March 3, 2008
Politics:
President signs resolution on State Program “Year of Youth”
Economics:
Political parties reported for 2007
Delegation of German business community visits Uzbekistan
Merger replaces substitution
Engineering industry seeking more metal
Uzbek geologists obtain new contracts
Society:
Invitation to the Conference
Representatives of Women Councils get acquainted with UDHR
Uzbek, Japanese Scientists Research Along Great Silk Road
POLICY
PRESIDENT SIGNS RESOLUTION ON STATE PROGRAM “YEAR OF YOUTH”
On the occasion of declaration of 2008 in the Republic of Uzbekistan as the Year of Youth on February 29 this year the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed the Resolution “On State program “Year of Youth”.
The document foresees the accomplishment of a broad spectrum of measures on timely resolution of imminent problems on protection of interests and rights of the youth, further deepening of reforms in the system of continuous education, providing for the specialists trained by educational institutions to be in need in the real economy and spheres of the country’s activity, Jahon Information Agency reported.
According to the document, among other main objectives listed to be addressed in the framework of the Program, it is aimed at:
• Improving and strengthening the legal basis, introducing amendments and addenda to the legislative, normative and legal acts currently in force aimed at fuller providing for the interests and protection of rights of youth;
• Further improving the educational process in terms of its continuity and succession, providing for the full coverage of 9th grader graduates with secondary special, professional education, training of cadres in professional colleges and higher educational institutions on directions and majors in need in the sectors and spheres of real economy which guarantee the youth their deserved application and secure their place in society;
• Raising the quality of construction and reconstruction of general educational schools, professional colleges and academic lyceums, their timely and full access to communications, equipping with furniture, latest study and laboratory equipment and technical tools of training, strengthening the responsibilities of customers and contractors for the unconditional and quality implementation of nationwide state programs in the sphere of education;
• Radically increasing the level and quality of all system of education and cadres training, critically analyzing and modernizing the educational standards and study programs at schools, secondary special, professional and higher educational institutions while considering the modern requirements, improving the training and retraining the pedagogical cadres;
• Raising the young generation with firm beliefs and approaches towards life, in the spirit of respective attitude towards national and universal values able to withstand the harmful influences and currents alien to our mentality.
• Addressing the entire complex of issues related to employment of graduates of higher educational institutions, professional colleges and academic lyceums, as well as the youth to have gone through the active military duty, especially in small towns and rural area;
• Creating conditions for the early discovery and development of creative talents and abilities of the children in music, fine arts, arts and culture, implementing the measures to promote and stimulate the public, non-governmental organizations and persons engaged in tackling those issues;
• Shaping of strife in the youth towards healthy way of life, implementing the preventive measures in the struggle against AIDS, drug abuse, smoking and other pernicious habits, creating conditions for the substantial leisure of youth, mass development of youth sports;
• Implementing the effective system of measures to morally and materially support the young families, creating for them the worthy living, social and housing conditions, rendering the necessary funds and credits to provide for the household equipment, upbringing the spiritually rich and physically healthy children.
The Resolution also envisages the establishment of corresponding commissions in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, city of Tashkent and districts (cities) on implementing the program led by the Chairman of Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and khokims (mayors of cities and governors of provinces) of respective territories by laying on them the responsibility for the strict and full implementation of measures envisioned by the program.
ECONOMY
POLITICAL PARTIES REPORTED FOR 2007
On the last meeting of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the deputies familiarized with the reports about sources of financing of political parties in 2007, Uzbekistan Today reported.
The Chairman of the Executive Committee of Entrepreneurs Movement of Liberal Democratic party of Uzbekistan, M.Teshabaev, the Chairman of the Central Auditing Committee of “Adolat”, Social Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, Y.Nishanov, the Secretary-general of the Central Board of “Fidokorlar”, National Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, A.Tursunov reported on the matter. Also the Chairman of the Central Board of People Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, L.Gulamov, and H.Dosmuhamedov, the Chairman of the Central Board of Democratic party of Uzbekistan “Milliy Tiklanish”, acquainted the deputies with their reports.
The representatives of the Counting Chamber, the Ministry of Justice, Central Election Committee and Mass Media took part in the consideration of the political parties’ reports.
During the discussion, the participants highlighted the significance of consolidation of the political parties’ financial discipline, according to The Constitutional Law “On consolidation of the roles of political parties in renovation and further governmental development of the state modernization”. The Legislative Chamber took into account the reports about sources of financing of political parties in 2007
The meeting carried on with the consideration of the draft law “On amendments into certain legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan for improvement of application of the customs facilities”
The Chairman of the Legislative and Judicial Committee, N.Islamov reported at the meeting on the draft law “On the mandatory liability insurance of motor vehicles”.
Later on the deputy presented the law “On the amendments to sertain legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan, according to the adoption of the Law ‘On the mandatory liability insurance of motor vehicles’”. The members of the Lower Chamber approved the document at the second reading and entrusted the authorized committee to finalize it for introduction in the third reading.
At the first reading the deputies considered the Law “On the actions against human traffic”. During the discussion, the participants noted the importance of establishment of reliable legislative basis for preventing such an encroachment upon the rights, freedom and legitimate interests of the citizens. Also the deputies moved a number of suggestions directed to improvement of the particular norms of the document.
The participants of the meeting also considered other laws aimed at the improvement of the current legislation and further modernisation of the country in whole.
DELEGATION OF GERMAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY VISITS UZBEKISTAN
A delegation of the representatives of business community of the Federative Republic of Germany headed by the Federal Minister of Economics and Technology Michael Glos paid a visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan on February 26-27, 2008, Uzreport.com Business Information Portal reported.
The visit was organized by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of the Republic of Uzbekistan with the assistance of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology of Germany and the Embassy of the FRG to Uzbekistan.
The purpose of the visit of the delegation of German businessmen to Uzbekistan is to study the investment potential of the country, and to discuss the possible prospects of bilateral cooperation.
Among the members of the delegation were the representatives of the leading German companies operating in the spheres of fuel and energy complex, construction industry, agriculture and agricultural product processing, light and textile industries, financial sector.
On February 26 within the frame of the delegation's visit an Uzbek-German Economic Forum was conducted at the Tashkent Business Centre. During the event the parties discussed the issues concerning the current condition and the prospects of the development of bilateral economic relations.
As a part of the forum sectional industry-specific meetings were organized between the representatives of the business circles of both countries. Also a special meeting of the Uzbek-German Task Group for Trade and Investments was held. During the business forum a cooperation agreement was signed between the association of engineers-consultants of Uzbekistan and Germany.
The documents constituting the legal framework for the relations between the two states in the economic sphere including the agreement "On assistance in implementation and mutual protection of capital investments", agreement "On establishment of the fund for scientific studies and experts" were signed during the first visit of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov to the Federative Republic of Germany in April 1993. The President of the country visited the FRG three times with official visits – in 1993, 1995 and 2001.
Intergovernmental agreements "On financial and technical cooperation" specifying the list of joint projects planned by the parties for implementation within the frame of German state soft loans and grants have been signed between the two countries since 1994. At this time the relations between the two states are regulated by more than 100 agreements and contracts of different scale (inter-state, intergovernmental and interdepartmental).
In May 1995 together with the Federal Ministry of Economy of Germany a constantly operating Uzbek-German Task Group for Trade and Investments was established. The first meeting of the group was conducted in June 1995. During the meetings of the working group that are usually attended by the representatives of the business communities of both countries participants discuss the issues concerning economic development of the countries, the condition of the bilateral trade and economic relations, the basic aspects of structural reforms and the course of implementation of joint investment projects, etc. The last such meeting was held in November 2006 in the FRG.
The programme of the visit envisaged the delegation's trips to the cities of Khiva and Urgench with the purpose of studying the potential and investment opportunities of the region.
Today a firm legal framework is in place for the development of bilateral relations between the two countries and the main aspects for cooperation between the countries have been defined. The relations are regulated by more than 100 agreements and contracts of different scale (inter-state, intergovernmental and interdepartmental).
Germany is one of the largest investors in the economy of Uzbekistan. Today, with the assistance of German banks investment projects for some 1 billion euros are being implemented in the country. In 2007, the volume of bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and Germany comprised some US$328.9 million, including Uzbek exports of US$76.6 million and imports – US$252.3 million.
The total volume of financial and technical support provided by Germany Government to the Republic of Uzbekistan has reached 270.94 million euros, including 219.54 million euros provided in the form of soft loans and grants along the lines of the KfW and 51.4 million euros appropriated in the form of grants along the line of the GTZ.
At this time the total of 135 enterprises established in cooperation with the investors from Germany operate on the territory of Uzbekistan. The enterprises based on German capital operate primarily in the sectors of light industry, production of medical and pharmaceutical products, agricultural processing, cargo and passenger transportation and auto-service, scientific studies, trade, etc.
The offices of 57 firms and companies of the Federative Republic of Germany accredited under the Ministry of Foreign Economic Affairs, Investment and Trade operate in Uzbekistan. Among them are world known Siemens, Daimler-Chrysler, BASF, Lufthansa, Alkatel, Beyer, Ferrostal, etc. The offices of Landesbank Berlin AG, Commerzbank AG, and Dresdner Bank AG are also functioning in Tashkent.
MERGER REPLACES SUBSTITUTION
Dynamic development of Uzbekistan’s chemical industry caused intensive privatization processes in this sector during a year and a half. The key event of the last year was purchasing of three chemical companies by strategic investors.
The “O’zbekkimyosanoat” State Stock Company informs the Uzbekistan Today that the Spanish MAXAM Corp S.A.U. purchased two chemical companies of Uzbekistan: 49% of the OSC “Elektrokimyosanoat” and 49% of the OSC “Ammofos”. Russia’s “Monolit” LLC won the tender on selling 85.2% of the OSC Kokand Superphosphate Plant, Uzbekistan’s only ammoniate Superphosphate manufacturer. The total cost of investment transactions was US$ 44.06 million with investment liabilities of US$ 64.2 million.
And now it is turn of the OSC “Navoiazot”, Uzbekistan’s biggest chemical company.
As the experts say that the Uzbek chemical industry attracts foreign investors, primarily, with its convenient geographical position that provides them with wonderful opportunity to deliver products to CIS markets, Asia and Middle East and good resource basis, particularly, Tubegatan potash salt deposit and Jeroy phosphorite deposit.
Experts think that the consolidation and merger of chemical companies with big investors is a quite logical step: big companies can easily solve problems with raw materials, develop their export policy and attract loans for development.
Particularly, the Spanish investor, the MAXAM Corp S.A.U., intends to participate in the reconstruction of AM 76 ammonia unit of the OSC “Elektrokimyosanoat”. The project aims to make its annual capacity 420 thousand tons a year, increasing it 20% in future.
The Spanish investor is to modernize production of EFK 3, phosphoric acid extraction, in the “Ammofos”, launch phosphorus gypsum processing and reconstruct production of sulfuric acid total worth of US$ 16.2 million.
ENGINEERING INDUSTRY SEEKING MORE METAL
The Russian OSC “Permmetall” set up a subsidiary in Uzbekistan.
Russia’s biggest metal trader intends to invest US$ 2 million in establishing its subsidiary, “TashkentMetall”. The “Permmetall” will use its own funds and credits of its partner banks to finance the project.
For two years the “TashkentMetall” must reach the turnover of US$ 2 million per month. It aims to sign agreements with large consumers of rolled metal, engineering industries. The “TashkentMetall” is to deliver metal products to Central Asia’s biggest enterprise “O’zbekkimyomash”, Tashkent Tractor Plant and “O’zpaxtamash”.
The “TashkentMetall” intends to develop its strategy of supplying the Uzbek engineering industries with metal products. 70-80% of sales in Uzbekistan are expected to fall to the share of engineering industries.
UZBEK GEOLOGISTS OBTAIN NEW CONTRACTS
The OSC “O’zbekgeofizika”won a tender for performing seismic surveys.
The Lukoil-Uzbekistan’s press service informs the Uzbekistan Today that the Lukoil-Uzbekistan, a subsidiary operating company of Lukoil Overseas within the framework of the Kandym-Khauzak-Shady-Kungrad mega-project the “O’zbekgeofizika” won the tender for selecting a contractor to perform a 2D seismic surveys in the Kungrad area.
Since 2005 the “Ozbekgeofizika” has performed high quality seismic surveys of around 2 thousand running kilometers in the Kandym in Karakalpakstan (north-west of Uzbekistan) and it has gained sufficient working experience in this region. The planned volume of 2D seismic work in the area is 3.1 thousand running kilometers.
In addition, the tender for defining a contractor for field seismic surveys in the Kandym group fields in the Bukhara-Khiva region has entered its final stage. The scope of survey will be 1.3 thousand running kilometers.
The “O’zbekgeofizika” is a section of the “Uzgeoneftegasproduction” of the “Uzbekneftegas” National Holding Company.
SOCIETY
INVITATION TO THE CONFERENCE
The United Nations News Centre published at its official website the text of statement of the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Uzbekistan Alisher Vohidov at the UN General Assembly meeting. The Permanent Representative invited the United Nations Member States to participate in the Conference devoted to the problems of the Aral Sea, Uzreport.com Business Information Portal reported.
Speaking at the thematic debate of the UN General Assembly entitled “Addressing Climate Change: The United Nations and the World at Work” the Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan to the UN Alisher Vohidov drew participants’ attention to the issue of promotion of world’s ecological security.
A.Vohidov called the situation in the basin of the Aral Sea as one of centres of such an ecological disaster. “Death of the Aral Sea and its rich biological life has irreversible consequences not only at regional level, but also affects negatively the climate change far away from the region’s bounders”, - said the Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan.
Alisher Vohidov told that Uzbekistan, striving after contributing to the collective efforts aimed at countering the climate change as well as protection of the environment, had decided to hold an international conference “Problems of Aral, their impacts on population’s gene pool, flora and fauna, and measures of international cooperation aimed at easing their consequences”.
As an outcome of the conference an action plan to be worked out in order to improve the ecological and socio-economic situation in the basin of the Aral Sea. The representative of Uzbekistan invited the United Nations Member States to participate in the Tashkent conference and to contribute to resolving the Aral problem.
REPRESENTATIVES OF WOMEN COUNCILS GET ACQUAINTED WITH UDHR
National Human Rights Center organized a round table for chairpersons of the Women Councils of Yunusabad district of Tashkent city on February 28. UNDP Country Office in Uzbekistan supported the event, dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), according to the Business Information Portal Uzreport.com.
On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – a historic milestone in the evolution of our common understanding, and affirmation, of values we deem inviolable: that all human beings are born free and with equal and inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms!
The Declaration, for the first time, set out universal human rights for all people in an individual context, thanks to extraordinary vision and determination of the drafters. Now available in more than 360 languages (including the Uzbek language), the Declaration is the most translated document in the world - a testament to its universal nature and reach. It has inspired the constitutions of many newly independent States and many new democracies.
The UN launched a year-long commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 2007. The entire UN family will take part in a campaign to promote the Declaration's ideals and principles of justice and equality for everyone. UNDP Uzbekistan also plans to support and organize various events to contribute to commemoration of the anniversary of the Declaration.
Over 60 chairpersons of the Women Councils of Yunusabad district participated in the roundtable on the theme "Women's rights within framework of Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights". The event focused to inform representatives of mahallas (neighbourhoods) with the clauses of the declaration and other international agreements, as well as national legislation on human rights. The Women Councils under mahallas play an important role in promotion of women's rights in local level.
Akmal Saidov, director of National Human Rights Center, said the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was one of the first international documents, which Uzbekistan ratified after it gained independence. He noted the importance of the declaration and other international agreements on human rights.
UNDP supported the event through its projects "Legislative and Institutional Capacity Development for Women's Empowerment in Uzbekistan" (CEDAW project) and "Development of Capacities of the National Human Rights Institutions in Uzbekistan" (Human Rights project).
The CEDAW project is aimed at supporting and building the capacity of the government, civil society and mass media in reducing the gender gaps via raising awareness of and implementing the recommendations of the UN CEDAW Committee to Uzbekistan. It is envisaged to achieve the goal via building the capacity of researchers, improving their professionalism in conducting of scientific and sociological research on gender issues.
The main objective of the Human Rights project is to strengthen capacities of the national human rights institutions and relevant bodies to effectively fulfil their mandates for promotion and protection of human rights in Uzbekistan. The project focuses primarily on activities relating to human rights matters that form part of the mandate and day-to-day work of operational national human rights institutions, which would consequently improve the promotion and protection of human rights.
UZBEK, JAPANESE SCIENTISTS RESEARCH ALONG GREAT SILK ROAD
For three years the joint Uzbek-Japanese archeological expedition will work at the ancient city of Dabusia, according to the Pravda Vostoka newspaper.
The professor of the International scientific center for the Japanese culture studies Uno Takao is the researcher of routes of the Great Silk Road. The caravan paths also run along the Sogdian Dabusia, where the weaving, jewelry and potter crafts had prospered. Besides, the trade was lively in progress.
The Archaeology Institute at the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan has supported the scientific interest of the Japanese scientists. Thus, the joint project has emerged. Amriddin Berdimuradov, Ph.D. History, has led the project from the Uzbek side. Recently he came back from Kyoto where along with his Japanese colleague has summarized the scientific results of first excavations.
“We have started the field works in spring last year”, – Amriddin Berdimuradov has said. “The first excavation was held at the southeast part of Shakhristan – the handicraft blocks at the ancient cities were named as such. We were able to go as deep as to the cultural layers of the 7th century, where we had discovered the living quarters. We have found tandyr and khum – the ceramic ware to keep grain, milk and supplies of water”.
One of the main tasks of the expedition is to determine the age of Dabusia. The author of the well-known “History of Bukhara” Narkhashiy who lived and worked in the 10th century wrote much about this magnificent city oasis along the Great Silk Road.
The results of the scientific research allowed concluding that the suburb emerged and formed in early second century B.C. We shall have to specify the concrete age of the Dabusia. The expedition is going to continue its field work late this year.