21 April, 2006
Politics
Indian PM expected to meet Uzbek leader in Tashkent
Russian parliament to consider ratification of agreement with Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan denies UN accusation of torture
Book about Interpol published
Economics
Resolution targets at implementation of Uzbek-Korean agreements
Russia's Lukoil to launch major gas field in Uzbekistan in 2007
UK company to invest $3 mln in Uzbek coal deposits
Uzbekistan to spend $ 109 mln on road work in 2006
ITE organizes first international exhibition “Power Uzbekistan -2006”
China's CNEEC to supply US$15m equipment for Uzbek power plant
Society
Working at home pays off
ECOFESTIVAL 2006 dedicated to World Earth Day
7th International Contest of National Costumes closes in Moscow
Japanese string quartet "Exelsior" to perform in Uzbekistan
POLITICS
INDIAN PM EXPECTED TO MEET UZBEK LEADER IN TASHKENT
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will hold talks with President Islam Karimov to discuss enhancement of cooperation in various fields, particularly energy, Indian media reported on 20 April.
Some agreements in the energy sector are expected, besides pacts in education and research during the day-long stay till 26 April, the reports added.
It said Uzbekistan is expected to have large gas reserves which are unexplored and India would be interested in this field.
The discussions will involve India's interest in transit to Central Asia via Afghanistan and Iran. The construction of Zaranj-Delaram Highway in Afghanistan is being built by India with this intention in mind.
RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT TO CONSIDER RATIFICATION OF AGREEMENT WITH UZBEKISTAN
State Duma (parliament) of the Russian Federation is going to consider on 21 April the issue on ratification of agreement on allied relations between Russia and Uzbekistan, said Boris Gryzlov, speaker of the Russian parliament's low house.
The document was signed in Moscow in November 2005 and is aimed at development of cooperation of the two countries in ensuring national, regional and international security.
Also, on Friday, the Russian parliament in the third reading will consider draft of law increasing social guarantees of Social Labour Heroes and full cavaliers of Labour Glory order.
UZBEKISTAN DENIES UN ACCUSATION OF TORTURE
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan has denied allegations by the UN Human Rights Commission's special investigator on torture, Manfred Novak, that Uzbekistan uses torture during interrogations.
"Mr Novak, who has never been to Uzbekistan, probably used unconfirmed reports and rumours as his sources of information. This information is aimed at deliberately discrediting the Uzbek government's policy on protection of human rights," says the Interior Ministry statement.
The Uzbek ministry recalls that independent human rights expert Latif Huseynov visited Uzbekistan in October 2004 at the decision of the 60th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. He visited detention centres, prisons, penitentiaries, and talked to local human rights activists, "his conclusions are very different from those Novak has made".
"Uzbekistan has set the course towards more liberal criminal legislation, as a result of which there are 158 convicts per 100,000 residents in the country. This is one of the lowest rates in the CIS and it is three times less than, for example, in the USA. Besides, the death penalty will be abolished under a presidential decree in Uzbekistan as of 1 January 2008, and arrests are possible only on the condition there is a court's warrant," the Interior Ministry statement says.
BOOK ABOUT INTERPOL PUBLISHED
The Republic of Uzbekistan became the full-righted member of the International Criminal Police Organization at the 63rd session of Interpol on 28 September 1994 on the initiative of the President Islam Karimov. Since then, the National Central Office of the organisation in Uzbekistan has carried out large-scale work to fight crime.
In cooperation with the Tashkent State Juridical Institute, the Office has prepared a scientific-popular book on the activity of this international organisation, which operates in nearly 200 countries of the world. The book covers the history of Interpol, the areas of its activity, scientific and practical issues of its development.
This was acknowledged at the press conference held at the National Press Centre of Uzbekistan dedicated to the presentation of the book entitled "Interpol", whose author is the third-year student of the abovementioned institute Otabek Mirzaev.
Naturally, yet a lot has to be done to familiarize the general public with the activity of this organisation actively fighting international crime. The new book will be another step in this direction.
ECONOMICS
RESOLUTION TARGETS AT IMPLEMENTATION OF UZBEK-KOREAN AGREEMENTS
On 11 April, President Islam Karimov passed a Resolution "On priority measures on execution of contracts and agreements reached during the Uzbek-Korean Summit of 28-30 March 2006" No. PR-321.
In order to provide for full-scale and timely implementation of the "Joint declaration on strategic partnership between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea", a set of bilateral intergovernmental and interdepartmental agreements, agreements on the development of political, trade, economic, investment, and cultural humanitarian cooperation between the two countries signed in the course of the state visit of President Karimov to Korea, the resolution orders to approve "The Programme of Priority Measures on Implementation of the Set of Documents and Agreements Signed during the State Visit, and Aiming at Further Intensification of Bilateral Cooperation with the Republic of Korea", the list of investment projects recommended for implementation with participation of Korean investments, and in the framework of cooperation in banking and finance.
The ministries and departments, as well as official concerned are to provide for timely execution of the approved measures before the set dates.
Thus, the new document orders the Free Information-Analytical Department of the Cabinet of Ministers for Economy and Foreign Relations, Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Economy, Finance and Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade to establish constantly functioning work groups responsible for the development of long-term plans of cooperation with the corresponding government agencies of Korea. These are intended to provide for full-scale implementation of the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership, as well as establish systematic control over the implementation of documents and agreements signed by the President of Uzbekistan during the visit to the Republic of Korea.
RUSSIA'S LUKOIL TO LAUNCH MAJOR GAS FIELD IN UZBEKISTAN IN 2007
Russia's Lukoil intends to commission a major gas field in Uzbekistan in 2007.
"The company intents to launch a major natural gas deposit in Uzbekistan in 2007. This will make LUKoil not only an oil company but also an oil and gas company," said the LUKoil president, Vagit Alekperov, at a news conference in Russia.
"The subsidiary of the Russian company LUKoil, LUKoil Oversees, has started designing work for a gas treatment plant at the Qandim gas deposit in central Uzbekistan," the report said.
"The work is part of the Qandim-Hauzak-Shodi-Qongirot project which is jointly being implemented with Uzbekistan's national holding company Uzbekneftegaz" the report added.
UK COMPANY TO INVEST $3 MLN IN UZBEK COAL DEPOSITS
Prime-TASS Energy Service (Russia). A U.K. consortium, including SAB Energy, Shadella Inc. and M.Metal&Co, plans to invest U.S. $3 million in the development of coal deposits in Uzbekistan in 2006, Uzbekistan’s Shargunugol coal company said Thursday.
Shargunugol coal company, 41.57% owned by the consortium, has a license to develop the Baisunsky and Shargunsky coal deposits, which are located in the southern part of Uzbekistan.
The consortium plans to spend the investments on buying equipment, which would allow for the company’s coal output capacities to increase, the company said.
The proven coal reserves of the Baisunsky and Shargunsky coal deposits amount to 45.8 million tonnes.
The consortium acquired the stake in Shargunugol in January for $1.6 million from the Uzbek government and according to the deal, the consortium should also pay $1.3 million to redeem Shargunugol’s debt.
The Uzbek government still holds in Shargunugol a 51% stake, which includes a 26% stake controlled by the largest coal producer in the country Uzbekugol. Shargunugol’s employees hold 7.43% in the company.
In 2005, Shargunugol’s coal output increased 26.2% on the year to 73,200 tonnes.
Uzbekistan’s total coal output increased 17.4% on the year to 3.168 million tonnes in 2005.
UZBEKISTAN TO SPEND $ 109 MLN ON ROAD WORK IN 2006
Uzbekistan plans to spend 132 billion sum, or about $ 109 million, on re-construction of roads in 2006, a source at state road building company Uzavtoiud told TCA, citing a road reconstruction and repair program approved by the government.
The work will be financed with 92.63 billion sum from the national road fund, 12.26 billion sum from district and regional administrations, and 27.11 billion sum from other sources, including foreign investment and grants.
Uzbekistan has 146,400 km of roads, including 43,500 km of public highways. The latter include 3,200 km of international highways and 18,800 km of national highways. Roads carry more than 95% of the country's freight traffic.
ITE ORGANIZES FIRST UZBEK INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION “POWER UZBEKISTAN - 2006”
First Uzbek international exhibition "Energy and Energy Saving – Power Uzbekistan-2006" will be held in Tashkent on 16-18 May.
The exhibition will be organized at Intercontinental Hotel along with "Oil and Gas Uzbekistan – OGU-2006", which will be held on the same time at Uzexpocentre.
ITE Group Plc and ITE Uzbekistan are organisers of exhibition at official support of Agricluture and Water Management Ministry, Tashkent city administration, Uzbekenergo and Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan.
Organisers hope that the exhibition will become one of the key events of power sector of Central Asian region.
Importance of Power Uzbekistan 2006 connected with important priorities of deepening of economic reforms in Uzbekistan in 2006, among of which is to undertake measures to ensure firm economy of energy resources.
The exhibition will grant opportunity to specialists of the sector to exchange information, familiarise with new technologies in energy sector and its development, as well as establish partnership relations.
Over 40 companies from Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, France, Turkey, Estonia and Uzbekistan will participated in the exhibition. The share of Uzbek companies in the exhibition made up 40% from total number of participants. The Russia's share is 30%.
CHINA'S CNEEC TO SUPPLY US$15M EQUIPMENT FOR UZBEK POWER PLANT
China National Electric Equipment Corporation (CNEEC) has signed a contract with the Agricultural and Water Resources Ministry of Uzbekistan to supply equipment to construct two small hydroelectric power stations worth US$15 million.
Under the contract, CNEEC will supply water turbines and generators to construct the Andizhanskaya hydroelectric power station, which has a projected capacity of 50 megawatts and the Akhangaranskaya hydroelectric power station, which has a projected capacity of 21 megawatts.
The two power plants are to be built in two years. Uzvodenergo, which manages the hydroelectric power stations of Uzbekistan, is part of the Agricultural and Water Resources Ministry.
To finance the constructions, Uzvodenergo plans to use both its own funds and a US$23.4 million 15-year loan provided to Uzvodenergo by China's Eximbank to build the second phase of the Tupolangskaya hydroelectric power station.
The Agricultural and Water Resources Ministry concluded a $27.5 million contract with CNEEC to supply equipment for the construction of the second phase of the Tupolangskaya hydroelectric power station in June 2005. However in early 2006 Uzbekistan's government abandoned its plans to build the second phase because of technical problems. Uzvodenergo plans to launch the first phase of the power plant with a capacity of 30 megawatts by July.
Uzbekistan's electric power output was at 47.851 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) in 2005, down 4.2% on the year, with hydropower plants accounting for 7.282 billion kWh.
SOCIETY
WORKING AT HOME PAYS OFF
In Uzbekistan special attention is given to social support of the population. The Decree of President Islam Karimov "On measures for stimulating the expansion of cooperation between large industrial companies and services production on the basis of home-based work" of 5 January 2006 serves as an important guide in this area.
In line with the document, large portions of unemployed population, particularly women, disabled people, as well as people finding it hard to find a job due to insufficient level of expertise and qualification are to be encouraged to work at home on the orders of large production companies.
"To date we have been employing forty people on contract basis," said the Director of the Tashkrangmet LLC Shermuhammad Usmanov. "They primarily do the cutting and sewing. We are planning to increase the number of such workers by the end of the year."
"It has not been long since I have been working on contract basis for Tashkrangmet," said the worker from Sergeli district Shahida Yusupova. "I find time to look after children, the house, and at the same time manage to do the orders for the company. Working at home pays off for me."
In accordance with the Decree of the President, aimed at developing home-based work, such employees have the same rights as the regular workers of the company with regards to social insurance, sick leaves, and pension.
ECOFESTIVAL 2006 DEDICATED TO WORLD EARTH DAY
International community celebrates the World Earth Day every year on 22 April.
Earth Day 2006 will launch a sustained, three-year campaign to educate consumers, corporations and governments worldwide on the urgent need to take concrete steps on climate change now - before it's too late.
ECOSAN international organisation is preparing a series of events to encourage the population of the country to market the Earth Day in Uzbekistan. The organisation is planning the Days of Ecology and Health, khashars (community clean-up days), meetings and discussions in mahallas (local communities) and educational facilities, ecological festivals, radio-marathons, exhibitions, etc.
With this aim in mind, ECOSAN international organisation together with Tashkent city Khokimiat (administration) and Zemgeodezkadastr (Earth Geodesy and Cadastre) State Committee will conduct ECOFESTIVAL 2006, in dedication to the World Earth Day. The programme of the festival includes the exhibition "The Gifts of Earth" - exposition of paintings and flower compositions, as well as a large concert with participation of popular stars.
7TH INTERNATIONAL CONTEST OF NATIONAL COSTUMES CLOSES IN MOSCOW
The 7th International Contest of National Costumes "Ethno-Erato" has come to an end in Moscow. This is a unique annual defile of the designers of CIS and other countries of the world. The idea to conduct a special contest for the designers specialized in national costumes originated seven years ago.
This year, designers from North Ossetia, Armenia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Croatia, and other countries, as well as the cities of Abakan, Chelyabinsk, Tyndy, Magnitogrorsk, Rostov, Sverdlovsk, Ivanov and Tula oblasts, Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, Bashkiria, Kalmiya, and other republics of Russia participated in the event.
The Public Organisation for Preservation of Traditions of Turkic Nations and the Committee for National Policy of Moscow City Hall organised the event. The main idea behind the contest is to popularize national traditions in clothing and household, form interest towards culture and art of different nations, promote mutual understanding and develop international dialogue.
The designers of the total of 10 countries, 13 republics of Russia, and 12 Russian oblasts participated in the contest. National colours were put at the corner of the majority of the collections. What the contest participants did not experience was the deficit of ideas, which is a common feature of the couture world.
The award winners in three traditional nominations - The Best Slavic Costume, The Best Costume of the Caucasus Nations, and the Best Oriental Costume were announced in the final of the show. This three two more nominations were introduced - The Best Costume of the Northern Nations and Ethnical Motives in Modern Costumes.
"Slavic" award went to Croatian designers. The prize for the Best Costume of the Orient was awarded to the Uzbek collection of chapans (national coats). The residents of the Kamchatka made the historically genuinely looking outwear of the thinnest leather and chamois. The last nomination was awarded to the designers of Cherkess modelers.
JAPANESE STRING QUARTET "EXELSIOR" TO PERFORM IN UZBEKISTAN
Japanese string quartet "Excelsior" will perform on 21-26 April in Uzbekistan. This is the first visit of the quartet to the country. The aim of the events is to familiarize Uzbek music lovers with classic Japanese music.
The organizers of the event are the Japanese Embassy in Uzbekistan and the Japanese Fund. Forum of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan Foundation and Uzbek-Japanese Center for Human Resource Development assisted in organisation of the concerts.
"Exelsior" quartet has participated and won in many international contests and festivals of chamber music.
In the framework of the visit to Uzbekistan, the quartet will present the concerts to be held on 22 April at the Uzbek-Japanese Center of Human Resource Development, and 25 April - at the Youth Theater of Uzbekistan. On 24 of the month, the musicians will conduct a master class at the Republican Specialised Musical Academic Lyceum of Uspenskiy.