The OFFICIAL VISIT OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA TO UZBEKISTAN.. 1
Uzbek and South Korean PMs attend completion ceremony of petrochemical complex project 1
Russian Foreign Minister to visit Uzbekistan. 3
The OFFICIAL VISIT OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA TO UZBEKISTAN
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Hwang Kyo-ahn at the Oqsaroy on 20 May
The head of our state noted that this visit is a logical extension of the rigorous and prolific dialogue at the highest level and will aid further expansion of bilateral trade, economic, investment, technological, financial, cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
The state visits of President Park Geun-hye to the Republic of Uzbekistan in June 2014 and President Islam Karimov to the Republic of Korea in May 2015 bestowed formidable impetus to widening mutually beneficial partnership. This is demonstrated by the results of the summit meetings: over 100 bilateral documents, including agreements in trade, economic, investment and financial cooperation for over 9,5 bln. US dollars.
South Korea is a key investment and technological partner of our country. Such leading South Korean companies as Hyundai, Samsung, LG, GM Korea, Korea Gas Corporation, Lotte Chemical, GS, Posco Daewoo, Korean Air, Shindong, Kolon are traditional long-term partners of Uzbekistan in implementing joint investment projects. The volume of South Korean direct investments to the economy of Uzbekistan has exceeded 7 bln. US dollars. 449 enterprises with South Korean investments operate and representative offices of 79 companies have been accredited in our country.
The visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea is also significant because it is happening at the time of completion of the construction phase and commissioning of operations of the Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex at the Surgil field. The project, worth 4 bln. US dollars, implemented in cooperation with the consortium of leading South Korean companies- Korean Gas Corporation and Lotte Chemical and involving Samsung Engineering, Hyundai Engineering and GS, is a true symbol of Uzbek-South Korean investment cooperation.
There are many other examples of successful investment cooperation. A number of large joint projects are under implementation in automotive, electronics, textile industries, production of construction materials, highly effective pharmaceutical drugs and others.
South Korea is one of the main trade partners of Uzbekistan. In 2015 the mutual trade turnover surpassed 1,7 bln. US dollars. Uzbekistan is also the main partner of South Korea among Central Asian countries: over half the trade of turnover of the Republic of Korea with the region comes to the share of our country.
During the meeting, the parties exchanged views in detail on the issues of joint preparation and implementation of investment projects in the oil and gas sector, in developing transport infrastructure, information-communication technologies. They considered the prospects establishing new production lines in chemical, food, pharmaceutical, car and other spheres, broad involvement of South Korean investors in the privatization process of state enterprises and assets in Uzbekistan.
Hwang Kyo-ahn conveyed sincere thanks to the President of our country for a warm reception and highlighted that the Republic of Korea is interested in further widening and strengthening mutually advantageous and full-scale cooperation in trade, economic, investment, technological and financial spheres with the Republic of Uzbekistan.
(Source: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan)
Uzbek and South Korean PMs attend completion ceremony of petrochemical complex project
A ceremony to celebrate the completion of construction and commencement of operations of the Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex (UGCC) at the Surgil field was held on 21 May.
It was noted at the event that cooperation between Uzbekistan and South Korea has been steadily developing in the oil & gas sector and chemical industry among other spheres, based on the agreements reached during the meetings of the heads of the two countries. The state visits of President Park Geun-hye to the Republic of Uzbekistan in June 2014 and President Islam Karimov to the Republic of Korea in May 2015 have elevated mutually beneficial cooperation to a qualitatively new level.
Under the leadership of President Islam Karimov huge accomplishments have been achieved in diversifying and modernization of the economy, production of high-tech and competitive products. As a result of the strategy of establishing special complexes on deep processing of hydrocarbon reserves, an oil and gas industry, based on advanced technologies, has been formed. Today this sphere is dynamically developing.
A significant attention is paid not only to increasing the volume of extraction and processing, but also to widening the assortment of manufactured products, based on processing of raw materials. Macroeconomic stability has been secured in our country. Thanks to this many developed countries, leading international financial organizations cooperate with our country, large modern complexes and enterprises are being constructed.
The Republic of Korea is a strategic, one of the main investment and technological partners of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Following regular negotiations of the Presidents of the two countries a mutually beneficial cooperation has been steadily developing. Many strategic projects are under implementation in difference spheres of the economy, including in the oil and gas sector, with active involvement of South Korean entrepreneurs. South Korean companies productively cooperate in conducting exploratory works, developing hydrocarbon deposits in different regions of Uzbekistan.
The Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex, constructed at the Surgil field, is a vivid example of Uzbek-South Korean collaboration. Its construction has been carried out within the frameworks of the Program of wide-scale industrial modernization of the country, approved by the head of our state. This is the first large-scale project in the oil and gas sector not only in Uzbekistan, but in the whole CIS, implemented on the basis of long-term financing.
Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Hwang Kyo-ahn underlined that Uzbekistan is the main strategic partner of South Korea in Central Asia. The Republic of Korea attaches high priority to developing mutually beneficial cooperation with Uzbekistan in trade-economic and investment spheres and successful commissioning of the Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex will serve to further develop fruitful cooperation in the oil and gas sector, as well as chemical industry.
– Under the leadership of President Islam Karimov, Uzbekistan has become a leading country in Central Asia, – said Hwang Kyo-ahn. – The authority of Uzbekistan on a global scale is growing consistently. It is noteworthy that in the last eleven years, the growth rates of the gross domestic product of Uzbekistan have been over 8 percent, the economic modernization program has been successfully implemented. The Ustyurt gas chemical complex is a shining example of friendship and fruitful cooperation between our countries.
The Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex is one of the largest projects in the world. This complex has received high recognition in prestigious international media. In particular, in 2012 Project Finance International named construction project of Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex on the base of Surgil gas field an international project of the year in nomination “Deal of the year in oil and gas chemistry”. The project has been awarded international prizes “Best Deal of 2012” according to “Trade Finance Magazine” and “Global Trade Review”.
The project was also recognized by Infrastructure Journal (IJ) as the 2013 Oil & Gas Deal of the Year on 13 March 2014.
The project worth 4 billion US dollars can annually process 4.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas and produce 3.7 billion cubic meters of marketable gas, 387 thousand tons of polyethylene, 83 thousand tons of polypropylene, 102,000 tons of pyrolysis distillate and other valuable products.
– We are pleased and proud to have contributed to the construction of such a large complex, – said the project manager for construction of the UGCC, a spokesman for the company “Hyundai Engineering” Kim Wan Su. – Uzbekistanis a country with a high intellectual potential. President Islam Karimov pays special attention to the full support of the youth, training of highly qualified personnel, which is once again evident in the work of professional young specialists of Uzbekistan, who worked on the construction of this complex. We further intend to develop cooperation and expand joint projects.
– Attractive conditions, privileges and preferences in Uzbekistan for effective action are an important factor in the wide attraction of investments into the country, said Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin. – This is confirmed by the fact that many international financial institutions, firms and companies are implementing a number of major joint projects in Uzbekistam. Continued support of President Islam Karimov in implementation of the project, close cooperation between our countries allowed timely completion of construction of the complex. UGCC will make a significant contribution to the development of oil & gas and chemical industry in Uzbekistan, further development and strengthening of our relations. We are sincerely grateful to the Presidents of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea for their support in the implementation of the project.
– Under the leadership of President Islam Karimov, Uzbekistan’s economy is developing dynamically, said Kogas president Lee Seung Hoon. – We have good cooperation with Uzbekistan in various fields. One of them is the Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex. We are interested in further development of mutual relations, development and implementation of new joint projects.
The Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex includes five plants: gas separation, ethylene, polyethylene, polypropylene, utilities and offsites as well modern infrastructure facilities. All of them are equipped with modern high technologies and advanced equipment. Around 1,300 professionals work in the complex. More than three hundred of them are college graduates.
– After completing my studies at the college I went to work in the gas-chemical complex, said operator of UGCC polyethylene plant Azizbek Kaliev. It is an honor to work for such a big enterprise. There are all conditions for effective work and meaningful leisure time.
Production process at the UGCC was launched last year. Over 54.9 thousand tons of liquefied petroleum gas, more than 34 thousand tons of gas condensate were produced last yeat. Over 1.8 billion cubic meters of marketable gas and ethane were sent to gas pipelines, more than 87.5 thousand megawatts of electricity transported to the energy system of Uzbekenergo JSC. Currently pyrolysis distillate is sent to the Bukhara oil refinery to produce gasoline. Polyethylene and polypropylene are exported to several countries in the world. To date, over 186 thousand tons of polyethylene and polypropylene for a total value of 150 million US dollars have been exported to Central and East Asia, CIS and European countries. By 2020, the volume of polyethylene production will increase by 4.1 times.
In brief, the Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex will serve for a stable economic growth of our country and improving living standards.
The event was attended by Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Hwan Kyo-ahn.
(Source: UzA)
International cooperation
Russian Foreign Minister to visit Uzbekistan
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov is to pay a visit to Uzbekistan on May 23, 2016.
During the visit, the Russian Foreign Minister will meet with the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, as well as take part in the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the SCO Member States in Tashkent.
(Source: Press Service of the MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan)
sport
Major Victory
Runner Sitora Khamidova of Surkhandarya and Swimmer Rano Amanova from Andijan. What is common about these different, young and promising athletes? They made the first steps in their career with participation in the three-stage national sports games Umid Nihollari, Barkamol Avlod, the Universiade. Now, they have gained a license to represent the native land at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, each in two kinds. Generational change is taking place in all kinds of sports. The international Olympus welcomes the alumnus of new stadiums and gyms.
Three steps toward health and glory
57.2% of children and adolescents aged 6-15 years were engaged in sports in Uzbekistan in 2015, including 56% in rural areas. For comparison, in 2005, the numbers were 30% and 29%, respectively. In 2005, children of this age attend classes in 43 sports, and now – in 59, as mentioned by President Islam Karimov at the session of the Board of Trustees of Children’s Sports Development Fund in 2016.
The three-stage system of sports has been making a remarkable contribution in the further promotion of children’s sports. Among numerous sporting events, they have acquired the unofficial status of major children’s and youth competitions, or, as they are also called, ‘small Olympics’, where young talents loudly declare themselves.
Traditionally, the agenda of the games consisted of sports that are included in the physical education curriculum. However, children’s and youth schools have been boosting in recent years across the country, cultivating other kinds of sports too. Combat sports have become particularly popular. It was decided to expand the program in order to support the children involved in these kinds of sports. The need for the development of Olympic sports was an equally strong reason. The competitions in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, taekwondo, judo, boxing, weightlifting and badminton have been held since last year, along with basketball, volleyball, handball, soccer, swimming, table tennis, rhythmic and artistic gymnastics, athletics and chess.
Sports games have become a showcase of young talents. Those whom we see in sports arenas, grow up and take part in big international competitions, thereby setting an example to thousands of children. Last year, 1,668 athletes from Uzbekistan, including 567 girls, participated in 165 international competitions, winning 983 medals. Meanwhile, the Olympic licenses are regarded as most valuable sport awards. To date, more than 70 athletes have won passes to Rio. This year’s national program the Year of Mother and Child Health envisages the assistance to talented young athletes under the age of 19 and students who are regularly involved in the Olympic, national and other sports, with participation in international sports competitions.
The value of the medal
Uzbekistan has been making achievements not only on sports arenas. Medals are not the key, they just a motivation that attracts young people to sports. Upbringing of harmoniously developed, healthy and physically strong generation is most important.
In this context, investments in the development of sports pay off. As emphasized by President Islam Karimov at the meeting of Board of Trustees of Children’s Sports Development in 2016: “In 2000, nearly 6,000 children were ill with acute respiratory viral infections, 576 – with pneumonia, 449 – bronchitis and 310 – with scoliosis for every 100,000 children. Today, the ARVI incidence among children aged 6-15 and engaged in sports has decreased by 47.3%, pneumonia – 55.6%, bronchitis – by 61.7%, scoliosis – by 45.5%.”
The measures taken have had a positive effect on physical growth and development of the younger generation. The proportion of boys aged 14, whose height rates meet World Health Organization standards, is 97.9% in Tashkent, 97.6% in Namangan region, 97.1% in Kashkadarya, 96.8% in Bukhara region, and 94.2% across the country. The height of boys and girls aged 14 years has increased on average by 2.8 cm for the past decade.
Female athletes of the older generation often remembers that at the time of their youth, the girls involved in sports were the exception rather the rule. Today, we have a totally different situation: 47% of girls throughout country, and 44.7% in rural areas are regularly involed in sports. In 2015, for example, 47.6% of girls were attending sports clubs in Fergana region, 47.5% – in Namangan region, and 47.4% in Samarkand and Khorezm regions.
Speaking about the development of women’s sport at the meeting of the Board of Trustees President Islam Karimov said: “We regard girls first of all as future mothers who will give a birth to new lives and bring up the future generation – hope and support of our nation. This suggests that if a girl grows healthy and happy, she will build healthy and happy family and children. A healthy and happy family implies the prosperity of the entire society. We must never forget this.”
Foundation for the future
The attainments, as a foundation for the higher progress, which is anticipated to be achieved in the near future, have required considerable capital investments in the construction of sports infrastructure. In recent years the country has built Thousands of sports facilities have been built throughout the country over the last years, national programs are underway.
Uzbekistan has approved and is currently implementing the national program, which envisages all schools in the country will be provided with gyms by 2020. Just imagine: there are 9,763 schools across the country, which are arranged in walking distance even for children in remote areas. In particular, it is planned to build 217 gyms this year, and 1,706 gyms by the end of the program. They will be built in view of establishing sports clubs and teams at all schools, and organization of school sports leagues. The program of establishment of playgrounds with compulsory sports fields in all neighborhoods has been in progress. Thus, the conditions for physical exercising for all ages will be available in virtually all communities and residential neighborhoods.
Children’s Sports Development Fund has teamed up with social partners to promote and strengthen the logistical capacity of specialized children’s sports facilities. Today, each district has at least one modern and well-equipped junior sports school. There will be a total of 225 such schools, 15 of which will be commissioned in the current year. 56 specialized youth sports schools in four areas of sports are currently in process of establishment in the regional centers. Five of them will be commissioned this year.
The availability of choice for children has been of special attention. The implementation of complicated engineering projects is not an obstacle on this way. For instance, it is planned to bring the number of swimming pools in the near future to 290. 11 pools are being built this year.
The government takes care of those who, having come to the sports field, have positioned sports as a future profession. Earlier this year, a President’s decree has envisaged the establishment of 14 new specialized high sports schools in each regional center and in Tashkent. This year marks the launch of construction of an athletics school in Samarkand, weightlifting school in Urgench, and a team sports school in Tashkent.
Sports games Umid Nihollari, Barkamol Avlod and the Universiade have been making a remarkable contribution in constructive works. Traditionally, the final games take place in one of the regions, which entail the large-scale works on creation of sports facilities. Over the years the games, the right to host the competition was granted to each region. Fergana is on the list this year, as it is getting prepared to host the finals of the Universiade. The city is being landscaped.
The works are in progress on 29 sites, including the Fergana State University, Polytechnic Institute, the sports college of the Olympic reserve. The gyms are repaired and equipped in line with modern requirements. A football stadium for 3,200 seats, an indoor pool, three volleyball courts and athletic tracks have been built and commissioned in the Fergana State University.
A responsible profession
Modern sports facilities gradually replace yesterday’s dusty wastelands. However, this is insufficient, if we want to achieve success in educating the comprehensively advanced generation. Much depends on staffing sports schools, clubs and facilities with qualified coaches and instructors.
The target training by the State Institute of Physical Culture, universities and colleges of Olympic reserve have become the solution. In 2015 alone, it allowed increasing the number of coaches and sports mentors by 1,5 times against 2005, including the female coaches – by 3,8 times. Meanwhile, it turned out that there are good specialists without a special sports education. Therefore, Uzbekistan has introduced a system of certification of the coaching staff, the successful completion of which envisages the availability of a special sports education.
There are some alternatives for those who are engaged in coaching without education. Colleges of Olympic reserve opened specialized courses for them. Subsequently, they will help them to be certified.
The advanced training of trainers has been a priority. In particular, in 2015, the Ministry of Public Education established a Center of Retraining and Advanced Training of Youth Sports School Staff.
It all depends on the law
Adopted in 2015, the law on amendments and addenda to the law on physical culture and sports has contributed to the further development of sports, and particularly children’s sports. The adoption of the document has helped to address numerous organizational issues, thus enhancing the discipline and efficiency of the entire work on the development of children’s sports.
For instance, the act has paved the way for further reformation of physical culture and sports system, streamlining of staff training systems, and creation of an effective infrastructure in line with current standards. Appropriate conditions and new approaches are being developed to ensure training high-class sportsmen and sports reserve with an eye to modern standards. The establishement of the Republican Research and Practical Center of Sports Medicine at the National Olympic Committee, as well as scheduled construction of new sports facilities may be regarded as first results of this work.
The status and specification of specialists in the field of physical culture and sports have been specified. Rights and duties of an athlete, as well as the procedure of sports passport management have been defined. The anti-doping movement has been settled in the law.
The approval of the new edition of the law gave impetus to the further development of sports, especially Olympic, national and folk games, and decent participation of Uzbek athletes in international sporting events.
The powers of public authorities and local citizens’ self-government bodies in the field of physical culture and sports have been attached special importance.
According to experts, the new edition of the law will help to implement the four main missions of physical culture and sports. Promotion of sports, exercise and hardening build a kind of immunity to bad habits like drugs, alcohol and smoking, which ultimately will contribute to the improvement of health of the entire population. The educational factor of sports with its impact on the moral and spiritual education, will be engaged at its full capacity. Sport has become an effective means of re-education of troubled teenagers as a good opportunity to realize their energy, initiative, creativity and physical ability, the manifestation of leadership and sound competition. Sports are able to catalyze the social activity of the population, because the cultivation of the personal qualities like determination, the will, ambition and self-control is impossible without regular involvement. Besides, the potential of sports will be used as a powerful tool of civil and patriotic education to ensure the security and economic prosperity of the country. This is a major victory of sports.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
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