494 enterprises with foreign capital start activity in Uzbekistan in 2015. 1
Uzbekistan produces food products worth 16.73 trillion soums over past year 1
CITIC doubles capacities of Kungrad Soda Plant 1
Tolerance, a Factor in Ensuring Peace. 2
Euronews starts broadcast program about ancient city Khiva. 3
Diabetes Is No Cause for Despair 3
economy
494 enterprises with foreign capital start activity in Uzbekistan in 2015
According to the press service of the State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the number of newly registered enterprises with foreign capital in Uzbekistan made up 494. In the regional context, a number of newly established enterprises accounted for Tashkent – 330, Tashkent region – 44, Samarkand – 23, Ferghana – 21, Andijan – 20, Surkhandarya – 11, Namangan – 8, Bukhara – 7, Jizzakh – 7, Syr Darya regions – 7 and the Republic of Karakalpakstan – 8.
Thus, 107 enterprises have been established with equity participation of residents of the People’s Republic of China, 91 – with participation of the Russian Federation, 53 – the Republic of Korea, 41 – UK, 39 – Turkish Republic, 22 – the Republic of India and 20 – of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
As of 1 January 2016, the total number of operating enterprises with participation of foreign capital exceeded 4.8 thousand.
(Source: UzReport.uz)
Uzbekistan produces food products worth 16.73 trillion soums over past year
Measures undertaken in Uzbekistan to encourage and support enterprises of the real sector in the implementation of the modernization and diversification, contributed to the increase in production of food products.
For January-December 2015 total food industry amounted to 16.73 trillion soums, the growth rate for the past year amounted to 114.4%. The share of industry in the total volume of industrial production has increased from 17.1% to 18.2%, according to the information service of the State Statistics Committee of Republic Uzbekistan. (currency rates of CB RU from 20.01.2016, 1$= 2826.48 soums)
Compared to 2014, there is an increase in the volume of production in the sugar industry – 23.7%, vegetable – 17.9%, milk – 5.7%, oil – 3.7%.
Large enterprises of the industry increased the production of such products as: canned meat – by 8 times, meat-vegetable canned food – 2 times, molasses – 40.9%, margarine and spreads – 16.5%, jams, marmalade, jelly – 20.2%, flour confectionery products of non-durable storage – 17.8%, sugar – 16.3%, other bakery products of incontinuous storage – 14.0%, processed liquid milk – 11.4%, butter –7.9%, bread wheat – 6.3%.
The upward tendency was also observed in the production of: alcohol tinctures (113.4% against 2014) and beer (or 105.3%).
The largest volume of industrial products were produced by enterprises of the Tashkent city (22.2% of total production), Tashkent (18.2%), Samarkand (13.4%) and Fergana (6.5 percent) regions.
As of 1 January 2016, 8711 enterprises are engaged in the industry.
(Source: UzReport.uz)
investments
CITIC doubles capacities of Kungrad Soda Plant
Uzbekistan completed a project on expanding capacities of the Kungrad Soda Plant with the cost of US$110 million.
China’s CITIC Ltd. realized a project on expansion of the plant, which specialized in production of soda ash.
Kungrad Soda Plant is only enterprise on production of soda ash in Central Asia. The enterprise was commissioned in August 2006 by China’s Citic Pacific Ltd. and Uzkimyosanoat. Total project cost was US$100 million.
The project capacity of the enterprise is 200,000 tonnes of ash soda a year. The main raw material for construction of soda ash is sodium chloride (salt) and limestone.
All main raw materials for production are produced in Uzbekistan. The sodium chloride is mined at Barsakelmes deposit, located 53 km away from Kungrad Soda Plant and limestone at Jamansay limestone deposit, developed at 250 km away from the plant. According to geologists, the approved reserves of these raw materials can satisfy demand of the plant for over 100 years.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
Society
Tolerance, a Factor in Ensuring Peace
New Year’s festivities are simmering down in Tashkent, with adherents of various faiths having joined a string of celebrations that included concerts, children’s events and exciting performances.
Uzbekistan is a multinational country where nations and ethnicities coexist in peace and accord. Orthodox churches across the country have hosted Christmas services. The festive service in the main Orthodox church of the country, the Uspensky Cathedral in Tashkent, on the night of January 7 was attended by over 5,000 people. The mass was carried out by the head of the Central Asian Metropolitan District, His Eminence Metropolitan Vikentiy of Tashkent and Uzbekistan “We are living in an alarming time, and therefore Christmas, which is a holiday of peace, love and mercy of God for people, should bring us peace and calm,” he said.
“The biggest achievement of recent years has been peace and stability as well as interethnic and civil accord in our home,” President Islam Karimov emphasizes. “The understanding of this value and its lasting importance is growing day after day in the minds of our people.” Securing this state of affairs is a natural outcome of Uzbekistan’s national policy based on humanism and universal values.
Enjoying equal rights and opportunities provided by the Constitution and laws of Uzbekistan, members of different nations are working fruitfully in various sectors of economy, science, and culture while making contributions to the prosperity of the country, cementing its independence, and boosting its international prestige and successful implementation of reforms.
An equally important role in ensuring peace and stability in society is played by religious tolerance. The tradition of religious tolerance characteristic of the Uzbek nation has deep historical roots. The reinforcement of these traditions and their enrichment are also aided by the policies the country pursues in religious affairs.
A secular country, in its relationships with religious organizations Uzbekistan adheres to principles such as respect for believers’ religious feelings, the need to seek and maintain dialog with various religious associations in an effort to use their opportunities to enhance spiritual revival and consolidation of universal moral values.
Professor Alexander Turovets, Center for Oriental Studies and Archeology, University of Louvain (Belgium):
“Uzbekistan’s key achievements in the years since its independence are strong peace, civil, interethnic and interfaith accord. This nation has a rich history and culture, was made even richer after the country gained its independence. The people of Uzbekistan can take pride in their ancestors that made a massive contribution to the development of global civilization. The country’s leaders have made it one of the priorities to take good care of its cultural and historical heritage and preserve it for future generations.”
Professor Jesus Gil Fuesenta, the Autonomous University of Madrid:
“Today, the most stable country in Central and South Asia is Uzbekistan. This country is the home of over 130 nationalities that follow various religions and is a shining example of interethnic and interfaith rapport. Uzbekistan plays a key role in ensuring security in the region. It has its own, adapted proposals regarding the Afghan problem and contributes to the recovery of this country’s economy.”
Professor Andrei Zybkin, Vice-Rector for Development, Business and Law Institute (Moscow):
“Present-day Uzbekistan is one of the few countries where diverse nationalities coexist peacefully and where business is thriving.
For me, Uzbekistan is a modern state with a strong leader. And of course this would not be possible without the support of the Uzbek people, one of the most hardworking and well-wishing nations in the world. The activities of NGOs in Uzbekistan make for a good example of an effective policy pursued by the Republic. The civil society that has taken shape in this country protects human right s and freedoms and creates conditions for the realization of their potential.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
Tourism
Euronews starts broadcast program about ancient city Khiva
News agency «Euronews» continues to highlight the cultural and historical heritage of Uzbekistan through a series of programs «Postcards».
Thus, the channel «Euronews» aired the second episode of the “Postcards from Uzbekistan”: the ancient city of Khiva, which tells about the sights of Khiva – fortress Ichan-Kala and the minaret Kalta Minor.
“Fortress in a total has 18 mosques, including the highest in Uzbekistan – reports Euronews correspondent Seamus Kearney. – But a symbol of Khiva has become Kalta Minar, located at the main entrance”.
The height of the minaret – 29 meters, but the construction is uncompleted. The original plan of its height had to be from 70 to 80 meters. As conceived by the ruler of the Khanate of Khiva, minaret was supposed to be the highest in Central Asia, but after the death of the ruler, the construction was stopped.
In 1990, the city of Khiva entered to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
(Source: UzReport.uz)
sport
Diabetes Is No Cause for Despair
Uzbekistan is the only country that created the Queen Sport Cycling team four years ago, which consists of children with type 1 diabetes that are professionally engaged in cycling.
“Based on the research of British endocrinologists it has been confirmed that cycling is a panacea for the prevention and treatment of diabetes,” says the project manager of QUEEN SPORT CYCLING Ruslan Huseynov. “We work in cooperation with the Cycling Federation of Uzbekistan and with the participation of specialists of the endocrinology clinic in Tashkent. Our team is a kind of prototype of American professional team NOVO NORDISK. However, we have a fundamental difference: in the United States only adult professional athletes are involved in the project, while we have created a cycling team for children and youth. Our athletes are involved in national and international competitions, and often win prizes.”
The results of the last two seasons have confirmed that the QUEEN SPORT CYCLING team is on the right path of development and achieving its main objectives. This is confirmed by a large list of sporting achievements. Dmitri Pankratov has won races on the highway and on the track. Last year in India, he won two gold medals and took part in the Grand Prix of Georgia (USA). Dima is a member of the national team of the country. Daria Matafonova is multiple champion of Uzbekistan on the road and track cycling among women and juniors.
According to the 16-year-old Olga Jantuganova, cycling is her life. This sport represents the opportunity for communication with peers, the opportunity to see the world, and an incentive to resist and fight the disease. Thanks to this sport, the disease is no longer a heavy burden for her. By taking part in competitions on an equal footing with her peers, Olga became a two-time silver medalist of the World Youth Games, and last year at the international tournament in Turkey took second place.
The achievements of our athletes have been noted by foreign experts. The QUEEN SPORT CYCLING project became a permanent member of the EASD (European Association for the Study of diabetes) and received the right to participate in the annual conference of the organization.
“When we were approached by sports experts with the idea of creating a children’s cycling team for children living with first type diabetes, we have approved the project and agreed to cooperate,” says the chief endocrinologist of Tashkent Victoria Tsareva. “We have carefully selected children from 11 to 16 years with A1C from 6.5 to 15. After several months of active trainings the high A1C levels decreased significantly. It is no secret that diabetes is not as terrible as its complications. Cycling is a physical activity with huge energy consumption that effectively reduces blood sugar levels. Children who want to get rid of the yoke of this disease and are engaged in this project, achieved good results in the treatment and do not feel sick or alienated from their peers. They are socialized and well adapted for the future life.”
An important aspect of the sport component of the principles of QUEEN SPORT CYCLING is that the team also has healthy riders training and living with athletes with diabetes.
The team is now preparing for the new season. Some athletes flew to Spain for a training camp. This is an ongoing project for people with strong spirits. Boys and girls of Uzbekistan together with their mentors demonstrated that an appropriate diet, physical education and sports, competent treatment and the use of new technologies will allow every person living with diabetes to realize their dreams.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
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