Uzbekistan and Belarus hold political consultations. 1
Meeting with Ambassador of Japan. 1
Mahalla & Sports: a Spirit of Competition and Healthy Lifestyles. 2
Welcome Back, ‘My Tashkent!’ 5
investments
Uzbekistan mastered $1,8 billion worth of foreign investments and loans with the 17,2% increase to the same period last year, according to results of the first half of 2016
$1.2 billion out of this amount fall on direct foreign investments and loans. Overall, foreign investments made up 23% of all resources spent in the country’s economy. The volume of funds allocated by the Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan to financing major investment projects in strategic sectors of economy grew up by 6.9% and exceeded $240 million.
More than 51% of spent capital investments were made at the expense of the own funds of enterprises and the population, which was the result of involvement of additional internal resources for the implementation of an active investment policy, as well as the implementation of measures to stimulate the growth of business revenues and raising the level of the population’s living conditions and quality of life.
Hundreds of modernization, technical and technological re-equipment projects became possible in the industry as a result. Thanks to it, large enterprises achieved 9.8% reduction on the average in the production cost of their output, decreased the volume of electric power consumption on the average by 265.5 kWt/hours per annum and brought down the GDP energy-intensity by 7.6% in general.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
International cooperation
Meeting with Ambassador of Japan
On August 9, 2016 the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan Fumihiko Kato who is completing his diplomatic mission.
During the conversation the parties exchanged views on topical issues of bilateral relations.
It was noted that regular Uzbek-Japanese dialogue in different formats allows to develop the mutually beneficial cooperation progressively.
On the outcomes of official visit of Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe to Uzbekistan and high-level talks on October 2015 it was signed 21 documents on the implementation of joint projects in such fields as economy, trade, investment, technology and finance in the amount of 8.5 billion US dollars.
Exchanges in the cultural and humanitarian sphere are of a significant role in strengthening ties between the two countries. In particular, recently the concert of popular Japanese musicians “Drum Tao” took place with great success at the Alisher Navoi Theater in Tashkent. Interactions between scientific and educational institutions of the two countries have been activated.
At the end of the conversation the Minister congratulated the Ambassador on awarding the degree of Honorary Doctor of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy and expressed appreciation for his significant contribution to the development of multifaceted cooperation between Uzbekistan and Japan.
On his behalf, Fumihiko Kato expressed gratitude for constant support of his activity as an Ambassador in Uzbekistan.
(Source: Press Service of the MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan)
Uzbekistan and Belarus hold political consultations
Uzbekistan and Belarus held a regular round of political consultations at the level of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and Belarus on 8 August 2016.
A delegation of the Foreign Ministry of Belarus headed by the Chief of the Department of the bilateral relations with the CIS countries Andrey Strachko arrived in Tashkent to participate at the consultations, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry said.
During the consultations, it was thoroughly discussed topical issues of the Uzbek-Belarusian interaction in various spheres of cooperation with emphasis on long-term trends, which were interesting for both sides.
The representatives of the foreign affairs agencies exchanged views on the preparations for the upcoming bilateral events in the current year, including political contacts, meetings of business representatives.
The meeting was attended by the Ambassador of Belarus Nikolai Klakevich.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
Society
Mahalla & Sports: a Spirit of Competition and Healthy Lifestyles
The mahalla, an institution of citizens’ self-governing bodies, plays a big role in the preservation and enrichment of national traditions and values, enhancement of the population’s legal awareness, strengthening family values and bringing up a younger generation.
It is one of the manifestations of the people’s national way of life. And as a form of cohabitation of people within a few streets, it has contributed since olden days to the entrenchment of the ideas of kindness, creativity, generosity, compassion, mutual support and solidarity of residents. Being a unique system of self-management of people, it has no parallel elsewhere in the world, has evolved over centuries and has incorporated the best national traditions and values.
However, only in the years since independence has mahalla gained official status. The material-technical base of self-governing institutions was created and continues to strengthen, the ways and principles of their development, to effectively operate the necessary institutional framework for the normal functioning of the mahalla. They clearly reflect its role as an important tool for the formation of civil society in the country, protection of democratic values, human rights and freedoms, and the legitimate interests of people.
Currently, Uzbekistan is home to about 10,000 citizens’ self-governing bodies. In the process of transition from a strong state to a strong civil society, mahallas have gradually been granted more than 30 functions that previously rested with public authorities on the ground.
Each citizen assembly is staffed by a chairperson, a consultant for religious, spiritual and moral education, a secretary in charge and head of the public formation “Mahalla posboni”. Furthermore, over 100,000 advisors to the chairperson elected among respectable residents participate in this work. They head commissions for primary areas of activity: spiritual and educational issues, public control and protection of consumer rights, work with women, underage children’s issues, youth issues and sports among others. The list of these areas testifies to the importance of this institution as a structure closest to the population that protects citizens’ rights and interests on the ground.
The Mahalla Fund that operates across the country provides methodological, practical and financial support for citizens’ self-governing bodies in holding various events.
Based on the principles of legality, transparency, social justice and humaneness, the Mahalla Fund carries out activities across the republic in disseminating the progressive experience of leading citizen assemblies and contributes to the further expansion of the system of public control over state management bodies, social support of the population, and transforming the mahalla into a center of development for private entrepreneurship and family business.
Today, leading a healthy lifestyle and doing sports have become an integral part of family culture. Families have been engaged in various types of sports in their neighborhoods. At leisure and during vacations, they actively engage in leisure activities in sports grounds and stadiums set up in citizen assemblies.
Over 1.4 million children do 30 types of sports in clubs created in mahallas (neighborhoods). To further promote sports among boys and girls, a variety of competitions and health events have been put together on a regular basis in conjunction with ministries and agencies as well as public organizations.
Over the past five years, over 1,600 children’s playgrounds have been reconstructed and over 700 have been designed, built and launched with moneys provided by the Mahalla Fund.
The Year of Healthy Mother and Child has seen a whole range of measures being implemented to boost the role of the mahalla in protecting mother and child health and rearing a comprehensively and harmoniously developer younger generation and broad involvement of the youth, especially girls, in various clubs, physical education and sports as well as building healthy families.
Citizens’ self-governing bodies contribute to the effective use of gyms in schools, lyceums, and other sporting facilities. In addition, the State Program also provides sports outfits for girls from low-income families.
In what has become a tradition, the Mahalla Fund together with its partners holds annual children’s sporting events, family competitions and tournaments among the residents of citizen assemblies and enthusiasts of active and healthy leisure.
Recently, chess and checkers competition titled “We Are an Intellectual Family” wrapped up in the regions of the country. If last year these competitions were attended by more than 229,000 people, this year the event drew over 243,000 residents of mahallas.
“Sports and a healthy lifestyle have a favorable impact on the improvement of the spiritual and moral atmosphere in families,” says Dilshoda Mirzajonova, deputy chairperson of the Mahalla Fund. “In an effort to popularize sports, we carry out wide-reaching advocacy activities because sports play an important role in the life of every person, having a positive impact on personal growth and world outlook. Sports competitions between families help shape warm and friendly relationships, cohesion and rapport among the residents of citizen assemblies. All the participants were provided with T-shirts featuring logos that says “25th Anniversary of Independence” and “Mahalla”.
Around 8,600 families from various neighborhoods participated in the competition “We Are an Intellectual Family”. In the final regional tournaments, 195 families vied for prizes, and that translates to over 1,100 people that won the preliminary stages.
For example, at the regional stage in Karakalpakstan sixteen families came together for chess competitions, who were the best in the district and city tours. The arena of the Nukus Olympic Reserve College was filled to the brim with the audience following the battles of mind with rapt interest. Family teams demonstrated not only their intellectual skills, but also mutual aid and resourcefulness.
“In bringing up a harmoniously developed generation, sports plays a huge role,” said the expert of the Karakalpak branch of the Republican fund Mahalla, Malika Bekmanova. “It is amazing when parents act as role models, strongly support the initiatives of their children, and encourage a healthy lifestyle. To do this today, favorable conditions have been created in the district centers and remote villages of the country. The existing citizen assemblies at the public commission on minors, youth and sport contribute to the promotion of sports among residents. About 4,400 people representing over 730 families pitted their wits against each in chess battles. As a result of thrilling battles, the Turayev family of mahalla Shamshirak from Hojayli District emerged as the winner.”
“Chess is not the only sport that we love to play,” says Aisana Turayeva. “On equipped sites in the area our children play football, volleyball, and my husband and I follow their example. And there are lots of such families in our mahalla.”
The spirit of competition, excitement and good mood also accompanied the regional stage of the competition in the Tashkent region, which was held in the children’s school of music and arts № 2 in Kibray district. According to the organizers, the initial qualifiers were attended by over 26,000 residents from 991 citizen assemblies, 108 families reached the final. The first place was won by the Boboyev family from Hosildor Mahalla in Akkurgan area.
“Our family is passionate about chess and checkers,” says Kainar Boboyev. “It has become a family tradition to organize tournaments in the mahalla. In the current competition, everyone was able to demonstrate their ability and skills. I plan to teach the kids of the mahalla to playcheckers and chess. After all, this is where the path to championships begins.
The participants of the regional stage in Navoi demonstrated exciting games of checkers and chess. showed.
“We have made it to the finals for a second year running,” says Ulugbek Yallayev, a resident of the Durmon Mahalla of Karmana District. “I took an interest in chess as a schoolboy and my children followed in my steps. Every evening we get together as a family and hold tournaments. For several years in the mahalla we have led a club for boys and girls. This summer, the number of those wishing to learn to play chess reached thirty.”
Time just flies over a chessboard. Now is an exciting moment – the awards ceremony. The victory in the tournament was celebrated by the Yuldoshev family from the mahalla Toshmachit in Kyzyltepa area.
Победителям и призерам соревнований «Мы – интеллектуальная семья» вручены дипломы и памятные подарки. В рамках соревнований для участников организованы экскурсии по историческим местам, архитектурным и культурным достопримечательностям.
Winners of the competition “We Are an Intellectual Family” were awarded diplomas and memorable gifts. As part of the competition for the participants of organized excursions to historical sites, architectural and cultural attractions.
“Dad, Mom, Me: a Sporting Family” is another competition held by the Mahalla Fund this year. Each family team competes in a relay race with obstacles, tug of war and other games. This year in these competitions participated 8,700 citizen assemblies and 282,000 families.
For example, at the opening of the regional stage in Samarkand it was noted that special attention is paid to the promotion of sport among the population, healthy lifestyles in families, the development of children’s sports. Every year, in the towns and villages of the region build new sports facilities. This year alone, at the expense of the Fund for Children’s Sports Development built more than 40 sports halls and complexes. Each mahalla organized sports facilities and created opportunities for sports.
Family Nazarov from Taylak district has fulfilled all the conditions of the competition and won the grand prize. Family Rashidovs of Narpay District ranked second, Ochilova of Pakhtachi District – the third place.
“All members of the family involved in sports,” says the winner f Nazarov. My son attends a circle of taekwondo. Daughter Dilnoza comprehends secrets of rhythmic gymnastics. These competitions play an important role in increasing the mass sport in families.”
In Andijan, 17 families who have achieved this right in qualifying and regional competitions competed. The won by the Abdugaffor family Turgunova of mahalla Okkurgon of Baliqchi district. Second place was taken by Dilshodbek Kodirov from mahalla Pakhtachi of Qorasuv city, the third – the family Turabek Sattorova of mahalla “Shahrihonsoy” from Khojaobad District.
“This traditional competition has been very exciting and fund, help to promote healthy lifestyles in families, the involvement of women and youth in the sport,” said the winner Abdugaffor Turgunov.
Another massive and popular contest is “Pahlawan of our Mahalla”. In six weight categories at the national Kurash compete boys and girls 13-14 years old. This year, at all stages of the competition in the country attended by more than 187 thousand young athletes.
So, in Karshi on the regional stage for victory fought 84 young wrestlers. Among boys in the weight category 46 kg took first place Shahzod Nasimov from Karshi.
“When I was nine years old, my grandfather took me to the Kurash section,” says Shahzod. “Since then I have trained hard. It’s my first victory in major competitions. Now my coach is world champion Bahrom Avazov. Kurash classes promote not only my physical development, but also the education of willpower and fortitude. My goal is to become a famous athlete like my mentor and to win major international tournaments.”
Seventy-two young athletes took part in kurash competitions in Namangan regional stage.
Among girls the first place in the weight category 48 kg went to Ugilkhon Zohidullaeva of Namangan region. “In our mahalla, Kurama, all conditions for young people have been created. In our spare time, we do sports in a modern sports complex, where various events are held regularly. I am very happy that I won and continue training to improve my skills,” says Ugilkhon.
The sporting competitions titled “The Future of Our Football” held regularly by the Mahalla Fund play a big role in the physical and spiritual upbringing of the younger generation. They are important for the organization of leisure activities for children and teenagers and promoting football and supporting talented youngsters.
The first stages of the tournament this year were carried out in 8,770 citizen assemblies. The number of participants compared to the previous year has increased and totaled 1.3 million children, indicating that the growing interest of children in the sport. Currently, steps are regional events that take place on the most modern football stadiums.
“Our citizen assembly boasts all the conditions for the organization of leisure activities for children and regular exercise,” says an activist of the Oqtepa mahalla, Dilbar Jamolova, in Shaikhantakhur district of the capital city. “In recent years, among the boys football has been very popular, and our team is making progress in this way”
…Care of the youth and assistance in bringing up a physically fit and spiritually strong rising generation are priorities of mahallas’ activities. This is evidenced by the activities of citizen assemblies and the Mahalla Fund for the development of sports and organization of various sporting events.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
THEATER
Welcome Back, ‘My Tashkent!’
“The idea of creating music hall today seems as unreal as it once seemed unreal to stage a musical. We understood that we should not be afraid to dream, because all become a reality when you really want,” say the actors and directors Hasan and Husan Salikhov.
Musicals ‘The Snow Queen’ and ‘My Tashkent’ staged by the Salikhov brothers have enriched the cultural life of the capital. Spectators love this genre for its dynamism, brightness, and various arts combined into one performance.
“Musicals were our dream,” says Hasan Salikhov. “Now we understand that the Uzbek audience warmly welcomed this kind of performance, and it must be promoted.”
“We are playing in the Youth Theater of Uzbekistan and are familiar with this genre. However, in the production of ‘The Snow Queen’ we are faced with many challenges. Our performance differs from the ones that are played on the scene of our theater or operetta. After all, the musical is played on the scene of the Istiqlol Palace, the spectators’ hall of which has about four thousand seats, while the Youth Theater hall has only 400 seats,” says Husan Salikhov. “The Art.uz Promotion Production Center offered to us with my brother put a Christmas tale. We decided to make a musical. Well-known young singers were involved to play some roles. We also arranged auditions for other characters. As a result we managed to gather a great, talented team. Apart from the usual rehearsals, the actors had to work on songs with composer Alik Holmurzaev, then to advance singing under the guidance of Rustam Khamrakulov. Designer Shakhnoza Muratova created more than 100 costumes, and choreographer Natalia Zahalskaya produced dance numbers. The actors sang all songs live. Since we rented a hall, the rehearsals on stage we started only a few days before the premiere, in the evening after the concerts. Equipment was installed only the night before the first show. Despite this, ‘The Snow Queen’ received a lot of positive feedback. This inspired us to new performance.”
In the spring, the premiere of the musical ‘My Tashkent’ was held. The musical was created and produced by the creative team, headed by directors Hasan and Husan Salikhov. It was played only a few times, and not every willing could see the play. Therefore, the authors decided to return the musical on stage, with more modified version. The authors do not disclose the secrets of surprises awaiting the spectators. It is only known some new actors are involved, new characters are added, and the musical will have new stage decorations. The updated version of the musical will be premiered in late September.
“We plan to put on stage again ‘The Snow Queen’, perhaps not only in the capital but also in Samarqand and Bukhara. We want to translate it into the Uzbek language, and in the future – into English. We have ideas about new musicals, including those based in the Uzbek drama. We believe we can produce them in the near future,” summed up the Salikhov brothers.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
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