September 27, 2007

Politics:
Electoral Commission, National TV and Radio Company sign agreement
Economics:
Tourism & Eco-Tourism Addressed In Tashkent
Uzbek-Singapore business forum held in Tashkent
Russian agricultural machinery producers visit Uzbekistan
Information and Communication Technologies Week starts in Uzbekistan
Society:
Senate holds seminar on enhancement of social protection system
Roundtable Addresses Est. of Center for Training Interpreters & Translators At UWED
Representatives of more than 20 countries participate in “Culture of ancient Khorezm” festival
Uzbeks Secure 23 Medals At the Eurasian Championship

POLITICS

ELECTORAL COMMISSION, NATIONAL TV AND RADIO COMPANY SIGN AGREEMENT

The Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan signed an agreement on the objective elucidation of the course of preparation for and conduct of the upcoming presidential elections in Uzbekistan.

In conducting open and free elections in accordance with the democratic principles, especially important role is being given to mass media. On the basis of the provisions of the Law "On elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan" mass media will widely elucidate the course of preparation for the elections and the election process. Special role in this is attributed to television and radio.

Today television and radio channels' broadcasts in Uzbekistan through the satellite and Internet may be watched and heard not only within the country, but from any point on the Earth, the Uzbekistan National News Agency reported.

An agreement on this was signed for the efficient organization of the explanatory work concerning the national legislation on elections, openness and transparency of the election process among the voters, to further raise the legal culture of the voters, and to timely inform them of the stages, deadlines and content of the main events scheduled for the process of elections.

"The Agreement is intended to foster cooperation in timely provision and distribution of information on the preparation for the elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and their conduct through the central television and radio channels of the National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan," the Chairman of the Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan M. Abdusalomov said.

"National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan will provide technical assistance in broadcast of the television and radio programmes prepared by the Central Electoral Committee about the course of the pre-election campaign, deadlines, the order and content of the events on preparation and conduct of the elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The main aim is to create all the necessary conditions for free participation in the elections, familiarize the voters with the pre-election programmes of political parties and candidates, ensure their conscious voting on the day of elections for the candidates they think deserve the post the most. The document signed will serve as a legal framework for the elucidation of the measures related to the elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on television and radio," he said.

The agreement was signed by the Chairman of the Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan M. Abdusalomov and the Chairman of the National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan A. Hojaev.


ECONOMICS

TOURISM & ECO-TOURISM ADDRESSED IN TASHKENT

The international conference “Tourism and environmental (eco-) tourism with a goal of social protection and sustainable development” timed to the World Tourism Day was held in Tashkent. The “Ecosan” international organization for ecology and health has organized the event, according to the reports.

The representatives of the ministries, agencies, regional khokimiyats (governor’s offices), social organizations in the country, as well as the ambassadors from a number of countries accredited in Uzbekistan participated in it.

The participants are reported to have noted that the tourism and eco-tourism are the important factor for sustainable development, raising the incomes and providing the people with jobs, and in the whole, achieving the Millennium development goals.

Therefore the considerable measures on expanding the infrastructure of tourism and creation of modern sphere of services, which meet the international requirements, are now being undertaken in Uzbekistan. At the moment, the tourism is actively developing in Uzbekistan. Thus, according to the “Uzbektourism” National Company, last year about 560,000 people visited Uzbekistan, which is more for 69,5% compare to 2005. The creation of new routes, improvement of quality of services and advertising campaigns are reported to have led to such outcomes.

The country has an enormous tourist potential. These are rich historical and cultural heritage of the Uzbek people, the ancient cities of the Great Silk Road, as well as the scores of monuments of architecture, the unique nature and the world-known Uzbek hospitality.

The participants of the conference elaborated the proposals on creating the conditions for the dynamical development of the tourist industry in Uzbekistan and in the Central Asia region, as a whole.

UZBEK-SINGAPORE BUSINESS FORUM HELD IN TASHKENT

The Uzbek-Singapore business forum took place on September 24 in Tashkent. It was organized by the Commerce and Industry Chamber of Uzbekistan and Singapore Business Federation.

The businessmen of Singapore familiarized themselves with detailed information on the priority directions of investments in the Uzbek economy.

Singapore is a reliable partner of Uzbekistan. Last year, trade turnover between the two states made up USD 113.5 million, and in the first eight months of 2007 it comprised USD 105.4 million.

About 20 joint ventures created with Singapore companies operate in Uzbekistan, and several large Singapore companies have their offices in the country.

Such companies as Singapore Technologies Electronics, Silkino International, Hwa Kong Trading and Prime Travel and Tours participated in the business forum.

During their visit to Uzbekistan, the Singapore businessmen held talks in a number of ministries and other state structures.

RUSSIAN AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY PRODUCERS VISIT UZBEKISTAN

The representatives of the leading Russian producers of agricultural machinery arrived with a visit in Uzbekistan.

Among the members of the delegation are the managers and experts of more than 20 Russian machine engineering enterprises, including RustSelMash Combine Plant, Petersburg Tractor Plant, AgroMashHolding, UralVagonZavod, EuroTechnology, and BDM-Agro, according to the Business Information Portal Uzreport.com.

The main purpose of the trip is to familiarize with the operation of Uzbek enterprises, establish direct contacts, discuss the implementation of possible joint projects in the fields of production and supply of agricultural technology, and its technical servicing.

On September 24 a meeting was held with the First Deputy Khokim (Mayor) of Bukhara region Murodjon Umarov. He said the agricultural workers of Uzbekistan were well familiar with the Russian technology, particularly the tractors of the agricultural purpose. Umarov noted that there is a need to develop traditionally friendly Uzbek-Russian relations, and expressed interest in the latest products of the Russian producers, as well as in the production of machines and technology for soil tillage and harvesting.

On September 26, InterContinental Hotel hosted a roundtable meeting titled "The integration of Uzbekistan and Russia in the use of modern agricultural technology". The Chairman of the Board of the UzSelHozMash-Holding Company H. Hayriddinov, the President of SoyuzAgroMash K. Babkin, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Water Management of Uzbekistan A. Hanazarov participated in the meeting.

Opening the meeting, the President of SoyuzAgroMash Babkin said: "We view Uzbekistan as a highly prospective and reliable business partner in Central Asia. I think today at this meeting we will discuss different issues relating to the supply, maintenance, technical servicing of agricultural technology, which are of concern to Uzbek and Russian parties, and I hope that our meeting will bring benefit to both of them."

The delegation of machinery producers visited Tashkent Tractor Plant. A meeting was held with the representatives of the concerned ministries of Uzbekistan. Moreover, the members of the delegation also attended a reception hosted by the Russian Embassy in Tashkent.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES WEEK STARTS IN UZBEKISTAN

The Information and Communication Technologies Week, InfoCom 2007, started in Uzbekistan on Monday, UzA reported.

The organizers of the week are the Cabinet’s Coordination Council for ICT Development, the Legislative Chamber’s Committee for ICT, the Uzbek Agency for Communication and Information, UNDP’s ICT Policy project and the IT Association of Uzbekistan.

Among the week’s events are the international conference on IT development in Asia (ITPA 2007), the national exhibition ICTExpo 2007, the forum on use of ICT in mass media, third Central Asian conference on the Internet and new communication technologies (ICI 2007), ICT summit and the Internet Festival.

SOCIETY

SENATE HOLDS SEMINAR ON ENHANCEMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION SYSTEM

The Senate Committee for Science, Education, Culture and Sport held a seminar on protection of human interests and improvement of the social protection system, UzA reported.

During the seminar it was noted that from the very early days of independence, the Government of Uzbekistan has pursued a strong policy of social protection aimed at consistent and targeted raising of the income levels and improvement of the livelihood of people, and provision of addressed social support to the most vulnerable groups of population – pensioners, people with disabilities, single seniors, and needy families.

Seminar participants noted that on every step of the economic reforms, social protection of the population was defined by the state as priority task. Since 1997, every year in Uzbekistan was given a theme which envisaged the implementation of specific measures, and solution of specific social tasks. The legislative base and the mechanisms of social protection are constantly developed. From year to year, the volume of appropriations from the state budget for social protection of the population is increased. Apart from the budget expenses, the Government passes special resolutions on addressed social protection and social support of single senior citizens, pensioners and people with disabilities on annual basis.

The large-scale measures on social protection of the socially vulnerable groups of population being implemented within the frame of the "Year of Social Protection" State Programme, and the decrees of the President of Uzbekistan of 19 March 2007 "On measures to further improve and strengthen the system of social protection of the population" and of 17 September 2007 "On measures to strengthen social protection of pensioners" emphasize the special topicality and urgency of the tasks stated by the President.

This year total appropriations from the state budget to social sphere and for social support of the population make up 54.3%, and the volume of appropriations for social allowances to families, including those with children make up 7%. As a result of the implementation of state social policy the differentiated approach in provision of aid to needy families and individuals becomes more efficient. Besides, the existing needs and problems of each category of socially vulnerable groups of population are studied, if possible satisfied.

During the seminar it was noted that strong efforts are being put by the citizens' self-government bodies – mahallas (communities) to provide social support to the population and reinforce social justice.

Seminar participants emphasized that the priority task is still the support of different categories of population, particularly those in need of social protection – families with several children, needy families, single senior citizens, orphans, and people with disabilities, students and pensioners. This determines the strengthening of the atmosphere of kindness, mutual understanding, peace and stability in the society. Suggestions were made to raise the efficiency of the social protection system and improve the existing regulatory acts.

Among the participants of the meeting were senators, the representatives of the Ministries of Labour and Social Protection of the Population, Justice, and Healthcare, Women's Committee of Uzbekistan, the Society of People with Disabilities, Mahalla Foundation, and other nongovernmental nonprofit and public organizations.

ROUNDTABLE ADDRESSES EST. OF CENTER FOR TRAINING INTERPRETERS & TRANSLATORS AT UWED

The meeting dedicated to the theory and practice of training the professional translators for the system of foreign political and foreign economic relations organized with the support of UNDP was held at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy last week, the “Pravda Vostoka” newspaper reported.

The staff members of ministries and departments, diplomatic corps of foreign states, international organizations, connoisseurs of theory and practice of translation, teachers at the higher educational institutions in Tashkent, Samarkand and Nukus participated at the event, according to the newspaper.

The ancient profession of translation has been highly valued in the countries along the Great Silk Road. They were also honored in the time of Amir Temur, whose empire has had network of ties with many states in Asia and Europe.

The fellows at the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, higher educational institutions, where are the interpreters and translators are trained have accomplished much to the development of theory and practice of translation. It is necessary to give a due credit to the activity of the well-known Uzbek scholar Ghaybulla Salamov, who for over the twenty years led the theory of translation department at the Tashkent State University, trained many specialists. However, the single Uzbek school of interpretation and translation did not exist to date in the country. According to the participants of the event, the establishment of such school has now become a need of the time.

To realize these plans upon the initiative of UWED supported by UNDP now the center for training the professional interpreters and translators is being established at the same university. The participants of the event discussed the draft of its concept. The center will become a structural subdivision of the university, which has accumulated much experience of over the 15 years of training specialists in international affairs.

According to the consultant of the UNDP project Saida Mirzaeva, the center is being established with a goal to work out and implement the modern methods of teaching the theory and practice of translation at the UWED. The teachers of the university have a profound experience on training languages, but many pedagogues are not able to use the technology and methodology of teaching the theory and practice of translation. The center now will help to gain these knowledge and skills. The staff members at the Uzbek Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Trade and Investments, Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other state establishments are expected to raise the level of their professional skills at the center.

REPRESENTATIVES OF MORE THAN 20 COUNTRIES PARTICIPATE IN “CULTURE OF ANCIENT KHOREZM” FESTIVAL

Festival “Culture of ancient Khorezm” opened in Khiva, Khorezm region, with participation of representatives from more than 20 countries. The goal of the festival is to attract more tourists to the region.

An exhibition of craftsmanship items and paintings, as well as an agricultural fair were organized in the Ichan Qala museum.

Musical drama theatre named after Ogahiy, regional puppet theatre, as well as folklore and ethnographic ensembles Khiva Navolari and Jilo are performing at the festival.

UZBEKS SECURE 23 MEDALS AT THE EURASIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

The first Eurasian Games on 10 types of sports have been the success for the Uzbek sportsmen. The championship took place in Brest (Belarus), which saw the participation of about 1,000 athletes from 10 countries around the world. Uzbeks have participated on free wrestling, dzyudo, kurash, track and field athletics, and sports gymnastics. They are reported to have embraced victories on each of the type of these sports.

The first medals for Uzbekistan were earned by the free wrestlers Sh.Dadajonov (gold) and J. Ahadov (silver). M. Juraev, M. Saidnazarov and B. Rahimov became the bronze-winners of the tour.

In the competition among the track and field athletes, the second place went to G. Sattarova on 1500-meter distance. She has been reported to have also secured the gold on a 3 km-long run. on throwing the spear A. Svechnikova won the gold, while Yekaterina Voronina – silver. V. Kanatova also won the bronze on triple jumping.

In his own category J.Egamberdiev won the gold medal in kurash. Among the sambo wrestlers the gold medal went Sh. Kuchkarov and R. Rahmatullaev. S. Obidov and S. Davronova secured the silver, while Sh. Yuldashev is reported to have earned the bronze.

Amongst the dzyudo wrestlers K. Bustonov embraced the second place, while A. Fayziev, S. Ostonaev, F. Zoitov, and B. Sahatovs have earned the bronze. In all, at the Eurasian Games the Uzbeks won the 23 medals – eight gold, nine silver and six bronze.