5 August, 2006

Economics
Roundtable discusses taxation of oil, gas companies in Uzbekistan
Society:
Youth Internet Marathon continues in Uzbekistan
Ecofest 2006 celebrated at Nargis summer camp
Uzbekistan participates in Meguro Riverside Festival in Tokyo
Uzbekistan to host Days of Japanese Culture
Second annual rock music festival to start in Tashkent on 4 August

ECONOMICS

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSES TAXATION OF OIL, GAS COMPANIES IN UZBEKISTAN

One-day roundtable entitled "Problems of taxation of oil and gas sector of Uzbekistan" opened in Tashkent today, 4 August. The event discusses current state of oil and gas sector, problems of taxation in this sector and experience of foreign countries. One of the main tasks of the meeting is to develop recommendations on further reformation of taxation system of oil and gas companies based on reports and comments of experts and specialists.

Representatives of Uzbek Finance Ministry, State Tax Committee, Justice Ministry, oil and gas companies of Uzbekistan and foreign companies are taking part in the meeting.

Leyla Ponomareva, deputy head of department of economy and finance of Uzbekneftegaz, expressed hope that roundtable will reveal the most actual problems of taxation of enterprises, engaged in oil and gas sector.

She noted that development and role of oil and gas complex is important for economic development of Uzbekistan and taxation system of hydrocarbon producers is main factor, which determines effective operation of the sector as a whole.

Ponomareva talked about potential of Uzbekistan for attraction of investors and problems in the sector, connected with taxation of enterprises in the sector. She said existing hydrocarbon potential, legislative base, developed oil and gas infrastructure provide reliable base for investors, which make foreign direct investments in the country. In her report, Ponomareva suggested to introduce special and classified taxes to effective development of oil and gas companies, which own low profitable or unprofitable oil deposits.

The roundtable will develop its suggestion and recommendations on taxation of enterprises, operating in oil and gas sector, and they will be handed over to the governmental group, which now develops new edition of Tax Code of Uzbekistan.

Current, Tax Code of Uzbekistan was adopted in 1997 and up to date some 250 changes and amendments were introduced to the code. Some 1,300 normative documents were also adopted in taxation sphere.

The governmental group was formed to develop new Tax Code of Uzbekistan in order to reform the system.

SOCIETY

YOUTH INTERNET MARATHON CONTINUES IN UZBEKISTAN

Youth Internet Marathon dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the independence of the country is taking place in Uzbekistan. Its participants are children and young men and women aged 5 to 35. Marathon will close on 30 September 2006.

Uzbek Agency of Communication and Information (UzACI), Women's Committee of Uzbekistan, UzInfoCom, Tashkent State University of Information Technologies, UNDP "ICT Policy" Project and InfoCOM 2006 InformatiYouth Internet Marathon continues in Uzbekistan on Analytical Journal organised the event.

The marathon is intended to demonstrate the use of educational, professional, information, and communication opportunities offered by the information and communication technologies (ICT) for everyday life of a broad auditorium of Uzbekistan's youth.

The organizers also expect to uncover talented and promising youth from across the regions with the creative skills of using information technologies in studies, work and daily life; increase the number of young people with skills and knowledge about the opportunities opened by ICT; raise youth awareness about modern development issues and liberalise their thinking in this field; popularize the opportunities offered by computer technology and Internet, as well as Internet resources created by young people in national languages.

A brief list of nominations: "Best picture or poster on the role of IT in the development of youth's socio-economic life", "Best web-page about Uzbekistan's youth", "Best knowledge about online research techniques", "Best use of computer for educational purposes", and "Best use of communication opportunities of Internet for educational and professional activity".

Three prize-winners will be selected in each of the categories based on a set of criteria, including quality, creative approach and uniqueness of the work and the level of knowledge about the opportunities opened by IT. Submission of works specifically designed for the Internet-marathon, and not previous rewarded at similar contests is encouraged. Works prepared with the assistance of donor organizations will be rejected. Participation of young women and girls is encouraged.

ECOFEST 2006 CELEBRATED AT NARGIS SUMMER CAMP

Ecofest 2006 Ecological Festival was held on 3 August at Nargis Children's Recreation Camp. Representatives of Ecosan International Organization, Arts Academy of Uzbekistan, Tashkent Regional Department for Cultural Affairs and Sport, and the children of Ok Elkan, Nargis, Chatkal, Olimpiets, and Nihol Children's Camps participated in the event.

The aim of the ecofestival is to attract the attention of the young generation towards environmental protection, bring them up with love towards nature and homeland, with respect towards the concepts of friendship, kindness and charity, as well as assist the development of children's amateur and artistic performances.

The first thing that attracted everyone's attention was the positive mood and excitement of children spending their summer vacations in camps. Throughout the day children were swimming in the blue, clean waters of Charvak reservoir, familiarizing with the surrounding nature. Meanwhile, the camp was preparing for the celebration: a banner saying "Independence, Ecology and Health" was hung up, and an exhibition of children's art works was organised.

On behalf of the festival organizers, Director-General of the Tashkent regional department of Ecosan Zarifjon Kuziev granted the camp bed sets. Director of the Camp Nargis, Elena Palchikova opened the annual inter-camp ecofestival.

Children tried to show their best. The programme included various items – Uzbek, Russian and other foreign songs, break dancing, rapping, etc. After the performances, the guests of the festival went on stage. A very young, charming and talented girl Hadicha Imamnazarova, the winner of the Mini Miss Central Asia 2006 performed a song and a dance for the audience. Laureate of the Mini-Mister Contest Hamidullo Imamnazarov did not stay behind his younger sister, and also performed his songs.

The festival close with the prize awarding ceremony. A representative of Uzbekistan-Russia Friendship Society Victoria Kiselyova granted children books on behalf of the organisation.

UZBEKISTAN PARTICIPATES IN MEGURO RIVERSIDE FESTIVAL IN TOKYO

A three-day Meguro Riverside Festival was held in the late July in the capital of Japan. The representatives of the city administration, public organisations of Japan, and several foreign embassies, including Uzbekistan participated in the event.

It is worth mentioning that Meguro Riverside Festival traditionally held in Tokyo is one of the brightest expressions of national diplomacy that serves as a stimulus for the development of multilateral relations, and expression of most sincere feelings of friendship and sympathy between these nations. One of the special features of the event is the participation of foreign diplomatic missions accredited in the country of rising sun. For several years Uzbekistan's exposition organised by the Uzbek Embassy in Japan has earned special popularity among the visitors of the festival.

In recognition of the success of Uzbek exposition, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Japan Mr. Mirsobit Ochilov was honoured to speak on behalf of the diplomatic corps during the opening ceremony.

In his speech, Ambassador noted the growing dynamics of the development of cultural relations between Uzbekistan and Japan. During the past several years, presentations of Uzbekistan and Uzbek cultural events were organised in different cities and prefectures of Japan by Japan-Uzbekistan, Fukuoka-Uzbekistan, Fukushima-Uzbekistan friendship societies and other organisations. Important news of the recent days is the opening of the Office of the Forum of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan Foundation in Tokyo. Japanese people show increasingly high interest in the spiritual culture of Uzbekistan, and archaeological and historical monuments of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva.

During the festival, thousands of Japanese people had the opportunity to see the unique examples of folk-applied art of Uzbekistan, Uzbek national ceramics and silk.

UZBEKISTAN TO HOST DAYS OF JAPANESE CULTURE

The Uzbekistan-Japan Center for Human Development since its establishment in August 2001 conducts various events to deepen mutual understanding and cultural exchange between the people of Uzbekistan and Japan.

From 10 to 16 August the Uzbekistan-Japan Center in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan in Uzbekistan and Representative Office of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Uzbekistan conduct series of events devoted to the end of the World War Two. In Japan it is considered as August 15, 1945.

Among events conducted for young visitors are planned demonstration of cartoons "On a paper crane" (in English) and "Grave of glowworms" (in Japanese with Uzbek subtitles). Also within the framework of events will be arranged the demonstration of documentary films "Sadako, girl from Hiroshima and twentieth century" in Japanese with Russian subtitles and "Hiroshima – mother's prayer" in Russian. The above films narrate about heroism and faith in future of the young citizen of the Japanese city Hiroshima, to which one of the atomic bombs was dropped.

Citizens and guests of Uzbekistan, who are interested in the culture of the Country of Rising Sun, will be pleased by visiting Center from August 14 to 16. During this period Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) will conduct charity lessons for all who wish to get acquainted with such traditional types of Japanese art as tea ceremony, calligraphy and origami.

As one of the most interesting events is drafted the exhibition, which will be also arranged and conducted by JOCV volunteers from August 10 to 16. Theme of exhibition – Do you know Japan? Materials for exhibition are kindly provided by the Hiroshima Cultural Centre of Peace, Kyrgyz-Japan Center for Human Development and Museum of Japanese prisoners of war. It is planned that exhibits will be demonstrated in the regions of Uzbekistan as well.

At the end of events will be conducted lectures on "Postwar Japan (1941-45) until present and future" by the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Japan to Uzbekistan Mr. Yuichi Kusumoto (August 15) and "From experience of prisoner of war in Siberia: thoughts of one of the prisoners of war" by senior volunteer of JICA Mr. Hiroyuki Saito (August 16). Administration of the Center hopes that the above events will promote mutual understanding and further cooperation between two countries.

SECOND ANNUAL ROCK MUSIC FESTIVAL TO START IN TASHKENT ON 4 AUGUST

The second annual festival of a rock music "Uz-Fest 2006" will be held in Tashkent.

Rock groups of Uzbekistan and also visitors from the city of Baykonur (Kazakhstan) will perform their songs on the stage of the capital club "Las Vegas" on every Friday of August

"Queen of the Sound Group" is an organizer of the second festival of rock music.

On each of these four days one can hear performances of groups of various styles and directions of a rock music: from Britpop up to death-metal. Over 20 domestic rock groups, including Samarkand's the Octopus, Fergana's the Black Abys and Bukhara's the Chyernaya Deva (Black Maiden) rock groups will perform in the festival program.

Likewise, well-known rock musicians and performers, Andrey Zolotukhin and Shuhrat Rizayev will participate in the rock festival.

The festival will be open on 4 August.