INFORMATION DIGEST OF PRESS OF UZBEKISTAN # 95

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May 16, 2016

INFORMATION DIGEST OF PRESS OF UZBEKISTAN # 95

economy.. 1

On the social-economic development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the first quarter of 2016. 1

export.. 1

Since early this year, 583 new domestic enterprises have been involved in exports, delivering goods worth over $270 million. 1

INFRASTRUCTURE.. 2

The Government of Uzbekistan has given the green light to a 2016 program seeking to set up standard complex services in rural areas across the country. 2

Society.. 2

Elections on an Alternative Basis. 2

sport.. 3

Asian Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Tashkent, joined by over 160 athletes, have come to an end  3

 

 

 

 

economy

On the social-economic development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the first quarter of 2016

Social-economic development of Uzbekistan in the first quarter of 2016 was against the background of the ongoing crisis in the global economy and decreasing its development, the negative dynamics of world prices and the reduction of the external effective demand for a number of key export commodities.

In these circumstances, the measures taken to involve existing reserves and possibilities for realization of the most important priorities of economic program for 2016, which determined by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, provided in the first quarter of this year, steady economic growth and macroeconomic balance.

Positive dynamics of the main macroeconomic factors is provided as a result of the implementation of the Programme of further reform, structural transformation and diversification of the economy in the 2015-2019 years in the first quarter of this year.

Compared with the first quarter of 2015 gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 7.5 percent. At the same time, macroeconomic stability was ensured by the State budget surplus of 0.1 percent of GDP, a positive trade balance and a low level of inflation – 2 percent.

The volume of industry increased by 7 percent and amounted to 36.1 percent of GDP. Agricultural production grew by 6.7 percent, the volume of retail trade – by 12.8 percent, contractual construction works – by 19.4 percent.

The volume of investment grew by 8.5 per cent as a result of taken measures to boost putting in operation of modern high-tech industries on output of competitive products based on deep processing of raw materials and semi-finished products. In the structure of the investments disbursed during the first quarter of this year the largest volume of investments amounted to non-centralized investments (80.7 per cent of the total), of which 34.2 percent – own funds of economic entities.

Through the implementation of measures to accelerate the development of modern services, primarily on the basis of the widespread introduction of information and communication technologies, the volume of services increased by 12.1 percent, and their share in GDP rose to 59.5 percent against 59.3 percent in the corresponding period last year.

(Source: «Business partner.uz» newspaper)

export

Since early this year, 583 new domestic enterprises have been involved in exports, delivering goods worth over $270 million

95 new types of goods have been exported, and 20 new outlets have been opened up abroad. Against the same period of last year, physical volumes of exports of fruit and vegetable products have increased  by 1.2 times, ferrous metals by 1.9 times, molybdenum products by 11 times, copper alloys – 1.8 times, ammonium sulfate -1.7 times, suprefos -2.6 times, polyethylene – by 31 times.

In order to support small businesses in promoting their products on foreign markets, the Export Promotion Bureau provided consulting services to 398 businesses, signed 29 international agreements in standardization, metrology, certification, accreditation, exports and introduction of international and country requirements since the beginning of 2016.

The Fund for Support of Exports of Small Businesses and Private Enterprises has provided financial assistance worth $250 million to more than 250 business entities, arranging exports of their products. Small and private businesses exported their products worth more than $150 million through the specialized foreign trading company O’ztadbirkoreksport.

(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

INFRASTRUCTURE

The Government of Uzbekistan has given the green light to a 2016 program seeking to set up standard complex services in rural areas across the country

Once implemented, the program will help improve services for the population, facilitate home-based work, create jobs and boost local people’s incomes.

Today, cozy and comfy homes, kindergartens, general education and music schools, sports facilities, healthcare establishments, service points and roads are being built in the rural areas of Uzbekistan.

In creating residential areas in accordance with the general plan, special attention goes to the complex construction of service points for the population, guzars, and workshops.  Homes are built primarily from local materials and furnished with locally produced modern equipment, which helps to considerably reduce costs. The new documents approved by the Cabinet of Ministers is aimed at stepping up this work.

The Program seeks to set up 194 standard service complexes in remote rural areas along with concessional bank loans for project initiators. A total of 30 hectares of land have been earmarked for construction throughout regions, and over 19.7 billion soums (currency rates of CB RU from 16.05.2016, 1$= 2909.25 soums) in loans from commercial banks and 42.3 billion soums in own funds from initiators.

Uzbekistan’s Architecture and Construction Committee has already developed standard projects of complex services that include beauty salons, hairdresser’s, baths, ateliers, and appliance and shoe repairs.

(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

Society

Elections on an Alternative Basis

Elections of chairpersons of citizen assemblies and their councilors have started in Uzbekistan. They are held on an alternative basis throughout the country, and the voters give their preferences to people with long-term service record and enjoying prestige and recognition in the makhalla (neighborhood).

Kangirja is one of the exemplary citizens’ assemblies in Toshloq district in Fergana region. Three candidates had been nominated to the position of chairperson of the makhalla citizens’ assembly and 82 representatives of citizens took part in the voting.

The candidates briefed those present with the programs of their future activities, in particular, they outlined a plan to transform their makhalla into a center of small business and handcraftsmanship, and attract the population into entrepreneurial activity.

Dilorom Otabekova was elected chairperson of the citizens’ assembly by secret ballot. The voters preferred her because she presented a concrete program for creation of new jobs on the territory of the makhalla, development of family businesses and solution of other socially-significant tasks. Also were elected nine counselors of the chairperson of the makhalla citizens’ assembly

Two candidates had been nominated to the position of a chairperson of the citizens’ assembly of the “Sarichashma” makhalla of Jomboi district in Samarkand region at the meeting of representatives on the election of a chairperson of the citizens’ assembly. They presented their voters with their programs, goals and objectives. They spoke about the tasks in landscaping the area, development of small businesses and household entrepreneurship, securing the employment of the youth, consolidation of stable socio-spiritual atmosphere, and answered the voters’ questions.

Ulughbek Nodirov was elected chairperson of the citizens’ assembly of “Sarichashma” makhalla by secret ballot. 8 persons out of 16 were elected by open voting to the position of councilors of the chairperson of citizens’ assembly.

“I have been working for 20 years in the position of a responsible secretary of the citizens’ assembly,” says U.Nodirov. “I know well the problems of my native makhalla, and the way of people’s life on this territory. I will exert every effort to justify the trust laid on me.”

Elections are still going on in the citizens’ assemblies of the Republic.

(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

sport

Asian Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Tashkent, joined by over 160 athletes, have come to an end

For three days, in individual and group competitions, they demonstrated mastery in combined events and exercises with objects. Of all Uzbekistan athletes, Elizaveta Nazarenkova showed the best result: four medals.

The opening ceremony for the championships took place at the Republican Specialized Children’s Sports School. The tournament was organized by the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Uzbekistan, the National Olympic Committee and the Federation of Gymnastics under the aegis of the International Federation of Gymnastics and the Asian Union of Gymnastics.

Throughout the history of continental championships, Uzbekistan has hosted them twice: in 2010 and 2013. At the last championship at home, the Uzbek athletes won team gold in the combined events; in individual combined events Jamila Rahmatova emerged as a silver medalist, in the group competitions the team clinched a bronze medal.

(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

 

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