27 July, 2006

Politics
Foreign Lawmakers Support Reforms in Uzbek Society

Economics
Uzbek delegation visits Ukrainian region
Nestle Uzbekistan exports products for US$335,000
Measures of State Demonopolization Committee for protection of consumers' rights

Society
Uzbekistan plans to organize nationwide HIV, drug abuse helplines
Japan government directs US$159,372 to help children in Tashkent
Japan grants US$225,705 to three Uzbek hospitals
Young people know consumers' rights
Fund Forum of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan opens office in Japan
Chinese Films To Go on Air In Uzbekistan

POLITICS

FOREIGN LAWMAKERS SUPPORT REFORMS IN UZBEK SOCIETY

The measures on further liberalization of criminal punishment system, which has been carried out by Uzbek government are continuing to draw attention of foreign lawmakers. As Mr. Albert Dian, the leading US advocate, doctor of law has noted, the reforms in Uzbekistan are of universal and complementary nature.

Government accords equal consideration to social-economic development as well as to strengthening of democratic principles and legal regulations, which finally promote the creation of strong civil society.

“The low crime level in Uzbekistan means that the justice principles in society are strong enough”, - he has said.

Mr. Benjamin Pinzchevski, the private law firm chief, positively assessed the gradual reduction of provisions in Uzbek criminal code, which provides for death penalty. These measures shall strengthen the humaneness of punishment in Uzbekistan. And the gradual liberalization of legal system is an evidence of successive aspiration to be among the democratic developed countries.

“The state will be a main guarantor of comprehensive reforms in society, - Mr. Durbulan Japarov, the President of Kyrgyz Social Academy, said in an interview, “to abolish the capital punishment there is a need not only for legislative, standard and legal acts, but also strong and responsible power such as in Uzbekistan, which is able to preserve moral traditional principles of society”.

ECONOMICS

UZBEK DELEGATION VISITS UKRAINIAN REGION

A delegation of Uzbek embassy in Kiev and UkrUzAvto, Uzbek-Ukrainian joint venture, visited Zaporoje region of Ukraine.

The report said Zaporoje region is largest industrial region of Ukraine. Head of Zaporoje city administration Kartashov expressed interest in further development of friendship, mutual beneficial relations and increasing of trade turnover through supply of Uzbek cars.

Mayor said the expansion of investment cooperation is perspective and the first step should be opening of car saloon in Zaporoje, which will have Uzbek restaurant and technical station. Kartashov said the administration is ready to allocate 0.5 hectares of land. Director-general of ZAZ Evdokimenko said UzDaewoo Auto, which achieved great success in short-term, serves as an example for Ukrainian car producers. He especially noted achievement of Uzbek car producers in localization of production.

The report said UzDaewoo Auto is becoming partner of ZAZ and the Uzbek producer supplies components to Ukraine.

The delegation visited production of ZAZ and acquainted with test use of Uzbek paint-and-lacquer materials. It is expected that soon the sides will start production of glassware to cars, produced in Ukraine.

NESTLE UZBEKISTAN EXPORTS PRODUCTS FOR US$335,000

Nestle Uzbekistan, Uzbek-Swiss joint venture, exported products for US$335,000 in six months of 2006, UzA reported quoting financial manager of company Dilshod Abdubekov. The report said Nestle Uzbekistan partially re-equipped its capacities in April and May. The re-equipment allowed to increase production 1.5-2 times.

Nestle Uzbekistan produces dairy products and mineral water.

MEASURES OF STATE DEMONOPOLIZATION COMMITTEE FOR PROTECTION OF CONSUMERS' RIGHTS

With a view to meet requirements of the legislation on protection of consumers' rights, the State Committee for demonopolization, support of competition and entrepreneurship has studied 158 economic entities, trade organizations, medical institutions, consumer services establishments and municipal services, and revealed various infringements of the legislation on the protection of consumers' rights to the total tune of 183.7 million soums.

Re-calculations were made on the results, and losses that have been incurred were compensated to consumers to the tune of 100.3 million soums.

According to the estimation of State Demonopolization Committee specialists, system infringements of consumers' rights are the providing of poor quality services; refusal of service unilaterally; the including of conditions in a contract that infringe upon consumers' rights; collection of a payment for not rendered services; sale of goods with the expired period of suitability; the receiving of goods for sale and realization of goods without the indication of serviceable period either with the past period of suitability or without guarantee obligations, etc.

Thus, according to the results of studying the quality of paid medical services of therapeutic and prophylactic establishments that are being provided it was revealed that violations to the tune of 60.5 million soums were observed.

Particularly, during the study of the Republican Oncological Scientific Center it was revealed that actually unused medicines and reagents in the amount of 10.1 million soums had been included in the tariff.

SOCIETY

UZBEKISTAN PLANS TO ORGANIZE NATIONWIDE HIV, DRUG ABUSE HELPLINES

A two-day training seminar, "Telephone counseling for drug addicts, HIV-positive people and relatives", has begun. It is organized by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria and the Ibn Sino (Avicenna) international foundation.

A project for the establishment of helplines for drug addicts and HIV-infected people and those affected by these problems, has been developed following an initiative by the Ibn Sino foundation. The idea has got the support of the Global Fund, which will be funding the project. The first helplines will be launched soon in five of the country's regions - Bukhara, Samarkand, Ferghana, Jizzakh and Tashkent - and the capital city of Tashkent. A seminar lecturer, Uktam Toshmatov, said the aim is to ensure sufferers have around-the-clock access to psychological help. The helplines will also assist callers with advices and provide address of specialists.

The seminar seeks to train counseling staff for the helplines. The participants will learn skills in telephone counseling and dealing with drug addicts, HIV-infected people and their relatives.

Similar trainings will also be organized for local helpline personnel in the regions. Afterwards, the helplines in places will be created.

JAPAN GOVERNMENT DIRECTS US$159,372 TO HELP CHILDREN IN TASHKENT

The government of Japan allocated two grants worth US$159,372 to World Vision Uzbekistan to implement two projects in the country.

The Japanese embassy said World Vision Uzbekistan received US$82,616 to realize project "Improvement of nutrition of disabled children in Tashkent city" and US$76,756 to implement project "Improvement of live conditions for children with limited opportunities and inmates of mercy houses in Tashkent city".

The embassy said in its release that the projects cover seven children establishments, including Mercy Houses No.1 and No.2, Board schools, No 98, No 102, No 105, No 124 and Board school for children with mental and physical retardation in Kybray district of Tashkent region.

Within the project, these establishments will receive food products, kitchen equipment, water purifiers. The buildings of establishments will be also repaired.

JAPAN GRANTS US$225,705 TO THREE UZBEK HOSPITALS

The government of Japan granted US$225,705 to three medical establishments of Uzbekistan. The corresponding grant agreements were signed in Tashkent on 27 July.

The Japan embassy in Tashkent said the grants, issued within no-string aid programme to grass-root projects, will be used to equip medical establishments to improve level of medical services.

First Hospital of Surkhandarya region received US$85,625 to implement project "Equipment with modern medical equipment of the First Hospital of Surkhandarya region", while Central Hospital of Uzun district of Surkhandarya region got US$63,800 to realize the project "Equipment with modern medical equipment of the Central Hospital of Uzun district of Surkhandarya region".

The Japan government directed US$76,280 to equip Tashkent city Perinatal Centre No 1 within the project "Equipment with modern medical equipment of Tashkent city Perinatal Centre No 1".

The Japan government realizes no-string aid programme to grass-root projects to improve live conditions and well-being of Uzbek people through improvement of education, medical services, strengthening social status of women and live of communities.

YOUNG PEOPLE KNOW CONSUMERS' RIGHTS

The State Committee for demonopolization, support of competition and entrepreneurship and the Federation of societies for protecting consumers' rights have taken joint measures on legal protection of rights and interests of consumers in the first six months of this year. Particularly, the final stage of the First Republican competition "The most talented young consumer", devoted to the International day of consumers was held among students of academic lyceums and professional colleges in the Zarafshan concert hall in the city of Tashkent on 15 March, 2006.

The State Committee for Demonopolization, Support of Competition and Entrepreneurship of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Federation of societies on the protection of consumers' rights of Uzbekistan, the Center for secondary specialized vocational education and the Kamolot Central Council of the public youth movement of Uzbekistan acted as organizers.

In addition, on 5 May this year, the committee together with the Federation and the Kamolot Central Council of the public youth movement of Uzbekistan held the final stage of the third republican competition "The most brilliant young consumer - 2006" among pupils 10-11 forms of secondary schools.

The final stage was arranged at the Zarafshan cinema concert hall.

A total of 28 pupils of secondary general education schools from all areas of the republic, that had demonstrated their knowledge in district, town and Regional stages of the competition and enjoyed rights to participate in the republican competition, took part in it.

It has to be noted that this contest, being held among the studying young people acquires traditional nature which shows the increasing activity of its participants and interest in it.

As a vivid example to this can serve the fact that over 300,000 pupils of 9-11 forms of all comprehensive schools of our republic participated in different stages of the competition.

The main purpose from holding these contests, is dedicated to the theme of the protection of consumers' rights – the guarantee of fulfilling the requirements of the law "On the protection of consumers' rights", and also the attraction of the general public to the affair of the protection of consumers' rights and interests, the consolidation of public control of the non-permission of the realization of goods that are harmful for life and human health, the activation of enlightenment of work on enhancing legal and consumer culture of the rising generation, and also wide popularization of legislative acts for the protection of consumers' rights.

FUND FORUM OF CULTURE AND ART OF UZBEKISTAN OPENS OFFICE IN JAPAN

Fund Forum of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan opened its office in Japan. The fund said in its release that the opening ceremony of the office took place in Tokyo on 20 July.

The fund noted that members of government, MPs, workers of culture and art, diplomatic circles, scientists and businesses of Japan participated in the event. Representatives of Fund and workers of culture and art represented Uzbekistan.

Foreign Minister of Japan Taro Aso, General-Secretary of Cabinet of Ministers of Japan Shinzo Abe, famous art worker and founder of Caravan-Saray in Tashkent Ikuo Hiroyama noted importance of development of cultural relations between Uzbekistan and Japan and supported activity of the fund in Tokyo.

The presentation noted culture, history and art are close to people and allow to establish bridges among countries and serve to development of political and economic relations. Uzbek and Japanese artists demonstrated their works. The fund said famous national dance ensemble Bukhara represented Uzbekistan, while Godzinko Daiko drummer group presented their works.

The participants of the event also acquainted with exhibition of fine arts, arts and crafts and tasted national Uzbek cuisine like pilov, somsa, sweet and dried fruits.

The opening ceremony of Fund's office continued a day later. On Friday, 21 July, Central Exhibition Hall of Japanese parliament hosted an exhibition "125th anniversary of Uzbek photography" and presentation of the book "Sakura of Uzbekistan" by former Japanese ambassador to Uzbekistan Kyoko Nakayama.

It should be noted that this exhibition was demonstrated in many countries, including China, Russia, Luxembourg, Belgium and others. The exhibition in Japan has unique section entitled "Uzbekistan in the view of Japanese politicians", which demonstrated photos of Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Toshihiro Nikai, State Minister on administrative reforms Koki Chuma, Japanese MPs Mayumi Moriyama, Noriaki Nakayama, Kyoko Nakayama and others. Works of Ikuo Hiroyama on Uzbekistan was also presented.

Presentation of the book "Sakura of Uzbekistan" by former Japanese ambassador to Uzbekistan Kyoko Nakayama became bright event, which symbolized great perspective of development of relations not only in political level, but also in public level.

CHINESE FILMS TO GO ON AIR IN UZBEKISTAN

Days of Chinese films to be opened in Tashkent o¬n July 28, according to the news release by the Chinese Embassy in Tashkent. In line with the document, the event is initiated by the Embassy of China in Uzbekistan in cooperation with the Forum of Art And Culture of Uzbekistan Fund with participation of Uzbekkino National Agency.

Days of Chinese films are expected to be a bit different from other similar events held in Uzbekistan so far. The main difference is that films will be shown not in cinema halls, but be aired through the Uzbek television channels. National Television Company “Uzbekteleradio”, “TV Markaz” Channel and the regional TV stations of NTT net have agreed to air the Chinese films.

Six films, which gained prizes not o¬nly in China, but also in a number of foreign countries, will be presented to Uzbek audiences. All films are colorful, rich in special effects, fight scenes, as well as kindness and deep philosophical thoughts of heroes.

For ten days Uzbek viewers will join legendary Jackie Chan in “New Police Story”, admire renowned Jet Li in “Hero” and “The Shaoling Temple”, enjoy laughing with Asian superstar Steven Chow in his “In a Kung Fu Style”, will go back to the ancient times of China with the heroes of “Warriors of Heaven And Earth” and finally dive into the family drama with the young violoncello player of “Together”.