December 20, 2007
Politics:
Islam Karimov meets voters in Tashkent city
Asliddin Rustamov meets voters in Jizzakh region
Seminars on legislation on elections held
Economics:
Round table discusses productivity tools in investment projects analysis
2nd specialized Job Fair to be held in Tashkent next month
ADB funds upgrade of key 'SILK ROAD' highway in Uzbekistan
Society:
19 Year-Old Uzbek Student Successfully Performs In Israel
Amid Their Stay In Country Indonesian Lawmakers Visit UWED
‘Kamolot’ Dwells On ‘Year of Youth’ As 2008 Named As Such
POLITICS
ISLAM KARIMOV MEETS VOTERS IN TASHKENT CITY
The 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 city on December 18.
The chairman of the 2nd Tashkent city election commission A.Ahmedov 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 occupied a special place in the economy of the country with its high economic and social potential. Announcement of Tashkent the capital of the Islamic culture in 2007 by the ISESCO was an important event in the life of the Uzbek capital.
Tashkent is not only a center of science and culture, but also a large industrial city. It accounts for some 30% of the national product produced in Uzbekistan. About 1,500 joint ventures and firms function in the capital.
The participants of the meeting said the measures implemented to ensure social and economic stability, development of economy and strengthening Uzbekistan’s independence were 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.
ASLIDDIN RUSTAMOV MEETS VOTERS IN JIZZAKH REGION
The candidate to the post of the President of Uzbekistan from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Asliddin Rustamov met voters in Jizzakh region on December 18.
The chairman of the 5th Jizzakh district election commission S.Kobilov opened the meeting. The authorized representative of the candidate, chairman of Jizzakh city council of the Nuroniy fund Mamatkul Inamov familiarized the participants with the biography and the program of the candidate.
The program states that wide-scale reforms in the country have produced significant results. The economic potential of Uzbekistan has strengthened, the people’s well being has improved and the attention to social protection of the population has increased. The pension system is being improved, the size of the social allowances are being increased and the real incomes of the population are growing.
The candidate to the post of the President of Uzbekistan Asliddin Rustamov made a speech at the meeting.
The participants of the meeting said conduction of the elections of the President of Uzbekistan on a multiparty and alternative basis was a proof of the fact that the national election legislation complied with international norms.
They expressed views on the program of the candidate and called on the voters to take an active part in the elections of the President of Uzbekistan due on 23 of December 2007.
SEMINARS ON LEGISLATION ON ELECTIONS HELD
Enhancement of the level of legal literacy, particularly with regard to the national legislation on elections, of the members of district and local election commissions, the organization of their work in accordance with the laws regulating the process of elections, and provision of full preparedness of all electoral points for the upcoming voting – these are the objectives of the series of regional seminars held on December 9-15 in all electoral districts. The seminars were organized in accordance with the calendar schedule of events of the Central Election Commission.
Two seminars were conducted in each of the electoral districts, UzA reported. The chairmen, deputy chairmen and secretaries of all district election commissions were informed on the peculiarities and advantages of the electoral legislation of Uzbekistan in comparison with international electoral standards. Explanations were provided on the provisions of the Constitution of Uzbekistan, the Laws "On elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan", "On guarantees of electoral rights of citizens", "On Central Election Commission" and other legislative acts related to the organization of elections.
Particular attention was paid to the compliance with the principles of collegiality, independence, lawfulness, justice and openness of the activity of election commissions, compliance of their work on the day of elections with democratic norms, and approved national legislation on elections. It was pointed out that there is a need to strictly comply with the norms of the law in organization of citizens' voting, provision for the execution of their constitutional right to vote and participate in the election regardless of their location on the day of elections.
One of such seminars was organized for the members of the local commissions of the second Tashkent city electoral district. The chairman of the local commission A. Ahmedov, opening the seminar, said all electoral points had taken measures to organise the elections in the best way, in compliance with the national legislation on elections. Explanatory work is being carried out with the voters on the order of organization of elections, particularly, the rules of completion of voting bulletins.
Speaking at the seminar the Chairman of the Central Election Commission M. Abdusalomov emphasized that the elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan was the most important political event in the country. Therefore, the local election commission were commissioned to ensure proper conduct of the elections, in compliance with the norms of the national electoral law and international standards.
One of the seminars for the members of election commissions of Surkhandarya region was conducted in the city of Denau.
"We have received full, detailed information on all legal aspects of organization of the elections," the Chairman of the 141st local election commission Yu. Sapiev said. "This has expanded our knowledge on the electoral legislation of Uzbekistan, as well as different facts from the international practice. For all those who is involved in the roganisation of the electoral process, the seminar and practical sessions, as well as the special literature received will become an important supporting factors which will help conduct the elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan at a decent level."
The members of the Central Election Commission, judges of the Constitutional Court, the deputies of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis, and the specialists of the Tashkent State Law Institute spoke in front of the seminar audience.
ECONOMY
ROUND TABLE DISCUSSES PRODUCTIVITY TOOLS IN INVESTMENT PROJECTS ANALYSIS
A round table dedicated to discussion of issues and perspectives of using productivity tools for elaboration and analysis of investment projects was held at the Dedeman Silk Road Hotel in Tashkent on December 14.
The meeting was organized by the UNDP Support to Investment Process for National Development (SIPND) Project in cooperation with the Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan (FRDU).
The SIPND Project, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in cooperation with the Cabinet of Ministers and the FRDU, aims to raise the efficiency of the national investment policy through strengthening institutional capacities of the national investment institutions as well as elaboration of policy recommendations to the government based on international experience and best practices.
Improvement of the quality of elaboration and evaluation of investment projects is among the key objectives of the Project. In this regard, the Project with the help of experts from FRDU identified "Comfar III Expert" by UNIDO and "Project Expert 7 Pro" by Expert Systems (Russia) as most widely used in the region and considered most reliable among the available software tools.
During several months of 2006 FRDU experts conducted testing of the both software tools with the purpose of identifying the most suitable to the specifics of the Uzbek investment institutions.
Experts of the FRDU acquainted the participants of the event with results of testing including advantages and disadvantages of each software tool, technical and methodological issues encountered during the testing.
The findings of the FRDU experts sparkled a lively discussion among the participants of the event who represent all major investment institutions of Uzbekistan involved in elaboration and evaluation of large investment projects.
The event was also attended by a consultant of Expert Systems Company (Russia), the developer of Project Expert 7 Pro software who provided detail information on the capabilities of the software programme, and answered the questions of the experts.
Among attendants of the event were representatives of the Cabinet of Ministers, FRDU, Ministry of Finance, Uztyajneftegazhimproekt (Uzbek heavy oil-and-gas chemistry project) institute under the Ministry of Economy, Gosarchitektstroy (State architecture construction), Uzkimyosanoat (Uzbek chemical industry), Uzbekneftegaz (Uzbek oil and gas) national holding company, and a number of banks.
2ND SPECIALIZED JOB FAIR TO BE HELD IN TASHKENT NEXT MONTH
The Second specialized Job Fair will be held with the support of Uzbekistan-Japan Center for Human Development at the International Business Centre on January 18, 2008 Uzreport.com Business Information Portal reported.
The event has been organized by the HR Capital Consulting (HRC) recruiting company and Alumni Club Members of UJC Business Courses (A-club).
The goal of this non-commercial event is to establish contacts among the university graduates, experienced specialists and direct employers – the leading companies (organizations) successfully operating in Uzbekistan.
The job seekers can attend a mini training for free, see the available vacancies, set personal contacts with the representatives of organizations and discuss the possibilities of employment in those organizations and companies.
The employers can participate in the training presentation for HR managers, to find candidates for current vacancies, set up contacts and exchange experience with colleagues, as well as to create an HR resource by replenishment the database of qualified specialists.
The First Job Fair in December 2006 was visited by over 400 job seekers and representatives of over 50 companies and organizations, among which such companies as UNDP, JETRO, Lukoil Overseas Uzbekistan Ltd., Mitsubishi, Sarbast Plus, GRATA, Intercontinental Tashkent, Sarkor and other leading companies.
ADB FUNDS UPGRADE OF KEY 'SILK ROAD' HIGHWAY IN UZBEKISTAN
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide Uzbekistan US$75.3 million loan to upgrade a key highway that is an integral part of a regional transport corridor across Central Asia, according to Uzreport.com.
The move comes a month after eight countries in and around Central Asia agreed to a US$18 billion strategy to improve roads, airports, railways, and ports to make the region a vital transit route for trade between Europe and Asia – a modern-day equivalent of the ancient Silk Road.
The new loan will be used to upgrade two sections of the A-380 highway, a 1,204 kilometer road that runs from the Kazakh border in Uzbekistan's north toward Afghanistan and Turkmenistan in the south.
The first road section to be reconstructed is 40 kilometers long in Kungrad District of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. The second is 91 kilometers long in the Khazarsp District of Khorezm Province and Tortkul District of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. International competitive bidding for the civil works will be applied for the first time.
"Upgrading the road will cut travel times and reduce transport costs," said Olly Norojono, a Transport Economist with ADB. "This highway is essential for enhancing regional integration and economic growth in Central Asia."
Part of the loan will also be used to help the Government of Uzbekistan strengthen the operation and maintenance of the country's road network by improving road-sector institutions, planning and budgeting, as well as the provision of road-building equipment.
Insufficient maintenance in the past has led to the deterioration of roads. While the Government has made progress in fixing the problem, the budget for maintaining primary roads hasn't been sufficient.
The total cost of highway upgrade and strengthening the road sector capacity is US$173.5 million. In addition to the US$75.3 million provided by ADB, the Government is investing US$98.2 million.
The strategy to invest in transport corridors in and around Central Asia was agreed at a meeting in Dushanbe on November 3 of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program, which is sponsored by ADB. In addition to Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, People's Republic of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, and Tajikistan have agreed to the strategy.
SOCIETY
19 YEAR-OLD UZBEK STUDENT SUCCESSFULLY PERFORMS IN ISRAEL
The concerts of the 19 year-old student of the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan Aziz Shokhakimov organized by the “Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan” Fund and the Ministry of Culture and Sports were held in Israel with success, the Uzbekistan National News Agency Russian-language website reported.
The young maestro stroke the audience with a combination of technique and splash of emotions. The musical critique and local mass media underscored that in spite of the young age he has had no equals on his strength and assurance in that what he had done.
Besides, Shokhakimov led an orchestra for clarinet with enthusiasm and fantasy written by Tulkun Kurbanov. The audience has warmly welcomed it as much as the entire scheduled tour program, which included the foreign and native works, for example the cycle of public melodies “Mukhammas va ufor” created by the Uzbek composer Mirkhalil Makhmudov. The concerts of Aziz Shokhakimov were held in full house. The connoisseurs of the classics conquered with his artistry are reported to have noted with gratitude that the music has opened the Orient for them.
Attending the conduction classes at 12 years old under the guardianship of his teacher, Professor of the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan Vladimir Neymer and being a talented student, Aziz has an innate temperament, which compels to submit any “star orchestra” to him. The mastery of the gifted young man has also been worthily assessed in Europe, where he along with his teacher had been numerously invited to.
In 2005 Shokhakimov was awarded the State prize “Nikhol”. Thanks to his abilities, he is the recipient of scholarship from the Vladimir Spivakov International Charity Fund and the “Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan” Fund, which support the young talented youth with a promising future. Aziz Shokhakimov’s current performance in Israel, where he was specially invited to also witnesses about the aforesaid.
It is remarkable that for his tangible contribution in the aesthetic upbringing the upcoming generation, accustoming the young talents to the foundations of spirituality and culture, as well as for many years long work his pedagogue Vladimir Neymer has recently been awarded the title “Honored instructor of youth of the Republic of Uzbekistan”.
AMID THEIR STAY IN COUNTRY INDONESIAN LAWMAKERS VISIT UWED
Visiting delegation to Uzbekistan led by the Speaker Agung Laksono met with the professors, the teaching faculty and students at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED), according to the Uzbekistan National News Agency Russian-language website.
The participants spoke about the effectiveness of considerable reforms led by the Uzbek Leader in the sphere of training the high qualified specialists, creating the conditions for harmonic upbringing the youth, expanding the international cooperation in higher education.
Having learned about the activity of the University Agung Laksono is reported to have highly assessed the system of studies and conditions available for the students to obtain the knowledge.
“We have witnessed that the country pays a big attention to the development of education as much as all other spheres,” - the head of the delegation has said, “Indonesia is interested in further consolidating the cooperation with Uzbekistan in this area”.
‘KAMOLOT’ DWELLS ON ‘YEAR OF YOUTH’ AS 2008 NAMED AS SUCH
At the festive ceremony dedicated to 15th anniversary of the Constitution of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov announced 2008 as a “Year of youth”. It has inspired all members of society, and in particular, the representatives the young men and women, according to the report by Uzbekistan National News Agency Russian-language website.
That was the topic of the meeting held at the Central council of the Public youth movement “Kamolot” and devoted to the discussion of main objectives of the forthcoming “Year of youth”. The representatives of relevant organizations, ministries, agencies, public associations, scholars, specialists and journalists took part at it.
The Law “On education”, the National program for cadres training, State nationwide Program for development of school education in 2004-2009 have been worked out this year and now they are purposefully being implemented.
As a result of such gradual transformations the level of public literacy is regularly increasing. The young men and women secure the top places at the International Olympiads. The high educational institutions pay a special attention to training of qualified cadres that meet the latest requirements.
The issues related to consolidating the moral and educational upbringing of the youth, protection its interests and further improvement of system of their social protection are also reported to have thoroughly analyzed as a a part of the event.