Light industry of Uzbekistan has been expanding its presence in foreign markets. 1
“Electronic government” in use in Uzbekistan. 2
Justice Ministry of Uzbekistan to strengthen legal protection of entrepreneurs. 3
Election commissions of Uzbekistan and Republic of Korea sign Memorandum of cooperation. 3
Export
Light industry of Uzbekistan has been expanding its presence in foreign markets
Despite the global economic crisis, the Uzbek light industry has been expanding its presence in foreign markets. Last year, Uzbekistan entered new commodity markets in Colombia, Brazil, El Salvador, Pakistan, Georgia, Croatia, Nigeria and other countries, and their total number exceeded 55.
Last year was a landmark for the country’s textile industry: it demonstrated a significant growth in exports, and saturation of the domestic market with good domestic products. The volume of exports of light industry products exceeded $1 billion. The number of export enterprises has reached 254, accounting for 89% of the total number of O’zbekyengilsanoat enterprises.
Domestic manufacturers have been actively expanding the range of finished products for export. For instance, in 2015, the structure of export enterprises includes new types of textile products like bamboo, modal and mixed yarn, jacquard and ring linen, finished sewing and knitted articles of new types, models, drawings and weavings. The share of goods with high added value in total exports reached 40%.
The joint work of companies of the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade has been contributing to the expansion of the geography of exports with an eye to the demand for textile, garment and knitwear products in the world market.
In order to diversify the range of export products, enterprises took part in international specialized exhibitions and fairs in China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Latvia, Korea, Turkey, Germany and other countries.
Last year, the volume of industrial products exceeded 3 trillion soums, consumer goods – 1 trillion soums. They ensured the increase in production of cotton yarn and fabrics, knitted fabrics and its articles, non-woven fabrics, raw silk and others. In general, the industry produced 188 types of products, including 75 new products. (currency rates of CB RU from 03.02.2016, 1$= 2836.87 soums)
Industry experts have been attaching particular importance to designing and producing clothes with national pattern. There are brand stores of O’zbekyengilsanoat enterprises in the regions of the country and in Tashkent, which offer home and everyday clothes, sportswear, hosiery, underwear and more at affordable prices.
It is worth to mention the work on involvement of foreign designers in creation of modern models of clothes, followed by the establishment of their industrial production at domestic enterprises. For these purposes, O’zbekyengilsanoat organized the International Festival ‘Fashion and Design – 2015’ with the participation of well-known designers of Uzbekistan and representatives of leading foreign fashion schools. It brought together representatives of the fashion-industry from Italy, France, Japan, South Korea and other countries. More than 160 models by designers of O’zbekyengilsanoat companies and well-known design groups of Uzbekistan were presented at the festival.
The light industry of Uzbekistan has been promoted by foreign investments that contribute to the establishment of new joint ventures, and expansion of existing facilities. Last year, the industry disbursed $187.3 million, which is 2.7% more YOY, commissioned 33 new enterprises, and created more than 12,000 new jobs.
For example, 18 new industrial plants worth $99 million with an export potential of $ 43.1 million were commissioned, and over a thousand new jobs were created on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the country’s independence.
Implementation of the investment project on the basis of Maxim Gold Co.Ltd in Tashkent region was completed late last year. The $7 million investment project has paved the way for the establishment of the production of 3,500 tons of cotton yarn per year. Another big project was launched in Andijan region. A manufacture of 1 million of knitted garments was established on the platform of the bankrupt Bobur enterprise. The project was invested by the foreign company Lemon International (Hong Kong).
The system-based measures on reduction of energy consumption and introduction of energy-saving technologies has been underway. In 2015, the power consumption for the output of 1 billion soums was reduced by 6%, the consumption of natural gas – by 9.8%.
Meanwhile, the light industry of Uzbekistan has set ambitious objectives for the current year. O’zbekyengilsanoat will focus on permanent technical and technological renovation of enterprises, advanced development of infrastructure, further enhancement of the export capacity, channeling foreign investments and creation of new jobs.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
Electronic government
“Electronic government” in use in Uzbekistan
In Uzbekistan a consistent work on formation of “Electronic government”, and established the activity of the government portal of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Single portal of interactive government services (SPIGS). Through SPIGS individuals and legal entities can use hundreds of types of services.
The Law “On electronic government” aims to further the introduction of ICT in the work of state institutions, improving the delivery of public services to individuals and legal entities in the wider use of new technologies. This work is carried out in all regions of the republic.
For example, in Jizzakh region increased active work on formation of “Electronic government”, the introduction of electronic forms of interactive public services to businesses and individuals.
In 2015, there were set up websites of more than 40 enterprises and organizations. To date, the UZ domain has more than 90 websites of state and government bodies.
With the implementation in khokimiyats of providing electronic information services achieved positive results in the provision of public information on the activities of local authorities, professional development of employees.
The official website of the regional administration www.jizzax.uz connected to a single portal of interactive services to the public and to businesses, in addition, citizens with disabilities, users of mobile communications, to submit applications and complaints provided new opportunities that meet certain standards by law. Currently on the website of the regional administration through a single portal provided 14 kinds of interactive services, nine of these services to improve the performance of businesses.
In Surkhandarya region has successfully implemented a program of introduction and development of interactive public services. Particular attention is paid to informing the public about the activities of local governance.
Under forementioned program, last year, regional, city and district administrations in order to widespread introduction of ICT and information security purchased computer hardware and software for more than 50 million soums. (currency rates of CB RU from 03.02.2016, 1$= 2836.87 soums)
Official website of khokimiyat www.surxondaryo.uz field related to the single portal of the state interactive services, creating new opportunities for people with disabilities, mobile users, citizens, directing requests and complaints. Through the website is 28 online services, 11 of which are designed for businesses.
Work to improve the efficiency of the use of ICT, wide introduction of the “Electronic Government” series continues in the educational, medical institutions, the registrar and businesses all over the country.
(Source: «Business partner.uz» newspaper)
BUSINESS CLIMATE
Justice Ministry of Uzbekistan to strengthen legal protection of entrepreneurs
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a resolution on creation created the Department on legal protection of business entities and foreign investments at the Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan.
New department is created on the basis of the Department on the Protection of the rights of entrepreneurs and the Department on the Legal Protection of foreign investments and enterprises with foreign investments at the Ministry of Justice.
The decision is aimed at improving the efficiency of the Ministry of Justice on the legal protection of business entities and foreign investments.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
International cooperation
Election commissions of Uzbekistan and Republic of Korea sign Memorandum of cooperation
February 2 saw the meeting of Chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan M. Abdusalomov with the delegation headed by the General Secretary of the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) and the National Electoral Commission of the Republic of Korea Kim young-Hee, who arrived in our country to discuss prospects of cooperation of the election administration, the exchange of experience in the field of improvement of electoral legislation and law enforcement practice.
During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the cooperation of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the National Electoral Commission of the Republic of Korea, including in the framework of the A-WEB.
It was noted that the Central Election Commission of Uzbekistan is a full member of the Association of World Election Bodies. A-WEB was founded as an international organization in October 2013 with headquarters in Incheon (Republic of Korea). It currently brings together 106 electoral bodies from 102 countries. Its aim is to promote international cooperation on exchange of information and experience to the organization and conduct of open, transparent elections and support the electoral authorities in strengthening and development of institutional and legal frameworks, the professional component of democratic elections.
Both Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea have an independent electoral body. The collaboration of the electoral authorities of both states is enhancing consistently. Representatives of electoral bodies of the two countries cooperate within the framework of A-WEB, participate in international forums, monitor the progress over the preparation and conduct of elections in other countries. The representatives of Uzbekistan took part in the A-WEB program in monitoring the national local elections of the Republic of Korea, held in June 2014. In turn, the representatives of the Republic of Korea in the mission of observers from A-WEB took part in monitoring the parliamentary (2014) and presidential (2015) elections of Uzbekistan. In addition, national experts in the field of electoral law of both countries actively participate in international conferences, seminars and workshops, held both in Uzbekistan and in the Republic of Korea.
Upon completion of the meeting, the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the National Electoral Commission of the Republic of Korea signed a Memorandum on cooperation in the framework of the A-WEB. This will serve to exchange experiences in improving national electoral legislation and electoral practices in the field of preparation and conduct of elections, the implementation of joint activities and projects aimed at introduction of modern information and communication technologies in the electoral process.
The signing ceremony of the Memorandum was attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea in Uzbekistan Lee Wook-heon, members of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan and representatives of mass media.
(Source: UzReport.uz)
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