25 May, 2006

Politics
President of Uzbekistan receives head of German business delegation
Parliamentary delegation of Uzbekistan leaves for Minsk
Uzbekistan join Asia Cooperation Dialogue

Economics
Uzbekistan plans to collect 5m tonnes of grain in 2006
German business delegation visits Uzbekistan to boost ties
German businesses hold talks with Uzbek counterparts
Uzbek exports to Russia growing, Uzbek customs head
Russian government orders to sign ICT cooperation agreement with Uzbekistan
Lukoil starts preparation of equipment, materials for drilling operations on Khauzak block
Some 20 companies to participate at MebelExpo Uzbekistan 2006
Uzbek, Iranian businesses hold seminar in Tashkent

Society
Tashkent hosts "Youth of Uzbekistan: roles, tasks, responsibility" forum
Students familiarise with international humanitarian law principles
Healthcare specialists discuss control over quality of medications


POLITICS

PRESIDENT OF UZBEKISTAN RECEIVES HEAD OF GERMAN BUSINESS DELEGATION

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received chairman of Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations (Germany) Klaus Mangold at presidential resident Oqsaroy on 23 May.

Uzbek leader pointed out, that Germany is one of the main trade and economic partners of Uzbekistan.

"Each your visit gives new rates to mutual cooperation," said Islam Karimov. "The worthy fact, that this time the delegation, which you head, include young businessmen as well."

During the meeting in Oqsaroy residence the sides discussed issues on further expansion of trade and economic relations between Uzbekistan and Germany, perspectives of cooperation of subjects of small and private business.

Klaus Mangold visited Uzbekistan with group of businessmen in November 2005. During the visit the sides held negotiations on expansion of communications in the spheres of industry, agriculture, and information technologies. This time German businessmen held conference in Samarkand. The similar meetings will also be held in Surhandarya on 24 May.

Mutually advantageous relations between Uzbekistan and Germany, particularly trade and economic relations, are intensively developing. Last year commodity circulation between the countries amounted to US$326 million.

Klaus Mangold is an executive advisor of DaimlerChrysler on Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The concern established relations with the enterprises of our country. During 1994-2004 over 600 "Mercedes" buses, made by this concern, were delivered to Uzbekistan.

The following delegation also includes heads of leading companies, such as EADS, MAN Ferrostaal AG, LEMKEN GmbH. (UzReport.com)

PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION OF UZBEKISTAN LEAVES FOR MINSK

The delegation of Oliy Majlis [parliament] of Uzbekistan led by the Chairman of the Senate Ilgizar Sabirov has left for Minsk to participate in the session of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (IPA) of the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC).

The visit of parliamentarians is aimed at direct familiarization with the activity of IPA, its bureau and permanent commissions, establishment of personal contacts with the delegations of other EurAsEC member states.

The delegation includes Gafur Aliev, Chairman of the Senate committee for agrarian, water management issues and ecology, as well as members of the Legislative Chamber, Nurdinjan Ismailov, Chairman of the Committee for legislation and judicial-legal issues, and Abdurafik Ahadov, Chairman of the Committee for budget and economic reforms.

In connection with Uzbekistan's accession to EurAsEC, the agenda of IPA Bureau sessions includes issues on introduction of changes and addenda in the Statute on EurAsEC IPA and its regulations. Moreover, it is planned to form the sixth permanent commission in the structure of IPA, which will specialize in agroindustrial policy, nature management and ecology. Uzbekistan will get chairmanship.

In line with the decision of the Intergovernmental Council of EurAsEC on accession of Uzbekistan to the society, which was adopted in Saint Petersburg on 25 January 2006, Uzbekistan simultaneously is the member of IPA and has the right to take part in its sessions. (UzReport.com)

UZBEKISTAN JOIN ASIA COOPERATION DIALOGUE

Uzbekistan joined to Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) during the organisation's foreign ministers' summit in Doha, Qatar.

A Doha Declaration, issued after a two-day meeting, said these two countries increase number of ACD member states to 30.

The Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) was inaugurated in June 2002 in Cha-Am, Thailand , where 18 Asian Foreign Ministers met together for the first time.

The ACD is a continent-wide forum, the first of its kind in Asia. More specifically, the ACD aims to constitute the missing link in Asia by incorporating every Asian country and building an Asian Community without duplicating other organizations or creating a bloc against others.

A key principle is to consolidate Asian strengths and fortify Asia's competitiveness by maximizing on the diversity and rich resources evident in Asia. The core values of the ACD are informal, non-institutionalised, and evolving whilst focusing on positive thinking and comfort level.

During Doha meeting, the Asian foreign ministers backed proposals for energy cooperation, developing a regional bond market and the reinvestment of oil profits in the region's economies, at the end of a meeting in Doha.

The Doha Declaration said the ministers endorsed "the establishment of the ACD Energy Forum as the sole platform for energy cooperation" among member states.

The ACD, which groups such major oil producers as Russia, Saudi Arabia and Iran alongside energy-thirsty giants like China, India and Japan, also supported proposals to draw up an "energy action plan," the declaration said.

The plan "should put priority on promoting energy security, research and assessment on energy, energy infrastructure development and encouraging member countries to explore the possibility of reinvesting revenues that accrue from the energy trade in the ACD countries," it said.

This would "ensure the overall sustainable growth and development of the Asian region", the declaration added.

The document said Thailand, where the ACD was born in 2002, would host the first meeting of ACD finance ministers in July.

The aim would be to "explore the possibility of developing the Asian bond market within the ACD context" as a means of making "productive use of (Asia's) substantial savings, including revenues that accrue from the energy trade." The Asian grouping has now grown to 30 members, with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan accepted into the ranks during the Doha meeting. (UzReport.com)

ECONOMICS

UZBEKISTAN PLANS TO COLLECT 5M TONNES OF GRAIN IN 2006

Uzbekistan is planning to collect 5 million tonnes of grain in 2006, Uzbek Agriclture and Water Management Ministry said.

The report said some 1.296 million hectares of land were allocated under wheat and of them over 1 million hectares are irrigated lands.

It is expected that Surkhandarya and Kashkadarya regions will start harvesting campaign in early June and other regions will join them from 10 June.

Some 3,529 harvesters will be used in collection of grain crops. (UzA)

GERMAN BUSINESS DELEGATION VISITS UZBEKISTAN TO BOOST TIES

A German business delegation led by Klaus Mangold, chairman of Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations, is paying visit to Uzbekistan.

The delegation visited Samarkand city on 22 May. The delegation participated in business forum and cooperation exchange in the city.

Klaus Mangold said he visited Uzbekistan several times for last a year and met leadership of the country and heads of key ministries and departments. He said the current visited is directed to creation of practical ground for trade-economic cooperation with Uzbek manufacturers and assist them to promote their products to European markets. Head of German delegation said Germany is main trade partner of Uzbekistan in Europe and Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations is positively assess economic development of Uzbekistan and its export potential, including in the regions. That's why, the programme of the visit includes business-forums in Samarkand and Termez, he said.

Mangold said Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations unites almost all sectors of German economy and the members of delegation have opportunity to discuss issues on development of mutual beneficial cooperation.

Alisher Shayhov, chairman of Uzbek Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said Uzbekistan's economy is developing intensively now and the manufacturers of the country are interested in realization of export potential. Shayhov expressed gratitude to German side for assistance to promote Uzbek products to European markets.

Jurgen Weber, executive vice president of Invest in Germany, said in his presentation that Invest in Germany can assist Uzbek companies to promote their products in European states.

Azamhon Bahramov, first deputy governor of Samarkand region, presented export opportunities of Samarkand region to the German businesses.

After business-forum, the Uzbek and German businesses held contact exchange. The Uzbek exporters presented concrete proposal on cooperation with the Germany businesses. Representatives of German side said they will use gained experience during their meetings with business circles of Surkhandarya region, which will be held on 25 May.

Trade turnover of Samarkand region is US$4.75 million, of which US$786,000 fell to share of export and US$3.97 million to import.

The Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations is the oldest regional initiative of the main industrial associations. It represents and focuses the interests of German companies in Russia, Central and Eastern Europe, Southeast Europe, the Baltic, the Caucasus, and in Central Asia. It is active in developing economic contacts between business enterprises and government offices in these regions and in Germany. (UzReport.com)

GERMAN BUSINESSES HOLD TALKS WITH UZBEK COUNTERPARTS

A delegation of Germany led by Klaus Mangold, chairman of Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations, visited Surkhandarya region on 24 May.

The delegation participated at business conference in Termez with participation of local companies and businesses.

The German businesses acquainted with trade-industrial and investment opportunities of the region. The businesses of two counties held talks on perspective joint projects, which are planned to implement. (UzReport.com)

UZBEK EXPORTS TO RUSSIA GROWING, UZBEK CUSTOMS HEAD

Recently, a meeting was held at the Uzbek State Customs Committee between the chairman of the State Customs Committee of Uzbekistan, Sadirhon Nosirov and the Russian ambassador to Uzbekistan, Farit Mukhametshin, a press service of Uzbek customs committee said.

The main topics of the conversation, in which the heads of the State Customs Committee's departments and an advisor of the Russian Federation Embassy, B. Kuznetsov, also took part, were issues relating to the supply of fresh fruits and vegetables from Uzbekistan to the Russian market.

The head of the Uzbek Customs Committee noted that the volume of export from Uzbekistan to Russia was constantly growing. In January-April of 2006 alone, the export amounted to US$281 million, including US$12.7 million worth of fresh fruits and vegetables, that is 80% more than in the same period of last year.

In his turn, the Russian ambassador to Uzbekistan thanked the leadership of the State Customs Committee for the invitation to the meeting and noted that during the past two years, trade between Russia and Uzbekistan reached the US$2 billion mark, which, undoubtedly, was a positive trend in Uzbek-Russian cooperation.

He also said that the Russian government had already established a special working group for coordination of fresh fruit and vegetable exports to Russia.

RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT ORDERS TO SIGN ICT COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH UZBEKISTAN

Government if Russian entrusted Ministry for information technologies and communication of Russia to hold negotiations with Uzbekistan to sign agreement in ICT and post communication sphere on 22 May.

The press service of the Russian government said that the Ministry for information technologies and communication will hold talks with Uzbekistan to sign agreement on cooperation in agreement in ICT and post communication sphere.

It is expected that Ministry for information technologies and communication of Russia and Uzbek Agency for Communication and Information will sign agreement. (UzReport.com)

LUKOIL STARTS PREPARATION OF EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS FOR DRILLING OPERATIONS ON KHAUZAK BLOCK

Lukoil Overseas has started preparation of equipment, accessories and materials for drilling development wells in accordance with the field development plan of the Khauzak contract area located in the Alatsky District of the Bukhara Region (southwestern part of the Republic of Uzbekistan).

Development of this field makes part of the large project, Kandym-Khauzak-Shady-Kungrad. The PSA on the project was signed on June 16, 2004 in Tashkent in the presence of the Presidents of Russia and Uzbekistan and came into force on November 24, 2004. The project is implemented by the consortium of investors, which includes LUKOIL Overseas (90%) and Uzbekneftegaz (10%). The consortium's share in the profit production is 50%.

The duration of the PSA is 35 years. The volume of approved original gas in place in the contract area totals 329 billion cubic meters. Commercial production is scheduled to start in the last quarter of the year 2007. The peak annual production of natural gas will reach approximately 10 billion cubic meters, while the cumulative production under the project could reach 207 billion cubic meters of gas.

The operating company LUKOIL Uzbekistan Operating has been created for the project management purposes. In the future LUKOIL Overseas will also create a marketing company for joint sales of products (including the share of the Uzbek party).

By now, a 3D field seismic survey was completed on the Khauzak block, group design for construction of development wells was prepared and construction of power lines, access road and preparation for the workover of three wells are in progress. Drilling of the first well on the Khauzak block will start in June 2006. In total, 37 new development wells will be drilled here.

In total, Kandym-Khauzak-Shady-Kungrad project calls for drilling of more than 180 development wells and construction of over 1,500 kilometers of pipelines. Two compressor stations, gathering points, shift camps, high-voltage power lines, 40-kilometer railway line, highways and access roads will also be constructed.

The project also provides for construction of a modern gas-processing plan in the Kandym area with a capacity of 8 billion cubic meters of gas per year. As for May 1, 2006, the volume of investment in development of the block reached US$45 million. (UzReport.com)

SOME 20 COMPANIES TO PARTICIPATE AT MEBELEXPO UZBEKISTAN 2006

Over 20 companies will participate Third Specialized Uzbek International Exhibition Furniture and Production Technology – MebelExpo Uzbekistan 2006, which will be held in Tashkent on 1-3 June.

The exhibition is organized by ITE Group Plc (Great Britain) and ITE Uzbekistan and it will wrap up spring exhibition season in Uzbekistan. Tashkent city administration, Fayz holding company and Uzbek Chamber of Commerce and Industry support the exhibition.

ITE Uzbekistan said in its press-release that some 20 companies from Belarus, Germany, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Ukraine and Uzbekistan will participate in the event.

The release said over 50% of companies represent Uzbekistan and 30% are representatives of Germany. The company said the area of the exhibition expanded 2.5 times this year, which shows great interest to the exhibition.

The exhibition, which will be held at UzExpoCentre, will allow specialist and visitors to acquaint with new furniture models for home and office, purchase furniture and establish partnership relations or sign agreement with manufacturers.

The event will also present wide range of equipment and spare-parts for furniture production. ITE Uzbekistan said it will organize TextileExpo (6-8 September), InfoComExpo (19-21 September), TransUzbekistan (4-6 October), AutoMotorShow (3-6 October) and MiningWorld Uzbekistan (11-13 October) in autumn 2006 season. (UzReport.com)

UZBEK, IRANIAN BUSINESSES HOLD SEMINAR IN TASHKENT

Businesses of Uzbekistan and Iran participated in business seminar in Tashkent, which was organized within the Third Specialized Exhibition of Iran.

The meeting noted that trade-economic cooperation between two countries is developing. The agreements, reached during meetings of leaders of states, laid good ground to boost relation.

Representatives of over 100 Iranian companies familiarized with economic and investment potential of Uzbekistan.

Trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Iran increased from US$372 million in 2004 to 420 million in 2005. Some 65 Uzbek-Iranian ventures operate in Uzbekistan. (UzReport.com)

Society

TASHKENT HOSTS "YOUTH OF UZBEKISTAN: ROLES, TASKS, RESPONSIBILITY" FORUM

A two-day Forum of youth, organized by the National Association of NGOs of Uzbekistan, Institute for Studying Civil Society, Uzbekistan Liberal-Democratic Party and Kamolot public movement of youth, started at Poytakht hotel, Tashkent.

The event is being held under the aegis of "Youth of Uzbekistan: roles, tasks, responsibility". It is aimed to consolidate efforts of the youth in solution of issues of formation of the bases of civil society, realization of socioeconomic and political reforms pursued in the country.

During the youth forum, it is planned to organize work of plenary sessions, "Youth and public organization of Uzbekistan" section, as well as small groups like "View of youth: our present, future, and what we can do for the future?", "My vision of youth movement in Uzbekistan", etc. (UzReport.com)

STUDENTS FAMILIARISE WITH INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW PRINCIPLES

Students of the Faculty of International Journalism at the Uzbek State University of World Languages met with Sergey Sayapin, a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The meeting was devoted to the issues of behaviour and orientation of a journalist in emergency situation. The task of the meeting was to ensure understanding by the participants of the main principles of humanitarian law.

ICRC cooperates with academic educational establishments almost in 130 countries. The current system of education promotes the increase of the level of their competence and formation of confidence in their professional skills.

The first part of the meeting was devoted to the activity of ICRC and the history of emergence of this humanitarian organization. In the second part, students got acquainted with the principles of the international humanitarian law.

ICRC mission is to provide protection and assistance to those suffered in military conflicts and internal disorders. Regional delegation of ICRC in Central Asia was opened in 1992. The main direction of ICRC activity in this region is to assist in ratification of agreements in the field of humanitarian law and their inclusion in the national legislation.

Moreover, one of important tasks is integration of humanitarian principles in the programmes of training military personnel and the programmes of civil educational institutions. (UzReport.com)

HEALTHCARE SPECIALISTS DISCUSS CONTROL OVER QUALITY OF MEDICATIONS

The Head Department for Control over the Quality of Medicaments and Medical Equipment of the Healthcare Ministry held a conference on 24 May at Dedeman Silk Road Tashkent Hotel. The event was organized with the sponsorship support of Nikomed Company.

The conference was entitled "Control over the quality of medications. Measures to fight counterfeit products. Adverse drug response. Issues of identification, notification, implementation of measures."

The event opened with the speech of the Chairman of the conference – First Deputy Minister of Healthcare, Professor, Doctor of Medical Science Abduhakim Hojibaev. The programme of the conference included the lectures on "National policy in the field of circulation of drugs", "International agreements on fight against circulation of counterfeit medications: CIS, EU, WHO", "Quality of medicaments in the pharmaceutical market of Uzbekistan", etc.

Representatives of healthcare, Center of Drug Policy, Department of State Control "Roszdravnadzor", Pharmaceutical Inspection, Nikomed Companyy, etc participated in the conference. Participants discussed the urgent issues, and exchanged opinions about control over the quality of medicaments. (UzReport.com)