16 October, 2011
Politics:
Czech parliamentary delegation pays visit to Uzbekistan
Delegation of Indian Communication Ministry pays visit to UzACI
Economics:
Uzbekistan inks contracts for supply of 600,000 tonnes of cotton fiber
Investments to textile industry of Uzbekistan to hit US$1.7bn by 2015
Uzbekistan consistently implements structural changes of cotton industry
Society:
International Film Forum tobe held in Tashkent
Development of tourism in Jizzakh and Namangan discussed in Tashkent
POLITICS
Czech parliamentary delegation pays visit to Uzbekistan
A delegation led by chairperson of Committee on Education, Science, Culture, Human Rights and Petitions of the Senate of Czech Republic Jaromir Jermar held a meeting at the Senate of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan.
The sides discussed issues of further developing inter-parliamentary cooperation between Uzbekistan and Czech Republic, UzA reported.
The Czech delegation also got acquainted with the activity of bi-cameral parliament of Uzbekistan.
The delegation of Czech Senate held negotiations at the Ministry of Public Education, Ministry of Culture and Sport Affairs and National Human Rights Center of Uzbekistan.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
Delegation of Indian Communication Ministry pays visit to UzACI
A delegation of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technologies of India led by State Minister Sachin Pilot paid a visit to the Uzbek Agency for Communication and Information (UzACI) on 13 October 2011.
During the meeting, the guests familiarized with current state and perspectives of developing communication and informatization in Uzbekistan, ongoing works on introduction and development of telecommunication and information technologies. In his turn, Indian State Minister briefed the Uzbek side on development of communication and IT sector in India.
During the meeting, the sides considered current state and perspectives of cooperation between Uzbekistan and India in information-communication technologies, UzACI said.
The sides underlined that the memorandum on mutual; understanding between Government of Uzbekistan and India, signed in May 2011 within the visit of the Uzbek President to India, determined main directions of cooperation in ICT sector and serve firm ground for further development of relations.
Indian Minister Sachin Pilot confirmed intention of India to establish close partnership relations and implementation of earlier achieved agreements.
The sides paid special attention to modernization of the Uzbek-Indian Center for Information Technologies named after Jawaharlal Nehru, which was created in Tashkent in April 2006.
The sides also considered joint plans on development and production of software in Uzbekistan.
At the end of the meeting, the sides achieved agreement on expanding joint activity in IT sector within existing and future agreements.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
ECONOMY
Uzbekistan inks contracts for supply of 600,000 tonnes of cotton fiber
Uzbekistan signed contracts for supply of over 600,000 tonnes of cotton fiber within the Seven International Uzbek cotton and textile fair, which was held in Tashkent on 12-13 October 2011.
The agreements for US$550 million were signed to export products of textile enterprises of Uzbekistan within the fair.
According to the fair organizers, over 660 representatives of 330 foreign companies, working in cotton and textile business, from 38 countries participated at the fair.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
Investments to textile industry of Uzbekistan to hit US$1.7bn by 2015
The Government of Uzbekistan is planning to attract investments for US$1.7 billion to textile industry by 2015. This was announced at the International Uzbek Cotton Industry and Textile Fair.
According to the Uzbekyengilsanoat information, foreign investments will be attracted to implementation of 55 investment projects. Till the end of 2011, it is planned to commission 28 textile enterprises. Total cost of these investment projects in 2011 makes up US$150 million.
Uzbekyengilsanoat said that the industry has attracted foreign investments for US$1.8 billion since 2001. During the period, some 150 investment projects were implemented in Uzbekistan. In 2010, some US$119.4 million were used and 27 enterprises were launched.
Uzbekyengilsanoat unites enterprises of light industry of Uzbekistan. It has 277 enterprises, including 150 enterprises with foreign investments.
In line with announced data, total capacities of textile enterprises in Uzbekistan makes up 373,000 tonnes of yarn, 282 million square meters of cotton fabrics, 81.8 tonnes of stockinet, 168 million units of garments and 71.3 million pairs of hosiery.
Uzbekistan is the sixth global producer of cotton-fiber and third on exports. Annually, the country produces 3.5 million tonnes of raw cotton and 1-1.2 million tonnes of cotton-fiber.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
Uzbekistan consistently implements structural changes of cotton industry
Uzexpocenter hosted International Cotton and Textile Fair "Cotton and textiles: new perspectives of the market" on October 12-13.
Within two days, Uzbekistan, as one of the major players on the international cotton market, provided an opportunity for the cotton industry, textile industry and sales agents not only to meet at the round table and to get acquainted with the development strategy of our country's cotton complex, but also to participate in the fair and trading, sign direct contracts for the supply of cotton and textile products.
During the years of independence Uzbekistan has consistently implemented structural reforms in the cotton industry, which allows one to speak with confidence about improving the image and competitiveness of Uzbek cotton on international markets. The course of reforms in this area is based on maintaining stable production and creating a competitive environment for regional and global trade of Uzbek cotton. In this context, priority is given to the development of new technologies for cotton production, improving its quality, widespread adoption of market principles and mechanisms in the production process and sales.
An important part of development of cotton production in Uzbekistan, the most northern area of cultivation of cotton in the world, is creation of intensive varieties. Scientists of the republic, working to improve the ripening of cotton in recent years brought about a dozen of new varieties with high yield and fiber length, resistant to diseases and pests. These factors had a positive impact on the quality of the Uzbek fiber, which is considered as one of the best by international experts.
(Source: UzReport Agency)
SOCIETY
International Film Forum tobe held in Tashkent
Tashkent International Film Forum “Golden Cheetah” will be held on 19-25 October in the capital of Uzbekistan. It is being organized by the Fund “Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan” and the Uzbekkino National Agency.
“The aim of the first Tashkent International Film Forum “Golden Cheetah” is to create opportunities for understanding the complex processes in modern cinema, as well as acquaint the Uzbek audience with the best new works in the world cinema,” said art historian Akbar Khakimov. “Filmmakers from almost 50 countries expressed desire to join the project “Civilization of the 21st century: dialogue of cultures”.”
It is expected that the Film Forum, to be held under the slogan “Human stories: philosophy of feelings”, will bring together best filmmakers, producers, actors, critics and screenwriters from Germany, France, Russia and Lithuania.
Full and short length films, documentaries, as well as animated films made in the USA, Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Great Britain, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, South Korea, Iran and other countries will be presented to the audience.
The events planned during the film festival include the program of animated films of Germany and France, the project “Panorama of modern Uzbek cinema”, the program “Non stop” (best short films from different countries) and others.
(Source: UzA News Agency)
Development of tourism in Jizzakh and Namangan discussed in Tashkent
OUNDP "Local Governance Support Project: Participation and Partnership" (LGSP) initiated presentation of touristic and investment opportunities of Zaamin district of Jizzakh region and Chartak district of Namangan region to potential investors, representatives of touristic companies, international development organizations and governmental organizations.
The event was aimed at discussing the investments opportunities for development of tourism in Zaamin and Chartak districts, as well as to attract potential investors to develop touristic infrastructure and to encourage tour companies to extend their services to these regions by cooperating with local communities.
Tourism contributing to the economic growth expands opportunities for entrepreneurship, provides millions of job places worldwide and countless number of new job openings in many other related sectors of the economy. According to the statistics provided by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 2009 more than 880 million tourists have crossed international borders and the total worldwide turnover of international tourism exceeded $852 billion. The studies show that tourism makes 5% of total world GDP, 30% of world services' exports (about $1 trillion ) and 45% of economic activities of developing countries.
Tourism sector has become one of the significant sectors of Uzbekistan economy too, which generated more than $226 million of (1.8% of total GDP) by attracting 1.3 million tourists in the first half of 2011. It is not a secret that Uzbekistan attracts the largest proportion of tourists because of its architectural and historical sites, ancient culture, traditions and customs of local people. Although, experts believe that Uzbekistan has a great potential to double the above given figures by diversifying the tourism services and destinations it offers. For example, the climate and the natural conditions in some of the regions of Uzbekistan are found to be ideal places for development of health and eco-tourism.
Zaamin district of Jizzakh region (Zaamin) and Chartak district of Namangan region (Chartak) have been proved to be two of such underestimated tourism destinations. Because, behind the magnificent mountains, the enchanting nature and clean air of Zaamin is hidden a great potential for development of active, eco, health and cultural tourism. While Chartak thanks to its thermal mineral water, which is rich for iodium-bromine and other micro-mineral elements can become one of the famous spa resorts of the region.
Aiming to give a boost to the hidden touristic potential of Uzbekistan regions, the LGSP has initiated development of exemplary branding and marketing strategy to strengthen the tourism capacities of Zaamin district of Jizzakh region. Within the framework of this initiative based on the marketing research the marketing and branding strategies along with concrete Terms of References for separate investment projects have been developed by UNDP experts.
The presented results encouraged active discussions among the participants of the round-table. In particular, the participants were the most interested in the proposed business projects, which envisaged creating necessary touristic infrastructure in Zaamin district and the building spa resort in the territory of Chartak sanatoriums. Also, during the event the participants were informed and invited to visit the exhibition stand of Zaamin, during the International Tourism Fair which will be held in the period of 2-5 November, 2011 in Tashkent.
The LGSP team and its partners believe that development of tourism is one of the most promising directions for development of Uzbekistan regions. Hence, it will assist in effective usage of rich natural resources as well as its cultural and historical heritage. This in its turn will result in increased awareness about the unique culture of each region, increased health of local population, high economic growth, creation of additional jobs and additional income sources for the economy of the region.
(Source: UzDaily.com)