December 02, 2009

Politics:
President of Uzbekistan receives a group of US experts
Economics:
ADB extends loan to support water supply, sanitation in Uzbekistan
New project to strengthen financial market infrastructure in Uzbekistan
Society:
Uzbek Ombudsman delegation participates in international seminar
Conference devoted to Ulughbek held in Paris
National film week opens
Armwrestling Asian Cup held

POLICY

PRESIDENT OF UZBEKISTAN RECEIVES A GROUP OF US EXPERTS

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received a group of US experts headed by S.Frederick Starr, director of Central Asia-Caucasus Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, at Oqsaroy residence on December 2.

As the head of our state noted, the visit by prominent American political scientists to Uzbekistan constitutes a good opportunity for them to get closely acquainted with the life of the republic, the level of economic, scientific and educational development, and the potential of the country in general.

According to leading representatives of international expert community, Uzbekistan plays a key role in strengthening regional security, establishing peace and stability in Afghanistan. They testify that the state of the Uzbek economy and the scale of its development represent a serious interest for long-term trade, economic and investment cooperation.

The American experts expressed their sincere gratitude to the President of Uzbekistan for the warm welcome and underscored once more the importance of a constructive foreign policy pursued by the leadership of Uzbekistan on the international arena.

During the conversation, an exchange of opinions took place on a number of issues concerning regional security and other topics of mutual interest. (Source: National News Agency UzA)

ECONOMY

ADB EXTENDS LOAN TO SUPPORT WATER SUPPLY, SANITATION IN UZBEKISTAN

The Asian Development Bank's (ADB's) President Haruhiko Kuroda and Republic of Uzbekistan's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Rustam Azimov on 1 December signed a $60 million loan agreement to support the government's efforts to strengthen the water supply and sanitation sector.

The loan, from ADB's concessional Asian Development Fund, is the first tranche of a $300 million multi tranche financing facility (MFF) – ADB's first MFF investment program to Uzbekistan. The program aims to improve the living standards, environment, and health of three million people in Uzbekistan.

"ADB has been developing a long term partnership with the Government of Uzbekistan in the water supply and sanitation sector since 2000," said Mr. Kuroda. "ADB has provided $193.1 million in loans and $5.1 million in grants to the sector. We are committed to continuing and further strengthening collaboration with the government in this important sector for basic human needs."

The loan will finance improvements to water source and distribution systems in Damkhodja and 11 district centers in Bukhara and Navoi provinces, as well as upgrade wastewater treatment plant and sewerage systems in the capital city of Surkhandarya province. The program will also strengthen water supply and sanitation institutions and support capacity development.

A performance-based service contract and lease contract will be piloted for service agencies to encourage more private investment in the sector. The loan will include program preparation and management support to implement the loan and to prepare and design the remaining tranches under the investment program.

The total project costs are estimated at $75 million. ADB will provide a $60 million loan with repayment term of 32 years, including a grace period of eight years with an interest charge of 1% per year, rising to 1.5% for the balance of the term.

ADB began its operations in the Republic of Uzbekistan in 1995 and established the Uzbekistan Resident Mission in 1997. As of 31 December 2008, the country had received 29 loans worth $1.23 billion. ADB also provided $45.5 million in TA and grant assistance to Uzbekistan.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in the Asia and Pacific region through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region. In 2008, it approved $10.5 billion of loans, $811.4 million of grant projects, and technical assistance amounting to $274.5 million. (Source: Uzreport Information Portal)

NEW PROJECT TO STRENGTHEN FINANCIAL MARKET INFRASTRUCTURE IN UZBEKISTAN

An official launching ceremony of the project to strengthen financial market infrastructure and improve access to finance for small enterprises and population in Uzbekistan was held at the Uzbekistan Banking Association.

The project is a part of the "Azerbaijan-Central Asia Financial Markets Infrastructure Advisory Services Project" (ACAFI) supported by the Swiss Confederation and implemented by the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank (IFC).

Swiss contribution to this regional project equals to $2.4 million. It is financed through the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

Officials representing Uzbek and Swiss sides, as well as representatives of the World Bank and the IFC took part in the launching ceremony.

The goal of the ACAFI Project is to strengthen financial markets infrastructure in Azerbaijan and Central Asia by developing effective credit information sharing and introducing formal risk education and certification for financial institution employees.
The project activities will focus on: Improvement the legal and regulatory framework for credit information sharing; Building the capacity of financial intermediaries to improve credit underwriting policies and practices; Building capacity of credit bureaus to better serve financial intermediaries; Enhancing professional risk management certification by developing and introducing formal risk management education and certification programs; Raising awareness about the role of credit bureaus and professional risk certification.

Implementation of the ACAFI in Uzbekistan will be carried out by the IFC. The Swiss Cooperation Office of the Embassy of Switzerland in Uzbekistan will be responsible for coordination of the project activities. Duration of the project is 3 years. (Source: Uzreport Information Portal)

SOCIETY

UZBEK OMBUDSMAN DELEGATION PARTICIPATES IN INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR

International seminar on the "Role of national human rights institutions and cooperation with United Nations mechanisms for human rights: Universal Periodic Review, Contractual bodies and Special procedures" was held in Geneva (Switzerland) in late November.

The event was organized by the UNDP Bratislava Regional Center for Europe and CIS together with office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR).

The seminar participants discussed issues of strengthening the role of national human rights institutions in the sphere of cooperation and interaction with the international structures of the United Nations, prosecuting subjects of human rights.

Representatives of national institutions took part in work of the seminar along with the representatives from Uzbekistan, including the representative of the Authorized Person of Oliy Majlis (Parliament) for Human Rights (Ombudsman), Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Georgia, Croatia, Lithuania, Moldova and other CIS states.

Heads of the UNDP Bratislava Regional Center, Sections for national institutions and regional mechanisms and the Universal Periodic Review, for agreements and Human Rights Council, departments for Human Rights Council and UNHCHR special procedures, German Institute for Human Rights and others delivered speeches and made presentations at the meeting. (Source: Uzreport Information Portal)

CONFERENCE DEVOTED TO ULUGHBEK HELD IN PARIS

International scientific conference devoted to the 615th anniversary of the great thinker Mirzo Ulughbek.

The event was organized by the embassy of Uzbekistan in France, permanent representation of Uzbekistan to UNESCO, French astronomic society and Paris astrophysics institute.

The contribution of Mirzo Ulughbek to the development of the world science is great. He created the astronomic table of movement of more than 1,000 stars and built an observatory.

The conference participants listened to reports on various aspects of scientific activity of Mirzo Ulughbek.

On the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan, the year 1994 was declared the Year of Mirzo Ulughbek, and the thinker’s 600th jubilee was marked on the world scale. (Source: National News Agency UzA)

NATIONAL FILM WEEK OPENS

The Week of National Films, devoted to the modern Uzbek women, opened in Tashkent.

The event has been organized by the Women’s Committee, Uzbekkino national agency and the UNDP Project “Development of legal and organizational potential for expansion of opportunities for women in Uzbekistan”.

The aim of the week is to demonstrate the national films reflecting the opportunities created for women in the years of independence.

About 20 documentary and feature films will be shown during the Week of National Films. (Source: National News Agency UzA)

ARMWRESTLING ASIAN CUP HELD

More than 150 athletes from the countries of the continent participated in the Armwrestling Asian Cup held in Tashkent.

Uzbek athletes Obidjon Salimov, Babur Bekjanov, Komil Kerimov, Aziz Tojiyev and Jamoliddin Norov from Tashkent, Dmitry Dokuchayev from Tashkent region, Farruh Karimov and Ozod Gaibullayev from Jizzakh and Maksud Daliyev from Navoi won gold medals.

Gulomjon Kurbanov from Tashkent region, Sherzod Rahmanov from Syrdarya and Ravshan Alimov from Ferghana won silver medals.

Avaz Ganiyev from Navoi, and Dulmurod Tursunboyev and Husniddin Farmonov from Tashkent won bronze medals at the cup.

In the team competition, Tashkent central military sports club won the first place, representatives fo Kazakhstan became second and athletes from Navoi became third. (Source: National News Agency UzA)