October 10, 2007

Politics:
President of Uzbekistan received heads of GME and GMDAT
Economics:
GM Uzbekistan joint venture to build and sell Chevrolets
Tashkent Tractor Plant scales up production capacity
BAU, CICU, Banking and Finance Academy to hold courses on lending
BAU to host meeting with participation of commercial banks' experts
Society:
Third conference of urologists of Uzbekistan opened
Repaired social infrastructure objects reopen
International scientific symposium held in Nukus

POLITICS

PRESIDENT OF UZBEKISTAN RECEIVED HEADS OF GME AND GMDAT

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov on October 9 in Oksaroy residence in Tashkent received the heads of General Motors Europe (GME) Carl Peter Foster and GM Daewoo Auto & Technology (GMDAT) Michael Grimaldy.

GME is one of the largest units of leading world car building corporation General Motors and operates in Europe and Asian-Pacific region. In the first half of 2007, GME sold successfully some 1.1 million cars. And GMDAT produces such known cars, as Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Holden, Opel, Pontiac, Suzuki, and supplies to 150 countries. Chevrolet is among the General Motors' most popular products.

An agreement was signed during the visit of GME and GMDAT heads to Uzbekistan. The document envisages creation on the basis of UzDaewooAuto joint-stock company of a joint venture GM Uzbekistan for production and sale of Chevrolet cars. Along with launch of production of Captiva, Epica and Tacuma models of Chevrolet, increase of production capacities of the plant, the agreement also envisages expansion of projects aimed at localization of production.

Welcoming the guests, President Islam Karimov noted that strengthening of ties between the Uzbek enterprises and General Motors' companies testified the aspiration of both sides to mutually beneficial cooperation.

Indeed, organization of the new production will promote learning the advanced experience of General Motors Corporation and introduction of new technologies in Uzbekistan, while General Motors will expand the sales market of its Chevrolet cars in Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

GME head Carl Peter Foster sincerely thanked the Uzbek leader for all-round support in the process of GM Uzbekistan foundation. He noted that the new joint venture would serve to strengthening of prospective and mutually beneficial cooperation.

ECONOMICS

GM UZBEKISTAN JOINT VENTURE TO BUILD AND SELL CHEVROLETS

General Motors, the world's largest carmaker, has announced a joint venture with UzAvtoSanoat to assemble and distribute Chevrolet cars in Uzbekistan, the central Asian republic and part of GM Europe region. A press conference on this occasion was held at InterContinental hotel in Tashkent on October 8.

The joint venture, which will be called GM Uzbekistan, will extend Chevrolet's rapid expansion in Eastern Europe and Asia.

"Chevrolet has become the fastest growing brand in Europe, demonstrating its strong appeal especially in the opportunity markets of Eastern Europe", said Carl-Peter Forster, President of General Motors Europe. "The start of operations in Uzbekistan and the launch of a series of new Chevrolet models will help us continue our rapid growth."

Sales of Chevrolet models in Europe have increased 32% year-to-date, with 328,000 units registered through September. Chevrolet is on track to reach the 450,000 unit mark this year, a more than 30% increase over 2006.

Under the terms of the joint venture, General Motors will hold a 25% equity stake with the option of increasing this amount in the future. General Motors will provide new technology, manufacturing expertise and training for the joint venture, which will have access to the portfolio of GM's largest and fastest growing global brand, Chevrolet. Senior GM managers will hold key positions in the new joint venture, particularly in manufacturing, quality, and sales and marketing.

"We are very pleased to join forces with our reliable manufacturing partner in Uzbekistan," said Michael Grimaldi, President and CEO of GM Daewoo Auto & Technology. "Demand is high around the world for the new Chevrolet models we build in Korea. The new joint venture means we will have added manufacturing capacity to assist us in meeting the growing demand for our cars in Central Asia and Eastern Europe."

The GM Uzbekistan manufacturing plant, situated in Asaka, Andijan Province, 350km from the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, has a total manufacturing capacity of 250,000 units which, over time, is to be fully utilized for producing Chevrolet cars. The first three Chevrolet models, Captiva, Epica and Tacuma, will be assembled from SKD kits starting immediately, with other carlines to be added for assembly from CKD kits and full-scale production over the next three years.

"Entry into the General Motors family gives access to a modern model line and modern automobile technologies", asserts Rustam Azimov, Vice Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan. "Quality improvement, growth of production and consumer requirements' satisfaction in Uzbekistan and in other countries, where Uzbek cars rightly deserved popularity and recognition, these are key points to which the new joint venture will focus on".

The new Chevrolet models will be sold initially at seven showrooms in Tashkent and other major Uzbek cities. By the end of 2008, the dealer network is expected to grow to over 60 showrooms as the Chevrolet range for the Uzbek market is extended to additional carlines.

Until now, the Asaka assembly plant, which started production in 1996, has been building the Daewoo Matiz, Nexia and Damas for sale both in the domestic and neighboring markets. These models will be lined up along with Chevrolet models: Captiva, Epica and Tacuma during the interim period.

"The newly created enterprise will increase production volumes to 250 thousand cars per year", said Ulugbek Rozukulov, the Chairman of Board Uzavtosanoat SC. "Besides, along with production of new models, we are planning to implement a number of localization projects of KD parts in Uzbekistan, which also will contribute to the development of the industry".

The assembly plant will begin using GM's common Global Manufacturing System, in which performance is improved through the consistent adoption of five principles: people involvement, standardization, built-in quality, short lead times and continuous improvement. The principles are interrelated and implemented as a complete system. The plant will also be integrated into General Motors' global purchasing and supply chain with a view to increasing the quantity of components and materials sourced on the domestic market.

With a population of 27 million (up 7 million in the past 15 years), Uzbekistan is an auto market with significant potential for further expansion. The country's economy has grown by an average of 7% over the past five years. In 2006, vehicle sales reached a total of 65,600, 19% more than in the previous year.

TASHKENT TRACTOR PLANT SCALES UP PRODUCTION CAPACITY

As a result of the consistent and sequential reforms being implemented in Uzbekistan, agriculture is developing fast, keeping up with the pace of growth in other industries.

Particular attention is being paid to the technological modernization of the sector, creation of the conveniences for farmers. First initiated by President Islam Karimov, it has now become a tradition to conduct international fairs and shows of mini-technology and compact equipment for the agricultural industry.

Tashkent Tractor Plant (TTZ) participates in and presents its latest products in this sort of local and international exhibitions and trade fairs on regular basis, UzA reported.

The plant has established cooperation with a number of countries in production and sale of agricultural technology. Currently, the producer has trade houses in Russia, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan.

"Our enterprise is building up the volumes of production and gradually scales up the capacity and diversifies the production," said the Chairman of the Board of TTZ Jamoliddin Isaev. "We pay particular attention to the quality of products, because the higher it is the more reasonable is the price, and the more affordable it is for consumers. The consumers find our products attractive both in terms of quality and acceptable price."

At this time, the designer-engineers of the enterprise are working on the new general tractor model. When deciding on its technical features, they took into account the latest achievements of modern tractor-engineering. In particular, it stands out by the high number and capacity of its devices. The carrying capacity of the new tractor has been increased to 3,000 kilos; it now has a convenient and comfortable cab that corresponds to the world standards.

Apart from this, the producer is now testing another tractor, also designed by its engineers. It is multifunctional: an excavator bucket or a trolley crane can be installed on it; a trailer can be attacked to it, and it can be used as a bulldozer.

Since the beginning of the year TTZ has produced goods for over 39 billion soums. This significantly exceeds the previous year's showings. To create maximum conveniences for the customers, most of the technology is sold on leasing conditions in the internal market. This year, the producer has sold over 200 TTZ-80.10 and TTZ-80.11 tractors. It is worth mentioning that one thousand units of this technology is already being efficiently used on the fields of Uzbekistan.

Apart from this, the plant exports its products to Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. This year's exports have totaled US$4 million. In particular, TurkmanPakhta State Concern has signed a contract for the delivery of more than 1,000 tractor trailers worth some US$3.03 million. The main part of the ordered equipment has already been shipped.

Consistent measures are being taken to integrate new technology and methods into the production. The installation of the latest foreign equipment at the plant provides it an opportunity to scale up the production, and enhance the quality of the goods produced to the world standards.

BAU, CICU, BANKING AND FINANCE ACADEMY TO HOLD COURSES ON LENDING

In a few days the Banking Association of Uzbekistan together with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Banking and Finance Academy will hold special courses on the issues of lending and micro-leasing to the private enterprise entities in Uzbekistan.

The courses will be conducted in three blocks. The first block will be on "Theory and practice of organization of lending (including micro-crediting) and micro-leasing to private enterprise entities in the Republic of Uzbekistan"; the second block – on "The order and terms of lending (issuance of micro-loans) and provision of micro-leasing in commercial banks of the Republic of Uzbekistan, particularly the assessment of business plans, monitoring and procedure of the issuance of loan (micro-loan) and micro-leasing" and the third block – on "Testing of knowledge and skills gained by the students of special courses".

During the training course, classes will be delivered by the leading experts of the Banking and Finance Academy and highly qualified specialists of the largest commercial banks and leasing companies of Uzbekistan, such as the National Bank of Uzbekistan for Foreign Economic Activity, Pakhta Bank, Micro-Credit Bank, Galla Bank, Asaka Bank, UzPromStroyBank, UzbekLeasing International AO joint venture, and Baraka Universal Leasing Company.

The participants of the course who pass the tests will be awarded special certificates allowing them to conduct trainings.

BAU TO HOST MEETING WITH PARTICIPATION OF COMMERCIAL BANKS' EXPERTS

Within the frame of the activity of the Club of Banking Analysts, in October-November this year the Banking Association of Uzbekistan will host a roundtable meeting with participation of some of the experts and specialists of commercial banks.

The roundtable meeting will be devoted to the topic of the possibility of the integration of the norms envisaged in the Agreement of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (Basel II).

SOCIETY

THIRD CONFERENCE OF UROLOGISTS OF UZBEKISTAN OPENED

Local specialists in the field of urology are holding a conference this week. An important part of the professional conference's programme is the school organized by the European Association of Urology, which has opened on October 9, in Tashkent Radisson SAS Hotel.

The Director of the Republican Specialised Centre of Urology, Professor Farhad Akilov spoke about the events planned for the week: "On October 10, the third conference of urologists of Uzbekistan will open in Tashkent. This year's theme is one of the urgent problems faced by the Central Asian region – the diagnosis and treatment of the infection of urinary organs. Within the frame of the conference, as agreed between the Uzbek Scientific Urologists' Society and the European Association of Urology, for the first time this year Uzbekistan will host a session of the EAU, which will be held in the form of a school.

Usually, the organization of this sorts of schools envisages the participation of the leading specialists from the best universities and clinics of Europe, who, as moderators, deliver lectures and organize roundtable discussions, which provides our specialists an opportunity to familiarize with the latest achievements of the world medicine and establish direct contacts and cooperation with European colleagues.

Today's European school is devoted to the problems of diagnosis and treatment of the urinary tracts' infection and the diagnosis and treatment of urolithiasis, which is a wide-spread problem in our region due to the peculiarities of our local conditions.

Today, the most eminent specialist, such as Professor Alkin of Germany, Professor Taska of Italy, and Professor Romich of Hungary are participating in the school. They will deliver lectures and are the moderators of our today's school."

Specialists note that further improvement of the health status of the population requires planned development of medical science, the implementation of a wide range of medical-social measures, and unification of the medical science and practice. Answering the questions on today's opportunities for the field of urology of the Uzbek medicine, Professor Akilov said: "As you probably know, the programme of healthcare system reforms in Uzbekistan, at its first stage envisaged the organization of emergency medical aid and reforms in the first-link healthcare. But since 2003, a gradual reform in the system of specialized medical aid has been implemented. The first four specialized centres were organized, including the Republican Specialised Centre of Urology, which has the most modern equipment for diagnosis and treatment of the diseases. And today, the Centre practices nearly all modern methods of diagnosis and treatment of urological patients that exist in the developed countries. A clear illustration of this is the fact that over the past several years we have not been sending our patients with urological diseases for treatment abroad."

Today, high level of specialized medical Centres is been picked up and achieved by the regional institutions. Thus, a branch of the Republican Specialised Urology Centre has been set up and launched in Urgench. The facility has the newest diagnosis and treatment equipment.

REPAIRED SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE OBJECTS REOPEN

Mehr Nuri Foundation continues to show initiative in organization of charity events, reconstruction and equipment of the social infrastructure objects.

Thus, on October 8, Tashkent hosted the opening of the Children's Orphanage No. 2 and the Centre for Treatment of Psychological Disorders in Children after major repairs, the foundation's press release says.

Both buildings were fully reconstructed by the Mehr Nuri Foundation, with the assistance of sponsors, and equipped and furnished. All the necessary conditions were created for the comfort and convenience of children and staff.

Within the frame of these projects capital repair works were conducted in the buildings, the surrounding areas were developed, special laboratories, including ultrasound, dentistry, and gynaecology, as well as day hospital, were built.

Apart from this, the Foundation implements charity measures to support families with many children, provide sponsorship support to children's and healthcare institutions, provide grants for the development of family entrepreneurial activity and implementation of projects aimed at actualizing the professional potential of talented youth in the process of socio-economic development of Uzbekistan. The Foundation is creating all the necessary conditions for the creation of new jobs through the development of home-based labour.

INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM HELD IN NUKUS

It is well known that the lower part of the Amudarya river basin is rich in ancient historical monuments.

Tuprokkala, Ayozkala, Guldursunkala, Kavatkala, Kuykirilgankala, Kizilkala, Burgutkala and other objects tell about the centuries-old history and culture of the country, the richness and ancient roots of the statehood.

These unique structures clearly illustrate the fact that science, culture and architecture saw early development on this land.

These issues were discussed during the international symposium in Nukus, organized on the initiative of the Science Academy of Uzbekistan jointly with the UNESCO Uzbekistan Office, Sydney University and the Office of the Russian Foreign Centre in the country, UzA reported.

Among the participants of the three-day event were historians, scientists, archaeologists, and ethnographers from Russia, Kazakhstan, Germany, France, Ireland, US, UK, and Australia.

"The main aim of this symposium is to present the world community the results of the studies being implemented by our scientists," the Chairman of the Karakalpak Department of the Science Academy of Uzbekistan N. Ayimbetov said. "Moreover, the event is intended to stimulate the expansion of international tourism in the Aral Sea region. There are great opportunities for the accomplishment of this goal."

About 400 archaeological monuments are located in the region. More than 100 of them have been studied by local scientists. Among the latest discoveries are the stone wall inscriptions that are more than 2,300-2,400 years old, which have evoked great interest of the scientists from around the world. Some of the fragments of this wall are now displayed by Nukus Art Museum. In the future, it is planned to organize mobile exhibitions to introduce these unique discoveries to a wider audience.

Among other topics discussed at the symposium were the studies relating to the interaction and interosculation of the ancient civilizations and ethnic cultures in the Aral Sea region.

"Some very interesting opinions and scientific judgments were made during the symposium on this issue," Rosalind Wade Haddon of England said. "The civilization of the Aral Sea and Khorezm is an integral part of the world culture. This is illustrated by the ancient monuments, ceramic, metal ware and jewelry found here, a part of which can now be found in many museums of the world."

"The first time I came to this region as a member of the Khorezm Archaeological-Ethnographic Expedition, which was several years ago," said a member of the Paris International Academy of Science Academician Miriam Rozhanskaja. "For several years I participated in the archaeological excavations conducted here. I once again witnessed the fact that your country pays enormous attention to the development of science, particularly history and archaeology."