January 13, 2010
Politics:
Elections to Legislative Chamber end
Economics:
Navoi FIEZ Launches First Substation
Chemical Industry Objectives
State Tax Committee holds seminar to consider tax policy directions for 2010
Part of Samarkand-Turkmenbashi road reconstructed
Society:
President Takes Part at Unveiling ‘Oath to Homeland’ Monument
Road safety month completes
Best representatives of culture, arts and sports awarded
POLICY
ELECTIONS TO LEGISLATIVE CHAMBER END
The Central Election Commission of Uzbekistan held a session on 12 January to consider the results of the elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis.
As reported earlier, the second round of voting was held on 10 January in 39 electoral districts.
The CEC adopted a resolution on registration of 39 deputies of the lower chamber of the parliament elected last Sunday.
Thus, elections in all 135 territorial electoral districts were announced completed.
The elections were held in full compliance with the national legislation, the head of CEC Mirza-Ulugbek Abdusalomov told journalists in Tashkent.
The parties and their candidates had equal rights and possibilities to hold their election campaigns, meet the voters and using the mass media.
Four candidates fought for one seat in 99 electoral districts and three candidates in 36 districts.
17,215,700 people were on the list of the eligible voters, of which over 15.108 million or 87.8% participated in the first round of voting.
After the first round on 27 December, deputies were elected in 96 districts. Besides, 15 deputies were elected from the Ecological Movement on the same day.
In the second round of voting, held on 10 January, 3.96 million or 79.7% of a total 4,969,547 eligible voters participated. They voted for one of the two candidates in each of 39 districts.
Summing up the results of the elections, CEC head said the Liberal Democratic Party received 53 seats in the lower house, People’s Democratic Party 32 seats, Milliy Tiklanish (National Revival) democratic party 31 seats and Adolat (Justice) social democratic party 19 seats.
33 deputies or 22% of all elected members of the lower house are women. 47 deputies or 31.3% have been elected to the Legislative Chamber for the second time.
Over 50 local and more than 200 foreign mass media covered the election process. 36 states and four international organizations (OSCE ODIHR, CIS Executive Committee, SCO and OIC) send more than 270 observers. (Source: National News Agency UzA)
ECONOMY
NAVOI FIEZ LAUNCHES FIRST SUBSTATION
Uzbek-Russian JV O’zelectroapparat Elektroshield has manufactured a double-sheaved power substation of 400 kV which will provide electricity to all residents of the free industrial economic zone (FIEZ).
Priority in the coming year will be given to the development of industrial production with attraction of foreign capital. After the official presentation of the FIEZ in March 2009 in Seoul, over 30 investment projects and agreements were signed with companies from Austria, Germany, India, Italy, Korea, China, UAE and Singapore. Under the 2010 Investment Program, 11 investment projects were carried out with $31 million of foreign direct investment.
The new major manufacturing facilities will be created in the oil and gas sector. Three joint investment projects worth $19.5 million implemented jointly with South Korean businessmen focus on the production of equipment for gas filling compressor stations and automobile gas tanks, manufacture and assembly of electronic gas meters, as well as plastic products.
Convenient location of the FIEZ in the center of Uzbekistan and the heart of Central Asia, as well as incentives provided by the government of Uzbekistan attract Korean businessmen to the power industry of Uzbekistan. Following the meetings in Seoul with heads of Korean Electrical Manufacturers’ Association (KOEMA) and Korea Industrial Complex Corporation (KICOX), O’zeltehsanoat Association signed an agreement on creation of new modern environment-friendly production facilities in Navoi with the introduction of advanced technologies to manufacture energy-saving lamps and LCD monitors. Both projects worth $8.1 million were included in the 2010 Investment Program.
Foreign investors expressed particular interest in chemical production within the free industrial economic zone. In 2010-2012, enterprises of O’zkimyosanoat together with South Korean partners are to build a factory of hygienic products worth $5 million.
By creating favorable environment for foreign investment in organization of high-tech industries and development of industrial capacity in transport, transit and social infrastructure, the FIEZ will catalyze economic growth of the entire Central Asian region, forecast experts at the Ministry of Economy. (Source: Uzbekistan Today Newspaper)
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY OBJECTIVES
Two new enterprises for producing synthetic detergents and household chemical goods worth more than $10.2 million will be created in 2010-2011 in the chemical industry jointly with leading German and Austrian companies.
The projects under the 2010 Investment Program are implemented at Ammofos Maxam with LRS Planung & Technology (Germany) and BEFA Handelsgesellschaft GmbH (Austria). The new enterprises will focus on manufacturing finished goods.
Currently, the most powerful chemical complex in Central Asia produces components for metal processing industry, food industry, as well as building materials, films, fertilizers and other more than 250 types of chemical products for agriculture.
It is not an occasional interest of domestic chemical sector to the production of household chemicals and detergents. O’zkimyosanoat says Ammofos Maxam has already tested the trisodium phosphate production technology using soda ash from Kungrad Soda Plant. Trisodium phosphate is used by enterprises of household chemistry as the primary compound. Taking into account the interest of domestic small and private firms and companies in this promising business, the output of the new enterprise – 15,000 tons per year – will be focused not only on the growing demand in domestic market, but also a certain part of trisodium phosphate will be directed for export.
The plant will also launch commercial production of synthetic detergents from local raw materials. When the enterprise is constructed it is projected to bring the annual output of synthetic detergents to 20,000 tons per year.
This project will further reinforce the positions of Uzbek chemical industry in national and global markets. (Source: Uzbekistan Today Newspaper)
STATE TAX COMMITTEE HOLDS SEMINAR TO CONSIDER TAX POLICY DIRECTIONS FOR 2010
State Tax Committee has organized a seminar in Tashkent on the issues of performance of the presidential resolution dated 22 December 2009 "On the forecast of basic macroeconomic indicators and parameters of the state budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2010".
The resolution reduced the basic rate of profit tax in 2010 from current 10% to 9%. As a result it is expected that about 52.1 billion soums will be remained in enterprises' disposal in 2010. The saved money resources will give enterprises a chance to update technically, expand production and increase workers' salaries.
The rate of income tax for individuals has been abated from 12% to 11 % starting from 2010 with a purpose to reduce tax burden, increase population's incomes and consumer ability. Additional tax concessions in the form of social deductions of the sum paid for studying in higher educational establishments of Uzbekistan (for own study or study of children up to 26 years old) have been introduced.
The current basic rate of the single tax payment for microfirms and small enterprises has been reduced from 8% to 7%. In all, microfirms and enterprises will have additional some 25 billion soums at their disposal. It will promote the accelerated development of small businesses and private enterprises as well as increase employment and well-being of the population.
On obligatory payments to the Pension Fund from the volume of sold production (work, services) the rate has been increased from 1% to 1.5%. On obligatory payment to the School Education Fund the rate has been lowered from 1% to 0.5%. The payment and collection rates to the National Road Fund remained the same. Many capacities are created for entire financing of these funds' expenses, particularly additional 315 billion soums are ensured for Pension Fund.
The rate of the single social payment has been increased from 24% to 25%, providing additional 159.7 billion soums to the Pension Fund in 2010. The rate of obligatory insurance premiums of citizens in off-budget Pension Fund from their incomes has been set at 4% in comparison with 3.5 % in 2009. As a result additional 66.1 billion soums are ensured.
It should be noted that this year the terms of some privileges will be prolonged. Besides, some articles of the Tax Code will be amended.
In the framework of the seminar experts explained by concrete examples to heads and accountants of companies the basic directions of 2010 fiscal policy, essence and significance of privileges and new accepted laws. (Source: Uzreport Information Portal)
PART OF SAMARKAND-TURKMENBASHI ROAD RECONSTRUCTED
Five-kilometer part of the international highway Samarkand-Ashgabat-Turkmenbashi, which links Karakul and Alat districts of Bukhara region, was reconstructed.
The project was implemented in accordance with the President’s resolution of 22 April 2009 on development and reconstruction of the Uzbek National Automobile Highway in 2009-2014.
“We organized work in a way that did not block the intensive traffic on the highway,” Murodulla Berdiyev, head of the Bukhara-Navoi highway repair company told UzA.
“The road’s width was expanded by 4.5 meters to 19.5 meters, and now has four lines,” he said.
This year, another 10 km of the highway linking Uzbekistan with Turkmenistan, Iran, Turkey and other countries, will be reconstructed. (Source: National News Agency UzA)
SOCIETY
PRESIDENT TAKES PART AT UNVEILING ‘OATH TO HOMELAND’ MONUMENT
On January 12 this year the ceremony dedicated to the solemn unveiling of the “Vatanga qasamyod” (‘Oath to Homeland’) Monument, erected on the initiative of the President, took place in the city of Tashkent, according to the report by the Uzbekistan National News Agency.
The Khokim (mayor) of the city of Tashkent Abdukakhkhor Tukhtaev opened the ceremony with those gathered to have heard the State anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the report said.
President has unveiled the monument and laid wreath to it.
“Today we can rightly be proud of that for over the past short period the compact, mobile, well-armed and technically equipped army has been established in Uzbekistan that meets the modern requirements and disposes of high combat readiness able to repulse any aggressor,” the President said.
“I think that today one truth must obviously be clear for all of us: there is a powerful factor, which adds power to the army and if necessary – becomes a decisive one – this is a moral and psychological training of servicemen, their unshakeable will and spirit, active life stance, and most importantly, the deep understanding of that for the sake of whom and for the sake of what they fulfill their military duty,” President of Uzbekistan has added.
“In this respect it should be underscored that the efficiency of artistic images that serve as a spiritual example for the youth, plays a decisive role and is of a profound significance in upbringing the young generation in the spirit of national idea, bravery and steadfastness,” Islam Karimov has also underscored.
Taking oath is not just an official event, but an unforgettable undertaking in the life of each person. Therefore, this sculpture complex on the proposal of President Islam Karimov has been named “Vatanga qasamyod” (‘Oath to Homeland’), the report also said.
The unique artistic complex, which was unveiled in the center of a green park, became an embodiment of devotion to Homeland, courage and bravery of the selfless sons of the Uzbek people.
The wreaths on behalf of both chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan (national parliament), Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, ministries and agencies have also been laid to the monument, the report concluded. (Source: Jahon Information Agency)
ROAD SAFETY MONTH COMPLETES
The traditional road safety month was held in Uzbekistan during 10 December – 10 January in accordance with the order of the Cabinet of Ministers.
The action aimed at reduction of the number of traffic accidents and improvement of the road safety measures in the country.
According to the Main Road Safety Department of the Interior Ministry, specially organized groups held over 12,500 raids during the month.
The road safety officers held various awareness raising events at schools and other educational establishments, as well as enterprises and residential neighborhoods.
Almost 1,600 posts were organized near the educational institutions to provide for children’s safety.
12.5 km of car roads were inspected and the identified shortcomings were improved. Additional road signs were installed where necessary.
During the month, about 500,000 violations of road traffic rules were registered. (Source: National News Agency UzA)
BEST REPRESENTATIVES OF CULTURE, ARTS AND SPORTS AWARDED
The traditional awarding ceremony of the year’s best representatives of the arts, culture and sports was held in Tashkent.
The sportsmen of Uzbekistan won 166 gold, 151 silver and 361 bronze medals – a total of 678 medals – at world and continental championships, the World Cup and the Asian Games.
Vadim Menkov, gold medal winner at kayak and canoe paddling world championship, was awarded the Brightest Sports Star of 2009.
Boxer Abbos Atoyev (photo), who won two world champion titles, received the Most Experienced Sportsman of the Year award.
Azizbek Muradov (Greek-Roman wrestling youth world championship winner) became the Year’s Sports Hope, while Anastasia Svechnikova (track and field athletics) won the Year’s Most Talented Sportsman title.
The Tennis Federation was named the Most Active Federation of the Year and the women’s water polo national team became the Year’s Best Sports Team.
In culture sphere, Galiya Izmailova was named Devoted to the Art of Dance, Karakalpak State Music Theater received the Year’s Most Active Theater award, poet Anavar Abidjan won the Children’s Favorite Poet title, singer Munojat Yulchiyeva was named Promoter of Classical Songs, Gulsanam Mamazoitova the Year’s Best Singer and Alisher Uzakov the Year’s Best Cinema Actor.
Vice Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov participated in the awarding ceremony. (Source: National News Agency UzA)