INFORMATION DIGEST OF PRESS OF UZBEKISTAN # 56

“Investment portal of Uzbekistan”

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March 19, 2015

INFORMATION DIGEST OF PRESS OF UZBEKISTAN # 56

March 19, 2015

BUSINESS CLIMATE.. 2

Fund for supporting of exports to render assistance to export goods and services for US$1bn. 2

elections OF THE PRESIDENT of the republic of uzbekistan.. 2

Islam Karimov’s meeting with voters of Tashkent city. 2

“Round table” in the Republican press center 3

Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of republic of Uzbekistan.. 4

People’s Democratic Party and Adolat Social Democrats declare themselves new opposition. 4

International cooperation.. 4

GM Powertrain Uzbekistan receives third level of quality integration to production process – BIQ III  4

ENERGETICS. 5

Caught in the Net 5

INFRASTRUCTURE.. 6

Uzbekistan Railways electrifies 39.5 km line of Angren-Pap railway. 6

 

 

BUSINESS CLIMATE

Fund for supporting of exports to render assistance to export goods and services for US$1bn

Currently, 19,000 enterprises of Uzbekistan were included to database on producers of demanded goods in international and regional markets.

The database includes information on products and services, produced at each enterprise. The database was formed based on marketing researches of the Fund for supporting exports of small and private entrepreneurs of Uzbekistan.

Narodnoye Slovo newspaper reported that the Fund actively works on establishing and developing cooperation with foreign trade organizations.

The fund signed memorandum of understanding with Korea International Trade Association (KITA). The document was signed within the visit of the delegation of South Korean business circles to Uzbekistan. Within the visit, Uzbekistan and South Korea signed over 10 agreements of intentions for export and attracting investments for US$40 million, Turkiston-Press reported.

The fund helps to businesses of Uzbekistan to participate in international exhibitions. Over 80 businesses used this opportunity. During the exhibition, they signed agreements for export of goods and services for US$67 million.

In 2015, the Fund is planning to place commercial proposals for export of over 3,000 enterprises of Uzbekistan at electronic trade platforms.

This year, the fund is planning to help to local businesses to export their products and services at least for US$1 billion.

Fund for supporting exports of small and private entrepreneurs of Uzbekistan was founded in 2013 under the National Bank of Uzbekistan for Foreign Economic Activity of Uzbekistan.

So far, the fund rendered legal, financial and organizational services to almost 2,400 business entities of Uzbekistan. The businesses signed export contracts for US$1.25 bilion. About 700 of them supplied goods for US$842.1 million so far.

Currently, specialists of the Fund are studying import needs of 173 countries on 16 goods and 15 services. For example, the fund studied Russian market and revealed that there is need for 1,500 tonnes of fruits and vegetables for US$5 million each month.

(Source: UzDaily.com)

elections OF THE PRESIDENT of the republic of uzbekistan

Islam Karimov’s meeting with voters of Tashkent city

Serve the people – the highest happiness

Candidate for President of the Republic of Uzbekistan from the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businessmen – Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov on March 17 met with voters in Tashkent city.

Candidate for President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov made a speech about his election program.

The program defines the main priorities for the comprehensive development of the economy through structural reforms, diversification of industry, modernization of capacities, introduction of ICT remain priority for 2015 and subsequent years. It was noted that, elimination of all barriers for private businesses, providing them complete freedom, the revision of state involvement in the economy, improvement soil fertility and optimization of the structure of sown areas, continue conversion farms in multidisciplinary, introducing the most modern agricultural technologies, raising farmers’ movement to a new level will be in the center of attention

Islam Karimov underlined that he will draw attention to important aspects of program implementation and localization of production of import-substituting products, further improvement of the investment environment, employment of population, especially the employment of graduates of professional college and gradually raising in the level and quality of people’s life.

Speaking about foreign policy, Islam Karimov noted that he considers a priority the establishment of friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation with all countries especially with neighboring countries. The most important thing is avoid joining any military blocs, placement of foreign military bases on the territory of Uzbekistan and stay of our troops out of the country.

At the meeting with voters in Tashkent city, veteran of labor T.Daminov, a student of the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan, Laureate of the State Prize of Zulfiya – N.Dadamuhamedova and others noted that as a result of peace and stability, , living standards is dynamically developing and worldviews of the people is rising in our country. It was noted that support for the candidate of Islam Karimov will be an important guarantee of the continuation of work in this direction, the implementation of reforms aimed at economic development, further improving the welfare of the people.

The speakers emphasized that the process of preparation and conduct of elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan is in full compliance with national legislation and international democratic principles.

The Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businessmen – Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan calls on the voters on March 29 elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to vote for Islam Karimov!

(Source: Press service of Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businessmen – Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan)

“Round table” in the Republican press center

On March 17 of this year at the National Press Center on the coverage of presidential elections in the Republic of Uzbekistan held a “round table” on the theme “National and international experience in the organization and holding presidential elections”.

The event was organized by the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan and attended by members of the Central Election Commission, scientists and experts in the field of electoral law, as well as media representatives.

During the “round table”, there was a conversation about the importance of the presidency institution in the modern world and its role in the government, as well as the modernization of the electoral system as an important condition of democratic reforms, improving institutional arrangements elections in Uzbekistan. Those in attendance were also familiar with the implementation of the Program of the substantive preparations for and conduct of elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

It was noted that in the years of independence, a complete and comprehensive interests of the person became the main target of the ongoing reforms. In a country formed an effective legislative, regulatory and legal framework of elections in accordance with international norms and principles. Operates an independent system of election commissions headed by the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan, preparation and conduct of elections to the representative bodies of state power. Established organizational, legal, material and technical conditions for a free and active participation of citizens and political parties in the electoral processes, as well as for the full realization of their voting rights.

Participants in the “round table” stressed that the central position in the political rights of citizens takes the institution of elections, they may both directly and through their representatives to participate in the life of the country. As enshrined in the Constitution, the people are the sole source of state power. The basic law guarantees the right of citizens to elect and be elected to representative bodies of state power, the right to vote, equality and freedom of expression. Elections are held on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot.

Participants agreed that the activities in Uzbekistan have all the legal conditions for the preparation and holding of the forthcoming elections in full accordance with international electoral standards, at a high level of democracy.

(Source: Republican Press Center on Covering the Election of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, translated by IA «Jahon»)

Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of republic of Uzbekistan

People’s Democratic Party and Adolat Social Democrats declare themselves new opposition

On March 16, 2015, in the lower house of the parliament the People’s Democrats and Social Democrats announced the formation of an opposition.

As reported earlier by UT, factions UzLiDeP and ‘Milly Tiklanish’ executed a parliamentary majority in the lower house of parliament by forming a ‘Bloc of Democratic Forces’. As might be expected, the two remaining factions outside the block declared themselves an opposition.

Members of both parties expressed their willingness to offer and defend their solutions that do not coincide with the position of the program of the parties which united under the faction in the ‘Bloc of democratic forces.’

The People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan has its own views on ways to address a number of important economic and social objectives envisaged by the Program of Action of the Government set out in its election program.

Based on the previous experience of the People’s Democratic Party faction as the parliamentary opposition, the party faction will promote the idea of strengthening the regulatory role of the state in the economy, which provides its social orientation.

Members of the faction ‘Adolat’ noted that they have some differences in their position with the newly created ‘bloc of democratic forces’ in several priority areas and the views on ways to enhance economic and political development of the country.

Based on the law the faction of a political party which proclaimed itself as a parliamentary opposition has the right to make an alternative version of the draft law, to have a record at the plenary session of the Legislative Chamber of its dissenting opinion on the issues discussed, as well as guaranteed participation of its representatives in the conciliation commission on rejected laws by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis .

(Source: «Uzbekistan Today»)

International cooperation

GM Powertrain Uzbekistan receives third level of quality integration to production process – BIQ III

GM Powertrain Uzbekistan, a plant on production of automobile engines, received the third level of integration of quality into production process of the plant – BIQ III – in the result of audit by the GM specialists.

Завод GM Powertrain Uzbekistan adheres to high standards, complied in GM plants worldwide. The plant introduced a Global Manufacturing System (GMS). Manufacturing performance is improved through the consistent adoption of five principals-people involvement, standardization, built in quality, short lead time and continuous improvement. The GMS system ensures high standards of security and quality.

In line with the level of GMS introduction, the level of integration of quality into production process of the plant (BIQ) is determined. At the launch of the plant, GM Powertrain Uzbekistan received the second level. After inspection, which took place on 4-5 March, GM Powertrain Uzbekistan received the third level BIQ III, which means that defective products do not leave production shop.

BIQ III will allow to improve prestige of GM Powertrain Uzbekistan and help the Uzbek plant to export its products abroad.

(Source: UzDaily.com)

ENERGETICS

Caught in the Net

Domestic industries annually introduce up-to-date equipment that allows them saving significant amounts of energy and other resources. However, the fiddle in this process is played by energy sector with its advanced technologies. Uzbekistan is currently developing a program on upgrade and renovation of low-voltage electrical networks by 2019, which is expected to consolidate the progress achieved.

Over the past five years Uzbekenergo has implemented unique investment projects on ensuring the stable and sustainable operation of the power system. A part of works has been implemented under the program on modernization and reconstruction of low-voltage networks by 2015, which also aims at ensuring a reliable power supply to the population and industries for accelerated and consistent socio-economic development in the regions.

Last year alone, the company repaired 8,600 km of electric distribution networks with the voltage less than 35 kV, reconstructed 664 km, and built over 570 km. Besides, Uzbekenergo built 430, upgraded 520 and repaired 4,756 transformer points. This year, the volume of works is expected to increase significantly. It is planned to repair a total of 9,300 km of power lines, 73 substations, 4,772 transformer points.

The energy sector introduces advanced technological solutions, for instance, the specialists use up-to-date self-supporting insulated wires (SIW) for reconstruction and construction of low-voltage electricity distribution networks of 0.4 kV. This technology is used in power networks of about 600 km. It allows not just a significant reduction of installation and maintenance cost, but also enhances durability of transmission lines. For example, SIW protect from short circuit in case of accidental whipping of wires in strong wind, foreign objects, icing and snow build-up. Compared to traditional wires, their operating costs decrease almost 80%, and the performance life increases up to 25 years owing to the reliable insulation.

The program will be based on advanced engineering and technological solutions. It envisages the upgrade and reconstruction of 25,185 km of power networks, and 5,259 transformer points.

(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

INFRASTRUCTURE

Uzbekistan Railways electrifies 39.5 km line of Angren-Pap railway

Uzbekistan Temir Yollari (Uzbekistan Railways) completed work on electrification of 39.5 km line of Angren-Pap railway on the eve of Navruz (21 March), the press service of the company said.

Construction works are actively carried out now. Excavation, drilling and blasting works were fully carried out for 40 km from Angren. The railroads were constructed. The electrification of 39.5 km line till new tunnel was completed.

About 1,174 metal and reinforced concrete supports, 1,058 consoles and 71 hard cross-arms were installed.

The electrification works from Pap to eastern gates of tunnel is carried out with fast tempo. Over 1,230 reinforced concrete supports, 403 consoles and 39 hard cross-arms were installed here.

Uzbekistan Temir Yollari started construction of electrified railroad Angren-Pap in July 2014. The road will go through Qamchiq Pass and link Ferghana Valley (Andijan, Namangan and Ferghana regions) with other part of Uzbekistan.

China Railway Tunnel Group constructs tunnel of the railway with the cost of US$455 million.

The cost of the project makes up US$1.2 billion. The project will be financed due to resources of the state budget, own resources of Uzbekistan Temir Yollari and loans of international financial institutions.

Uzbekistan is planning to commission new electrified railroad Angren-Pap in July 2016.

(Source: UzDaily.com)

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