THE PRESIDENT 1
On December 23, 2017, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited a number of social facilities in Tashkent 1
Results of the visit of the President of Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan through the eyes of a Specialist 3
ECONOMY 5
Uzbekistan: Accurate Figures Fuel Successful Economy 5
INVESTMENTS 6
China’s Wanbang will invest $ 500 million into the implementation of agriculture projects in Uzbekistan 6
THE PRESIDENT
On December 23, 2017, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited a number of social facilities in Tashkent
As reported on the official website of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited a number of social facilities for getting acquainted with the progress of socio-economic reforms, constructive and landscaping activities that are being implemented at places, as well as for conducting a dialogue with people, in Tashkent.
The Head of our state got acquainted with a new building of the Union of Writers of Uzbekistan in the National Park of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi and activities that were implemented in the Alley of Writers.
As it is known, the Head of our state visited this place in June 2017 and gave instructions on construction and landscaping activities. Over the past 6 months, a large-scale activity was implemented on an area of 9,6 hectares. A new two-storey building of the Union of Writers of Uzbekistan was erected. There are the editorial offices of “Jahon adabiyoti” (“World Literature”), “Sharq yulduzi” and “Zvezda vostoka” (“The Star of the East”), “Yoshlik” (“Youth”) journals, and “Ijod” (“Creativity”) Public Foundation on the first floor. There is also an Assembly Hall for 150 seats. The Union of Writers will be situated on the second floor of the building. A library will be opened at the Union.
The Head of our state emphasized the need of raising the status of the Union of Writers and turn it into an institution that would play an important role in enriching the spirituality of our people. The great thinker Alisher Navoi always called upon all to do good, and our literary figures should encourage people to strengthening independence, creativity and generosity, and youth – to patriotism. An intelligent person, a creative worker, always thinks about the well-being of people. Therefore, the more such people are in our country, the more beneficial it is for our society.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev gave instructions for further improving the creative conditions for people who will glorify our country, our history, our past and present, the rich heritage, in particular, on creating of a beautiful flower garden that gives inspiration, in the territory of the Union. Poems of famous poets should sound in the Alley of Writers every day.
On the instructions of the Head of the state, the library of the Union will be linked to the National Library named after Alisher Navoi and literary figures will have direct access to its rich book fund.
The President noted that it is expedient to develop and implement the concept of improving the Museum of Literature that is established here, for further enhancing the spiritual and enlightenment value of the Union of Writers.
Creative workers expressed sincere gratitude to the Head of the state for the created conditions and great attention.
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On the instruction of the President of our country Shavkat Mirziyoyev, teachers of Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature named after Alisher Navoi will be provided with 20 apartments.
There are 3 faculties and 12 departments at the university, organized in accordance with the resolution of the First President of our country Islam Karimov of May 13, 2016.
Over the past period, major repairs have been implemented in the educational buildings allocated to this university, modern conditions have been created. Today, 1 100 students are studying at the university, they are trained by highly qualified specialists with the degree of Doctor of Sciences and PhD.
The buildings of the university were commissioned within the framework of the visit of the Head of our state.
The educational process at the university is completely based on information and communication technologies. Video conferencing hall, simultaneous interpretation and sound recording rooms, information resource center are equipped with the latest technology. Communication areas with connection to Wi-Fi are organized.
The President of our country got acquainted with conditions created at the university, talked with teachers and students.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted the need of creating a multimedia dictionary of Navoi’s works, providing broad access to this dictionary, as well as to stimulating scientific research.
Main attention was paid to issues of raising international authority of the Uzbek language, translating works of Uzbek literature into foreign languages.
You must show the wealth of our native language, your respect and love for it through its wide spread around the world, said Shavkat Mirziyoyev during the conversation with university specialists.
The Head of our state inquired about social conditions of the teaching staff, gave instructions on allocation of 20 apartments to the university professors, in Tashkent.
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The President of our country Shavkat Mirziyoyev got acquainted with the improved project of “Tashkent City” international business center that is being built between the streets of Alisher Navoi, Almazar, Islam Karimov and Furkat.
Today, a large-scale activity is being carried out on attraction of foreign investors to the economy of our country, at the initiative of the President of our country. All conveniences and opportunities are being created for them. In the world practice, the use of business centers as common complexes for business people is widespread. One of such modern projects is the international business center that is being erected in the capital.
The Head of our state, visiting the territory of the construction of “Tashkent City” on October 28 of this year, discussed the tasks facing the customers and builders, organizational and financial issues, gave instructions on further improvement of the project, acceleration of construction activities.
The President once again examined the projects, improved on the basis of his instructions. In accordance with the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan on measures of improving and further development of the architectural appearance of the central part of the city of Tashkent, as well as creation of necessary conditions for residents and guests of the capital fr om July 28, 2017, a directorate on construction and operation of facilities on the territory of “Tashkent City” international business center was established under the Cabinet of Ministers.
The Head of our state visited the administrative building of the international business center, wh ere he got acquainted with projects that are being implemented, and the working process.
According to the improved concept of “Tashkent City” international business center, buildings and structures are being built by various construction organizations. The projects are implemented jointly with investors from China, Turkey, South Korea and other countries.
The President of our country talked with investors involved in the construction, asked about their opinion and initiatives.
The center, which will become a “city in the city”, will be built in two stages in the next four years.
The Head of our state noted that the buildings and structures that are being built in “Tashkent City” international business center should correspond to the overall design idea of the complex and harmonize with each other.
(Source: UzA)
Results of the visit of the President of Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan through the eyes of a Specialist
Assessing the results of the first visit of the President of Kyrgyzstan, Sooronbai Jeenbekov, the Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that the signed documents will become an important factor for the further development of friendship and cooperation. The guest himself believes that the peoples expected such agreements for a long time, and he was pleased to contribute to a good cause.
It is interesting to know what experts think about this and how they explain why Uzbekistan was the first country Sooronbai Jeenbekov arrived in as head of state with an official visit.
Opinions of Kyrgyz and Uzbek experts on this issue do not differ. The head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Office of the President of Kyrgyzstan, Aizada Subakozhoeva, explains: over the past decade, numerous issues have accumulated between the two countries. Now there is a firm political will to solve problems on a mutually beneficial basis, taking into account mutual interests.
Therefore, according to the specialist, the new President considered it necessary to immediately ‘check the watches’ for further action, to identify specific cooperation plans. And the plans turned out to be great.
Sooronbai Jeenbekov: I note with admiration that you (Shavkat Miromonovich – ed.) lay new traditions in diplomacy and demonstrate non-standard and effective approaches to addressing interstate issues. You have set a positive tone for cooperation not only between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, but also in the region as a whole.
The topic has been discussed by Farhad Hakimov, head of department at the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
– In October this year, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan raised their relations to the level of strategic partnership and reached agreements on intensifying cooperation in all key areas. Do you think that this visit confirmed the commitment of the parties to implement the deals reached earlier?
– I would like to begin by stating that the main content of the assessments of international observers is that in 2017 the leadership of our state in practice confirmed that Central Asia is the main priority of the foreign policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and one of the strategic directions is the building of constructive, multilevel, multi-level, mutually beneficial dialogue with the Kyrgyz Republic.
Without exaggeration, it can be argued that, within a short period of time, the development of Uzbek-Kyrgyz relations has received a new impetus, the interaction is developing along an ascending trajectory, being filled with concrete practical content.
The results of the official visit of the newly elected President of Kyrgyzstan S.Jeenenbekov to Uzbekistan can testify to this. In Tashkent, he said that all agreements 2017 were “turning, fateful, historic” in the Uzbek-Kyrgyz relations year “remain in force”.
Moreover, following the talks, the leaders of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan not only confirmed the strong political will to implement the previously achieved bilateral agreements, but also the readiness to expand and activate multifaceted interstate relations. It is significant that the Joint Statement of the Presidents of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan states “the determination to actively develop and strengthen the relations of strategic partnership, friendship, good-neighborliness and trust between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic”, as well as “commitment to the timely and unconditional implementation of bilateral documents signed between the Parties”.
Undoubtedly, all this became possible due to the personal attention of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to building interstate relations with Kyrgyzstan. This was acknowledged by the ex-president of Kyrgyzstan A.Atambayev and the new Kyrgyz leader S.Jeenbekov.
In particular, A. Atambayev emphasized that it was with the election of Sh.Mirziyoyev as President of Uzbekistan “the ties of friendship and good-neighborliness that have developed for centuries between our peoples have gained new breath”. One of his last decisions as head of the Kyrgyz Republic was the signing of the Decree on awarding Sh. Mirziyoyev a high state award of Kyrgyzstan – the Order Danaker, “for a huge personal contribution to the establishment of a strategic partnership” of the two states.
For his part, S.Jeenbekov, in a letter sent to Shavkat Mirziyoyev after the visit to Tashkent, stressed that the head of Uzbekistan lays new traditions in diplomacy and demonstrates non-standard and effective approaches to resolving interstate issues. According to him, Sh. Mirziyoyev has set a positive tone for cooperation not only between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, but also in the region as a whole.
– Recently, international observers, describing new trends in relations between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, are increasingly using such a definition as a breakthrough. What do you think it is based on?
– In my opinion, the fairness of such an assessment is confirmed, first of all, by the fact that the parties, having renounced mutual reproaches, moved on to joint search for mutually acceptable solutions based on reasonable compromises for the final resolution of existing differences and strengthening mutual trust. Without a doubt, this is the most important achievement in bilateral relations. Only in such conditions is it possible to move forward together. Today on the agenda is the definition of economic prospects for the transformation of Central Asia into a stable and prosperous region, which meets the fundamental interests of the peoples of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
As a graphic illustration of the rapid rapprochement between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, the following points can be highlighted.
First, the political dialogue at the highest and highest level has been significantly intensified. Suffice it to note this fact: in 2017, Sh. Mirziyoyev visited Kyrgyzstan, in October this year, the return state visit of ex-President of Kyrgyzstan A. Atambayev to Uzbekistan was held, in December Uzbekistan also visited S.Jeenbekov. In their example, direct contacts between parliaments, ministries and departments, border regions have been activated. Such a tight schedule of bilateral meetings, in fact, is unprecedented and is observed for the first time in the 25-year history of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Second, a significant package of important interstate agreements has been signed.
In the current year, more than 30 documents supplementing the legal basis have been added to further strengthen and expand bilateral relations in various fields. And among them there are spheres that were not previously touched upon, for example, the defense ministries of the two countries concluded an agreement on cooperation. I would especially like to highlight the Treaty on the Uzbek-Kyrgyz State Border for an agreed length, as well as the Declaration on Strategic Partnership, Strengthening Friendship, Good-Neighborliness and Confidence between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Third, the sides show mutual interest in interaction in the sphere of transport and the development of transit corridors. Tashkent and Bishkek are in favor of the speedy construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, as well as the launch of regular road transport along the route Tashkent-Andijan-Osh-Irkeshtam-Kashgar. The implementation of these projects will provide the two states with the shortest access to foreign markets and will help to increase the attractiveness of Central Asia as the most beneficial transit corridor in the region.
Fourth, the procedure for the movement of citizens of the two states across borders is facilitated. The leaders of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan declared their determination to “turn the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border into a border of friendship”. In accordance with this guideline, the working groups continue to work to harmonize the remaining part of the Uzbek-Kyrgyz state border in an intensive regime.
Fifth, trade and economic ties are noticeably brisk. Recently, the volume of trade between the countries is growing rapidly. Only for the period from January to November this year the indicator grew by more than 56% and reached $ 235 million.
– However, the heads of state believe that this figure does not reflect the available opportunities, so they instructed to bring it up to $ 500 million in the coming years. How can this be achieved?
– Yes, indeed, the heads of state clearly set the task: to raise this figure to $ 500 million due to unused potential and expansion of the nomenclature by involving products with high added value in the turnover.
To achieve this goal as quickly as possible, painstaking daily work is being done on both sides. This can be evidenced by a noticeable intensification of contacts between the business circles of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Only this year in Tashkent and Bishkek three business forums and national exhibitions of industrial products were held. I do not doubt that such events, with their regular nature, will serve to increase the volume of trade. In particular, in Bishkek (in September), 57 contracts were signed for $ 175 million, in Tashkent (in October) – 17 agreements worth over $ 200 million. At a similar event within the framework of S.Jeenbekov’s official visit to Uzbekistan, 60 agreements worth $ 140mln were signed, and documents were signed on the establishment of a joint Uzbek-Kyrgyz trade house in Bishkek. One of the important agreements is the signing by the Ministry of Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Economy of Kyrgyzstan of the Joint Action Plan (Roadmap) for the development of trade, economic, investment and transport-communication cooperation for 2017-2019. The issue of joint assembly of buses of the Isuzu brand and Ravon cars in Kyrgyzstan, production of agricultural machinery, assembly of washing machines is under consideration.
Holding meetings in this format is a convenient platform for discussing improving the conditions for conducting mutually beneficial business. Participants are considering the implementation of new investment projects, joint access to the markets of third countries.
As we can see, there is every reason to believe that the official visit of the newly elected President of Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan is another step on the path of strengthening friendly and good-neighborly relations between the two states. Besides, assessing the results of his visit, Sooronbai Jeenbekov stressed that this year has become a period of radical turn in the history of relations between our countries, and it is very important to maintain and continue the current level of relations between our states.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
ECONOMY
Uzbekistan: Accurate Figures Fuel Successful Economy
The average monthly salary in our country in January-September amounted to 1.3 million soums (currency rates of CB RU from 25.12.2017, 1$= 8101.62 soums), which is 14.2% more than in the corresponding period last year. Today in our country there are over 5.4 thousand enterprises with the participation of foreign capital.
These and other figures reflecting the results of the reforms were commented at the regular session of the International Press Club by the Chairman of the State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, B. Begalov, First Deputy Minister of Economy M. Mirzayev and other responsible persons.
It should be noted that in order to ensure an objective and correct assessment of Uzbekistan in international rankings, the State Statistics Committee is constantly filling 17 questionnaires of international organizations. In particular, cooperation has been established in the field of statistics with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Asian Development Bank and other international structures.
As you know, statistical information is important in the implementation of economic reforms. From its accuracy and reliability depends on how correctly experts will analyze the existing problems in the economy and find their solution.
«Naturally, many people are interested in inflation today, that is, the process of growth in the price index for all goods and services,» said First Deputy Minister of Economy Mubin Mirzayev. “In 2017, the inflation rate is expected to be within 13-14%. What is the reason? The first is the postponement for a number of years of measures to liberalize the price policy. In the current year, practical measures were taken to liberalize prices for certain goods and services. Second – our transition to the methodology of the International Monetary Fund and the implementation of calculations based on it will also influence the level of inflation.”
Journalists asked how much increase in gasoline prices influenced inflation.
As you know, after November 15 this year, prices for fuel and lubricants were liberalized. In the course of this process, prices for gasoline increased. Today, the price of A-80 gasoline is 3,800 soums, A-91 marks 4,300 soums.
According to experts, the prices for fuels and lubricants have not increased over the years. This led to the fact that in recent years, oil and gas companies have worked at a loss. As a result, there was a shortage of products. Therefore, the increase in prices for fuel and lubricants, including gasoline, allowed to ensure the effective functioning of oil and gas enterprises, to provide gasoline to all regions of the country and to prevent a further rise in prices for this category of goods.
It is also worth recalling the average prices for gasoline in a number of foreign countries. So, the average price of 1 liter of gasoline in Kazakhstan is $ 0.54, in Belarus – $ 0.63, in Russia – $ 0.69, in Tajikistan – $ 0.75, in Ukraine – $ 1.03, in Turkey – $ 1.43, in Germany – $ 1.61, in Great Britain – $ 1.62, in Italy – $ 1.83. But in Uzbekistan, the average price of 1 liter of gasoline today is $ 0.52.
It was noted that gasoline prices in our country increased by an average of 39%. The level of overall inflation in November was 2%, 0.5% of this growth was due to higher prices for gasoline.
The largest share in the growth of the gross domestic product of our country falls on the capital. The following places are occupied by the Tashkent, Samarkand and Kashkadarya regions, low indicators in the Syrdarya, Jizzakh, Khorezm regions. The analysis shows an increase in the share of small business and private entrepreneurship in the economy.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
INVESTMENTS
China’s Wanbang will invest $ 500 million into the implementation of agriculture projects in Uzbekistan
For this purpose, within the framework of the visit of the Chinese delegation to the republic an agreement was concluded. From the Uzbek side, the document was signed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources and the holding company Uzbekozikovkatholding.
The agreements envisage the joint implementation of more than 15 projects in such areas as the production, processing and packaging of agricultural products, including livestock products, as well as the export, import and re-export of finished products.
The parties plan to create in the free economic zones of Uzbekistan logistics centers and facilities for processing agricultural products on the area in
10 thousand hectares. In addition, the delivery of 100 thousand tons of Uzbek mung beans to China is planned.
During the visit, representatives of the company visited Tashkent, Samarkand, Jizzakh, Syrdarya regions and expressed a desire to develop long-term partnership with the republic.
Today, Wanbang cooperates with more than 50 countries of the world and occupies 37% of the total food market of China.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
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