working in the fields oil and gas, energy, automotive, aircraft
production, textiles and light industry, pharmaceutics, construction,
agriculture and water management, food processing and chemical
industries, transport and transport communications, tourism participated
in the event.
The Austrian delegation, headed by Vice-President of the Federal
Chamber of Economy Richard Shenz, included representatives of companies
such as BSH International (ventilation and fire-fighting technology),
Emco Maier Gesselschaft (technologies for metal processing), Agrana
Beteilgungs (food), Jet Alliance Holding (consulting services), Tiroler
Roehren-UND Metallwerke (pipe production), SY-LAB Gerate (cosmetic and
pharmaceutical products).
Cooperation of businesses entities of the two countries covers many
areas – including production of porcelain and crystal products, cables
and wires, metal, construction materials, electronics, food processing,
lighting, communications, security, fire safety, furniture production,
machinery, textiles, packaging, pharmaceuticals and food industry and
consulting.
Currently, there are 20 joint ventures created with participation of
Austrian investors in Uzbekistan, and 13 Austrian companies opened their
offices in Uzbekistan. They work in areas such as pharmaceuticals,
construction, footwear production, publishing and textiles industry.
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Contracts for sale of 950,000 tons of cotton
sealed |
| October 16, 2008 |
| UzA
Contracts for sale of more than 950,000 tons of cotton fiber were
signed at the fourth international cotton fair held in Tashkent on 14-15
October, minister of foreign economic relations, investments and trade
Elyor Ganiyev said. This year, fiber of about 20 sorts of cotton was put
for sale at the fair.
According to experts, despite slowdown of cotton production and
consumption in the world, this should not reduce the demand for Uzbek
cotton, especially in Asia. The Uzbek cotton is currently delivered to
China, South Korea, Bangladesh, Iran and other states of the region.
Editor in chief of the Cotton Bangladesh agency K.Ahsan said Uzbek
cotton fiber accounts for 62% of the total cotton import of his country.
Y.Syudong, vice chairman of the Xinjang industrial and construction
corp, said although China grows cotton, its volume is not enough to
cover the needs of textile enterprises. “Participation in the Tashkent
cotton fair allowed us to meet Uzbek colleagues and discuss joint
marketing policies.”
The participants of the fair visited cotton processing plant in
Yangiyul, cotton terminal Toshkent-tola and textile enterprise
Muruxxat-tex. They also participated in the sessions of the Uzbek
commodity exchange, which sells cotton fiber for export.
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Uzbek Musician Participates at Contest in Italy,
Wins It |
| October 16, 2008 |
| IA “Jahon”
The 10-th International Contest of musicians and performers named
after Astor Piazzolla took place in the city of Lanciano in Italy.
The soloists and ensembles from 20 countries of Europe and CIS took
part at the contest. A third-year student of the State Conservatory of
Uzbekistan Victoria Saparova represented Uzbekistan at the contest.
On the outcomes of the contest Victoria was awarded the first place
among the musicians of wind instruments and special prize of sympathies
of the Astor Piazzolla’s Fund President.
Experts highly assessed Victoria’s virtuous play on the saxophone of
compositions of Italian composers. Each performance of the Uzbek
musician accompanied with loud and tumultuous applauses of “Bravo!”
Chair of jury, composer V.Zubiczkiy said that Victoria’s win has come
as a result of thorough support on the part of the Government of
Uzbekistan to implementing socially important projects aimed at
developing creatively active youth and providing for participation at
international festivals and contests.
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Uzbek Painter’s Expo Held as a Part of Style.Uz –
2008 |
| October 16, 2008 |
| The Week of Fashion and
Design Style.Uz – 2008 now held in Tashkent attracts public attention
with the wealth of interesting events. An exhibition of works of artist
Gafur Kadyrov opened at the “Asia” gallery in Andijan, according to the
Uzbekistan National News Agency.
The Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan Fund renders a
comprehensive support to many figures of arts. The “Asia” gallery opened
as a part of the Week of Fashion and Design Style.Uz – 2007 held last
year serves such noble goal.
The works of artist which were demonstrated at the exhibition
“Samoviy tulporlar” (“The divine horses”) told about protecting the
national traditions and values, as well as love. The skilled master
sincerely tries to tell with paints his philosophical ideas about the
meaning of life, both in realistic and vanguard works.
Gafur Kadyrov is a participant of many international exhibitions in
Russia, the United States and France. His paintings are now kept in
personal collections in several foreign countries.
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Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan sign accord on railway
transportation |
| October 13, 2008 |
| UzReport
Kazakhstan Temir Zholy and Uzbekistan Temir Yollari signed an agreement
on mutual relations in the field of railway transportation on Friday, 10
October, the Kazakh company said on the same day.
The Kazakh company's statement said that the working meetings of
president of joint-stock company National Company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy
Mr. Mamin with the deputy prime minister of Uzbekistan Mr. Nodir Khanov,
the foreign economic relations minister Mr. Elyor Ganiyev and the
chairperson of Uzbekistan Temir Yollari (Uzbekistan Railways) state
joint-stock company Achilbay Ramatov took place in Tashkent on 10
October.
During the meetings which have passed in friendly conditions, the sides
have discussed nuances of development of the Kazakh-Uzbek rail
transportation on the long-term prospect, questions on cooperation in
the field of railway transportation and work of railways of both parties
for 8 months of 2008 have also been summed up.
Mr. Mamin said that the volume of freight transportations through the
Kazakh-Uzbek boundary transitions for 8 months of the current year has
made up12.5 million tonnes or 966,000 tonnes (or 8 %) more than for 8
months of 2007. In the direction of the Central Asian countries through
the territory of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and also through Saryagash
station for 8 months of 2008 the admission of 65 container trains is
carried out.
"Container freight transportation is one of the basic perspective
directions of railway transportation development. Our roads play the
great role in the organisation of running of container trains from the
Peoples Republic of China in the direction of Central Asian countries
through Saryagash station," Mr. Mamin said. "From the beginning of 2008
through the territory of Kazakhstan passed 65 container trains to
Uzbekistan, including 36 trains on the route Lyanyungan - Dostyk -
Saryagash, and 29 ones on the route Nakhodka - Lokot – Saryagash".
During the meeting the questions concerning bilateral cooperation have
also been discussed.
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CDM Biogas Projects: Training Workshop and
Consultancy Series |
| October 13, 2008 |
| UzReport
Waste storage in a traditional manner entails significant quantity of
Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emission causing the global warming. Thus,
poultry manure at the local poultry farms is accumulated in the pits and
then taken out to fields for use by farmers. As a result GHG including
methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide are generated and released to
the atmosphere air.
If the poultry manure were subject to preliminary process of anaerobic
fermentation prior to discharge to the sedimentation pool, GHG emission
would be reduced dramatically, providing for ecological organic
fertilizers, as well. For implementation of these measures there is a
need in construction of a biogas installation equipped in addition to
bioreactors with a unit for generation of heat and electricity. The
generated electricity could be primarily used for own needs of the
poultry farm. Excess electricity could be fed into the general power
grid.
Similarly, the municipal solid waste at the landfills of the country
which is stored according to outdated technologies have been generating
considerable number of landfill gas, over 50 % of which is methane. If
the landfill biogas were systematically collected and burned in flares,
the methane emission to atmosphere would decrease, and ecological
conditions of the landfill would improve.
As a result of these measures both at poultry farms and landfills, in
addition to the reduced GHG emission, an unpleasant odors is expected to
lower, thus facilitating improved living standards of the local
communities.
Implementation of the proposed activity is enabled in the framework of
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which imply developing or transition
countries, such as Uzbekistan, to be the project host country, and the
foreign investors to be the major sources of financing. The ultimate
goal of these investments would be not in acquiring maximum financial
returns, but rather in obtaining Certified Emission Reductions (CERs)
applicable to meet obligations on GHG emission reduction by developed
countries, industries and individual companies under the Kyoto Protocol.
Development of a CDM project implies numerous stages and requires
knowledge of specific CDM modalities and procedures. With a view to
improving practical skills of the national specialists in development of
the proper project documents, the UNDP project "Capacity Building on
Clean Development Mechanism in Uzbekistan" is to conduct the training
workshop on preparation of CDM biogas projects.
The training is led by Mr. Vladislav Arnaoudov, an International
Consultant, specialist on CDM and JI of the Mitsubishi UFJ Securities
Co., Ltd., a Japanese investment bank and one of the leading
international consultancies providing advisory and brokerage services
under the Kyoto Protocol.
The main topics of presentation and discussions are calculation of
methane emission generated by landfills and manure management system and
two case studies of CDM projects on biogas utilization.
The training workshop will take place on 14 October 2008 at the
conference hall of the hotel "Poytaht" in Tashkent. The targeted
audience of the training workshop are technical specialists immediately
involved in the development of CDM projects representing the Agency "Uzkommunkhizmat",
Agency on Technology Transfer, Energy Center of Uzbekistan, State Energy
Inspection "Uzgosenergonadzor", the Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
the Association of Farmer's of Uzbekistan, the Association of Poultry
Farmers of Uzbekistan, an other interested agencies and companies.
In addition to the training workshop, during the mission of the
International Consultant to Tashkent, 13 through 17 October 2008, a
series of consultancies will be offered on the specific matters of
development of CDM projects on biogas utilization.
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Design and fashion week Style.Uz opens |
| October 13, 2008 |
| UzA
The third Week of design and fashion Style.Uz 2008 opened in Tashkent
on Sunday. It has been organized by the Fund “Forum of culture and art
of Uzbekistan” and the Tashkent Style House.
World-famous designers, owners of popular jewelry and fashion brands,
representatives of international organizations and TV channels working
in the field of fashion, show business stars, editors of fashion
magazines, public figures from various countries, including Austria,
Germany, Israel, India, Italy, China, Latvia, Russia, France,
Switzerland and Japan, are participating in the event.
The main aim of Style.Uz is development of the national and modern
fashion and fashion industry in Uzbekistan, supporting young designers
and creative dynasties related to producing fabrics, accessories and
jewelry.
This year, such famous fashion houses as Sisi Wasabi (Germany), Wolford
(Austria), DSQUARED2 (Italy), Revillon and Guy Laroche (France), as well
as designers from Russia Alyona Ahmadullina and Julia Dalakian, Noria
Surikabe from Japan, Sunit Varma from India, and Beijing institute of
clothing technology have brought their collections to Tashkent.
From the Uzbek designers, collections of Saida Amir, Umida Muminova,
Artyom Drobyshev, Sherzod Atabayev and Guli, are presented.
The first day of the Design and fashion week ended with a concert of the
world-famous Spanish singer Julio Iglesias.
The Style.Uz 2008 week will close on 17 October in Samarkand with a
grand defile and traditional Festival of national dress.
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Islam Karimov participated in CIS Summit and
Interstate Council of EurAsEC |
| October 11, 2008 |
| UzA
On October 9-10 President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov visited Bishkek,
where he took part in the meetings of the CIS Council of the Heads of
State and the Interstate Council of the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC),
as well as the Summit of Heads of States of Central Asia.
CIS summit took place In Bishkek on October 10. The main issue of the
summit was the discussion of economic development strategy of the
Commonwealth. The document is based on the level of development,
capacities and capabilities of each CIS member country and the
strengthening of long-term economic cooperation and the intensification
of economic integration processes.
It should be noted that this strategy prioritizes the development of
economic relations within the CIS. According to observers and analysts,
some documents among the measures taken within the Commonwealth still
remained on paper. Discussion of Strategy at the Bishkek Summit shows
that the CIS makes practical steps towards the full economic potential
of the CIS.
Uzbek president has repeatedly stressed the need to adhere to the
principle of “economy first, then politics” in CIS relations. Indeed,
relations should be based primarily on economic cooperation.
The summit was an exchange of views on reforming the CIS, improve the
performance of its organizations.
In the humanitarian sphere there is also necessity to develop
multilateral mutually beneficial relations between the CIS countries.
Relations in education, culture and the arts, health, sports, scientific
research serve to mutual enrichment and development of culture and
science, strengthening of friendly relations among peoples.
The summit was an exchange of views on strengthening security, the fight
against crime. The sides also discussed the situation related with the
international financial crisis, ways to prevent its possible negative
effects.
Meeting of the EurAsEC Interstate Council talks focused on the issue of
completing the process of formation of the Customs Union.
Presidents also addressed the issue of efficient use of transportation
and transits.
Then a meeting of heads of states of Central Asia took place. During the
talks the sides discussed the issues of the management of water and
energy resources.
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Presentation of Uzbek furniture industry |
| October 10, 2008 |
| Uzbekistan Today
The session of experts’ council of business forum, held in Tashkent, on
sector development, development of small and private business discussed
further development of the furniture industry of Uzbekistan.
The furniture industry of Uzbekistan is one of the fast-developing
branches in the republic.
Comparing the 5-7-year-ago situation in the home furniture market,
when it was 65-70% formed of foreign products, today about 70% of it
consists of high-quality domestic produce. By the results of 2007, the
total amount of manufactured furniture had made up 72.8 bln soums, where
59.8 bln soums (82 %) of furniture was produced by small and private
business enterprises and 13 bln soums (18 %) by the holding company Faiz,
which is the leading manufacturer of furniture, initial material and
accessories for furniture and wood processing of Uzbekistan. Today, the
industry comprises over 500 various companies, half of which are
representatives of the small private business, who has appeared within
last five years.
Specialists in furniture industry note a considerable growth in produce
volumes. If in 2005 the furniture market capacity had made up more than
51 bln soums, in 2007 it exceeded 102 bln soums. This was promoted by
the considerable improvement of certification procedure, when furniture
enterprises do not have to pass additional certification due to change
in design, external characteristics of output if they are not
influencing characteristics of the earlier safety check-up
certification. Also, terms of registration and issuing the certificate
of conformity have been decreased from 1 month down to 10 days from the
moment of presenting of the necessary documents, and separate parts of
furniture have been released from certification at all.
During the session, the participants discussed the basic trends of
development of the furniture industry of the country, as well as the
ways to increase competitiveness of local produce, improvement of
integration and interaction of various participants of the industry,
high-quality services offered to consumers and stimulations of
investments of small and middle business into projects on technical and
technological modernization of furniture production.
A special role in development of the given segment of economy is paid to
the holding company Faiz as one of the largest in the furniture industry
of the republic. Today, the company comprises 24 enterprises, including
15 industrial and 8 with foreign capital with the participation of World
Bank, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Slovenia, Italy, South Korea
and other countries. This year as a part of its Modernization, Technical
and Technological Re-equipment Program, Faiz has bought modern equipment
worth more than Ђ580 thousands and has localized about 19 kinds of
materials and produce used for manufacture of furniture.
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Promoting introduction of high technologies |
| October 10, 2008 |
| Uzbekistan Today
International Specialized Medical Exhibition “Uzmedexpo-2008” came to an
end yesterday in Tashkent. During three days the exhibition acquainted
people of Uzbekistan with achievements of domestic and foreign
manufacturers of medical equipment, pharmaceutical products and also
services of the leading clinics.
“According to participants’ responses “Uzmedexpo-2008” exhibition, which
was organized by IEG Uzbekistan Company at support of the Ministry of
Health and the Association of Foreign Pharmaceutical Companies
Representatives, was useful for both representatives of Uzbekistan
healthcare system and representatives of foreign companies,” marked Olga
Galperina, Manager of the project. “We hope that this acquaintance will
grow into serious partner relations that will promote introduction of
modern diagnostics and treatment technologies. Especially, there is a
huge potential for that.”
Today a lot of attention is paid to the quality of medical service in
Uzbekistan. A set of state programs is directed on introduction of
highly effective methods of preventative maintenance and treatment of
diseases in the domestic medicine. There is an active work in the
country on equipping and modernization of regional diagnostics and
diversified medical centers, rural medical stations and family clinics,
and also establishments of republican significance. The private sector
actively develops. Medical establishments, except stomatological and
plastic surgery clinics, are released from tax payments. Also the
Cabinet defined the list of equipment, which is not subject to customs
taxation when importing it in the country.
The pharmaceutical market consequently develops. About 4500 preparations
are registered in the country. Currently in Uzbekistan there are 70
enterprises engaged in manufacturing medication and medical products,
which produce more than 300 names of products. Besides, more than 80
foreign pharmaceutical companies operate in the country. The largest
suppliers of pharmaceutical products are Russia, Ukraine, Germany,
Poland, France and the USA.
The exhibition’s main event became a conference devoted to issues of
application of modern technology in medical radiology. It was organized
by Biostom and Carestream Health companies at support of the Ministry of
Health. Home and foreign specialists discussed aspects of application of
digital X-ray devices, fluorographs and computer tomographs.
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Transport and logistics exhibition starts |
| October 09, 2008 |
| UzA
The fifth international exhibition Transport and Logistics –
TransUzbekistan 2008 opened in Tashkent on 9 October.
About 20 companies from Uzbekistan, Russia, Germany, Kazakhstan and
Ukraine are demonstrating their products and services at the forum. They
represent sectors like producing transportation machinery and equipment,
providing services in logistics and transportation, customs, ports,
warehouses and terminals, etc.
TransUzbekistan 2008 features all modern directions of the transport and
logistics sector. The sections of the exhibition are devoted to modern
transport technologies, cars, railroads, sea and river cargo transport
and equipment, courier and information services, ports and terminals.
Uzbekistan is experiencing the increase of the volumes of transported
cargo and development of transportation system. Currently, 65% of the
internal transportations are carried out by road transport.
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Program of archives development adopted |
| October 08, 2008 |
| UzA
The program of development of the country’s archives until 2011 has been
adopted in Uzbekistan. It was created in accordance with the Cabinet’s
resolution of 26 August on measures for further development of archives
in Uzbekistan.
The program outlines tasks for preservation of archive documents,
expanding opportunities for their use and improving the regulatory and
technical framework.
Today there are more than 90 state and hundreds of departmental archives
in Uzbekistan. The coordination of the archives’ acivities is carried
out by the agency UzArchive under the Cabiner of Ministers.
To date, the agency has completed the monitoring of buildings where
state archives of the country are located. These buildings will be
reconstructed and repaired in the coming years.
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AutoMotorShow Uzbekistan 2008 opens |
| October 08, 2008 |
| UzA
Fifth Uzbek international exhibition AutoMotorShow Uzbekistan 2008
opened on 8 October in Tashkent.
The number of participants of this year’s exhibition is more than 30.
Among them are large companies AvtoKomTrans, Geoltexbutlash, Mega-Mebiko,
O‘zbekmazservis, Mogiza (Uzbekistan), Scania Central Asia (Kazakhstan),
Auto Partner, Motopirs (Russia), Chinar Berlin Auto (Germany), Beijing
Top Fairs International (China), GS Yuasa International (Japan), Fani
Trading, Zentrax (UAE) and WР Company (Poland).
The exhibition consists of sections demonstrating cars and trucks,
minibuses, agricultural machinery, engines and parts, car cosmetics and
accessories, tires and auto services.
The four-day forum is aimed at attracting foreign investments in the
country, expansion of cooperation and development of industrial car
building in Uzbekistan.
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World Bank, ADB review Uzbekistan portfolio |
| October 07, 2008 |
| UzReport
On 7 October, 2008 the World Bank Uzbekistan Country Office had joint
World Bank and Asian Development Bank country project portfolio review (CPPR),
the World Bank said on its official website.
The main objective of this year's Portfolio Review is: to review
progress portfolio implementation and achievements of planned project
milestones; and to identify project implementation bottlenecks, develop
acceptable solutions and take actions to improve results-oriented
portfolio performance.
The participants including the representatives of executive agencies,
Project Implementation Units (PIUs) and central government, reviewed
project performance and progress towards portfolio milestones and
discussed project implementation issues; analyzed the state of fiduciary
issues in the FY08 portfolio – procurement, financial management, and
disbursement; discussed and agreed on a joint action plan to further
improve portfolio performance.
Being a good opportunity to have a look at the portfolio status and
outline further strategy, CPPR exercise is usually undertaken jointly by
the Bank and the borrower. It helps to identify problems and agree on
joint actions to enhance the portfolio. The Government of Uzbekistan and
the World Bank have built a good record of implementation of the
recommendations of previous CPPRs.
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Exhibition of musical instruments opens |
| October 07, 2008 |
| UzA
The exhibition of musical instruments, equipment and teaching aids for
children’s schools of music and art opened in Tashkent. It has been
organized by the ministries of culture and sports, and education.
In July, President of Uzbekistan signed a resolution on the State
program of strengthening logistical base and improvement of children’s
school of music and art for 2009-2014.
It outlines activities on supporting young talents, creating necessary
conditions for education, as well as development of children’s schools
of music and art.
The exhibition familiarizes the public with musical instruments,
equipment, and textbooks for children’s schools of music and art.
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Uzbekistan in the children's eyes |
| October 06, 2008 |
| UzA
Photo exhibition “Uzbekistan in the children’s eyes” is currently held
in the Royal Arts College in London. It has been organized by the Fund
“Forum of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan” jointly with the British
organization Pro Art & Co. with support of the British Council and the
Embassy of Uzbekistan in London.
The exhibition, which will pass until 7 October, will allow the British
people to get acquainted with how the children of Uzbekistan see their
Motherland. The photos, made by children of the school age, descrive
bright moments from the life of the Uzbek cities and people.
The Fund “Forum of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan” selected 120 works of
thousands of photos received from the children. They will be included in
the special catalog, along with the stories of the authors about
themselves and the photographs.
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Virtual Silk Highway project’s meeting ends |
| October 02, 2008 |
| UzA
The session of the NATO’s Virtual Silk Highway project was held in
Tashkent on 1-2 October. It was organized by the Academy of Sciences of
Uzbekistan and NATO’s Science Committee. IT specialists and scholars
from Uzbekistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan,
Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Germany, Belgium, Poland, Great Britain, the
Netherlands, Belarus, Norway, Hungary, Turkey and Armenia participated
in the forum.
The Virtual Silk Highway project, developed by NATO in 2000, helps
the countries of Central Asia and Caucasus to establish their research
and education networks on the Internet and expand cooperation. The main
objective of the project is exchange of scientific and educational
information among the countries of the region for introduction of
information technologies in science.
“Uzbekistan is a country with high scientific potential,” said head
of the project Chris de Vispilaer (Belgium). “NATO is working with your
country in such areas as information technologies, medicine, science,
ecology. We have witnessed the rapid development of information
technologies and the growth of Internet users in Uzbekistan. We intend
to expand cooperation with Uzbekistan in developing and implementing new
projects.”
Since 2002, Uzbekistan in the framework of the Virtual Silk Highway
project has been actively involved in creation of scientific network of
Central Asia and the Caucasus. ISP UzSciNet, created in the Physics and
Technical Institute of the Academy of Sciences, is one of the leading
information network in the country. The network includes information on
scientific and cultural life of Uzbekistan. It is designed to promote
training and skills development in information technologies.
UzSciNet is expanding its network coverage. Currently, 48 institutes
and universities are connected to the network. Representatives of
schools, colleges, medical and academic institutions from all regions of
the country have the right for free use of the network. UzSciNet helps
Uzbek scholars and professionals to participate in international
projects with their academic works.
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