October 24, 2007
Politics:
Salaries In Uzbekistan To Raise On Average By 20%
French Delegation Visits Uzbekistan, Learns About Reforms
Economics:
Khorezm Prov. Attracts UZS 18 b For Over Jan.-Sept, 2007
Uzbek Bankers Travel To Italy
Astrakhan Production On Rise In Uzbekistan
Nukus Seminar Addresses Business Development
Society:
Cabinet of Ministers Commission for Juvenile Cases meets
Andijan hosts seminar on issues of women migration
Gifted Students Earn Scholarships
POLITICS
SALARIES IN UZBEKISTAN TO RAISE ON AVERAGE BY 20%
On October 23, 2007, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed the Decree “On raising the amount of salaries, pensions, stipends and social allowances”, according to the local agencies.
In line with the document, starting from November 16, 2007 the amount of salaries for the employees at the budget-funded agencies and organizations, pensions, social allowances and stipends shall be increased on average by 1,2 times.
The expenses related to the increase of the salaries for the employees at the budget-funded agencies and organizations, pensions, allowances and stipends shall be incurred at the expense of the State budget and non-budget Pension fund of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan, according to reports.
FRENCH DELEGATION VISITS UZBEKISTAN, LEARNS ABOUT REFORMS
The members of the delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France led by the director of Department for Continental Europe Jacques For met with the Authorized of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan on human rights (Ombudsman) Sayyora Rashidova and Director of the National Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan for human rights Akmal Saidov, the local papers reported.
The sides have underscored the effective development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and France in all spheres, and in particular, on the issues of parliamentary interaction and protection of human rights. The agreements achieved during the meetings of heads of the two states are an important basis of good cooperation.
They have also said that the world community, in particular, the European countries highly assessed the decrees of President Islam Karimov “On abolition of death penalty in the Republic of Uzbekistan” and “On transferring to courts the right to sanction arrest warrants” as well as the laws, which were adopted on their basis.
These laws have come as a logical continuation of further liberalization of judiciary in Uzbekistan. They will promote establishment of a law-governed democratic state onto a newer stage.
The visiting delegation has learned about the ongoing democratic processes in Uzbekistan, the Ombudsman institute and work of the National center for human rights.
“Uzbekistan is one of the important partners of France in Central Asia”, - Jacques For has said. “France supports the reforms being consistently undertaken in Uzbekistan. The cooperation between our countries is developing in trade, economic, humanitarian and other spheres. The expansion of ties promises to be prospective”.
ECONOMICS
KHOREZM PROV. ATTRACTS UZS 18 B FOR OVER JAN.-SEPT, 2007
As has been reported, following the session of the Uzbek Cabinet on the outcomes of nine months’ social and economic development of the Republic of Uzbekistan, such discussions have taken place nationwide at the bodies of state power in local places.
The session of the Khorezm Province governing body, which has been presided over by khokim (governor) I.Babajanov and joined by Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan N.Khanov, concluded that for over the past nine months this year the volume of gross regional product increased by 7,4%. Considerable results were achieved in industry, construction, retail trade, services and agriculture, the report by Uzbekistan National News Agency has said.
For over the said period of time the province attracted UZS 18 billion. As a result, the volume of industrial production saw its growth. The new jobs were created for the people in the province. Thus, the affiliate enterprise “Muruvvat-teks” has been established at the Joint-Stock Company “Gurlan”. “Khazorasp Textile” LLC has recovered its activity.
As a part of implementing the State program “Year of social protection”, hundreds of large families and those with limited means received material aid. Nearly 312 needy families obtained soft loans in commercial banks and gained the stable earnings vis-a-vis establishing their own businesses and assisting to creation of new jobs. 2,250 people are reported to have acquired the home-based work.
Besides for successes achieved along the path the session discussed the shortcomings suffered in some spheres province-wide. For instance, the cities of Urgench, Pitnak, as well as the Gurlan and Yangiaryk districts are said to have been lagging behind in terms of preparations to the fall and winter season.
UZBEK BANKERS TRAVEL TO ITALY
The delegation of representatives of state, commercial and private banks of the Republic of Uzbekistan visited Italy, “Jahon” Information Agency reported.
It has aimed to establish the business contacts between the banking institutions of the two countries, develop bilateral trade and economic relations, as well as attract the Italian investment to Uzbekistan’s economy.
As a part of its stay in Italy, the delegation traveled to the city of Milan, where in association with the “ABI” Banking Association of Italy it has held the roundtable.
Besides, given the support and assistance of the Milan Chamber of Commerce “Italy-Uzbekistan” the Uzbek delegation met with the leadership of the largest European banks “Intesa SanPaolo” and “UniCredit Group”.
During the negotiations the head of the Uzbek delegation deputy chairman of board “Ipoteka-Bank” Sh.Khakimov has led the presentation of contemporary social and economic development of Uzbekistan, as well as the ongoing reforms in the country.
Also, the presentation has dwelled on the banking system of Uzbekistan. The delegation presented prospective directions of investment cooperation between the sides.
On their turn, “Intesa SanPaolo” è “UniCredit Group” manifested keen interest to extend cooperation with the Uzbek banks. They considered the dynamically developing market of Uzbekistan as the most prospective to develop the partnership in the days to come.
The sides have also underscored the need to continue the dialogue and jointly analyze the specific directions of fiscal and investment activity. The Italian side has said it would stand ready to consider the mutually beneficial proposals by the Uzbek banks.
ASTRAKHAN PRODUCTION ON RISE IN UZBEKISTAN
Since the early 2007 the astrakhan breeding farms in Uzbekistan are reported to have produced over 230,000 astrakhan, almost 3 tons of fur and 12,200 tons of meat, according to the Uzbekistan National News Agency website.
The astrakhan breeding farms are now doing much to produce quality and exports-oriented goods, raise the livestock and improve its breed, as well as increase the material stimuli among the cattle breeders.
The livestock of sheep and goats compare to the same period of last increased up to 35,400. This year 1,1 million lambs were born and nearly 90 percent were saved to breed. Besides, this year 30,000 more astrakhan has been produced compare to the same period in 2006, according to the report.
143,200 astrakhans were sold in the auction sales, while the produce worth 2 million dollars was exported abroad.
NUKUS SEMINAR ADDRESSES BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
The State Property Committee of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the Divisional department of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Karakalpak Branch of the Institute for study of civil society, the Karakalpak Council of the Liberal-Democratic Party of Uzbekistan and Association of Farmers of Uzbekistan organized the seminar workshop on the main directions of development of small businesses and private entrepreneurship.
Small businesses and private companies, heads of farms, and other organizations and agencies took part at the workshop, the report by Uzbekistan National News Agency has said. They have said that at the moment the share of private sector accounts 45% of the GDP in Karakalpakstan.
Uzbekistan pays a special attention to further development of private ownership. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan and its branch offices in local places accomplish much to fully support the entrepreneurs and farmers, protect their rights and interests.
For over the past period the local office of the Chamber in Karakalpakstan has initiated the filing the lawsuits with economic courts on behalf of entrepreneurs. The courts have awarded them UZD 9 billion in punitive damages for obstruction of their rights and interests. Besides, the Chamber pushed forward the return of the illicitly taxed payments to the business people.
“We have had an interesting conversation with the experts from organizations,” – the head of the Karakalpak office of the Institute for study of civil society Alisher Polvonniyazov is reported to have said, “the business people, landowners and farmers were offered the necessary consultations and recommendations”.
SOCIETY
CABINET OF MINISTERS COMMISSION FOR JUVENILE CASES MEETS
A meeting of the Commission for Juvenile Cases under the Cabinet of Ministers was held at the General Prosecutor's Office in Tashkent, Uzreport.com Business Information Portal reported.
Among the topics discussed was the implementation of the measures to prevent family conflicts, educate, bring up and provide social protection to children whose parents are divorced, and who do not have either of the parents.
The Prosecutor-General of Uzbekistan, the Chairman of the Commission R. Kadirov presided at the meeting.
Large-scale measures are being implemented in the country to support, provide financial and moral motivation to young families, protect families, maternity and childhood, and provide social and economic support to newlyweds starting their independent lives, needy families and families with many children. These measures are already producing positive results.
In 2006 208,423 new families were formed in Uzbekistan; in the first half of this year – 94,718. To organize the recreation for the children from needy families and families with several children, summer camps have extended sponsorship support in the amount of 214 million soums.
The Republican Mahalla (community) Foundation has appropriated sponsors' funds to purchase 1,424 cattle-heads for needy families. Also, more than 21,450 meetings with the population on the formation of healthy families and explanation of the negative consequences of marriages of relatives were conducted.
Along with this, on the initiative of the Tashkent City Commission for Juvenile Cases circumcision services were provided to more than 1,000 children from needy families and families that have lost breadwinners. Free computer courses were organized for 152 children from needy families.
It was noted that roundtable meetings on the negative consequences of marriages of close relatives are being regularly organized in Samarkand region. Charity assistance was provided to 1,850 children from needy families and families that have lost bread-winners. Also financial assistance in the amount of 42.2 million soums has been extended to 7,341 children with limited liabilities.
Meeting participants have noted the need to organize seminars on the issues concerning children brought up by divorced parents or in families that have lost breadwinner, on the unacceptability of unregistered marriages, and in this context, on the need to raise the responsibility of khokimiats (city halls), mahallas (local communities), women's committees and marriage registration agencies , and the importance of the work of reconciliation commissions created in mahallas to prevent divorces.
The Chairman of the Council of Aksakals (Doyens) of Uzbekistan and the Mahalla Foundation A. Ahmedov reported on the work carried out to ensure social protection is provided to children being brought up by divorced parents or in families that have lost breadwinner.
Meeting participants also discussed the ways to eliminate the existing shortcomings and use the available opportunities.
Deputy Prime Ministers of Uzbekistan S. Inamov and R. Kasimov participated in the meeting.
ANDIJAN HOSTS SEMINAR ON ISSUES OF WOMEN MIGRATION
Andijan hosted a seminar on "Social protection of women, participating in migration processes in Uzbekistan", which gathered representatives of state bodies, mahalla committees and NGOs from Andijan and Namangan region.
This is the fifth seminar, organized within the joint project of Women's Committee of Uzbekistan and UNDP Country Office in Uzbekistan "Promotion of the rights of women migrant workers" in accordance with state programme "The Year of Social Protection".
The seminar was directed to raise awareness of staff of state bodies, law enforcement bodies and NGOs on social-legal protection of women-migrants, a press release of UNDP Office in Tashkent said.
The meeting addressed such issues as women migration, interaction of various organizations in solving illegal women migration, legislation of Uzbekistan on labour migration, raising awareness of women migrants' rights, protection mechanisms of migrants' rights and others.
The project "Promotion of the rights of women migrant workers" directed to improve the protection of human rights of the women involved in labour migration in Uzbekistan and to increase the quality of services provided by relevant government and nongovernmental bodies to women migrant workers and the victims of human trafficking.
Gulnara Marufova, deputy chairperson of Women's Committee of Uzbekistan, delivered a report on carried out measures and work of the Committee in these directions in cooperation with state bodies and other organizations since 1995.
Ms Marufova drew attention of participants that it is necessary to strengthen joint work on analysis and monitoring of women's employment, as well as activity on creation of the centers on social protection under local offices of Women's Committee to protection unemployed women and those who need social protection.
GIFTED STUDENTS EARN SCHOLARSHIPS
The awarding ceremony of winners of the “Scholarship for gifted students” program was held in Tashkent. The Ministry of Higher and Secondary Special Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan organized the event, the Uzbekistan National News Agency reported.
Participants of the event – the teachers at the higher educational institutions and workers in the sphere of education, as well as the students – visited the Mustakillik Square (‘Independence Square’) and laid wreath to the Monument of Independence and Humanism, which is the symbol of freedom, bright future and noble aspirations of the Uzbek people.
The Ministry of Higher and Secondary Special Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan holds a number of educational projects with an aim to support, stimulate the students and inspire them to new researches. Within the framework of the State program “Year of Social Protection” the Ministry has been paying a special attention to financial and ethical support of the students from families with limited means.
More than 300 young men and women at the higher educational institutions in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, provinces and the city of Tashkent are reported to have actively participated at the contest of scholarship program for the gifted students. The judges of the contest paid attention to such skills of students as interest to the chosen profession, purposefulness, selflessness and social status. The sixty-six students were found to be the winners of the program.
“I am very glad that I became the winner of the program,”- the student of the department of fine arts and music education at the Bukhara State University Dilnavoz Zoirova has said, “such kind of attention asks us to be more active, justify the trust, and use the knowledge gained at higher educational institutions for the sake of prosperity of Homeland”.
The winners of the scholarship program for the gifted students were also awarded with Certificates.