January 29, 2010

Politics:
President approves State Program for 2010
Economics:
Uzbekistan Airways marks 18 years of operation
Toward Modernization
Chemical Plants Upgrade Production Units
Society:
New rural houses built in Andijan
Time for New Discoveries
Japanese Drummers in Tashkent

POLICY

PRESIDENT APPROVES STATE PROGRAM FOR 2010

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a resolution on 27 January on the State Program “Year of harmoniously developed generation”. As reported earlier, the year 2010 was proclaimed Year of harmoniously developed generation in Uzbekistan.

The document envisages implementation of a wide range of measures aimed at creating of required conditions in the country for upbringing healthy and harmoniously developed generation, and realization of the young people’s potential.

Among the key tasks of the program are improvement of the legislation related to protection of the rights and interests of the children and youth, and expanding reforms in healthcare sector.

The program also stipulates improvement of the educational standards, study programs and literature, improvement of education in schools, professional colleges and lyceums, wide introduction of ICT in education and stimulating teachers.

One of the tasks included in the State Program is development and introduction in the people’s lives of the modern information and communication technologies, digital communication tools and the Internet.

An important area is strengthening activities in attracting the young people to sports and promoting healthy lifestyle, construction of new sports complexes and preparation of highly qualified trainers.

The program also includes issues of stimulation of the small business and private entrepreneurship, with creating conditions for attracting the youth to this area, especially in the rural areas.

The government has been entrusted with developing a package of measures for development of science and supporting the young people in their scientific activities.

Strengthening support of the young families and ensuring their legal and social protection, as well as protecting the young people from alcohol and drug abuse are other tasks of the program. (Source: National News Agency UzA)

ECONOMY

UZBEKISTAN AIRWAYS MARKS 18 YEARS OF OPERATION

The National Air Company of Uzbekistan marks 18 years of its operation on 28 January. On this day in 1992 President Islam Karimov signed a decree on establishing O`zbekiston Havo Yo`llari (Uzbekistan Airways).

Over the past years, the carrier has occupied a strong position on the international air transportation market and expanded the range of its operation.

The company is implementing the State program of civil aviation development until 2020, which envisages full modernization of the air fleet, creation of the modern base for technical service of planes, development of infrastructure, and reconstruction of the air traffic management system.

At a press conference in Tashkent on 27 January, Uzbekistan Airways director general Valeriy Tyan said the company carried 7.7% more passengers on the internal routes last year compared to 2008.

The company continued works on creation of the international logistics center in Navoi airport. From 27 May, regular use of two cargo planes A300-600 of Korean Air started on routes from Navoi to Bangkok, Delhi and Mumbai. International cargo transportations grew by 35.8% last year.

Uzbekistan Airways is continuing modernization of its fleet. In 2009, the company received two locally produced Il-114-100 planes.

Uzbekistan Airways Technics is carrying out technical service of not only Uzbek planes, but also liners of foreign companies.

The National Air Company successfully passed the IOSA audit last year and was included in the official register of operators of IOSA.

In the framework of preparation to joining the SkyTeam international alliance, Uzbekistan Airways has identified a supplier of information systems, which will soon be introduced. (Source: National News Agency UzA)

TOWARD MODERNIZATION

China Coal Energy Company Limited has won the tender for modernization of Angren coal mine.

According to Uzbekugol JSC, customer of the project, the modernization of Angren coal mine covers substitution of the cyclical technology to conveyor when developing secondary kaolin and coal seams.

The project is to increase coal production to 6.4 million tons per year against 3.2 million tons in 2009.

It is planned to supply 4.2 million tons of coal to New Angren Thermal Power Plant for its year-round solid fuel combustion. Technical modernization of the mine is be implemented along with the transfer to the year-round coal combustion.

According to preliminary data, the modernization of the open-pit mine will begin in the second half of 2010 and be completed by early 2012. The total project cost is $154.4 million is funded by a loan from China’s Eximbank in the amount of $120.4 million and Uzbekenergo’s own funds in the amount of $34 million

The project of transition of Yangi Angren Thermal Power Plant to coal combustion is estimated at $107 million. On the first stage (2009-2012), it is planned to modernize five units. Increase in annual capacity will reach 2,100 MW.

Angren coal deposit is the largest in Uzbekistan. The deposit contains Angren and Apartak open-cast mines. (Source: newspaper Uzbekistan Today)

CHEMICAL PLANTS UPGRADE PRODUCTION UNITS

Two chemical plants in Uzbekistan, Maxam-Chirchiq and Fargo’naazot, have modernized production facilities worth around $50 million

As part of modernization, the two companies reconstructed ammonia unit AM-76 that resulted in reduced power consumption and increase in production capacity of nitrogen fertilizer of ammonium nitrate and urea. In particular, Maxam-Chirchiq is loaded at 93.3%, and Fargo’naazot at 88.9% of their capacity.

The projects are implemented with the assistance of the Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan, bank loans, enterprises’ own funds and foreign direct investment.

In 2009-2014, O’zkimyosanoat plans to modernize the industry for $2.062 billion. The program includes 12 projects worth $262.9 million and already under implementation, as well as 6 projects under development worth $1.79 billion.

These projects are included in the government program of modernization, technical and technological re-equipment of production in Uzbekistan for 2009-2014, adopted in March last year.

These projects will be financed via foreign investments and credit facilities, loans to the Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan and other sources.

BACKGROUND

Maxam-Chirchiq (former Elektrohimprom) was put into operation in 1940 and specializes in the production of ammonia, ammonium nitrate and urea. In spring 2007, Spain-baised MAXAM Corp. S.A.U. acquired 49% stake in Elektrohimprom for $22 million with investment commitments amounting to $55 million to be channeled over five years in the development and modernization of the enterprise.

Fargo’naazot (former Azot Production Association) was put into operation in 1956 and today is the largest enterprise in chemical industry producing nitrogenous fertilizers. (Source: newspaper Uzbekistan Today)

SOCIETY

NEW RURAL HOUSES BUILT IN ANDIJAN

Twenty new houses built on the basis of type projects have been commissioned in Ittifoq neighborhood of Altynkul district in Andijan region.

The houses were built in the framework of the state efforts to improve the rural infrastructure and raise the living levels of the population in rural areas.

As reported earlier, last August President of Uzbekistan signed a resolution on expanding the construction of housing in rural areas.

So far, in Andijan region 60 houses were built for residents of Shahrihan, Asaka and Altynkul districts.

The houses are built from local raw materials, which helps reduce their cost for the families. Qishloq Qurilish Bank provides preferential credit for those purchasing the houses.

In 2010, 620 similar houses will be built in Andijan region at specially allocated land slots. (Source: National News Agency UzA)

TIME FOR NEW DISCOVERIES

In 2010, the Republican Scientific Vertebrology Center of the Ministry of Healthcare of Uzbekistan marks its 10th anniversary. The priority of this young medical institution is to improve methods of diagnostics and treatment spine of diseases. The center’s director Olimjon Abdukhalikov told more about this to UT:

“We develop new methods of diagnosis to more accurately determine the affected area of the spine. In these studies we give preference to magnetic resonance scanning with use of contrast agents. Availability of accurate information on the location and size of lesions allows us to choose the most effective tactics of treatment. Precise information is particularly necessary for drawing the course of a surgery which greatly affects on how fast the patient can return to normal rhythm of life.

Modern vertebrologic surgeries led to a breakthrough in treatment. If earlier patients had to comply with bed rest for several months after a surgery on the spine, today such patients are able to walk on the second day after the surgery. However, there is still a lot to be done for further improvement of existing methods of treatment. The specialists of our center are developing low invasive surgeries, as well as more durable structures that support the spine.

One of the most pressing problems for vertebrology scientists at this stage is the spinal cord syndrome. It may seem that the sources of preoperative pain are resolved, but the pain remains. The reasons of this may be different, including the violation of strength pillar of the spine, recurrence of hernia, vast postoperative scars. As a rule, in such situations repeated surgery is required. Specialists of our center also work to solve this problem which results in emergence of new methods that prevent the development of complications. For the last years, the number of patients who require repeat surgery has significantly reduced.”

UT Reference

Vertebrology is the direction of medicine engaged in the diagnostics and treatment of diseases of the spine. The Scientific Vertebrology Center of the Ministry of Healthcare of Uzbekistan was established in 2000 on the basis of the clinic of Andijon State Medical Institute. The creation of the center is recognition of the contribution of scientists of the Institute’s Traumatology and Neurosurgery department in improving diagnostics and treatment of spine diseases. (Source: newspaper Uzbekistan Today)

JAPANESE DRUMMERS IN TASHKENT

Tour performances of a band of Japanese drummers Himiko in the Uzbek capital have been occasioned to the Year of Cooperation between Japan and Central Asia 2009. The show was organized by the Ministry for Culture and Sports Affairs of Uzbekistan, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Fund Forum, the Embassy of Japan in Uzbekistan and the Agency for Culture Affairs of Japanese government.

Not reasonless they say “If you want to have a rest, and visit – even if only in your dreams – the country where the Japanese cherry tree blossoms, introduce yourself to the creativity of Japanese drummers”. Uzbek spectators have got such an opportunity. Two wonderful evening events have been presented by Japanese musicians with new sounding of the traditional percussion instruments on the stages of Alisher Navoiy State Academic Bolshoi Theater and the Grand Hall of State Conservatory.

Master classes by the Japanese female drummers took place at the State Conservatory within the tour program, where students and all visitors had an opportunity to get familiarized with the art of playing the Japanese drums.

The concert of a band of Japanese drummers Himiko has been the product of energetic cooperation between Fund Forum and Japan’s public organizations. In November last year, a concert of traditional Japanese dances was organized in Tashkent where a dancing group Bandou Sengiku performed classical Japanese dances and evoked keen interest in the spectators. In their turn, the Japanese public actively visited concert performances of the instrumental group Registon during its tours across Japan. And in 2007, the concert “Music and Dances of the Land of the Rising Sun” was organized in Tashkent with the participation of leading masters of national dance and music, including the national dancing theater Ofarin who represented Uzbekistan in many joint cultural projects of the two countries. (Source: newspaper Uzbekistan Today)