January 03, 2014
President of Uzbekistan receives congratulation messages from world leaders. 2
CBU decreases refinancing rate to 10% APR.. 2
New Year Festivities in Full Swing at the Mustaqillik Square. 3
Mammoth remains unearthed in Uzbekistan.. 4
Press-service of MFA
POLICY
President of Uzbekistan receives congratulation messages from world leaders
On the occasion of the 2014 New Year, President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov has received warm congratulations from the Heads of states and governments, various international organizations and leading international companies and public figures.
They express their best wishes of peace and tranquility, happiness, health and success to our Head of state and Uzbek people.
Congratulatory messages were sent by:
President of the Russian Federation – Vladimir Putin;
Prime Minister of the Russian Federation – Dmitry Medvedev;
Japanese Prime Minister – Shinzo Abe;
President of the Republic of Korea – Pak Kin Ho;
British Prime Minister – David Cameron;
Canadian Prime Minister – Stephen Harper;
King of Norway – Harald V;
President of the Republic of Iceland – Olafur Ragnar Grimsson;
President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Nursultan Nazarbayev;
President of Turkmenistan – Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov;
President of Ukraine – Viktor Yanukovych;
President of Tajikistan – Emomali Rahmon;
The Emir of Kuwait – Sabah Al-Ahmad Al – Jaber Al-Sabah;
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran – Hassan Rouhani;
President of Mongolia – Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj;
Chairman of the Executive Committee – CIS Executive Secretary – Sergey Lebedev;
NATO Secretary General – Anders Fogh Rasmussen;
President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) – Akihiko Tanaka;
President and Chief Executive Officer, “Marubeni” – Fumiya Kokubu;
President and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens – Joey Kaiser.
Congratulatory messages continue to arrive.
(Source: UzReport.uz)
economy
CBU decreases refinancing rate to 10% APR
Central Bank of Uzbekistan is decreasing refinancing rate by 2 percentage points to 10% APR from 1 January 2014.
Based on forecasts of inflation level for 014 and to stimulate high tempo of economic growth, the Board of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan adopted decision on decreasing the rate of refinancing rate from 12% to 10% APR from 1 January 2014, the press service of the regulator said.
The regulator said that decreasing refinancing rate will reduce interest rates of the banking loans, which will help to improve investment activities in the real sector of the economy.
In particular, the rates on loans, issued to implementation of programmes on modernization, technical and technologic re-equipment of production capacities, develop small businesses and microcrediting, will be decreased. This will help to increase credit investments.
Last time, Central Bank of Uzbekistan changed refinancing rate on 1 January 2011. The bank cut refinancing rate from 14% to 12% APR.
(Source: Uzdaily.com)
SOCIETY
New Year Festivities in Full Swing at the Mustaqillik Square
New Year festive events epitomizing our noble hopes and aspirations, pure thoughts and childish joy have kicked off at Tashkent’s Mustaqillik Square.
The priority of securing the rights and interests of citizens, irrespective of ethnic origin, religion, social status constitutes the core goal pursued by reforms spearheaded under the leadership of President Islam Karimov in all spheres. Specially acknowledged and highly appreciated by the international community are the remarkable achievements in providing for social stability in our native land, in such areas as economy, education, spirituality and enlightenment, healthcare and science, and, crucially, the state of common harmony, peace, mutual respect and magnanimity reigning in our country.
The year 2013 is indisputably to be remembered in the history of the independent Uzbekistan as the one when new magnificent buildings, production enterprises, schools, healthcare institutions, enlightenment and arts facilities were commissioned. And the announcement of the upcoming year 2014 as the one of the Health of the Child is a logical extension of the tremendous creative endeavors and gracious aspirations of our people.
These peculiarities have found a bright reflection in the New Year fairytale area arranged at Uzbekistan’s most resplendent square a few days away from the New Year celebrations. The people who come over say they feel as if they are in a magic world. The huge dressed-up New Year Tree affords joy to everyone around, especially the little ones.
The Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the hokimiyat (mayor’s office) of the city of Tashkent, the Uzbeknavo Association, the Uzbekteatr Creative-Production Association and a number of other organizations have made a great contribution to the arrangement of New Year celebrations at the high level, the creation of a festive atmosphere for our compatriots, guests from abroad, and, crucially, the children, the conduct of cultural and enlightenment and entertainment events.
The extensive stage erected at the square hosts a theatrical show entitled “Letter to Santa Claus, or Unexpected Guests” starring actors of the Uzbek National Academic Drama Theater. One of the two huge screens installed here broadcasts trailers narrating the enormous changes that have taken place in 2013 – the Year of Wellbeing and Prosperity – across various walks of life in our society, the creative endeavors, the splendid towns and villages of our country, the care for the younger generation, while the other monitor displays animation films produced by our cartoonists, as well as the progress of a diversity of official events at the square.
Another stage hosts performers of the Creative Association of Artistic Creativity Groups, students of the variety department of the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan, the State Institute of Arts and Culture of Uzbekistan, opera and variety singers, winners and prize holders of the Nihol Prize and diverse national and international contests.
At the numerous trade stalls at the square, one can purchase New Year presents containing sweets and toys for children. Some 30 park amusements and 60 playing machines offer service for kids.
With the arrival of dusk and the switching on the illumination, the plaza turns even more fabulous. The mood of the people is boosted by the colorful elements of the artistic design with the application of laser technologies and lighting special effects.
“It has become a tradition for us to visit the Mustaqillik Square a few days ahead of the New Years Day,” a retired Samarkand region resident Oysara Ismailova shares with us. “Admiring the festive attire of the square, the fascinating performances, the elation and bliss of children, I envy the kids of our country. The independence has allowed us to bring up our children inferior to no one in anything, as proud, educated, highly spiritual and healthy individuals. The year 2013 brought many good things to our family, as well. My grandson was admitted to a higher education institution, and my son purchased a home owing to the privileges offered to young families. All this is a practical embodiment of the care of our leader about the youth and families.”
New Year festive events are underway also in other squares of Tashkent.
(Source: Uzbekistan National News Agency UzA)
HISTORY
Mammoth remains unearthed in Uzbekistan
Remains of the ancient mammoth have been found in Uzbekistan, newspaper Norodnoye Slovo reported quoting the director of Geological Museum Ahmadjon Ahmedshaev said.
According to Ahmedshaev, representatives of the State Committee of Geology of Uzbekistan, National University and Geological Museum found remains of southern mammoth for the first time in Uzbekistan.
The unique discover was found 20 km away to southern-eastern Akhangaran near Ovjazsay settlement. The remains preserved by lenticular deposits of clay.
In the result of excavations, teeth and tusks of the ancient animal was found. Currently, it is planned to hold scientific research and conduct restoration works on found parts of the mammoth and their conservation as they were under soil for a long time.
Oriental age of the mammoth is about 1.2 million – 1.8 million years. The museum is planning to show the mammoth in 2014.
(Source: UzDaily.com)