December 14, 2007

Politics:
Islam Karimov meets voters in Tashkent region
Dilorom Tashmuhamedova meets voters in Samarkand region
Akmal Saidov meets voters in Surkhandarya region
President Confers ‘Dustlik’ Order On UNICEF Head In Uzbekistan
Economics:
Experts discuss issues of public procurement policy improvement
Eximbank of Korea opens office in Tashkent
Development of microfinancing in Uzbekistan discussed
Society:
President Resolves On Eid al-Adha Celebrations Due December 19
Over 90% of Uzbek citizens to vote in presidential elections
Social and political issue of state significance

POLITICS

ISLAM KARIMOV MEETS VOTERS IN TASHKENT REGION

Candidate to the post of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan from the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businessmen – Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov met voters in Tashkent region on December 13.

Chairman of the 11th Tashkent region election commission S.Kurbankulov opened the meeting. The participants received information on the program of the candidate, which covers such issues as continuation of wide-scale economic and sociopolitical reforms, strengthening democracy, ensuring supremacy of the law and social justice, supporting farmers, small business and private entrepreneurship, improvement of the investment climate, reducing the tax burden, introducing high technologies in production and improving the people’s well being.

Islam Karimov made a speech at the meeting. He said Tashkent region had witnessed notable growth in the years of independence. Mining, processing, chemical , textile and other industries are developing in the region. Among the large industrial complexes are Almalyk mining combine, Ahangaran Cement and Spentex Toytepa joint venture. The volume of export in the three quarters of 2007 increased 1.5 times in the region.

The reforms implemented in all spheres in Uzbekistan are giving significant results. This can be seen from the improvement of the people’s well being and regular increase of the sizes of pensions and social allowances, as well as real incomes of the population. Processes of modernization and democratization of the country, liberalization of the economic and political spheres are also continuing

The participants of the meeting said the measures implemented to ensure social and economic stability, development of economy and strengthening Uzbekistan’s independence are directly linked with the name of Islam Karimov.

They emphasized that supporting the candidature of Islam Karimov was a reliable guarantee of the continuation of the wide-scale reforms and increasing the people’s prosperity.

DILOROM TASHMUHAMEDOVA MEETS VOTERS IN SAMARKAND REGION

Candidate to the post of the President of Uzbekistan from the Adolat Social Democratic Party Dilorom Tashmuhamevoda met voters in Samarkand region on December 13.

Chairman of the 8th Samarkand district election commission A.Umarov opened the meeting. The authorized representative of the candidate, first secretary of Adolat Party’s Jambay district council Gulbahor Mukaddasova familiarized the gathered with the candidate’s biography and program.

The program states that wide-scale reforms implemented in Uzbekistan in the years of independence have produced notable results. The country’s economy is developing and the people’s well being is improving. Reforms in the economic and sociopolitical spheres, science, education, healthcare and culture are deepening.

The candidate to the post of the President of Uzbekistan Dilorom Tashmuhamevoda made a speech at the meeting.

The meeting participants expressed their views on the candidate’s program and called on the voters to take an active part in the elections of the President of Uzbekistan scheduled for 23 December 2007.

Conduction of the elections of the President of Uzbekistan on a multiparty and alternative basis is a proof of the fact that principles of democracy are being observed in the country.

AKMAL SAIDOV MEETS VOTERS IN SURKHANDARYA REGION

Candidate to the post of the President of Uzbekistan from the initiative group of voters Akmal Saidov met voters in Surkhandarya region on December 13.

Chairman of the 9th Surkhandarya district election commission S.Kudratov opened the meeting. The authorized representative of the candidate, representative of the NGO Hilol Dulfuza Rimbayeva presented the biography and the program of the candidate to the gathered.

The program notes that wide-scale reforms implemented in Uzbekistan in the years of independence have led to increasing the people’s prosperity. Reforms in sociopolitical, economic and legal systems, as well as science, education, healthcare and other spheres serve to protecting the interests of the people.

The candidate to the post of the President of Uzbekistan Akmal Saidov made a speech at the meeting.

The participants expressed their views of the program of the candidate. They called on the voters to take an active part in the elections of the President of Uzbekistan scheduled for 23 December 2007.

PRESIDENT CONFERS ‘DUSTLIK’ ORDER ON UNICEF HEAD IN UZBEKISTAN

On December 12 the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed the Decree “On awarding the head of the UNICEF Office in Uzbekistan Muhammed Reza Hossayni the Order of “Dustlik”, the newspapers reported.

According to the document, Mr. Muhammed Reza Hossayni has been conferred on such a high award “for the big merits in deepening the comprehensive cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and UNICEF, contribution to the establishment of the harmonically developed young generation, as well as the active promotion of achievements of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the social sphere among the broad international community”.

ECONOMY

EXPERTS DISCUSS ISSUES OF PUBLIC PROCUREMENT POLICY IMPROVEMENT

The meeting of the Expert Council of the Business Forum of Uzbekistan on the development of fiscal policy titled "Public procurement policy: problems and ways of improvement" was held on December 13 in the conference hall of the Grand Orzu Hotel.

The business forum was organized by the Centre of Economic Studies, the UNDP Projects on the "Public finance reform in Uzbekistan" and "Business forum of Uzbekistan" in partnership with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Uzbekistan.

Public procurement policy, or the stocking up of goods, works or services for the needs of the state are an indispensable component of the process of the state's performance of its functions. The volumes of state's procurement in different countries vary from 5% to 20% of the Gross Domestic Product and may comprise as much as a half of the expenditure part of the state budget. This makes the state not only the largest consumer of goods, works and services in the economy of any country, but also an entity in economic relations, whose actions can substantially affect the development of the economy.

The system of public procurement in Uzbekistan was being formed for 15 years, and has suffered some significant changes over this period. First of all, new requirements on conducting tenders for completing the state orders have been introduced; the regulatory framework for the procedures of conducting tenders and procurement has been created. At the same time, this system requires further development and improvement. The business forum was organized with the aim of revealing the problems and shortcomings of the existing system of procurement being faced by the state agencies, enterprises and organissations, as well as the private sector, and discussing the ways to eliminate them and improve the system as a whole.

Among the participants of the forum were the specialists of ministries and agencies, state organizations and enterprises of Uzbekistan involved in the process of public procurement, as well as independent experts, representatives of private companies, and international organizations. The discussion showed high interest of all participants in the solution of the existing problems. They also noted the importance of wider involvement of the private sector in the system of public procurement, as one of the key factors in increasing the competitiveness and quality of the goods, works and services procured for the state's needs. All-round and objective assessment was provided to the recommendations suggested on further development and reform of the system of public procurement of Uzbekistan.

The results of the discussions represent a valuable material that may be used in development of indirect and direct reforms on the reform of the public procurement system of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

EXIMBANK OF KOREA OPENS OFFICE IN TASHKENT

The official opening ceremony of the Tashkent Office of the Export and Import Bank of Korea was held on December 12 at the International Business Centre.

The Office of Korean Export-Imbank in Tashkent has been registered by the Central Bank of the Republic in accordance with the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On the opening of the office of the Export and Import Bank of Korea in the Republic of Uzbekistan" of 19 November 2007, and the Article 16 of the Law "On banks and banking activity."

At the ceremony, the Uzbek party was represented by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Rustam Azimov, Minister of Economy Batir Hajaev, Minister of Foreign Economic Activity, Investments and Trade Elyor Ganiev, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank Fayzulla Mullajanov and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Bank Saidahmad Rahimov.

The Korean delegation consisted of the Deputy Prime Minister of Korea Okyu Kwon, the Ambassador of Korea to Uzbekistan Kyong Je-min, the Chairman and the President of the Export-Import Bank Yang Chun-shik, and the Head of the Tashkent Office of the Export-Import Bank Lee Te-gyun.

During the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Rustam Azimov noted that the relations between the two countries were developing very dynamically, based on the agreement on the strategic partnership, signed by the Presidents of the two countries in Seoul on 29 of March 2006.

He also expressed his confidence about the fact that the opening of the Office of the Korean Export-Import Bank in Uzbekistan would become an important new step and create new opportunities for the development of trade and investment cooperation between the two countries, and that the Uzbek Government would provide all the necessary assistance and support for the office's successful operation in the country.

He also thanked the President of the Export-Import Bank for the decision to open an office and wished the staff of the bank success in their work.

The Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of Korea Yang Chun-shik, in his speech, expressed his appreciation of the Uzbek Government's trust, and noted that the Export-Import Bank was planning to activate its efforts towards the expansion of the attraction of grants and soft long-term loans of the Government of Korea to Uzbekistan. According to the bank's plans, a whole range of the available financing tools will be used for this purpose.

To date the Korean Export-Import Bank has extended the Government of Uzbekistan soft long-term loans for the total amount of some US$120 million, including loans for the development of the telecommunication networks in the amount of US$14 million, loans for the equipment of professional colleges (US$76 million) and loans for equipment of public schools (US$30 million).

Along with this, the Export-Import Bank of Korea has extended commercial loans to the financial institutions of Uzbekistan for some US$190 million, of which US$108 million have been fully appropriated.

Among the currently running projects are the loans for the integration of the model row of Matiz automobiles (US$35.9 million), a credit line to the Asaka Bank for the financing of the delivery of spare parts for the production of UzDaewooAuto automobiles (US$20 million), and a credit line to the National Bank of Uzbekistan for Foreign Economic Activity for the development of small business in the country.

At this time, the offices of 10 foreign banks are accredited in Uzbekistan.

DEVELOPMENT OF MICROFINANCING IN UZBEKISTAN DISCUSSED

Central Bank of Uzbekistan jointly with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) held a two-day seminar on the "Analysis and development of microfinancing in the Republic of Uzbekistan" on December 12-13.

The provision of micro-financing services by the crediting institutions to small businesses, farms, and the population is one of the most important economic factors in maintaining high employment levels, increasing the share of small business in the GDP and improving the living standards in the country.

The seminar discussed the main tasks outlined in the report of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov delivered at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on 12 February 2007.

Among the participants were the representatives of the Asian Development Bank, the UN Development Project, the World Association of Credit Unions, the ministries and agencies of the country, commercial banks, credit unions, as well as the staff of the socio-economic research centres.

Seminar participants delivered reports on the importance of micro-financing in the development of small business and entrepreneurship, the creation of new jobs, and increasing the welfare of the population.

The reporters emphasized the need for all-round active implementation of the Law of Uzbekistan "On micro-financing" by the crediting institutions, in particular the Micro-Credit Bank Joint-Stock Commercial Bank. This, they said, would further expand the opportunities for the small businesses, farmers, and the population to use the services of commercial banks and other crediting facilities.

At the same time, during the seminar the representatives of international organizations noted fast development of microfinance institutions, such as credit unions and micro-credit companies, in the country.

The Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On credit unions" was passed by the Oliy Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Uzbekistan on 4 April 2002. On the basis of this law, the Central Bank developed and approved a number of regulatory documents establishing the order of licensing, and the rules of conducting financial operations, book-keeping and financial reporting.

Today, the Central Bank's register includes 49 credit unions uniting more than 64,000 members, which illustrates the high rates of growth of this financial activity this year (to compare in the early 2006 the number of CU members constituted 33,000 people).

The Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On micro-crediting organizations" that entered into force as of 20 September 2006 expanded the circle of market participants by a new institution – micro-credit companies.

At this time, according to the Central Bank's regulatory documents on the procedure of licensing of micro-credit organizations and the rules of their performance of financial operations, 12 microcredit organizations have been set up in different regions of the country.

In line with the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan of 8 June 2007 No. 114 "On the programme on development of micro-financing in the Republic of Uzbekistan through 2010", it is planned to expand the network of micro-finance organizations in the regions to 62 credit unions and 97 micro-credit companies.

Analysing the development trends of micro-finance organizations, the reporters noted that the loans issued by these organizations are usually small in amount, and are directed to the development of home-based work, organization of small-scale productions, expansion of farming businesses, and purchasing of durable goods by consumers.

As a part of the discussions conducted during the seminar, the participants touched the urgent issues of the development of micro-finance organizations, and their participation in the financial support of small business and entrepreneurship in the country.

SOCIETY

PRESIDENT RESOLVES ON EID AL-ADHA CELEBRATIONS DUE DECEMBER 19

On December 13 the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed the Resolution "On celebrating the Kurban-hayit” (the Eid al-Adha) in Uzbekistan, according to the agencies.

“Taking into consideration the proposal of the Board of Muslims of Uzbekistan that the first day of Kurban-hayit (the Eid al-Adha) coincides with December 19, 2007, this day shall be announced a day-off and broadly marked as a holiday in the country,” – the text of the document has read.

The Republican funds “Nuroniy”, “Makhalla”, the Public youth movement “Kamolot” and other relevant agencies and public organizations shall be tasked with “implementing the necessary measures at the local levels on the occasion of Eid al-Adha in an organized manner and at high level”.

Also, according to the document, the National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan, the Uzbekistan National News Agency, and other mass media outlets “shall be recommended to broadly cover the events related to the Eid al-Adha celebrations” in the country.

OVER 90% OF UZBEK CITIZENS TO VOTE IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

Ijtimoiy Fikr public opinion research centre has announced the results of the opinion polls in October, November and early December on the citizen's awareness of the upcoming elections of the President of Uzbekistan.

The majority of the polled – 97.3% – said they were aware of the elections scheduled for 23 December 2007, UzA reported.

The latest poll (held in late November-early December) has shown that citizens across the country are going to take an active part in the elections. More than 90% of the surveyed said they would participate in the elections of the President.

The results of the sociological survey proved that the mass media were the most popular source of information on the presidential election campaign.

SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ISSUE OF STATE SIGNIFICANCE

A session of the Trusteeship Council of the Republican Fund for Children’s Sports Development was devoted to an analysis of the Fund’s activity within the last five years. The session was held in Oqsaroy residence and was chaired by the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.

Involvement of the youth in physical training and sports is one of the main aspects in implementing the tasks of upbringing a physically and spiritually developed younger generation. Uzbekistan is completely and gradually performing a wide-scale activity in this sphere. Within a short span of time it has accomplished huge work on developing children’s sports. In particular, the construction of sports facilities is productively on-going in particular areas: during the last five years 715 modern sports complexes have appeared in the Republic and 583 of them in rural areas.

“Children’s sports establishments must be not only modern and convenient but also change the landscape of our cities and villages”, emphasized President Islam Karimov. “Thereupon, one of our urgent tasks is to ensure a high level and quality of contractors’ activity in constructing cultural buildings, colleges, lyceums, schools and children’s sports complexes”.

The next stage of this work is to supply the constructed buildings with up-to-date sport facilities. Having them delivered from abroad does not always live up to expectations. This, in turn, brings about the necessity of developing the production of sports facilities, training machines and equipment inside the country. The President of Uzbekistan also laid special emphasis on the need to establish an integrated and stable system of quality supervision of sports facilities, manufactured in Uzbekistan, using the progressive experience of foreign countries.

“One of the actual tasks is to achieve the complete correspondence of sports equipment and uniforms of Uzbek manufacturers with international standards. We have to set up a special committee on estimating their quality”, said Islam Karimov.

In recent years specialists have analyzed the modernized Uzbek enterprises’ capacity of producing high quality sports facilities; they have developed a catalog of more convenient and suitable equipment for each type of sports and recommended for equipping new children’s sports complexes; and 55 local companies have launched production of 118 types of sports facilities. The high level of equipping the sports establishment with modern sports facilities allowed increasing the availability of more types of sports for people. If in 2003 there were only eight of them, today 23 types of sports are available in sports clubs and sections.

It is remarkable that those sports which used to be “alien” for Uzbek mentality are gaining popularity. For instance, more girls even in rural areas begin to go in for artistic and rhythmic gymnastics and water sports. The President stressed that the creation of favourable conditions for girls to practice sports required special attention to the problem of training sports masters, particularly, female coaches. The first step in resolving this problem can be exemplified by the fact that over the last two years 436 girls were admitted to Uzbekistan State Institute of Physical Culture.

A self-sacrificing work on the development of children’s sports already proves productive in reaching the top in sports: in recent five years 140 young sportsmen of Uzbekistan were awarded a title of master of sports of international class, 539 athletes became masters of sports and 7380 nominees for master of sports. Achievements of each sportsman motivate people to go in for sports and make their country famous throughout the world.

The Trusteeship Council’s meeting noted that the development of sports in schools was not only a social but also a political issue of governmental importance. And the basic task of authorities is to realize more profoundly the policy pursued in the country, its priorities and strategic goals and to think about future and create favourable conditions for the Uzbek youth to practice sports.