28 August, 2006

Politics
President Islam Karimov confers rank of Ozbekiston Qahramoni to citizens
Uzbek president familiarizes with new objects
Senate approve package of laws on Uzbekistan's accession to EurAsEC
Congratulations from Saxony-Anhalt
Cooperation brings positive results

Economics
Uzbek president issues resolution on holding international exhibition of agricultural equipment
SCO commerce ministers discuss issues on expanding economic relations
SCO members approve first transport project in Uzbekistan

POLITICS

PRESIDENT ISLAM KARIMOV CONFERS RANK OF OZBEKISTON QAHRAMONI TO CITIZENS

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a decree on 25 August to confer several Uzbek citizens with the rank of Ozbekiston Qahramoni (Hero of Uzbekistan).

Abdugani Abdullaev, master on wood engraving, Malika Abdullahodjaeva, director of National Pathologoanatomic Centre, Bakhodir Ilyasov, assembler of Uzbekistan Railways, Sama Samatov, director of Academic Lyceum under Guliston State University and Gulmat Haytmetov, head of Haytimmat Ota Farm in Khorezm region, were awarded with the presidential resolution.

The document said these people were awarded for their services before the state and people of Uzbekistan and strengthening independence of the country and its international authority, as well as heroic work, formation of developed youth generation and in spirit of patriotism.

UZBEK PRESIDENT FAMILIARIZES WITH NEW OBJECTS

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov on 25 August familiarized with the newly constructed objects in the city of Tashkent.

The reports said the head of the state started his familiarization tour from the National Park, where gates consisting of 12 columns and 5 domes were built. The lake located in the park and the surrounding territory now have a new look. Irrigation constructions ensure cleanness of the water in the lake, which occupies several hectares.

The President visited the Culture and Arts Exhibition building here (photo above), and expressed confidence that the new exhibition pavilion would serve to promotion of culture and applied art among the population.

Islam Karimov then visited the Universal Sports Palace in Yunusabad district (photo above), which has just been completed. The palace allows holding competitions in track and field athletics. The palace is 100 m long and 52 m wide, and has a 200-m race-track. The arena in the center of the construction is designed for basketball, volleyball, handball and other games. The seats can accommodate 3,900 people.

The head of the state met a number of sportsmen here, including Svetlana Radzevil (photo), who was among the gold winners at the youth athletics championship in China.

Here, Islam Karimov also got acquainted with the project of reconstruction of the Pakhtakor stadium.

Later, the President visited Yoshlik students city, where more than 40,000 students of universities, academic lyceums and professional colleges live. The dormitories have been capitally reconstructed and the adjacent territory improved here. The students city includes trade and service points and a policlinics.

The head of the state saw the new sports complex of the Tashkent State Technical University named after Abu Raykhon Beruni (photo above). The complex allows students to engage in 15 types of sports. Apart from the gym, it has a swimming pool, basketball, volleyball and futsal grounds, as well as rooms for trainers and sportsmen.

SENATE APPROVE PACKAGE OF LAWS ON UZBEKISTAN'S ACCESSION TO EURASEC

The Senate of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan (upper house of parliament) approved three laws, which was adopted by Legislative Chamber in connection with Uzbekistan's accession to the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC).

In particular, the Senators approved Law "On joining of Uzbekistan to the Convention on privileges and immunities of the Eurasian Economic Community, signed in Minsk on 31 May 2001", Law "On joining of Uzbekistan to the Agreement on Customs Union and Single Economic Zone, signed in Moscow on 26 February 1999" and Law "On joining of Uzbekistan to the Agreement on cooperation in protection of external borders of the EurAsEC member states, signed in Moscow on 21 February 2003". 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.

The senators noted that accession of Uzbekistan to the Convention on privileges and immunities of the EurAsEC is necessary to implement function and targets, envisaged in agreements of the EurAsEC.

Speaking on Custom Union and Single Economic Zone, the senate aid accession to this document is important step to further joining of Uzbekistan to integration process within the EurAsEC, development of trade economic relation of Uzbekistan with member states of the organization.

The members of upper house said the agreement on cooperation on protection of external borders of EurAsEC member states meets interests of Uzbekistan and it is logical continuation of accession of the country to the community.

This step will strengthen national security and develop multisided cooperation on protection of borders and strengthen stability in the region.

CONGRATULATIONS FROM SAXONY-ANHALT

On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the independence of Uzbekistan, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to the people of this republic. Over the years of independence our bilateral relations have observed remarkable achievements in economic, educational, social and cultural spheres. Noting the achievements with satisfaction, I hope that our friendly and business relations will continue to grow stronger for the common good in the future.

I follow the events taking place in Uzbekistan with great interest. The formation of a bicameral parliament in the republic, for me, once again confirms the fact that Uzbekistan strictly follows its path towards building a democratic society. I therefore think that cooperation between the parliamentarians of the two countries should be developed.

Dieter Steinecke

President of the State Parliament of the Sachsen-Anhalt Federal State

COOPERATION BRINGS POSITIVE RESULTS

I am very pleased to have this opportunity to extend my congratulations to the friendly Uzbek nation on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the independence of Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan has achieved substantial progress over the past years. Consistently implementing the ideas and principles defined by President Islam Karimov, the people of Uzbekistan promptly move on their way to implementing democratic reforms. Large-scale work is done to liberlise the country's economy, which has already earned Uzbekistan grain and oil independence.

Today we observe the intensification of reforms in the legal system of the country. I support the efforts the Uzbek Government on eliminating capital punishment and liberalising the legal system. I am confident that these steps will raise Uzbekistan's international reputation.

As for the bilateral relations, Uzbekistan and Korea are achieving an increasingly close cooperation. Our President Roh Moo-hyun visited Uzbekistan in May 2005, and President Islam Karimov paid a return visit to the Republic of Korea in March this year. I am sure that the implementation of all the agreements achieved in the course of the top-level meetings will bring positive results, and contribute to the prosperity of our nations.

Uzbekistan has extensive economic potential, highly qualified workforce, rich resources and favourable investment climate. I am sure that cooperation between Korean businessmen and Uzbekistan in reaching this potential will be of mutual benefit.

Sending my most sincere congratulations to the people of Uzbekistan, I would like to wish them peace, happiness and new achievements in building an open democratic society and an economically developed state.

Pak De Won,

Honoured Ambassador,

Adviser of the Mayor of the city of Seoul

ECONOMICS

UZBEK PRESIDENT ISSUES RESOLUTION ON HOLDING INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a resolution "On measures on organization of international specialized exhibition- sale of mini-technologies and compact equipments for agriculture sector" on 24 August.

The document adopted with a view to create favourable conditions for acquainting farmers and peasant's economies, agro-firms and small enterprises, designed for processing agricultural production with contemporary, advanced mini-technologies and the equipment, being produced by leading foreign companies, and also for rendering assistance in their acquisition and introduction into the production and on this basis to guarantee deeper processing of agricultural raw material, arrange the output of qualitative, competitive domestic product.

The resolution agreed with a proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Association of the farmer economies on holding an international specialized exhibition and sale of mini-technologies and compact equipment for agriculture in Tashkent from 21 October through 10 November, 2006 on the basis of the exhibition areas the Opened Joint Stock Company National Exhibition Centre Uzexpocentre.

The document also agreed to organize constantly functional exhibition and sale of mini- technologies and equipment for the farmer and peasants' economies, agro-firm, small enterprise, accomplishing agriproduct processing from 10 November, 2006, in the territory of the Opened Joint Stock Company National Exhibition Centre Uzexpocentre.

With a view to create favourable conditions for the wide attraction and participation in the international specialized exhibition and sale of leading foreign companies - producers of mini- technologies and compact equipment to establish that the exhibition areas in the Opened Joint Stock Company National Exhibition Centre Uzexpocentre are given to participants in the exhibition free of charge, the document said.

Within the period of 20 October this year, the organizational committee together with the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry are to conduct active advertising and information and organizational work to involve leading producers of technologies and compact equipment for the production and processing of agricultural production from Germany, Hungary, Italy, Belgium, Austria and other countries in the attending the exhibition.

The State Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as an exceptional case, to register without the payment of customs fees, samples of mini-technologies and compact equipment being imported to the Republic of Uzbekistan in temporary import mode with the period of two years for creating conditions of their subsequent realization to agro-firms and to farmer economies on the basis of concluded imported or leasing contracts.

"To exempt companies, engaged in the import of mini- technologies and compact equipment for agriculture with the aim of their attending exhibitions and sales, from the payment of customs fees (with the exception of collections for customs formalities), and also VAT during the sale of the above mentioned mini- technologies and equipment to domestic producers," the resolution said.

The document said on the basis of requisitions by the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan is to ensure the operational procurement of entry visas to foreign participants in the exhibition without the levy of consular and other collections.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan is to ensure social order in places where the international specialized exhibition and sale is held, and the exhibition participants' accommodation free of charge.

SCO COMMERCE MINISTERS DISCUSS ISSUES ON EXPANDING ECONOMIC RELATIONS

Commerce ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states gathered in Tashkent on 24 August to discuss development of trade-economic relations.

The session, chaired by the Minister for Foreign Economic Relations, Trade and Investments of Uzbekistan Elyor Ganiev, was attended by Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Russia Vitaliy Savelev, Vice Commerce Minister of China Yu Guangzhou, Industry and Commerce Minister of Kazakhstan Vladmir Shkolnik, Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism of Kyrgyz Republic Medetbek Kerimkulov, Deputy Economy and Trade Minister of Tajikistan Larisa Kislyakova and representatives of the SCO Secretariat.

The participants exchanged opinions on current affairs and prospects of cooperation in trade and investments, as well as realization decisions of the SCO heads of states and heads of governments.

They discussed the issues of preparation for the forthcoming session of the Council of SCO heads of governments, which is scheduled in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, in September 2006.

The SCO member states noted the dynamic development of cooperation within the framework of the organizations.

The sides agreed further develop high-priority pilot projects, enhance relations within Business Council and SCO Interbank Union and expanding the legal basis for multilateral trade and economic collaboration.

The ministers noted that speeding up development of trade-economic collaboration within the SCO positively affects economies of member states. The sides also approved pilot projects, which was selected by special groups for implementation.

The SCO states deemed it expedient to develop cooperation in such sectors as fuel-energy and information-communication technologies and adopted decision to create special groups on these sectors.

The participants also visited the exhibition "Made in Uzbekistan-2006", which opened in the Uzbek capital this week. The exhibition demonstrates export potential of all sectors of Uzbek economy.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a regional alliance of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The heads of state of these six countries signed a declaration on its formation in Shanghai on 15 June 2001. Mongolia, India, Pakistan and Iran have observer status in the organisation.

The aim of the organisation is to stabilise the situation in Central Asia, consolidate friendship and good-neighbourly relations among the member-states, and develop cooperation in the political, economic, scientific and other spheres.

SCO MEMBERS APPROVE FIRST TRANSPORT PROJECT IN UZBEKISTAN

Heads of commerce ministries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states meeting on 24 August in Tashkent approved the first transport project within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

"It has been decided to speed up the construction of the Andijon-Osh-Ishkertam-Kashgar highway, which will connect our countries and greatly facilitate the revival of the Great Silk Road," Yu Guangzhou, Chinese vice minister of commerce, told. The project, coordinated by Uzbekistan, is codenamed E-40.

The ministers attending the meeting discussed in detail the activities of the Business Council, the Interbank Association, and the project on the report by the SCO Secretariat for the forthcoming summit in Dushanbe on 15 September.

The Russian deputy minister of economic development and trade, Vitaliy Savelyev, pointed out that the trade in commodities between Russia and other SCO member countries increased by 32% this year.

"This shows that our countries are developing steadily and with stability, and that we need each other as economic partners," he noted.

One of the results of the meeting was a decision to launch an information site dedicated to the regional economic cooperation within the SCO framework.