15 August, 2006
Politics
National Security Council of Uzbekistan meets in Tashkent
Uzbek head congratulates Pakistan with Independence Day
EurAsEC leaders to gather in Sochi
Public hearings of implementation of the law on by-products to be held on 15 August
Economics
Businesswomen's Association of Uzbekistan marks 15th anniversary
Expanding inter-industrial cooperation and international trade
Kelajak Ilmi to host courses on global management
Uzbek company to maintain aircraft of Russian firm
Uzbekistan Airways cuts tariffs to Istanbul flight
Subscribers' base of MTS-Uzbekistan rises by 8.8% in July
Society
Delegation of Royal Museum of Art and History on visit in Uzbekistan
Belgium magazine publishes article on Samarkand
POLITICS
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL OF UZBEKISTAN MEETS IN TASHKENT
Session of the National Security Council under the President of Uzbekistan was held on 14 August.
President of Uzbekistan, Chairman of the Council Islam Karimov chaired the session, which considered urgent issues of ensuring sociopolitical stability in the region and efficient combating of modern challenges and threats to the country's security.
Results of the investigation and court processes of the tragic events in Andijan on 12-13 May 2005 were summed up at the session. Concrete tasks for administrative, law enforcement, prosecuting organs and security services were identified.
Tasks of the administrative and law-enforcement bodies, power structures and organs of state authority in solving problems of socioeconomic development of the country's regions were discussed. Other considered issues were increasing efficiency of fighting organized crime and drug traffic, as well as deepening democratic reforms, which are an important condition for security and stability of the country.
The Joint Staff of Uzbekistan's Armed Forces presented information on operative-tactic exercises held in accordance with the plan of military training.
The session adopted corresponding decisions on considered issues.
UZBEK HEAD CONGRATULATES PAKISTAN WITH INDEPENDENCE DAY
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov congratulated his Pakistani counterpart Pervez Musharraf with Independence Day of Pakistan on 14 August.
"It I great pleasure for me to send my sincere congratulations and warm wishes on behalf of people of Uzbekistan and on my own behalf to you, people and government of Pakistan with national holiday – Independence Day," reads message of the Uzbek president.
President Karimov expressed his assurance that the realization of achieved agreements during meetings in Islamabad will be firm ground for improvement of relations.
EURASEC LEADERS TO GATHER IN SOCHI
Informal summit of the heads of states of the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC) will be held in Sochi, Russia, on 16 August.
The EurAsEC includes Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The EurAsEC creation treaty was signed in Astana, Kazakhstan, on 10 October 2000. Uzbekistan officially joined to the organisation on 25 January in Saint Petersburg.
The organization aims at promoting the creation of the common customs and economic space in the CIS. The coordination of WTO accession efforts of the member countries is another priority of EurAsEC.
It is expected that the EurAsEC leaders will discuss issues on creation of Customs Union. President of Russia Vladimir Putin, EurAsEC Secretary-General Grigoriy Rapota, CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization) Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha will make reports on issues to be considered at the meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LAW ON BY-PRODUCTS TO BE HELD ON 15 AUGUST
The environmental protection and economical utilization of natural resources in the conditions for the intensive development of industry, construction, transport, agriculture and involvement in the operation of an increasing quantity of natural resources are one of the important economic and social tasks.
The component part of this problem is the treatment with waste products, which ensures sanitary cleaning of territories of towns, settlements, enterprises and organizations, aimed at creating favorable inhabitable environment and protection of health.
Taking into account the social-ecological significance of this problem, in 2002 Oliy Majlis (the Uzbek parliament) of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted a law "On waste products", where were reflected all basic concepts on wastes, rights of property for waste products, were determined the authorities of the Cabinet of Ministers, regional, local control elements, and also specially authorized public bodies in the realm of treatment with waste products.
During the preceding period after the adoption of the law "On waste products" by the government of the republic, Regional administrations and especially by Tashkent city administration, by specially authorized agencies (the State Committee for Nature, the Ministry of Public Health, "the Uzbek communal service and so on) specific measures are taken that are aimed at improving work on treatment with waste products.
At the same time the absence of general strategy on treatment with waste products slows down to adopt all-Republican integrated measure for collection, transportation, utilization, the processing of by-products and establishing the monitoring after these processes, the press release of the Ekosan international organization says.
On the basis of the paragraph 5 of measures of the second stage of the days of ecology and health, affirmed by the Cabinet of Ministers of the republic of Uzbekistan, the International organization Ecosan carries out public hearings about the process of the implementation of the law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On waste products". The purpose of this measure is to inform the public about the current problems dealing with running by-products and measures being taken for their solution.
Public hearings will take place on 15 August in the office of the international fund Ecosan.
ECONOMICS
BUSINESSWOMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF UZBEKISTAN MARKS 15TH ANNIVERSARY
Businesswomen's Association of Uzbekistan marked its 15th anniversary. On this occasion chairwoman of the association Dildora Alimbekova said in interview that it is great holiday for association, which allows women of Uzbekistan to compete with businessmen and occupy high posts.
Businesswomen's Association of Uzbekistan is an non-governmental organization and it was created in 1991. It renders consulting services to businesswomen, development of business plans, assist to receive credits and organizes trainings and seminars.
Today, the association unites over 5,000 businesswomen, which created some 70,000 jobs. The association trained over 14,000 women and some 10,000 unemployed women received professional education.
Representatives of the association participated over 200 international conferences and symposiums and met such public workers as Kofi Annan, George Bush, Hillary Clinton and others.
UNIFEM awarded the association and received funds were directed to training of disabled people. The association also received certificates of the UN and association of Dubai, UAE.
Businesswomen's Association of Uzbekistan is member of Business Professional Women, Assembly of Women NGOs of CIS, partner of International Labour Organization in Uzbekistan.
Alimbekova said the cooperation with these organizations allowed the association to participate in international seminars and conferences. The association established business contacts with foreign counterparts, she said.
The documentary film was shot, over 100 articles were published, some 40 programmes were broadcasted on activity of the Businesswomen's Association of Uzbekistan. The foreign media representatives also reported on the work of the association.
The association has branches in all regions of Uzbekistan and legal information-consulting centre under these branches. The centres possess libraries with electronic base on legislation of Uzbekistan.
Alimbekova, who was awarded with honourable certificate of President of Uzbekistan, said that the branches implement education projects each independently. For example, the branch of the association in Bukhara region realize project "Education of famers", supported by the Asian Development Bank.
The project is aimed at improvement of economic and legal education of farmers in Bukhara region. The project includes accounting.
The association participates in realization of projects with several international organizations, including USAID, European Commission, Liaise with Europe, UNDP and others.
EXPANDING INTER-INDUSTRIAL COOPERATION AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Annual exhibition entitled "Made in Uzbekistan" will be held at UzExpoCenter on 22-25 August.
Its organizers are the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade of Uzbekistan and UzExpoCenter.
The exhibition hall is being prepared for the event: designers are working on the layout of the booths, the catalogue of participants is being formed, new participants are being registered, and the design of invitation tickets and banners is being prepared.
Among the companies that have already registered are UzAvtoSanoat (Uzbek Car Industry, sole owner of UzDaewooAuto), Uzeltehprom, Uzbeklegprom, Uzstroymateriali, Uzhimprom, TAPOiCh, Sovplastital, and other companies and firms successfully exporting their products – Lacetti, Nexia, Damas, and Matiz cars, buses, trucks, a wide range of construction materials, including varnish, paint, enamel, granite and marble slabs, polyethylene pipes, chemical products, television sets, air conditioners, cables, etc.
The exhibition is intended to expand inter-industrial cooperation, introduce products of domestic producers to the potential consumers, and assist small and private business entities promote their products in the foreign markets. The organizers are inviting ministries, companies, representatives of international organizations and embassies, as well as foreign companies accredited in Uzbekistan to participate in the exhibition.
The first "Made in Uzbekistan" exhibition was held in 1998 the day before the celebration of Navruz Holiday. Among the participants were 53 joint ventures, whose charter capital included investments from 17 countries of the world.
The second exhibition, held in 1999 gathered 135 participants. A large area of the exposition was taken up by the goods of science intensive productions, such as Nexia, Tico, Damas cars, Otoyol, Iveko buses, television and video technology, IL-76, MF, IL-114, IL-114-100 aircrafts, tractors, mechanical cotton harvesters, chemical products, furniture, etc.
Meanwhile, the number of participants representing small and private businesses is growing from year to year.
In 2005, the number of participants reached 260. Some 11,000 people, specialists of different industries, representatives of the diplomatic corps visited the exhibition. In the course of four days, 44 agreements for US$21 million and 3 billion soums were signed.
This year's exhibition will open soon.
KELAJAK ILMI TO HOST COURSES ON GLOBAL MANAGEMENT
Kelajak Ilmi, international business school, in cooperation with Michigan University will host a course "Global Management" on 14-18 August.
The course will be carried out in such directions as strategic management, marketing for management, financial management, banking work and art of negotiations.
Representatives of small and medium businesses will participate in the course and some 41 people applied.
UZBEK COMPANY TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT OF RUSSIAN FIRM
Uzbekistan Airways Technics and VIM-AVIA, Russian air carrier, signed an agreement on maintenance of one aircraft in July 2006.
Uzbekistan Airways Technics will carry out C-check of Boeing 757-200 in its base in Tashkent. Uzbekistan Airways Technics, founded in 1924, is unique aircraft maintenance enterprise in Central Asia and CIS.
Romana Pahomova, director-general of VIM-AVIA, said the agreement allows to decrease risks at planning of maintenance of existing fleet and cooperate with national aviation company of Uzbekistan.
Today, VIM-AVIA is trying to ensure for itself flexible variants of maintenance of aircrafts and to find access to perspective Asian markets, especially after company received license to carry out flights to Namangan, Uzbekistan.
UZBEKISTAN AIRWAYS CUTS TARIFFS TO ISTANBUL FLIGHT
Uzbekistan Havo Yollari (Uzbekistan Airways), Uzbekistan's national air carrier, reduced eight-day tariff on flights Tashkent-Istanbul-Tashkent.
The company also introduce new 10-day tariff. The Uzbek company said additional information can be obtained at the offices of the company and ticket agencies.
SUBSCRIBERS' BASE OF MTS-UZBEKISTAN RISES BY 8.8% IN JULY
MTS-Uzbekistan, former Uzdunrobita, recorded 8.8% growth of subscribers base in July, Russia-based Mobile TeleSystems OJSC (MTS) said in its release on 11 August.
MTS, which owns 74% in MTS-Uzbekistan, said the number of subscribers in Uzbekistan increased from 820,000 users in June 2006 to 890,000 in July 2006.
The Russian company said that its consolidated subscriber base reached 65.72 million users as of 30 July 2006. During July 2006, MTS' consolidated subscriber base increased by 1.62 million subscribers, of which 1.15 million were added in Russia.
MTS operates in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
SOCIETY
DELEGATION OF ROYAL MUSEUM OF ART AND HISTORY ON VISIT IN UZBEKISTAN
A Belgian delegation headed by Director-General of the Royal Museum of Art and History in Brussels Anne Cahen-Delhaye is visiting Uzbekistan (13-18 August).
Among other members of the delegation are Professor and Doctor, Head of the Archaeology of the Ancient Near East and Central Asia Department Bruno Overlaet and a member of the department staff Karin Teunis.
On the first day of the visit, Belgian delegation met the administration of the Arts Academy of Uzbekistan at the International Caravanserai of Culture. The parties discussed the programme of the delegation's visit and the exposition of the archaeological collection of this scientific and cultural center. Foreign guests then visited the workshop of the Uzbek artist Academician Lekim Ibragimov and the Museum of History of Uzbek Nation, and saw the sights of Tashkent.
The next day, 14 August, they went on trip to Samarkand and saw the historical monuments of the city. In addition, they visited Samarkand State Historical-Archaeological and Art Museum-Reservoir – Museum of History, Culture and Art, Museum of the History of Samarkand, Memorial Museum of Ulugbek, Museum of Afrasiab Settlement, Institute of Archaeology of the Science Academy of Uzbekistan, Samarkand Department of the Creative Association of Artists of Uzbekistan, and Chor-Su Art Gallery. They also met eminent craftsmen and artists of the city.
Upon return to Tashkent, on 15 August, the delegation will meet the administration of the Ministry for Cultural Affairs and Sport of the Republic of Uzbekistan and visit State Arts Museum. The parties are also to discuss the organization of the exhibition "Uzbekistan – the heir of the Great Silk Road", and to familiarize with the exposition of the Museum of Decorative Applied Art of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
On 16 August, it is planned that the delegation will visit the Scientific-Research Institute of Art and Temurids Museum, meet leading scientists of Uzbekistan, and participate in the meeting of the academic council.
On 17 August they will visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Central Showroom and the Center of Modern Art. The programme also includes familiarization with the activity and funds operating under the Directorate of Art Exhibitions.
The visit of the Belgian guests will close with their participation in the meeting of the Board of the Arts Academy of Uzbekistan.
BELGIUM MAGAZINE PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON SAMARKAND
Belgium magazine, Monato, published an article entitled "Samarkand: Pearl of Silk Road". The four page article was published in Esperanto.
Anatoliy Ionesov, director of Samarkand International Museum of Peace and Solidarity, is author of material. The magazine illustrated material with photos of author and some other foreign photographers.
Ionesov said the article was directed to inform world community on upcoming celebration of the 2750th anniversary of Samarkand.
He said Monato is one of the most popular periodicals in Esperanto. It is published in Belgium and circulated in 65 countries. The magazine has various issues and material on Samarkand was published under Tourism section.