January 11, 2010

Economics:
Media registration now open for ADB's 43rd Annual Meeting in Tashkent
Third innovative projects fair to be held in March
Prioritizing Customers’ Interests
Society:
New Pension Mechanisms
Party on Winter Night

ECONOMY

MEDIA REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR ADB'S 43RD ANNUAL MEETING IN TASHKENT

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has opened media registration for its 43rd Annual Meeting to be held 1-4 May 2010 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. It will be the first time a member country from Central Asia will host the event.

Some 3,000 participants, including government leaders, central bank governors and finance ministers, as well as representatives from the private sector, academe, media and civil society groups from around the world are expected to attend the event at Tashkent's Uzexpocentre Complex.

Attendance is by invitation only. Invites have now been sent to media participants who are asked to register as soon as possible. Online registration will remain open until 19 April 2010.

The 2010 Annual Meeting will take stock of progress made under Strategy 2020, ADB's long-term strategic blueprint, adopted in 2008, which lays out its core goals through to 2020. Many other topics will be covered during meeting events, including seminars.

Accredited members of the media are invited to cover all major Annual Meeting events, including seminars. Accreditation is extended for the sole intention of covering the Annual Meeting, as well as the ASEAN+3 Finance Ministers meeting which will be held concurrently. (Source: Uzreport Information Portal)

THIRD INNOVATIVE PROJECTS FAIR TO BE HELD IN MARCH

The third National Fair of Innovative Ideas, Technologies and Projects will be held at Tashkent’s Uzexpocenter on 1-3 March.

The event is being organized by the Ministry of Economy, Cabinet of Ministers’ Science and Technology Coordination Committee, and the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade.

Representatives of the ministries and departments, enterprises of all sectors, scientific and educational establishments, as well as international organizations will participate in the forum.

The participants will be able to get acquainted with the latest innovative technologies and sign contracts on purchase of these technologies.

A number of round tables and seminars will be held in the framework of the fair. (Source: National News Agency UzA)

PRIORITIZING CUSTOMERS’ INTERESTS

Certain activities are carried out in Uzbekistan within the Anti-crisis Program to enhance the financial and banking system and increase the amount of loans to the real economy sector.

The Urganch branch of the National Bank for Foreign Economic Activity of the Republic of Uzbekistan focuses on supporting business entities aiming at replenishment of the consumer market with domestic products meeting international standards.

“The significant part of loans issued by our bank is forwarded to agriculture,” said Anvar Avezov, head of the Urganch branch of the National Bank. “Four combines, about 50 tractors and other facilities were purchased in 2009 at the expense of loans issued for strengthening the material and technical base in farms. The Yashnarbek Bogi farm in Yangibozor district erected a green house one hectare and established the growing of fruits and vegetables.

The population’s demand in modern dwelling has grown of late; comfortable houses and cultural structures are built in rural areas. This demand requires the expansion of the scale of manufacturing quality of import substituting construction materials. Our branch renders financial support to businesspeople in this line. Last year limited liability companies Dilshod G’isht Qurilish and G’isht Ta’minot in Shovot district had the opportunity to purchase modern mini-technologies, establish new workplaces and increase the production output owing to the $120 thousand of loan issued by our bank.” (Source: Uzbekistan Today)

SOCIETY

NEW PENSION MECHANISMS

Starting from January 1, 2010, allocation, financing, calculation and monitoring over pension payments as well as hardship allowance, compensatory and other payments will be carried out by territorial subdivisions of the Off-Budget Pension Fund under the Ministry of Finance.

This was specified by the Presidential Decree “On Measures to Further Improve the Pension plAn” of December 30, 2009.

In accordance with the document, territorial subdivisions of the Pension Fund will be established in regions, cities and districts of the country due to the transfer of functions and respective structures included in the system of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection previously responsible for the whole range of retirement issues and citizens’ medical expertise.

The decree entrusts the Pension Fund with additional tasks and functions including arrangement of official pensions of citizens, hardship allowance, compensatory and other payments, and ensuring re-calculation of the size of pensions and other payments in compliance with the established legal procedure. (Source: Uzbekistan Today)

PARTY ON WINTER NIGHT

Alisher Navoi State Academic Grand Theater of Uzbekistan hosted a cultural organized by Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan.

Representatives of ministries and agencies, accredited diplomatic corps, public and international organizations, mahalla activists and students took part in the event.

As participants noted, Uzbekistan pays special attention to protecting girls’ and women’s interests, ensuring their active participation in public and social life. Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan also addresses these issues.

Last year the committee carried out a number of social enlightenment projects, review contests, conferences focusing on ensuring women’s employment, development of outwork, support for businesswomen. They included numerous events for talented youths and their support.

An exhibition of articles of national workmanship, folk and applied arts and other works made by skilled craftswomen was represented in the Grand Theater.

“I’ve brought over thirty kinds of adras for this exhibition,” said Matluba Ismailova from Marg’ilon. “There are all conditions created for women’s work in our country. As a result, we managed to attract over two hundred women to the outwork labor.”

The night concluded with a concert of art masters and young singers. (Source: Uzbekistan Today)