10 March, 2012
Politics:
State program "Year of the Family" approved
Uzbekistan, EU discuss trade, investment cooperation
Senate to Convene on 23-24 March
Economics:
Latest Achievements in Construction Industry
International Airport of Tashkent Received the Next Boeing-767-300ER
Uzpharmsanoat enterprises produced 348.17 million units of pharmaceutical products worth 265.75 billion soums
Society:
First Ecological Park for children to open in Tashkent in March
POLITICS
State program "Year of the Family" approved
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a resolution that approved the State program "Year of the Family".
The bill was developed by the Republican committee, formed by the order ¹ 3760-P of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan of December 13, 2011, together with concerned ministries, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regional and Tashkent city administrations, public and non-governmental organizations, self-governing institutions.
The Resolution provides for implementation of a wide range of targeted measures to further strengthen and develop the institution of the family as the foundation of society, raising all the work done on strengthening the legal and socioeconomic protection of interests and support of the family to a qualitatively new level, especially for young families, the role of families in upbringing physically healthy, spiritually mature and comprehensively advanced generation, strengthen the status and enhance the role of makhalla in practical implementation of the targets for the establishment of a strong, healthy families.
This is especially important in connection with the proclamation of 2012 as the "Year of the Family" in the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The most important directions of the State Program "Year of the Family" are:
• further improvement of legislative and regulatory framework, making the necessary changes and amendments to existing legislation and development of new laws, regulations and rules aimed at the development and improvement of the family institute to meet modern requirements, further strengthening the public's attention to this matter;
• Increased attention and care for young families, providing them with legal and social protection, the provision of general financial and moral support to young families, including decent housing, necessary privileges and preferences;
• further strengthening of the role and status of makhalla in society and everyday life, enhancing the importance of makhalla and the self-governing bodies to implement goals and objectives within the Year of the Family, and their influence in support and development of young families, providing it the necessary cooperation and assistance;
• further strengthening of care by the state and society in addressing the problems and needs of families, especially poor families, providing them with financial aid and social support in the upbringing of children, creating decent social conditions, with particular emphasis on women, carrying the main burden in the building family;
• further improvement of family healthcare, motherhood and childhood care, in accordance with the principle of "Healthy mother - healthy child";
• increasing the role and importance of the family in the future development of intellectual foundations of society, preserving and strengthening the age-old national values, a broad maintenance of the atmosphere of high morals in the society, and the growing opposition to various harmful influences to the national mentality;
• strengthening the role of family in upbringing physically strong, spiritually mature and comprehensively advanced generation and to this end strengthening of practical cooperation of family institution with educational institutions, providing their close and effective cooperation.
The functions of organization and monitoring of the State program "Year of the Family" are assigned to the Republican Commission, which within two weeks shall ensure development and adoption of sectoral and regional programs under "Year of the Family" for each department, region, city, district and settlement, and organize coordination between the national level of government and economic management, state authorities and local NGOs for the full, high-quality and timely implementation of activities included in the State program "Year of the Family" by setting the system monitoring over the implementation of the Program.
The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan is ordered to ensure establishment of of the territorial commissions to implement the State program "Year of the Family" led by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and khokims regions, cities and districts in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regions, Tashkent city and districts (cities), charging them with personal responsibility for the strict and full implementation of the planned program of activities in their respective territories.
The enforcement of this decision is assigned to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sh.M.Mirziyoev. (Source: UzReport.com)
Uzbekistan, EU discuss trade, investment cooperation
The Eighth Uzbekistan-European Union sub-committee on economic, trade and investment issued held a session in Tashkent on 23 February 2012, the pres service of the Ministry for Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade (MFERIT) of Uzbekistan said.
The EU delegation was led by the head of the Southern Caucasus and Central Asia Unit of the European Union Victor Andres Maldonado, while the delegation of Uzbekistan led by the head of MFERIT Elyor Ganiev.
During the session, the sides were familiarized with macroeconomic development in Uzbekistan and the European Union. The sides discussed current state and perspectives of development of bilateral trade and investment cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU.
The special attention were paid to cooperation in such sectors as energy, transport and further perspectives of financial-technical interaction. (Source: UzDaily.com)
Senate to Convene on 23-24 March
On 2 March 2012, Kengash (Council) of Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan held its regular meeting.
The Kengash adopted a resolution on convening the eighth plenary session of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan in Tashkent on 23-24 March.
A number of laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan aimed at progressive reform and liberalization of all spheres of political, social and economic life included in the agenda of the session.
Among them are the laws on making amendments and addenda to the law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On guarantees of freedom of entrepreneurship”, on making amendments and addenda to some legislative acts of Uzbekistan in connection with the adoption of the law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the exchange of credit information” and a number of other laws providing further support and development of entrepreneurship, democratization of state power and administration, reforming the judicial system, developed in accordance with the concept of further deepening of democratic reforms and the formation of civil society in the country.
In accordance with the Article 80 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Senate will discuss reports on the activities in 2011 of the prosecution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Accounts Chamber of the Republic Uzbekistan, Ombudsman of Uzbekistan and the State Committee for Nature Protection at the next plenary session.
The senators will also consider the information of the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan on implementation of the state laws by government bodies, law enforcement and regulatory agencies in 2011.
It is also scheduled to hold at the next plenary meeting parliamentary hearings on the performance of the Program to create jobs and provision of the population employment by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
At the plenary session, other issues relating to the competence of the Senate of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan will be discussed. (Source: UzA News Agency)
ECONOMY
Latest Achievements in Construction Industry
Three international exhibitions: Construction UzBuild 2012, Furniture and Production Technologies – MebelExpo Uzbekistan 2012, Heating, Water Supply, Ventilation, Sanitary Engineering, Swimming Pool Equipment – Aqua-Therm Tashkent 2012 opened at the Uzexpocenter.
The event is organized by ITE Uzbekistan international exhibition company with support from the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade, State Committee for Architecture and Construction, Uzkommunkhizmat Agency, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and Tashkent city administration.
Uzbekistan has attached great consideration to de-monopolization of construction materials market and boosting the construction industry in general, dynamic inflow of foreign investments into this sector.
Construction UzBuild 2012 constitutes a major construction and interior design exposition in Uzbekistan. It has helped its organizers to find new solutions to novel projects that would cater to the needs of contemporary industry.
According to Muhammadjon Shodiyev, deputy chairman of State Committee for Architecture and Construction, the modern-day capacities of Uzbekistan’s building industry allow for addressing the most intricate of tasks.
Large-scale construction works unfolded across the country require modernization, technical and technological re-equipment of production, introduction and application of cutting-edge technologies.
UzBuild exposition has come to be a convenient venue for the demonstration of advanced technologies and innovation from one year to another, and helped tackle these challenges with success.
This year’s joint exposition has attracted more than 150 companies from 21 nations, including Uzbekistan, Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Germany, Denmark, Iran, Italy, Kazakhstan, China, South Korea, Moldova, United Arab Emirates, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, the United States, Turkey, Ukraine, France and Sweden.
Domestic companies are represented extensively here in exhibition halls. Their displays have been expanding each year both in scope and quality with goods successfully competing with foreign counterparts.
The examples include the products by the renowned KNAUF presented in Building Materials section.
The rapid pace of housing construction in Uzbekistan has given impetus to the advancement of numerous related industries, including the furniture industry. The leading businesses in the industry have presented their produce in MebelExpo Uzbekistan, which launched its own designs in three sections: Furniture, Technologies for Furniture Manufacturing and Interiors.
The Technologies for Furniture Manufacturing sector has traditionally attracted the greatest interest of specialists owing to an extensive limelight on tools and equipment from leading manufacturers, woodworking equipment and furniture technological production lines.
The sector of components for furniture production is also crowded. A permanent member of the exhibition, Austria-based Julius Blum GmbH offers a resourceful collection of kitchen furniture accessories.
A variety of furniture fittings and components by Progress Impress (Uzbekistan), foam rubber and fillers for furniture made in domestic company Simakx Pars are distinct with their quality.
The sector of Home and Office Furniture is presented by local manufacturers – JV Mebel, JV Tus Buero and FE Tashelektroapparat.
New design and interior solutions are exhibited by Vitraj Delyuks, Avtooynalar Dunyosi and others. Furniture Forum will define a strategy to promote latest technological breakthroughs in the Uzbek market whereby professionals can assess and come up with practical proposals, evaluate the prospects of the industry.
At the stands of Aqua-Therm Tashkent 2012 one can observe the entire range of products offered by the industry as much as exchange constructive experience with market professionals.
Expositions are expected to facilitate the enhancement of existing capacities for the introduction of fundamentally new developments in construction and help meet the growing demand for building materials and tools. (Source: UzA News Agency)
International Airport of Tashkent Received the Next Boeing-767-300ER
Another Boeing-767-300ER landed at Tashkent international airport on 29 February.
Production and financial indicators of the country’s air industry have been growing steadily, as has the level of service offered to passengers, with technological bases being constantly updated and technical equipment of airports and airline sites improved.
Particular attention is paid to upgrading the fleet, as evidenced by the complete decommissioning of obsolete equipment and machines to be replaced by modern, comfortable and economical aircraft of Western production.
Uzbekistan Airways national company has operated long-range Boeing-767 airliners since 1996. Attaining another jet of this type is part of the latest contract with Boeing Corp. that set out to purchase four B-767-300ERs and two B-787 Dreamliners.
Sixteen years of successful flights to international destinations onboard B-767s can safely serve as an indication that it is the best choice long-haul aircraft for routes up to 9,000 kilometers.
The plane can seat 250 passengers in business class and economy class. Cruising speed of the liner is 900 km/h with a top operating altitude of 13,000 meters.
Noteworthy are the low operating costs of the airliner, like those of its predecessors, along with technological innovation, high level of comfort in the passenger compartment equipped with a special design of the seat allowing for passengers to comfortably endure long flights.
The airliner has been brought by the crew comprising the instructor pilot Joseph Zak, aircraft commander Timur Fayzullayev, co-pilot Rustam Turabov and chief navigator Stanislav Gurfinkel.
These liners are undoubtedly going to be instrumental in bolstering further the national airline of Uzbekistan, suiting a growing demand for passenger air travel. (Source: UzA News Agency)
Pharmaceutical industry of Uzbekistan as a separate sector of the economy started to take shape in 1993, after the publication of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On creation of state joint stock concern Uzfarmprom".
Today, the pharmaceutical industry of Uzbekistan is represented by 126 companies licensed to pharmaceutical activities. SJSC Uzpharmsanoat unites more than 80 companies: three research institutes, one union, industrial enterprises of all types of ownership, including joint ventures and foreign enterprises, joint stock companies with majority share of private investment.
Over the last decade the pharmaceutical industry of Uzbekistan attracted more than $130 million worth of investments, $68.9 million of which were foreign direct investments.
The share of foreign partners in the capital structure of the pharmaceutical companies is 69% and 31% is the share of local participants.
The created production capacity in the industry ensures the production of medicines by 30 types and 96 groups of pharmacotherapeutic agents. Over the past four years the volume of output increased by 4.5 times in cash terms and by more than 10 times in real terms. This increased the share of local drugs presence in bulk in the domestic market to 40%. In monetary terms, the share is over 20%.
At the same time, the market demand for liquid medicines, bandages and syringes for single use is 100%satisfied by local production. The need for tablets, injection and infusion solutions, ointments, antibiotics, immunobiological drugs is covered by 20%-60%.
In terms of production and sale, 82% of production is made by the SJSC Uzpharmsanoat enterprises.
In 2011, Uzpharmsanoat enterprises produced 348.17 million units of pharmaceutical products worth 265.75 billion soums (Exchange rate of CB 1USD-1824.38 soums), of which pharmaceuticals (drugs) amounted 222.16 billion soums, the value of medical products and other products was 43.6 billion soums.
Medical products of Uzpharmsanoat enterprises are exported to 12 countries. 226 types of drugs are registered in these countries. Export performance is also characterized by positive dynamics. Thus, exports in 2011increased by 194% rose. In 2012 it is planned to increase 2-fold compared to the previous year.
To ensure development of the industry special attention is paid to the implementation of investment projects in specific areas of production. Thus, 20 new investment projects worth $70 million were launched in 2011 with 12 of them already completed and put into operation. As a result, additional high-tech facilities to produce single-use syringe, ampoule, tablet and infusion of drugs, pharmaceutical glass containers, bandages were created, as well as more than 1500 new jobs.
This year, the investment activity of Uzpharmsanoat will accompany the implementation of 25 projects worth about $200 million, of which 20 projects worth $166 million are included in the state investment program. The priority direction are projects for the establishment of facilities for production of a wide range of generic drugs, i.e. products of high demand and mostly imported under import contracts. These include projects of joint venture Salubris vita ($21.0 million) for production of drugs that normalize the intestinal microflora, JV Albiapharm ($8.0 million) for production of fortified products, Nikapharm ($5.3 million) for production of cardiac drugs.
A program of measures to actively attract foreign investment and development projects related to the organization of production of drugs to treat tuberculosis, cancer, cardiovascular, neuropsychiatric and other diseases has been designed and implemented. Foreign investments to be attracted for creating joint ventures for production of new drugs, including antibiotics, cephalosporin substances (predictive value of the project $ 37 million), plasma-and blood solutions ($30 million), antivirals ($15 million), vaccines from biotechnological materials (vaccines, serums, test systems, culture media, and so a total of $3.2 million), pharmaceutical substances, the original drugs and generic drugs ($5.3 million), etc.
The industry has a high investment potential, supported by HR staff, including researchers. Work is focusing on training of chemical engineers, biotechnologists, engineers and pharmacists for the industry. A valid database of clinical trials is developed.
There are 15 research institutes and centers conducting research in the development of drugs and active substances. In recent years they have developed and implemented production of more than 40 original drugs.
The potential of the industry is backed by the rich local sources of herbal plant, biotechnology, synthetic, inorganic and mineral origin used in the production of domestic medicinal substances and preparations. Chemical industry and the experimental production bases specialized scientific institutions of the republic are also a great help for the industry.
The most favorable investment climate created in the country is an important foundation for the successful implementation of projects to create modern high-tech industries, accelerating the development of industry issues. (Source: UzReport.com)
SOCIETY
First Ecological Park for children to open in Tashkent in March
First children's entertaining – cognitive ecological park on the basis of the former zoo is planned to be open in Tashkent on 24 March 2012.
This is one of the projects of the Fund Forum, which they informed publicity about at the beginning of the year.
According to the idea of organizers, the new park will become a place where children, playing and having fun, will be able to learn more about the importance of nature in human life and learn to take care of it.
The first ecological park not only in Tashkent, but also in Uzbekistan, promises to be interesting place for recreation of children and their parents that is why the opening of it is being impatiently waited by Tashkent residents. (Source: UzDaily.com)