March 2, 2015
elections OF THE PRESIDENT of the republic of uzbekistan.. 2
Islam Karimov met voters from Bukhara and Navoi regions. 2
Germany to invest to the Uzbek economy $2.8 billion. 3
2015 Year – The Year of Care for the Senior Generation.. 4
The Future for the Senior Generation. 4
to the 100th Anniversary of uzbek Poetess Zulfiya.. 8
Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Famous Poetess Zulfiya. 8
economy
More Fruit and Vegetables
Development of agriculture appears pivotal in terms of ensuring food security in Uzbekistan. The current instability in the global food market adds relevance to this issue. Meanwhile, new export opportunities stimulate the domestic agricultural sector for accelerated introduction of advanced technologies and innovations.
Uzbekistan’s agrarian sector has always been distinguished. Since ancient times, the country was famous for its agricultural oases. The guests call the Uzbek fruits and vegetables as ‘sunny’. Today, the country’s agricultural sector is well known for its products in the CIS countries, South Korea, the Middle East and other regions of the globe. Over the past 20 years the country has made significant steps to diversify its agriculture and develop the processing industries. Presently, the sector is boosting, trying different models and shapes, and building up its image in the global market. The introduction of advanced world expertise and development of partnerships with the world’s leading research institutions and organizations has been tangibly contributing in this process.
A new laboratory of Invitro, which has been recently opened at the Mirzaev Research Institute of Horticulture and Viticulture with the support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), is called to significantly enhance the capacity of domestic agriculture. It is going to be the country’s first to grow the modified drupaceous and pome fruit trees.
The laboratory will provide an opportunity to obtain every week up to 5,000 seedlings of pomes and drupaceous trees resistant to viruses and soil salinity. Unlike conventional greenhouses, which can operate only at certain periods of the year, the laboratory will grow seedlings throughout the year. The equipment under the project is valued at approximately $300,000, and it is capable to bring an annual income of at least $100,000 through selling the seedlings grown. Now the best seedlings will be available for the Uzbek farmers at a lower price.
Communications in Agriculture is another joint project with USAID. It was implemented within three gardening seasons from 2012 to 2014 in 26 districts of six regions of Uzbekistan, and contributed to the growth of agricultural productivity, access to markets and increase of farmers’ incomes. It has also enhanced the competitiveness of farms involved in the production of table grapes, drupaceous, pomes and subtropical fruits. The project helped to introduce advanced technologies of increasing yields through training seminars, exchange programs, limited investment and creation of demonstration sites.
Specialists designed a special mobile application of MEVA (Fruit), or Mobile Extension Value Added, which stores all the training materials on improved farming in this direction. Now it is available to all the farmers of the country.
This is only a small part of the initiatives and projects that are implemented in Uzbekistan in partnership with various international organizations and institutions. Their key objective is not just to strengthen the domestic agricultural sector, but make it optimally producible and advanced.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
elections OF THE PRESIDENT of the republic of uzbekistan
Islam Karimov met voters from Bukhara and Navoi regions
Candidate for President of the Republic of Uzbekistan from the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businessmen – Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov on February 27 met with voters from Bukhara region, UzA reported.
The meeting was opened by Chairman of the 3rd Bukhara District Election Commission on Elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan M. Daminov.
Candidate for President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov outlined the main directions of his election program.
The program identifies ten key areas of strategic goals. In particular, the further deepening of economic reforms, the consistent improvement of the quality and standard of living of the population, the strengthening of peace and stability in our country. Particular attention is paying to the introduction of modern technologies in the industry and the creation of new industrial enterprises, further development of the sphere of private property and entrepreneurship, the revision of state involvement in the economy, optimization of acreage and increase productivity, expand farmers’ movement, further improving the investment climate, improving the localization program and increase exports, employment, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with foreign countries.
As well as throughout the country, Bukhara region also achieves great success in all areas. The region’s economy is steadily developing, living standards are rising. In 2014, the gross regional product grew by 8.2 percent. In the spheres of chemical, petrochemical, food, light industry, building materials and furniture 296 projects were implemented. More than 830 houses on standard projects were commissioned in the countryside.
Bukhara has great potential in tourism. As a result of ongoing work on the structural transformation of the economy, improve the quality of transport infrastructure and services this area is rapidly developing.
The same day, the presidential candidate of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov met with voters of Navoi region.
The meeting was opened by the chairman of the 5th Navoi district election commission of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, W. Mavlonov.
Candidate for President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov had a speech at the meeting.
The program of a candidate focuses on the consistent continuation of large-scale economic and political reforms aimed at further strengthening the power and strength of the state of peace and tranquility in our country. It sets out such important areas of social and economic development of the country, as a further development of private property, which is one of the important factors that worthy place Uzbekistan among developed countries in the world, support for entrepreneurs and business people, farmers’ movement, small business and private entrepreneurship, deepening reforms in the field of industrial upgrading, the revision of state involvement in the economy, further land improvement, investment environment, employment of graduates of professional colleges, the strengthening of cooperation with foreign countries.
(Source: UzReport.uz)
International cooperation
Germany to invest to the Uzbek economy $2.8 billion
The delegation of the Republic of Uzbekistan headed by the first Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan Rustam Azimov on February 23-26, 2015, made a visit to Berlin.
The main purpose of the delegation visit was participation in the first meeting of the German-Uzbek business Council and the study of best practices of leading German companies in the field of corporate governance and its implementation in the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The founders of the German-Uzbek business Council has made more than 50 leading companies and banks of Germany, such as MAN, “Airbus”, “Thyssen-Krupp”, “Claes”, “Knauf”, “Lemke”, “Deutsche cable” and others, and in the first meeting, which was held on February 25, it was attended by over 250 representatives of leading German industrial companies and banks.
A presentation on the status and trends of economic development of Uzbekistan and future priority projects in the key sectors of the economy were held in the course of the event.
Speaking at the forum, representatives of the government and business circles of Germany noted the dynamic development of the economy of Uzbekistan, deep structural reforms, the creation of new high-tech industries, creation of favorable investment climate and opportunities for successful investment.
Presented at the forum Program of structural reforms, modernization and diversification of industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the coming years, as well as infrastructure development Programme aroused great interest of German companies in its scale, focus on creating competitive on world markets, export-oriented industries on the basis of the most modern technologies.
The government and leading companies from Germany are going to actively support the work of the German-Uzbek business Council and to expand its presence in Uzbekistan. Representatives of major corporations and companies of Germany emphasized the enormous potential for the expansion of investment, trade and financial ties between Uzbekistan and Germany.
During the visit with the European Institute of management and technology, which located in Berlin and is one of the leading educational institutions in the world in this area, the Uzbek delegation signed a cooperation agreement, which provides organization of short courses in corporate management for managers and specialists of enterprises of the Republic, as well as their subsequent training in the largest joint stock companies in Germany.
Following the visit, the delegation signed a package of significant investment, credit agreements and commercial contracts with a total value of investment projects and attracted German loans in the amount of $2.8 billion in the chemical, engineering, electrical, textile and food industries, production of new types of building materials and other fields.
The delegation of the Republic of Uzbekistan met with the Vice-Chancellor, Minister of economy and energy of Germany Zigmar Gabriel. During the talks the sides discussed state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation in trade-economic, investment and financial fields.
(Source: UzReport.uz)
2015 Year – The Year of Care for the Senior Generation
The Future for the Senior Generation
The national program ‘The Year of Attention and Care for the Senior Generation’ has been approved. It has taken over social initiatives from The Year of a Healthy Child.
Annual grand meetings on the occasion of the anniversary of adoption of the Constitution in the International Forum Palace of Uzbekistan have become a good tradition. Citizens anticipate these events with a special feeling. The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan defines the name of the next year, after consultations with the participants, as he reviews the all-round development of the state and social reforms. It is important because it consequently gives the way to targeted state programs that identify the areas of further increase of the level and quality of life, and bolster the image of the homeland in the international arena. As a rule, these documents cover a wide range of relevant issues, which to a certain extent affect the interests of each citizen.
Nearly 500 – 600 thousand children are annually born in Uzbekistan. The future largely depends on the care about their health, upbringing, and education. The comprehension of this axiom makes it clear how important it was to call 2014 the Year of the Healthy Child. 4.7 trillion soums and $260 million was channeled from different sources to meet the challenges of the program (currency rates of CB RU from 2.03.2015 1$= 2460.32 soums).
In 2014, the ‘State Program for Further Strengthening of Reproductive, Mother Adolescent and Child Health in Uzbekistan for 2014-2018’ was approved aimed at growing our children physically healthy and spiritually mature, and raising the state youth policy to a higher level in general. The program envisages a broad range of different activities aimed at prevention of child mortality and improvement of their health, accentuating the development of mother and child screening services. This year alone, more than 20,000 children at risk were born healthy owing to the timely identification of pathology in screening centers, and appropriate treatment. Pediatric institutions get reconstructed and fitted up with new equipment.
Certain measures have been taken to make education and training more effective, focusing on pre-school and primary education, since these stages shape a child’s urge for knowledge, his willingness to learn and advance. A remarkable leap forward was achieved through the intensified introduction of advanced information and communication technologies, the Internet, promotion of physical culture and sports among children, especially girls.
Uzbekistan is a country of the young. People under the age of 30 make up more than 60% of the population. That is why social programs of the previous years, like the Year of the Family, the Year of Women, the Year of Health, the Year of the Younger Generation, the Year of Mahalla, the Year of Wellbeing and Prosperity were basically focused on children and youth. Meanwhile, a national tradition of respect for the elders, especially the elderly people has been living for centuries. Therefore, it was decided to name 2015 the Year of Attention and Care for the Senior Generation. When proposing this, President Islam Karimov said as follows: «It is the duty of each of us to constantly revere and care of our fathers, grandfathers, mothers, whose life experience and example is making an invaluable contribution to the formation of an atmosphere of peace, harmony and happiness in every family, and stability in the society, who are actively involved in the transformations in all spheres, primarily in upbringing a healthy generation in the spirit of our nation, cultural values and good traditions.»
The direction is definitely important. Uzbekistan is home to more than 2.8 million people over the age of 60, 225,000 people over 80, 44,000 – over 90, and 8,700 have stepped up a 100th anniversary. Most importantly, the number of elderly people is increasing. In the years of independence, the average age of the population increased from 67 years in 1990 to 73.5 years, and specifically women – to 75.8 years.
Uzbekistan has adopted a new social program. It is aimed at addressing the existing problems in the life of the elderly, strengthening the financial support and countenance for them, in short, at practical implementation of the title of the year 2015.
It is worth looking back and reviewing what has been done in recent years, since the current system is actually the starting point for further creation of favorable conditions for the decent life of mothers and fathers.
Speaking at the grand meeting on the occasion of the 22nd anniversary of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan on ‘Our key objective is to resolutely move towards democratic renewal and modernization of the country’, President Islam Karimov drew attention to the fact that the current pension exceeds 41% of average monthly salary. The President emphasized that there are few countries that really care for the elderly like that.
Uzbekistan has been extensively supporting the older generation. In fact, this year alone the government budget has allocated more than 11.6 trillion soums for state pensions, and more than 105 billion for allowances.
The introduction of the defined contribution pension system a decade ago has proved effective in terms of financial support for older people. However, so far, only the young retirees could appreciate its effectiveness. Meanwhile, the idea is very promising. Throughout the time in employment 1% of salary is transferred to a special account in the National Bank. The accrued assets can be used at any time after the assignment of a state pension.
Regular payment of pensions and benefits apparently ranks among the key pledges of welfare for the older generation. The recent technical and legislative solutions allow streamlining the system. For example, the launch of a single portal of interactive public services in pension processing allows ordering all the archive references that are needed to evidence the work experience in a particular organization, without leaving home. These and many other issues will be addressed under the forthcoming streamlining of the legislative and regulatory framework, which is aimed at creation of favorable organizational and legal conditions to enhance attention and care for the senior generation, and improvement of quality of their life.
This year will be marked by intensified targeted social protection and support for the elderly, especially veterans of war and labor frontline of 1941-1945, who made their contribution to the victory over fascism, as well as to the restoration of industries.
It is worth to mention the contribution of nongovernmental organizations and social structures. For instance, in 2013, the Nuroniy Foundation allocated 610 million soums for these purposes, and about 700 million soums in 2014. The Mahalla Charity Public Foundation supported the veterans with over 1, 5 billion soums in 2013, and almost two billion soums in 2014.
This year, these organizations, partnered by local community committees, and other nongovernmental organizations and social structures, have been entrusted with expanding the scale of financial support and countenance for the older generation.
Special needs of certain categories of elderly people are taken into account as well. In October 2014, a presidential decree provided all 3,109 Second World War participants and 69,994 compatriot veterans of the labor frontline with the opportunity for free rehabilitation in healthcare facilities of the republic once a year at a convenient time for them.
As of March, war and labor veterans will be able to get free trips to resorts in the community-based employment support and social protection centers, which will take into account the wishes of veterans, their diagnosis and specialization of the healthcare institution. The program covers 37 health resorts of the Council of Federation of Trade Unions, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, Ministry of Health, as well as the best departmental and private resorts. Each of them undergoes a large-scale preparatory work, including equipping rooms with specialized additional equipment for the veterans, elaboration of a specific menu, and provision of a range of support services.
Every single detail provides optimal comfort for the revered patients. Relatives received the right to submit a package of documents and application to an employment support and social protection center, and a center’s officer would bring a voucher to a veteran’s home. A schedule provides a comfortable geographical location of the resorts so that the elderly could improve their health close to homes. The list of resorts for veterans include 12 health resorts in the city of Tashkent and Tashkent region, five resorts in Navoi, Bukhara and Samarkand regions, four in Kashkadarya and Surkhandarya regions, three in Jizzakh and Syrdarya regions, ten in the Ferghana valley, and three in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and Khorezm region.
Pursuing the development of social infrastructure the government has been following the principle of ‘no one should ever lack care and attention’. The problem of the lonely has been not acute in Uzbekistan like in other countries, since the neighbor tradition has been strong here. There are still the people who happened to stay without close relatives in old age. They are cared by the state.
To this end, there is a social worker service under the Employment Support and Social Protection Center of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. The workers would help with cleaning, going to the pharmacy or store, carry to the doctor, or just accompany in leisure time. Depending on the amount of aid, the people that are served by social workers get additional allowances to their pensions to cover the cost of utilities. The institutions of state support for the lonely actively involve sponsors, who provide people with everything they need, and also arrange a diverse cultural life.
Employment support and social protection centers act as a platform for the state to provide the elderly and disabled people with supportive and technical means of rehabilitation on a preferential basis and reasonable terms.
There is a system of Sahovat and Muruvvat boarding homes, as well as boarding houses for war and labor veterans in need of constant care. The budget assigns great attention to improving social services in the institutions of this kind. This year it is envisaged to carry out construction and installation works in eight nursing facilities for the aged and those in need of constant care. The list of objects includes the construction and reconstruction of dormitories and outbuildings in seven Sahovat and Muruvvat houses in Bukhara, Surkhandarya, Syrdarya, Tashkent regions and the Tashkent city. It is projected to build a dormitory in the Tavaksai resort for the elderly, the disabled and war and labor veterans in Bostanlik District of Tashkent region.
The protection of health as a key pillar has been in the spotlight. Quality medical care has become remarkably accessible over the past decade through the programs aimed at the development of rural health units and family clinics. The population is served by approximately three thousand up-to-date rural health units and 150 family clinics based on general medical practice. Today, investments are channeled to intensified development of the district and regional healthcare facilities.
The government keeps investing in the development of social infrastructure. In 2014, nearly 410 billion soums was allocated in overhauling and equipping 137 district and regional health facilities. This year, the investment program targets another 130 medical establishments with almost 500 billion soums. Their equipping will be continued.
These medical institutions are essential in terms of early diagnosis and prompt treatment, including diseases of the old age – sight and hearing organs, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular diseases. Monthly health weeks contribute to this process. Depending on the complexity of the disease, the leading medical centers offer free treatment by the assignment. It is noteworthy that today, despite the high cost of high-tech medical services, they are available to low-income people and even the retirees. Socially vulnerable groups are subject to the voucher-based medical service system, which allows getting high-quality treatment subsidized by the state budget. Every year thousands of people from all over the country have the opportunity for a heart surgery, rehabilitation of vision, treatment of urological and other problems.
The work of national medical centers on the introduction of new high-tech methods of diagnosis and treatment of various diseases is worth of special mention. With the development of the national specialized centers of surgery, cardiology, therapy and medical rehabilitation, eye microsurgery and endocrinology, the high-tech medical care is getting more available in other healthcare facilities as well. Today, high technologies go ahead to the regions. For example, the Namangan Regional Cardiology Center has been provided with an x-ray endovascular device that allows accurate diagnosis of heart diseases and minimally invasive vascular surgery. The Nukus branch of the Republican Specialized Center of Eye Microsurgery was fitted out with advanced diagnostic and surgery equipment that allows a seamless surgery on lens replacement.
The program assigns a big part to the leisure of the elderly, creation of conditions for their active participation in the public life, and upbringing younger generation. A range of activities is aimed at strengthening the role and authority of aged people in the family and society, in the cultivation of a sense of deep respect, reverence and care of parents and each elderly person in children and young people. Many activities in this direction have been initiated by the Ministry of Public Education, Ministry of Higher and Secondary Special Education, the Center for Secondary Special and Vocational Education. Educational institutions will hold various competitions of creative works, meetings with respected elders . Visitations of the veterans will be a part of the work.
Much is being done to raise the quality of life and leisure of the elderly. It is planned to establish communication clubs in districts and local communities. Culture and leisure centers are expected to significantly contribute in this work.
Nowadays, a large-scale package of measures on prevention of non-communicable diseases among the population is underway under the Health-3 project. In this context, intensification of physical activity is seen as essential. The new sports facilities that have been built over the recent years are chiefly designed for young people. Therefore, it is planned to continue working on making sports facilities suitable for older people, and for the development of family sports in general.
Considering the fact that many older people enjoy spending time at watching TV or attending entertainment events, it is envisaged to expand the broadcasting range, produce new thematic programs, performances and movies that meet the interests of the older generation, and hold targeted events in cinemas, theaters and other cultural and educational institutions.
So, new social initiatives aimed at further improvement of the social status of older people have been launched, which would undoubtedly make the world more comfortable, kind and respectful for them in the near future
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
to the 100th Anniversary of uzbek Poetess Zulfiya
Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Famous Poetess Zulfiya
An event dedicated to the 100th anniversary of famous poetess Zulfiya held at Turkiston Palace.
Creativity of Zulfiya, permeated with the breath of spring, with a sense of love for nature, life and for people. Her poems sing about love to the Motherland, hardworking and selfless people, the theme of respect for the women.
Wide celebration of the 100th anniversary of the poetess serves to such noble goals as enhancing the spirituality of the younger generation, education of youth in the spirit of patriotism and respect for national traditions, growing interest in literature.
A solemn literary evening dedicated to the 100th anniversary of poetess Zulfiya took place at Turkiston Palace on February 27.
The State Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Kh.Sultonov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Chairperson of the Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan E.Basitkhanova, Chairman of the Writers Union of Uzbekistan M. Ahmedov, head of the Sirdarya regional branch of the Writers Union of Uzbekistan H.Ortiqboyeva and others noted that the attention and care paid in our country to the creative people create the basis for the development of literature, art, culture, spirituality, science, education of the generation with new thinking and worldview, inspiration of creative people to new developments.
In our country, instituted the State prize named after Zulfiya, every year on the eve of the International Women’s Day on 8 March this prize is awarded to the talented girls who have achieved success in the field of literature, science, education, culture and art.
Publishing of a collection of her selected works “Saylanma”, translated into English and Karakalpak languages, become a great gift for readers. In the book “Zulfiya zamondoshlari xotirasida” collected memories and valuable thoughts of literary scholars, scientists, writers, poets and critics about the poetess.
Performance of “Xotiram siniqlari” based on the works of the poetess staged with the support of the Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan and a number of partner organizations. A special web site dedicated to her creative heritage began to operate.
Zulfiya’s daughter-in-law Rioya Olimjonova expressed gratitude for an infinite attention being paid in our country to the figures of literature, culture and art, the work on studying and promoting the heritage of the classics of national literature.
A concert program with the participation of singers and young performers beautified the evening.
(Source: UzA)
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