December 24, 2007

Politics:
Preliminary results of the presidential elections of the Republic of Uzbekistan
14 m 765 thousand 444 People Voted In Elections
International observers about presidential elections
Economics:
Senate Committee for Agricultural, Water Management Issues and Ecology meets
Seminar on workplace accident insurance held
Priority of power engineering
ICT market attracts investors
Society:
On savings pension support of citizens
Tchaikovsky’s World Classic Sounds In Temple, Charms Many
The best doctor of the year
Over 10,000 pirated CD/DVDs destroyed

POLITICS

PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN

According to preliminary results of the presidential elections of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov has collected 88,1 % of votes.

Chairman of the Central Election Committee (CEC) of Uzbekistan Mirzo-Ulugbek Abdusalomov reported during the briefing for journalists in Tashkent on 24 of December.

According to preliminary results, Islam Karimov collected 13,008,357 votes or 88,1%, Asliddin Rustamov – 468,064 votes or 3,17%, Akmal Saidov – 420,815 votes or 2,85%, Diloram Tashmukhamedova – 434,111 votes or 2,94%.


14 M 765 THOUSAND 444 PEOPLE VOTED IN ELECTIONS

90,6 percent voters have participated in the voting on elections of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan Mirzo-Ulughbek Abdusalomov has been quoted as saying by Uzbekistan National News Agency at the briefing for the representatives of the local and foreign mass media to have been held at the CEC Press Center on December 23 at 22:30 hours.

The voting on the elections of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan has been reported to have ended at all polling stations yesterday at 20:00

According to the preliminary data, 14 million 765 thousand 444 voters have participated in the voting, which makes up 90,6 percent of the total number of voters in the lists.

The elections were held with observance of international democratic norms and principles secured by Constitution, as well as the laws “On elections of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan” and “On guarantees of suffrage of citizens”.

At the moment the counting of voices is held at the polling stations individually on each candidate, the CEC head has said.

As it has been reported earlier, 264 observers are participating at the elections from international organizations and movements, including from the Commonwealth Independent States – 78, Organization for security and cooperation in Europe – 26, Organization of Islamic Conference – 6, Shanghai Cooperation Organization – 3, Eurasian Economic Community Organization - 2, as well as more than 23,000 observers from political parties and initiative groups of voters, nominated candidates for President. In accordance with the legislation they assist in opening up the ballot boxes and counting the votes.

INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS ABOUT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

Moon Ha-yong, Professor of Yong-sei University, South Korea, is reported to have said following while speaking to Uzbekistan National News Agency.

To the polling station ą218 located in the College town in Tashkent I have arrived at 13 o’clock, where I have learned that almost 85 percent of voters have already voted by that time.

The elections were held open, fair, and based on equal contest. The participation in the elections of candidates from different political parties, including the female nominee is a novelty in the election system of Uzbekistan. I welcome the presence of women at the power structures. The female candidate also took part at the last elections in South Korea.

Usually the views and will, dreams and aspirations of various people become apparent in the election process. I have served as an ambassador to your country during several years and I know of profound reforms now underway in all spheres. As a result of radical reforms your people achieved enormous successes.

Mehmet Erol, Professor of Gozin University, the deputy director of International Strategic Research Organization (Turkey), has said the following while talking to Uzbekistan National News Agency.

“Full organization of the system of elections of President of Uzbekistan, elaboration and implementation of laws on elections to the practice, which correspond to the international norms, is enormous progress of the state.

As an observer I have attended several polling stations in Khorezm Province and witnessed the firm observance of laws on elections. All conditions for the free and secret voting for the voters were provided for”.

Fahd al-Mekrad, the Director General for Continuous Education at the Kuwait Arab Open University, is reported to have said following while speaking to the Uzbekistan National News Agency on the day of elections.

“I have observed the elections in many countries. I was impressed by the elections in Uzbekistan. The election campaign has been organized at high level.

Special mobile ballot boxes have been taken to homes of the people, who had not an opportunity to come to polling stations on their own, to carry out the homebound voting.

At the moment, nearly 5,000 citizens, who have set off to holy places in Saudi Arabia to offer the pilgrimage of Hajj, had voted early prior to their departures.

All conditions and opportunities have been created in Uzbekistan so that each citizen could use his own rights and take an active part in this process".

Peter Hikmen, vice-president of a Washington press club of (USA):

“Voters came to voting districts to implement their civil rights.

In 9:30 hours I have arrived at 461-st voting district in Ahunbabaev district of Fergana region, and by that time 35 percent of voters already had cast the ballots.

Elections have passed on the basis of objectivity and democratic principles. While in polling districts, I did not observe cases of infringement of laws.”

ECONOMY

SENATE COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURAL, WATER MANAGEMENT ISSUES AND ECOLOGY MEETS

A meeting on the implementation of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On farming business", particularly the part on the state and other forms of support to be provided to farming businesses by the concerned organisations and departments, was held on 20 of December by the Committee of the Senate of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Agricultural and Water Management Issues and Ecology.

As a result of the reforms being implemented in the agricultural sector of the country, deep structural changes are being observed. The measures taken in the past few years to reform the agricultural sector, create the production and market infrastructure have made it possible to form the class of proprietors in the rural areas, increase agricultural output and the incomes of the rural population.

Farming businesses established based on former farming communities have become the main form of agricultural production. In order to support their efficient activity, numerous mini banks, alternative machine-tractor parks, water-users' associations, fuel and lubricant, and fertilizer retail outlets have been opened within the shortest periods. Agricultural technology is being sold for loans and delivered to farmers on leasing basis.

The Land Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Laws "On farming business", "On water and water use", "On veterinary", "On breeding", "On leasing" and others have formed the normative-regulatory base, which provides the framework for the development of agriculture, particularly farming business in the country.

The adoption of the decrees and resolutions by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On measures for cardinal improvement of the system of land-reclamation" and "On measures to support farming businesses cultivating agricultural products for state needs on low-fertility lands" has become the basis for the development of new and introduction of additions and changes to the existing legislation and regulatory acts, provision of efficient state support to farmers producing agricultural products for state needs on unfertile lands.

The adoption of the state budget envisaging the appropriation of funds for cardinal improvement of the reclamation of irrigated lands and support of farming businesses operating on unfertile lands, and the determination of the specific sources of financing for these measures have become another evidence of the state's constant care about the development of farming.

Feeling the state's constant support, farms that have received land for long-term use have become more careful about it and the water used to irrigate it. They are applying new agricultural methods, using advanced technology to receive higher yields. As a result this year saw the record-breaking harvest of wheat and cotton. For the first time, Uzbekistan produced more than 6,250,000 tonnes of wheat, and over 3,600,000 tonnes of raw cotton. The main factors that support these high achievements were constant state support, strengthening feeling of proprietorship in farmers, their conscientious attitude towards labour, active life position, the feeling of interest and responsibility, affiliation with the common cause.

During the Committee's meeting the senators listened to the reports on the performance of the Law "On farming business" by the divisions of the Central and industry-specific banks, UzKimyoSanoat (Uzbek Chemical Industry), UzNeftMahsulot (Uzbek Oil Product), UzKishlokHujalikMashLizing (Uzbek Agricultural Machinery Leasing), UzAgroMashService, the Association of Oil and Fat and Food Industry, as well as the ministries and agencies of Uzbekistan. They noted that not everything possible is being done in ensuring the provision of banking services, lubricants, machine parts, fodder to the farming businesses. There is still space for improvement, they said, and suggested on the possible ways for meeting the existing potential, improving the operation of mini banks, equipping them with the necessary equipment and communication means.

The Committee meeting was attended by the senators, heads of ministries and agencies concerned, association of farming businesses, representatives of large farms, and media.

SEMINAR ON WORKPLACE ACCIDENT INSURANCE HELD

A seminar on the problems of insurance against workplace accidents and occupational diseases was held at the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis (parliament) of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Among the participants of the meeting organized by the Committee for Labour and Social Isuses were the members of the Legislative Chamber, the heads of concerned ministries and agencies, organizations and institutions, associations and departments, as well as experts, specialists, scientists and media reporters. The seminar was led by the Chairman of the Committee I. Nasriev.

It was noted that particular attention was being paid in Uzbekistan to the improvement of the legal framework for the protection of working citizens. The Labour Code, the Laws "On protection of labour", "On state pension protection of citizens", and "On employment" are aimed to serve this purpose.

Among the topics discussed at the meeting was the conception of the new draft law "On mandatory state social insurance against workplace accidents and occupational diseases" passed by the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis (parliament) in the first reading and being prepared for the second reading.

This draft law was developed with the aim of ensuring the performance of the State Programme on the "Year of Social Protection" approved by the Presidential Resolution of 23 January 2007.

Members of parliament also discussed the legal regulation of workplace accident insurance and insurance against occupational diseases, the experience of foreign countries and practical measures being taken in this context in Uzbekistan. They made suggestions on the improvement of the draft law.

PRIORITY OF POWER ENGINEERING

The State Property Committee of Uzbekistan had announced tenders on selling the shareholdings of two thermoelectric power stations, 48% of the OSC “Syrdarya Thermoelectric Power Station”, the largest thermoelectric power station in Central Asia and 47% of the OSC “Tashkent Thermoelectric Power Station”, according to Uzbekistan Today newspaper.

The starting price of “Syrdarya Thermoelectric Power Station” is US$ 223 million and “Tashkent Thermoelectric Power Center” US$ 7.35 million. Here investors must invest US$ 358.8 million and US$ 135.7 million in their development. The deadline of tender suggestions is January 29, 2008 and results will be summed up by the end of March next year.

An expert of the “Finam” investment company Maksim Lovtsov informs the UT that the main factors having an impact on the cost of Uzbek power generators are gradual accomplishment of all steps of reformation, observation of norms of corporate management in the sphere and increase of efficiency of power stations. “Investment in power engineering is long term one and in future it will reach the fair estimation of market due to strategic investor or other opportunities”, he said.

The underestimation of power stations’ assets, growth potential of their efficiency in combination with increasing demand for electric power and heat energy make the power engineering more attractive for investors. In turn, the Uzbek government decided to return 100% of money gained from sale of state shareholdings to power stations for their modernization and increase of their investment attractiveness.

At present the energy system of Uzbekistan consists of 42 electric power stations including 11 thermoelectric power stations having capacity of 9.87 megawatts and 31 hydroelectric power stations having capacity of 1.7 megawatts. Their power generating potential is 48-49 billion kwh.

The power engineering privatization program states that the largest power electric stations must be sold on tenders. Therefore, it is necessary to guarantee the investment program that is commercially beneficial enterprise whose joint owner will be new shareholders. However, interests of the current stockholders and national economy represented by the government must be protected as well.

Today the Uzbek power engineering is successfully implementing a program on developing and reconstructing of the power stations for the period of 2010 and it basically focuses on issues of modernizing their acting power generating units, increasing the efficiency of usage of fuel and energy resources, integrating the new power engineering technologies and reducing the level of power stations’ ecological impact on environment.

The head of the “Uzbekenergo” State Stock Company’s Office for Energy Development Ravshan Artikov states that it is intended to reconstruct during five years the four thermoelectric power stations: Tashkent and Navoi thermoelectric power stations and Mubarek and Tashkent thermoelectric power centers. Generally, the whole investment program on power engineering ensures to increase the efficiency of usage of fuel.

ICT MARKET ATTRACTS INVESTORS

At present the volume of investment in ICT sector of Uzbekistan has grown 23.8% compared to that of 2006 and has made 181.2 billion soums.

The volume of acquired investment in current year has exceeded almost 10 % an indicator highlighted in the investment program of the Republic for 2007. In particular, according to the document, it is planned to acquire in 2007 capital investments in ICT sphere by the means of the government budget - 500 million soums, foreign credits under the government guarantee – US$ 5 million, foreign direct investment and credits - US$ 125.36 million.

Practical measures on realization of strategic priorities in the sphere of ICT are determined in the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On further development of a computerization and introduction of information communication technologies”. The branch of communication and information is developing at high speeds on the basis of modern technologies in the country. Nowadays all networks of the cities and regional centers of the Republic are digitalized and high-quality services of international telecommunication and data transmission are being rendered to the population, enterprises, organizations and establishments. The number of subscribers of mobile communication has reached 5 million users at the beginning of October and the number of internet users has made 2 million.

Adoption of the National program of reconstruction of the telecommunication networks of Uzbekistan for the period of 2010 has accelerated the processes of modernization in ICT sphere with the participation of foreign equipment suppliers. Large investment projects have been successfully implemented. As a result installed capacity (ATS) of JSC “Uzbektelecom” has increased by 1.98 million numbers, majority of stations are digital, and more than 9000 kilometers of fiber-optical communication lines are laid. TV and Radio stations are reconstructed. High-speed digital liaison channels, access to the international information networks become faster in Karakalpakstan and all regional centers.

For the period of 1991-2007, projects worth US$ 1.183 billion have been realized in communication and information by means of foreign credits and foreign direct investments. The bulk of them comprise US$ 633 million for the period of 2002-2007. At the expense of own means for 1992-2007, projects worth 132.9 billion soums have been realized.

SOCIETY

ON SAVINGS PENSION SUPPORT OF CITIZENS

Within the frame of the State Programme on the "Year of Social Protection", the Senate Committee for Agricultural, Water Use Issues and Ecology held a meeting on the implementation of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On savings pension support of citizens" by the labour and social protection departments, as well as the agricultural enterprises of Bukhara region.

In Uzbekistan, the citizens' rights for pension support is guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Article 39 of the Supreme Law of the land states that "every citizen has the right for social support in the elderly age". Social protection of the population has always been one of the priority aspects of the state policy. An evidence of this is the pronouncement of the year 2007 as the Year of Social Protection, which has assisted the expansion of the scale of social protection of the population, development of new and introduction of additional provisions to the existing legislation and regulatory acts aimed at raising the efficiency of the existing system of citizens' social protection.

Article 5 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On savings pension protection of citizens" states that the state guarantees the citizens participating in the savings pension system the safety and payment of all funds accumulated on individual savings pension accounts. Participation in the savings pension system is mandatory both for the employers and citizens working by the labour contract. Individual entrepreneurs, members of farming businesses that operate without the establishment of legal business personality, as well as other citizens participate in the pension savings system on voluntary basis.

These and other provisions of the legislative act have become the starting point for the study of the situation about the performance of the Articles of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On savings pension protection of citizens" in Bukhara region.

Participants of the meeting noted that Bukhara region has accumulated positive experience in the implementation of the Articles of this law. In 19,942 businesses, whose participation in the pension system is envisaged by the law, 326,756 employees have presented the necessary applications to the branches of the People's Bank. Their accounts now accumulate the monthly deductions from the salary, which have totaled over 5 billion soums as of 1 November 2007. Interest rate exceeding the rates of inflation is paid on these funds. In 2006 alone in Bukhara region, the interest accumulated on these funds on individual pension accounts made up 190.6 million soums.

Local government bodies, regional departments and district divisions of the Ministries of Finance, Labour and Social Protection of the Population, Tax Service and the People's Bank are working to explain the provisions of the new Law of Uzbekistan "On savings pension protection of the citizens" and timely registration of all papers submitted for participation in the new pension system.

At the same time, during the meeting participants pointed out that several district offices of the People's Bank failed to timely report to certain farming businesses on the deductions being made to the pension savings accounts, and it was suggested to raise the activeness of citizens participating in the savings pension system on voluntary basis.

Meeting participants emphasized the special role of local agencies of the legislative government branch, their standing commissions dealing with social questions in successful implementation of the provisions of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On savings pension support of citizens", in coordination of the efforts of the departments and divisions of the ministries of finance, labour and social protection, tax services and People's Bank aimed at maintaining the efficient implementation of the provisions of this law.

Among the participants were the senators, heads of concerned ministries and agencies, the Association of Farming Businesses, Deputies of Local Kengash (Council) of People's Deputies, and media.

TCHAIKOVSKY’S WORLD CLASSIC SOUNDS IN TEMPLE, CHARMS MANY

Early last week the concert of symphonic music of the great Russian composer Piyotr Tchaikovsky was held in the Roman catholic temple in Tashkent. It has been organized along the support of the Romanian Embassy in Uzbekistan.

The representatives of diplomatic corps, citizens and guests took part at the concert.

Tchaikovsky’s music has a strong influence on listeners. It has deep emotionality and expressiveness. In his works the Russian composer is said to have reflected the endless themes of love, life and death, modes of nature.

“This is a first cultural project to have been implemented in Uzbekistan,” – Dr. Constantin Alexa, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to Uzbekistan has said, while speaking to the Information agency “Jahon”, “but we would like to hold such kind of events as often as possible”.

I am confident that this concert will promote the strengthening of spirit of trust and mutual understanding between our nations. Uzbekistan is the state with strong secular traditions, and performance of such unique works indicates the high culture pertaining to the people and professionalism of musicians, Ambassador C.Alexa has further said.

“Holding of concerts in this temple has become a kind tradition”, – the bishop Jerzy Maculewicz has said, “and the peculiarity is in the fact that many masterpieces of world classics are now performed for the first time at this temple. I am glad that the magic and lively world of music has brought together the people of a wide variety of ages and tastes – be they the professionals or amateurs, the young or old”.

THE BEST DOCTOR OF THE YEAR

A talented cardio-surgeon Abrol Mansurov honored by the title of “the best doctor of 2007” has resumed coronary artery grafting operations in Uzbekistan and has reached high results. Today after operations mortality rate makes only 5 percent which is four times lower than before.

Continuing the list of achievements of Mansurov for 2007 one may note simultaneous carrying out of coronary artery grafting operations and prosthesis of the mitral valve. He has carried out operations on carotid artery and coronary artery of the heart for one reception without an extra anaesthesia. In such a combination these operations were carried out for the first time in Uzbekistan.

The doctor does not think of stopping on the achieved and is going to introduce all kinds of the operations applied in the world for treatment of ischemic illness in the medical practice of Uzbekistan. “Two years ago, when I began the activity as a cardio-surgeon, I did operations of coronary artery grafting only on the stopped heart, in conditions of artificial blood circulation, - says Abrol Amirdjanovich. - Today I carry out operations living heart as well. Now I master the techniques allowing doing operations to heavy patient with a smaller risk”.

Mansurov’s professional career began in 1987 after graduating with honors from the Tashkent State Medical Institute (now Tashkent Medical Academy). Then he held various posts, for some years he has headed the Navoi branch of the Republican Center of Emergency Medical Aid. In his doctor’s activity he was engaged in surgical treatment of liver illnesses. He has defended the candidate and doctor’s dissertations. Teachers of Abrol marking his high skills of conducting an operation have advised him to try himself in heart surgery. And Mansurov made his decision, in 2005 he passed specialization in the scientific research institute of blood circulation pathology of the Russian Federation. On returning to Uzbekistan he headed the newly created branch of surgery of ischemic illness of heart of the Republican specialized center of surgery under academician Vahidov and became the only one doctor for today in the country carrying out operations of coronary artery grafting.

Now Abrol Amirjanovich takes an active part in the formation of domestic school of surgeons specializing in operations of coronary artery grafting. He says that demand for experts is great. In the created Republican center of cardio surgery alone two operation rooms are equipped for treatment of ischemic illness of heart. He notes that among students there are also skilled doctors from Andijan, Namangan, and the Republican Center of Emergency Medical Aid who plan to conduct such operations in their clinics.

OVER 10,000 PIRATED CD/DVDS DESTROYED

The issues of protection of intellectual property and copyright hold an important place in the national legislation of Uzbekistan. The fact that the country joined the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works is of special importance to further development of the work in this field.

Under the direction of the President Islam Karimov, large-scale work is being implemented in the country to protect copyright and related rights. National legislative base has been created in this sphere, and improved in accordance with international standards.

According to the Laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On legal protection of the software for electronic computing machines and their databases" and "On copyright and related rights", the use of intellectual work (property) by second parties should be done on the basis of agreement signed between the copyright owner and this party. The actions taken in violation of this legislation result in administrative and criminal amenability, executed in accordance with the established procedures. Illegal copies of the works are subject to confiscation and destruction. Materials and equipment used in the production and distribution of pirated products are destroyed or confiscated into the ownership of the state.

In Uzbekistan, measures are being taken consistently to ensure the execution of the national legislation on implementation of the Berne Convention and protection of copyright. IN particular, the department for the execution of the judicial decisions, material-technical and financial support of the judicial activity under the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan jointly with the concerned agencies are working in this direction. The illegally copied products (audio and video products) are confiscated from the violators of the law, and destroyed in accordance with the established order.

This department in cooperation with the responsible workers of the Department for the fight against tax and currency crimes and legalization of illicit income under the General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan, State Tax Committee and the Uzbek Republican Agency for Copyright, and the representatives of mass media have recently destroyed a large amount of illegally copied products.

During this event, the court decision on destruction of over 10,000 illegal copied CDs, DVDs and other material evidence was executed, UzA reported.