March 25, 2015
Uzbekistan’s service sector grows by 11.4% in Jan-Feb. 2
LUKOIL invests US$838m into exploration and mining in Uzbekistan in 2014. 3
From Regional to Global Security. 3
Uzbek Wrestling Strides along the Planet 6
economy
Uzbekistan’s service sector grows by 11.4% in Jan-Feb
The service sector of Uzbekistan grew by 11.4% in January-February 2015, the press service of the Ministry of Economy said.
High development rates were recorded in such spheres as financial services (31%), services on repairing and maintenance of equipment (33.9%), communication and information (21.1%), construction services (15.3%), construction services (15.3%), healthcare (14.2%), domestic services (13.8%), agriculture services (12.9%), trade and catering (12.5%), tourism services (11.7%) and others.
Microcreditbank directed over 11.6 billion soums of loan services to development of service sector in the reporting period(currency rates of CB RU from 10.02.2015 1$= 2484.15 soums).
Implementation of the programme and complex measures on sustainable development of services helped to meet demands of population and diversification and improving quality of services.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
investments
1839 investment projects worth 132 billion soums and $6.3 million realized in Karakalpakstan in 2014
Despite the continuing negative impact of the financial and economic crisis, a successive reforming of the stable development of economy can be observed in our country.
In this direction, a number of updates are ongoing in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, especially as a result of consistent implementation of socio-economic programmes in the territory of the Aral sea region, high growth rates of macroeconomic indicators are achieved. The results of these updates are manifested in the growth of gross regional product in the past year, which in comparison with previous year increased by 8.4 percent, including industrial products – 10.3%, consumer goods – 12%, agriculture – 6.1%, construction – 9.7%, retail turnover – 14.1%.
On reaching these targets, special attention was paid to the increase of industrial production, sustainable development of industries. As a result of measures taken to support small business in the region, their share in the gross regional product is increasing annually. For example, if in 2007 the share of small business in GRP amounted to 55.7%, in 2014 this figure amounted to 65.4%.
Without doubt, the development of industry, agriculture and service sector is one of the most important factors of improving the living standards of the population. On this basis, the “Programme of socio-economic development of the Republic of Karakalpakstan in 2013-2015″ was developed, under which in 2014 on the territory of Karakalpakstan, through attraction of investments 1839 projects in the amount of 132 billion soums and $6.3 million have been successfully implemented. This in turn brought to the creation of more than 10 thousand new jobs in the region(currency rates of CB RU from 10.02.2015 1$= 2484.15 soums).
It should be noted that such good results were achieved also by ongoing reforms in the banking system. The cut of refinancing rates of the Central Bank from 12 percent to 10 percent in 2014, respectively, reducing of interest rates on credits of commercial banks had a special impact in this direction.
For example, an explicit proof of this is the fact that commercial banks of the Republic in 2014 allocated to 5327 subjects of small businesses and private entrepreneurship loans totaling 364 billion soums.
It is important to note that 20.8 percent of the allocated loans were directed on the development of the industry, 27.8 percent in the construction sector, 5.0 percent – transport and communications, 11.2 percent – agriculture, 12.0 percent – trade, 18.8 per cent – the service sector, 4.4 per cent – other industries.
In particular, in the framework of the complex programme, due to the attraction of investments 312 projects worth 65,8 billion soums were implemented in the industrial sector and 6653 jobs were created, in the service sector through the utilization of investments 1152 projects worth 47.2 billion soums were implemented and 2083 jobs created, in agriculture these indicators made 366 projects worth 18.3 billion soums and 1417 new jobs.
The main purpose of all reforms is provision of our countrymen with job places, increasing production capacities and improving the standard of living of the population. A great work on the modernization and upgrading of enterprises of power engineering, chemical, light and food industries are being carried out for these purposes in the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
(Source: UzReport.uz)
LUKOIL invests US$838m into exploration and mining in Uzbekistan in 2014
Russian oil company LUKOIL invested US$838 million into exploration and mining in Uzbekistan in 2014, the company’s financial report said.
According to Russian firm, the volume of capital expenses to exploration and mining in Uzbekistan grew from $657 million in 2013 to US$838 million. The growth rate made up 27.55% year-on-year
LUKOIL noted that the company decreased gas extraction in Uzbekistan. At the same time, the company did not revealed the volume of extracted gas in Uzbekistan.
Earlier, LUKOIL Overseas reported that the volume of extracted gas in Uzbekistan in 2014 made up 4 billion cubic meters and liquid hydrocarbons – over 100,000 tonnes.
Currently, LUKOIL implement three product-sharing agreements in Uzbekistan – Kandym-Khauzak-Shady-Kungrad, Southern-Western Gissar and exploration of the Uzbek part of Aral. So far, LUKOIL produced over 20 billion cubic meters of gas in Uzbekistan.
The company will produce about 17-18 billion cubic meters of gas a year in Uzbekistan by 2020.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
International cooperation
From Regional to Global Security
March 21 is the day of the entry into force of the Treaty establishing Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone. The CANWFZ that came into force on the day of Navruz has strengthened the atmosphere of political confidence in nuclear non-proliferation.
Today, against the backdrop of growing confrontation and increased number of armed conflicts around the world, compounded by the problem of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and other threats that recognize no national boundaries, life itself proves the timeliness of the foreign policy initiatives of Uzbekistan aimed at ensuring security and stability in Central Asia and the world.
The initiative to establish a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia, first announced by President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov at the 48th session of the UN General Assembly in 1993, is one of the most vivid proofs of the vision of Uzbekistan’s strategy for international cooperation in strengthening global security. It shows the significance of the contribution made by Uzbekistan to ensure a sustainable and creative development of the world.
The process of creating nuclear-weapon-free zones, usually requires continuous, intensive and targeted work of all parties to the treaty and support of organizations and countries, which may take many years. However, the results of such efforts justify themselves since they bring the humanity closer to achieving the goal of preventing proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and as the final outcome, ensuring the nuclear security around the world.
The implementation of the idea of CANWFZ required long and labour-intensive work by Uzbekistan and Central Asian countries. It should be noted that many countries, including nuclear powers, had certain doubts in terms of the possibility of implementing the initiative on establishing CANWFZ. Moreover, during drafting of the Treaty on a nuclear-weapon-free zone the five nuclear-weapon states put forward their remarks and demanded certain provisions in the document based on their own geopolitical interests. During the intensive consultative meetings with the nuclear powers, the Central Asian states have shown determination in achieving the set goals, capability to overcome disagreements and seek compromises in line with their national interests and the position of the larger states.
During the International conference “Central Asia is a Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone”, which took place on September 15, 1997 in Tashkent, the experts were positive about the efforts of the region, seeking to expand the areas of the world where nuclear weapons will be banned forever. Following the results of the Tashkent Conference, the sides established the Regional Group (REG) to prepare the Treaty.
From 1997 to 2002, with the active assistance of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs and IAEA experts, a number of working group meetings were held in Geneva, Ashgabat, Tashkent, Sapporo and Samarkand. In September 2002, the first draft of the Treaty was endorsed in Samarkand. In February 2005, the Cold War.
The UN General Assembly approved the signed agreement and adopted the resolution 61/88 dated December 6, 2006 on the «establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia» submitted by Uzbekistan on behalf of the states of the region. The decision of the states of the region has been approved by the international community, it was supported by the UN, the IAEA and other international organizations, including the OSCE and the Organization of Islamic Uzbekistan was the first among the countries in the region to ratify the Treaty on the CANWFZ on May 10, 2007. The Treaty entered into force on March 21, 2009 after its ratification by all other countries of the region.
Since then on the CANWFZ turned into a comprehensive regional initiative expressing a collective will of all five countries of the region and the people of these countries.
Under the treaty, the Central Asian states undertake not to research, develop, manufacture, stockpile, acquire, possess, or have any control over any nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive device, not to assist in or encourage such actions. The receipt, storage, stockpiling, installation, or other form of possession of any nuclear weapon or nuclear explosive devices on the territory of the member states is prohibited. Each party pledges not to carry out nuclear weapon explosion of any nuclear explosive devices.
Provisions for environmental and radiation safety are important part of the Treaty of CANWFZ. The Central Asian zone free of nuclear weapons has established a new element of regional security as it will prevent falling nuclear materials and technologies into the hands of non-state actors, particularly terrorists.
CANWFZ Treaty was the first multilateral agreement in the field of security that was signed by all five Central The Central Asian zone free of nuclear weapons agreement will fully enter into force upon signature and ratification of the protocol on negative security assurances for states in the CANWFZ by the five nuclear-weapon states. The nuclear powers signed the protocol on May 6, 2014 at the United Nations headquarters in New York during the third session of the Preparatory Committee for the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). It will be held from April 27 to May 22, 2015 at UN Headquarters in New York. It will be timed to the 45th Anniversary of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty since it was signed in March 1970. It is expected that the nuclear powers will ratify the protocol within the framework of events related to the anniversary of Uzbekistan was the first Central Asian country to accede to the NPT in May 1992, setting an example to other countries in the region. The full entry into force of the Treaty establishing the CANWFZ will be an apparent success for the NPT and the international non-proliferation regime as a whole. The initiative of Uzbekistan to establish a nuclear-free zone in Central Asia will be working for strengthening regional and global security.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
Exhibiton
In Anti-Crisis Format
These days the Uzbek capital city Tashkent is hosting an unusual exhibition. Six exhibitions at Uzexpocenter halls represent accomplishments of various industries that are incorporated into the International Industrial Forum. The organizers say this format will likely yield impressive results through the establishment of collaborative ties between domestic and foreign companies.
Headings of many foreign publications are grabbed by the words about global recession, and declines in output and employment. The global economy is in anticipation of challenges – experts predict China’s economy overheating, the decline in production in Europe and Russia. Such circumstances urge for various anticrisis solutions that would retrigger the engine of the global economy, revive the demand and catalyze the real sector.
Uzbekistan has its own response to these challenges. Yet in the first wave of the global financial and economic crisis the country triggered an anticrisis program. As a result, despite the downturn in the global economy, Uzbekistan can continue large-scale structural reforms and strengthening of market mechanisms, enhancement of production and increase in export performance, primarily through the increase in output of products with high added value. The republic has been expanding the geography and diversification of exports, and dynamically inviting foreign investments.
The growing inflow of foreign investors and companies seeking to enter the Uzbek market is a standout evidence of the success of the national economy. It stands to reason that dozens of specialized industrial exhibitions, which bring together the manufacturers from around the world, take place throughout the country every year. This week’s International Industrial Forum in Tashkent has once again proved the truth that, despite the crisis, investors and industrialists seek for opportunities to grow and come to the countries with favorable conditions for business.
“I see the participation in the exhibition as an innovative way of demonstrating new materials, technologies and equipment, a great opportunity for establishing business contacts, and entering a new and promising market of Uzbekistan and the entire Central Asian region,” commented Director of the Lithuanian GTV Blast company Tadas Geciavicius for Uzbekistan Today. “Our company supplies a wide range of equipment, especially for the sectors that are actively developing in Uzbekistan, like automotive, railway, construction industry, and others. Judging by the demand, many companies are actively seeking their place at the local and foreign markets.”
Participation of international and domestic companies in the forum would inevitably contribute to the development of trade and economic cooperation and enhancement of business ties. It would allow establishing contacts in research and application of new technologies, as well as joint ventures and manufactures. There are many examples. One of such ventures is an Uzbek-Italian company Avtosanoat – Landi Renzo launched last September by Uzavtosanoat and the Italian Landi Renzo S.p.A. in the Navoi Free Industrial Economic Zone. At the exhibition it presented a domestic first pilot gas-equipped production model.
“This September or October the automotive industry is planning to launch the first car with the gas under hood engine equipment. Our joint venture will supply GM Uzbekistan with all tools they need for that,” said a company’s marketing expert Sherali Nurullayev. “It is going to be the most cost-effective among the existing counterparts on the market.
For instance, it will take a car 90 liters to travel 340-350 km. The equipment is compatible with virtually all car models produced in the country, with the exception of Captiva. We have been actively working in this direction.”
The high quality of the factory-furnished device should remarkably enhance the driver safety. Besides, it is advantageous in price against its foreign counterparts.
The visitors took keen interest in the exposition of the Ukrainian company of Pozhspetsmash with its diverse specialized equipment.
“We are very much interested in the Uzbek market, so we are taking efforts to take roots on it. We are currently negotiating with the Samarkand MAN plant on a joint establishment of a fire truck manufacture. We will supply all the specialized equipment, and the Uzbek partners will assemble it on the basis of MAN chassis,” said Commercial Director of the Ukrainian company Igor Nezhivenko. “This February we have also signed a contract on the supply of seven special vehicles for the Uzbek side. Five of them were assembled on MAN chassis, and two – on MAZ and Gazelle chassis. I hope the exhibition will allow us making other contracts as well.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
sport
Uzbek Wrestling Strides along the Planet
The 30th Martial Arts Festival in the French town of Moreau was completed with the creation of the European Committee for the development of Uzbek Jang Sanati (Uzbek martial arts).
In this forum, Uzbek Jang Sanati was presented for the second time, while the first performance took place in 2013.
“In the five years of our activity in the federation, we were not only at the World Festival of martial arts, but also at events in the United States, Kazakhstan, Korea, Russia, Italy and other countries. Wherever we go, our style of combat is met with a special interest, foreignexperts scrutinize our modern view of the national combat,” says chairman of the Federation of Uzbek Jang Sanati, one of the founders of the sport Polat Usmanov. “So we have created a truly original sport, which has many advantages.”
Uzbek Jang Sanati has a few differences from other types of martial arts. It allows for simultaneous use of methods of defense and attack, so it has a great potential for the military-patriotic education of youth and it can also be used for physical training in educataional institutions.
“We are pleased that today, our martial art is gaining popularity not only in the country itself, but also abroad,” says Polat Usmanov. “It makes us think about the creation of international organizations, which would organize international training seminars, demonstrations and competitions.”
The first such organization is the European Committee for the development of Uzbek Jang Sanati, established in Moreau. It will organize international training seminars and will further address issues of promoting our sport in Europe.
Today, the Uzbek Jang Sanati Federation of Uzbekistan is also working on the establishment of an International Association, which will unify the terminology and create optimal conditions for international competitions.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
Reference to the source is a must in reproducing materials