Malaysian MPs in Uzbekistan for closer cooperation
Economics
Uzbekistan offers seven textile companies to investors, management firms
Uzbek oil and gas events opens in Tashkent
Uzbekistan will raise natural gas export by 10%
Fergana Oil Refinery Boosts Output of Liquefied Gas
Uzbekistan, Russia eye new gas agreements
Society
Festival "Children and Stars" being held in Tashkentland
Youth forum held in Uzbek south to promote fight against religious extremism
Bukhara hosts "Silk and Spices" festival
Olympiad on Russian language, literature held in Tashkent
Screening of Latvian animated films in Tashkent
Oksana Chusovitina won a gold medal in World Cup Gymnastics in Gent POLITICS
MALAYSIAN MPS IN UZBEKISTAN FOR CLOSER COOPERATION
A visiting Malaysian delegation led by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tan Sri Ramli Ngah bin Talib, met the Speaker of the Uzbek Supreme Assembly's Legislative, Erkin Khalilov, on 15 May.
The progressive development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Malaysia was noted during the talks. Agreements reached during meetings between the two heads of state serve as a legal basis for this. The meeting stressed that Uzbek President Islam Karimov's state visit to Malaysia in October 2005 opened new opportunities for expanding all-round cooperation.
During the talks the sides exchanged views on future cooperation between the lower houses of the two states in further strengthening the legal basis for relations between Uzbekistan and Malaysia.
At a meeting with Ilgizar Sobirov, chairman of the Supreme Assembly's Senate, they discussed developing cooperation in lawmaking. It was noted that the visit of the Malaysian parliamentary delegation plays a key role in raising cooperation to a new level.
The guests also met the chairman of Uzbekistan's Muslim Board, mufti Abdurashid qori Bahromov. They paid a visit to the capital's State Museum of History of Temurids.
ECONOMICS
UZBEKISTAN OFFERS SEVEN TEXTILE COMPANIES TO INVESTORS, MANAGEMENT FIRMS
Uzbek governmental commission announced competition among investors and management companies to purchase or manage textile companies in the country.
The commission announced competition on seven textile companies, equipped with modern technologies.
Oyim Textile, Alattex, Namangantextile, Tashkent Toytepa Textile, Bestex and Ferghana Textile and Uniho are offered to investors.
Oyim Textile, located in Andijan region, specializes on production of cotton yarn and stockinet. The capacity of the enterprise is 4,350 tonnes of cotton yarn and 4,200 tonnes of balbriggan.
Namangantextile, located in Namangan, can produce 2,960 tonnes of yarn and 6.05 million metres of fabrics.
The capacity of Tashkent Toytepa Textile is 17,000 tonnes of yarn and 15 million metres of fabrics. Ferghana Textile can manufacture over 21,600 tonnes of yarn and12.3 million metres of fabrics.
Bestex and Uniho can produce 6,800 tonnes and 3,500 tonnes of cotton yarn respectively.
Both Uzbek and foreign investors, which have experience in textile industry, can participate in competition, the announcement of the commission said.
The announcement said management companies, interested in Uzbek companies, should submit business-plan along with other documents. The business-plan should ensure loading of enterprise and export of products at least for 85%.
UZBEK OIL AND GAS EVENTS OPENS IN TASHKENT
International exhibition and conference Oil and Gas Uzbekistan (OGU-2006), largest event of oil and gas sector of Uzbekistan, opened in Tashkent on Tuesday, 16 May. The exhibition marks its 10th anniversary this year.
The jubilee exhibition is held on 16-18 May in Tashkent at Central Pavilion o Uzexpocentre. ITE Group Plc of Great Britain and ITE Uzbekistan are organizers of the event. Uzbek exhibition is part of series of specialized events, organized by ITE Group Plc in various oil and gas exporter countries, including MIOGE in Moscow, KIOGE in Almaty, TUROGE in Turkey and others.
The exhibition is organised at the support of Uzbekneftegaz national holding company, Tashkent city administration and Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan. Over 700 companies from 35 countries participated in the exhibition since its establishment and over 50,000 people visited it. The exhibition demonstrates achievements of local and foreign companies in oil and gas sector.
This year, the exhibition will be attended by over 120 companies from 15 countries, including Germany, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Russia, USA, Turkey, Ukraine and others. It is expected that over 800 official delegates will participate in the conference. According to forecasts, over 10,000 people will visit the exhibition this year. The area of the exhibition expands by 30% this year compared to previous year. ITE Uzbekistan said the share of Russian companies make up 40% from total number of participants or increases by 15% compared to last year's exhibition.
The significant place in the expositions will be allocated to modern technologies on intensification of oil and gas mining and processes, as well as use of alternative sources of energy.
Within the exhibition, the conference entitled "Silk Road in 21st century: role of oil and gas sector in integration of Central Asia states" will be held at InterContinental Hotel.
UZBEKISTAN WILL RAISE NATURAL GAS EXPORT BY 10%
Uzbekistan plans to raise natural gas export in 2006 to 12.6 bcm from 11.5 bcm a year earlier, said Shavkat Mazhitov, a deputy head of the company UZBEKNEFTEGAZ.
Of the overall export amount, 9 bcm will be shipped to Russia this year, compared to 8.15 bcm in 2005, in accordance with earlier agreements with the Russian gas monopoly GAZPROM. In 2006, export to neighboring Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan rose to 3.6 bcm from 3.35bcm in 2005. The rise in this year's gas export is linked to the reduction in domestic consumption and energy saving.
FERGANA OIL REFINERY BOOSTS OUTPUT OF LIQUEFIED GAS
NEFTEKHIMNALADKA has installed and launched a gas fractioning plant at the Fergana oil refinery in Uzbekistan.
The new plant to separate gas into fractions will produce liquefied gas for use in households and automotive vehicles. As a result, the production of liquefied gas at the refinery will rise to almost 7,000 tonnes a month. The overall project cost is around $8 million. The project was financed by UZBEKNEFTEGAZ. In addition, the new
plant is environmentally important, as it will utilize around 150,000 cu m of associated gas daily. The average monthly production of liquefied gas by Uzbek companies is around 23,000 tonnes. According to local market experts, in 2005 around 40,000 vehicles were converted to liquefied gas. UZBEKNEFTEGAZ drafted a company-wide program of development of refining capacities. Program implementation will ensure the annual production of liquefied gas in the republic of up to 615,000 tonnes by 2010.
UZBEKISTAN, RUSSIA EYE NEW GAS AGREEMENTS
Tashkent, May 16, 2006 (AFP). Uzbekistan is courting fresh foreign investment, especially from Russia, to develop its oil and gas sector and will increase its gas exports to Russia by one billion cubic metres (35 billion cubic feet) this year, Uzbek officials said Tuesday.
"We are hoping to make new mutually beneficial agreements," Uzbekistan's Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyayev said, standing alongside the president of the Russian energy giant LUKOIL, Vagit Alekperov, at the opening of an international Oil and Gas exhibition in Tashkent.
More than 60 percent of 120 companies from 16 countries participating in the 10th anniversary exhibition are from Russia, Mirziyayev said.
"We are happy to be among the first in Uzbekistan to start multimillion projects... and will continue to fulfill our commitments and create thousands of jobs," Alekperov said.
In 2004, Lukoil finalised a 35-year deal with Uzbekistan on developing a major natural gas field expected to produce nine billion cubic metres (317 billion cubic feet) of gas starting from 2007.
The Russian energy giant is also among members of an international consortium which is to sign a 280 million-dollar production-sharing agreement to develop Uzbek oil and gas fields in a matter of weeks.
Overall, Uzbekistan's natural gas exports are forecast to rise to a total of 12.6 billion cubic meters (445 billion cubic feet) this year, up from 11 billion cubic meters (388 billion cubic feet) last year, another Uzbek energy official said.
The bulk of Uzbekistan's gas exports last year went to Russia, with the remainder going to its ex-Soviet Central Asian neighbors Kazakstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgystan, said Shavkat Majitov, deputy head of the state owned gas concern Uzbekneftegas.
"Increase in the export was due to decreasing internal consumption" achieved thanks to energy saving policy of the government, he said.
Uzbekistan is the sixth-biggest hydrocarbon producer among states of the former Soviet Union and is among the top 10 natural gas producers in the world, Uzbek officials said.
Last year Uzbekistan produced 59.67 billion cubic metres (2.1 trillion cubic feet) of natural gas, falling slightly short of 2004 production, which stood at 59.86 billion cubic metres, according to official statistics.
SOCIETY
FESTIVAL "CHILDREN AND STARS" BEING HELD IN TASHKENTLAND
"Children and Stars" festival dedicated to the Children's Protection Day is being held in Tashkent on 12-18 May with the purpose of developing culture and creative thinking of growing generation.
Uzexpocentre national exhibition complex, Tashkentland, and Festina Lente agency have organized the event. The unique character of this project is that the most famous Uzbek stars can easily associate with children, teenagers and families.
The idea of holding such an event emerged several years ago. The most outstanding figures of culture and art of Uzbekistan repeatedly offered to organise similar festival. And this general idea has been realised at last.
Tashkentland during the festival has turned into a vivid fairy city. Bright illuminations, multicoloured lights in the evening elate the mood. The main accent is intercourse with stars and minions of kiddies, such as Shahzoda, Shahriyor, Shahruhon, "A'lo", "Zero", "Bayram", "Setora", "Bojalar" and others.
YOUTH FORUM HELD IN UZBEK SOUTH TO PROMOTE FIGHT AGAINST RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM
A youth forum held at the Denov (town in southern Uzbekistan) central stadium was arranged by the Sorxondaryo regional administration, the regional directorate of the National Security Service, the prosecutor's office and the interior affairs directorate. The forum was opened by the Sorxondaryo regional governor, Abdulhakim Eshmurodov.
"Our young people play a great role in developing our country. That is why it is our duty to guide them in the right direction and to bring them up in the spirit of patriotism. Only then will we be able to achieve our goal," he said.
"Our country is the cradle of scholars who spread Islam in the world. Imam al-Buxoriy, Imam at-Termiziy, Burxoniddin Marginoniy and others have left clear marks in the history of religion and that of science. These great ancestors of ours always advocated peace and tranquility," said Abdurazzoq Yunusov, advisor to the chairman of the Muslim Spiritual Board of Uzbekistan.
After that, the regional governor gave presents to family members of law-enforcers who died in the line of duty.
BUKHARA HOSTS "SILK AND SPICES" FESTIVAL
Bukhara hosted an international festival of cultural traditions "Silk and Spices". The event completed in the end of last week. The festival of Bukhara is important cultural event.
Rustam Davlatov, press secretary of Uzbektourism, told to correspondent of UzReport.com that among organizers were Bukhara city and regional administrations, Uzbektourism and its Bukhara branch, Council on Handicrafts of Asian-Pacific Department of UNESCO, Association of Tourism Firms and Small Businesses and Centre on development of Handicrafts.
He said craftsmen and guests from Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan participated in the festival. He added that some 500 foreign tourists, visiting Bukhara, also attended the event.
Opening of the festival started with parade and procession from Registan square at Ark of Bukhara emir to Lyabi-Hauz. Uzbek people in national costumes danced and sang national songs.
Davlatov said athletes demonstrated their skills in kurash and puppet theatres, theatres, folk bands, musicians and students of tourism college in Bukhara presented their programmes.
The conference organized within the festival discussed issues on role of handicrafts in creation of image of Bukhara as tourism center.
Alimhan caravan-saray hosted a photo exhibition entitled "Images of ancient Bukhara", which became bright addition to presentation of oriental spices and spicery.
Sashmoqom band performed Uzbek national music, while summer theatre of Bukhara hosted ethnographic fashion show.
Uzbek wine producers also presented their products, while cooks prepared Bukhara plov. Swiss dancer Katy Daniel performed Uzbek national dances.
Three-day event ended with handing over certificates for professionalism and mastery to all participants of the fair.
Davlatov said everyone won from festival and it assists to retain unique heritage.
OLYMPIAD ON RUSSIAN LANGUAGE, LITERATURE HELD IN TASHKENT
Uzbek State World Languages University hosted a national Olympiad on Russian language and literature among students of higher educational establishments on 12-13 May.
Representatives of 16 universities of Uzbekistan participated in the Olympiad. The Olympiad included five contests.
On the result of the contests, student of Uzbek State World Languages University Ekaterina Obuhava took first place, while student of National University of Uzbekistan Irina Kononova was the second. Alina Fatihova, student of Andijan Pedagogical University, too third place.
Russian foreign center in Uzbekistan awarded winner of the contest tour to Moscow, Russia.
SCREENING OF LATVIAN ANIMATED FILMS IN TASHKENT
From 7 to 21 May 2006, the Latvian Embassy in Tashkent is organising Sunday screenings of Latvian animated films at the Tashkent Cinema Museum.
The event takes place as part of a series of charity events intended for children from children's homes in Tashkent.
The Latvian Embassy in Uzbekistan offers animated films which are popular among the Latvian children, namely, "Avarijas brigade" (Rescue Team), "Fantadroms", "Ness un Nesija", "Kakîsa dzirnaviňas" (the Cat's Mill).
On 14 May, films will be screened for children from Tashkent's children's home No 23, who will also receive gifts and sweets.
The Latvian Embassy in Uzbekistan is an active participant of the charity events series in 2006 which has been announced as the year of charity in Uzbekistan.
On 10 May 2006, at the initiative of the Latvian Embassy staff members, the Tashkent children's home for infants was provided with medical and food supplies.
OKSANA CHUSOVITINA FROM UZBEKISTAN WON A GOLD MEDAL IN WORLD CUP GYMNASTICS IN GENT
Oksana Chusovitina from Uzbekistan won a gold medal in World Cup Gymnastics in Gent on 14 May, 2006.
Oksana was only one gymnast in the World Cup Gymnastics who was qualified for three women finals.
Oksana Chusovitina was the first in the final competitions in “vault”, the forth at the “parallel bars” and the fifth at “balance beam”.
