22 October, 2011

Politics:
Uzbekistan's GDP grows 8.2% in nine months
Draft laws in deepening market reforms and economic liberalization were consideredon
3.5 million tons of cotton harvested in Uzbekistan
Economics:
Uzbek Agriculture Ministry attracts investments for US$77.68m in Jan-Sep
Society:
International film forum opens in Tashkent

POLITICS

Uzbekistan's GDP grows 8.2% in nine months

The Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan held a session on 19 October to consider the results of the socioeconomic development of the country in the first nine months of 2011.

In the reporting period, Uzbekistan retained macroeconomic stability and high economic growth rates, the meeting said.

The country’s GDP increased by 8.2% in January-September, industrial production grew by 7% and agriculture by 6.8%. The state budget was executed with a surplus of 0.4% to the GDP. The inflation level was within the forecast. The growth of the export volumes made up 21.4%.
The Cabinet considered the issue of harvesting cotton and preparation of lands for the next season’s crops. Despite shortages of water this year, timely agro-technical measures and rational use of water allowed achieving high yields.

One of the issues on the agenda was implementation of investment projects included in the Program of priorities of industrial development for 2011-2015. It was noted that in January-September 828 new industrial objects were commissioned in food, light, chemical, construction materials, machinery building and other industries.
The volume of attracted foreign investments made up USD 2.3 billion in the nine months of the year.

The production of consumer goods increased by 11.4%, retail trade by 16.2% and paid services to the population by 14.2%.
The government also analyzed the realization of the Program of development of infrastructure, and transport and communication construction for 2011-2015.

5,966 new individual residential houses were commissioned in rural areas in the reporting period. 2,194 km of water supply networks were laid, including 1,934 in rural regions.

The total capital of commercial banks in the three quarters of 2011 increased 1.3 times year-on-year, while the volume of deposits in banks grew 1.5 times.

The share of small business in the country’s GDP increased to 50.5% compared to 48.5% at the end of September 2010. Industrial production in small business increased by 26.5% and the small business sector’s exports grew 1.6 times.

(Source: UzA News Agency)

Draft laws in deepening market reforms and economic liberalization were considered

On October 18, 2011 a regular meeting of the faction of the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businessmen - Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan was held. It was attended by members of the faction, deputies of the Legislative Chamber, lawyers and experts, representatives of the mass media.

A number of bills introduced for discussion of the next meeting of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan were discussed at the meeting.

On the first reading, deputies discussed the draft law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On family business”, developed under the Program of measures on realization of priority directions in deepening democratic market reforms and economic liberalization of “The Concept of further deepening democratic reforms and establishing civil society in the country”, approved by the Order of the President of the Republic Uzbekistan on January 14, 2011 under ¹3557.

The main purpose of this bill is to create necessary legislative basis for the development of family business in various sectors of the economy as an important form of small business and private entrepreneurship, strengthening the legal safeguards for the family business and the establishment of new jobs. Since this form of business organization in our country is fully consistent with our national traditions, methods of management and creation of legislative basis for the organization of this business will create an opportunity to strengthen the legal safeguards of family business, its rapid and extensive development in various sectors of the economy.

During the discussion, deputies from UzLiDeP highlighted the fact that the family business is shown as a separate organizational-legal form of economic activity undertaken by family enterprises, organized on the basis of common property or property share of family members, as well as with the direct labor participation of family members.

Members of the faction considered the draft law “On introducing amendments and addenda to the “Air Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan” on the first reading.

These changes and additions to the Air Code are made in order to align some of the articles of the Air Code with national legislation, standards and recommended practices of ICAO, as well as international treaties, participant of which is the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as implementation of recommendations of the commission of ICAO on the results of the audit of the Republic of Uzbekistan held on July 2008.
Based on the discussions and suggestions, the draft law was approved by the members of the faction.

At a meeting of the faction the draft law “On introducing amendments and addenda to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On guarantees of freedom of entrepreneurship”, as provided in the “Concept of further deepening democratic reforms and establishing civil society in the country” and the State program “Year of small businesses and private entrepreneurship” were also discussed.

Faction of UzLiDeP agreed with the concept of introduced bill and approved it for adoption on the first reading.

On the first reading, members of the faction UzLiDeP also discussed the draft law “On introducing amendments and addenda to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On tax advice”.

It provides for clarifying changes, additions and editorial changes to a number of articles of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On tax advice” and the presentation of a new version of some of its articles.
Taking into account the wishes and proposals of members of the faction proposed bill and its concept were approved by the faction.
At the end of the meeting, the faction made an appropriate decision on discussed issues.

(Source: parliament.gov.uz)

3.5 million tons of cotton harvested in Uzbekistan

Over 3.5 million tons of cotton have been harvested in Uzbekistan. More than 90% of the harvest is cotton of the highest grade.

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov congratulated the country’s farmers with fulfilling their contracts with the state.

“This year’s agricultural season was not easy. The vagaries of spring weather, drought and shortages of water, as well as hot summer threatened the future of the crop,” the head of the state said.

“Temperatures above average annual norm in July and August, when the cotton enters the stage of active development and accumulation of the crop, invasion of various pests and increased incidence of plant diseases caused many problems.

“However, we all know well, despite these hardships and thanks to tireless work and persistence of our farmers, who have seen a lot in their life, who treated literally every cotton bush with special care and love, the yield was high,” Islam Karimov noted.

The President expressed deep gratitude to “hundreds of farms who achieved previously unseen success thanks to their tireless work”.
Speaking about the season’s results, the head of the state highlighted the growth of the income of the farms this year compared to the previous year.

“According to preliminary calculations, gross income is expected to exceed UZS 2.4 trillion, which is 25% more than last year,” Islam Karimov said.

This will undoubtedly create huge opportunities for further improvement of the villages and the whole country, construction of new schools, lyceums and colleges, modern medical establishments, children’s sports objects, social infrastructure and rural housing, or, in short, for the further growth of the prosperity of the country and its people, the President emphasized.

The demand for the Uzbek cotton on the world market is increasing, he continued. This can be proved by the fact that the recent International Uzbek Cotton and Textile Fair resulted in contracts for sale of 650,000 tons of Uzbek cotton fiber with large foreign companies.

(Source: UzA News Agency)

ECONOMY

Uzbek Agriculture Ministry attracts investments for US$77.68m in Jan-Sep

Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management of Uzbekistan attracted foreign investments for US$77.68 million in nine months of 2011, the Department of attracting foreign investments and projects monitoring of the Ministry said.

In line with the presidential resolution “On Investment Programme of Uzbekistan for 2011” from 29 December 2010, the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management implements 10 projects in 2011 with forecasted volume of attracted loans for US$106.47 million.

In particular, some US$4.638 million were used within the project “Drainage project of Uzbekistan. Drainage project in Southern Karakalpakstan”, which is implemented due to loan of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development in January-September 2011.
Total cost of the project makes up US$74.55 million. Since launch of the project, some 52.442 million were used and it makes up 87.4% of total loan sum.

In nine months of 2011, the ministry utilized US$3.045 million within the project “Rehabilitation of pump station Kuyu-Mazar in Bukhara region”, which is realized within the OPEC Fund. The project cost is US$18.47 million, including OPEC Fund loan – US$12 million. Since project launch, some 11.236 million or 93.6% of loan sum have been used.

The project “Rehabilitation of Alat pump station in Bukhara region” is realized due to loans of Saudi Development Fund. Total cost of the project is US$17.01 million, including SDF loan – 12 million and government contribution – US$5.01 million. In January-September 2011, the ministry attracted US$8.886 million within the project. Overall, US$9.086 million or 75.7% of total loan sum were used so far.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) issued US$73.2 million to project “Rehabilitation of Amu Zang channel system”, total cost of which is US$112.6 million. The government contributed to the project some US$36.95 million, beneficiaries – US$1.64 million and private sector – $0.08 million. In January-September 2011, over 3.937 million were used within the project. Since project launch, the ministry used US$65.393 million or 8.3% of total loan.

The project “Water resource management in Ferghana and Zarafshan Valleys” also implemented with the ADB. The project’s total cost is US$144.05 million, of which US$100 million is the ADB loan and US$44.05 – contribution of the government.

Within the project, the ministry attracted US$13.57 million in January-September 2011 and US$19.97% million since launch of project.
The project “Rehabilitation of irrigation network and drainage system in Jizzakh and Syrdarya region” is realized within the loans of Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, Islamic Development Fund, OPEC Fund.

The project cost is US$94.3 million, including KFAED loan – US$15.62 million, IDB loan – US$52.65 million and OPEC Fund loan – US$12.72 million, and the government contribution – US$13.3 million. In nine months of 2011, some US$8.153 million were used within the project. Since project start, the ministry attracted US$19.57 million or 24.2% of loan sum.

Over US$10.289 million were used within the project “Management of water resources in Ferghana Valley. Phase 1”. The project cost is US$81.85 million, of which US$65.54 million are the World Bank loans. In nine months of 2011, the ministry used US$10.289 million. Since the project launch, US$13.031 million or 19.9% of credit sum were utilized.
The project “Reconstruction of pump station Karakul in Bukhara region” is implemented within no-string aid of the Chinese government at the size of US$7.3238 million. The ministry used US$2.63 million within the project in nine months of 2011 and US$7.01 million (96% of no-string aid) since its launch.

International Development Agency is taking part in the project “Support of Agriculture enterprises. Phase 2” with the cost of US$76.943 million. The IDA loan makes up US$67.96 million. Over US$10.703 million were used in nine months of 2011 within the project and US$33.28 million (48.97% of total loan) since its launch.

The project “Improvement of land-improvement in Bukhara, Navoi and Kashkadarya region” is implemented in the partnership with the ADB. The project cost is US$76.18 million, including US$60.2 million ADB loan.
In January-September 2011, the ministry utilized investments for US$11.828 million within the project. Since its launch, the ministry used investments for US$20.619 million or 34.3% of total loan.

(Source: UzDaily.com)

SOCIETY

International film forum opens in Tashkent

The first Tashkent international film forum “Golden Cheetah” opened in the capital of Uzbekistan on 19 October. The event is being held in the framework of the Art Week Style.uz by the Fund “Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan” and the Uzbekkino national agency.

Cinematographers from dozens of countries of Europe, Asia, Africa and North and South America arrived in Tashkent for the festival, which has a slogan “21st Century Civilization: Dialogue of Cultures”.

The six main prizes of the forum – statues of the Golden Cheetah – will be presented to winners of the contest in six nominations – the best full and short-length films, best animation, best film director, as well as the best male and female actors.

The Tashkent film forum has a particular importance, forum general director Akbar Hakimov said at the opening ceremony. It is the first international film event on such a high scale in the new history of Uzbekistan, he stressed.

The aim of the forum is not only to showcase the best films from around the world, but also revive the interest of the wide public to the cinema and give a new boost to the further development of the great potential the national cinema art has.

Filmmakers from almost 50 countries submitted applications to the forum, and only 12 works were selected of 139 full-length, 15 each of 74 short-length and 87 animated films.

Among the contenders are a number of works of the Uzbek cinematographers, including two-full length, two short and one animated films.

The festival opened with the film “Under the Hawthorn Tree” by Zhang Yimou of China.

The Tashkent film forum programme includes demonstration of the French animated films, short films project Non-Stop and the daily Uzbek movies show.

(Source: UzA News Agency)