GM Uzbekistan prepares to produce new model of car 4
Exhibition of Discoveries from the Antiquity. 4
economy
Investment Map
The business climate has always ranked among the main barometers of economic development, because investors, especially foreign ones, are ready to invest only in the economies with a stable and predictable system of public policy. So it is quite reasonable that today most governments are challenged by improving their investment attractiveness and image in the international arena.
Over the years of independence Uzbekistan has passed a long way towards building a market economy and creation of an attractive investment climate. The numbers are the best way to prove this truth: in the first half of 2015 the total volume of investments has exceeded $7.3 billion with 9.8-percent growth YOY.
Fewer barriers imply more benefits and more investment. Uzbekistan took this simple and fairly effective approach into service at the dawn of independence. Those days, in the early 90s of the last century, the country applied the practice of an annual ‘road map’ for investors that is the Investment Program, which was a kind of a guideline for all players to correctly assess the market situation, opportunities and prospects. According to experts, the documents have triggered the implementation of strategically important investment projects aimed at the construction of new facilities, modernization, technical and technological renovation of enterprises, advanced development of transport, engineering, communications and social infrastructure, subsequent creation of new jobs and ensuring sustainable and dynamic development of the economy.
Uzbekistan climbed from the 72nd place in 2010 to 66th place in the World Bank’s rating of economic development among 190 countries in terms of the gross domestic product, which is calculated by the purchasing power parity. Besides, the country rose to eight positions in 2014 in terms of business environment, and 61 positions in taxation. According to UNDP, Uzbekistan has ranked among the top ten countries by the number of reforms in simplification of business management last year.
Today, over 4,000 enterprises with foreign capital from over 90 countries successfully operate in Uzbekistan. This is another striking example of the fact that in the last 24 years Uzbekistan has focused on the development of a market economy based on privatization of state property. Channeling of the foreign capital and technologies in the modernization of enterprises on the basis of international experience has been the driving force for the development of the real sector.
The legal framework, incentives and preferences, the investment climate and other components have enabled Uzbekistan to rank among the leading countries in high-tech projects. A large number of such projects are carried out with partners from the Asia-Pacific region. They include the production of various technological devices – cell phones, tablets, modems, communications equipment, as well as a wide range of household appliances. The establishment of manufactures of latest personal computers, laptops and monitors is a matter of the near future.
A joint initiative of O‘zavtosanoat Company and the South Korean company of INZI AMT Co., Ltd. to build a plant for the production of aluminum parts for GM engines by high-precision injection molding is one of the latest examples of successful development. The construction of the plant was approved by the resolution of the President of Uzbekistan. The two companies have already established a joint venture UZAUTO-INZI with an equivalent of $10 million of registered capital distributed in equal shares. The new plant will be located in the free part of the territory of GM Powertrain Uzbekistan company on the production of car engines outside Tashkent. It is planned to commission the facility in January 2017. The estimated cost of the project is $13.2 million.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
Transport
High-Speed Rails
Uzbekistan Railways exemplifies a successful mix of the world’s advanced technologies and domestic experience in the construction and operation in complicated terrain. The next few years promise to be a milestone for the railroad industry – Uzbekistan is getting prepared to commission a unique line of Angren-Pop, as well as high-speed Marakand-Qarshi and Samarkand-Bukhara lines. Uzbekistan Railways Executives have introduced the Uzbekistan Today reporters to the details of the new projects.
According to the company’s first deputy chairman Davron Dehkanov, Uzbekistan is seen as an important link between East and West, so the construction of new railway communications is not just relevant, but a key for the advanced development of the national economy.
“Modern Uzbekistan has been pursuing the policy of market reforms, it has a developed agriculture and a powerful industrial capacity. The list of development priorities includes metallurgical, chemical, machine-building, oil and gas, aviation, electrical, electronic, automotive and ginning industries. Our mission is to provide these and other sectors with the raw materials they need to produce a full-fledged product and deliver finished goods to the point of destination.
In the first half of 2015, our company transported 33.3 million tons of cargo with an increase of 3.3% YOY, delivered more than 10.7 million passengers, and used $344.7 million of investments. The bulk of the funds were channeled for the construction of an electrified railroad Angren-Pop, electrification of Marakand-Qarshi, Qarshi-Termez and Samarkand-Bukhara rail road sections, as well as the construction of cargo and passenger cars. Industrial enterprises produced goods totaling 204.4 billion soums, and created more than 200 new jobs (currency rates of CB RU from 05.08.2015 1$= 2580.19 soums).”
“Meanwhile, we are to face the greater challenges,” joined the conversation the head of the project on the construction of the electrified railway line of Angren-Pop Navruz Erkinov. The construction of the new electrified Angren-Pop railway line is currently in full swing. Under the project, the 19.1 km tunnel will pass through the Kamchik pass at an altitude of 2,200 m above sea level. In 2013, the Uzbek side signed a $455 million contract on the construction of the tunnel with the China Railway Tunnel Group. 42.9 million cubic meters of excavation and 16.3 million cubic meters of blasting works have already been carried out, 285 water discharge and six viaduct structures, 13 bridges, the Orzu railway station, Kul, Temiryo’lobod and Kushminor depots have been built under the project on the construction of the new railway. The project has engaged 4,250 specialists and 720 vehicles. The commercial operation of the tunnel and the electrified line Angren-Pop is scheduled to be launched in 2016.”
This is just part of the project chain. Another important initiative envisages the electrification of the railway section Marakand-Qarshi. It has involved more than 160 skilled workers and latest construction and installation technologies. The construction sites are automatically controlled, including the automated system of electricity consumption. The installation of reinforced concrete poles on the site was completed last year, and 3,267 consoles were established.
The company has embarked on the electrification of the 291 km railway section of Samarkand-Bukhara. The works envisage the construction of four duty points and three electrical substations. It is worth noting that all the spare parts for the construction of catenary systems are produced in Uzbekistan under the program of localization of production. This, in turn, significantly reduces construction costs and creates new jobs. Undoubtedly, the electrification of railway sections would contribute to improving the environment in the country and reducing transport costs of carriers.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
pporduction
GM Uzbekistan prepares to produce new model of car
GM Uzbekistan, an Uzbek-US joint venture, started works on installation of technological line on production of new model of automobile Aveo (T250).
According to the press service of Uzavtosanoat, the works on installation of modern equipment and necessary prophylactic works will take place from 3 to 20 August 2015. GM Uzbekistan, an Uzbek-US joint venture, started works on installation of technological line on production of new model of automobile Aveo (T250).
GM Uzbekistan is planning to start production of new model of automobile in 2016, the press service of Uzavtosanoat said.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
Exhibiton
Exhibition of Discoveries from the Antiquity
The exposition entitled “The Culture of the Ancient Chach” has opened at the International Caravan-Serai of Culture of Uzbekistan Academy of Arts. The exhibition presents finds from the antiquity discovered in the memorial complexes of Konka and Korshovultepa in Tashkent Region.
In the reforms carried out under the leadership of President Islam Karimov to boost the spiritual values among youths, priority significance is attached to the careful preservation of the historical-cultural heritage of our people and to the extensive propaganda of its essence and importance.
Systemic efforts are undertaken at the International Caravan-Serai of Culture to organize archeological expeditions to shrines, ancient towns and settlements, memorial complexes. Likewise, the study of this heritage, the restoration of ancient discoveries and their vigilant preservation is also placed a great emphasis on.
The attention of the exhibition participants was drawn to the archeological discoveries found during expeditions to memorial complexes of Korshovultepa in Chinaz District and Konka in Akkurgan District of Tashkent Region. The ornaments, coins, household items and pottery not only enrich the history of the ancient Chach, but also suggest that representatives of various ethnic groups have lived on this land in peace and harmony from ancient times.
Also, a panel discussion was organized within the exhibition, which enabled its participants to address the significance of scientific expeditions arranged by the International Caravan-Serai of Culture as well as research works undertaken in memorial complexes.
(Source: UzA)
CINEMA
A Soap Opera of My Soul
The history of the contemporary soap opera industry in Uzbekistan starts from the moment when the 20-part sequel “Charkhpalak” (Wheel of Fortune) began to be broadcast in 1997 and went through to 2000. That action-moving vibrant film used to fill up the leisure time of viewers with stories as if written off from their lives. The domestically produced series gained popularity right from the first part. However, the audience always longs for something new…
And the television personnel have been doing their best to cater to the interests and requests of the public. Thus, the cinema expert of the Institute of Arts Studies Sabohat Haitmatova has shared her observations with Uzbekistan Today reporter.
“The traditions of “Charkhpalak” continued into the 5-series long film “Diqqat, motor!” the 15-part “Mehrobdan chayon” and a range of other motion pictures, which proved to become the next stride in the evolution of soap operas.
“Further on, the priority dimensions of topics and subject matters for films were defined with an eye to the requirements of time, including from the perspective of the restoration of the historical truth, of the spiritual and cultural heritage and traditions of the Uzbek people, the nature of the national character and nurturing the new generation in the spirit of patriotism and pride for their country. Thus, a number of TV series like “Uvaisiy”, “Zanjir”, among many others, were produced in the first half of the 2000s.
In 2006, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a resolution “On the integrated creative and production program ‘The National TV Series’”, which outlined the principal directions in the development of this art form. It triggered a breakthrough in terms of quantity of soap operas. On state television channels O’zbekiston, Yoshlar, Toshkent, Sport, there emerged loads of new series. Themes created in films of those years took into account the peculiarities of each channel. Well known to the Uzbek audience, the sequels “Dil payvandi” (Reunion of souls), “Umidingni sundirma” (Dream on), “Serjantlar” (Sergeants) and a number of other films were indicative of the rapid response to a government resolution.
During the last decade the genre of television series has firmly been established on TV screens, becoming a notable part of mass culture. Today, almost every channel of the National Television and Radio Company broadcasts several soap operas a week, armed with international experience, namely, the practice of airing shows during both the daytime and night.
Along with standard soap operas comprising 15 to 30 series, there emerged multi-part films. They include the longest ones like the 54-series “Tutash taqdirlar” (Cross-destiny people) and the 140-sequel “Opa-singillar” (Sisters). That is a quite significant achievement if looked from the perspective of the history of Uzbek national soap opera industry.
TV sequels of recent years are varying thematically, but not in terms of the genre – they represent diverse directions like drama, romance and comedy.
In 2009-2014, there were series dwelling into a certain sphere of human activity. For example, “Fidoyilar” (The selfless) reflects the dedicated work of doctors to help patients in remote rural areas; “Orzular fasli” (The season of dreams) describes the lives of PR agency employees; or “Oltin Davrim” (My golden times) about the life of students of the National University of Uzbekistan, full of adventure and discovery.
No less successful have been situation comedies (sitcoms). The most notable in this series is “Mehmonjonlardan aylanay” (My dear guests), a sequel describing the hospitality, tolerance and national traditions. Also popular with the audience are dramas and melodramas. Subjects of complicated family relationships between the older and the younger generations are considered in the TV series created with the participation of Zamira Begimkulova.
The soap opera “Opa-singillar” shows the changes – unobtrusively, through the prism of everyday routines of main personalities of the sequel – that have taken place over the years of independence, that is, important social reforms in healthcare, the rising quality of life of the population. In addition, sequels in the genre of fiction are created in today’s TV motion picture industry, including the children’s television series “Kuch birlikda” (Strength is in unity), fulfilling cognitive and educational functions.
The homegrown soap opera industry has won over a significant portion of the audience. However, not everything in those films is of high artistic level. Uzbek experts engaged in the production of TV series should pay attention to the experience of foreign colleagues, who take fiction, often of classics, to build on their creative endeavors. Quite interesting are the series that are created during an interactive dialogue of the creative team with the audience. Sequels are out on the screen when they are ready, but when it comes to writing their script the authors take into account the wishes of the audience as to how to dispose of the fate of a hero, and they sometimes have to change the storyline. It affords a fresh impetus to the film art and will keep the interest of the audience in TV series.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
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