March 11, 2014
Exhibition of Innovation Projects. 2
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION: UZBEKISTAN – Germany.. 2
Press-service of MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan
economy
Exhibition of Innovation Projects
An interregional fair of innovative ideas, technologies and projects has taken place in Samarkand.
At the event organized to the effect of the presidential resolution on the additional measures to stimulate the introduction of innovation projects and technologies into the production process, signed 15 July 2008, more than two hundred innovations were presented, which were prepared at higher education institutions and research institutions of Samarkand, Tashkent, Jizzakh, Bukhara, Kashkadarya regions and the city of Tashkent.
This traditional exhibition constitutes a peculiar platform for exchange of views among innovation authors and investors to innovation projects. Also, under consideration is the correlation of demand in diverse areas and sectors of the economy with offer in the sphere of innovations. In addition, the event opens up opportunities to demonstrate technologies and developments offered by higher education institutions, scientific research institutions, experimental-engineering design organizations of the region, to exchange advanced expertise, define challenges for the future, develop academic cooperation, conduct direct dialogue with potential consumers. Therefore, as a result of deals reached during the exposition in the manufacturing industry, agriculture, services and other sectors, compact and cutting-edge technologies are being introduced effectively.
“The demand for high quality and state-of-the-art construction materials has been growing much,” says Aminjon Sultonov, associate professor of Samarkand State Architecture and Construction Institute. “Given this circumstance, we have developed a project to produce porous concrete that is adapted to various climatic conditions. Owing to the launch of this production, it will have a low prime cost due to the reprocessed construction and industrial wastes.”
A special emphasis in practically all innovations presented at the exhibition is placed on energy saving, effective use of alternative sources of power.
Farming enterprises, manufacturers and organizations, representatives of small business and private entrepreneurship and technology authors concluded agreements during the exhibition. Detailed information was presented on leasing services provided by commercial banks of the region.
As part of the exposition, young scholars, scientific researchers, graduate students and talented undergraduate students took part in an academic seminar and a panel discussion. New technologies and machinery, scientific innovations and ideas directed at the economic development of the region were chosen out, and recommendations were worked out for their extensive introduction into diverse sectors of the economy.
(Source: Uzbekistan national news agency – UzA)
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION: UZBEKISTAN – Germany
Two – way Traffic
Germany is not just the largest and most competitive economy in the eurozone, but also a powerhouse of industrial production for both the European continent and other nations enthusiastically advancing bilateral ties. Uzbekistan is one of Germany’s leading business partners in Central Asia, and in many respects this country builds a similar model of economic development. For example, in both countries the focus is on small business – in Germany it provides for about 70% of permanent jobs, and in Uzbekistan it is around 75%. Our two countries strive to realize their potential, and contribute to its development in partners.
Products of German companies are perceived in the world almost as a standard of quality. However, many experts say that foreign investors are shifting their experience in this area also to businesses created in other regions of the world with local partners. That is, following financial flows, modern business marketing solutions, quality management system, tech equipment and innovation are being introduced. The creation of a unique plant for the production of MAN trucks in Samarqand region is the example. The work on the project started in 2009, when a joint venture JV MAN Auto – Uzbekistan was established. Its founders included the famous German company MAN Truck & Bus Group and Uzavtosanoat. The enterprise’s ambitious goal is to establish the production of modern trucks and come up with this product for export. For its effective implementation, the project was divided into several stages. During the first phase, production of tractors, trucks with different load capacity on the basis of the TGA and CLA has been launched in the facilities of the Samarqand Automobile Plant. This choice was not accidental – such equipment is in demand in Uzbekistan, especially in oil and gas, mining and road industry, as well as in logistics. Previously, domestic enterprises had to spend significant funds to purchase imported machinery, as well as address issues of its servicing. Now, the Uzbek industry has been fully provided with necessary equipment. In August 2010 the company introduced a new, improved model TGS 19.390.
The next stage of the project was put into operation in 2011 of a complex for MAN heavy vehicles production and maintenance, near Samarqand. Originally, assembly and paint shop, a diagnostic plot as well as a dealer and service center for sale and servicing of motor vehicles were commissioned here. In 2013, manufacturing of truck trailers and superstructures totaling US$81.5m has started with projected capacity in three thousand pieces. Today the plant’s manufactured range exceeded 50 items. Just in 2013, production of seven types of trucks and heavy machinery has been launched. The goal of entering the export market was met – MAN trucks roll on the roads of Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and other countries.
Partnerships have been established in the adjacent field of transport, too. Besides the fact that trucks MAN produced near Samarqand carry most of the freight traffic through the Kamchik Pass, the German machinery plays important role in passenger transport, as well. Comfortable Mercedes-Benz buses have long ago become familiar in Tashkent, which overlook the daily passenger routes. The first buses appeared in the capital in 1994. In the subsequent time almost every year new equipment fleets replenished. Only since 2008, with the assistance of the Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan, 500 Mercedes-Benz Conecto Low Floor buses were bought.
A unique Uzbek-German project was launched in the tourism industry. In September 2013, a special tourist train Orient Silk Road Express started from the Tashkent rail station platform organized by Uzbekistan Railways and German Lernidee Erlebnisreise GmbH. The first route of the train laid on the “pearls” of Uzbekistan was Tashkent, Qamashi, Kitob, Bukhoro, Urganch and Samarqand. Six comfortable tourist carriages were built at the Tashkent Wagon Factory. Their design was developed in conjunction with German experts.
Another growing segment of cooperation is agricultural machine building. The country has now produced modern harvesters and tractors under the famous brand Claas. This work was initiated in 2010, when the Tashkent Tractor Plant and German Claas Central Asia Investment GmbH founded JV UzClaasAgro. Today the country’s farmers have successfully used this high-quality and high-performance vehicles. In addition, JSC Chirchiqqishloqmash and German company LEMKEN GmbH & Co. KG signed in 2012 an agreement on establishing a joint venture LEMKEN Chirchiq to produce modern tillage and other agricultural equipment. In the short term, the joint venture plans to introduce a production of plows, rotary harrows, packer and disc cultivators and still achieve at least 50 per cent level of production localization.
Considerable experience has been gained in the joint implementation of projects to modernize the domestic industrial giants. For example, the German DOBERSEK Engineering GmbH has realized the technological part of the design, supply of equipment, materials, spare parts, installation supervision and commissioning work under the capacity expansion of the Qizilqum Phosphorite Complex with a total value of more than 19.9 million euros. Another German company, Outotec GmbH, has been developing the technological part of the working documentation, supply of equipment, supervision of installation and commissioning of a new sulfuric acid shop at the Olmaliq Mining and Metal Plant. It is planned that after reaching the projected capacity, the plant will annually produce up to 500,000 tons of sulfuric acid.
The world giant Knauf has actively developed the domestic building materials industry. The history of this company in Uzbekistan goes to 2005, when it acquired a stake in the enterprise Bukharagips. In 2009, after reconstruction, it has begun to produce dry mixes. In 2011, a new plant was opened in Bukhara region for production of gypsum boards. The volume of Knauf’s investments in the creation of modern industries exceeds US$51m. In the coming years, the company plans to invest in expansion of existing facilities to US$50m.
This is just a small part of a huge investment projects portfolio, now being jointly implemented by Uzbekistan and Germany. Experts believe that for both countries, this partnership – a two-way traffic road. Germany promoting its interests in Central Asia, using Uzbekistan as a base, and our country with the help of German investment, technology and expertise launches new tech types of production, providing the domestic market with quality products and expanding its export potential.
(Source: “Uzbekistan Today” newspaper)