October 22, 2014
President of Uzbekistan to Visit Turkmenistan. 2
Economy of Uzbekistan grows by 8.1% in Jan-Sep. 2
“Vital Opportunities for Cooperation” – UNDP chief concludes her visit to Uzbekistan. 3
Tashkent stage of the FIDE Grand Prix 2014 gathered 12 strongest chess players of the world. 4
POLICY
President of Uzbekistan to Visit Turkmenistan
On October 23-24, 2014, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov will pay an official visit to Turkmenistan on the invitation of the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Within the framework of regular Uzbek-Turkmen dialogue at high level, discussion of development of bilateral relations, as well as important problems of regional and international character will be considered.
Signing of a joint statement of two leaders and several documents aimed at further deepening interaction in various areas is expected.
(Source: Press Service of the MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan)
ECONOMY
Economy of Uzbekistan grows by 8.1% in Jan-Sep
Gross domestic product (GDP) of Uzbekistan grew by 8.1% in nine months of 2014. This was announced on 21 October at the session of the Cabinet of Ministers, dedicated to results of social-economic development of Uzbekistan in nine months of 2014.
The volume of industrial output rose by 8.4%, agriculture products – 6.8% and construction works – 18.9% in the reporting period.
State budget was executed with 0.1% surplus to the GDP. The inflation level does not exceed forecasted parameter.
The production of consumer goods rose by 11.3%, retail trade turnover – 14.2% and paid services – 11.1%.
In the reporting period, some 10,830 individual houses on standard projects were commissioned in Uzbekistan.
In nine months of 2014, some 20,200 new small businesses were created in Uzbekistan. Share of businesses in industry rose from 27.9% in nine months of 2013 to 31.1% in the same period of 2014, in used investments – from 32.2% to 33.2% and in employment – from 76% to 76.5%. The small businesses acquired 224 state assets and rented 23,000 unused state objects.
The commercial banks issued loans and microloans for 7.3 trillion soums in nine months of 2014, which rose by 1.3 times year-on-year. (Currency rates of CB from 22.10.2014 1$= 2379.75 soums)
About 4.2 trillion soums and US$200 million were directed to implement the projects within the state programme “The Year of healthy children”.
Uzbekistan commissioned 2,715 new production objects and completed implementation of 105 important investment projects on organization of high technological and modern production.
In particular, the project on production of Portland and white cement with the capacity of 700,000 tonnes in Jizzakh region, expansion of production of enriched raw phosphorite with the capacity of 716,000, the plant on production of Damas and Orlando cars in Khorezm region with the capacity of 80,000 cars and others were commissioned in the reporting period.
About 720 billion soums were used to construction and reconstruction of automobile roads, which are part of the Uzbek national highway.
Some 322 new enterprises started export operations and exported goods and services for US$332 million. The enterprises also started to export 143 goods for US$172.2 million. Uzbekistan exported its goods and services to 51 countries in nine months of 2014.
In the result of implementation of the programme on creation of jobs and ensuring employment of population for 2014, Uzbekistan created 777,800 new jobs, of which 465,000 or 59.8% were created in rural areas.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
International cooperation
“Vital Opportunities for Cooperation” – UNDP chief concludes her visit to Uzbekistan
UNDP Administrator, Helen Clark has just completed a five-day visit to Uzbekistan, during which she met with the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan,the UNDP Uzbekistan said.
H.E. Islam Karimov, and ministers, met with national and international development partners, and visited important historical sites in Khorezm and Bukhara which are vital to the tourism sector. The visit directed attention to a number of key initiatives and their impact. Helen Clark emphasised the need to always work to scale up initiatives. She was delighted to see the emergence of new opportunities for co-operation in a number of priority areas.
During Helen Clark’s visit there was a signing ceremony for a new project with the Supreme Court, supported by USAID, on the rule of law which aims to boost the efficiency and accessibility of the court system. The ‘Rule of Law Partnership’ project will build on earlier initiatives to strengthen public access to and trust in the judiciary. It will be a platform for moving forward in on-going reform with Uzbekistan’s civil justice sector, involving key national stakeholders in strengthening judicial independence.
In her speech at the launch ceremony, Helen Clark reiterated that the rule of law and access to justice play an important role in development. The Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals in the post-2015 development agenda has proposed a goal on “access to justice”, recognizing the great importance of citizens being able to seek and obtain justice.
Helen Clark also visited Tashkent’s Earthquake Simulation Complex, which will serve to build public awareness of Uzbekistan’s vulnerability to seismic events, and educate the public on the best means of preparing for and behaving during earthquakes. The complex was established in cooperation with UNDP, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Academy of Sciences, and the Ministry of Culture and Sports, with support from the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department within its Disaster Preparedness Programme for Central Asia.
As well, Helen Clark visited two major UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites in Uzbekistan, the ancient cities of Khiva and Bukhara. Famed for their examples of traditional Islamic architecture, and each containing many ancient mosques, madrassas (educational institutions), mausoleums, forts and palaces, the cities hold place of pride in Uzbekistan’s cultural history. They were central to the ancient Silk Road trade route, and are of global significance.
“I have been greatly impressed by the ancient splendour of both these cities”, Clark said, following her visit, “and I am pleased to see that today they play a very important role in Uzbekistan’s tourism sector.”
On the last day of her visit UNDP Administrator Helen Clark made a key-note presentation to students and professors at the Tashkent University of World Economy and Diplomacy. Her speech highlighted her appreciation of Uzbekistan’s continued commitment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. It also emphasized the need for continued collaboration and cooperation, in order to guarantee that the nation’s positive human development trends persist into the post-2015 era.
During her talk with students the Administrator noted that Uzbekistan went beyond the MDGs, and set national MDGs which comprehensively targeted human development, and had time-bound indicators which were relevant to the country’s context. The participation of the President, H.E. Islam Karimov, in the MDG Summit held in September 2010 in New York was clear confirmation of this country’s continuing commitment to the MDGs.
The Administrator’s visit underlined UNDP’s commitment to provide international expertise and knowledge to Uzbekistan, strengthen national capacities and promote innovative solutions to advance the development strategies of the country.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
sport
Tashkent stage of the FIDE Grand Prix 2014 gathered 12 strongest chess players of the world
The stage of the FIDE Grand Prix in 2014 started in the Gallery of art. It should be noted, that this is the series of four chess tournaments, the second of which was held in Tashkent. In the opening ceremony of the next stage of the Grand Prix was attended by the President of the International chess Federation FIDE.
Schedule of Grand Prix presents a series of four chess tournaments. The first one was held in the Azerbaijani capital Baku. The second started in Tashkent. The third tournament in February 2015 will take place in the capital of Iran, Tehran. And the last, fourth stage, will be held in may in Moscow.
The honor of Uzbekistan in this tournament protects international grandmaster Rustam Kasimdzhanov. The number, which he pulled during the draw is 5.
The first symbolic move in the opening stage of the tournament was made by the former world champion Rustam Kasimdzhanov and FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.
Tashkent Grand Prix will last until November 2. Recall that the Grand Prix tournament will provide the best players qualified for the world chess championship in 2016.
(Source: UzReport.uz)
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