December 10, 2007
Politics:
President Declares 2008 the “Year of Youth” In Uzbekistan
CEC Considers Seminar Workshops For Its Local Units
Economics:
Uzbek-Bulgarian tourism cooperation discussed
Sarbast Plus JV introduces a new brand - Sarbast Extra with the new unique flavor features
Graduates of Higher School of Business receive diplomas, certificates
Govt offers for sale 48% shares of Syrdarya Thermoelectric Power Station
Society:
Group of Uzbek citizens receives state awards
‘Arts of Khorezm’ Presented in Tashkent
Forum Addresses Role Of Museums In Uzbek Modern Culture
POLITICS
PRESIDENT DECLARES 2008 THE “YEAR OF YOUTH” IN UZBEKISTAN
On December 7 this year the festive meeting dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan took place at the “Turkiston” Palace in Tashkent, Jahon Information Agency quoting news agencies reports.
The statesmen and public figures, the people of science, culture and arts, the representatives of foreign embassies and international organizations accredited in the country are reported to have taken part at the event.
Following the national anthem of Uzbekistan to have solemnly sounded the palace hall the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov took the floor.
“Today, objectively and critically assessing the traversed path, we can note with satisfaction that we have achieved the high goals in building the foundations of national statehood, free society, ensuring the human rights and interests, raising the potential and might of Homeland, people’s living standards, gaining the worthy place on the international arena thanks to the fact that we had unswervingly followed the principles secured in our Constitution,”- President has said.
The reforms permeated with the spirit of humanism serve for further raising the people’s living standards, providing for the development of the country, enhancing the international authority of Homeland, and upbringing the harmonically matured young generation.
“At the moment, when we commemorate the 15th anniversary of adoption of Constitution I consider it expedient to dwell on the issue of holding the elections of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan at a high level, which is a serious test for all of us. Everyone is well aware that the norms and procedure of holding elections are well and clearly defined in the Constitution of the country, in particular, the elections of the head of state on democratic basis, in accordance with universally recognized requirements,” – President Islam Karimov has further said, while touching upon the issue of forthcoming presidential elections in the country due on December 23.
One of the principles of development of Uzbekistan recognized in the world as the “Uzbek model” is the strong social policy.
Since the early years of independence the state has been paying a special attention to comprehensive protection of interests of the socially vulnerable layers of population – the large families and those with limited means, the lone elderly, orphans and the disabled.
During the Year of social protection this work has been taken up to a new level. The total expenses of the State budget, which were channeled to the social sphere in 2007, accounted for 53,8 percent.
“It should specially be noted the implementation of measures envisaged by the program to improve the material and technical basis of the “Mekhribonlik” houses and specialized boarding schools, strengthen the attention and care of the state and society towards children, who have lost their breadwinners, truly implement in practice the slogan: “You are not alone”,” – President has said in particular.
In line with the State program of the “Year of social protection” many social facilities have been commissioned in Uzbekistan. The new jobs were created along with broad opportunities having been created for the home labor.
In a word, the solid legal basis of the system of a reliable social protection has been created in the country, the reports have said.
Since 1997 it has become a kind tradition in Uzbekistan to confer on each year a certain naming. In keeping with such tradition President Islam Karimov has proposed to name the forthcoming year 2008 as the “Year of youth”. This proposal has been welcomed by the gathered with a storm of applause.
The festive concert show of masters of art and young performers has thus concluded the solemn gathering, the reports have added.
CEC CONSIDERS SEMINAR WORKSHOPS FOR ITS LOCAL UNITS
Late last week the Central Election Commission (CEC) of the Republic of Uzbekistan held it sitting. According to the agencies, the CEC Chairman Mirzo Ulughbek Abdusalomov has presided over it.
The participants of the sitting considered the organization of regional educational seminar workshops for the members of district and divisional election commissions on elections of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan due on December 23 this year.
The goal of such seminars is to increase the level of legal knowledge of members of divisional election commissions, hold the practical lessons on the procedure of work of divisional election commissions at the day of elections, organization of voting by them, calculation of ballots, and other procedural issues.
The CEC is also reported to have considered holding the contest among the divisional election commissions on the elections of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan vis-a-vis better organizing and holding such a high level political event.
The CEC has addressed other issues related to its authorities with the relevant decrees having been adopted, according to the report.
ECONOMY
UZBEK-BULGARIAN TOURISM COOPERATION DISCUSSED
Seminar on cooperation between Uzbekistan and Bulgaria in the field of tourism was held in Tashkent.
The forum was organized by the national company Uzbektourism, Association of private tourist organizations of Uzbekistan and the embassy of Bulgaria.
The participants of the event said cooperation between Uzbekistan and Bulgaria in the sphere of tourism was developing steadily.
Uzbekistan has a great tourist potential. Famous monuments of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and other cities attract tourists from all over the world.
A wide-scale work on development of tourist infrastructure and promoting Uzbek tourist potential abroad is being carried out.
Perspectives of cooperation between the two countries in tourism sector were considered at the seminar.
SARBAST PLUS JV INTRODUCES A NEW BRAND - SARBAST EXTRA WITH THE NEW UNIQUE FLAVOR FEATURES
Within a record short period of time the modern brewery, opening of which was dedicated for the 16th Independence Anniversary of the Republic of Uzbekistan, launched production of a high quality product. It has already gained a wide recognition by the local consumers. The prestigious awards – gold medal for “The Best Product in the Market of Uzbekistan – 2007” of the international exhibition of agriculture, food industry, and as well as diplomas in nominations “The Break-Through of the Year” and “National Beer” of the Tashkent Beer Festival have become the acknowledgement of high quality beer Sarbast Original, «Press-uz.info» News Agency reported.
Sarbast Extra – is the second brand of the joint venture. The word Extra is an embodiment of the excellent flavor features and a higher content of alcohol (5,6%). It’s a special New Year gift for the citizens of Uzbekistan. Researches made on the threshold of the launch proved that Sarbast Extra beer was acknowledged as the best one of the segment in terms of color, taste, bitterness, strength and easiness of consumption. 71% of the interviewed respondents admitted that they are ready to buy the product. After a thorough research of the current market conditions and consumer demand Sarbast Plus JV specialists mastered production of Sarbast Extra and increased the assortment of the offered product.
Today around 300 people work at the joint venture. The planned annual production capacity makes up 1 000 000 hectoliters or 200 million of 0,5 liter glass bottles of beer. JV Sarbast Plus paid over 6 billion soums to the state budget in the form of different taxes and collections from the moment of its creation.
About the company: Sarbast Plus is the Joint Venture with Baltic Beverages Holding AB (BBH) (50:50 owned joint venture between Carlsberg A/S and Scottish & Newcastle plc.). Total investments volume into the economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan is more than 50 million of Euro.
GRADUATES OF HIGHER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS RECEIVE DIPLOMAS, CERTIFICATES
Over 60 students of the Higher School of Business have received their diplomas and certificates at the solemn graduation ceremony. The graduates have also received certificates and diplomas of foreign institutions, “Uzreport” Business Information Portal reported.
The Higher School of Business under the Academy of State and Social Construction under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan was created on 18 May 2001 in line with the decree of the Cabinet of Ministers "On the creation of the Higher School of Business under the Academy of State and Social Construction under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan".
The Higher School of Business is a single educational institution with an MBA programme in the country that prepares highly skilled management cadre with deep knowledge about the modern management methods, which are capable to work for proper implementation of the current country policies directed towards liberalization and strengthening of the economic reforms.
The primary task of the HSB is to prepare highly competent specialists and management cadre through an MBA programme that is based on the internationally accepted programmes and requirements and in compliance with the tasks and priorities of the ongoing democratic transition policies of the country.
The ceremony was attended by Mr. Alisher Doniyorov, the Senior Inspector of the Presidential Apparatus, Mr. Sjahril Sabaruddin, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Uzbekistan, Mr. Irwan Iding, Mr. Amir Hamzah, Representatives of the Embassy of Indonesia, Ms. Manja Hussner, Head of German Information Center of DAAD in Uzbekistan, the professors and staff of the Higher School of Business and other guests. Dr. Mannon Aliev, director of the HSB, opened the ceremony.
All graduates of the HSB were awarded with the MBA diplomas of the Higher School of Business. Some of them also received the diplomas and the certificates of foreign educational establishments.
Nine of students received MBA diplomas of Maastricht School of Management (the Netherlands) and 32 of students got the certificates of the University of Antwerpen as a result of two study tours in May-June and September October 2007 to Belgium.
Mr. Sjahril Sabaruddin handed over the Certificates of National Institute of Public Administration of the Republic of Indonesia to nine students of HSB, who participated in training programme in July 2007. At the same time, fifteen students received the Certificates of Deutsche Management Akademie in Niedersachsen from Dr. Manja Hussner.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Sjahril Sabaruddin, said the training programme for HSB conducted in July was very successful and it starts long-term cooperation between HSB and Indonesia.
The solemn graduation ceremony was organized within UNDP's project "Improving Public Sector Management Skills through Building Training and Research Capacity of the Higher School of Business under the Academy of State and social Construction under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan". The project aimed to enhance capacity of the HSB to teach public sector management skills to support the development and effective implementation of the public policy in Uzbekistan.
GOVT OFFERS FOR SALE 48% SHARES OF SYRDARYA THERMOELECTRIC POWER STATION
State Commission for Conducting Tenders on the Sale of State Property to Foreign Investors, based on the Presidential Resolution No.PP-672 as of 20 July 2007, has announces a public tender for the sale of 48% shares of Syrdarya Thermoelectric Power Station JSC, Uzreport.com Business Information Portal reported.
The tender for Syrdarya Thermoelectric Power Station is for the sale of 657,631 shares of common stock constituting the aggregate of 48% of the enterprise's total issued shares.
Syrdarya Thermoelectric Power Station is located in Syrdarya region and was established in 1965. The main activity of the enterprise is generating electricity and heat for national economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Starting bidding price of the package of shares is not less than US$222.9 million. The investment needs of the enterprise constitute the amount of over US358.7 million.
SOCIETY
GROUP OF UZBEK CITIZENS RECEIVES STATE AWARDS
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov handed over awards to a group of citizens at the Oqsaroy residence on December 7.
The awards were given in accordance with the decrees of the President issued on the eve of the 16th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence.
The receivers of the honorary titles, orders and medals represent various spheres, including industry, science, culture and arts, education, healthcare, sports, army and law-enforcement bodies.
Awarding ceremonies were also held at the Tashkent city administration and the National academic drama theater. In the first instance, Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev presented the awards to the representatives of the socioeconomic sphere. In the second, Vice Prime Minister Rustam Kasymov handed over awards to workers of culture, arts, literature and mass media.
‘ARTS OF KHOREZM’ PRESENTED IN TASHKENT
The “Arts of Khorezm” artistic exhibition has been opened at the Egyptian Cultural Center of the Embassy of Arab Republic of Egypt to Uzbekistan in Tashkent, Nasiba Sabirova of the Information Agency “Jahon” reported.
The works reflecting the sightseeing destinations and modern life of Khorezm, which allow the visitors to enrich their knowledge on the history of this ancient land, were presented at the exposition.
The students and teachers of the artistic arts and engineering graphics and applied arts departments of the Pedagogical Faculty at the Urgench State University arrived at the exhibition with their works.
The director of the Egyptian Center of Science and Education, adviser on culture at the Egyptian Embassy Professor Magdi M.Morsi Zaabal, the UNESCO representatives, as well as the Chairman of the Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan T.Kuziev took part at the festive ceremony of opening.
Within the framework of the “Arts of Khorezm” exhibition an agreement on cooperation between the Cairo Helvan University and the Al Khorezmiy Urgench University has been signed.
According to the guests and participants of the exhibition, the holding of such event will serve to strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries.
The exhibition is open until late December.
FORUM ADDRESSES ROLE OF MUSEUMS IN UZBEK MODERN CULTURE
The scientific conference “Museums in the modern system of culture of Uzbekistan” was held at the Kamoliddin Bekhzod National Institute of Arts and Design, the Uzbekistan National News Agency Russian-language website reported.
The participants of the event are reported to have said that profound work to preserve the national spiritual heritage, use it in upbringing the nation and especially the youth in the spirit of faithfulness to the ideas of independence and love for Homeland are now underway in the country. It bears the expected results.
For over the years of independence on the initiative of the Uzbek Leader the State Museum of History of Temurids, museum of “Remembrance of victims of repressions” in Tashkent, the Museum of archaeology in Termez, as well as about ten large enlightenment establishments were built. They have been cardinally reconstructed and enriched with new interesting exhibits.
The holding of lessons at the museums based on the spirituality and idea of national independence, history of Homeland for the schoolchildren, as well as students of lyceums and higher educational institutions, as well as the scientific conferences and quiz games has become a good tradition.
At the conference the delegates spoke on the new directions of developing the modern museums, their role in extending the culture, social progress and artistic upbringing the youth.