February 16, 2009Á

Politics:
Cabinet Holds Session on 2008 Outcomes, President Speaks
Lawmakers Debate Bills, Approve Some Yet Send Others for Remake
Economics:
Uzbek-Turkmen joint commission holds Session
New JV in Printing Industry Established, Report Says
About 90% of flour produced in Uzbekistan fortified
Nukus Meeting Focuses on Women’s Employment as Acute Task
Society:
Training on theory and intl standards of human rights
Fine Conditions Serve Good for Learning Foreign Languages

POLICY

CABINET HOLDS SESSION ON 2008 OUTCOMES, PRESIDENT SPEAKS

On February 13 this year the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan held its session dedicated to the outcomes of social and economic development of the country in 2008 and the most important priorities of sustainable development of economy in 2009.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov took a floor at the session, according to the Jahon Information Agency.

President said that as a result of gradual implementation of the program of social and economic development of Uzbekistan the country secured the tendencies of high, sustainable and balanced economic growth rates and macroeconomic stability.

At the same time, Uzbekistan ensures positive changes in addressing the long-term tasks in terms of radically altering the structure, diversifying and modernizing the economy, increasing employment and well being of people.

On the outcomes of 2008 the GDP of the country grew by 9 percent, the volumes of production of industrial goods – by 12,7 percent, of agriculture – by 4,5 percent, of construction works – by 8,3 percent, and of services – 21,3 percent. The State budget has been implemented with a surplus, while the inflation rate did not exceed the forecast indicator.

The active investment policy has allowed to increase the volume of assimilated investments towards major capital by 28,3 percent, including the direct foreign investments and credits – by 71,2 percent. On many types of industrial products Uzbekistan has cut down or fully abandoned the dependency from imports thanks to gradual increasing of production localization level.

At the same time, the country continues to dynamically develop small businesses and private entrepreneurship, the sphere of services and home-stay labor. The net share of small businesses in the GDP rose up to 48,2 percent, sphere of services – up to 45,3 percent.

Uzbekistan continues to ensure the sector-wise and regional diversification of foreign trade, as well as increases the trade turnover with growing Asian market. Thus, the positive balance in foreign trade turnover increased for 1,8 times.

The banking and financing system is actively developing and strengthening. The cumulative capital of banks compare to the year 2007 grew by 40 percent. The growth of people’s deposits with banks by 65,3 percent for over the past year serves as a vivid testimony of firmness of population’s trust to domestic banking system.

As a part of the Year of youth State Program Uzbekistan implemented measures worth 1,363,5 billion Uzbek soums in terms of materially and morally supporting the youth, creating new jobs for them, bettering housing and daily communal conditions of young families, increasing quality of education of young men and women.

The achievements of Uzbekistan in social and economic development in 2008 – the year, which became a test of firmness for the economies of many countries of the world due to the unfolded world financial and economic crisis, have once again confirmed the rightness of development model chosen by Uzbekistan, as much as the sustainability of country’s economy and reliability of its banking and financial system.

Uzbekistan’s solid macroeconomic stance, availability of significant resources to finance the purposeful measures which provide for economic growth have been highly assessed by IMF mission, which visited the country in late 2008.

With a view of further neutralizing the impact of the world financial and economic crisis on the nation’s economy Uzbekistan has started and now continues to implement measures as a part of the Anti-crisis program adopted in the country.

Uzbekistan accomplishes the systemic and purposeful measures to support enterprises of major sectors of economy, above all, the enterprises-exporters, to allocate them financial, credit and tax benefits, to further increase capitalization of the banking sector, to develop production and social infrastructure, especially in the countryside area, as well as to create new jobs.

While speaking at the session President Islam Karimov drew attention to the available unaddressed problems and has dwelled on the policy tasks in terms of implementing priorities and directions of social and economic development of Uzbekistan for 2009.

LAWMAKERS DEBATE BILLS, APPROVE SOME YET SEND OTHERS FOR REMAKE

On February 12 this year the Legislative Chamber (Lower House) of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan held its session, the Uzbekistan National News Agency reported.

The Speaker of Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis (the national parliament) Dilorom Tashmukhamedova has presided over the session.

The Authorized of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) Sayyora Rashidova spoke on the outcomes of activity in 2008, according to the report.

Last year the parliamentary Ombudsman is reported to have actively participated in implementing the state policy on ensuring constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens, bettering the national legislation in this sphere in line with universally recognized standards.

Also, the Ombudsman has constantly learned about and scrutinized both oral and written addresses of citizens, held a monitoring research, as well as broad awareness work among population.

The adoption of Decree of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the Action program dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights” served as a powerful impetus in terms of protecting human rights and freedoms in 2008.

Following the report the lawmakers have engaged in floor debates of the basic elements of Ombudsman’s work in 2008. They have said that starting from early years of its sovereign development Uzbekistan has been paying a profound attention to protecting human rights and freedoms.

The nation’s commitments to human rights have been declared in the Constitution, as well as other legislative documents. For over the years of independence Uzbekistan joined more than 60 basic human rights documents and six fundamental international treaties adopted by the United Nations in this sphere.

After the tight scrutiny and floor debates the Uzbek legislators are reported to have approved the report of the activity of Authorized of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) in 2008 and adopted the related resolution.

The lawmaker A.Tukhtabaev of the Lower House Budget and Economic Reforms Committee has introduced the bill “On introducing amendments and addenda to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On free economic zones”, according to the news agency report.

The bill has been drafted in line with Decree of President of Uzbekistan of December 2, 2008 “On establishing free industrial and economic zone in Navoi Province” in terms of creating favorable conditions to attract foreign investments and launch modern high-technological industries in Uzbekistan.

The legislators of all fractions of political parties are reported to have taken part at floor debates. They have said that the amendments and addenda to the law were conditioned by the need to bring the legislation currently in effect in line with practice of establishing and operating free economic zones and coordinating their management.

The amendments being introduced to the law relate to the order of establishing free economic zones, mechanism of allotting additional benefits and preferences, types of operations on the given territory, as well as registering businesses.

The lawmakers considered proposals in terms of improving particular legal norms and approved fundamental provisions of the bill as well as approved its in the first reading.

Also, at the February 12 session the Uzbek legislators considered some other bills, according to the report. In particular, they have approved some of them but yet had sent others for remake and improvement.

ECONOMY

UZBEK-TURKMEN JOINT COMMISSION HOLDS SESSION

The regular session of the Uzbek-Turkmen joint commission for trade-economic, scientific-technical and cultural cooperation held a session in Tashkent on February 12, UzA reported.

The representatives of the ministries and departments, as well as companies working in trade, fuel and energy, banking and finance, education, agriculture, transport, customs, sports, culture, tourism and other spheres participated in the event.

The commission co-chairman from the Uzbek side, minister of foreign economic relations, investments and trade Elyor Ganiyev said the cooperation between the two states was developing consistently in all areas.

The minister of trade and foreign economic relations of Turkmenistan Nokerugli Ataguliyev said his country was interested in further expansion of cooperation with Uzbekistan.

The number of cooperation documents signed between the two states is more than 100. The bilateral relations are developing on the basis of the treaties on friendship, cooperation and mutual help, as well as on friendship, strengthening mutual trust and development of cooperation.

According to the commission, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan comprised USD 132.3 million in 2008, which is 38% more than in 2007.

The cooperation in the transport communications sector is developing especially successfully. The volume of cargo transported by Uzbek road transport via Turkmenistan exceeded 22,000 tons last year.

The volume of Turkmen transportations via the Uzbek territory is close to this figure.

The session participants considered issues of attraction of Turkmen companies to privatization in Uzbekistan, creation of new joint ventures and increasing the turnover.

NEW JV IN PRINTING INDUSTRY ESTABLISHED, REPORT SAYS

The “Showprint” Uzbek-South Korean Joint-Stock Company has been launched in Tashkent, according to the Jahon Information Agency.

Those who have gathered to the ceremony held on the occasion of such event had said that favorable investment climate, all conditions and benefits created in Uzbekistan to run a joint business make foreign entrepreneurs keenly interested in cooperating with the Uzbek partners.

In particular, the Director-General of the Uzbek Agency for Print and Information B.Alimov said that the work now being consistently carried out in the country to further develop the print industry and introduce new power capacities equipped with high technologies in line with international standards proves to be successful.

Such efforts as consolidating logistical basis of printing companies, raising the skills of employees, who work for them, and extending production of the export-bound goods serves as a fine testimony to the aforesaid.

The Uzbek-South Korean Joint-Stock Company will manufacture and process the offset plates based on the latest technologies. The joint-venture can produce 450 thousand square meters of the offset plates per year, according to the news agency.

At the moment, the orders for quality products manufactured at the enterprise arrive from many printing companies around the country since the company products have already been found as best on their quality in terms of correspondence to international standards and competitiveness.

According to the Executive officer of the joint-venture Shavkat Inoyatov, fifteen employees are engaged in all technological operations of the company. They enjoy all necessary conditions for their labor and rest.

ABOUT 90% OF FLOUR PRODUCED IN UZBEKISTAN FORTIFIED

A joint press conference of the World Bank Uzbekistan Country Office and the Ministry of Healthcare devoted to the results of the completed flour fortification project was held on 13 February at the Ministry of Healthcare of Uzbekistan, Uzreport Information Portal reported.

The Government of Uzbekistan together with the enterprises of the sector and with international assistance launched the National Programme on Flour Fortification in 2005. The aim was to raise the consumption of products fortified with micronutrients and vitamins among women and children.

The programme was implemented by the Ministry of Healthcare of Uzbekistan with the financial assistance of the US$2.8 million grant from the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). The World Bank took part in the programme as a trustee of the GAIN, and the UN Children's Fund was responsible for marketing and raising public awareness.

As pointed out during the event, now about 90% of flour produced in Uzbekistan is being fortified (with vitamins and micronutrients). Since the launch of the Project on Flour Fortification in Uzbekistan, in total about 1.44 million tones of fortified flour has been produced.

The flour mills of the UzDonMahsulot Company installed sufficient number of batchers to fortify the full volume of first grade flour produced in the country.

Technological capacity has been created and quality assurance has been put in place. Public awareness about flour fortification has grown and the growing proportion of the population has come to recognize the logo of the programme.

Provided the current level of flour fortification in the country is maintained, the consumption of fortified flour in the country will remain at about 45-50%. However, this requires continued influence of the Programme across the republic.

"Fortification of food products is a proven and effective method of preventing the destructive consequences of the deficit of vitamins and micronutrients for the health of the population, particularly health condition of women and children," the head of the World Bank Uzbekistan Country Office Lou Brefort said.

"We tried to unite the efforts of the Government, food sector and consumer right protectors and create the conditions for the fortification of flour at the sustainable level at the national scale of the whole country," he added.

Despite the fact that the project is closing, the National Programme on Flour Fortification will continue. In February 2009 the Cabinet of Ministers approved the National Strategy for Improved Nutrition. It is envisaged that within the frames of this Strategy a law "On prevention of micronutrient deficiency in population" will developed and passed. This law is to create the legal framework for fortification of food products at the level of legislation, and to establish the requirements for the producers in this sphere.

NUKUS MEETING FOCUSES ON WOMEN’S EMPLOYMENT AS ACUTE TASK

In line with the Year of Development and Improvement of Countryside State Program Uzbekistan, among other pivotal tasks, plans to accomplish several events to further increase the level of employment of people in Nukus, the capital city of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the UzA reported.

The respective tasks were also given to the Women’s Committee of the Republic Karakalpakstan. In line with the program elaborated by the Committee, over 11,000 local people from rural areas are going to be employed.

At the moment, a special attention is being paid to increasing the social and politic activeness of women of the Aral Sea adjacent area, further consolidating their status in family and society, protecting their rights and interests. The Decree of President of Uzbekistan of May 25, 2004 “On additional measures to support activity of the Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan” is an important legal basis for the aforesaid.

These issues have been comprehensively discussed at the meeting which was presided over by the chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan B.Yangibaev. The heads of ministries and agencies, representatives of the women’s organizations and activists who well contribute to the development of society participated at it.

Last year the commercial banks of the Republic of Karakalpakstan allotted credits worth 7 billion 381 million Uzbek soums to develop small and private businesses among women. In particular, the Karakalpak office of the Mikrokreditbank allotted soft loans worth over 733 million Uzbek soums for the businesswomen, according to the news agency.

In 2008 the territorial programs on employment of women were basically implemented in Karakalpakstan. In particular, 12,241 women have been given permanent jobs. More than 1,800 women are engaged in home-stay labor.

The sport is greatly important in shaping a healthy way of life among women and strengthening their health. At the moment, 37,140 young women regularly go in for 15 kinds of sports in the Republic Karakalpakstan.

Those who participated at the meeting expressed their views and proposals in terms of strengthening the health of mother and child, preventing crimes among women, as well as making the spiritual climate in families healthy.

“In 2009 – the Year of Development and Improvement of Countryside – we aim to create for women, who live at the farthest villages and auls, new jobs and increase their well-being,” the vice-chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the chairwoman of the Women’s Committee Arzibeka Janibekova said.

SOCIETY

TRAINING ON THEORY AND INTL STANDARDS OF HUMAN RIGHTS

A series of training courses on the theory and international standards of human rights, organized by the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan, began on February 16 in Tashkent, Uzreport Information Portal reported.

The three-day courses in Tashkent and Ferghana will continue until 25 February. Participants include staff of the Department for Human Rights Protection and Legal Provision of the Internal Affairs Ministry as well as its subdivisions in Tashkent city, Andijan, Ferghana, Namangan, Syrdarya and Tashkent regions in the General Directorate on Execution of Punishments and Transport Police Department, as well as representatives of other internal affairs departments dealing with human rights issues.

"Learning about human rights promotes respect of people for each other and rules for conflict and contradiction resolution, which helps to ensure stability and orderliness in society," said Ambassador Istvan Venczel, the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan, at the opening ceremony.

Training participants will examine basic principles of human rights and the international system of human rights protection, including international human rights documents and treaties. They will discuss the role of law enforcement in ensuring such rights as the right to peaceful assembly, privacy and freedom of expression, and conduct practical exercises on protecting and restoring human rights and freedoms.

FINE CONDITIONS SERVE GOOD FOR LEARNING FOREIGN LANGUAGES

All conditions were established for education of youth based on modern requirements at the specialized boarding school of Gulistan with an in-depth study of foreign languages, Jahon Information Agency website reported.

The English, French and Russian languages are taught at the boarding school. The teachers actively participate in the work aimed at improving the state educational standards, according to the website.

Last year the school joined the UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASN). At the Ministry of Public Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan this school was awarded the UNESCO special certificate.

“We have gained a right to participate at international contests held by this prestigious organization,” the principal of the boarding school Saodat Fayzieva said. “It will serve for popularizing the newest pedagogical technologies and elaborations on innovative projects of the Uzbek teachers, as well as revealing the talents and creative potential of the gifted pupils.”

Many qualified teachers devoted to their job work at the boarding school. One of them is the teacher of French Odil Mingjigitov, who well teaches his subject and raises a keen interest of his pupils in gaining knowledge. Also, such teachers as Feruza Akhmedova, Iroda Abdullaeva and Zulfiya Akhmedova secured prizes at the regional and nationwide contests.

At the moment, about 500 pupils attend the school. All conditions have been created at the school for their education and intensive learning of foreign languages, as well as rest and going in for sports.