June 7, 2014
(Special issue)
President Karimov Meets with FAO Chief. 2
International Conference «About main food programme implementation of reserves in Uzbekistan». 2
Uzbekistan’s Mounting International Standing. 2
Press-service of MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Policy
President Karimov Meets with FAO Chief
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov on June 6 at the Oqsaroy received the Director General of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Jose Graziano da Silva.
At the start of the meeting, the head of our state expressed gratitude to the guest for the enthusiastic participation in the international conference “On Vital Reserves in the Realization of the Food Program in Uzbekistan”. The President noted that FAO is regarded in our nation as the world community’s key institution that deals with international policies and actions in the field of food security and agricultural development.
Since 2001, when Uzbekistan joined FAO, eight national and regional projects have been implemented in our country. Another five schemes of nationwide and regional significance are currently in the phase of realization.
As it has been stressed at the talks, FAO is instrumental in shaping global and regional balances in major types of foods and agricultural resources, in drawing the most advanced methods of selection and tillage, technologies of production of modern agricultural machinery and equipment to the developing countries, in introducing the international community with issues related to ensuring healthy and adequate nutrition.
Jointly with FAO, Uzbekistan has been training specialists and introducing cutting-edge technologies to save water and improve water resources management. Advanced methods are spearheaded in tillage, breeding and seed growing as well as combating desertification and soil degradation.
It has also been underscored during the meeting that the establishment of an FAO office in Tashkent during the first visit by the organization’s head to Uzbekistan will facilitate further development of cooperation dedicated to bolstering the agricultural potential of our nation.
During the conversation, Uzbekistan’s leader and the chief of the international organization exchanged views across a diversity of issues in food supplies, agricultural development, introduction of new drought-resistant varieties of food crops and new methodologies in farming.
Jose Graziano da Silva expressed sincere gratefulness to the President of our country for a warm welcome and the high level of organization of the conference. FAO Director General conveyed his conviction that the forum has become an important platform to address urgent problems faced by the humanity, such as providing for food security and agricultural development. The guest reiterated the willingness of FAO to further and enhance relations with Uzbekistan.
(Source: Press service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan)
International Conference «About main food programme implementation of reserves in Uzbekistan»
Uzbekistan’s Mounting International Standing
Participants of the international conference organized at the initiative of President Islam Karimov and entitled “On Vital Reserves of the Realization of Food Program in Uzbekistan” visited production institutions in the capital Tashkent as well as Tashkent and Samarkand regions, where they got familiarized with efforts undertaken in our country to reprocess and produce foods and provisions, to prop up agriculture, transform the appearance of villages, boost the wellbeing of the population, and talked with locals.
As a result of cardinal reforms marshaled under the leadership of President Islam Karimov to shape a socially oriented market economy, expand the fields of agricultural crops, promote the farmer movement and processing industry, our nation was able to secure food independence within a historically brief span of time.
The resolution of the head of our state “On Measures to Further Improve the Organization of Management and Development of Food Industry of the Country in 2012-2015”, signed 31 October 2011, serves as an important guide for action in the steadfast advancement of food industry.
Participants of the international conference visited enterprises located in Tashkent such as Gold Dried Fruits, the Uzbek-American-South Korean joint venture Green World and the Uzbek-Swiss joint venture Lazzat Karamel, and they were introduced to achievements made in the food industry.
Established in 2013, the Gold Dried Fruits limited company specializes in the production of vegetable goods and seasoning, and is capable of reprocess 120 tons of products a day. The enterprise employs over a hundred people. 90 percent of goods are exported to foreign markets.
“Uzbekistan is a country where all sectors of the economy have been advancing consistently,” says Professor Michael Edelstein, Director of the Institute for Environmental Studies (United States). “Every time I visit this country I get impressed by new accomplishments made in all the spheres. The provision of the population with quality food products is one of the pressing challenges in the contemporary world. In this respect, the international conference being held in Tashkent plays an important role. The entire world admires the thriving and extensive gardens in Uzbekistan. Unforgettable is the taste and flavor of sweet fruits that have absorbed the sunlight.”
The interest of foreign investors to Uzbekistan has been growing consistently. This can be supported by the case of overseas companies energetically taking part in a number of investment projects. Among them is the Uzbek-American-South Korean joint venture Green World.
The enterprise produces a wide range of juices, a great variety of preserves, jams and canned goods. Juices are made from natural fruits and vegetables; they are packed neatly and are distinct with high quality and pleasant taste.
“Owing to the well-thought-out policy pursued by President Islam Karimov, every sphere has been advancing persistently in Uzbekistan, including the food industry,” says Ignacio Fernandez de Mesa, President of the Association of Farmers, Chairman of the Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Cordoba Province, Spain. “The eminence of Uzbekistan in the world has been growing. This is manifest in the recognition by the international community, notably by the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, the Asian Development Bank and other major financial institutions, of the colossal successes being achieved in this country as a result of step-by-step realization of market reforms. Business meetings, introduction travels to enterprises offer the conference participants an opportunity to have an imagination of the economic potential of this country. We have very much fancied the foodstuffs, fruits and vegetables produced in Uzbekistan as well as the juices extracted from them that have a high quality and excellent flavor. A wide range of fruits is presented here, and I will remember their taste and smell for a long time. We would like to establish a close cooperation with Uzbek businesspeople and strengthen the existing ties.”
Among the confectionery goods produced in our country, especially appealing to consumers are the sweets of the Uzbek-Swiss joint venture Lazzat Karamel. The goods of this enterprise are produced across thirty types. The venture has a capacity to produce 4 thousand tons of goods a year.
“Our organization has been effectively interacting with Uzbekistan for many years,” says Khaled Mohammed Al-Aboodi, Deputy Chairman of the Islamic Corporation for the Development of Private Sector. “I would like to stress in particular the steadfast modernization of enterprises in this country, the expansion of the range of products, improvement of the quality of goods produced. We closely cooperate with about 10 banks of the country, including Asaka and Asia Alliance. To this date, we have implemented numerous joint projects, including the funding for 172 enterprises of Uzbekistan, in order to support small business and private entrepreneurship. I hope the scale of our joint efforts will enhance even more. President Islam Karimov’s endeavor to advance the national economy deserves admiration.”
The guests visited also the Farhod foodstuffs market in the city of Tashkent.
“Our company is engaged in the sale of food products,” says Seo Hyung-Su, President of the company OTTO Young Heung Groceries in South Korea. “As part of program of the conference I visited a number of enterprises that produce dried fruits, various juices, canned products, confectionery, and got familiarized with their production processes. Uzbekistan’s markets are famed with their diversity and abundance. This applies also to the Farhod market. Within the conference I would like to establish close cooperation ties with the enterprises Green World and Arktika Bottlers to procure their products.”
Guests from abroad visited also the Istiqlol mahalla citizens’ assembly in the Yukorichirchik district of Tashkent region and got to know the comfortable residential houses built on standard design.
In this mahalla, socio-cultural institutions and those of public and communal services are constructed in accordance with modern architectural solutions. A supermarket and a bakery manufactory erected in the mahalla guzar provide the locals with high quality services.
“I came to be convinced that the homes being built in Uzbekistan’s countryside are distinct with comfort and are erected on the basis of thoroughly elaborated designs,” Caroline Lambert, director for sales of the company Plantrees, Belgium, suggests. “The design project is worked out with an eye to the needs of every member of the family. The houses are fully supplied with natural gas, power, and drinking water. Mini markets operate down the quarter. We have tried out the goods of fifty types produced in the bakery workshop. The broad, beautiful and convenient streets as well as the well-groomed trees and flowers please the eye. I envied the calm and peaceful life in your country and the wellbeing of the population.”
At the limited liability company Toshkent Bogh-Roghlari, they husband pear trees, apple trees and plum trees. The first yield was harvested last year in the intensive garden that occupies a 50 hectare land.
“Among the numerous countries, Uzbekistan is one of the leading nations in growing fruits and vegetables and grapes,” says the Chief Executive Director of South Korea DISYS Kim Ki Hwang. “This indicates that the country has made remarkable successes in the agricultural sector. Our enterprise provides farms with technologies that allow overseeing greenhouses with the help of mobile phones. Taking into account the privileges being created in the country for farmers, introduction of this technology will allow supplying owners with information technologies.”
“Advanced expertise is garnered in Uzbekistan in packaging vegetables,” Executive Director of Junction Xervices (Singapore) Dar Yap has shared her thoughts. “Stocked and packed with no preservatives and chemical additives, cucumbers are distinct with superb taste. I am well informed about the fact that Uzbekistan is home to an advanced agriculture and textile industry, but did not know of such a high level of reprocessing industry. I have been delightedly surprised by the enthusiasm of the youths working here, as well as the cleanness and strict adherence to sanitary norms here at the enterprise.”
The international conference participants also reviewed the activities of Master Delikatesov limited liability company that operates in Tashkent region’s Zangiota district. The enterprise specializes in the production of cooked meats.
“I envy the peace and calmness as well as the abundance in the markets of Uzbekistan,” says the Dean of the Engineering Faculty of the Putra University in Malaysia, Professor Azmi bin Dato Yahya. “Currently, conflicts are emerging in many countries around the world and shortage of foodstuffs is critical. We have enquired into prices here and compared to those in our countries. The food products in your country are sold to the population at reasonable prices. What is crucial is that all the products are ecologically clean and natural. One should value and be grateful for these public goods.”
A group of participants of the international forum has traveled to Samarkand region.
At the farming enterprise Okhalik Oltin Boghi Mevasi in Samarkand district, an intensive garden has been created on a 680 hectare land. 10 thousand tons of fruits are grown here every year. The income in 2013 reached 3 million dollars. 2.5 thousand tons of fruits grown in the farming enterprise are reprocessed and exported to around ten countries.
“I have been greatly impressed by the gardens created at this farm on the basis of intensive technologies,” said Paulina Moor, project director of the Germany-based Association for Cooperation with Central and Eastern European Countries. “The fruits are distinct with inimitable taste and fragrance. The technology of drip irrigation deserves acknowledgement. Many German companies that specialize in gardening are interested in the cooperation with Uzbekistan. All types of fruits grown in your generous land, including dried fruits, are valued highly in the global market.”
Founded in 2002, the joint venture Agromir Samarkand has its own customers not only in the country, but also abroad. Canned goods, juices and nectars are produced at the enterprise.
“Having taken a look at the expertise of this joint venture, I have attained an immense experience,” John Mark Hackney, chief technologist of Great Lakes Agro Energy (United States), says. “The taste of various juices and canned goods produced here on modern technologies is unforgettable. I intend to apply the knowledge and experience I have gained here to the work of my company. Our company is interested in the establishment of close partnership relations with this country.”
The guests were keen to get familiar with the Registan ensemble, the Amir Temur Mausoleum, the Ulugbek Observatory and other historical attractions of the city as well as the wide-ranging construction and creative works undertaken here.