November 12, 2014
The American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce held a meeting in Tashkent2
JICA allocates US$704m loan to construction of new thermal power plant in Uzbekistan. 3
“Education in Japan 2014” fair held in Tashkent4
POLICY
President Islam Karimov at the Oqsaroy on November 11 Received the Chairperson of the American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce Carolyn Lamm
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov at the Oqsaroy on November 11 received the Chairperson of the American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce (AUCC) Carolyn Lamm, who arrived in our country to attend an AUCC regular meeting.
The current visit by an impressive mission of US companies and firms is suggestive of a growing interest of the American business to this country and an aspiration for the further enhancement of the bilateral trade-economic and investment cooperation.
Greeting the guest, the head of our state noted that the American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce has been facilitating the development of bilateral ties between Uzbekistan and the United States for as long as twenty years.
To date, the membership of this nongovernmental nonprofit organization includes seventeen leading American corporations like Boeing, General Motors, General Electric, Honeywell, Rio Tinto, Zeppelin, Lockheed Martin, Merck, White & Case, Solar Turbines, FMN International.
The close cooperation with General Motors has been evolving dynamically, highlighted by three major projects across the nation, covering automotive production in Andijan Region, new-generation engine manufacture in Tashkent Region, and the full-cycle automobile production in Khorezm Region.
Uzbekistan Airways National Company has been successfully operating fifteen modern Boeing airliners that cover more than half of all traffic. Joint schemes are in progress to set up a regional center in Tashkent at the aviation enterprise Uzbekistan Airways Technics for the overhaul of large-size composite elements of aircraft configuration. Similar projects are underway to train highly qualified specialists in the operation and servicing of Boeing airplanes.
Carolyn Lamm expressed sincere gratitude to the head of our state for a warm reception and the comprehensive support for activities of the American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce.
Uzbekistan’s President and the AUCC Chairwoman exchanged views on the prospects of bilateral relations in economy and investments.
Toward the end of the conversation, Carolyn Lamm awarded Islam Karimov with Crystal Globe in sign of recognition of Uzbekistan’s promotion as a global business leader.
(Source: Press-service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan)
International cooperation
The American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce Held a Meeting in Tashkent
The regular meeting of the American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce (AUCC) was held today in Tashkent. The event was attended by representatives of more than 30 of the largest US companies, including “General Motors”, “Boeing”, “Honeywell”, “GE”, “Lockheed Martin”, “Cameco” , “Procter & Gamble”, “Case New Holland “and others.
In her speech , Carolyn Lamm , the chairman of AUCC stressed that “the next meeting is a testimony to the commitment of both parties for the constant strengthening of business cooperation between the US and Uzbekistan and provide a good basis for the consideration of specific new areas of trade, economic and investment cooperation.”
The volume of bilateral trade between the two countries by the end of 2013 amounted to $ 387 million. In January-September 2014 turnover amounted to $ 230mln. Today in Uzbekistan operate 174 enterprises with the participation of US companies, including 125 joint ventures and 49 with 100% foreign capital. In the MFERIT of Uzbekistan accredited representative of 39 US companies.
During the meeting, were also held presentations of American and Uzbek companies in such promising areas of bilateral cooperation as automotive and mechanical engineering, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, petrochemical, chemical industry, electronic and electrical products, food industry and others.
The meeting discussed projects in the field of trade-economic and investment cooperation aimed at further strengthening of mutually beneficial business relationships between leading companies in the US and Uzbekistan, the creation of joint ventures for the production of products with high added value and demand in the domestic and foreign markets.
Recall that the previous meeting of AUCC was held on September 5-6, 2013 in Washington DC.
(Source: UzReport.uz)
JICA allocates US$704m loan to construction of new thermal power plant in Uzbekistan
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provided a loan for 71.8 billion yens (US$704 million) to Uzbekistan to finance project on construction of Turakurgan thermal power station.
A long agreement on co-financing of Turakurgan thermal power station by JICA was signed in Tashkent on 10 November within the visit of the delegation of Japan led by Parliamentary Deputy Foreign Minister of Japan Kentaro Sonoura to Uzbekistan.
First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Uzbekistan Rustam Azimov and Vice-President of JICA Kae Yanagisawa signed the loan agreement.
The project envisages construction of a gas-fired power plant of high efficiency with total capacity of 900 megawatt in Turakurgan district of Namangan region. It is planned to construct two combined cycle power facilities with a capacity of 450 MW each.
Within the project on construction of Turakurgan thermal power station, the JICA provided a preferential long-term loan for 71.8 billion yens or US$704 million.
The loan is issued for 40 years, including 10 year grace period. The interest rate is set at 0.3% APR.
Construction of the plant will allow to produce 6.8 billion KWH of electricity, which will help to meet growing demand of Ferghana Valley in electricity, including to realize new projects in textile, food, pharmaceutical, construction materials, small and private businesses sector.
The project envisages use of advanced technologies of combined production of electricity with use of high technological steam-to-gas and gas turbine facilities, which will ensure coefficient of efficiency of the station at the level of 60% and decrease consumption of fuel twice compared to existing capacities.
Currently, JICA finances construction of two combined cycle power facilities with a total capacity of 900 MW at Talimarjanthermal power station in Kashkadarya region.The works on construction of the second combined cycle power facilities with a capacity of 450 MW started at Navoi thermal power stations. Preparation works on project on introduction of co-generation facility with the capacity of 108 MW at Tashkent Thermal Cental No 4 with participation of Japan is underway.
JICA also provided technical assistance to creation of the first regional educational center for training specialists on maintenance of steam-to-gas and gas turbine facilities in Tashkent.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
EDUCATION
“Education in Japan 2014” Fair Held in Tashkent
Nagoya University in Uzbekistan jointly with the Uzbek Japanese center organized an annual “Education in Japan 2014’’ fair.
The participants of the event received the opportunity to obtain detailed information about the education system in Japan, entering universities, selection criteria, as well as government grants and scholarships in Japan.
During the fair, more than 20 representatives of the seven universities of Japan presented their universities. Each participant was able to ask his question and get an individual consultation.
Graduates of Japanese universities, shared with exhibitors about their experiences of living and studying in this country.
We should note that the revolution in the Japanese education system was the implementation of the project “Global 30”, which brought together 13 leading universities in the country. By the initiators of the project were done all necessary things, including attracting foreign teachers from different fields of science to teach in Japanese universities, also for an effective communication and exchange with experiences between students from Japan and other countries. Nagoya University, which is one in Central Asia was opened in Uzbekistan in 2010.
– Four years ago we opened our office in Uzbekistan. Since, we organized educational exhibitions and presentations in all regions of the country in order to attract talented young generation to study in Japan. During the beginning period of the project “Global 30” more than 100 Uzbek students were selected as students of Japanese universities, – said Vice-president of Nagoya University Watanabe Yoshihito.
During the period of visiting Uzbekistan, the Japanese delegation will visit a number of educational institutions in Tashkent in order to make informational presentations for students about the education system in Japan.
(Source: UzReport.uz)
sport
Everybody Loves a Winner
Two rounds ahead of the conclusion of football national championship, Pakhtakor Tashkent ended up topping the table for the tenth time. To remove Bunyodkor from the throne and overcome the ambitious Lokomotiv, the team had to make a number of disputable decisions during the season.
At the beginning of the season the club was the only one in the domestic league who moved to the new management scheme, abandoning the head coach and appointing Samvel Babayan to the position of sports manager. And it was not just the replacement of one position for another – Pakhtakor opted for a system which is actively used today in European soccer where the training process and the game as well as acquisition of players are managed by one person. This approach is very unusual, as even in the leading clubs in England, Spain and Germany not many dare give the reins to one person. In addition, the club was one of the first among Uzbekistan’s teams to practically refuse the services of foreign players, and brought together the backbone of the team built around young Uzbek players. During the season the Professional Football League matches had to be postponed because most of the core players of the team were leaving to perform for the youth team of the nation. These seemingly controversial decisions have probably proved key to the success of the team.
The capital club was able to complete the season without any major disruptions. The key games for the team were not the ones against their main rivals like Bunyodkor or Lokomotiv, but the games at the end of the season which allowed the team to win the championship in advance. Pakhtakor played against the teams located in the bottom of the table. But these matches were fueled with the fact that these teams were extremely motivated to gain points in order to avoid finishing in the relegation zone.
The most difficult game was the one against Metallurg. In the first 30 minutes Pakhtakor was completely dominating the game and even released an additional striker in order to finish off the opponents. This move brought fruit as after just four minutes Karimkulov from Metallurg was sent off, which allowed Iskanderov to the score with a beautiful free kick. In the second half the visiting team further pressed the hosts and was able to double the lead on the 47th minute. However Metallurg was not giving up and was able to score from a penalty making it 1:2. In just 7 minutes the hosts were able to equalize making it 2:2 after a terrible mistake from the goalkeeper of the visiting team. It seemed as if Pakhtakor players were tired, but on the 70 the minute Sergeev put the visitors in front and Pardaev just capitalized on the dominance of his team making the final score 2:4.
On the other hand the match against Bukhoro was like a walk in the park for our capital team. The scoring was opened on the second minutes by Iskanderov. The final score of the game was 4:0 in the favor of Pakhtakor and the team won the national championship for the tenth time.
“This is the ninth and most difficult title in my career,” Samvel Babayan said after the game. “There are leaders in the team, but the victory was brought by the team game. Many players are invited to move to other clubs, but they will remain in Pakhtakor to achieve new goals with the team.”
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
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