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Daily Uzbek Press

INFORMATION DIGEST OF

PRESS OF UZBEKISTAN # 147  

July 27, 2016

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
Address by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan H.E. Mr. Abdulaziz Kamilov at the Senior Officials Meeting of the Member-States of the OIC Preparatory to the 43rd Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers

(Jeddah, July 26, 2016)

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem,

Dear Mr. Deputy Secretary General!

Esteemed Mr. Chairman!

Distinguished heads of delegations!

First of all, on behalf of the delegation of the Republic of Uzbekistan allow me to sincerely thank the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for a cordial hospitality and wonderful organization of today’s meeting.

As you are well aware, the 43rd session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers will take place on October 18-19, 2016 in Tashkent – the capital city of Uzbekistan. The Uzbek Side is actively carrying out a preparatory work to this very important event with an aim to ensure its efficiency and open up the new prospects of cooperation for the entire Islamic Ummah.

Uzbekistan is grateful for the support and assistance which is rendered by the OIC General Secretariat and personally the Secretary General of the Organization His Excellency Mr. Iyad Ameen Madani in preparation to the forthcoming meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers in Tashkent. In this regard, we also highly appreciate the results of Mr. Madani’s visit to Uzbekistan in June 2015 and the outcomes of his meeting with the President of our country.

Ladies and gentlemen!

Allow me briefly share with you Uzbekistan’s vision of the role and significance of the OIC in the modern world, as well as the priorities of forthcoming presidency in the Organization.

As a member of the OIC since 1996, the Republic of Uzbekistan attaches a big significance to further stirring up of cooperation with it and its structures on all of the issues of mutual interest.

As a matter of important significance accorded to the cooperation in the framework of Organization, early this year Uzbekistan signed and ratified the OIC Charter adopted in 2008 and calls upon all member-states, which didn’t do it, to join this fundamental document in the soonest dates.

Uzbekistan comprehends that the dynamic processes of globalization and deep transformation of the system of international relations are leading to emergence of new security challenges and threats before the OIC.

In these conditions the significance of the OIC becomes more important in strengthening the tolerance, mutual respect of cultures, peace and accord both inside the Islamic world and among the representatives of various religions and peoples. The urgency of such principles in the OIC’s activity is on the rise as the search for peaceful, political-diplomatic and preventive methods of tackling conflicts, as well as addressing them on timely basis.

In our opinion, one of the key reasons of challenges faced by the Muslim world are the attempts to besmear Islam, degrade its authority in the world.

As we see, today the primary task of the OIC is to protect the true Islamic values and the Muslim culture, demonstrate its enormous historical significance as a religion, which professes peace and harmony, and advances the values of tolerance, enlightenment and intellectual enrichment.

Taking this into account, during its presidency in the Council of Foreign Ministers Uzbekistan will stand up for consolidation of the OIC’s role as an effective and high-profile forum of Muslim states with a special focus on the issues of strengthening the cultural-humanitarian potential of our Organization. The slogan adopted for a presidency – «The education and enlightenment – path towards peace and creativity» - clearly and unambiguously reflects the priorities of our chairmanship, which are as follows:

First, at the moment there is a tense political, economic and humanitarian competition in the world. In these conditions the OIC must pay a serious attention to the issues of strengthening and further development of intellectual, scientific-technical and technological potential of our states.

In this context, it is of a special significance to study and popularize the achievements of our great ancestors – the thinkers of Islamic world, their priceless contribution to the development of world civilization. For example, Uzbekistan has a unique heritage of Islamic culture. The names of such great figures as Imam al-Bukhariy, Imam al-Termeziy, Beruniy, Al-Khorazmiy and Imam al-Maturudiy are well-known in the history of not only Muslim countries, but also the entire world.

The study and popularization of their works, as well as contribution to the development of world science and thought are important with an aim to rightly interpret and perceive the Islamic values and culture, especially among the young generation, as well as comprehensively protect Islam on the international stage and ensure the inter-confessional, inter-national and inter-cultural peace and accord.

Second, the sustainable social and economic development is impossible to imagine without broad scientific-technical cooperation aimed at simplification of the ways to introduce the new and innovative technologies, other achievements of science and technology into practice.

The issues of development of science and technology must secure a commendable place in the OIC’s agenda.

Third, the problems of security are continuing to remain as a serious factor which hinders development of both certain states of the region and the Muslim world as a whole.

In tackling the problems of security it is important to ensure the unity of the OIC member-states, eradicate the differences among them and unite their efforts in combating the ideology of terrorism and extremism.

Fourth, the Islamic world possesses the enormous economic and investment potential, as well as the energy resources which allow to sustain the high rates of sustainable socio-economic development. In this regard, it is especially important the need to better the mechanisms of cooperation and expanding the mutually beneficial trade and investment ties in the OIC framework, as well as among the states of the OIC area with other advanced countries of the world.

Fifth, the problem of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is one of the most acute problems of modernity. In 1992 Uzbekistan joined the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. In 1993 it initiated the establishment of a nuclear-free zone in Central Asia. This initiative was implemented in the form of a Treaty on the Central Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone signed by Uzbekistan and neighboring states in 2006, as well as the Protocol of Guarantees signed by five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council in 2014.

Uzbekistan stands up for a consistent expansion of geography of nuclear weapon free zones and supports the idea of creating a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East.

Dear members of delegations!

We are convinced that all our countries stand up for consolidation of the role and place and raising the authority of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in the international community. The achievement of these goals directly depends on the extent of our unity, deepening of mutual understanding and mutual respect, readiness to a sober compromise and aspiration of parties to find the touch points of interests.

In this context, it will be important, and I would rather say, it will be of a key importance the work and decisions adopted at an expert level and particularly the Senior Officials Meeting.

The outcomes of this event in many ways will be a core and will pinpoint the success of the forthcoming Tashkent Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers.

I would like to wish all participants of today’s meeting a productive and effective work in terms of discussions of the issues in agenda and endorsing the certain resolutions.

Thank you.

Assalamu-alaykum va rahmatullohi va barakatuhu!

(Source: Press Service of the MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan)

Olympic Games 2016
The Rio de Janeiro XXXI Summer Olympic and XV Paralympic Games Send-Off Ceremony of sport delegation of Uzbekistan held in the capital

Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoev noted that large-scale reforms carried out in our country under the leadership of President Islam Karimov in all spheres aimed at the realization of human interests, hopes and aspirations of our people, and especially the education of the owners of our future - the young generation as harmoniously developed personalities, in the spirit of national and universal values. Emphasizing that constant attention that is given by the President of our country to the development and popularization of sport as an important factor in educating the younger generation as physically and spiritually developed, to further enhancement of the credibility of our Motherland in the international arena - yields tangible results. Prime Minister wished our athletes successes at the XXXI Summer Olympic and XV Paralympic Games.

Due to the Independence, our athletes perform at the world sports arenas, on behalf of their country, gaining great victories, in honor of which our national anthem sounds, our flag is raised high. All this gives us a sense of pride.

At the initiative of the Head of our state for the purpose of strengthening the material-technical base of sports facilities, creating a foundation for the development of the sphere in accordance with the requirements of international standards in 2002 was established the Children's Sports Development Fund of Uzbekistan. During this period by the fund were constructed modern, magnificent sports facilities in all regions of our country. Currently, nearly 60 percent of children aged from 6 to 15 years are engaged in sports sections.

In the years of Independence in Uzbekistan Olympic movement has acquired a mass character. Regularly held three-stage sports - competitions “Umid Nihollari”, “Barkamol Avlod” and the Universiade. Received the status of a small Olympiad, these competitions contribute to the identification of talents and skills of thousands of sports-loving young people - have become a great starting point for their entry into the global sport arena.

The confirmation of the words of President of our country that no one sphere cannot glorify the country so fast as a sport - we have seen in our famous athletes who compete in the name of higher goals, adequately protect the honor of the Motherland in the international arenas, successfully participate in the Olympic and Asian games, World and Continental championships, win great victories.

Evidence of this is the participation of athletes of our country in the XXXI Summer Olympic and XV Paralympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro.

The resolution of the President of our country “On preparation of athletes of Uzbekistan for the XXXI summer Olympic and XV Paralympic games of 2016 in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)” from February 25, 2013 serves as an important guide to action in a careful, gradual preparation of our athletes for this prestigious competition.

Perspective types of sports were revealed, in which probability of achievements of licenses to Olympic Games and taking high prize-winning places, in detail was explored activity of federations on those types of sports.

New building of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan was commissioned. Also was organized the specialized center for sporting medical and biological service and sporting psychology for the athletes of Uzbekistan. Athletes take part in organized in our country and abroad, training camps, increase experiences and skills.

Work in this direction is sequentially continued. In the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regional centers, Tashkent are created high schools sports skills.

At the event, president of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan M.Usmanov emphasized that during the years of Independence sport among other areas, dynamically developed.

Athletes of our country promised that will demonstrate their skills at the Olympic Games and come back with high wins. They note that these victories will become a worthy gift to the 25th anniversary of the Independence of our Motherland.

The resolution of the President of our country “On preparation and participation of athletes of Uzbekistan for the XXXI summer Olympic and XV Paralympic games of 2016 in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)” from July 12, 2016 has played an important role in ensuring a decent participation of our athletes in these prestigious competitions.

If the Olympics in London in 2012 was attended by 63 our athletes, this year, the Olympics will be attended by nearly one hundred Uzbek athletes, reflecting the dynamic growth of professional sports in the last four years. Our athletes will compete in such types of sport as rowing, artistic gymnastics, canoeing, boxing, judo, track-and-field and weightlifting, rhythmic gymnastics, table tennis, swimming, taekwondo (WTF), tennis, trampoline, shooting, freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. The fact that along with experienced athletes, who are prize-winners of the Olympic Games and World championships, there are a lot of young talents, which will perform at this prestigious competition for the first time - demonstrates increased sports potential of our country.

It is symbolic that the current XXXI Summer Olympic Games held on the eve of the 25th anniversary of Independence of our country. We are proud that, due to the Independence our athletes are formed, in no way inferior to no one in skill and potential can raise high the flag of Uzbekistan in the international arena and to celebrate high victories.

Our athletes, encouraged by the idea of “My life, my destiny - my native, unique Uzbekistan!”, set a goal - to achieve good results in the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games and return with the worthy gifts to our very great, dearest holiday.

At the event, the national poet of Uzbekistan S.Sayyid wished success to the sport delegation of Uzbekistan, read new poetry of his.

Concert with the participation of artists gave the athletes a festive mood.

According to the tradition, the sports delegation of Uzbekistan laid flowers to the Monument of Independence and Humanism, the monuments of Amir Temur and Alisher Navoi.

The event, dedicated to the Rio de Janeiro XXXI Summer Olympic and XV Paralympic Games Send-Off of sport delegation of Uzbekistan, was attended by Chairman of the Senate of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan N.Yuldoshev, Speaker of the Legislative Chamber N.Ismoilov.

(Source: UzA)

President of Uzbekistan approves remuneration sizes for Olympic medals

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov approved the sizes of money remunerations for the medal winners of the Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).

The sizes of money remunerations were set by the presidential resolution.

According to the resolution, the Uzbek athletes, who win the gold medals of the Olympic Games, will receive US$200,000 as the remuneration.

The athletes will receive money remunerations for US$100,000 for silver medal and US$75,000 for bronze medal.

The Summer 2016 Olympic Games will be held from 5 to 21 August 2016.

(Source: UzDaily.com)

INFORMATION DIGEST OF

PRESS OF UZBEKISTAN # 146

July 26, 2016

 

investments
Uzbekistan commissions new cement plant

One of the major projects - construction of "Titan Cement" enterprise has been completed and put into operation in Karauzyak region of Karakalpakstan. The project’s cost is 10 billion 600 million soums (currency rates of CB RU from 26.07.2016, 1$= 2964.03 soums) and 17 million dollars. It will produce 200 thousand tons of cement per year. In addition, about 200 new jobs will be created.

This was announced during a meeting of the functionaries, dedicated to the socio-economic development of the Republic of Karakalpakstan in the first half of this year, and the priorities of economic program for 2016.

(Source: UzReport.uz)

I International Fruit and Vegetable Fair
Uzbekistan has showcased sunny fruits and vegetables to the world

The first International Fruit and Vegetable Fair successfully wrapped up last week in Tashkent to most likely get the laurels of the region’s leading specialized event. There is a reason behind it, since today Uzbekistan ranks among ten leading exporters of fruits and vegetables. Uzbekistan Today reporters have assessed the capacity of the agricultural sector of Uzbekistan.

If we say that the first International Fruit and Vegetable Fair in Tashkent surprised representatives of international trade organizations, logistics companies, traders and businesses who came to Tashkent from more than 40 countries, means saying nothing. It was a phenomenal success! Even those who have got accustomed to the lifetime work with fruits and vegetables, walked in Uzexpocentre pavilions in amazement: during four days the fair was as if colored by a wild imagination of an impressionist.

Each region of Uzbekistan presented its unique exposition. The Bukhara representatives surprised the visitors with a carved palace and subtle carving on ... watermelons and melons. They were true Spanish caravels and medieval palaces. Samarkand artists showed various figures of animals and birds made from fruits and vegetables. Representatives of Khiva made a medieval city, and Surkhandarya masters carved a huge bunch of grapes and a fruit stream pouring from the jug out of the ordinary eggplant.

There was something interesting on the stand of each region, because representatives not just presented their tasty and useful products, but arranged them in a creative way. Most importantly, all the wealth and gifts of the Uzbek nature were not just a riot of colors, but exhaled a fragrance, which intoxicated and seduced even the most demanding visitors. It seemed fairly hard for foreign guests to resist from trying each exhibit.

Meanwhile, the entire lyric was backgrounded by serious economic projects, long-term contracts and many promising areas for cooperation. Uzbekistan annually grows about 18 million tons of fruits and vegetables, more than 4 million tons of which are exported. The numbers are expected to increase in the next five years: by the end of 2020 the agricultural sector intends to bring the fruit and vegetable production to 32 million tons.

During the fair, the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced a new initiative, which is expected to help in promoting exports of fruits and vegetables. According to him, it is scheduled to launch an electronic trading platform for exports of fruits and vegetables in the second half of the current year. It will provide an opportunity to place orders and conclude export contracts for the supply of fresh and processed products online.

Experts see the e-market and IFVF as a unique mechanism for establishing beneficial cooperation and conclusion of direct long-term contracts with interested foreign partners. That would primarily promote the well-functioning, transparent and clear market conditions for the product supply, and eliminate the chain of intermediaries. At the same time, the Uzbek side will be able to collaborate with customers on export volumes, transportation and logistics.

The IFVF platform and its electronic version in the global network will make it possible to make contracts for at least five years, while generally, Uzbekistan builds on long-term strategic agreements for 15-20 years. Founded this year, the foreign trade company Uzagroexport is ready to process the guaranteed export of horticultural products in conformity with customer’s needs, as well as make long-term contracts for the supply of a wide range of products, including orders of foreign partners.

Local specialists currently actively negotiate with foreign partners on cutting cargo transportation cost in the direction of major outlets primarily through the provision of tariff privileges and preferences for transit shipping. Moreover, cargo carriers are provided with modern vehicle by successfully operating joint ventures with the German automaker MAN and the Japanese Isuzu.

The financial and technical cooperation has paved the way to dozens major and important ongoing projects on modernization and intensification of agricultural production, development of the horticulture sector, as well as to model projects on the production, storage, freezing, enhanced processing and building of an effective logistics infrastructure and export production. The portfolio of ongoing and drafted projects totals more than $1.5 billion.

By the end of 2020, Uzbekistan intends to bring the total storage capacity of fruits and vegetables up to 1 million tons. Today, there are more than 1,300 specialized storage facilities with a total capacity of simultaneous storage of more than 800,000 tons, run by progressive methods of product storage with integrated approach to sorting, packaging and calibration.

With new refrigeration chambers Uzbekistan intends to reduce the loss of fruits and vegetables by 10%. In the next five years the Uzbek side will draw more than $163 million of foreign investments and loans in the development of food industry, which is about 27% of all the funds estimated for the development of the industry.

New storage facilities will be established under standard trade and logistics centers, the construction of which will be invested by over $115 million. It is planned to build a total of 15 logistics centers, which will be evenly located throughout the country.

The forum has become a place of origination for another interesting initiative on the establishment of a large food transport and logistics center in the Bukhara region by the Chinese company Xinjiang Silu Changlong Investment. The Chinese investors are partnered by the regional administration and the Ministry of Economy of Uzbekistan. The Chinese company intends to invest $30 million, most of which will be channeled as a loan of China Eximbank.

There is a reason behind choosing the Bukhara region. For the current year, its administration has planned to grow more than 1.2 million tons of fruit and vegetables, potatoes, melons and grapes. That should be enough to not just fill the domestic market, ensure processing and seed, but also to scale up exports. So far, enterprises of the region export about 52,000 tons of agricultural products, while the demand is obviously much higher. Before the start of IFVF, they expected to sign export contracts for $58.7 million, but the amount exceeded $78.7 million in the first two days alone. Some foreign guests visited farms of their partners in Bukhara region to see intensive gardens and processing enterprises, and establish mutually beneficial cooperation.

The Chinese partners intend to build sorting and storage facilities, as well as four modern refrigerators. They will also build two plants with state-of-the-art production lines. The first company will focus on processing of fresh products of Uzbek farmers into jams, marmalades, preserves, pickles and other products. Another company will be engaged in meat and milk processing, and production of a wide range of sausage and dairy products.

In addition, the Chinese partners intend to launch their own packaging factory for plastic and cardboard containers, boxes and cases in line with all the market requirements of the CIS and European countries. They also plan to gradually establish their own agrarian base, build intensive gardens and greenhouses for all year round production. Consequently, they will their own car fleet. To this end, in the first phase of the project the company intends to purchase about 20 refrigerators by MAN factory in Samarkand.

China, Russia, CIS and EU countries are expected to become key consumers of food products processed and manufactured in the center. This choice is truly justified. Uzbekistan has recently commissioned a new electrified railway line Angren-Pap, which has provided a unique opportunity for businesses to reduce transportation costs. In the coming years the Uzbek side intends to fully electrify the road till the border with Kyrgyzstan, and built a line to China. Altogether, the sections will be incorporated into a pivotal traffic artery for the three countries, which is going to be a new competitor for the existing rail routes between Europe and Asia.

Incorporating over 45 companies, the O’zbekoziqovqatzahira Association has also outlined several export-oriented projects. Each of its enterprises is equipped with vegetable stores, refrigerators with the concurrent storage capacity from 200 to 3,000 tons. The total volume of refrigerating containers makes up about 68 tons, plus about 45,000 tons of ‘dry warehouses’. Latest technologies and equipment for fruit and vegetable storage have guaranteed the supply of products to the population in winter and spring, and expanded the deliveries abroad.

In order to increase exports to Russia and Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan opened three trading houses, which offer clean, delicious and healthy high-quality products under Food Uzbekistan and FAZO brands. To date, Uzbekistan has signed long-term export contracts for almost $120 million. Fruits and vegetables for $4.5 million were shipped already in June, and batches worth $2.2 million have been shipped in the first decade of July. Having studied the demand, some companies have started growing melons by themselves. For instance, PSM Group grows melons for export on 500 hectares. There is a good demand for these products in Russia, the Baltic countries and Scandinavia.

In the first two days of IFVF the foreign trade company Uzagroeksport signed export contracts for $382 million with the Iranian Pure Corporation, the China’s VSEE Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce and Trade of Dubai, the Indian Eco Green Group, and others. The Spanish company Lendel Media Solutions has signed a direct contract with Yuqoribogh Ne'matlari agrofirm of Urgench district for a weekly delivery of 30 tons of melons since October 1.

A total of 270 contracts on exports of fruits and vegetables have been signed at more than $2 billion at IFVF. Vegetables will make up 27% of exports, fruits - 25%, dried and processed products - 17.6%, legumes - 8.4%, and 2% of melons.

The Fair is over, but contracts are still signed. It will take at least a few weeks to calculate a total number of the projects signed, as many foreign partners are traveling across the country, studying the capacity of the suppliers and their products. At least one thing is clear today – the initiative has fully justified itself, so Uzbekistan anticipates not hundreds but most likely thousands of participants from all over the world for the next year IFVF to once again enjoy the variety of delicious and environmentally friendly Uzbek fruits and vegetables.

(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
On Session of Islamic Commission for Economic, Cultural and Social Affairs

On July 23-25, 2016, under the presidency of Uzbekistan the 39th session of the Islamic Commission for Economic, Cultural and Social Affairs of the Member States of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was held in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia Kingdom).

The participants of the meeting exchanged views on the issues of the agenda, related to the strengthening the multilateral interaction in the framework of OIC, including trade, investments, tourism, agriculture, transport and other spheres.

During the meeting the sides exchanged views on the projects of resolutions, which will be signed in the upcoming Tashkent session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC.

(Source: Press Service of the MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan)

sport
Chess players of Uzbekistan win 11 medals at AC in Iran

Young chess players of our country won 6 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze medals and took the third place in the team event at the Asian Championship in Iran.

As a result of attention towards the development of children's sport under the leadership of President Islam Karimov, the youth of our country achieve great victories in the international arena. This has been confirmed at the Asian Championship in Iran.

Among children aged up to seven years, Alikhon Avazhonov with 7.5 points won the gold medal. A gifted player successfully participated in rapid and blitz chess competitions, won two silver medals. Humoyun Sindorov took first place in the rapid competition.

Afruza Hamdamova, with 8 out of a possible nine points, became the champion of Asia. Moreover she played in the rapid and blitz tournaments and took the highest step of the podium. Nozima Valieva won a bronze medal in rapid and blitz chesses.

Daler Vohidov ranked first in the blitz competition among players under the age of fifteen years, Rasulbek Abdullayev took third place in rapid-competitions among boys under the age of nine years.

(Source: UzReport.uz)

 

POLItiCs
Uzbekistan’s President receives Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received Minister of foreign affairs of the People’s Republic of China Wang Yi, who is on an official visit to our country, at the Oqsaroy on 23 May.

The head of our state, warmly greeting the guest, underlined that sustainable and trustworthy relations, developed between our countries practically in all areas of cooperation, are highly appraised in Uzbekistan.

A regular and systemic dialogue at the highest level has a particular significance. It has become the most essential factor in determining priorities and prospects of strategic partnership, based on the long-term interests of Uzbekistan and China.

As was underscored at the meeting, the forthcoming state visit of President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping should become an important chapter in further developing bilateral relations.

Uzbekistan and China have amassed significant positive experience of mutually beneficial and prolific cooperation. In 2015 the volume of bilateral trade reached 4,1 bln. US dollars. The Chinese investments into the economy of Uzbekistan exceed 6,5 bln. US dollars. 651 enterprises with Chinese capital operate in our country, a number of significant joint projects have been implemented.

Business circles of the two countries have already started joint implementation of such large projects as the construction of tyre and conveyor belt manufacturing plant in the “Angren” special industrial zone and polyvinylchloride, caustic soda and methanol production complex at the Navoiazot JSC and others.

Our countries progressively expand cooperation in the spheres of education, science and technologies, healthcare and culture, which are based on centuries-long historical ties between Uzbekistan and China.

The parties also exchanged views on the issues of Chinese participation in the upcoming events within the Uzbekistan’s presidency in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and other issues on the Uzbek-Chinese agenda.

It was noted that the forthcoming SCO summit in Tashkent, with the heads of observer states and international organizations also in attendance, would be an important political event, during which key decisions, aimed at further improving the activity of the organization in different areas, will be taken.

The guest has expressed sincere gratitude to the President of our country for a warm reception and the opportunity to discuss topical issues of bilateral cooperation, regional and international problems of mutual interest in detail.

(Source: UzA)

 

International cooperation
Meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister

On May 23, 2016, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Wang Yi, who arrived in Uzbekistan with an official visit.

During the conversation the sides exchanged views on topical issues of bilateral relations and prospects of their development.

Ministers discussed the draft program and agenda of the upcoming Uzbek-Chinese contacts at the highest level.

The parties confirmed their interest in the fruitful outcomes of Uzbekistan’s presidency in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in 2015-2016 and in successfully holding the jubilee Summit in Tashkent. The meeting of Foreign Ministers of the SCO Member States, which is being opened, should be an important step in preparation for the Summit.

Some international and regional issues were also discussed at the meeting.

The Ambassador of China Sun Lijie attended the talks.

(Source: Press Service of the MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan)

 

Meeting with Foreign Minister of Tajikistan

On May 23, 2016, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan Sirodjidin Aslov, who arrived in Tashkent to attend the next meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

The Ministers discussed the state and prospects of bilateral relations and exchanged views on some international and regional issues.

During the conversation special attention was paid to the issues of the agenda of the Council of Foreign Ministers and other events within the presidency of Uzbekistan in the organization.

(Source: Press Service of the MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan)

 

economy
Assets of non-bank credit organizations reach 123.7 billion soums

According to the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, as on April 1, 2016, there were 28 microcredit organizations and 45 pawnshops operating throughout the country.

Total assets of non-bank credit organizations (NCOs) amounted to over 123.7 billion soums (currency rates of CB RU from 24.05.2016, 1$= 2919.35 soums), which is 46% more than in the same period last year.

The remainder of the loan portfolio non-bank credit institutions increased over the year by 50% and exceeded a total of 109.2 billion soums. Their aggregate capital grew by 41% and reached 90.5 billion soums.

Non-bank credit organization are not entitled to accept deposits and provide microfinance services advantageously at their own expense.

(Source: UzReport.uz)

 

investments
Khorezm region implements 194 project with investments exceeding 12 billion soums

"Investments – the factor of competition" – this was the theme of the forum held in Khorezm region by the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for privatization, demonopolization and development of competition.

The forum participants talked on the main factors of increasing the competitiveness of the region, the strategy of socio-economic development of the region, the state of industry and prospects of its development.

The event also saw the discussion of the projects included in the Territorial program on competition development in Khorezm region for 2016-2017, and directions for their implementation.

- The first Territorial direction of the program on competition development in Khorezm region for 2016-2017 is to identify the competitive advantages of the region. It is appropriate to mention the existence of unused capacity and available resources. Accordingly, it will be determined what products the region has to offer for sale on the domestic market. The second direction of the program involves the creation of small industrial zones with available preferential conditions for small, compact production. And the third direction involves the offer to potential investors of state assets at zero redemption value, - said the head of the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for privatization, demonopolization and development of competition Ulugbek Kamaletdinov.

Within the two-year territorial program, it is planned to implement 194 projects with investments to be drawn exceeding 12 billion soums (currency rates of CB RU from 24.05.2016, 1$= 2919.35 soums). This, in turn, will create more than 1,000 new jobs.

The Forum also provided detailed information about established in our country opportunities for entrepreneurs, the benefits provided by the government for the development of competition.

(Source: UzReport.uz)

 

PRESIDENCY OF UZBEKISTAN IN THE SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION (2015-2016)
On meeting of SCO CNC

On May 20-24 Tashkent hosted a regular meeting of the Council of National Coordinators of SCO Member States.

Representatives of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan discussed the practical issues related to the regular meeting of the Council of the Foreign Ministers of the SCO Member States on 23-24 May 2016 and the jubilee SCO Summit.

The participants also discussed the progress of preparations for the in Tashkent Meeting of Ministers of Culture, meetings of the Council of Interbank Association and the Board of the SCO Business Council.

(Source: Press Service of the MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan)

 

EDUCATION
Universities in New Format

Not much is left before the beginning of enrollment exams to the higher educational institutions. This was reminded by the next transformations carried out within the system of the leading universities of the country.

Changes are linked not only with the structure of the higher educational institutions, but also with the scientific systems of the Academy of Sciences. All efforts are focused on the improvement of the system of training specialists with university education in compliance with the demand of the times. Available resources are concentrated on the achievement of this target. Four establishments within the structure of the Academy of Sciences have been turned over for consolidation of the material and technical basis of the educational system. Integration of education, science and production make up one of the priority directions in raising the level of personnel training – science will have to advance within the system of higher education. On the one hand, it promotes the motivation of the training process participants and their ability to manage the emerging situations, since science is called upon to solve the most pressing issues of society’s development; while, on the other hand – to train specialists capable to resolve those urgent tasks. This is the way the world is progressing, and this is the way for us to follow.

Plus a New University

A new Tashkent State University of the Uzbek language and literature named after Alisher Navoi has been set up recently. The faculties of the Uzbek philology of the National University and that of the Uzbek language and literature of the Tashkent State Pedagogical University, the Institute of Language and Literature under the Academy of Sciences and the State Museum of Literature served the basis for its establishment.

The decision matured since long time ago. A system of education has been developing for everyone to be able to get education in their native language. Currently training is conducted in seven languages. The system of teaching foreign languages has also been improved so that it was easier to communicate with foreign partners. And now – a decision was taken on the further development of the Uzbek language. It will facilitate the unification of specialists’ efforts working at the major training and research centers of the country.

The new University will become the basic higher educational institution in training specialists-philologists, scientific-pedagogical personnel, highly qualified translators, and re-training and raising the qualification level of specialists working in this field and further developing the training-methodological materials in the Uzbek language and literature.

Three faculties will be set up within the structure of the University: the Uzbek philology, teaching of the Uzbek language and literature and the Uzbek-English translations. Its structure will also include the Scientific Research Institute for the Uzbek Language and Literature set up on the basis of the Institute of Language and Literature and the Museum of the Uzbek Language and Literature, which will be transformed into the State Museum of Literature.

At the Major University of the Country

The new structure of the National University of Uzbekistan has been approved. There is no faculty of the Uzbek philology within its structure anymore; the mechanical-mathematical faculty has been turned into a mathematical department, and that of philosophy – into social sciences. The physics department has been expanded.

The University’s renewed structure now includes the faculties of geology, geography, physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, foreign philology, economics, social sciences and journalism.

Large-scale transformations have been accomplished at the faculty of physics. It will become a legal successor of the eliminated Scientific-research Institute of applied physics under the National University and the abolished Institute of Nuclear Physics under the Academy of Sciences.

The main facilities of the Institute of Nuclear Physics under the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan will be turned over to the faculty of physics. In 2016-2017 they will be reconstructed and accommodate the specialized chairs, laboratories and departments of magistracy and doctoral studies. It has also been planned to set up on their basis the modern infrastructure for conducting international scientific conferences and workshops, including an administrative building with a conference hall accommodating 200 participants, and another building with a hall for 600 seats in place of the former House of culture, as well as a hotel type dormitory for 30 cots for invited researchers.

Technologies Differ

Also was transformed the structure of the Tashkent State Technical University. Two new faculties have been set up and three faculties have been transformed.

The University’s new structure includes the faculty of machine-building technologies, the faculty of engineering geology and mining, power-energy faculty and two new faculties – engineering systems and engineering physics. The faculties of oil and gas and aviation have been eliminated now from the new structure of the University.

The previous edition of Uzbekistan Today had already told the story of the oil and gas faculty. The Tashkent branch of the Russian State University of oil and gas named after Gubkin will be engaged in training specialists in this direction.

The aviation faculty has also been abolished in the renovated structure of the University. However, according the University’s office of the rector, the University will remain the major training center for national aviation. The students of the abolished faculty will be able to complete their education according to their chosen directions and specialities. The University will further continue to train personnel for aviation, but in compliance with the needs of the real sector of economy, this will be done at other faculties of the University. In particular, major load will fall on the faculty of machine-building technologies.

Also cancelled is the faculty of economics and management. This is linked with the fact that the University will focus its activity on training personnel in engineering-technical specialities.

(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

 

 

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economy
Employment share in non-state sector of Uzbekistan reaches 82.2%

In January-December 2015, the number of economically active population of Uzbekistan comprised 13 million 767.7 thousand people, or 44 percent of the total population.

The number of people employed in the economy for January-December 2015, according to preliminary data of the State Statistics Committee amounted to 13 million 58.3 thousand people, having increased compared to 2014 by 1.9 percent.

Significant growth in employment is observed in transport and communication (3.8 percent), housing and public utilities and nonproduction types of consumer services (3.6 percent), trade, catering and marketing (3.5 percent), construction (3.3 percent).

The employment rate of the economically active population (the ratio of the number of employed in the economy to economically active population) in January-December 2015 amounted to 94.8%.

Overall, the share of employment in the private sector rose to 82.2 percent, against 81.9% in January-December 2014.

The number of the citizens registered as job seekers at the end of December 2015 amounted to 2.7 thousand people, or 20.5 percent less than at the end of December 2014 (3.4 thousand people).

In January-December 2015, the number of unemployed, defined according to the method of calculation of unoccupied population that requires employment, approved by the government resolution of 24 May 2007, amounted to 709.4 thousand people. Respectively the unemployment rate comprises 5.2 percent of the economically active population.

(Source: UzReport.uz)

International cooperation
Uzbekistan and Hungary hold IGC session on economic cooperation

Tashkent hosted the third session of the Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) on economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Hungary.

During the session, the sides exchanged views on the current state of bilateral trade and economic relations and considered prospects of development of cooperation in trade, implementation of investment projects in various sectors of the economy, cooperation in agriculture, environmental protection, science, education, tourism.

The Hungarian delegation was headed by Deputy Minister of external economic relations and foreign affairs László Sabó, and the Uzbek side by the Minister of foreign economic relations, investments and trade Elyor Ganiev.

The event brought together the heads and representatives of the Hungarian ministries and organizations, enterprises-manufacturers of modern equipment for the food industry, technologies for deep processing of agricultural products, etc.

IGC on economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Hungary has been operating since 2013. As the Minister of foreign economic relations, investments and trade of Uzbekistan Elyor Ganiev noted, conducting the regular session of the Commission is evidence of the high interest and the commitment of both countries to further develop mutually beneficial cooperation and bilateral ties.

This is evidenced by the range of issues included in the agenda of the Commission. In addition to the state of trade and economic relations, the sides also exchanged views on cooperation in the field of agriculture, environment, education and tourism.

During the meeting, a presentation of the economic potential of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as promising projects of cooperation was made. The Hungarian party was also thoroughly acquainted with adopted in the country large-scale privatization programme, involving the sale to foreign investors of state shares in the enterprises of Uzbekistan.

In turn, the Hungarian side noted that considers Uzbekistan as one of its main partners in Central Asia and intends to further develop the bilateral trade and economic relations.

- This year we have prepared several projects. 5 agreements will be signed today, 3 of which are very complex. They are to be implemented in agro-industrial sector, i.e. in livestock, poultry, processing of fruits and vegetables, - the member of the Hungarian delegation Josef Kovacs said.

By the results of 2015, the trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Hungary exceeded $44.5 million. 3 enterprises with participation of investors from Hungary, including 2 joint ventures and one with 100% Hungarian capital operate in our country today.

Following the meeting, the sides signed a Protocol.

(Source: UzReport.uz)

On Uzbek-Japanese ministerial consultations

On March 24, 2016, Tokyo hosted the 16th round of political consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Uzbekistan and Japan.

During the meeting the sides discussed the issues related to the implementation of agreements reached during the official visit of the Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe to Uzbekistan on October 24-26, 2015, the prospects of development of bilateral cooperation in political, trade-economical, investment, technological, financial and technical, cultural and humanitarian spheres. The parties also exchanged views on the international and regional issues.

(Source: Press Service of the MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan)

“Central Asia plus Japan” dialogue meeting

On March 25, 2016, Tokyo held the 11th Meeting of Senior Officials of the Dialogue “Central Asia plus Japan” at the level of Deputy Foreign Ministers.

Representatives of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Japan discussed the current state and prospects of cooperation in a multilateral format, including the implementation of regional projects in the fields of agriculture, transport infrastructure and logistics, as well as cooperation in cultural and humanitarian sphere.

The parties also discussed the preparation process for the upcoming 6th Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Dialogue to be held this year in Ashgabat.

(Source: Press Service of the MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan)

Tourism
By the end of 2019, Uzbekistan is planning to build 50 hotels, 30 campsites and 20 boarding houses

The scope of work will be divided by years. For example, the commissioning of 15 tourist accommodation venues have been scheduled for this year, 35 venues in 2017 and 2018 respectively, and 15- in 2019.

Besides, the government is intending to initiate the construction of another 100 campsites in rural areas in the abovementioned period for the development of agro-tourism, which will offer new types of all-inclusive hotel services. 35 pilot campsites will be built this year in the regions, 35 in 2017, and 30 in 2018-2019.

Nearly 2 million foreign citizens visit Uzbekistan every year. The bulk of tourists to Uzbekistan in 2015 arrived from Russia (22.4%), South Korea (8.2%), Germany (3.8%), France (3.6%), as well as other countries of Western Europe and Southeast Asia.

(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

 

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BUSINESS CLIMATE
Uzbekistan supports business and private enterprises

In the first two months of 2016, the Fund for Support of Exports of Small Businesses and Private Enterprises has helped 284 business entities to deliver their goods and services to foreign markets. As a result, they signed export contracts for $90 million.

As part of improving its performance, the Fund is planning to at least double its authorized capital this year, and thereby assist business entities with exports at $1.5 billion. The company is also planning to support the exporters in obtaining international certificates and licenses, including Global GAP, ISO, and others.

“We provide assistance to domestic exporters in exploring foreign markets, search for foreign partners, customs clearance, participation in international exhibitions, and much more. Over the past few months, we took part in two international exhibitions, presenting the products of domestic manufacturers of food, textile industry and agriculture,” said Kamoliddin Nurmatov, the Deputy Director of the Fund for Support of Exports of Small Businesses and Private Enterprises.

The Fund exhibited products by more than 50 domestic enterprises at the international exhibition Green Week 2016. Upon the event, businesses signed export agreements valued at over $9 million. The Fund’s experts took part in Who's Next International Textile Fair - Pret-a-Porter Paris 2016, presenting products of 30 manufacturers of finished knitwear, textile fabric, cotton yarn and other products.

Businessmen held negotiations with nearly 100 foreign importers, presenting them the export capacity of light industry in Uzbekistan. Upon the talks, the parties signed export agreements at $10.8 million. A panel discussion in Fergana with major importers from Latvia, Kazakhstan, Russia and other countries was another important event, where the parties reached agreements on exporting fruits and vegetables from Uzbekistan at more than $150 million.

According to Kamoliddin Nurmatov, this year the Fund intends to help more than 300 businessmen to participate in 20 major international exhibitions and fairs in CIS countries and Europe, as well as export products by more than $ 250 million.

It is envisaged to assist 19,000 small businesses in finding partners in 173 foreign countries for signing export contracts through the study of the demand for goods and services. Specialists will take measures to export electrical appliances, light industry, leather and footwear, food and pharmaceutical products in 24 new markets by conducting research of foreign markets, as well as the promotion of 26 new types of goods and services.

Partnered by the National Bank and farms, the Fund is currently establishing gardening and horticulture firms in all regions of Uzbekistan in order to increase exports of processed agricultural products. They get the opportunity of entering into export contracts at competitive prices and deliver products to importers and major foreign retail chains. This year alone, agricultural companies intend to export more than 1,400 tons of agricultural products.

(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

PRESIDENCY OF UZBEKISTAN IN THE SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION (2015-2016)
SCO CNC Meeting

On March 15-18, 2016, in Beijing (China), under the chairmanship of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov was held a meeting of the Council of National Coordinators of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

The representatives of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan extensively discussed the preparations for the upcoming meeting of the Council of Heads of the SCO Member States and other events to be held this year on June in Tashkent within the presidency of Uzbekistan in the organization.

During the meeting, the SCO Secretariat presented the information on the process of negotiations on granting India and Pakistan the SCO Member State status, as well as singing the Memorandums with dialogue partners of the SCO - Azerbaijan, Armenia and Nepal.

National coordinators have identified the date of the next meeting of the CNC in Beijing

(Source: Press Service of the MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan)

On the SCO heads of state experts meeting

On March 17-18, 2016, in Beijing, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov was held the session of experts on preparation to the eleventh meeting of the Security Council Secretaries of the SCO Member States in Tashkent.

Sides discussed the draft agenda, outcome documents planned to be considered during the meeting of Secretaries of Security Council as well as current affairs and prospects of development of multilateral cooperation in combating transnational threats and challenges.

The session has also considered and approved the information on the preparation to the Tashkent Summit of the SCO Heads of State.

(Source: Press Service of the MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan)

Meeting of working group

On March 16-17, 2016, Beijing hosted a meeting of the working group on the reduction of the drug demand at the Council of competent authorities of the SCO member states to combat illicit drug trafficking.

Representatives of the Member States considered drafts of Anti-Drug Strategy for 2017-2022 and Action Programs on its implementation, as well as exchanged views on cooperation in the field of drug demand reduction.

(Source: Press Service of the MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan)

On meeting of experts

On March 15-17, 2016 a meeting of experts of the SCO Member States on cooperation in the sphere of tourism was held in Beijing.

During the event the draft Program on development of cooperation in the sphere of tourism of the SCO Member States was discussed. As an outcome of the upcoming SCO Summit in Tashkent the Program will be adopted.

(Source: Press Service of the MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan)

 

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economy
"Uzstroymateriali" enterprises produce more than 100 types of building materials

Tashkent hosted a press conference dedicated to the work carried out by JSC "Uzstroymaterialy" on the implementation of structural changes in the industry, modernization and diversification of production, as well as the introduction on enterprises of modern system of corporate governance.

As was noted at the event, today "Uzstroymateriali" unites more than 120 large enterprises of medium and small businesses, which produce more than 100 types of building materials.                  

As a result of the work done in 2015, enterprises of the company provided the growth of production volume in comparison with 2014 by 6.1%. Hereby, the growth rates of cement production amounted to 107.7%, construction glass - 125.8%, dry mixes - 106%, glass products - 100.8% and others.     

The increase is due to the commissioning of high-tech and modern production facilities, which produce competitive products on the basis of deep processing of raw materials and semi-finished products.      

The company on a permanent basis studies the market demand for construction materials, conducts monitoring and analysis of import and export of construction materials in order to saturate the market with building materials of domestic production, deepen import substitution and increase exports. As was reported in a press conference, about 40 types of building materials such as drywall, lime, decorative brick and cement were exported last year abroad. This year it is planned to increase the assortment up to 50 types.     

A number of projects to date are under implementation on the basis of the approved by government programs.

In particular, according to the investment program of 2016, commissioning of six projects are scheduled for this year. Moreover, it is planned to utilize $14.31 million and create 100 new jobs.

At that, pursuant to the Localization program for 2016-2019, it is planned to master the production of more than 20 types of new products, including sanitary ceramics, wallpaper for walls and ceilings, composite materials, metallic and non-metallic products from graphite, products from ftorplasta, caprolon, as well as the ceramic tiles from graphite, expanded perlite products, soft roofing material "bikrom" glass crystallite, finishing materials made of glass.

A number of other projects are also planned for commissioning under the "Program for ensuring structural reforms, modernization and diversification of production in 2015-2019".

(Source: UzReport.uz )

Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of republic of Uzbekistan
Deputies review draft laws aimed at further improvement of legal base

On March 3, the Legislative chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan held its regular session, in the course of which the deputies reviewed a number of bills aimed at deepening of the reforms in various spheres of the society.

The issues included in the agenda of the session of the lower house of the Parliament had previously been preliminary discussed at the meetings of factions of political parties and deputy group from Ecological movement of Uzbekistan, committees of the Legislative chamber with participation of representatives of ministries and departments, civil society institutions.

As was noted at the session, our country is implementing measures to establish effective legal mechanisms to ensure citizens ' rights to work, to free choice of employment and favorable conditions of work. The legislation in this sphere is constantly improving.

In the process of article-by-article discussion of the draft law "On labor protection" in a new edition, the deputies stressed that the need to further strengthen the constitutional guarantees of citizens ' rights in the sphere of labor protection is determined by the dynamic development of the market economy, modernization, technical and technological re-equipment of production, development of the legal framework reforms.

Previously, the bill was discussed by the members of the committees of the lower chamber with participation of representatives of civil society, labor groups, specialists of this sphere, which allowed to develop a number of proposals and recommendations for its further improvement. The discussion of the bill also took place at the meetings of the "Bloc of democratic forces" and opposition factions in the lower house of parliament, following the results of which their positions on this legal act have been formed.

- In preparing the bill for the second reading, we paid particular attention to the priorities identified by the head of our state at the ceremonial meeting devoted to the 23rd anniversary of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan. We tried to work out the most detailed provisions that establish the general principles and mechanisms, reduced the reference rules - says the Chairman of the Committee for labor and social affairs Yoqub Umarov. - New edition of the law "On labor protection" aims at bringing its provisions into conformity with the requirements of the newly adopted normative-legal acts, as well as with modern requirements of market economy, democratic reforms, strengthening of social partnership, development of entrepreneurship and labor legislation in the country. The law provides for the strengthening of public control over observance of legislation in the sphere of labor protection, a clear definition of the powers of state bodies in regulation of relations in the sphere of labor protection, the establishment of requirements for state examination of working conditions, certification of workplaces, organization of audit of labor protection, increasing the responsibility of employers and employees for violation of requirements in the sphere of labor protection.

During the discussion, deputies exchanged views on the issues of application of norms of the Law "On labor protection" and other legal acts in this sphere. It was noted that the law under consideration will become a solid legal basis in the protection of labor.

In the preparation of bills great attention was paid to the organization of their meaningful discussion at different levels of government, institutions of civil society. Hereby the process of discussion of drafts of legislative acts involved members of the expert groups formed under the committees, and comprised of a number of leading experts, scientists, practitioners of the respective fields, representatives of civil institutions.

Particular attention at the session was paid to the review of adopted in December last year the draft law "On introducing amendments and addenda to the Law "On accounting". On the proposal of the "Bloc of democratic forces" this bill has been adopted as amended.

It was pointed out that the Republic has a solid legal basis for the establishment and formation of the accounting system, ensuring the observance by economic entities of the legislation requirements on accounting, the effective decision of tasks on formation of the integrated system in this sphere.

The meeting participants stressed that the proposed amendments will facilitate the implementation of the tasks defined in decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On measures on introduction of modern methods of corporate management in joint stock companies" and "On measures on further cardinal improvement of business environment and providing greater freedom to entrepreneurship". They will also serve to further increase the responsibility of officials, heads of the accounting services for the organization and maintenance of accounting records. The law will create better conditions and opportunities for further development of the system of accounting in accordance with international principles and standards, the growth of the economy.

- I would like to note the timeliness of consolidation of some concepts, in particular, a clear definition of "accounting", "accounting information" that contributes to a more complete disclosure of the principles of accounting, - said a member of the Committee on budget and economic reforms A. Tukhtabaev. - In preparing the bill for the second reading the deputies, committees and deputy unions of the Legislative chamber, state bodies, public organizations and scientists, experts and accountants-practitioners forwarded over 70 proposals for improving this bill. Most of them have been taken into account during its preparation for the second reading. The new edition of the law was discussed at the meetings of factions and the "Bloc of democratic forces" and opposition factions, where they formed their own positions.

The deputies of the lower house of parliament has article by article reviewed in the second reading of the draft law "On introducing amendments and addenda to the Law "On donorship of blood and its components", which aims at further development in the Republic of donation, as well as the draft law "On introducing amendments and addenda to the laws "On natural monopolies" and "On protection of consumer rights".

After item-by-item discussion, the deputies approved the above draft laws and adopted them in the second reading.

Members of the lower house of Parliament also reviewed a number of bills in the first reading. In particular, they reviewed the draft law "On introducing amendments and addenda to the Law "On technical regulation", which provides for bringing the provisions into line with international requirements that will protect the interests of consumers and the state in the field of safety of products, processes and services, the use of international test methods and measurement products.

The deputies also considered the draft law "On introducing amendments and addenda to the Law "On subsoil". As was noted, its adoption will further enhance the efficiency of exploration activities and creation of competitive environment in the sphere of subsoil use, as well as high-quality execution of requirements of the legislation in the sphere of rational use of raw minerals base of the Republic.

Following the conceptual discussion, the deputies approved the draft laws and adopted them in the first reading. The responsible committees have been entrusted with the preparation of documents for the next reading, taking into account the received proposals.

 (Source: UzReport.uz )

Society
Conference in Tashkent discusses infectious diseases treatment

Tashkent hosted a conference on the issues of diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. The event was organized jointly by the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan and the Tashkent Doctors Retraining Institute.

Deputy Minister of Health, Chief Sanitary Doctor of Uzbekistan Saidmurod Saidaliev and others noted that under the leadership of President Islam Karimov huge work was conducted in the country to improve medical service.

Today, Uzbekistan has a reliable system to fight infectious diseases. As a result of large-scale programs and projects to protect maternal and child health, and to improve disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment activities, health facilities now have strong material and technical capacities.

Regular awareness raising activities aimed to improve the health culture among the population have contributed to reducing the number of patients with infectious diseases.

The national calendar for fighting infectious diseases envisages immunization of children against 10 types of diseases. Currently, the immunization of children under 5 years of age against polio is underway. All this contributes to maintaining the epidemiological situation in the country at a stable level.

The conference participants listened to reports on national and international projects for combating infectious diseases, detection and effective treatment of infectious diseases among children, application of new technologies and nanotechnologies in treatment of infectious diseases, as well as domestic and world experience in this direction.

(Source: UzA)

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economy
"O'zbekyengilsanoat" plans to raise exports up to $1.1 billion in 2016

The National press center of Uzbekistan hosted a press conference organized by JSC "O'zbekyengilsanoat". The event summed up the results of activity of JSC "O'zbekyengilsanoat" in 2015 and discussed issues of further development of the textile and clothing-knitting industry of our country.

The press conference was attended by the representatives of JSC "O'zbekyengilsanoat" and the media.

As was noted, 2015 was important for textile and clothing-knitting industry – the production volume exceeded 3 trillion soums, consumer goods – over 1 trillion soums. Last year enterprises of the industry produced goods on 188 kinds of light industry products worth 205 billion soums and mastered 75 new products. (currency rates of CB RU from 19.02.2016, 1$= 2846.63 soums)

Despite the crisis in the global economy, "O'zbekyengilsanoat" has continued to increase its presence in foreign markets. This is evidenced by the growth of export indicators, which for the period under consideration exceeded $1 billion, the number of exporting enterprises has reached 254, which accounted for 89 percent of the total number of enterprises of "O'zbekyengilsanoat". The structure of exports included new types of textile products such as bamboo, modal and blended yarn, jacquard and transom canvas, finished sewing and knitting products of new kinds, models, patterns and weaves. Last year, the share of goods with high added value in total exports reached 42 percent.

It should be noted that the domestic textile and sewing-knitting products are exported to more than 55 countries. In the past year, the industry has expanded into new markets – Colombia, Brazil, El Salvador, Pakistan, Georgia, Croatia, Nigeria and others. In order to diversify foreign markets, expanding the range of export products, the company took part in the international specialized exhibitions-fairs in China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Latvia, Korea, Turkey, Germany and other countries.

An important direction of work of "O'zbekyengilsanoat" last year was the attraction of foreign investments and opening new joint ventures, expansion of existing facilities. By the results of 2015, as part of the Investment program of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the industry attracted $187.3 million, which is 2.7 percent more compared to indicators of 2014. At that, last year was marked with the commissioning of 33 new enterprises, and the creation of more than 12.5 thousand new jobs.

Based on the fact that over the years of independence, the sport has acquired a mass character, "O'zbekyengilsanoat" has determined the release of products for sports purposes as one of its important directions. In line with this, the industry enterprises have developed and put into mass production the children's sports clothes with national elements. By the results of 2015, the volume of these products exceeded 190.8 billion soums, or 12.2 percent more than in 2014.

The regions of the country and the capital now have own specialty shops, with affordable prices for products provided by such enterprises as "Lukbo textile", "Arge fashn", "Kortekssox", "Shayhontohur textiles", "Biryuza group" and others.

This year "O'zbekyengilsanoat" intends to continue to increase the production volume of finished goods with high added value. Special emphasis will be placed on the production of children's sportswear, increasing exports, attracting foreign investments. Until the end of 2016, it is expected to increase export indicators up to $1.1 billion, to implement 32 investment projects, which in turn will contribute to the establishment of 24 new and modernization of 8 enterprises. Hereby it is expected to create 12.700 new jobs, including for graduates of professional colleges and lyceums.

(Source: UzReport.uz)

Made in Uzbekistan
Commodities produced under the brand “Made in Uzbekistan” has carved out a solid niche in the global market

According to the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade, in 2015, in the total volume of exports, services accounted for 24.5%, food production for 10.2%, ferrous and non-ferrous metals for 6.4%, cotton fiber for 5.7%, and chemical industry products for 4.8%.

As a result of reforms to diversify agriculture and provide the population with food, Uzbekistan now exports over $5 billion worth of food, fruits and vegetables. Over the past three years, exports of agricultural goods have increased over three times.

In 2015, the country became one of the 14 countries that won awards for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in ensuring food security as a member of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

The scope of exports of light industry goods is expanding as well. According to Uzbekyengilsanoat joint-stock company, Uzbekistan delivers light industry goods to countries in Europe, America, Asia and Africa. Last year, the country exported goods from this sector to the tune of over $1 billion.

“Thanks to our independence, we now have the opportunity to produce ready-made products and export them to the global market and compete with foreign businesspeople,” says Ravshan Mukhrumboyev, Deputy Director General of Ariya Teks.

The Fund for the Support of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, set up as an affiliate of the National Bank of Foreign Economic Activity of Uzbekistan, has made a significant contribution to the development of this sphere. The Fund has set up cooperation with roughly 80 organizations abroad, which helps small business and private entrepreneurs to export their goods. It has facilitated participation of Uzbek producers in fairs and expos abroad, where they can reach deals and expand the geography of their deliveries.

Uzbek-made vehicles are exported to over ten countries. Over 250 dealers of Uzbek automobile industry presently operate abroad. Uzbek automobiles with modern design and high technical characteristics have won the trust of consumers and demonstrate the country’s economic potential worldwide.

The macroeconomic stability, the favorable business environment created in Uzbekistan, the mechanisms put in place in this area have piqued the interest of foreign investors. This is evidenced by the number of joint companies that is growing year after year.

One more notable point. Last year, Uzbekistan was ranked fifth in a report listing the fastest growing economies issued by the World Economic Forum last year. The report provided a positive assessment of the phased transition to a modern market economy in Uzbekistan.

(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

TECHNOLOGIES
Solar ceramics of Uzbekistan

Specialists of the “Physics of the Sun” Scientific Production Association of the Institute of Materials Science in the Tashkent region produce new types of ceramics with the use of a unique scientific object – large solar furnace.

As a result of roasting under the temperature 900 – 1300°С the clay mass is turned into an artificial stone with high strength, density, water resistance, water resistance, frost resistance and durability. The new products possess a wide range of applications: starting with the manufacture of household utensils and ending up with spare parts for modern technologies.

There are two types of ceramics – construction and functional ones. The construction one is noted for its higher level of mechanical durability, hence its mostly used for the manufacture of mechanically and chemically durable items and structures, while the functional one is noted for its electric, magnetic, optical and thermal properties.

Technologies have been elaborated for obtaining ceramics to be used for different purposes from local raw materials and industrial wastes. This is promoted by the growing demand, availability to enterprises fitted out with necessary equipment and huge reserves of raw materials.

The “Physics of the Sun” Scientific Production Association of the Institute of Material Science under the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan is the largest scientific center on the elaboration of new developments. They are created here with the help of a large solar furnace.

“160 oxide materials with unique properties have been produced in recent years,” says senior researcher of the Materials Science Institute Ilkhom Otaboyev. “They possess a low coefficient of heat expansion, high strength and heat resistance in extreme environments; they are used for the production of high-temperature heaters, thermocouple, transducers, gas burners, printed circuit boards, pipes, nozzles, blades, elements for ceramic engines, and reinforcing coatings.

“We have studied in recent years the process of carbide and glass-ceramic materials’ synthesis. For this are used rice hulls as one of the most common ingredients. Silicon carbide is widely used as an abrasive material for grinding, cutting, sharpening and polishing parts. It’s also in demand in the manufacture of semiconductor devices which are able to operate at temperatures up to 600°C.

The fusion of lime and petroleum coke produces calcium carbide, which is required in welding steel structures. Ore wastes of tungsten deposit serve as the raw material for producing calcium-magnesium silicates – glass ceramics (Sitalls), which posses high strength, hardness, wear resistance, thermodynamic stability, gas and moisture resistance; do not collapse under the impact of various chemical elements, and are widely used in different branches of economy.”

Among other unique development received with the use of the large solar furnace Ilkhom Otaboyev singled out new technologies for the production of materials, which are capable to transform mechanical energy into electrical one and vice versa. And ore production wastes again serve as the raw materials for these technologies.

(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

sport
Uzbekistan futsal team qualifies for the World Cup

The AFC Futsal Championship is continuing in Tashkent. Uzbekistan squad faced Iraq in the quarter-finals of this tournament.

Both teams played closely fought game in the opening of the match. But soon Uzbek players have taken the initiative and won with the score 3:0. This victory has provided our team a ticket to the semi-finals and qualification for the World Championship, to be held in Colombia.

Nodir Eliboev scored once, while Dilshod Rakhmatov authored a double.

In the semifinals, the Uzbekistan squad will compete with the national team of Thailand.

(Source: UzA)

 

 

 

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economy
GM Uzbekistan starts production of Lacetti with gas-cylinder equipment

GM Uzbekistan started a serial production of Lacetti automobiles with gas-cylinder equipment, working on compressed gas, the company said on its Facebook page.

The enterprise realized the project within the investment programme of Uzbekistan for 2015.

GM Korea and Landi-Renzo (Italy) participated in realization of the project, which helped to performed calibration of the automobile and gas cylinder equipment, as well as necessary tests of parts and components of the gas-cylinder equipment.

GM Korea carried out necessary tests of automobile to ensure optimum performance of the engine, which was adapted to two-fuel system.

According to GM Uzbekistan, Italian company Faber (cylinders) and Uzavto-Landi Renzo (engine compartment equipment) are suppliers of the gas cylinder equipment. GM PowerTrain Uzbekistan supplies engine, working on gas.

“The engine has a reinforced cylinder-piston group and valve mechanism. In addition, the car has reinforced chassis parts - shock absorber struts, springs, stabilizer bars and others,” - GM Uzbekistan said.

The gas cylinder equipment has a warranty for a year or 20,000 km mileage.

The automobile can run up to 1,130 km with full tank of fuel, including 850 km on petrol and 280 km on gas. Mileage on full gas cylinder at a speed of 90 km / h is 280 km and in the urban cycle - 230 km.

The car will automatically switch from gas to petrol if the gas ends and from petrol to gas.

(Source: UzDaily.com)

investments
Uzbekistan starts production of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizers

Uzbekistan launched a production of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) fertilizers.

Samarkand-NPK JV has been launched on the bases of Samarkandkimyo in Samarkand region of Uzbekistan. The cost of the project on creation of capacities of NPK fertilizers is US$20 million.

The project capacity of the enterprise is 240,000 tonnes of NPK fertilizers a year.

Founders of Samarkand-NPK JV are Samarkandkimyo and Jiangsu Right Machinery Group Co., Ltd of China.

The project was financed due to loan of Uzpromstroybank for US$15 million and own resources of the founders of the venture.

(Source: UzDaily.com)

FINANCE
Assets of non-bank credit organizations of Uzbekistan go up 33%

Total assets of non-bank credit organizations of Uzbekistan as of 1 January 2016 amounted to more than 109 billion soums, which is 33% higher than at the beginning of 2015, according to the Central Bank of the country. (currency rates of CB RU from 12.02.2016, 1$= 2841.60 soums)

The remainder of the loan portfolio of non-bank credit institutions for the year increased by 38% and amounted to 96.3 billion soums.

Aggregate capital of non-bank credit organizations grew by 27% and reached 81.7 billion soums.

According to the regulator, as of 1 January 2016, 27 microcredit organizations and 43 pawnshops operate in all regions of Uzbekistan.

Non-bank credit organizations are not entitled to accept deposits. They provide microfinance services mainly at their own expense.

(Source: UzReport.uz)

INFRASTRUCTURE
Projects of Uzbekistan Railways

This year, the national rail carrier of Uzbekistan is intending to complete the implementation of several big projects that would not just increase the volume of traffic, but also provide passenger services in line with international standards. Uzbekistan Railways Deputy Chairman Ravshan Ikramov has kindly provided the details.

“From the first years of independence of Uzbekistan, the idea of building a cohesive and integral railway system was initiated and supported by the head of state and the government. Domestic railway experts have been working hardly on that. 1,200 km of new railways have been laid, 3,800 kilometers of steel roads have been renovated and re-commissioned, nearly 1,100 km of railways have been electrified over the last 10-15 years alone. As a result, the total length of railways in the republic has exceeded 6,500 km. All the achievements have been backed by skilled staff of Uzbekistan Railways, whose professionalism was confirmed by international experts.

In 2015, the company focused its efforts primarily on the implementation of projects on modernization, technical and technological extension of enterprises, renewal of their fleet, and construction of new roads. The electrification of the Karshi-Marakand railway section was completed, and the high-speed Afrosiyob train traffic was launched it on. Uzbek Railways transported a total of 67.7 million tons with 2.5 percent increase against 2014, 20.7 million passengers, rendered export services worth $347.7 million, and produced goods at 388.2 billion soums. (currency rates of CB RU from 12.02.2016, 1$= 2841.60 soums)

The construction of electrified railroad Angren-Pap ranks among our largest projects of recent years. The total length of the steel road is 123.1 km, including a 19-kilometer tunnel. On the threshold of the 24th anniversary of independence domestic skilled railroad builders united efforts and completed the electrification of the road on both sides of the tunnel. The works on electrification of the high-speed railway Samarkand-Bukhara, and a new branch Navoi-Kanimeh-Misken also began in 2015.

The renewal of the company’s fleet was another focus. 11 advanced Chinese trains for transportation of goods in high-altitude conditions were delivered 8 months earlier than it was scheduled. They have renovated the locomotive fleet by more than 50%.

Uzbekistan Railways is planning to disburse more than $800 million investment this year. The company developed and approved the investment program, which envisages the implementation of 28 projects. Last year, the company carried out 17 projects, and disbursed $755.1 million of capital investments.

The priority projects for 2016 include the completion of construction of the Angren-Pap railway, electrification of Kokand-Andijan section, arrangement of high-speed traffic on the Samarkand-Bukhara section, construction of a new railway line Navoi-Kanimeh-Misken, the completion of electrification of Karshi-Termez railway line, the purchase of new passenger trains.

(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

 

 

 

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THE SESSION OF THE CABINET OF MINISTERS OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN
Extended session of the Cabinet of Ministers takes place in Tashkent

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan convened for an extended meeting on January 15 to discuss the outcomes of socio-economic development in the country in 2015 and the crucial priorities of economic program for the year 2016.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov delivered a keynote speech at the session.

The head of our state noted that despite the ongoing world financial and economic crisis, stable and sustainable high rates of economic growth and macroeconomic balance have been achieved as a result of consistent and systemic implementation of crucial priorities of the economic program for 2015 and well thought-out Program on ensuring deep structural transformations, reliable protection of the interests of private property and small business.

He underlined that the achievements and prospects of economic development of the country, highly recognized by authoritative international financial and economic organizations and think-tanks, once again confirm the high efficiency and success of the chosen development strategy, acknowledged in the world as “the Uzbek model” of reforms. In accordance with the report of the World Economic Forum, Uzbekistan is among the five countries with the fastest growing economies in the world based on development outcomes for 2014-2015 and forecasts for 2016-2017.

The gross domestic product of the country in 2015 grew by 8 percent, production of industrial goods increased by 8%, while that of agricultural products swelled by almost 7 percent, construction and assembling works by almost 18%. The national budget was executed with surplus at 0.1 percent of the GDP. The surplus in foreign trade turnover has been secured. The inflation rate has not exceeded forecast parameters.

A set of systemic measures on radical change of ownership structure, decreasing the presence of the state in economy, altering the principles and approaches of corporate management has been realized. Modern management structures have been introduced in all joint stock companies.

A package of legislation on strengthening the guarantees and protection of lawful rights of private owners and entrepreneurs, on simplifying and facilitating creation and operation of entrepreneurship subjects via Unitary centers on providing public services (one-stop-shops) has been adopted. Thanks to taken measures, the share of small business in gross domestic product has increased to 56,7 percent or 1,8 times in comparison to the year 2000.

Active implementation of measures and investment projects on structural transformations, modernization, technical and technological renovation of spheres, as well as formation of modern infrastructure ensured disbursement of investments for 15,8 bln. US dollars 9,5 percent more than in 2014. Over 3,3 bln. US dollars or 21 percent of total investments were foreign investments, of which 73% were direct foreign investments. The spheres, oriented towards production of highly technological finished goods have demonstrated accelerated development. 158 large production facilities have been commissioned.

The agricultural sector has been undergoing deep structural changes. A rich harvest of over 7 mln. 500 thousand tons of grain and over 3 mln. 350 thousand tons of cotton has been grown. Fruit and vegetable growing, horticulture, viticulture, animal husbandry, as well as industrial processing of their outputs have been dynamically developing.

The services sphere has also demonstrated dynamic growth. The volume of paid services increased by 10,8 percent, retail turnover- by over 15 percent. The share of services sector in the gross domestic product has reached 54,5% compared to 49% in 2010.

The banking system has been further strengthened, the capitalization level of the banks has been increased and their investment activity has widened. Total assets of the banking system has increased by 23,3% in comparison to the year 2014 and reached 7,8 trillion soums. (currency rates of CB RU from 18.01.2016, 1$= 2821.43 soums)

Sustainable high growth rates of the economy and services sector have created a firm foundation for further increase of peoples’ incomes, improving the welfare of the population. The salaries of employees of budget organizations, pensions and scholarships have increased by 21,9%, total real income per capita – by 9,6%. The share of incomes from entrepreneurial activity has increased to 52% in comparison to 47,1% in 2010. Over 980 thousand jobs have been created, of which over 60% in rural areas, over 480 thousand graduates of professional colleges have been employed.

The State Program for “The Year of attention and care the senior generation” has been executed, for which over 2 trillion 246 bln. soums and 225 mln. US dollars have been directed from various sources.

In his report, President Islam Karimov offered a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the existing unaddressed problems and expounded on the policy tasks directed at further reforming, deepening structural transformations and diversification of the economy, as well as the most critical priorities for 2016.

The government, ministries, other agencies, economic associations and hokimiyats of all levels got tasked with the adoption of necessary measures dedicated to continuing implementation of commenced democratic reform and modernization of the country, deep structural transformations, fir of all in the industrial and agricultural spheres, ensuring macroeconomic balance, anticipatory development and protection of private property, entrepreneurship and small business, accelerated development of engineering-communication and road infrastructure, social sphere, further increasing the welfare of the population.

The most important tasks were identified to radically increase competitiveness of the economy, strengthen support of exporting enterprises, all-round stimulation of small businesses and farmers to export. A set of additional measures on wide introduction of modern information and communication technologies in the spheres of the economy and radical acceleration of creation of the “Electronic government” system.

Special significance was attached to ensuring the realization of policy measures to further the goals and tasks for this year determined in connection with its announcement as the Year of Healthy mother and child, including measures to further strengthen the protection system of the family, motherhood and childhood, formation and consolidation of material-technical base of and human resources potential of perinatal and screening centers, nursing services, increasing the level and quality of treatment of young mothers and children, creation of healthy spiritual environment in the family.

Heads of Cabinet of Ministers complexes, ministries, other government agencies, organizations and regional hokims spoke to address the issues on the agenda. The discussions at the government meeting produced a decision that included practical measures to secure the realization of crucial priorities in the economic program of the country for the year 2016.

(Source: UzA)

economy
Uzbekneftegaz to complete the project for US$624.1 million in 2016

National Holding Company Uzbekneftegaz plans to complete the implementation of projects worth US$624.1 million in 2016.

According to Gazeta.uz, the investment program for 2016 approved the schedule for the nine projects.

Uzbekneftegaz will complete the project on modernization of Mubarek Gas Processing Plant worth US$264.4 million. The project envisages construction of three gas desulphurization units with capacity of 6 billion cubic meters per year.

The company also intends to implement additional infrastructure development project of the two fields in Kashkadarya region. The cost of the project is US$294 million.

Uzbekneftegaz plans to build a network of centers for the installation of LPG equipment for motor vehicles and to introduce energy-saving equipment in enterprises and crafts company.

(Source: UzDaily.com)

investments
The South Korean company Young Shin Tech has been planning to establish a production of automobile gas tanks in Uzbekistan

Uzbek and South Korean sides have already signed a memorandum of understanding on the project. The new plant will produce car cylinders driven by propane and butane. In the future, the products will be exported to the neighboring CIS countries.

An Uzbek-Italian joint venture Avtosanoat - Landi Renzo on the production of equipment for the transfer of engine compartment to compressed natural gas was opened in Navoi Free Industrial Economic Zone in mid 2014. Its annual production capacity exceeds 25,000 sets.

By the end of 2017, Uzbekistan is planning to transfer a total of 74,000 cars to gas. The government has estimated that this measure would reduce air pollutant emissions by 5,000 -8,000 tons per year, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The total cost of the project exceeds 60 billion soums. (currency rates of CB RU from 18.01.2016, 1$= 2821.43 soums)

(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

International cooperation
Uzbekistan, US to hold political consultation

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov will pay a visit to the United States of America on 19-21 January 2016, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan said.

The foreign policy body of Uzbekistan said that the delegation of Uzbekistan led by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov will visit the USA on 19-21 January 2016.

Within the visit, the Uzbek delegation will attend next round of the Uzbek-US political consultations in Washington. The delegation will also hold talks and meetings at the US State Department and other bodies.

(Source: UzDaily.com)

14TH JANUARY- THE DAY OF MOTHERLAND DEFENDERS
The Honor of Defending Your Homeland

Uzbekistan had celebrated a symbolic date, the Day of Defenders of Homeland. On January 14, twenty-four years ago, right after gaining independence, all military units in the territory of Uzbekistan were placed under the jurisdiction of a sovereign republic, and a national army was instituted.

From ancient times to the present day the attitude to the defenders of the Fatherland has been reverent and respectful. The peaceful labor of the farmers, tranquil and happy family life, and carefree smiles of children depended on those who safeguarded the borders of their native land, displaying courage, fortitude and heroism. On January 14, we pay tribute and express gratitude to the military and veterans of the Armed Forces, to all the defenders of the Motherland.

Providing a peaceful and tranquil life in our country from the first days of independence has become a priority of public policy. The August 31, 1991 the Law "On State Independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan" states that our country pursues its own military policy. This was the legal basis for the formation of the Armed Forces. September 6, 1991 was formed the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which allowed to solve such important problems as the formation of a national army, the development of military education, the organization of conscription for military service, the deployment of troops, security and maintenance of military equipment and weapons.

The guarantee of peaceful and tranquil life has been a public policy priority in Uzbekistan from the first days of independence. Adopted on August 31, 1991, the Law ‘On state independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan’ stipulates that the republic pursues its own military policy. The act has become the legal basis for the formation of the Armed Forces. The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan was founded on September 6, 1991 to address the pivotal issues of formation of a national army, development of military education, organization of conscription for military service, deployment of troops, provision and maintenance of military equipment and weapons.

Yet at the dawn of independence, the Uzbek Parliament adopted a military doctrine, which was discussed by all segments of society. The people approved its defensive nature and principles.

Armed forces, their combat power and readiness to suppress the forces of any aggressor are seen as the most important component of the national defense. In a historically short period of time Uzbekistan has carried out a huge work on military construction. Today, the republic is defended by up-to-date, small in numbers, mobile, and well-armed national army, which is capable to safely defend the country’s security, inviolability of its borders, peace and tranquility of the people.

This was emphasized at a solemn meeting on the occasion of the Day of Defenders of Homeland and the 24th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan at the Turkiston Palace. The congratulatory message of the President of Uzbekistan and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Islam Karimov to the defenders of the motherland on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the Armed Forces was read by Defense Minister Kabul Berdiyev. The message put the spotlight on the major missions for the national army in view of the current situation in the world and the region.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Any, even the most advanced army is strong primarily by the level of professional of its soldiers, their spirit, will power and love for the Motherland. Having chosen the defense of the country and the people as their lifework, the officers make up an army backbone, its core. Therefore, Uzbekistan has always been focused on training of military staff, and constant improvement of the military education system.

Every year the higher military educational institutions of the Ministry of Defense graduate highly skilled officers in nearly thirty directions. Until 1993, there were only three higher military education institutions in Uzbekistan: in Tashkent, Samarkand and Chirchik. Given the need for officer staff of various specialties, all of them switched to a multi-disciplinary training system, and the learning process was completely adapted to the requirements of the National Staff Training Program.

Later on, new higher military educational institutions were founded: a special department was opened under the Tashkent University of Information Technologies in 1993, Djizak Higher Military Aviation School - in 1994, Academy of the Armed Forces - in 1995, and Military and Medical Department under the Tashkent Medical Academy was opened in 2012.

The faculty of the Academy of the Armed Forces was entrusted with an important mission of training and retraining of officers, senior officers, as well as coordination of military scientific and practical research in defense construction, and improvement of quality of military education in the country.

The educational process is built on the programs tailored to the priorities of reformation of the Armed Forces and modern trends of development of military art and educational standards. The learning process is based on highly innovative pedagogical technologies and interactive teaching methods, as well as international experience with the use of the Internet. Students get specific knowledge and skills on military specialty, develop the strategic thinking, learn making right decisions and implementing them in different situations.

In order to ensure the continuous increase of the level of education, the Academy established the higher courses for retraining and advanced training of officer staff of command chain, where they get profound knowledge of possible military threats, causes of modern wars and local conflicts, as well as excellence of military development in foreign countries. The courses also provide educational and methodological manuals.

With regard to training military professionals, it is important to mention sergeant training schools that have been functioning in military districts since 2000, offering modern methods of junior commander training. It is their merit that today’s non-commissioned officers make up the backbone of the national army, ensuring a high level of combat training of the military staff, and maintaining a healthy moral atmosphere and high military discipline in the units.

The further development and streamlining of operational and combat training of troops and authorities remains among the main objectives of defense construction. Modern military exercises are optimally close to combat conditions, allowing a critical analysis of the whole system of training of troops, assessment of the capabilities of each battalion and platoon, and the feasibility of a method of combat missions in terms of interchangeability of units and learning of related specialties by the personnel.

THE SCHOOL OF LIFE FOR THE YOUTH

Uzbekistan has accumulated a considerable experience in the organization of effective work with all categories of military personnel and pre-conscription youth in the course of formation of the national army. Military service implies a special meaning for the younger generation, it is regarded as prestigious. Its attractiveness is conditioned primarily by the fact that it has turned into a school of life for the young people, cultivating the courage, fortitude, a high sense of patriotism and selfless love for the Motherland.

Over the years of independence Uzbekistan has grown an entire generation of comrehensively trained young men, who are hardened army, and are ready to defend the Fatherland at any time.

The terms of military service have been radically changed: the period of service was reduced from 18 to 12 months in 2003. Today, the call-up for the compulsory military service is held once a year - in February and March. There is also a completely new kind of military service - the mobilization conscription reserve.

Today, young men are called for the military service by means of competitive selection jointly with the State Testing Center. Thus, Uzbekistan has ranked among the countries that form their armed forces by highly trained recruits with a high level of knowledge and good physical training.

“From the first days we have been cuntivating a sense of responsibility and patriotism in the recruits, helping them to adapt to army conditions,” says a sergeant Azat Usmanov, who passes a military service under contract in North-Western Military District. “There are all the conditions at our unit to become a real man. The benefits for the defenders of the motherland have significantly increased the interest of young people for the military service.”

For example, having passed a compulsory military service, each soldier receives a lump sum allowance, and those who distinguished themselves during the service and successfully passed a test receive the recommendations of commanders, which give them the right for incentives during enrollment in higher educational institutions of the republic as 27% of extra points of the maximal score.

Taking advantage of these opportunities, hundreds of young people have entered higher education institutions in the specialty they had chosen. Very importantly, today they show an example to their peers in education and social work.

“After completing my military service, I received a recommendation of the command,” says a student of the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Reclamation Shukhrat Shukurov. “The benefits have helped me to enter a college and become a student. Given the fact that I have passed a service in the Armed Forces and my active participation in the social life of the institute, the Public Youth Movement Kamolot pays 35% of my contract fees, which is a significant help. Today I'm eager to get in-depth knowledge and learn the profession I have chosen, and then continue working for the good of our country.

SOCIAL PROTECTION IN PRIORITY

Social protection of the military is seen an important aspect of ensuring a reliable defense of the state. It is a platform for integrated programs on providing the homeland defenders with housing, all sorts of medical services, increased allowance, as well as incentives for discharged militaries. The measures taken have greatly improved the financial, social and living conditions of the militaries and their families.

It is worth to mention thousands of families of sergeants and officers of the Armed Forces, who received the keys to new apartments with all amenities in the residential houses that have been built across the country over the last few years. For example, 48 military families have recently celebrated housewarming parties in a modern apartment house, which was built in one of the military towns of Namangan region. Provided with two- and three-room apartments and a children's playground, the building has all conditions for a happy life.

The living conditions of the defenders of the homeland in the field of service significantly differ from those in the past. For example, the compulrosy service militaries are provided with well-furnished accommodation, spacious classrooms for learning, information and resource centers, sports facilities, recreation rooms, medical rooms, and much more.

Once devoted his life to the courageous profession, every citizen of Uzbekistan knows well that his family is guaranteed with wellbeing, and none of his problems is ignored. This is an obvious proof of high prestige of military service in the republic.

THE GREATEST WEALTH

This year, the Day of Defenders of Homeland has been marked under the slogan ‘You are my support and pillar, you are my pride, sacred Motherland’. State and public organizations, military units, cities, villages and communities have held numerous related meetings, spiritual and educational activities.

The Ministry of Defence of the Republic arrenged a video conference with the participation of compulsory service militaries in Bukhara and Jizzakh regions, and their parents.

In the course of communication, parents asked their sons about the life and conditions in the army. The defenders of the motherland proudly told about their service, about the opportunities of the physical and intellectual development.

 “For us, the military, this video dialogue is a kind of report for our family and friends,” said a common soldier Juraboy Khusanov of Jizzakh region. “We are very glad to justify their confidence.”

During the video conference, Yunus Navruzov of Alat district, Bukhara region, a father of a common soldier Muslimbek Navruzov, shared their impressions:

“The present day youth can be envied: the young men are well aware of who and why they protect. I was delighted at my son saying that after the military service he wanted to enter a higher military education institution and continue working in the Armed Forces.”

The Karshi Youth Center has hosted a meeting of the military and the winners of Zulfiya State Award, which was entitled ‘A great honor of being a defender of the homeland’.

At the event, the winners presented their works to the audience.

“The government has created many benefits for compulsory service militaries, including privileges during their enrollment in higher education institutions,” noted a teacher of Karshi Engineering and Economy Institute, winner of Zulfiya State Award Khurshida Kholikova. “Many students of our institute have taken advantage of this privilege. Their quest for knowledge, dedication and discipline serve as a model for their peers.”

The Council of the Federation of Trade Unions of Uzbekistan provided financial assistance to 270 families of the militaries who were killed in the line of duty, under the rally ‘Trade Unions for the Military’. Trade unionists visited those families, and expressed gratitude to the parents for raising brave and courageous sons of the Motherland.

A meeting in a military unit on the territory of Ferghana brought together the compulsory service militaries and their families, representatives of the public, artists.

The speakers reported on the results of large-scale reforms in the military field. They expressed gratitude to the parents for bringing up the sons who have devoted their lives to the defense of the Motherland and selflessly served in the Armed Forces.

“A peaceful life in the country is the greatest wealth of our people,” said the chair of the regional branch of the Union of Writers of Uzbekistan Enahon Siddikova. “This is a great tribute of our Armed Forces. It is natural that we honor the militaries and talk about the spiritual power of the national army on the eve of the Day of Defenders of Homeland.”

(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

Tourism
BBC publishes article on Samarkand

BBC published an article of Tim Johnson on his impressions on his visit to ancient Samarkand.

The article said Samarkand, the desert city that was the capital of Tamerlane’s global empire, is both imperial and exotic, full of palaces and mosques, madrasas and mausoleums, soaring minarets and massive domes, all of them appointed with ornate blue tiles and hundreds of years of history.

Shah-i-Zinda necropolis was built between the 11th and 19th Centuries. It houses the graves of Tamerlane’s relatives and, according to legend, the cousin of the prophet Mohammed.

The Bibi Khanum mosque, which Tamerlane built after his campaign in India at the close of the 14th Century, originally featured as many as 450 marble columns and was constructed with the help of almost 100 elephants.

Even though Tamerlane – or Timur as he’s usually known in Uzbekistan – established an empire that stretched from present day India to Turkey, and Russia to Saudi Arabia, the heart of his dominion was the Registan (or “sandy place” in Persian) in Samarkand. This square today it hosts major events, including music festivals.

Samarkand is a city of domes, some of which are more beautiful when viewed from the inside. Spread across its skyline, these domes are soaring testaments to Tamerlane’s architectural legacy, which helped the city become a Unesco World Heritage Site.

(Source: UzDaily.com)

 

 

 

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economy
Stimulating the growth of export potential in small and medium-sized business of Uzbekistan

The ongoing process of globalization in the world economy leads to an expansion of the role played by small business and medium-sized entrepreneurship in international cooperation in terms of profiting from the international division of labour and joining industrial cooperation with large-scale business. The orientation of small and medium-sized enterprises towards the active participation in international cooperation facilitates the attraction of investments and an increase in the country’s innovative and scientific-technical potentialities, as well as promotes the resolution of many socio-economic problems. It is for this reason that stimulating foreign economic activity in the sector of small business and medium-sized entrepreneurship has become one of the top priorities of economic policy across the developed and developing countries alike.

As one of the leading economic sectors in many countries, small and medium-sized entrepreneurship has a sizable influence on the rate of economic growth, the state of population’s employment, as well as on both the structure and quality of GDP. The development of small entrepreneurship is in the mainstream of the global tendencies to the formation of a flexible mixed economy and the combination of various forms of property and an adequate economic model, which requires the complex synthesis of a competitive market mechanism and state regulation of large-scale, small and medium-sized production. Small entrepreneurship proves to be the basis of market economy.

One should take into consideration the fact that in today’s world, small business has an important role to play in the economic development of many nations. In the European Union, the US and Japan, for example, small and medium-sized enterprises account for some 50 per cent of all the people employed in the economy. By exporters’ estimates, their share of industrial exports in a number of developed countries makes up 70 per cent in Europe, 50 per cent – in Japan and the US and 20-25 per cent – in Russia.

Since the first days of independence, the Uzbek leaders have been tackling, among other priority tasks, the task of increasing the national export potential, while expanding the share of finished goods in the composition of exportables.

In 1991, Uzbekistan exported about US $160 million worth of goods. To compare, in 2014 this indicator has already exceeded US $13 billion.

At the same time, the very composition of Uzbek exports has changed noticeably. In 1991, as one example, raw materials represented over 90 per cent of the total exports volume. For the time being, a given indicator doesn’t exceed 30 per cent.

In 2014, more than 500 new indigenous enterprises, above all small businesses, were involved in export activity. As a consequence, the Republic’s positive foreign trade balance reached US $180 million, with the stock of gold and foreign exchange reserves swelling by US $1.6 billion.

In such an environment, an ever growing part is being assigned to the following two institutions: the Special Fund for Support of Export Activity by Small Business and Private Entrepreneurship, created at the National Bank for Foreign Economic Activity, and Uztadbirkorexport, a foreign trade company set up as a structural sub-division of the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

In 2014, the Fund provided legal, financial and organizational services to as many as 2,400 domestic entrepreneurs, advising them how to promote their goods and services in foreign markets. Armed with the Fund’s tangible assistance, the representatives of entrepreneurship succeeded in concluding export contracts to the tune of US $1.25 billion, under which they already exported US $840 million worth of goods in 2014.

Additionally, the Republic’s entrepreneurs are strongly backed by the Fund in such questions as the study of foreign markets, selection of reliable partners, participation in international tenders, as well as the drawing up of export contracts, obtaining of international certificates and permits and registration of customs documents.

As far as Uztadbirkorexport is concerned, this foreign trade company’s remit is to provide assistance to small businesses and private entrepreneurs in carrying out their export activity.

It goes without saying that a great deal of attention is given to the support of measures designed to improve the business climate in the country and to create far more propitious conditions for small business and private entrepreneurship to further develop and prosper.

Every effort is made to speed up the introduction of the “one-window“ mechanism of registering  property, allotment of land plots, obtaining of licences to carry out certain lines of economic activity, issuance of permitting documents to start a construction project or to have a new enterprise linked up to electricity networks etc.

One more development is worth mentioning. A mechanism of presenting statistical and tax reports was significantly simplified for small businesses and private entrepreneurs.  At the present time, up to 98 per cent of them present their statistical and tax accounts and draw up customs declarations in electronic form.

An important step was taken as part of a package of measures to encourage the development of small business in such labour-intensive sectors as the light and food industries and the production of building materials. The maximum number of employees there was increased from 100 to 200.

In 2014, commercial banks allotted more than 9 trillion soum worth of credits to small businesses and private entrepreneurs, including micro-credits to the tune of some 2 trillion soum. Compared to 2013, the increases were 1.3-fold and 39 per cent, respectively. Over the past 5 years, the volume of crediting in the sector jumped almost 5 times as much. (currency rates of CB RU from 08.01.2016   1$= 2816.47 soums)

What’s more, private entrepreneurs were given broader access to raw-stuff resources and fair auctions. In 2014, to cite an example, they spent some 3 trillion soum on the purchase of raw stuff and materials at the Republican Commodity and Raw Stuff Stock Exchange, or 1.6-fold more than a year later. At the same time, the sales of their own produce via exchange auctions were up 1.7 times as much on a year ago, or 1.5 trillion soum in monetary terms.

All these measures proved to have welcome effects in stimulating the development of small business and private entrepreneurship. In 2014, for instance, upwards of 20,000 new small enterprises (excluding farms and dekhkan establishments) were set up in Uzbekistan. Their total number was in excess of 195,000, twice as many as in the year 2000.

The share of small business and private entrepreneurship in the formation of GDP jumped from 31 per cent to 56 per cent since 2000. As regards the proportion of industrial output, the sector’s share rose from 12.9 per cent to 31.1 per cent.

In 2014, more than 480,000 new jobs were created in the sector of small business and private entrepreneurship. Nowadays, over 76.5 per cent of all employed citizens work there, up from 49.7 per cent registered in 2000.

In 2014, the Republic of Uzbekistan raised eight notches in the rating characterizing the conditions of doing business, and 61 notches – in the taxation rating. By the PROON’s estimates, the country joined the world’s top ten nations by the quantity of economic reforms undertaken in 2014 in a move to ease doing business.

To diversify a list of commodity categories and product groups exported from Uzbekistan, much attention has been given in the last few years to the cultivation, industrial processing and exportation   of farm produce as well as to the careful study of agrarian and food markets throughout the globe. The Republic’s agriculture, without doubt, enjoys a stupendous export potential.

Today, the Republic of Uzbekistan exports 180-plus varieties of fruit and vegetables, as well as the products made on the basis of their processing, to 80 countries of the world.

Judging by exports volumes, Uzbekistan is now one of the world’s top ten exporters of apricots, plums, grapes, nuts, cabbage and other varieties of fruit and vegetables.

The rich experience gathered during the latest global financial-economic crisis demonstrates that small businesses and private entrepreneurs play an inestimable role in any state’s endeavors to find a reliable way out of the dire situation, since they are characterized by mobility and quick adaptability to modern requirements of the world economy.

With a view to furthering the development of small business and private entrepreneurship in the Republic of Uzbekistan, the creation of a more auspicious environment for domestic exporters is required.  Moreover, the latter should be regularly provided with information and analytical materials about foreign markets and the demand-and-supply situation in the world marketplace.

At the same time, it is necessary to minimize the national economy’s dependence on raw materials, as well as to diversify the composition of exported goods (services).

When it comes to the exportation of goods and services from the Republic, much prominence should be given to the reduction of transport costs, in an effort to raise the level of competitiveness of indigenous exports on the international arena.

(Source: «Business partner.uz» newspaper)

investments
Steelworkers of Uzbekistan Forge Ties

Representatives of the Uzbek Metallurgical and Industrial Complex and Italy’s Danieli have held talks on joint implementation of projects on the establishment of production of steel seamless hot finished pipes and ropes.

Investment projects in Uzbekistan are primarily focused on ensuring the accelerated development of the economy, increase in the production of competitive and import-substituting products. UMIC ranks among the leaders in this field.

In order to further deepen the level of localization of production and expand inter-sectoral industrial co-operation, the Complex has been introducing modern high-tech competitive manufactures to produce import-substituting goods, saturate the domestic market, save and rationally use foreign currency. For example, this year the plant has launched the production of basalt-based heat-insulating materials, which has employed over 150 people.

UMIC production and resource capacity has enabled it to successfully run the production of high-quality thermal insulation materials like mineral wool, rigid and semi-rigid slab, wired mats, which are in demand in many countries today. Presently, it supplies new products to the construction, chemical, oil and energy industries. It is noteworthy that the new products have allowed reducing imports of thermal insulation materials into the country.

The cooperation with the Italian Danieli ranks among the new promising projects. During negotiations, the sides reviewed a preliminary concept of implementation of joint projects and discussed some technical issues. Following the meeting, they signed a protocol on the further cooperation on implementation of the projects.

In 11 months of 2015, the plant produced 611,800 tons of finished steel with a 0.4 percent growth rate, consumer goods worth 43.2 billion soums, including enamelware worth 36.1 billion soums. In the reported period, the UMIC produced commodities at a total of more than 917.5 billion soums with 0.8 percent increase. (currency rates of CB RU from 08.01.2016   1$= 2816.47 soums)

(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

TECHNOLOGIES
E-Commercialization

In 2016, Uzbekistan is planning to work on several documents on the development of various components of e-commerce.

By mid-2016, the government intends to define regulations for the service market of information intermediaries, who organize electronic fairs, auctions, contests, exhibitions and trade fairs. In order to control the situation with e-commerce, the government will also change the forms of statistical reporting by adding new indicators for market research and for defining key trends of its development.

The changes will affect the procedure of transactions, storage of electronic documents and information in e-commerce related messages.

It is also planned to settle clear requirements on exchange of banking and other financial information between the parties of online transactions.

Development of the documents that would regulate the procedure of real estate sales through a global network, as well as creation of a national portal of online e-commerce training are seen as interesting initiatives. Certain measures will be taken to enhance online trade. Uzbek online stores will be assigned a special section in the national search engine, and exporters will be offered a national portal for foreign trade.

There is a strong legislative and technological capacity for further development of e-commerce. This field is regulated by a dozen of laws. The intensive expansion of telecommunication infrastructure has been ensuring efficient interaction of state bodies, business entities and individuals by means of new technologies and through widespread introduction of modern electronic applications and payment solutions.

The mechanism of electronic payments has been introduced and streamlined everywhere. Commercial banks provide a broad range of services for remote management of bank accounts, allowing increasing the number of users two-fold, and Internet banking and mobile banking services – by more than 21 times over the last five years. Uzbekistan has been running and developing a unified interbank payment system of Uzkart with the transition to the EMV standard, which merges payment systems of 26 commercial banks for settlements with microchip plastic cards.

(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

 

 

 

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banks
Central Bank of Uzbekistan has presented the draft program on the further enhancement of reformation and sustainability of financial-banking system by 2020

The activity of monetary, banking and financial systems in Uzbekistan is primarily focused on improvement of the country’s welfare, and provision of decent living standards. The new program of action, which is currently discussed by the expert community is called to strengthen this work.

Under the document, the Central Bank is intending to initiate a range of privileges for commercial banks. For instance, it is planned to grant a remission of property taxation with regard to ATM terminals, switching and other equipment for plastic card payments from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020.

The Central Bank also offers to exempt processing centers of retail payment systems from customs duties on the importation of software, automated teller machines and other devices used for plastic card payments.

The new document stipulates the development of measures on creation of additional conditions for receiving electronic payments in 2016. This mission was assigned to the Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications, together with Internet service providers and mobile operators.

Key areas of the document action are already known. For example, the ministry is to intensify efforts on creation of high-quality communication links with high capacity in the field, especially in remote and isolated areas of the country. To do this, the ministry will lay new fiber optic cables and replace the existing terrestrial channels, upgrading software and hardware systems and telephone stattions.

Mobile operators will take measures to install additional antennas and upgrade infrastructure to ensure high quality communication and smooth data transfer.

In general, the program is focused on four key trends. They cover strengthening of financial stability and improvement of quality of bank services, continued implementation of international norms, standards and performance indicators, streamlining of independent evaluation of the banking system, as well as expansion of cashless payments.

(Source: Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

special industrial zone “Jizzakh”
Made in Uzbekistan: new enterprise has been launched

Diamond Carper, an enterprise on production of carpets, has been launched at the special industrial zone Jizzakh.

According to UzA, the capacity of new enterprise makes up 3,000 polypropylene yarn and 1.2 million square meters of carpets a year.

The enterprise is equipped with modern technologies and equipment. Some 20 new jobs were created in the result of launch of the enterprise.

Nine industrial enterprises has been launched at the special industrial zone Jizzakh in 2015. This year, it is planned to open new enterprises, which will start production of over 10 types of goods.

(Source: UzDaily.com)

sport
Jahongir Vohidov Won the International Chess Tournament “Tradewise Hastings Masters”

Jahongir Vohidov won the International Chess Tournament “Tradewise Hastings Masters” which was held in England.

International grandmaster from Uzbekistan Jahongir Vohidov in competition, consisting of 9 rounds, defeated Jack Rudd England, Jovica Radovanović from Serbia, Justin Sarkar from the United States, Aleksander Mista from Poland, Mate Bagi and Tamas Fodor of Hungary and tied with V Karthik India and Igor Khenkin from Germany.

At the international tournament, our chess player Jahongir Vohidov scored 7 points out of 9 and took the first place.

(Source: UzA)

 

 

 

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Society
President signs law “On veterinary” in new edition

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a law “On veterinary” in new edition on 29 December 2015.

The Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan passed the law on 5 October 2015 and Senate passed it on 4 December 2015. It came into force on 31 December 2015.

The law strengthens priority directions of the state policy ion further developing veterinary service in Uzbekistan.

The law determines authorities of the state bodies on preventing, diagnosis and treatment measures, veterinary supervisions to avoid spread of animal diseases in the country.

It also sets legal mechanisms for participation of citizens self-governing bodies, NGOs and citizens in veterinary measures.

The law will help to develop veterinary service and improve efficiency of the state veterinary supervision, protect health of population and protect environment.

(Source: UzDaily.com)

2015: outcomes of the year
Accomplishments That Left a Mark

2015 is ended. Tracking the information flow for 365 days, Uzbekistan Today reporters have reviewed what it was like in Uzbekistan, what was important at home and abroad, and some other issues.

2015 brought a lot of bright events, dozens of signed agreements and contracts, new social facilities, schools, health centers, modern medical centers, comfortable accommodation and manufactures. Meanwhile, from Uzbekistan Today’s perspective, peace and safety have become perhaps the key achievements for the country. It is important to understand that in the conditions of the global economic crisis and upsurge of terrorist threats, Uzbekistan has remained an island of political, economic and social stability. Let us go through it all step by step.

HIGH FRONTIERS

In 2015, Uzbekistan continued its successful advance towards a modern democratic state and just civil society, towards free and prosperous life.

The atmosphere of peace and prosperity in the society, and confidence in the future are important for Uzbeks. The study of the authoritative American Institute of Public Opinion by George Gallup of 2015 is very appropriate in this context. Uzbekistan ranked the second among 141 countries in the survey on ‘The index of the rule of law’. We are proud that our country has reached such a high level in the important issue of maintaining peaceful and tranquil life. It fact, the Constitution and other laws attach priority to human rights and freedoms. Besides, the will to follow them is obvious.

Analyzing the progress and attainments in the political field, it is appropriate to highlight the performance of the new parliament, which has taken up its duties early 2015. People’s representatives have made clear that they will work in drastically new socio-political conditions. They have set for radical improvement of the performance of the Oliy Majlis on the basis of thorough analysis of the foreign practice, effective discussion of draft laws with the involvement of experts and civil society institutions.

Many acts have been approved under new working conditions, including the law ‘On electronic government’, which is expected to contribute to transparency and openness of state authorities, and the law ‘On joint stock societies and protection of stakeholders’ rights’, which is aimed at improvement of the investment climate and business environment, radical change in the principles and approaches to the corporate management system, and others. A report of the Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources in front of MPs on the state and prospects of water-saving technologies and introduction of modern technologies in agriculture as part of the parliamentary inquiry is seen important.

There are good changes in the parliamentary control over the activity of state bodies, over the execution of laws and government programs increase, and effective interaction between the two houses of the Oliy Majlis.

The progress and achievements have been conditioned by a dramatic change in the minds and thinking of the Uzbek people, and their attitude to the current events, as well as strengthened civic liability and growth of legal culture. This is a matter of many years, but every citizen strives for that wholeheartedly as he dreams of building a new life in his home country.

THE GROWING INTEREST OF THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY

In 2015, Uzbekistan continued pursuing its peace-loving strategy with regard to foreign policy. Active international activity of the country's leadership has created favorable external conditions for internal development and economic growth.

The foreign policy has provided a decent place for Uzbekistan in the global space as an influential state in central Asian region with a developed market economy and an independent foreign policy.

High level visits have demonstrated the growing international authority and respect for the leadership and people of Uzbekistan. In 2015, Uzbekistan was visited by the President of Turkmenistan, prime ministers of India, Japan, Pakistan, US Secretary of State, heads of international organizations, including the UN and OIC Secretary General, Vice-President of the World Bank, presidents of the International Finance Corporation and the International Olympic Committee, and others.

After re-election, President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov paid his first state visit to the Republic of Korea. The state’s leader also visited China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, took part in CIS and SCO summits, festivities on the occasion of the victory of the Chinese people in the war against Japanese militarism, and Tashkent celebrations on the 70th anniversary of victory in the World War Two.

The head of Uzbekistan received the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan, Chairman of Isuzu Motors Ltd., President of Eximbank of Korea, President of LUKOIL Company.

The President Islam Karimov received accredited ambassadors of the Republic of Egypt, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Switzerland, the USA. Heads of diplomatic missions of Uzbekistan in the United Kingdom, Iran, Republic of Korea, Pakistan, Poland have received new appointments.

Uzbek delegations took part in the anniversary summits of the United Nations, the OSCE, as well as OIC events. On December 14, Uzbekistan signed a new OIC Charter of March 14, 2008  in the city of Jeddah, and in 2016 Tashkent will host the 43rd session of the OIC Ministerial Council.

TECHNOLOGICAL BREAKTHROUGH

2015 has become a breakthrough for big technological projects in the economy. The Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex at Surgil deposit in Karakalpakstan, which has no analogues in the CIS, was launched in test mode in October. The UGCC annual design capacity makes up nearly 4 billion cubic meters of gas, 400,000 tons of polyethylene, 100,000 tons of high density polypropylene and 100,000 tons of pyrolysis gasoline. The total cost of the project exceeds $3.9 billion.

The international edition Project Finance International ranked the project’s design and financial agreement as the best in the petrochemical and gas-chemical sector in 2012. The project was also awarded the international award ‘Best Deal of 2012’ by Trade Finance Magazine and Global Trade Review. Another international authoritative edition - Infrastructure Journal - awarded the project on the construction of the gas chemical complex a prestigious ‘Global Oil and Gas Trade 2014’.

The launch of high-speed traffic on Marakand-Karshi section is another big event that has consolidated the success of domestic railway sector in the introduction of the latest technological solutions. The project cost has exceeded $324 million. Launched about 3.5 years ago, the project has been completed on the threshold of the 24th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence as a big present for the holiday. Previously, it took passenger trains six hours to cover the distance from Tashkent to Karshi, while now Afrosiyob trains have reduced travel time by three hours, and modern Chinese trains - up to 4 hours.

GM Uzbekistan has also pleased the domestic carriers. The company launched the serial production of subcompact utility vehicle Labo in July. It has already gained popularity among commercial organizations that deal with the delivery of small cargo in the cities, where small and maneuverable car has become irreplaceable.

A LINK BETWEEN GENERATIONS

Construction, reconstruction, renovation and equipping of schools, colleges, lyceums, universities, healthcare institutions has been in progress, building the platform for the implementation of national programs on upbringing the comprehensively advanced generation and creation of conditions for high living standards.

This year’s social policy is featured by special attention to the implementation of initiatives of the national program the Year of Attention and Care for the Senior Generation, which was funded by 1.3 trillion soums and $229.6 million. Many issues on further improvement of living standards for older people, increase of the scale of their financial and moral support, streamlining of social, pension and health care of older people have been addressed. Veterans of war and labor front of 1941-1945 have been paid special attention. Scaled measures have been taken to strengthen the role of the older generation in the family and society, and grow young people in line with the centuries-old values and traditions of the Uzbek people. (currency rates of CB RU from 05.01.2016   1$= 2816.47 soums)

PRESERVING AND ENRICHING HERITAGE

Throughout the year the country has been living a vibrant cultural life with a variety of performances and films, concerts and meetings of generations, tours of creative teams. Exhibitions presented handicrafts and works of contemporary art. Most importantly, Uzbekistan implemented projects on creation of favorable conditions for conservation and enrichment of the centuries-old heritage.

Being fairly considered as a source of traditions and customs of the Uzbek people, 179 local recreation and culture centers have been renovated and equipped with modern facilities. They are the concentration of folk-ethnographic and other folk groups, where well-known masters of applied arts pass their skills and knowledge on to the younger generation. The completion of the program on construction and reconstruction of recreation and amusement parks has been another important aspect. Special attention was paid to the creation of conditions for mass festivities with the participation of folk groups.

The first two volumes of a 100-volume book ‘Uzbek Folklore Monuments’ were published in Tashkent, and the 100-volume book ‘Karakalpak Folklore Monuments’ was completed in Nukus. This way, the folklore was immortalized as an essential source of information about the centuries-old culture and traditions of the Uzbek people.

FASTER, HIGHER, STRONGER

In 2015, Uzbek athletes won 14 different medals at World Championships, which is a record number. This is an unprecedented number of awards Uzbekistan won at world championships within one year. Taekwondo WTF, weightlifting, boxing, judo and other sports have turned local favorites. They are recognized by famous athletes. There is a reason behind that: 26 athletes won Olympic and 24 - Paralympic licenses this year.

Established by a government decree under the NOC, Uzbekistan Olympians Support Foundation has allocated huge funds for the further strengthening of logistical capacity of the country's sports federations. A regulation on the procedure of payment of scholarships to athletes and coaches was approved with regard to the kinds of sports, as envisaged by the program of Olympic and Paralympic Games. There is a specialized center on sports biomedical service and sports psychology in Tashkent. Athletes take part in national and international training exercises, advance their experience and skills. Coaches are invited to advance their knowledge and skills in international educational and scientific workshops.

The Uzbek school of boxing ranks among the world’s strongest. Our compatriots regularly win the most prestigious tournaments, championships of the continent and the world, Asian and Olympic Games. This fact was once again proved by the acknowledgement of Bektemir Melikuziyev – Asia’s top boxer. In 2015, the 20-year-old athlete of the national team of Uzbekistan has achieved high results in world and continent championships among adults. His victories have deserved high appreciation of sports amateurs. At the World Championship, he won the pass to the 31st Summer Olympic Games of 2016, in addition to the silver medal.

Great importance has been attached to training young athletes. Today, more than 2 million children in Uzbekistan are engaged in 30 kinds of sports. Regional branches of the Children's Sports Development Fund organized 9,898 sporting events as part of efficient use of sports facilities. Young Uzbeks won 138 gold, 79 silver and 90 bronze medals at international competitions.

Uzbekistan, has been pursuing a targeterd strategy of training of trainers, and running an effective system of their encouragement. In 2015, the number of coaches has increased by nearly 1.8 times against 2003, and female trainers - by almost six times. The composition of professional coaching and teaching staff has drastically changed: nearly half of them have a specialized higher education.

(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

tender
“Uzbekneftegaz” will create a new joint venture for geological exploration

National Holding Company “Uzbekneftegaz” has announced a tender for the selection of foreign Oil and Gas Company, which will conduct geological exploration for a number of investment blocks.

According to official data, “Uzbekneftegaz” is preparing to implement the investment project “Implementation of exploration on investment blocks Sechankul, Akdzhar and Chimbay, as well as the mining of Urga, and Akchalak Chandyrskoy group.”

The project will be implemented through the establishment of foreign-invested enterprises on a parity basis.

Oil and Gas Companies interested in joint realization of the project must submit a formal application to participate in the competition with the application of information about their company.

Confidentiality agreement will be signed with the parties that have submitted applications by the deadline, in the prescribed manner. After signing of the confidentiality agreement, participants of the competition will be required to provide relevant materials in the established order for the preparation of proposals.

According to the investment programme, the project will envisage creation of capacities on mining 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas and 76,000 tonnes of gas condensate. The volume of investments can make up US$700 million.

(Source: NA «Uzbekistan Today»)

TECHNOLOGIES
Permanent residence can be registered via my.gov.uz

The single portal of interactive state services launched a new online service “Registration of permanent residence of a citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan”.

New interactive service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan allows citizens to submit an online application for registration of permanent residence of a citizen.

The result of the service is to obtain permanent residence of a citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Registration of residence within the territory of the republic is carried out on the same day, in the city of Tashkent and Tashkent region - within 3 days. The service is paid and is available to individuals.

(Source: UzDaily.com)

sport
Athlete from Uzbekistan Andrey Petrov wins Olympic license

Our compatriot Andrey Petrov, by performing successfully in the international marathon organized in Xiamen, China, won the license to the XXXI Summer Olympic Games 2016 which will be held in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).

In the marathon, which was attended by more than 27 thousand athletes, Andrey went the distance in 2 hours 17 minutes 48 seconds and fulfilled the norm, allowing obtaining license to the Summer Olympic Games.

According to the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan, our athletes have received eighth license to the XXXI Summer Olympic Games. To date, the number of licenses for the game, “Rio 2016” has reached 51. 24 licenses belong to our Paralympians.

(Source: UzA)

 

 

 

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economy
The Boom in the Furniture Industry of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan can hardly be called a land of forests. That said, its furniture industry obviously ranks among the fastest growing today.

Furniture production is currently booming across the country, showing a 15-20 percent annual growth. The furniture section of the 20-year-old catalogue Yellow Pages Uzbekistan is filled with ads on sales of imported storage cabinets, upholstered furniture sets, kitchen items. The products were offered by European companies. There is no line on selling domestic furniture. Some 7-8 years ago, the domestic market of Uzbekistan consisted of imported products by 65-70%, not mentioning the matter of two decades.

Today, almost two-thirds of the local market is occupied by products of local manufacturers. The rapid development of the Uzbek furniture industry has been promoted by the growing demand of the population and economic entities for quality furniture, as well as by recent voluminous investments in the country’s economy. Besides, the development of capital construction has conditioned the rapid development of the wood processing industry with its 25 percent growth index. The scale of furniture production has been increasing accordingly.

By 2001, the furniture and wood products were manufactured chiefly by Uzbekmebel and Fayz companies. They accounted for over 90% of production. Uzbekmebel was liquidated with the adoption of a decree on de-monopolization of the Cabinet of Ministers in 2001. Big specialized furniture enterprises were transferred under the authority of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regions and Tashkent city.

Analysts have been pointing out to a steady increase in furniture production. For instance, the furniture manufacture was estimated at 28.1 billion soums in 2003. In 2013, the index amounted to 392.1 billion soums with an increase of 14 times. Today, nearly 1,500 legal entities are engaged in the furniture manufacture. Most of them are small businesses. Tashkent city, Tashkent, Fergana, Namangan and Kashkadarya regions have been the sector’s leaders. These regions account for 80% of all products. Intensified furniture production has been demonstrated by Jizzakh, Navoi and Surkhandarya regions, suggesting of the improving business climate (currency rates of CB RU from 28.12.2015   1$= 2794.98 soums).

Incentives and benefits with a focus on small businesses have contributed to the development of furniture production along with the increasing market capacity. For example, Uzbekistan abolished customs duties and taxes on imported timber since January 1, 2008. National programs on supplying furniture to educational and medical institutions have remarkably supported furniture manufacturers and expanded the furniture market. The significantly streamlined certification procedure is another reason behind the palpable increase in the volumes of furniture manufactured, experts believe.

The increase in furniture production volumes has been stimulating imports of equipment and tools (80%), fittings and accessories (90%), as well as raw materials. The government has provided favorable conditions for joint ventures in the form of tax benefits and preferences. Foreign suppliers of equipment, raw materials and accessories can import their products into Uzbekistan on preferential customs tariffs, and some types of equipment and machines are imported even at zero tariff.

It would be appropriate to position the state as not just a regulator, but as a major player that defines the demand for furniture products. The bulk of the furniture market is represented by local manufacturers. It is worth to mention the improving quality and competitiveness of the domestically improved furniture over the recent years. However, it would be a mistake to say that the imported furniture is not represented in the domestic market. One of the strong points of local manufacturers is that they can respond rapidly to the demands of the internal market.

Customers have been increasingly paying attention to the interior design with the development of the construction industry. Public institutions, business centers, residential houses, public places like supermarkets, salons, restaurants and cafes, medical complexes and gyms need design and style, so a customer can use all kinds of services and offers in the interior market. There is a tough competition in it, since professionals have been trying to keep up with the times and be aware of the latest trends in the struggle for a client.

Creating the furniture under the Aiko brand, the team of Autopromtechnology, ranging from designers to assembly specialists, thinks primarily about the customer’s choice. The company’s products have embodied a modern ergonomic design, ease, simplicity and comfort. The rattan furniture of Aiko has entered the Uzbek market owing to the achievements of high technologies, which allowed creation of highly effective, quality and natural material as a basis of wicker furniture. It is featured by flexibility and simplicity, being synonymous with good taste. It is produced in sets and as individual instances, making a place of leisure or work comfortable.

BEANBAG.UZ company has become the first manufacturer of frameless furniture for children and adults. The entire policy is built on comfort and relaxation. The use of innovative technologies, environmentally friendly and high-quality materials help to create more than 15 kinds of truly comfortable, easy and affordable designs of frameless furniture. They are pyramid-shape chairs, a soccer ball, pear chairs and more. They are perfect for any casual party, child's holiday, family celebration.

The range of Etiqod private enterprise is represented by tables, chairs, sofas, chests of drawers and accessories. High-quality furniture is made of firm wood by the European technology and on the Italian equipment. There is a choice of color painting and upholstery.

ORIENT-MEBEL Co.Ltd. specializes in the manufacture of premium-class doors, staircases and kitchen furniture. Pursuing a strategy of constant technological and technical development of the manufacture, the factory is operated by up-to-date equipment by leading machine tool companies. The production process involves more than 100 people. Every year the company invests heavily in the production growth and development.

Russian Woods offers design of sketches, their manufacture, delivery and installation. All products are made entirely of wood - walnut, ash, larch.

Zooko Stil Co. Ltd. operates under the Zooko Style brand and produces more than a hundred items of furniture products, which are highly demanded among the local population and abroad.

Several economic entities have been engaged in the introduction of modern technologies in woodworking and furniture manufactures, their upgrade, equipping, and prompt maintenance. EMAN Co.Ltd, for example, has been working in Uzbekistan for 10 years. The company supplies machines for the production of furniture and accessories, wood processing and other equipment produced by leading foreign companies. It is worth noting that its foreign partners aim at further enhancement of cooperation with furniture manufacturers in Uzbekistan.

Uniform buildings with twin apartments, furnished by scarce dull-looking and bulky storage cabinets, are the matter of the past. Today everyone wants to furnish his home with unique and original furniture. Walking through furniture stores and salons in search of a suitable closet or hall furniture set, the customers have been repeatedly facing an agonizing problem of choice. The range seems to be large, but ‘the cherished’ articles are seldom included in standard range of finished goods.

This suggests the need in new exclusive furniture, which would make homes cozier. With this in mind I entered the shop of private enterprise AL-KUDDUS MANUFACTURING, which specializes on wood products. As explained by local craftsmen, products of pine, larch, oak, walnut, ash and elm make the interior unique and enjoy great demand. Exclusive wood furniture looks expensive and imposing; it is suitable for both apartments and a country house. Strength, moisture resistance and durability are its main advantages.

The enterprise was established five years on the basis of the existing manufacture of wood furniture, doors and joinery. The luxury furniture is produced of wood of superior quality, which undergoes a full cycle of drying to achieve the certain moisture content in accordance with state standards. The masters work on high-precision machines that make any dream true.

Master Ibrokhim Abdullayev says: “If a master treats wood with care, if he invests his soul into it, the wood will never perish. It will start a new life with a human owner. Made by our carpenters, who can feel the wood, the furniture quickly gets accustomed to its owner, and turns into an heirloom that lasts for years.”

I saw stylish kitchens under the brand VIVA DELUX in one of the furniture stores. They are manufactured by VIVA VICTORIA company, a modern high-tech furniture enterprise. The latest Italian equipment and advanced technologies, qualified and experienced staff allowed taking a lead in the furniture market of Uzbekistan. The original design of custom-made furniture on exclusive projects is calculated to every detail. It is produced solely of environmentally friendly materials of high quality.

Is it possible to buy furniture without leaving home? The answer to the question is affirmative. The online store MEBEL.UZ is a young company, which focuses on the delivery of high-quality home and office furniture. The company has its own production facilities, and works directly with leading national and foreign manufacturers, which enables it to offer a large range of goods at low prices. The online catalogue is available around the clock. MEBEL.UZ offers its Tashkent customers the opportunity to buy furniture on credit. The company has developed a convenient lending program with partner banks.

... Let us return to the catalogue Yellow Pages Uzbekistan. The four pages of the last issue placed ads by domestic furniture manufacturers. Foreign suppliers can be counted on the fingers. This suggests that the domestically produced furniture does not yield to foreign counterparts in design, durability and quality. The demand for the furniture made in Uzbekistan has been growing, which is the best proof of the industry’s evolvement. This means that a tree, according to Ibrokhim Abdullayev, was treated with care.

(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

Society
Making the City Safer

By the end of next year, all communities and residential areas of Tashkent will be equipped with video surveillance systems.

The key objective of the project is to maintain the public order and public safety, as well as maintain basements, attics, utilities and common areas of apartment houses in good technical condition.

According to the Press Secretary of Tashkent municipality Husan Ermatov, this work has been producing some results. In recent years, 22% of crimes in Tashkent were uncovered thanks to surveillance cameras.

Special working groups have been organized in each district of Tashkent to identify camera locations and study them. In general, it is envisaged to install video cameras at nearly 13,500 facilities, including over 9,400 cameras in residential apartment buildings, and 4,200 cameras in the streets.

“The groups will be also involved in awareness rallies among the population and house owners on the installation of systems, as well as in the selection of companies and organizations that will specialize in the installation and maintenance,” said the Director of the Tashkent Municipal Territorial Public and Utility Association Ilkhom Mahkamov.

According to him, cameras will be primarily installed in doorways and on sidewalks. They will transmit data to specialized offices under district inspectors, and archived in a database. The records will be provided to security and law enforcement authorities as part of crime investigation.

The project will require big financial resources. The concerned agencies are currently working on the ways of investing funds of international credit and financial institutions, foreign and domestic banks.

The pilot phase of the project has been already launched. Several cameras were installed in Chinar community of Mirobod district. Today, according to Ilkhom Mahkamov, two communities in Mirobod and Mirzo-Ulugbek districts are next in turn. Foreign equipment will be purchased in the first stage. However, experts are seeking for the ways of localization of camera production by local manufacturers.

(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

economy
Uzbekistan: leasing to farmers

Leasing ranks among the most effective mechanisms to support farmers’ movement and promote modernization of agriculture. An Uzbekistan Today reporter has met with the Deputy Chairman of O’zqishloqho’jalikmashlizing Company, Bakhodir Ruzmetov, to find out about the process of development of the financial mechanism in Uzbekistan.

“Today, our company provides leasing services to more than 37,000 farms, machine and tractor fleets, alternative machine and tractor fleets and enterprises under O’zdonmahsulot and Qishloqhujalikkimyo companies. In particular, over the past decade our company has supplied them with 52,200 items of technical equipment worth more than 1.4 trillion soums (currency rates of CB RU from 23.12.2015   1$= 2794.98 soums).

Stimulation of farms makes the farmers true owners of their land and modern equipment and technologies. They are provided with a range of benefits if they want to lease technical equipment. The annual interest rate for leasing has decreased from 12 to 4.5%. The fact that the lease term is three years and that the equipment is delivered in the shortest possible terms after a deal is reached and advance payment is made is advantageous for farmers.

Each year has been demonstrating the growing need in leasing of equipment, and the expanding range of the machuinery. 56  kinds of equipment have been presented this year, against 30 in 2011. In the first nine months of 2015, sales have been dominated by tractors and combines, which accounted for 35-40% and 15-20% of the total supply of agricultural machinery leasing accordingly. During the reported period, 932 tractors have been purchased. The bulk of them was delivered to Khorezm (85), Namangan (71) and Samarkand regions (71).

The number of agricultural machinery and equipment delivered varies as follows: the largest number of machines was purchased in Syrdarya region (415), Samarkand (401) and Kashkadarya (282) regions, while the lowest - in Andijan (163), Navoi (169) and Fergana (173) regions.

The tendency promises to retain until the end of the current year. The development of the production of many types of tractors and combines in Uzbekistan has entailed the decrease in their prices, so the farmers have been purchasing more of them. Tractors and mini-machinery are particularly popular now, so it is easy to lease them on favorable terms.

A dramatic expansion of territories of horticultural farms from 2,800 hectares to 55,800 hectares over the recent years throughout the country is another reason of the growth in supply. As a result, the demand for tractors and other specific types of equipment has increased among the farmers and gardeners. The mini-tractors G38, TT-40 and U62, as well as chemical processing units VP-1M and ORPD-12M rank among the most popular types.

A total of 3,400 units of agricultural machinery worth more than 202.6 billion soums have been leased within the reported period. Leasing deliveries have grown by 20.5% against the last year. The company has delivered 690 items of tractors of various brands, 132 plowing tractors, 30 horticultural and transporting tractors, combine harvesters and about 2,500 items of other types of equipment through the leasing.

(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

Pharmaceutical industry of Uzbekistan to produce medicines worth 670 billion soums in 2015

Pharmaceutical products worth 670 billion soums will have been produced by the end of this year in our country, and the rate of production growth in the sector for 2015 will amount to 122% (currency rates of CB RU from 23.12.2015   1$= 2794.98 soums).

It was announced during a press conference organized by "Uzpharmsanoat" State Joint Stock Concern.

It should be noted that to date, 1447 medicines in 90 pharmacotherapeutic groups and 30 dosage forms, including antihypertensive agents, antispasmodics, vitamins, biostimulants, analgesics, anesthetics, antibiotics, anti-TB drugs, antiseptics, antiparasitic medicines, vaccines, serums and other drugs have been registered in the republic, which cover 43% of domestic demand.

(Source: UzReport.uz)

Society
Creating Jobs for Everyone

In 2016, it is planned to employ 992,700 people. Who is to get a job and where? Uzbekistan Today has sought answers to this question at the Ministry of Labor and Social Security of the Population.

“To this end, 397 thousand jobs are going to be created with the implementation of targeted programs directed at setting up new and re-equip and modernize the existing enterprises,” said Erkin Avezov, head of the department for the analysis of employment and labor market regulation. “Another 338 thousand jobs will emerge with the establishment of small businesses, micro firms and the advancement of private entrepreneurship. The development of home-based, family business and craftsmanship will provide with other 143 thousand new jobs. Over 110,000 posts will be instituted owing to the expansion of farming enterprises. Instrumental in this segment of the market will be privileges and preferences as well as lending programs.

“New next year will see a focus on the tour industry,” the specialist insisted. “In this segment, it is planned to create 10 thousand new jobs through the development of eco-tourism and handicrafts in remote areas of the country.

The major part of those who get employed – 511.5 thousand graduates of educational institutions. There are measures to improve the effectiveness and the full implementation of tripartite agreements between employers, graduates of educational institutions and parents. Some steps are taken boost the effectiveness of commissions for employment issues set up under local authorities.

The expert drew attention to the fact that next year will see the scheme, which was actively tested in 2015, designed to engage young people in entrepreneurial activities. It implies holding open days in colleges for starting a business. It gives graduates the opportunity to register a business entity and obtain permits in just an hour.

Particular attention will be paid to the employment of those who have previously lost their jobs and cannot find a new one. The State Fund to Promote Employment will finance training and retraining of more than 20 thousand people with subsequent employment.

(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

sport
Uzbekistan national Fudokan karate-do team wins 19 medals at World Cup

2-6 December, Belgrade (Serbia) hosted the Fudokan karate-do World Championship.

This big sporting event brought together on a tatami more than 2,000 athletes from 52 countries of the world.

The Federation Fudokan karate-do of Uzbekistan headed by Shukhrat Anvarov – owner of a 6th Dan black belt is among the participants of the event. Following the results of the championship, 11 athletes in the national team of Uzbekistan won 6 gold, 4 silver and 9 bronze medals.

(Source: UzReport.uz)

 

 

 

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gress of your country. The country formed a strong legislative framework in the field of human rights, which in its essence and content meets the best international standards. The institutions of civil society, which play an important role in the performance of the relevant legislation, occupy significant place in the large-scale measures to improve the legal culture in society, protection of rights of citizens. Unique law "On transparency of activity of bodies of state power and control", which has been adopted last year, contributes to such efforts. Implementation of mechanisms of informing the public meets international standards of informational human rights.

James Hamilton, Venice Commission Expert, Council of Europe:

– In Uzbekistan, civil society institutions play an important role in the promotion and protection of human rights because society objectively reflects interests and will of people, supervises activities of government agencies. In recent years, the authorities have adopted a number of legislative acts, which contribute to the dynamic development of civil society. Effective cooperation of NGOs with government agencies in social protection, youth support, health promotion, environmental protection is carried out in terms of social partnership.

President of Uzbekistan signs Law "On electronic government"

10 December 2015, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan signed the Law "On electronic government". It will enter into force upon expiry of six months from the date of its official publication.

The law was adopted by the Legislative chamber on 18 November and approved by the Senate on 3 December.

The main purpose of the law is to regulate relations in the field of e-government.

The general provisions of the law comprise the basic objectives and principles of e-government, the principle of openness and transparency of activities of state bodies and etc.

Followings are defined as the main objectives of e-government:

- ensuring the effectiveness, efficiency and transparency of activities of state bodies, strengthening of their responsibility and executive discipline, the creation of additional mechanisms to ensure feedback with the population and business entities;

- creation of opportunities for applicants throughout the country for the implementation of relations with public authorities within e-government;

- formation of databases of the state bodies within the framework of their functions on the Single portal of state interactive services and the Single electronic register of state services;

- introduction of "one window" principle in public administration system in conducting relations with the public and business entities through the formation of mechanisms of electronic document management, interaction and exchange of information between the databases of public authorities;

- transfer of businesses to use electronic document management, including in processes of presentation of statistical reporting, customs clearance, issuance of licenses, permits, certificates, as well as obtaining information from state bodies;

- extending usage by businesses of electronic commerce, sales and procurement through the world wide network, as well as the introduction of automated systems of accounting, control and payment of utilities;

- development of a system of cashless electronic payments, public procurement, remote access and other electronic forms of activities in banking and finance.

According to the law, the state regulation in the field of e-government is exercised by the Cabinet of Ministers, the Ministry for development of information technologies and communications, which is the authorized body in the field of e-government and other public authorities.

The law also contains information about a procedure for the evaluation of quality of rendering of electronic state services. Thus, in accordance with the law, evaluation of quality of rendering of electronic state services is carried out by the authorized body in the field of e-government on the basis of the methodology approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as public opinion research. The results of the assessment of quality of rendering of electronic state services are subject to the regular publication in mass media. State bodies, providing e-government services, are obliged to take measures to improve the quality of their provision based on the results of the evaluation.

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan entrusted to lead the government's decision in accordance with this law and shall ensure the revision and cancellation by bodies of state governance of their normative legal acts contradicting the law.

(Source: UzReport.uz)

investments
Development prospects in the fruit-and-vegetables processing sector by attracting foreign investment

In the agrarian industry of Uzbekistan’s economy, including the fruit-and-vegetables sector, one can observe numerous signs of development that tends to speed up owing to several factors such as structural reforms, an increase in the number and the intensity of the activity carried out by farms, realization of preferential crediting mechanisms, opportune financial backing, as well as thanks to a more efficient utilization of material-technical resources.

The Republic of Uzbekistan possesses an enviable potential in terms of agricultural resources, allowing the national agrarian sector to cultivate over 7 million tons of fruit and vegetables a year. Today, more than 1.7 million tons of produce are grown in such sectors as gardening and viticulture, plus some 5 million tons of vegetables, potatoes, melons, water-melons and gourds. The fruit and vegetables produced in the Republic are notable for their matchless gustatory characteristics. Since olden times, Uzbekistan was renowned for its apples, peaches, pears, sweet cherries, plums, grapes, quinces, water-melons, melons etc. Many sub-tropical fruit varieties are also successfully cultivated here, including figs, pomegranates, persimmons and others.

At the same time, let it be noted that the potential of the national fruit-and-vegetables sector far exceeds the current indicators. In this connection, it makes sense to consider a number of issues surrounding the creation in the country of new varieties of fruit and vegetables to be subject to deep processing, which will be highly competitive in foreign markets.

Since the acquisition of state independence, a great number of joint venture enterprises have been established in the national fruit-and-vegetables industry. Investors from Germany, Turkey, Russia, Switzerland, the US, South Korea and other countries have invested heavily in the creation of production facilities to turn out juices, jams, tomato paste, dried and frozen fruit and vegetables etc. The annual production volume of processed fruit and vegetables exceeds 16 million tons.

The Association of Food-Industry Enterprises of the Republic of Uzbekistan incorporates more than 180 producers specializing in the production of confectionery, bottled fruit, soft drinks, dairy produce, meat products and vegetable oil. In Uzbekistan, about 10,000 large-scale and small enterprises are engaged in foodstuffs production.

The Republic’s food industry these days is at a new stage of development. The National Program of measures to expand and further develop the food industry between 2015 and 2019 stipulates a tangible increase in production volumes of the main groups of foodstuffs.

As many as 26 groups of foodstuffs with high value added are planned to turn out in Uzbekistan. In the next five years, 330 investment projects, for a total of US $500 million, will be realized in the indigenous food industry. Special attention is devoted to the organization of production of the following foodstuffs: baby foods, ketchup, confectionery, sublimated half-finished products from fruit and vegetables, bouillon cubes and food spices, as well as equipment for enterprises operating in the fat-and-oil and food sectors and spare parts thereto.

It should also be added that the export volumes of fruit and vegetables in the Republic tend to swell with each passing year, both in terms of quantity and value, with the geography of such exports expanding steadily.

Over the past decade, the export volumes of fruit and vegetables in physical terms have gone up from 400,000 tons to more than 700,000 tons. Taking into consideration an increased range of output, the volume of exports in value terms has grown 18-fold in the indicated period.

For the time being, the country’s leaders are attaching great importance to the development of the fruit- and- vegetables industry. The Presidential Decree No УП-3709, “On measures to intensify economic reforms in fruit-and-vegetables growing and vine-growing” dated 9th January, 2006 and Presidential Resolution No ПП-255, “On organizational measures to reform fruit-and-vegetables growing and vine-growing” dated 11th January, 2006 specified the main prerequisites needed to ensure the sector’s further development. The existing potential of the national fruit-and-vegetables sector is vast, indeed, and if Uzbekistan succeeds in realizing it correctly and purposefully, it will able to become one of the world’s biggest producers and exporters of high-quality competitive fruit and vegetables.

(Source: «Business partner.uz» newspaper)

Jizzakh special industrial zone
"Roison Home White Goods" Uzbek-British joint venture, specialized in the production of modern electrical products, opened in Jizzakh special industrial zone

The enterprise with a project cost of 26.6 million US dollars, will be capable of producing 650 thousand units of home appliances per year, , including 100,000 refrigerators, 50,000 air conditioners, 50,000 washing machines, 100,000 gas stoves, 100,000 LED-TV sets, 50,000 vacuum cleaners and 200,000 electric furnaces.

Currently the first stage of the enterprise, which cost 15.3 million US dollars, has been completed. This phase involves manufacturing 325 000 units of home appliances of 6 types and has created 200 new jobs.

- Here we will be producing refrigerators, air conditioners and washing machines under such famous brands as "Roison", "Candy" and "Hoover", said the head of the company Mirakmal Hidoyatov. - In the future, we plan exports to the CIS countries. With the launch of the second phase 340 people will be employed at the enterprise.

8 industrial enterprises have started operating in Jizzakh special industrial zone this year. 3 more enterprises are expected to be commissioned by the end of the year.

(Source: UzA)

 

 

 

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