January 28, 2007

Politics:
S.Korean Pres.-Elect Congratulates Uzbek Leader On His Victory
Highlights from meeting of Legislative Chamber
Economics:
Business Forum Dwells On Cadres Training For Private Sector
Cement market keeps dynamics in January
Uzbek Agro-Industrial Exchange: over 200 lots set for sale
Society:
NGO on support of youth
Women's Committee, UNDP award journalists for best gender works
Uzbek invention obtained recognition

POLICY

S.KOREAN PRES.-ELECT CONGRATULATES UZBEK LEADER ON HIS VICTORY

The President-elect of the Republic of Korea Lee Myong-bak congratulated Islam Karimov on his victory at the elections of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan held in country on December 23, 2007, Jahon Information Agency quoting the local papers reports.

“The Republic of Uzbekistan achieved high economic progress under the exceptional leadership of Your Excellency, and I am confident that thanks to Your victory at the presidential elections, the Republic of Uzbekistan can secure yet more development and become the leading state in Central Asia”, - the congratulation letter has read in particular.

“Despite the short 16-year period of diplomatic relations which were established in 1992, the Republic of Korea and Republic of Uzbekistan have achieved friendly cooperation in many spheres, including politics, economy and culture. (…) The Republic of Korea has become the largest investor for the Republic of Uzbekistan among the countries of Asia”.

“I hope that we will continue with Your Excellency to develop and deepen the relations of strategic partnership between our countries, while implementing the current potential”, - the message by President-elect Lee Myong-bak has further read.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM MEETING OF LEGISLATIVE CHAMBER

On January 24 the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis (parliament) of the Republic of Uzbekistan continued to discuss the issues included in the agenda of the session. The Speaker of the Legislative Chamber D. Tashmuhamedova presided at the meeting.

The deputies first discussed the draft law "On ratification of the International Convention on the Fight against the Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (New York, 13 April 2005) by the Republic of Uzbekistan", presented by the member of the Committee for Defense and Security T. Rahimov. Having discussed the suggestions made by the deputies, the members of the Chamber passed the law, UzA reported.

The draft law "On introduction of amendments and addenda to the Article 58 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan" was presented by the member of the Committee for Legislation and Judicial-Legal Issues A. Tuhtashev. After the question and answer session, and the discussion the deputies approved the main provisions of the draft law, and passed it in the first reading.

Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Legislation and Judicial-Legal Issues S. Jabbarov reported on the draft Law "On introduction of amendments and addenda tot eh Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Administrative Amenability". The members of the Legislative Chamber discussed the provisions of the act and passed it in the first reading.

The member of the Committee for Budget and Economic Reforms A. Tuhtabaev presented the draft law "On introduction of amendments and addenda to certain legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan due to reorganization of the application of customs benefits to property brought by foreign investors to the Republic of Uzbekistan for the production needs." The law was passed modified by the deputies in the course of discussion.

The Legislative Chamber also discussed a number of draft laws concerning Uzbekistan's ratification of a number of international agreements made within the frame of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO). Reports were delivered by the members of the Committee for Defense and Security I. Korenev, N. Karimov, and U. Ismailov. Following the discussion the members of the Legislative Chamber passed the laws.

The draft law "On introduction of amendments and addenda to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On creations, useful models, and industrial samples" was presented by the member of the Committee for the Issues of Science, Education, Culture and Sport N. Alimov. The Legislative Chamber approved the main provision of the draft law and passed it in the first reading.

The member of the Committee for Budget and Economic Reforms S. Mahmudov presented in the second reading the draft law "On securities market". During the detailed discussion of the provisions of the legislative act the representatives of all fractions of political parties expressed their opinions concerning the improvement of the document. The law was passed in the second reading in its modified version.

ECONOMY

BUSINESS FORUM DWELLS ON CADRES TRAINING FOR PRIVATE SECTOR

On January 25 the business forum on the prospects of training the qualified cadres for private sector in Uzbekistan was held in Tashkent, the Uzbekistan National News Agency Russian-language website reported.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan along with the Business Forum of Uzbekistan UNDP Project and Office of the British Council in Tashkent organized the event, according to the report.

It was held within the framework of Expert councils on developing the small and private businesses and enhancing the system of training and raising the qualification of the cadres for private sector.

The goal of the forum was to discuss further raising the level of training of qualified cadres who will be able to worthily contribute to the development of this sphere of economy, as well as expanding the international cooperation and exchange of experience.

The participants of the forum spoke on support of entrepreneurship in the system of higher education, enhancement the business training and strengthening the international cooperation in the development of private sector.

The participants of the event highly assessed the creation of the legal basis in the country to develop the business and private enterprise, active participation of state and public organizations in the cadres training.

CEMENT MARKET KEEPS DYNAMICS IN JANUARY

Despite the unnaturally long frosts which have been in Uzbekistan for almost a month, the exchange market for commodities remains highly dynamic.

Moreover, certain segments of the market are actually demonstrating an increase in sales. In the first half of January the sales volumes of certain groups of products substantially exceeded the indicators of the same period of the previous year, UzEX reported.

Last year the market saw the record-breaking prices for cement in the domestic market. Nevertheless, a high number of the participants of the construction market were not stopped by this fact, and in fact purchased this basic construction material for the future.

The logic behind their actions is clear – to purchase enough cement while the prices are relatively acceptable, particularly during the period of the construction season.

Meanwhile, according to the market rules an increase in demand pushed up the prices. In the first fifteen days of January this year, the prices for all types of cement of general construction purpose according to the average prices of the exchange deals increased by 18-20%.

A consistent increase in the prices is not even stopped by the constantly growing supply volumes supported by all cement producing plants of the country. Thus, in the first half of January some 96,500 tonnes were sold, against 76,500 tonnes in the same period of the previous year.

Another point to note, last year the two most active participants of the cement market were AhangaranCement and KyzylkumCement companies. This year their positions have grown stronger. Their shares in the sales of cement have increased from 29% to 40% each.

The survey of the exchange traders working in this segment of the market about the market forecasts for January-February have produced controversial results. However one fact they have all agreed on is that today the cement has once again reinforced its status of all-seasons favourite, the high volume for which is most probably not going to let the market return to the price levels of the previous year.

On the other hand, the technological capacities of the cement producers that fully satisfy the existing demand, and their active market efforts also eliminate the possibilities of rushing attitudes in the market.

UZBEK AGRO-INDUSTRIAL EXCHANGE: OVER 200 LOTS SET FOR SALE

Over 200 lots of goods and materials were set for sale on January 25, 2008 at the online trades of the Republican Universal Agro-Industrial Exchange, Uzreport.com Business Information Portal reported.

The brokers offered products in the sections of "Agricultural products and foodstuffs", "Medical equipment", "Work uniforms", "Equipment and products of production-technical purpose", "Agricultural technology and spare parts", "Construction materials", "Consumer goods", and "Chemical products".

According to the results of the online trades, deals were made in the sections of "Equipment and products of production-technical purpose" for the total amount of 483.6 million soums, "Medical equipment" – for some 320 million soums, "Agricultural technology and spare parts" – for some 297.2 million soums, "Work uniforms" – for some 114.7 million soums, "Construction-finishing materials" – for some 83.5 million soums, and "Chemical products" – for some 68.4 million soums.

SOCIETY

NGO ON SUPPORT OF YOUTH

The conference on “The role of nongovernmental noncommercial organizations in perfection of legal foundations of the state policy for youth” took place in the capital. The Committee on Democratic Institutions, nongovernmental organizations and self-governing citizens’ bodies of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan organized the event with the support of the Central Council of the Social Youth Movement “Kamolot”.

It was marked that about 100 legislative acts concerning youth were adopted in Uzbekistan for years of independence, which speaks about huge attention paid by the government to issues of the youth policy. The step-by-step implementation of tasks stated in the laws “On foundations of state policy for youth in the Republic of Uzbekistan” and “On education”, the National Program on staff training and the State National Education Development Program give positive results.

Many lyceums, colleges, schools, sports buildings with modern equipment have been built and reconstructed in the country. New national educational standards, textbooks and school-books are created. The activeness of young boys and girls on contests, Olympiads and national and international sports competitions increases from year to year.

“Today, in conditions of further democratization and modernization of the country, the new generation of youth with different new progressive views and democratic thinking is formed, - has noted the chairman of the Central Council of the SYM “Kamolot” Akrom Alimov in his speech. “The State, giving new tasks to the youth, appreciably promotes increase of its role in society and intensifieng of sociopolitical activity.

The Deputy of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis B. Dadabaev, the Deputy Chairman of the CC of the SYM “Kamolot” K. Kuronboev, representatives of the youth mass-media and nongovernmental organizations also have acted with reports at the conference. They noted an active participation of nongovernmental noncommercial organizations of Uzbekistan in perfection of legal foundations of the state’s youth policy and strengthening of practical value of legislative acts in this direction, and also in formation of the state program “The year of youth”. It was emphasized that NGO more actively participate in the work which official bodies carry out.

Formation of institutional system of protection of underage rights in the country deserves special attention. Commissions on underage affairs actively work in this direction on places. Creation of the centers of “Youth social services” on places was made timely. Young men and girls visiting them have an opportunity to receive qualified consultations of experts on problems, to master additional trades, to increase their legal knowledge.

Deputies of the Legislative Chamber Oliy Majlis, representatives of Children’s fund of the United Nations UNICEF in Uzbekistan, the fund “Soglom avlod uchun” (For Healthy Generation), others NGO and mass-media also took part in the conference. They discussed the condition and prospects of development of current legislation, the state youth policy, the role of social organizations in perfection of legal base in this direction.

WOMEN'S COMMITTEE, UNDP AWARD JOURNALISTS FOR BEST GENDER WORKS

The Women's Committee of Uzbekistan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) awarded several journalists from the country within the framework of the gender contest on January 25.

Within the awarding ceremony, the statistical bulletin "Women and men of Uzbekistan 2000-2005" was also presented in the event, which was held at NGMK Business Centre in Tashkent.

UNDP Country Office in Uzbekistan and the Women's Committee announced a competition for journalists for the best coverage of issues on elimination of discrimination against women in August 2007.

The contest was aimed at motivating journalists of Uzbekistan to cover gender-related issues to raise gender awareness and knowledge of UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), as well as eliminate gender stereotypes in the community.

The contest was held within the project "Legislative and Institutional Capacity Development for Women's Empowerment in Uzbekistan", which is directed at supporting and building the capacity of the government, civil society and mass media in reducing the gender gaps via raising awareness of and implementing the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee) to Uzbekistan.

Seventeen journalists from various parts of Uzbekistan presented their 50 works to the contest. The jury board, which included representatives of several international organizations, evaluated presented works and selected the winners.

In line with the decision of the jury board, Dilbar Bekchanova from Urgench won the first place among print media representatives, while Galiya Ibragimova (Tashkent) and Gulbahar Tangirova (Termez) took the second place and Khafiza Burkhonova from Tashkent received the third place.

Works of Nargis Kasimova (Tashkent) and Salimahon Rustamova (Ferghana) were named the best among internet and broadcasting media respectively. At the same time, the contest organizers awarded Kamola Atajanova with the special prize for her blog dedicated to the women and gender-related issues, a press release of UNDP said.

Kyoko Postill, UNDP Deputy Resident Representatives in Uzbekistan, said: "The majority of works received covers life of prominent Uzbek women and daily problems. But there are a lot of issues, which require wide coverage of media. We should not forget that mass media is key tool for raising awareness of population, government and civil society. Through your work we can help society to identify gender discriminations and stereotypes, which can be eliminated only in joint efforts."

The statistical bulletin "Women and Men of Uzbekistan" was also presented within the awarding ceremony. The statistical bulletin "Women and Men of Uzbekistan" is published on a regular basis (no less than once in two years). The given statistical collection is the regular publication of State Statistics Committee of the Republic Uzbekistan, published in cooperation with Women's Committee of Uzbekistan, UNDP, ADB and Civic Initiative Support Center and devoted to gender development in Uzbekistan.

This statistical bulletin presents data on demography, healthcare, education, employment and unemployment, social security, criminality, etc., broken down by sex. This year's bulletin is enriched with a new chapter on the usage of free time by men and women.

Representatives of the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Swiss Embassy in Tashkent presented their gender programmes and shared their experience.

UZBEK INVENTION OBTAINED RECOGNITION

The unique thermal shields invented in Uzbekistan and patented in 17 countries of the world allow protecting reliably the staff and equipment while extinguishing fire. They have already obtained patents of such industrially developed countries as Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Canada and France.

In Tashkent the interregional symposium on problems of intellectual property with specialists from twenty states of CIS and Eastern Europe made a decision on starting the serial production of this product, having no analogs in the world. The forum, organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and State Patent Office of Uzbekistan, discussed the ways of increasing the efficiency of business by using inventions and other objects of intellectual property.

Mirjalil Usmanov, inventor and patent owner of the new protection from thermal effect of fire and Director of the scientific research center for fire safety under the High Fire Technical School of the Uzbek Ministry of Internal Affairs said in his report at the symposium that he signed a licensed contract with the KROKUS GAZ SERVIS that intended to supply the market with relevant number of thermal shields. It is expected a great demand for this product. The authorities of the State Office for Fire Safety of the Uzbek Ministry of Internal Affairs and “Uzbekneftegas” National Holding Company have already signed recommendations for equipping the oil processing, petrochemical industries, petrochemical warehouses and other fire-hazardous objects with stationary and mobile thermal shields.

Uzbekistan also signed agreements to cooperate in production of thermal shields with Russia’s two biggest companies which were given the technical documentation and they manufactured the first models of thermal shields.

Tashkent’s testing constructing enterprise will continue developing new models of thermal shields and their production in large amounts. Now it manufactures four modifications of thermal shields which can reduce the intensity of thermal stream from 50 up to 100 times.

The Uzbek thermal shields were tested by the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute for Fire Protection under the Ministry of Emergency of Russian Federation. The testing showed high efficiency of thermal shields in protecting from thermal stream while extinguishing fire. At the moment the staff of this scientific center is developing the normative documents for using the new equipment in Russia. At the same time, the Russian scientific center recommended that the Uzbek thermal shields can be used in constructing Russia’s biggest oil processing and petrochemical plants in Nizhnekamsk.

The Uzbek inventor Mirjalil Usmanov was awarded the WIPO’s Gold Medal for his fire extinguishing projects and the Russian Fire Safety Academy accepted him as its member.