July 16, 2014
ADB gave Uzbekistan $300 mln loan for development of Tahiatash thermal power plant2
Uzbekistan and China discuss perspectives of economic cooperation. 2
Variety of Interesting Genres. 2
investments
ADB gave Uzbekistan $300 mln loan for development of Tahiatash thermal power plant
The Asian development Bank (ADB) has approved granting of the loan to Uzbekistan in the amount of $300 million for the development Tahiatash thermal power plant, which is aimed to provide the growing demand for electricity in the west of the country.
“It is expected that the demand for electricity will grow twice in Karakalpakstan and Khorezm region. Reliable and stable source of electricity is very important for the industrial development of the region, said Rune Stroem, the ADB Energy Director of the Department for Central and West Asia. – This loan will help finance the construction of modern power units, which will increase the reliability of electricity supply and reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere”.
The project financed by ADB includes construction of two gas turbines with a capacity of 280 MW. Meanwhile, 3 steam turbine power plants will be fully amortised, and additionally 2 steam turbines will be in reserve.
Along with ADB assistance for the implementation of the project, the Fund for reconstruction and development of Uzbekistan will also provide another $270 million loan. Together with the government’s and “Uzbekenergo” investments, in the amount of $130 million, the total project cost will amount to $700 million. The project will be implemented within 6 years and completed in October 2020.
Also within the project it is planned to hold trainings for “Uzbekenergo” employees and other events. (Source: UzReport.uz)
international cooperation
Uzbekistan and China discuss perspectives of economic cooperation
Third session of sub-committee on trade-economic cooperation of the Uzbek-Chinese intergovernmental committee was held in Tashkent.
The session was co-chaired by Assistant Minister of Commerce of China Zhang Xiangchen and Minister of Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade of Uzbekistan Elyor Ganiev.
The participants considered social-economic development of Uzbekistan and China, perspectives of development of cooperation in various areas of economy and expansion of investment partnership.
The Chinese delegation familiarized with conditions created for foreign investments at the special industrial and economic zone “Navoi” and special industrial zone “Angren”. The sides considered issues of implementing joint projects.
China is one of the largest trade partners of Uzbekistan. In last six years, the volume of bilateral trade rose six times and reached US$5.2 billion in 2013.
In the first six months of 2014, the trade turnover between Uzbekistan and China made up US$2.163 billion.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
cinema
Variety of Interesting Genres
Over the years, the country is actively developing a network of cinemas: existing cinemas are being renovated and new cinemas are built, and they are again filled with the youth. This serves as an impetus to the development of commercial or, as it is called, mass cinema. What does the modern youth watch?
I am glad that in our country the repertoire containing basically Uzbek films is formed. And it is gratifying that a lot more movies are shot in the country nowadays. At the same time, the commercial cinema has generated a number of problems of socio-cultural and aesthetic character. Today, the question whether the cinema can be an important component of the national artistic culture aimed at moral renewal of society is raised. On this and other topics, Nigora Karimova, Ph.D. and a film critic, gives an interview to a correspondent of Uzbekistan Today:
“Certainly, the film industry is changing, and changing dramatically. Today, movies are divided into genre, commercial, which is mainstream and non-profit, preserving the author’s concept, which is art-house, and intellectual. In some cases, movies may be auteur and possibly even independent. Therefore, in modern cinema another trend, located at the junction of two major trends, emerged. Let’s call it the art mainstream, which means the mass flow close to the art.
Modern youth watches domestic classics movies, such as Tahir and Zuhra by Nabi Ganiev, Alisher Navoi by Comil Yormatov, This is evidenced by All the Mahalla by Shukhrat Abbosov … Each submitted film reflects the specific sociocultural images of its time. Last is the phenomenon of Uzbek cinema: the fourth generation of viewers watches and loves these good “old” movies.
However, the modern cinema follows the common trends. By the American researcher John Kavelti, in the world of modern cinematography certain ‘formulas’, wandering from one movie to another, from a literary work in the video, are used. Hollywood, based on the powerful leverage (financial, and economic), promotes their films worldwide. National cinema that preserves local ethno-cultural characteristics, learns to integrate. In the past, cinema was the world phenomenon, but now it is universal. Now, country of creation is not important. The movie and the impact that it can make on the younger generation is important.
Young domestic film industry is still in search of a hero. At the same time, images found in our cinematography about a decade, such as mother in-law – daughter, live successfully. Uzbek cinematography promotes respect for the older generation, respect customs and traditions. Our films can teach, educate, make to think …
No wonder the state finances serious auteur cinema: annually from the state budget the government provides funds for the creation of full-length, animated, documentaries bearing the educational, moral, social and cultural functions. Hopefully, these films will fill the gap created by blockbusters. Moreover, there are decent pictures in the genre of the art mainstream. These are: Motherland by Zulfikar Musakov, Afgan by Elkun Tuychiyev and Tubanlik (In the Depths) by Khilola Nasimova and others.
Notwithstanding the interest of the audience to commercial movies, most of the works are ‘Love Stories’ about the endless pre- post-wedding troubles. I think in this situation, fans just want some variety of subjects. So the filmmakers have something to work.
At the same time, I would like to note that our filmmakers learned to effectively advertise and promote their products. Half a minute reels contain the most spectacular, mindboggling scenes featuring famous pop stars and thus attract a young audience. However, many authors of this movie, in my opinion, has yet to work hard over the content of their works.
(Source: “Uzbekistan Today” newspaper)