visit of the Prime minister of japan to uzbekistan.. 2
Prime Minister of Japan arrives in Tashkent 2
Uzbek-Japanese business forum held in Tashkent 2
Uzbek Bolshoi Theater re-opens after capital reconstruction. 3
11th International Uzbek Cotton and Textile Fair.. 4
When Textiles Are All the Rage. 4
visit of the Prime minister of japan to uzbekistan
Prime Minister of Japan arrives in Tashkent
The Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe arrived in our country on 24 October on the invitation of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.
Prime Minister Abe was received at the Tashkent International Airport by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
After a brief talk at the airport, the Japanese delegation left for to the designated residence.
Main events of the official visit of the Prime Minister of Japan are planned for 25 October.
As was reported earlier, the issues of further development of Uzbek-Japanese cooperation, problems of regional and international politics of mutual interest are expected to be discussed during the meeting and negotiations on the highest level.
The parties are to adopt a Joint declaration, sign a substantial package of intergovernmental, interagency and other documents, aimed at further deepening of cooperation in trade, economic, investment, financial, technical and cultural-humanitarian areas following the visit.
(Source: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan)
Uzbek-Japanese business forum held in Tashkent
On October 25 Uzbek-Japanese business forum was held within the framework of the official visit of Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe in our country.
The opening ceremony was attended by President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Islam Karimov noted that Japan is one of the most reliable partners of Uzbekistan. Cooperation between Uzbekistan and Japan are developing in all sectors, and the current business forum is of great importance in further strengthening our trade and economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian ties.
Shinzo Abe underscored that he appreciated the fruitful cooperation between our countries and supports their further development, and noted that the Uzbek economy has been developing with a dynamic pace.
For our country the development of cooperation with Japan is significant in terms of expanding ties with the Asia-Pacific region. Japan and Uzbekistan have great economic potential and opportunities for further strengthening the partnership. Cooperation between the two countries have been developing in the spirit of the Joint statement on friendship, strategic partnership and cooperation, signed in 2002.
Economic ties between Uzbekistan and Japan are based on a number of documents, including agreements on trade and economic cooperation, mutual protection and promotion of investments. There are 10 joint ventures with participation of Japanese investments, representative offices of 12 Japanese companies operate in Uzbekistan. They are working in such spheres as transport, services, tourism, health, engineering and metalworking, light industry, export-import operations, supply of equipment under the investment projects.
As part of the Official Development Assistance program developed by the Government of Japan, Uzbekistan has been provided loans totaling more than 140 billion yen, grant assistance of over 22 billion yen, technical cooperation projects worth more than 13 billion yens have been implemented. In 2014 an intergovernmental agreement was signed in the energy sector, aimed at the realization of the Jupiter project for the construction of a large power plant in the Ferghana Valley.
The huge economic potential of our country, modern transport communications, favorable investment environment increase the interest of business community in Japan in expanding cooperation with Uzbekistan.
During the forum the Japanese businessmen have been provided with detailed information about socio-economic reforms in our country, development of small businesses and private entrepreneurship, promising projects in the oil and gas as well as chemical industries, preferences in Navoi, Jizzakh and Angren industrial zones. Uzbek-Japanese joint projects in various sectors, their results and prospects have also been discussed.
– Japan pays special attention to cooperation with Uzbekistan, – says the chairman of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Hiroyuki Ishige. – A favorable investment environment, established in Uzbekistan and high economic opportunities are an important factor in the development of our trade, economic and investment ties.
Issues related to further development of trade-economic and investment cooperation in sectors such as energy, banking and finance, information technology, transport and communications, health, tourism, food processing, light industry, science and education were discussed at the he business forum. The sides exchanged views on cooperation in the field of personnel training and skills development.
Participation of over two hundred representatives of the business circles of Japan at the forum demonstrates the interest of this country in the development of cooperation with Uzbekistan. Representatives of such companies as Isuzu Motors, Nippon Export and Investment Insurance, Dai Nippon Construction, Shimizu, Chiyoda, Mitsubishi, Marubeni, Toyota Tsushyo, Itochu, Fujifilm, Sakura Global Holding noted that they intend to enter the markets of Uzbekistan and to further strengthen the established cooperation.
A number of agreements on cooperation in many fields, particularly in energy, oil and gas, chemical industry, geology, banking and finance, medical, tourism, agriculture, automotive industry have been signed at the end of the business forum.
(Source: UzA)
Uzbek Bolshoi Theater re-opens after capital reconstruction
An opening ceremony of the State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi was held on October 25 after a major reconstruction.
It was attended by Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyayev and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
The buildings of the Uzbek National academic drama theater, Bukhara State theater of musical drama, Andijan theater of musical drama and comedy have undergone major renovation under the leadership of President Islam Karimov. A majestic theater and concert palace has been opened in Fergana. Namagan and Khorezm theaters of musical drama and comedy have been completely revamped.
A particular attention is paid to creation of all necessary conditions and facilities for productive activities of theater groups.
Traditional competitions and festivals, such as the “Spring of Youth”, “Spring Symphony”, “Competizione dell’Opera”, held annually in our country, and a variety of concerts and art projects contribute to strengthening the love of art in the youth, introducing them to the best examples of national and world music.
The State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi makes a great contribution to development of opera and ballet, enrichment of the rich musical heritage of our people.
The theater building, constructed in 1947, is a unique example of national architecture, priceless cultural heritage.
As a result of wide-ranging creative and improvement work, initiated by President Islam Karimov, the building of the theater and its surroundings have undergone great changes and become even more attractive. Engineering and communication systems, including heating and air conditioning have been completely renovated. A special attention was paid to preservation of all the elements of the original interior of the theater during the reconstruction.
The auditorium of 736 seats delights with intricate gold patterns of oriental ornament and a huge crystal chandelier. Through an elaborate layout, a spectator from anywhere in the hall can see and hear well what is happening on stage. Modern lighting and sound equipment, equipment for visual and acoustical effects enhance the pleasure of the play.
At the bottom is the renewed stage orchestra pit, which, if necessary, may be lifted by modern means to the level of the stage, allowing the audience to enjoy the play of the orchestra.
During the reconstruction a special attention was also paid to the arrangement of rehearsal rooms, dressing rooms, creation of necessary conditions for decorators, craftsmen, make-up artists, sound engineers and radio operators, communication specialists, costume designers, stage engineers, in short, all the those who work behind the scenes, without which it is impossible to imagine the work of the theater.
In the years of independence, the theater has expanded cooperation with the leading theater companies of the world. Joint performances with conductors, directors and choreographers of the USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Venezuela and other countries have been put on stage.
Cooperation with Japanese colleagues has a special place in theater’s activity. The Japanese public warmly welcomes performances of opera and ballet masters of Uzbekistan. Swan Lake and The Barber of Seville have been put on stage at Bolshoi theater in cooperation with Japanese performers. Toyota City Ballet’s guest performances in our country have been a great success.
Songs on Alisher Navoi’s poems, scenes from operas and ballets by Uzbek composers and world classics have been performed during the gala concert to celebrate the opening of the theater.
(Source: UzA)
11th International Uzbek Cotton and Textile Fair
When Textiles Are All the Rage
The world-renowned cotton industry of Uzbekistan has been gradually receding into the background. Entering the European and Asian markets, a new generation of domestic textile brands has been hard on its heel. The world’s leading fashion houses like Gucci, Christian Dior and Calvin Klein have been successfully using Uzbek ikat, adras and satin in their collections. Uzbekistan Today reporters have made an attempt to figure out what stands behind the rise of the domestic light industry and the transformation in the cotton industry.
Last week, Tashkent hosted the 11th International Uzbek Cotton and Textile Fair. Judging by expert forecasts and development trends of the national economy, it promises to be called ‘textile’ and then ‘cotton fair’ in the near future.
Uzbekistan’s light industry ranks among the fastest growing segments of the economy, and leaders in foreign investments and exports. Last year’s monitoring showed that almost all companies of the industry have been equipped with modern energy-efficient equipment. Meanwhile, this is just a starting point, and the success is yet to come, as stated by representatives of O’bekyengilsanoat Company, who presented only a small part of initiatives they had scheduled for the fair.
For example, Uzbekistan is planning to channel $918 million into the implementation of 77 projects in the textile industry by the end of 2019. The funds will be invested in the creation of a vertically integrated textile complexes in different regions of the country, as well as establishment of new and expansion of existing production facilities jointly with world leaders of textile machinery. It is expected that the projects will enhance the current capacities by at least twice.
For instance, over $800 million worth of investment was channeled into the textile industry in 2010-2014. That empowered the commissioning and modernization of 147 enterprises with an export capacity of $670 million, and establishment of over 8,000 new jobs.
The role of light industry in the economic development of Uzbekistan can be judged by numbers: in the first half of 2015 its share in GDP was 3.8%, 26.2% in industrial production, and more than 44% in the production of non-food consumer goods. The credit for high performance goes to an effective policy of attraction of foreign investment and technologies, modernization, technical and technological renewal of manufactures, development of small business and private entrepreneurship. As a result, over the years of independence the industry has raised over $2.2 billion and implemented more than 180 big investment projects.
Today, the O’zbekyengilsanoat Company unites 312 textile, knitwear and silk enterprises, along with more than 3,000 enterprises throughout the country. They supply the foreign market with a wide range of products ranging from yarn to finished articles. Modern design and high-quality performance make the products competitive and enable the domestic manufacturers taking a worthy place in the international market.
O’zbekyengilsanoat enterprises have been exporting their products to 45 countries, and the sales geography has been constantly expanding at that. Enterprises of textile garment and knitwear industry deliver their goods to the CIS countries, Europe, China, the US, Canada and Arab states.
O’zbekyengilsanoat sees the strengthening of international cooperation and involvement of foreign partners in modernization, technical and technological extension of production, widespread promotion of domestic products to international markets, as well as implementation of innovative projects that would bring light industry to a new level as its major mission at the current stage.
It stands to reason that the capacity of the light industry at this year’s fair has been demonstrated on a 2,000 square-meter textile pavilion. Nearly 100 domestic textile, garment and knitwear companies presented cotton yarn and fabric, dyed and mixed yarn, knitted fabrics, ready-made knitwear and garments, hosiery, terry articles, fabrics for special purposes, home textiles, uniform clothing, and other goods
Unprecedented for the CIS space, a unique Uzbek-South Korean project was in the spotlight. O’zbekyengilsanoat representatives demonstrated literally and figuratively a sketch of the future of the light industry in Uzbekistan, which is a learning and research textile industrial park. Its establishment has already been launched with the support of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy of Korea.
It is deemed to become a source of manpower for textile enterprises of new formation, which will be equipped with advanced equipment and apply the latest information and communication technologies. Moreover, there is a globally growing demand for the fabrics that resist to wetness, contamination, deformation, and do not lose color. South Korea has been leading in this field, so the technology park would allow introducing technological know-how in the domestic enterprises, establishing cooperation between researchers of the two countries in material engineering, dyeing and finishing plants, new design of textiles, clothing and much more.
Building and construction works, technological equipment and staff training will be funded by the government of South Korea. To date, the Korean side has approved the implementation of the project in 2015 in terms of design specifications and estimates. The launch of the technical park is scheduled for the end of 2017.
A preliminary plan of administrative buildings and a separate building for experimental production with energy efficient technologies has been already developed. Occupying a total area of over 10,000 square meters, it will be equipped with solar panels.
Several buildings of the technology park will house classrooms, conference rooms, exhibition halls, laboratories, offices, a greenhouse and other facilities. Another 1,500 square meters will be allocated for experimental research laboratory with weaving, knitting, dyeing, finishing, and sewing equipment.
The building promises to be a kind of a green island with a greenhouse and a smash garden with herbaceous cover on the roof. The adjacent territory will be covered with decorative high-strength plates, and decorated with green areas and fountains.
All the projects are aimed at increasing the share of processed cotton fiber and establishment of facilities for the manufacture of products with high added value. Today, more than 35% of the produced cotton fiber is processed within the country, and the index is promising to grow with the years. In 1994, the domestic textile industry exported goods at a total of $8 million, while in 2014 the figure exceeded $1 billion.
This year has marked the launch of a specialized program on the development of light industry, which envisages the commissioning of over 100 new joint ventures operated by the most advanced technologies and equipment in the next five years. This is far not the limit. Therefore, during the Fair, representatives of the government called international partners for active cooperation with Uzbekistan in the establishment of joint textile manufactures.
It is important to realize that the dynamic growth of the light industry is impossible without concomitant modernization of cotton industry. The policy of Uzbekistan in this area is based on maintaining stable production volumes of cotton not through expanding areas, but by means of introduction of modern agricultural technologies that allow increasing the yields. In this context, the development of innovative technologies of fiber production and improvement of its quality and performance characteristics remain the priorities for the coming years.
Today, Uzbekistan ranks the world’s sixth in cotton production, the fifth largest exporter, and the leading player on the global cotton arena.
Uzbekistan annually grows nearly 3.5 million tons of raw cotton, and produces 1.1 million tons of cotton fiber. Special importance has been attached to the mechanized collection of cotton. This year’s harvesting campaign has engaged more than 1,200 cotton pickers.
Over the years of independence the domestic crop breeders have bred 112 cotton varieties, 30 of which were included in the State Register of Uzbekistan and recommended for planting in different regions of the country. When planning the breeding works, the breeders take into account the climatic conditions, making emphasis of the parameters like high productivity and quality of fiber, enhanced resistance to salinity and drought, diseases and pests, and extremely high temperatures.
The dynamically evolving institutional framework brings together more than a dozen research and production institutions, which annually breed and pilot about fifty new varieties of cotton. The grades that yield up to 50 metric centners per hectare and fiber output ratio of 40% ranks among the achievements.
Nearly 98% of the cotton Uzbekistan has produced this season consists of the first and highest grades. The credit of such a performance goes to good weather and no rain. Significant changes have taken place ginning sector; modernization and innovative approaches have contributed to the improved quality of cotton fiber.
Being a member of the Bremen Cotton Association and the International Cotton Advisory Committee, the Uzbek Center for Cotton Fiber Certification of SIFAT certifies fiber using modern HVI systems that meet the requirements of international standards. The ongoing program on technological re-equipment of Center’s branches envisages the replacement of semi-automatic HVI 900 with high-performance Uster 1000 by the end of 2017.
The well-built transport infrastructure is another important point to mention. Efficient logistics system, optimal routes and corridors have been ensuring prompt delivery of Uzbek cotton fiber to all consumers. Uzbekistan has 21 specialized cotton terminals with a simultaneous storage capacity of more than 400,000 tons of fiber.
Bringing all the factors together, it becomes clear why the leading experts of the textile and cotton industry have been attending the Tashkent Fair 11 times run. The first Fair in 2005 was attended by 300 representatives of companies from 26 countries, while this year it has brought together more than 1,000 participants from 40 states.
Ranking among the key parties of the international cotton market, within two days Uzbekistan has provided the representatives of cotton industry, textile companies and commercial traders with an opportunity to meet and discuss the development trends in the global cotton market and future forecasts, to participate in the Fair and exchange trading, conclude direct trade contracts on the supply of cotton fiber and textile articles.
Upon the Uzbek Cotton and Textile Fair, Uzbekistan signed sale contracts for 700,000 tons of cotton fiber and textile products worth over $800 million.
Uzbekistan contracted on the purchase of cotton fiber with companies from Bangladesh, China, Turkey, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Poland, UAE, Czech Republic, Great Britain, Iran and Russia, and signed agreements on exporting textiles with companies in Poland, Turkey, Russia, Singapore, South Korea and other countries.
Besides, Uzbekistan signed two memorandums on cooperation in textile industry with Indorama Company (Singapore) and Swiss Capital Company (Switzerland).
“The forum has once again demonstrated its uniqueness and relevance in the global cotton and textile community. These two days have been very eventful, the participants exchanged views on relevant issues of the present and the future of the cotton industry. We have reached several agreements on the development of partnerships,” said Minister of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade Elyor Ganiev at the closing ceremony.
We hope that next October Tashkent will traditionally host thousands of guests who are interested in purchasing high-quality cotton fiber and textiles, as well as in the establishment of new joint modern manufactures.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
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