28 May, 2006

Politics
Uzbek President’s Book Presented in Kuwait
Russian speaker notes significance of Uzbekistan's accession to EurAsEC
Session of interdepartmental coordination commission on improving information work and data transmission
In Senate of Oliy Majlis of Republic of Uzbekistan

Economy
Fuji digital technology presents in Tashkent
Farmed Company presents new medications
Uzbek customs committee directs 196bn soums to budget
Asaka Bank Emits Over 150,000 Plastic Cards

Society
Regional conference on "HIV/AIDS and Education" starts in Tashkent
Uzbekistan marks 50th Anniversary of “Pahtakor” football team
Uzbekistan advances to final of AFC Futsal Championship

POLITICS

UZBEK PRESIDENT’S BOOK PRESENTED IN KUWAIT

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov’s book “The Uzbek people will never depend o¬n anyone” was presented at the Kuwait National University. The representatives of the Kuwait government, social and political figures, teaching faculty at the university, heads of diplomatic missions and members of Uzbek delegation led by the State adviser to the President of Uzbekistan Mr. Shukhrat Yovkochev attended the presentation.

The Rector of the Kuwait National University Mr. Nodir al-Jalal, the Head of political sciences department of Social Sciences faculty Mr. Abul Rido Assiri, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Kuwait Mr. Sh.Abdullaev, Ambassador of Turkey to Kuwait Mr. Sh.Fakili, head of “The Persian Gulf- Europe” research center at the Kuwait National University Heyla al-Mukami spoke at the meeting and underlined timeliness of President’s book being published in the Arabic language.

They have all agreed that there was no common way of building a democracy, and emphasized that forced export of Western values to the Muslim countries was unacceptable.

The speakers highly appreciated the policies of the Uzbek government in ensuring the regional security and domestic stability, strengthening inter-national tolerance and sticking to the evolutionary path of developing the civil society.

Addressing at the event, Mr. Abul Rido Assiri has underscored that Uzbekistan has greatly contributed to the development of the Muslim civilization and has been maintaining its important place in the modern Islamic world.

He also said that Uzbekistan had a significant geographic location in the region. Henceforth, no wonder that those forces, which place themselves against the democracy and secular way of development, chose Uzbekistan as their target.

Stability in Central Asia mostly depends o¬n the situation in Uzbekistan so its successes in the struggle against the ideas of terrorism and religious extremism is a key for the region’s security and stability.

The local media manifested a profound interest towards the event. The leading newspapers of the country broadly reported o¬n their main pages, while the local broadcasters have allocated the air channels for the coverage of the event.

The members of the Uzbek delegation met with a prominent social and political figure of Kuwait Mr. Abdulaziz al-Bobtayn, who said that the “Al Bobtayn” foundation stood ready to cooperate with Uzbek organizations in promoting rich cultural and historical heritage of the Uzbek nation throughout Islamic countries.

Also, the Uzbek delegation saw Mr. Yusuf al-Hadjiy, the chairman of the Kuwait Islamic charity organization. The sides discussed the prospects of implementing the investment and humanitarian projects in Uzbekistan. (“Jahon” Information Agency)

RUSSIAN SPEAKER NOTES SIGNIFICANCE OF UZBEKISTAN'S ACCESSION TO EURASEC

Uzbekistan's accession to the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC) is significant and important, chairman of State Duma of Russia (lower house of parliament) Boris Gryzlov said in Minsk at the session of EurAsEC parliamentarians. Following Uzbekistan's accession, the Community's population exceeded 200 million, Gryzlov added.

The Speaker of the Russian State Duma noted that the issues to be discussed at the meeting of the Inter-parliamentary Assembly (IPA) of the EurAsEC in Minsk were important from the viewpoint of progress in formation of common custom, transportation and energy space.

The Chairman of the Russian State Duma negatively remarked on the fact that many cargo-transporters prefer to go round the Community. The problem, according to Gryzlov, was in the absence of single customs space, differing tariffs.

Gryzlov expressed his gratitude to the administration of Belarus for providing all the necessary conditions for productive work of the EurAsEC IPA in Minsk, held on 26 May. (UzReport.com)

SESSION OF INTERDEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION COMMISSION ON IMPROVING INFORMATION WORK AND DATA TRANSMISSION

In the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan the session of the interdepartmental coordination commission on improving information work and data transmission was hold. The information from an Agency of Communication and Information of Uzbekistan on implementation of commission’s earlier decisions was heard. The question on distribution of radio frequencies on a competitive basis and providing the individual licenses for realization of activity in the filed of TV and radio broadcasting was discussed.

Applications of some organizations, that work in distribution filed of TV and radio programs, about opening of additional channels and expansion of ranges of broadcasting, and also questions of registration and a re-registration of those organizations have been considered. (UzA National Information Agency)

IN SENATE OF OLIY MAJLIS OF REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN

On May 26th the Committee of Senate Oliy Majlis of Republic Uzbekistan on science, education, culture and sports together with the Ministry of Public Education organized a conference on called " Development of child sports - the major condition in a formation of physical and spiritual health of rising generation".

At conference it was noted that for last years it has been paid great attention to issues of development of child sports in our country. (UzA National Information Agency)


ECONOMICS

FUJI DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY PRESENTS IN TASHKENT

Seminar entitled "Digital technology of Fuji" was held on 26 May at Intercontinental Hotel in Tashkent. The seminar was organized by Sharq-Mir LLC, the company representing the interests of the producer - Fujifilm Company in Uzbekistan.

The seminar dedicated to the integration of digital technology and digital press in the field of photography is a response to the time conditions. It reflects all the opportunities and scope of application of modern digital technology. This unique event representing a real opportunity for the specialists and managers of various spheres of activity as well as potential investors to see all the diversity of modern digital technology, appraise the efficiency of investment in the area and find real partners for business development.

Fujifilm company was founded on 20 January 1934 and is the world leader in the field of development and production of photo-products. Using the latest technology and extensive experience, the company develops products for professional and amateur filming leaving behind the competitors from different countries. The company has a wide network of offices around the world.

Fujifilm is the leader in the production of photo-cameras and equipment for photo-material processing. The company's success is supported by its lasted achievements in the field of technological innovation in the production of materials and basic elements.

Entrepreneurs from all regions of the republic where the photography business is developing were invited to attend the seminar in Tashkent. During the seminar, the organizers presented the digital photo-print technology – Fuji Frontier 500 of Fujifilm, Germany - the producer of photo-cameras and photo-material processing equipment recognized around the world. (UzReport.com.)

FARMED COMPANY PRESENTS NEW MEDICATIONS

Conference entitled "Medications of Farmed Company" was held today, 25 May at Le Grand Plaza Hotel in Tashkent. The Marketing Department Manager of Farmed Company Dilnoza Atamatova said the aim of the meeting was to introduce the new medications offered by the company to the drug stores of Uzbekistan.

Today, the company, importing products from over 30 countries of the world, is among the largest distributors of medications in the country. The Manager noted that many of the famous brands, such as Rinza produced by Farmed Company have already been accepted by Uzbek consumers. (UzReport.com.)

UZBEK CUSTOMS COMMITTEE DIRECTS 196BN SOUMS TO BUDGET

Uzbek State Customs Committee directed 196 billion soums to the state budget in four months of 2006, which is more for 55 billion soums year-on-year, the committee said at the press conference.

The committee revealed over 10,000 cases of smuggling and violation of customs rules and seized valuables for 6.4 billion soums. Criminal case was opened on 547 cases. Customs officials detained people, which illegally transport US$308,000, 700,000 Russian rubles, over 250,000 litres of oil, 36,2000 litres of alcohol products, 380,000 tonnes of flour products, 39,200 litres of edible oil, 11.7 tonnes of tea, 73.6 tonnes of meat products and 695,400 tonnes of ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

Uzbek customs officials also seized 83 kg of drugs, 26 units of weapons, 1.7 kg of gunpowder and stopped two attempts to transport radioactive means. (UzReport.com.)

ASAKA BANK EMITS OVER 150,000 PLASTIC CARDS

Asaka Bank State Joint-Stock Commercial Bank emitted over 150,000 plastic cards up to date. The bank started operations with plastic cards seven years ago, in keeping with the report by Business Information Portal “Uzreport.com”.

The bank started to offer credits to those who moved to so-called salary projects. The bank allocates credits equal to four minimal size (UZS 9,400) of wage o¬n plastic cards. The bank said it has issued 2,500 plastic cards with credit limit of UZS 730 million. The bank officials have said some 2,000 organizations and enterprises have been using the bank salary project, according to report.

The bank said it has installed 1,600 units of terminals as of early May. The bank said the transactions of plastic cards were increasing and in four months of this year the transactions for UZS 2.99 billion were carried out. Overall volume of transactions with cards made up UZS 8.95 billion as of May 1, 2006.

Uzbek commercial banks will issue over 3 million plastic cards and install over 10,000 terminals by the end 2006, according to schedule to expand the network of plastic card settlements of the Central Bank and Banks Association, developed in 2004, Business Information Portal further clarified.

According to schedule, Asaka Bank should emit 188,000 plastic cards by late 2006 and install 1,300 terminals, the report concluded. (“Jahon” Information Agency)

SOCIETY

REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON "HIV/AIDS AND EDUCATION" STARTS IN TASHKENT

A two-week conference on "HIV/AIDS and education" started on 26 May at Radisson SAS Hotel in Tashkent. The conference is intended to intensify the efforts aimed at prophylactic and prevention of HIV/AIDS among youth in the framework of the "National Programme of School Education Development. UNESCO, UNICEF, and UNODC together with the Public Education, and Healthcare Ministries of the Republic of Uzbekistan have organized the event.

Representatives of education ministries of Central Asian countries arrived in Tashkent to attend the meeting and discuss the role of education in the solution of the problem of HIV/AIDS spreading.

The main objective of the conference is to create conditions for constructive dialogue, which should stimulate a more effective and coordinated actions on the part of the education ministries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in fighting HIV/AIDS in the context of preventive education, as well as improve the mechanisms of cooperation with the different partners, such as the UN agencies, local and international organizations.

According to the estimations of the specialists, the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia is spreading at high rates covering new strata of the society in this region. However, despite this fact, the epidemic appears to be at the concentration phase of development in Central Asian countries. Although the estimated number of officially registered HIV cases in the Central Asian states remains at a relatively low level, specialists fear that the number of new HIV-cases has risen sharply during the past few years.

In view of this, the following tasks were set for the conference: to assess the measures taken by the Ministries of Education and form partnership between the parties concerned in the field of HIV/AIDS prophylactic; activate the participation of the Ministries of Education of Central Asian republics in the national fight against HIV/AIDS epidemic; assist the representatives of Education Ministries of the Central Asian states in adoption of measures to improve the practical actions in the fight against the spreading of HIV/AIDS, in the issues of planning and implementation of HIV/AIDS prophylactic, and forming of knowledge through corresponding study programmes of formal and informal nature; revise or develop "The plan of actions of the education ministries on the fight against HIV/AIDS epidemic" and develop recommendations for the international conference on HIV/AIDS (Toronto) to be held in August 2006. (UzReport.com.)

UZBEKISTAN MARKS 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF “PAHTAKOR” FOOTBALL TEAM

Fifty years anniversary of the prominent Uzbek football team “Pahtakor” was celebrated o¬n May 25 in Tashkent. According to the “Narodnoye slovo” newspaper, the team faced its first standoff o¬n April 8, 1956 against a team from Perm city (Russia). The o¬nly goal to have secured the victory to the Uzbek team was scored by Laziz Maksudov.

Then, for over the many years “Pahtakor” successfully took Uzbekistan o¬nto various football arenas. o¬ne of the most triumphal moments of its history is related with the Uruguayan “Nacional”, when the Uzbek team beat the South Americans with 2 to 1. It worth noting, that before the match in Tashkent “Nacional” was not beaten for over its 10 face-offs while o¬n their international tour.

Unfortunately, o¬n August 11, 1979 the airliner of the legendary team crashed, for then burying all the hopes of Uzbek football fans. But despite the tragedy, the team was soon recovered and the new generation of players did their best to regain the fame of the beloved “Pahtakor”.

The solemn celebration ceremony was held o¬n “Pahtakor” central stadium in Tashkent. Uzbek President’s State adviser Mr. Khayriddin Sultanov read out the address of Islam Karimov, where the Uzbek leader saluted the veterans and players of “Pahtakor” and noted that the team has become a symbol and proud of the Uzbek nation.

The famous Uzbek singers also celebrated the legendary team by presenting their show o¬n the central stadium. The friendly match between Pahtakor (Tashkent) and Torpedo (Moscow) concluded the event.

The same day President Islam Karimov signed a decree o¬n awarding of group of sportsmen and trainers, who contributed to the development of football in Uzbekistan in accordance with 50 years anniversary of “Pahtakor” football team. (“Jahon” Information Agency)

UZBEKISTAN ADVANCES TO FINAL OF AFC FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Uzbekistan entered the final of the AFC Futsal Championship after defeating Central Asian neighbours Kyrgyzstan 4-2 in a tense semifinal battle here at the Uzbekistan Sports Complex on Friday.

The Uzbeks have never lost to Kyrgyzstan till date in this tournament and were forced to dig deep today to preserve that flawless record in front of a capacity crowd of more than 2,500 spectators.

This is the second time the Central Asians have booked a ticket to the final of the continental event after 2001 when they lost to Iran.

"Kyrgyzstan were without two key players today," said Uzbek consulting coach Pavel Bezvglyadnov, who had to hastily step in for redcarded head coach Shavkat Abduraimov. "But they fought so hard that we felt we were playing not five but 10 men. I guess we were lucky to win."

And true enough because it was the determined Kyrgyz who burst out of the blocks early with Marat Duvanaev firing them into the lead in the third minute. Duvanaev's firm shot took a deflection off a defender's leg and before Uzbek goalkeeper Rustam Umarov, who celebrated his 26th birthday today, could react the ball had nestled into the net.

It didn't take long for the Uzbeks to hit back. Two minutes later Ilhom Yusupdjanov's pass to the far post was slammed home by the well-positioned Hurshid Tajibaev.

The scoreboard remained static till after the break when, sensing that speed was of the essence, the Uzbek coach substituted star player Alexander Korolev with his Stroitel Zarafhshan club mate Shavkat Muhitdinov. The move paid dividends as Muhitdinov sliced open the defence with his darting runs down the flanks.

Two minutes into the second half Tajibaev showed amazing anticipation to intercept the ball and beat Kyrgyz goalkeeper Kiril Ermolov in a one-on-one to stretch the home side's advantage. The pressure was further cranked up when the Uzbeks made their numerical superiority count in the 27th minute after Ulan Ryskulov was sent off for two minutes and captain Bahodyr Ahmedov threaded a pass to Anvar Mamedov who made no mistake.

Sensing defeat, Kyrgzstan went for broke and Mihail Sundeev pulled one back in the 31st minute with a superb shot through the legs of Umarov but Abdullah Buriev restored Uzbekistan's lead three minutes later and the hosts hung on grimly for victory.

"I substituted Korolev because his age wouldn't have allowed us to maintain our speed," said Bezvglyadnov. "I think that was the turning point of the match."

Kyrgyzstan coach Nurtazin Djetybaev was gracious in defeat. "The better team won and I want to congratulate them," said Djetybaev. "My men played really well but luck was not on our side today."

In the final Uzbekistan will meet with the winner of pair Iran-Japan. (UzReport.com.)