4 November, 2011

Politics:
When the statements differ from the real state of things
President of Hungary to visit Uzbekistan
Economics:
Three exhibitions open in Tashkent
Tourism is important sphere of economic development
Society:
Uzbek gymnasts win rhythmic gymnastics tournament in Moscow

POLITICS

When the statements differ from the real state of things

Uzbekistan denied official statement of Tajikistan Government on course of construction of Rogun hydro power station, which was published on 26 October 2011.

The state run mass media reported that the Tajik statement said that the country fully adheres to agreement with the World Bank on holding international expertise of the project and it is not planning to start construction of the station till the results of the international expertise. The statement said that Tajikistan does not hinder work of international experts and all works at the station are only repairing and rehabilitation activities.

The statement of Tajikistan said that technical, economic expediency and ecologic security of the project on construction Rogun hydro power station (HPS) was checked several times. The Uzbek media said the statement is incorrect.

The media said that the project of the station was launched in 1970s and it does not undergo any expertise, especially international ones. The construction of the object was started in 1976 and the works were ceased after the USSR collapse. The report said that’s why Tajikistan cannot present any information on the object expertise.

The report added that the station site is located at seismic dangerous area and this should concern international consortium specialists. It is not possible to construct 335 meter dam in seismic active zone. Tajik side hinders to carry out exploration drilling, which creates serious disagreements between international experts and Tajikistan authorities.

At the same time, the report said that the statement of Tajik authorities on their full agreement with international consortium is incorrect. Minister of Industry and Energy Mr. Gul said that the country will continue construction of the Rogun station independently from the result of ecologic and social expertise of the project.
The reports said that the World Bank knows about plans of Tajikistan on starting works on damming Vahsh to launch constriction of dam. Tajikistan plans to build 120m dam without waiting results of the expertise.

The statements of Tajikistan on conducting repairing and rehabilitation works at Rogun station are not true as well. The country spent to so-called repairing and rehabilitation works almost US$150 million and allocated US$191 million this year. In 2012, the country issues $223 million.

It is also know that over 5,000 people work at Rogun station and it is clear that such number of workers is not required for repairing and rehabilitation.

Tajikistan authorities are silent on these facts in their statement and they are attempting to hide real situation from international community. They are planning to realize Rogun project despite ecologic and social risks.

The reports added that Tajikistan is not listening to all calls to abolish construction of large dam in the world, which are not constructed in the world now, and find alternative sources of energy production, such as small power stations.

(Source: UzDaily.com)

President of Hungary to visit Uzbekistan

On the invitation of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, President of Hungary Pal Schmitt will pay an official visit to Uzbekistan on 6-8 November.

During the visit, issues of expansion and strengthening of the cooperation between Uzbekistan and Hungary, as well as regional and international problems will be considered.

On the results of the talks, signing of bilateral documents, aimed at deepening interaction between the two states, is planned.

ECONOMY

Three exhibitions open in Tashkent

Three international exhibitions, “Transport and Logistics – TransUzbekistan 2011”, “Automobiles, Spare Parts and Service – Auto & Parts Uzbekistan 2011”, and the “Central Asia International Exhibition Protection, Security and Fire Safety – CAIPS 2011”, opened in Tashkent on Thursday.

At the opening ceremony, deputy minister of defence of Uzbekistan M.Saliev and others pointed out that in modern conditions such notions as security and protection of human life have acquired a special character and became the basis of the security industry in general.

Today, in Uzbekistan a consistent work is being carried out to develop and introduce new technologies aimed at ensuring public safety, protection of health and private property. In this context, the exhibition is a good platform for a constructive exchange of experience between companies from all over Central Asia and foreign producers, deputy minister said.

The joint exposition has presented 70 companies from 15 countries, including Uzbekistan, Belarus, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, China, Latvia, UAE, Russia, Ukraine, Finland, Czech Republic and Switzerland.
Among the major players of the transport infrastructure taking part in the forum are Uzbekistan Railways, Transmashholding of Russia, Ural Locomotives and others.

“Our company designs, manufactures, markets and serves locomotives,” Ural Locomotives marketing specialist Marina Dakalova said. “Our company specializes in production of next-generation electric locomotives, and we are interested in cooperation with the Uzbek partners.”

The Auto & Parts Uzbekistan and TransUzbekistan exhibitions have foreign companies operating in the automotive industry. These are ERA and AURIDA from Italy, Russian Auto-Electro Dial, Janmor (Poland-Uzbekistan), local Autorobot Asia, Mega Mebiko, Miral Shina, Avto Oynalar Dunyosi, Lukoil (Russia), and others.

“Autorobot Asia provides design, manufacture and sale of liner equipment needed to repair damaged vehicles,” company administrator Farhad Umarov said. “This year we are presenting a new hardware callet Autorobot. The exhibition should help us find potential customers and enter foreign markets.”

The Chinese Hytera Communications Co. Ltd and Tbs Inform are demonstrating the equipment necessary for professional mobile radio connection, Micros provides access control equipment. Among the regular participants are Pozhspetsmash (Ukraine) and UMIRS-ASIA joint venture.

(Source: UzA News Agency)

Tourism is important sphere of economic development

The 17th Tashkent International Tourism Fair “Tourism on the Silk Road 2011” opened at Uzexpocenter on 2 November.

The event has been organized by the National Company Uzbektourism, exhibition company TNT Expo and advertising agency Buyuk Ipak Yoli (Great Silk Road).

Tourism sector is one of the important spheres of the economy. Uzbekistan is included in one of the top ten countries by the number of historical and tourism sites. There are more than 4,000 historical and cultural monuments in Uzbekistan. The ancient cities, the picturesque nature and diverse culture attract people from all over the world.

The reforms implemented in the tourism sector over the years of the country’s independence have given positive results. The number of modern hotels and recreation centers is growing. Development of new tourist routes, creating new and renovating existing transport communications contribute to the development of tourism and increase the flow of tourists to Uzbekistan.

High-speed train Afrosiyob on the Tashkent-Samarkand route was launched on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the independence of Uzbekistan. This was an important step towards improving the quality of transport services for local residents and tourists.

Today, such types of tourism as ecotourism, adventure tourism, cultural, educational and others are developing in the country. Tourists arriving in Uzbekistan can get a lot of useful and interesting information about culture and history of this land.

According to Uzbektourism, in 2010 Uzbekistan attracted 6.9% more tourists than in 2009. In the first half of this year, the growth of tourist services made up 27%. The number of new business entities that started their activities in this sphere is increasing. In January-June 2011, 71 tourist enterprises and 29 hotels were commissioned.

Currently, there are 782 enterprises, 294 hotels and 450 tour operators in Uzbekistan.

A special attention is paid to creating necessary conditions for cooperation with foreign partners and develop domestic tourism. A series of marketing projects, called mega-info-tours, are being organized by the Uzbektourism in order to demonstrate the tourism potential of Uzbekistan and to increase the flow of foreign and domestic tourists. Close cooperation has been established with more than 200 tour companies in countries like Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Russia, Singapore, France, China and Japan.
This October, Uzbekistan was elected as member of the Executive Council of the World Tourism Organization for 2011-2015 by the European Regional Group at the 19th UNWTO session in South Korea.

Uzbekistan joined this organization in 1993. UNWTO, which unites over 150 states, supports the financing of projects in many countries around the world.
Within the Tashkent Tourism Fair, the first tourist photo competition called “The Great Silk Road” and the contest “The Best Guide of Uzbekistan” will be held.

On the first day of the fair, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Uzbektourism and the State Secretariat for Trade, Crafts, Small and Medium Enterprises, Tourism and Services of the French Republic.
Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov spoke at the opening ceremony of the International Tourism Fair.

(Source: UzA News Agency)

SOCIETY

Uzbek gymnasts win rhythmic gymnastics tournament in Moscow

At the international tournament of rhythmic gymnastics, held in Moscow, Russia, Uzbek gymnasts from Samarkand and Navoi regions won the main prizes of the contest, competing with more than 250 athletes from over 10 countries.

In the competition of sports masters, champion of Uzbekistan Maftuna Shamsieva won two gold medals for the exercises with hoop and ball, and a silver medal for performance with the ribbon. In the all-around, Shamsiyeva took the second place.

In their age categories in the all-around, Tahmina Ikramova won the gold, Maftuna Kuvondikova won three bronze medals for the exercises with hoop and ball and the floor exercise.

For the exercises with hoop and ball Shahzoda Gulyamova was awarded two bronze medals, Arai Nurmatova – one bronze medal.

(Source: UzA News Agency)