October 20, 2008

Economics:
Uzbekistan’s GDP grows 9.4% in Jan-Sep
Uzbek Customs Committee, UNDP Launch Website
Honourable Council of Peru visits Commerce Chamber to discuss cooperation
Uzbekistan-Japan Center to hold graduation ceremony of PMP
NBU supports development of small, private businesses
Society:
Experts to Discuss Children’s Social Support Issues at Forum
Korean delegation visits Tashkent IT University
Fashion Brand Designer Takada Kenzo Attends Style.Uz

ECONOMY

UZBEKISTAN’S GDP GROWS 9.4% IN JAN-SEP

Gross domestic product of Uzbekistan increased by 9.4% in the first nine months of 2008 year-on-year, it was said at the Cabinet’s session on Friday, Uzbekistan National News Agency UzA reported.

The volume of industrial production grew by 12.4%, consumer goods production by 18.4%, agriculture by 4.1% and services by 18.5%. The state budget was implemented with a surplus of 1.9% to GDP, and the inflation level did not exceed the forecast.

Favorable investment climate and implementation of the investment, localization and modernization programs led to increase of the investments by 22.4%, including direct foreign investments by 33.5%.

284 industrial objects were launched in the reporting period. The share of small business in GDP comprised 45.3% against 43.1% in the same period of last year.

A total of 545,200 new workplaces were created in the nine months, including 188,200 in the service sector and 85,100 on an outwork basis.

UZBEK CUSTOMS COMMITTEE, UNDP LAUNCH WEBSITE

The joint project of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Uzbekistan and the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan entitled “Improving the System of Customs Administration in the Republic of Uzbekistan” has launched the web site to facilitate the coverage of ongoing customs reform, the news release by State Customs Committee has said.

In the framework of the government’s policy aimed at creation of enabling environment for private sector development and further integration into global economy, a comprehensive reform of the system of customs administration is underway. In particular, the new revision of the Customs Code (which should become a regulatory act of direct action) and additional measures aimed at improving the system of customs administration are being developed.

The efficiency of ongoing customs reforms as a whole and elaboration of the new revision of Customs Code in particular heavily depend on reflecting the opinions and interests of business entities engaged in foreign trade activity in the reform agenda. In this regard, it is important to maintain a constant and constructive policy dialogue between the government, private sector and other involved parties, thus providing opportunities for the joint analysis and search for comprehensive solutions of unresolved issues of the current draft document.

One of the effective tools of facilitating the dialogue between the government and private sector is creation of web resources which will ensure convenient and efficient online access for domestic entrepreneurs to the information about ongoing reforms which in its turn will promote the constructive exchange of views through respective online forums.

Taking into account the abovementioned, the interactive website on the coverage of ongoing customs reforms (www.customsreform.uz) was developed and launched in the framework of the joint project of the United Nations Development Programme and the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan entitled “Improving the System of Customs Administration in the Republic of Uzbekistan”.

The main objective of launching the website is to promote involvement of government officials, representatives of business entities engaged in foreign economic activity, officials of business support centers, research institutions and international organizations in the process of joint consideration and discussion of clauses of the draft Customs Code in new revision.

Besides, the website will provide information about the course of offline discussions of the draft Customs Code in new revision and the results of the meetings of Expert Council on customs reform, as well as the measures undertaken on further improving the customs regulation and creating favorable conditions for foreign trade development. In addition, the website gives an opportunity to visitors to get familiarized wit the latest changes introduced in the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the sphere of customs regulation of foreign economic activity and international agreements in this field, as well as access to respective analytical and supplementary materials.

Taking into consideration the increasing demand for information about the ongoing customs reform and the need to strengthen dialogue between government bodies and private sector, there is every reason to believe that this website will take its respective place in the domestic market of web resources, the text of the news release has read.

HONOURABLE COUNCIL OF PERU VISITS COMMERCE CHAMBER TO DISCUSS COOPERATION

Chairperson of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan Alisher Shayhov met the Honourable Council of Peru to Uzbekistan Jose Jbarcena last week, Uzreport Business Information Portal reported.

Honourable Council of Peru to Uzbekistan Jose Jbarcena was accredited in Uzbekistan seven years ago and he represents interest of Latin America. He said that it is planned to open Peru Embassy in Uzbekistan in near future. Jbarcena said that there are many opportunities for development of mutually beneficial trade and business contacts. Latin America countries, in particular, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, are interested in Uzbek goods.

He said that the joint Uzbek-Peruvian chamber was registered under aegis of the Ministry of Economy and Industry of Peru. The chamber will represent interests of businesses of two states, present information and search for contacts. Currently, about 30 companies are potential members of the chamber.

During the talks, it was proposed to organize a trade exhibition in Uzbekistan to present products, manufactured by small and medium businesses of Peru. It was also suggested to appoint representative of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan in Peru from businesses, who cooperated with Uzbekistan. The sides agreed to develop a plan, which will include events carried out in Uzbekistan and Peru to organize bilateral visits and participation of the businesses in them.

UZBEKISTAN-JAPAN CENTER TO HOLD GRADUATION CEREMONY OF PMP

Uzbekistan-Japan Center for Human Development will hold a graduation ceremony of the eleventh Professional Management Programme (PMP) on 24 October, according to the Uzreport Information Portal.

Professional Management Programme is a unique five-month programme that prepares qualified specialists for different business spheres.

Uniqueness of the programme is that in a comparatively short period of time participants will have an opportunity to acquire necessary knowledge, which enables them to successfully run a business, in particular, management, marketing, finance, human resource and others.

Experienced trainers from Japan and Uzbekistan, mostly business practitioners, share their knowledge and experience and introduce participants to the important aspects of business management applied in both countries.

The programme is designed for managers and specialists interested in professional growth in their respective areas of business, as well as for those who are planning to establish their own businesses.

The form of conducting PMP classes is especially popular, as the classes are conducted both in the day-time and in the evening. Evening classes are very convenient for those participants who are fully employed, as in this case, their study will not hamper their work process and will allow implementing the obtained knowledge in their daily professional activities.

The Center said that over 600 have been trained within the PMP since its launch in 2001.

The Uzbekistan-Japan Center for Human Development was established in compliance with the agreement between the governments of Uzbekistan and Japan concluded in October 2000. Ministry for Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan on one side and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on the other acted as the Founders of the Center.

The purpose of this public organization is to train specialists for facilitating business development in Uzbekistan, to enhance mutual understanding and strengthen friendly relations between the two countries through communicating various information and introducing the culture and language of Japan to the people in Uzbekistan who show keen interest in this country.

The Center is open to a wide range of visitors including students, graduates, teachers, entrepreneurs and all those who wish to learn more about Japan and take part in the cultural exchange between our countries.

NBU SUPPORTS DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL, PRIVATE BUSINESSES

National Bank of Uzbekistan for Foreign Economic Activity (NBU) attracted credit lines of several large international financial organizations like EBRD, ADB, IFC, KfW, OPEC Fund, IsDB, China Development Bank to finance projects of small and private businesses, Uzreport Information Portal reported.

The bank financed 182 projects with total cost of US$471 million and the credit sum equals to US$280.6 million. The bank supported enterprises of such sectors as light and food industry, construction materials and agriculture, chemical industry, services and others. The credits issued to purchase new equipment and technologies, which allow to produce new competitive goods. It also pays attention to production of import-replacing and export-oriented products. The bank said the [credited] enterprises produced foodstuff, light industry goods, production materials, agriculture goods, chemical goods for over 200 billion soums and they exports products for US$57.3 million.

NBU noted that it received 32 projects for US$26.5 million in nine months of 2008, of which 18 projects worth US$15.2 million is financed to realize presidential decree "On investment programme of Uzbekistan for 2008" due to credit line of the China Development Bank. It added that one project for US$4.6 million is financed due to Islamic Development Bank and three projects for US$6.7 million credited due to own resources. The bank also credits small and private businesses in national currency due to off-budget funds, special funds of Finance Ministry and own resources. It added that the bank issued 274 billion soums due to above-mentioned sources in nine months of 2008.

SOCIETY

EXPERTS TO DISCUSS CHILDREN’S SOCIAL SUPPORT ISSUES AT FORUM

The International forum “Modern directions of inclusive education and development of social support of children” will be held on October 28 and 29 this year in Tashkent, Jahon Information Agency reported

The participants of the forum are planning to discuss social protection and interests of forthcoming generation, their realization in inclusive education that is an integral part of educational system of Uzbekistan.

Close cooperation of the ministries and agencies with civil institutes, representatives of public organizations, specialists and experts promote elaboration and realization of complex of concrete and purposeful social measures that reflect on the interests of youth.

International forums and conferences that are held annually since 2004 by the Republican Center for Social Adaptation of Children and Republican Public Children’s Fund “Sen yolg’iz emassan” (‘You are not alone’) with the assistance of various ministries, municipality of the city of Tashkent jointly with UNICEF and UNESCO representations in Uzbekistan are the bright example of such cooperation.

At the events on social protection of children the participants analyze in detail the work now underway in Uzbekistan on providing for interests of young generation, and exchange views to address existing problems in the sphere.

A particular attention at these forums and conferences is paid to rendering assistance to children left without parental care, and their education, complex approach on caring after kids without breadwinners with an aim to give them a full-fledged life, train employees of social sphere. These urgent issues are gradually implemented in modern system of social protection of children.

As a result of such measures the social support of pupils of charity houses becomes an effective. Latest methods of pedagogical science and practice as well as psychological aid were introduced. The interagency databases of children of charity houses in need of medical aid were created.

Uzbekistan pays a big attention to developing inclusive education related to training children in need of special aid, strengthening material and logistical basis of educational establishments, bettering the quality, maintenance and efficiency of education, preparing new textbooks, educational and methodical literature, raising qualification of pedagogue cadres.

The issues of establishing optimal conditions for children’s education in need of medical aid, in particular, taking them into the system of secondary education and integrating into public remain to be on the focus of attention.

KOREAN DELEGATION VISITS TASHKENT IT UNIVERSITY

A delegation of South Korea's Communication Committee led by its chairperson Choi See-joong visited Tashkent University of Information Technologies on Saturday, 18 October.

During the visit, the delegation acquainted with the activity of the University, which trains specialists to information and communication sector of Uzbekistan.

Mr. Choi praised Uzbekistan's policy on training of specialists to information technologies and expressed intend to deepen cooperation between Tashkent university and Korean higher educational establishments on training of specialists in such areas as e-government, WiBro, and others.

The Korean delegation also familiarized with the Uzbek-Korean Information Technologies Center, which includes computer class with latest computer equipment and Internet connection. The guests praised the conditions created at the center for training of highly skilled specialists.

The Uzbek-Korean Information Technologies Center was opened on 25 October 2007 at the support of the Uzbek Agency for Communication and Information and Ministry of Information and Communication of South Korea. Tashkent University of Information Technologies and Korea Agency for Digital Opportunity & Promotion (KADO) are participants of the project.

FASHION BRAND DESIGNER TAKADA KENZO ATTENDS STYLE.UZ

One of the founders of worldwide brand “Kenzo”, Japanese fashion designer Takada Kenzo arrived in Uzbekistan to take part at the festive closing ceremony of the Week of fashion and design Style.uz in Samarkand October 17 this year. At the fifth day of the Week an eminent guest held a news conference for mass media, Jahon Information Agency reported.

During his stay in Tashkent the Japanese guest attended the show of designers of Uzbekistan. The models of the show combined the synthesis of modern design and traditional motives as well as originality of the Uzbek culture.

“I was impressed by the fact that not only the participants of the Project but also the whole Uzbek people manifest a big interest in the fashion, style and creativity,” Mr. Kenzo said.

Takada Kenzo gained his first success in 1980 when his collection was recognized by a number of famous modelers in Paris, and he opened his first boutique. The art-critics of that time said that he was the first Japanese designer who succeeded in Paris. Takada Kenzo created unique ethnic style. The works of Kenzo reflected on Japanese culture and national originality that played an important role in his future career and ensured its success.

“As you know Japan has always been interested in history and civilization of the Great Silk Road. It is my first visit to Uzbekistan but I always felt interest in Silk Road as much as in culture of this region. I am very glad that I have managed to visit Uzbekistan, especially Samarkand. For two days of my stay I was impressed by the architecture and modern buildings. It is very important that Uzbekistan pays a profound attention to preserving its traditions and historical monuments,” he further said.

According to Mr. Kenzo, at the moment the level of development of relations between Japan and Uzbekistan is rather high. These relations were founded during the Great Silk Road. Both countries are having historical cultural exchange for many years. Relics of the Central Asian region are preserved at the Buddhist temple at the ancient Japanese city of Nara.

“They witness about the presence of relationship between our countries 6-7 centuries ago. Organization of regular cultural projects of the Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan Fund bring our peoples together. And I believe that the Week will bear yet another impetus to the development of cooperation in the sphere of fashion and design.

Uzbekistan is the largest industrial country in which the cotton-growing and silk making is developed. I think that the Week of Fashion and Design will promote further economic development of the country,” Mr. Kenzo said.