November 8, 2007
Politics:
President received UAE Interior Minister
SCO Gen. Prosecutors Meet In Tashkent, Discuss Cooperation
UzLiDeP Congress Resolves On Nominee To Run For High Office
UAE Interior Minister Meets Uzbek Counterpart
Economics:
Uzbek-Korean Joint Commission Holds Sitting In Tashkent
Seminar on housing crediting starts
UNDP, Microcreditbank sign agreement, launch microcredit component
Society:
Local Hospital In Ferghana Province Earns UNICEF Certificate
Uzbek Pianist Secures Near Top Place In Contest In Italy
Ecological khashar conducted in Tashkent
Sgt School Graduates Earn Diplomas, Rank, Parents Stand By
POLIITICS
PRESIDENT RECEIVED UAE INTERIOR MINISTER
On November 5 at the Oksaroy Residence in Tashkent the President Islam Karimov received the Minister of Internal Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to the agencies.
Welcoming the guest the President has underscored the sustainable development of relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates.
“Even though the diplomatic relations between our states have been established not long ago yet the ties between our people go back deep into centuries,” – Islam Karimov has said, “the Uzbek people treat the Arab world with a special respect”.
The United Arab Emirates is Uzbekistan’s reliable partner in the Persian Gulf region as much as the Arab world. These days it has turned 15 years since the two countries have established the diplomatic relations.
The Vice President, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, the Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Muhammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum visited Uzbekistan in October this year. During such visit the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Government of the United Arab Emirates signed the agreement on preventing the income double taxation and capital tax evasion, promoting and protecting the investment, as well as the protocol of cooperation and consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries.
The visit of the UAE Interior Minister to Uzbekistan witnesses about that both countries are also traversing the path of developing the cooperation in the sphere of security. The two countries support the partnership in safeguarding society, and especially, the young men and women from the impact of various hostile ideas and ideologies, the struggle against destructive forces that operate under the guise of religion.
At the negotiations in the Oksaroy Residence the Minister Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan thanked the President for the sincere welcome and has said the United Arab Emirates, as much as in other spheres, also supports further development of cooperation with Uzbekistan in the sphere of security.
SCO GEN. PROSECUTORS MEET IN TASHKENT, DISCUSS COOPERATION
On November 7 this year the Sixth meeting of the general prosecutors of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member-states took place in the city of Tashkent, the local newspapers wrote.
The general prosecutors and heads of procurator bodies of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Republic of Kazakhstan, the People’s Republic of China, Kyrgyz Republic, Russian Federation, and Republic of Tajikistan are reported to have taken part at the meeting. The meeting also saw the participation of the Director of the SCO Regional Antiterrorism Structure (RATS) Executive Committee M.Subanov.
The Prosecutor General of the Republic of Uzbekistan R.Kadyrov has presided over the meeting. The delegates to the meeting have said that the cooperation of the SCO member-states, which is based on the principles of friendship, mutual respect, trust and commitment, has been consistently developing. It has been reiterated that strengthening of cooperation between the prosecutor’s offices in the SCO framework is important in further bettering the Organization’s activity.
Efficiency of cooperation of the SCO countries in the sphere of security sees its rise. This plays an important role in consolidating stability and prevention of threats on the SCO space. The constant exchange of information through the RATS, holding the joint antiterrorist exercises, and establishing the single database of terrorist organizations serves as a vivid example of the aforesaid.
The participants of the meeting are also reported to have discussed the outstanding issues of cooperation between the prosecutor’s offices of the SCO member-states and intensifying the exchange of information in the struggle against terrorism, extremism, and separatism, illegal trafficking of drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, illicit trade, other types of organized transnational crime, as well as bettering the normative and legal basis of the interagency cooperation.
The annual meetings of the general prosecutors is an efficient mechanism of implementing the decisions by heads of the SCO participating countries to develop and strengthen the legal cooperation in the area of combating the international terrorism and other dangerous manifestations of organized crime. This meeting in Tashkent has become the continuation of processes related to the review of implementation of the adopted resolutions.
The participants of the meeting have noted that the expected result can only be achieved by way of uniting the efforts based on the concurred principles and mechanisms of cooperation in the struggle against the threats to security and stability in regional and global scale.
The meeting is reported to have resolved on further improving the normative and legal basis of the interagency cooperation on the outstanding directions of activity of the procurator bodies of the SCO participating states. The delegates have agreed to hold the next meeting of the SCO general prosecutors in 2008 in China.
UZLIDEP CONGRESS RESOLVES ON NOMINEE TO RUN FOR HIGH OFFICE
On November 6 the Movement of entrepreneurs and business people – the Liberal-Democratic Party of Uzbekistan (UzLiDeP) held its congress in Tashkent, according to the local newspapers.
The delegates elected from the party councils of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, provinces and the city of Tashkent, the party faction members in the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis, the deputies of local Councils, the party activists and representatives of mass media participated at the congress.
The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov address the congress with a program speech, which has outlined the priority directions of the country’s development, intensifying the democratic processes as well as social and economic reforms.
The delegates have underscored that for over the years of independence the cardinal transformations have taken place in all spheres. The foundations of the national statehood, democratic law-governed state, and strong civil society have been laid. The country implemented the reforms on democratization and liberalization of society’s life, modernization of state, and transition to socially oriented market economy.
The participants of the congress have also noted that the elections of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan due December 23, 2007 will become an important event in social and political life of Uzbekistan. In this context, the party believes it is the most significant objective for it to take an active part in the forthcoming elections. They are to become a serious political school for the party.
At the moment, the party unites nearly 150,000 people. Forty-one deputies elected from the party hold seats at the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis. This witnesses about that the UzLiDeP has become a serious political force, which unites and expresses the interests of entrepreneurs, business people and farmers, who are the vanguard in implementing the economic reforms, as well as in democratic renewal of the country.
The congress has adopted a decision to nominate Islam Karimov from the Movement of entrepreneurs and business people – the Liberal-Democratic Party of Uzbekistan for the post of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
UAE INTERIOR MINISTER MEETS UZBEK COUNTERPART
On November 5 Minister of Internal Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Bakhodir Matlyubov, the local newspapers reported.
The sides have noted that the cooperation between Uzbekistan and the UAE, as much as in several other spheres, are also consistently developing in the security area. The arrangements secured during the high-level meetings serve as an important legal basis in this.
The talks saw the discussion of issues related to consolidating the interaction in combating terrorism, separatism and extremism, and crimes vis-a-vis the human trafficking. Also, the sides have exchanged views on strengthening stability and security.
Further, the parties have agreed on further developing cooperation of the interior ministries of the two counties, elaborating and implementing the new projects in the security sphere.
The same day the UAE Interior Minister visited the Khazrati Imam Complex (Khastimom) in Tashkent and observed the Khazrati Imam Mosque, the Barokkhon Madrassah, and the Muyi Muborak Sanctuary.
The high-level guest is reported to have highly assessed the profound creative and improvement work locally accomplished upon the initiative of the Uzbek Leader.
“Building such facilities is a practical reflection of the ongoing work in the country to provide for the religious tolerance, as well as bring up the youth in the spirit of respect towards national values,” – the Interior Minister Sheikh Al Nahyan has said, while speaking to journalists.
He has also visited with the Board of Muslims of Uzbekistan, where he observed the unique Koran known as the Usman Koran.
“The enormous work being carried out in Uzbekistan is worth mentioning,” - the UAE minister has said, “which is aimed at preserving, restoring and reconstructing the ancient monuments and architectural facilities”.
At the moment, the relations between the two countries are developing in the interests of both nations. We do support the further development of cooperation with Uzbekistan, he added.
ECONOMICS
UZBEK-KOREAN JOINT COMMISSION HOLDS SITTING IN TASHKENT
The Second sitting of the Joint Uzbek-South Korean committee on cooperation in the sphere of energy and natural resources took place at the International Business Center (IBC) in Tashkent, according to the agencies.
The representatives of several ministries and agencies, firms and companies of the two countries engaged in the oil and gas industry, the sphere of energy, mineral resources, economy, as well as banking and financial sphere are reported to have participated at the sitting.
The First Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan Galina Saidova has underscored that the cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea has been consistently developing in all spheres. The arrangements secured during the meetings of leaders of the two countries serve as an important legal basis in this, according to her.
Uzbekistan pays a profound attention to the development of all branches of economy, including the oil and gas industry. Year to year the volume of extraction and supplies of natural gas and oil see their rise. Uzbekistan takes one of the leading positions on extraction of natural gas not only in the CIS area, but also the whole world.
The head of the delegation of the Republic of Korea, the Deputy Minister of Commerce, Industry and Natural Resources Kim Jong Gwan has said that the cooperation between the two countries, which is based on friendship, mutual respect, trust and commitment, has been intensively developing as much as in all areas in the sphere of energy, as well.
In particular, during the State visit by President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov to the Republic of Korea in March 2006 a number of documents was signed between the “Uzbekneftegas” National Holding Company and the Korean Oil Corporation.
At the meeting in IBC in Tashkent the sides discussed the issues vis-a-vis the realization of these documents, expansion of cooperation on the use of alternative sources of energy, exploration and commissioning of new deposits of oil and gas in Uzbekistan.
SEMINAR ON HOUSING CREDITING STARTS
Seminar on the problems of mortgage lending in the countries of Central Asia and Azerbaijan opened at Radisson SAS Tashkent Hotel on November 5, according to the Uzreport.com Business Information Portal.
The seminar has been organized by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Project on the development of the primary market for mortgage loans in Central Asia and Azerbaijan, the World Bank and the Wharton Business School of the University of Pennsylvania.
The seminar will address such issues as "real estate markets, housing policy and housing financing", "sphere of housing financing, functions and products", "mortgage portfolio funding", "sphere of housing financing; risk management", etc. The opening speech was delivered by Mr. Lou Brefort, the Head of the World Bank Office in Uzbekistan.
During the seminar reports will be delivered by the representatives of the world-known business school of the University of Pennsylvania Marja Hoek-Smith, Duglas Diamond, as well as by the World Bank housing finance specialist Simon Wolly and the IFC Central Asia and Azerbaijan Housing Finance Project Manager Santiago Ruiz-Morales.
High quality system of housing financing is a key precondition for the development of the housing sector. Many countries of Central Asia, including Uzbekistan are in the process of creating the regulatory and normative base, including the development of all sorts of national programmes for the expansion of the sector of private mortgage financing and provision of high quality accessible housing for different strata of the population.
The main aim of the seminar is to provide the representatives of ministries and departments and commercial banks of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan comparative and analytical data on the technical strategic and political and regulatory issues concerning housing financing, as well as to facilitate the discussions of different international models based on specific cases taking into account international experience.
Moreover in the course of four days more than 50 participants of the seminar will learn about the details of global innovations and reforms in the systems of housing financing, the links between the housing sector and the macro-economy and housing financing markets, and the main functions of the system of housing financing.
International Financial Corporation (IFC) is a member of the World Bank Group and is the largest multilateral source of loan and equity financing for private sector projects in the developing world. It assist the sustainable economic growth of the developing countries through investment financing of private sector, capital mobilization in the domestic and international financial markets and provision of consulting services and risk management services to companies and governments. IFC believes that sustainable economic growth opens the opportunity for the poor groups of population to improve the living conditions.
In 2007 IFC invested US$8.2 billion and mobilized additional US$3.9 billion in the form of participation in lending and structural financing in 299 projects in 69 countries with transition and developing economies. IFC also provides consulting services in 97 countries.
UNDP, MICROCREDITBANK SIGN AGREEMENT, LAUNCH MICROCREDIT COMPONENT
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Microcreditbank signed a cooperation Agreement on October 23, 2007 Uzreport.com Business Information Portal reported.
The agreement was signed within the framework of Area-Based Development Programme initiated by UNDP with an aim to foster socio-economic development in the rural areas of Uzbekistan.
Microcreditbank was selected as a result of open competition launched by UNDP among financial and credit organizations as a partner for introduction products in target communities in Tashkent region.
The microcredit products are targeted at increasing production of vegetables in greenhouses, fattening cattle and increasing the value of vinery crop, a press release of UNDP said.
The products were developed within the framework of the microfinance component of the Area-Based Development Programme based on the previously conducted assessment of entrepreneurs' and farming entities' needs in microfinance services.
The needs assessment was conducted in 2006 in two citizens' rural assemblies namely Zarkent (Parkent district) and Yonaryk (Kibray district). Till the end of March 2008 Microcreditbank will provide over 50 credits.
The key feature of cooperation between UNDP and Microcreditbank within Area-Based Development Programme lies in targeted approach in identifying the users of microcredit products designed based on specific area and economic activity features. This approach allows improving financial sustainability of economic entities thus ensuring credit repayment.
Area-Based Development Programme was initiated in Uzbekistan in 2006 in Kashkadarya and Tashkent regions. The overall goal of the Programme is to contribute to improvement of living standards of population in rural areas through establishment of reciprocal cooperation and partnership mechanisms among communities, local governments, educational and research institutions, NGOs and private sector with an aim to increase efficiency and generate new incomes and employment opportunities for sustainable human and economic development.
Area-Based Development microfinance component covers piloting and development of a wide range of microfianance services beyond credits for short-term working capital for small traders. The component aims at contributing to improve access to microfinance services in rural areas for private and dehkan farmers, entrepreneurs and low-income households.
SOCIETY
LOCAL HOSPITAL IN FERGHANA PROVINCE EARNS UNICEF CERTIFICATE
The maternity department and polyclinics of the Central hospital of the Besharyk District in the Ferghana Province earned the “Friend of children” UNICEF Certificate, the report by Uzbekistan National News Agency Russian-language website has said.
The hospital now implements this prestigious organization-led “Protection of breastfeeding and friendly attitude towards child” program. The program envisages the special training courses for the doctors and medium-level medical personnel, according to the report.
“Last year the maternity department has been fully repaired and supplied with the latest medical equipment,” – the deputy head doctor of the district health department Saidakhmad Yuldashev is reported to have said, “the projects and programs being accomplished jointly with the UNICEF play an important role in protecting motherhood and childhood. Special attention is being paid to the awareness work and propaganda. The conversations with young mothers about the priority of breastfeeding now bear their positive results”.
Number of programs and projects are being carried out along with UNICEF to protect motherhood and childhood, prevention of AIDS and drug abuse. The retraining of doctors is also in full sway throughout the province, the report added.
“As a result of implementation of such programs we have established the solid system of protection of motherhood and childhood,” – the head of the regional department of health Shavkat Khusanbaev has said, “by now all our maternity houses and polyclinics have earned the respective UNICEF certificates. We are going to further take such work at their next stage at 293 countryside medical stations”.
UZBEK PIANIST SECURES NEAR TOP PLACE IN CONTEST IN ITALY
The Glier Republican Special Music Academic Lyceum has embraced the good news: the student of the lyceum, the pianist Tokhirjon Askarov has secured the second place at the international contest of young musicians “Le musi” to have taken place in the Italian town of Agropol.
The judges of the said contest of young talents, which saw the participation of representatives of over 15 countries around the world, according to the report by Uzbekistan National News Agency Russian-language website, have highly assessed the performance by T.Askarov from Uzbekistan, who performed the works of world and national classic music.
The students of the same lyceum – Kamola Zakirova and Dilnoza Turaeva are reported to have taken the second and third places, respectively, at the international festival of young musicians, which has taken place in Lithuania.
The fact that the young Uzbek performers are embracing such successes at the prestigious international music contests is certainly not for nothing. After all, all conditions are now created in Uzbekistan for young men and women to fully manifest their abilities. And their successes are the outcome of care and attention the Uzbek youth is now surrounded with, the report has said.
ECOLOGICAL KHASHAR CONDUCTED IN TASHKENT
The Days of Ecology and Health are traditionally conducted in the country to create better environmental condition for the population on the initiative of the Ecosan International Organisation and with the support of the Government of Uzbekistan.
On November 3 within the frame of the third stage of the Days of Ecology and Health devoted tot eh 16th anniversary of the independence and the Day of Constitution of Uzbekistan, a national ecological khashar (community work) was conducted in the country.
According to the Republican Headquarters responsible for the organization of the Days, more than 8 million people participated in the project. A part of the population (white-collar workers) worked at their work place, blue-collar workers worked to improve the technical condition of the industrial equipment, repair-recover the heating equipment for the winter season, and others worked on autumn-planting of trees, development, cleaning of streets, and other territories.
On this day special attention was given to the appropriation of special areas for the collection, storage and composting of the leaves to prevent their burning, and to the appropriation of the special transport for the disposal of wastes.
Thus, according to the preliminary data more than 70,000 people participated in khashar in the city of Margilan, of which more than 60,000 took an active part in the outdoor works, and the rest worked at their workplaces. The same day more than 8 tonnes of solid industrial and household wastes were taken out of the city. More than 10 cubic meters of ditches were cleaned out. The sanitary condition of 38 industrial objects was improved. The staff of the Margilan Pedagogical College consisting of 2,000 people and the staff of other educational institutions took an active part in the community works.
SGT SCHOOL GRADUATES EARN DIPLOMAS, RANK, PARENTS STAND BY
At the moment, grand opportunities have been established in Uzbekistan for the young men and women to serve in the interior affairs system. In particular, the Academy of Ministry of Internal Affairs, Higher technical school of fire security, and the Tashkent higher military and technical specialized school are now operating in the country.
At the same time, the Higher courses of sergeants training at the Interior Ministry Academy, established on the initiative of the Uzbek Leader, serve as a unique school for training the contemporary cadres in the sphere able to provide for the peace in the country and tranquility of citizens.
The commencement ceremony for graduates of such Higher courses took place in Tashkent with distribution to them diplomas and the rank of a junior sergeant, the report by Uzbekistan National News Agency Russian-language website has said.
Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Lieutenant-General B.Matlyubov, acting head of the Academy Colonel A.Yakubov and otherû spoke at the ceremony. They have said that for over the years of independence the profound work has been accomplished in Uzbekistan to reform the system of internal affairs bodies – the important link in strengthening the law and order.
Parents and the kith and kin of the graduates, who had gathered to eyewitness the ceremony, are reported to have shared the joy and fine mood of the diploma-earners at the event by granting them frank and heartfelt congratulations.