POLITICS

Salaries in Uzbekistan to grow by 15% in August

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a decree “On increasing the sizes of salaries, pensions, stipends and social allowances” on 5 July 2012.

The document was adopted at increasing income and life standards of population, as well as strengthening social support of citizens of Uzbekistan.

In accordance with the document, the salaries to workers of budget organizations, pensions, allowances and stipends to students will increase by 1.15 times on the average from 1 August 2012.

The following minimum sizes will be effective in Uzbekistan starting from 1 August 2012:

• salaries – 72,255 soums per month;

• pensions – 141,520 soums per month;

• allowances for disabled from childhood – 141,520 soums per month;

• allowances for elderly and work incapable citizen without the required work experience – 86 835 soums per month.

Note - official exchange rate 1 USD= 1888,64 UZS (Source: UzDaily.com)

Meeting at the Oqsaroy

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov at the Oqsaroy July 6 met with Dan Burton, Chairman of Subcommittee in the US House of Representatives, and the Congressman Gregory Meeks.

Greeting the guests, the head of our state said he considers the visit by an eminent delegation of the United States Congress to Uzbekistan as an evidence of the dynamic development and consistent consolidation of the Uzbek-American dialogue, as a fine opportunity for an exchange of views on the current state and prospects of bilateral relations, on regional security and stability issues.

It has been noted during the conversation that the expanding inter-parliamentary ties constitute one of the key components of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United States, an element that facilitates the enhancement of mutual understanding and confidence, enlargement of multilayered partnership in political, trade and economic, investment, humanitarian areas, along with issues pertinent to democratic and civil society development.

During discussion of international affairs, the meeting participants paid a particular attention to the Afghan topic, to the unfolding situation in that country and the variety of eventual developments. It was stressed that Uzbekistan has been, and is going to keep, taking part – on bilateral basis – in the construction of socioeconomic and infrastructure facilities in Afghanistan designed to produce conditions for its peaceful revitalization.

The Congressmen expressed gratitude to the leader of Uzbekistan for a warm meeting and the opportunity to constructively discuss the important aspects of bilateral agenda, the pressing regional and global issues.

The sides underscored the shared interest in bolstering the Uzbek-American interaction across the entire spectrum of cooperation areas on the mutually advantageous and long-term basis. (Source: Press service of the President of Uzbekistan)

Prospects of Prospecting

Uzbekneftegaz NHC and General Company for Prospecting and Production of Oil and Gas of Vietnam (Petrovietnam) signed an agreement on geological exploration works on Molabaur investment block of Ustyurt area of Uzbekistan.

The Vietnamese side plans to invest $61.58 million in exploration on this block within 5 years. Kossor Operating Company, the Petrovietnam operator in Uzbekistan, will deal with the organization of all types of exploration works under the agreements.

As part of the agreement, the resident organizations of Uzbekistan, engaged in supply of materials, rendering works and services to Kossor Operating Company, are exempt from value added tax at the appropriate volumes of materials and services.

Earlier, Petrovietnam and Uzbekneftegaz inked an agreement on exploration works in the Kossor investment block in Ustyurt area. The total investment for the exploration work will make up about $30 million. It is projected to accomplish exploration in 2014.

Besides, late last year, Uzneftegazstroyinvest JSC and Petrovietnam Engineering Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The document aims at the development of partnerships between the companies in implementation of engineering projects. In addition, the Institute of Geology and Prospecting of Oil and Gas Fields of Uzbekistan and Vietnam Oil and Gas Institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at cooperation in the oil and gas industry, joint research, exchange of experience, technology and information. Source: “Uzbekistan Today” newspaper)

Angren Industrial Zone Welcomes Investors

A Bulgarian company is investing $15 million in new production
In the special industrial zone "Angren" as part of a modern production base, motor oils with complete technological cycle of collection and recycling of waste industrial oils will be organized in two joint ventures - Uz-Ecoprotect and Uz-Prista Recycling, with the participation of Bulgarian investors.

Uz-Ecoprotect will focus on collection, storage and transportation of used industrial oils. It will be founded by Uznefteprodukt (49%), and Prista Recycling (51%), with statutory fund of $1 million.

In turn, Uz-Prista Recycling is based on the unused areas of the former Rezinotekhnika and will specialize in recycling waste oils. Its authorized capital will reach $15 million, where Uznefteprodukt will have 49%, and Prista Recycling will own 51% stake.

State Property Committee of Uzbekistan is selling at a zero redemption cost the unused area of the former Rezinotekhnika to the Bulgarian investor with registration of ownership rights after the enterprise fulfils its investment commitments. In particular, the investor within three years from the date of signing the agreement shall invest $15 million for design and construction works, supply and installation of modern technological equipment for processing of used industrial oils of up to 43 thousand tons per year and production of base oils.

Earlier, the Bulgarian company Prista Oil Holding purchased a 50.1% stake of Texaco Overseas Holdings Inc. in joint Uzbek-American company Uz-Texaco. The company was later renamed to Joint Venture Uz-Prista, which was exempt till January 1, 2015 from customs duties for imported technological and laboratory equipment, components and spare parts and building materials, not manufactured in the country. (Source: “Uzbekistan Today” newspaper)

ECONOMY

MTS Uzbekistan continues to violate legislation

Uzdunrobita (MTS Uzbekistan brand) continues to violate legislation of Uzbekistan, the State Communication Inspection (SCI) of Uzbekistan said.

At analyzing documents, the SCI on accepting exploitation of construction objects of Uzdunrobita and monitoring results revealed several violations of legislation of Uzbekistan by MTS Uzbekistan.
It was revealed that Uzdunrobita has been using optic-fiber communication line between communication stations without commissioning it to the special commission.

The SCI said that it found out 208 basic stations, which were illegally used by Uzdunrobita only with temporary permission of the Center for electromagnetic compatibility. Earlier, the inspection also ordered to stop illegal use of about 48 basic stations across Uzbekistan.

In particular, the operator illegal exploited 88 3G stations, 49 GSM-1800 stations and 3 GSM-900 stations in Tashkent city, 13 3G stations, 7 GSM-1800 and 1 GSM-900 stations in Samarkand region. There were also illegal basic stations in Ferghana region, Jizzakh region, and Karakalpakstan.

The State Communication Inspection said it issued order to Uzdunrobita to stop use of these illegal basic stations and optic fiber communication lines.

The inspection said that it can suspend or revoke license of Uzdunrobita if it fails to implement its order in time. (Source: UzDaily.com)

Family under Protection of Society and State

The Constitution stipulates that the family is the basic unit of society and is entitled to the protection of society and the state. As a result of the ongoing consistent efforts in the field of socioeconomic and legal support for the family, this aspect finds its reflection in life.

From the first years of independence, special attention has been paid not only to economic and political issues, but also to the spiritual atmosphere in the society. In this process an important role belongs to the family, and the outstanding perpetual traditions and customs of our ancestors has been revived. After all, the family is a sacred abode, a critical component of society. Established system of family support, land allocation, social protection of large families was crucial to ensure the interests of the people, promoting human welfare.

In the process of development of national legislation, lawmakers paid special attention to the legal basis of the family. Chapter 14 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan is fully devoted to the family, and clearly defined its legal status. As a set of rules to govern family relationships, Uzbekistan adopted the new Family Code, which set all the rules and regulations for the family relationships.

In Uzbekistan, every year bears a specific name, thus laying a solid foundation for the future programs and projects. This year, the government also reviewed the family laws. The new regulations are aimed to promote the development of the family and to address a number of topical issues. In particular, under the national program Year of Family, the lawmakers have prepared a draft law on amendments and addenda to the Family Code. In particular the new Code provides new rules to the adoption process so now this issue is in the power of the courts.

Financial stability is important aspect for every family. The government creates necessary conditions for the prosperity of families.

In turn, the programs aimed at building a modern housing on the basis of model projects as well as improving the living conditions of rural population also serve this noble goal. 7,400 families became owners of modern, comfortable houses in 2011 with a total area of 1.1 million square meters, and 8,510 families will move in new homes in 2012.

The effective measures aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, home-based work, crafts, and family business are already producing results. The law of the Republic of Uzbekistan on a family enterprise became an important step toward development of family business on a legal basis. Granting the family-sized company a status of small business and the possibility of establishing a brand name opens up broad prospects for the free activity in the economy on an equitable basis. (Source: “Uzbekistan Today” newspaper)

SOCIETY

Uzbek NGOs receive grants for rendering services to vulnerable families

Fund Forum, Social Initiatives Support Fund, UNDP project “Inclusive Employment and Social Partnership”, Mahalla Republican Charity Fund and Parliament Commission on Management of resources of Public Fund on support of NGOs and other civil societies held a roundtable “Attracting NGOs into process of rendering social services to vulnerable services” in Tashkent on 6 July 2012.

Within the event, the NGOs received certificates, which won grants within the competition roundtable “Attracting NGOs into process of rendering social services to vulnerable services”, which was held from 24 April to 24 May 2012.

In June 2012, Expert Council selected the best projects and 19 of 80 projects received grants. Major part of the projects are directed at solving social problems, supporting people and children with limited liabilities, support of women and youth through holding educational establishments, and others. (Source: UzDaily.com)