December 3, 2007
Politics:
Senate considers over 30 issues, 20 draft laws
Akmal Saidov Speaks To Voters In Nukus As Campaign In Peak
Adolat’s Nominee Travels To Jizzakh, Takes Program To Voters
Envoys Pledge To Boost Ties As They Grant Credentials To Pres.
Economics:
Issues of customs control covered in draft Customs Code discussed
Specialized Agency Holds Fair of Grape Products in Town
S. Korean Finance Minister, Eximbank head to visit Tashkent
Society:
‘Zakovat’ Dedicates Contest To 15th Anniversary of Constitution
Some 5,000 Uzbek to make pilgrimage to Mecca
The “Kupkari” film’s success in Milan
POLITICS
SENATE CONSIDERS OVER 30 ISSUES, 20 DRAFT LAWS
The Senate (upper house) of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan (parliament) held its twelfth plenary session on 30 of November and 1 of December. The senators considered over 30 issues and 20 draft laws during the two-day meeting.
As earlier reported, the Senate members approved state budget for 2008, new edition of Tax Code and changes and amendments to legislation, as well as new bills. The senators passed the draft law "On guarantees of child's rights", which sets guarantees of child's rights, envisaged in UN Child's Rights Convention, Constitution and legislation of Uzbekistan.
AKMAL SAIDOV SPEAKS TO VOTERS IN NUKUS AS CAMPAIGN IN PEAK
On November 30 the candidate for President of the Republic of Uzbekistan from the initiative group of voters Akmal Saidov met with the voters in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Jahon Information Agency quoting the “Khalq sozi” newspaper.
The person empowered to act upon the candidate for President, dean of the Karakalpak State University named after Berdakh E.Kutibaeva spoke at the event and dwelled on the biography and pre-election program of the presidential candidate.
In line with document the reforms in Uzbekistan in economic, social, political, judicial, spiritual, and enlightenment spheres, as well as in the system of science and education are being smoothly taken forward. The country now accomplishes the effective work on consolidating democracy and nurturing the healthy young generation.
Candidate for President Akmal Saidov appeared before the gathered and spoke on his views vis-a-vis his pre-election program, particularly, among other objectives – to raise the legal awareness of people, enhancing the legal education, and consolidating Uzbekistan’s achievements in turning into full-fledged member of international community.
ADOLAT’S NOMINEE TRAVELS TO JIZZAKH, TAKES PROGRAM TO VOTERS
The candidates for President of the Republic of Uzbekistan are continuing to see the voters at the local levels. On November 29 the presidential candidate from the Social-Democratic Party of Uzbekistan “Adolat” Diloram Tashmukhamedova met with the voters in Jizzakh Province, the local papers wrote.
The person empowered to act upon the candidate for President Diloram Tashmukhamedova M.Eshbekov read out to the gathered the biography and nominee’s program of action. The program has underlined that the large-scale reforms underway in the country bear the tangible results. The economy of Uzbekistan more develops and the people’s prosperity is on the rise. The reforms in economic, social, political, and judicial systems, as well as in the systems of science, education, healthcare, spirituality and enlightenment are deepening. Adding to that, the women’s status in society grows.
The campaigner Diloram Tashmukhamedova is reported to have taken the floor and addressed the voters.
Also, those, who have spoken at the campaign gathering, had said that the presidential elections in the country are held on a multiparty basis. According to them, that witnesses about that the principles of democracy in Uzbekistan are observed and the election system fully corresponds to international norms.
ENVOYS PLEDGE TO BOOST TIES AS THEY GRANT CREDENTIALS TO PRES.
On November 30 this year the newly appointed ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and French Republic to Uzbekistan – Le Van Toan, Muhammad Haseeb Aziz and Hug Perne – granted credentials to President Islam Karimov.
President congratulated the envoys on their appointment for the honorary and responsible mission, and wished them success in their tenures. He has also said that cooperation with Uzbekistan has been developing with these countries, the reports by local newspapers have said.
The Uzbek-Vietnamese relations are seeing their rise. During the official visit by President Islam Karimov to Vietnam in 1996 the sides created the legal basis of expanding cooperation. They signed the Treaty on foundations of interstate relations, as well as several arrangements on humanitarian, trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation.
Also, during the said visit the sides established the Uzbek-Vietnam Joint Commission on trade and economic cooperation. The last sitting of the Commission took place in October 2007 in Vietnam’s capital of Hanoi. Besides, the friendship societies “Uzbekistan-Vietnam” and “Vietnam-Uzbekistan” are now operating.
Ambassador Le Van Toan has said that the friendly relations of the Uzbek and Vietnamese people serve as an important factor to expand the cooperation between the two countries. He has added that he would do his best to further consolidate such ties.
Bangladesh has been among the first to recognize Uzbekistan’s independence. In October this year it turned 10 years since the Uzbekistan and Bangladesh have established the diplomatic relations. The two foreign ministries continue the consultations on international issues. The ties in economic sphere are based on intergovernmental arrangements on trade and economic cooperation, promotion and protection of investments, as well as prevention of double taxation. There are about ten joint ventures established with Bangladesh operating in Uzbekistan.
Ambassador Muhammad Haseeb Aziz has said that the cooperation between Uzbekistan and Bangladesh has been consistently developing. He has underscored that during his tenure in Tashkent he would pay a special attention to expanding the scale of trade and economic ties.
Since Uzbekistan and France have established the diplomatic relations the two countries had held three summits both in Tashkent and Paris. The leaders of the two countries have also met at various summits of international organizations.
Also, Uzbekistan and France regularly exchange visits of parliamentary delegations, the visitors from foreign, foreign trade, defense and other ministries and agencies.
In the sphere of trade and economy France is one of the largest partners of Uzbekistan in Europe. The representations of more than ten French firms and companies, as well as banks are operating in Uzbekistan.
The two countries also well cooperate in the sphere of education. This direction covers the cares training for macroeconomics, financial sector, small business and private entrepreneurship.
Ambassador Perne has said that Uzbekistan and France enjoy big opportunities to further expand cooperation and assured that he would channel all his efforts to fuller exploit them.
ECONOMY
ISSUES OF CUSTOMS CONTROL COVERED IN DRAFT CUSTOMS CODE DISCUSSED
On November 30, joint project of United Nations Development Programme and State Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan "Improving the System of Customs Administration in the Republic of Uzbekistan" organized a meeting of Expert Council to discuss issues of customs control covered in the draft Customs Code.
One of the main tasks of customs bodies is to ensure lawfulness of movement of goods across customs border. Therefore, all goods including vehicles that are exported from or imported into customs territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan are subject to customs control.
Forms of customs control include wide range of customs bodies' actions such as verifying the existence and authenticity of documents, verbal questioning, examination and inspection of goods and vehicles, personal examination, inspection of premises and territories, post-customs control and others.
As seen from above-mentioned customs control is quite a complicated process of interaction of customs bodies with business entities. In this regard, effective operation of each foreign economic activity participant and the economy in general heavily depend on levels of transparency and simplicity of implementation of each customs control forms.
In accordance with international standards (Kyoto Convention), customs control should be maintained at a minimum level which is necessary to meet its main purposes and should be conducted selectively with implementation of risk management methods.
Thus, the draft Customs Code in new revision should express new ideology of customs administration envisaged in Kyoto Convention and promote formation of the system of customs control which facilitates integration of Uzbekistan's economy into world market by means of simplification of customs procedures, as well as by introduction of the system of risk analysis and management as a main strategy for implementation of customs control and interaction with business.
In the framework of activities, aimed at elaboration of the draft Customs Code in new revision, the joint project of United Nations Development Programme and State Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan ("Improving the System of Customs Administration in the Republic of Uzbekistan") organized a meeting of Expert Council to discuss issues of customs control covered in the draft Customs Code in new revision. The event was held on 30 November at the Dedeman Silk Road Tashkent Hotel.
The objective of the Expert Council meeting was to continue constructive policy dialogue among the Government, private sector and other involved parties on joint discussion of the clauses of the draft document regulating issues of customs control.
Among the issues discussed during the course of event were such issues as necessity of examination of goods only in customs control zones; specification of actions which might be considered as an intention of export of goods; revision of list of persons obliged to provide customs bodies with commercial documents necessary for customs control; specification of criteria according to which customs bodies make decisions on extension of period of customs registration (from three to ten workdays) and others.
At the close of the meeting participants agreed to additionally consider discussed remarks and suggestions and submit them for consideration to the Working Group on elaboration of the draft Customs Code in new revision.
SPECIALIZED AGENCY HOLDS FAIR OF GRAPE PRODUCTS IN TOWN
The considerable work to develop the viticulture, increase the crop yielding capacity, meet the needs of domestic and foreign markets in products of the vine-growing sector based on improvement of quality of the produce is now accomplished in the country, the Uzbekistan National News Agency Russian-language website reported.
The decree “On organizational measures to reform the fruit, vegetable and vine growing” of January 11, 2006 serves as an important guideline in this work.
The wholesale fair of products made of grapes was held at the “Uzvinosanoatholding” Company. More than 40 manufacturing firms and about 20 companies participated at the event.
The Company enterprises may receive and process 250,000 tons of grapes. The consistent ongoing reforms in this sector open up the opportunities to effectively exploit the capacities available to the company.
Various juices and drinks made at the specialized enterprises were presented at the fair. Also, several arrangements were inked at the event.
S. KOREAN FINANCE MINISTER, EXIMBANK HEAD TO VISIT TASHKENT
A delegation led by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance and Economy of South Korea Okyu Kwon and the Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank) Cheon-Sik Yang will pay an official visit to Tashkent on December 12, according to Uzreport.com Business Information Portal report.
The main purpose of Korean officials' visit to the Uzbek capital is to meet with the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and the Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Azimov.
The Korea Eximbank head is also scheduled to sign contract on two credit lines with the Uzbek commercial bank Asaka and the National Bank of Uzbekistan for Foreign Economic Activities.
Moreover, the high-ranked Korean delegation will participate in the opening ceremony of the Eximbank representative office in Tashkent luncheon meeting, which is scheduled to take place on 12 December at the Intercontinental Hotel. The Korean side is planning to discuss with the Uzbek officials possible ways of participation of Korean companies in the privatization of Uzbek banks.
SOCIETY
‘ZAKOVAT’ DEDICATES CONTEST TO 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF CONSTITUTION
One of the important directions of the Public movement of youth of Uzbekistan “Kamolot” is to increase the intellectual potential of the young men and women, as well as support their talents. In this direction various projects are being implemented along with many state and public organizations and educational institutions, the Uzbekistan National News Agency reported.
The “Zakovat” intellectual television game, which is shown on channel “Uzbekiston” National TV and Radio Company of Uzbekistan, is one of such projects. This attractive show, which rose interest among people to the reading, search and mutual polemic, becomes more popular among various age groups and especially – among the youth.
The youth teams are actively participating at the television game. The fans of the telecast that live at various provinces around the country send their questions. More than 2,500 questions of fans of this telecast were presented at the television game, which is held by now more than 200 times.
The organizers of this project with an aim to expand the number of participants of the telecast and teams of gifted youth for over the two years have been organizing the intellectual festivals and tournaments “Zakovat” with the participation of students at the higher educational institutions.
Such event held at the Central council of the public movement of youth “Kamolot” has been dedicated to the 15th anniversary of Constitution and the 10th anniversary of the Law “On education” and National program for cadres training. About 30 teams of students of higher educational institutes in Tashkent participated at the event.
The team of the Uzbek State University of World Languages became a winner of the tournament. The students will participate at the qualification stage of “Zakovat” to be held in 2008.
SOME 5,000 UZBEK TO MAKE PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA
This year, 5,000 Uzbek people will make a pilgrimage to Muslim sacred places, press-uz.info reported quoting Committee on religious affairs of Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan.
The report said the firs group of Uzbek people left for Saudi Arabia on Sunday, 2 December. The report said three flights of Uzbekistan Havo Yollari (Uzbekistan Airways) took 610 people to Saudi Arabia.
The website said all pilgrims will be delivered to Saudia Arabia by 10 December. The government of Uzbekistan adopted all measures to assist in organized pilgrimage.
THE “KUPKARI” FILM’S SUCCESS IN MILAN
The “Kupkari” (a kind of the Uzbek equestrian sport), directed by Kuchkar Karimov, Uzbek film producer and director of photography of the “O’zbektelefilm” State Unitary Company, won the nomination “Report on team-based sport” in the 25th “Sports Movies and TV 2007” International Festival in Milan.
“Representatives of more than hundred countries participated in the event”, said Kuchkar Karimov. “They presented around 200 movies on various sports themes”.
The “Kupkari” is dedicated to the Uzbek national equestrian sport where brave young men compete with each other and lift a bulk of 70-80 kilograms weight. The winner must be first to bring it to the members of jury. It is a complicated type of sport that requires endurance, power and certainly a well-prepared horse.
The newspaper “Uzbekistan Today” has informed that K. Karimov’s “Kupkari” was highly appreciated in the 2d “Sports Movies and TV 2007” Tashkent international Festival as the film director and cameraman was awarded a prize in the nomination “Best photography work sports movie”.
“This victory was a kind of encouragement and promotion for me”, notes K. Karimov. “Then I decided to take part in the 25th international festival in Milan. The National TV and Radio Company of Uzbekistan has assisted me in it. I did not expect my film to succeed there. By the end of awarding ceremony the guests and spectators congratulated the festival winners and invited us to a number of international festivals”.
“Kuchkar Karimov is one of Uzbekistan’s best directors of photography”, stressed Deputy Chairman Askar Abdurahimov of the “O’zbektelefilm”. “Recently he has shown himself as a good film director as well. His works are successful not only in our country but also abroad”.
At present K. Karimov is busy with making a new film about the Uzbek football team of invalids. Its plot includes the victory of our compatriots in the football world championships among invalids in the Turkish city of Antalia.