27 September, 2006

Politics
Uzbek leader receives South Korean PM for talks
Uzbek, Korean PMs discuss bilateral relations
Uzbekistan supports UN Global Strategy against terrorism
Uzbek, Ukrainian FMs discuss ties, Afghanistan
Uzbek, Azeri FMs consider bilateral relations
Russia, Uzbekistan end join anti-terror exercise

Economics
Uzbek, Korean businesspeople gather at forum in Tashkent
Merited Uzbekistan’s tourism workers to be awarded on World Tourism Day
Uzbekistan's tourism exhibition switches to international fair
India, Uzbekistan aim to further strengthen trade, economic relations
MTS-Uzbekistan to participate in ICT Expo 2006
TAPOiCh to produce planes for businessmen
Third Indian Trade Exhibition to open on 6 October

Society
Uzbekistani mufti upbeat about world and traditional religious congress
Tashkent hosts conference on past and present of the Great Silk Road

POLITICS

UZBEK LEADER RECEIVES SOUTH KOREAN PRIME MINISTER FOR TALKS

Uzbek President Islam Karimov received Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Han Myung-sook at presidential residence Oqsaroy on Monday, 25 September.

Prime Minister of Korea Han Myung-sook is paying official visit to Uzbekistan and on Monday she held talks with her Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyayev and speakers of both chambers of parliament.

Uzbek President said: "Taking this opportunity, I would like to request from you to once again extend my personal appreciation to Korean President Roh Moo-hyun for his enormous contribution to strengthening our relations and for the warm reception of the Uzbek delegation in Korea in March this year as well as for signing the document, to which we pay special significance - the agreement on strategic partnership between our states."

President Islam Karimov said the visit of South Korean Prime Minister to Uzbekistan is another evidence for growing interest of the government, people and business circles of Korea to cooperation with Uzbekistan.

Uzbek leader underlined that bilateral trade turnover increased twice in 2005 compared too 2003 and the high growth rate in bilateral trade was retained in the first half of 2006. Last year the volume of commodity circulation increased by 38% and amounted to US$564.5 million.

Han Myung-sook, in her turn, thanked for the warm welcome and noted that the Korean people was closely observing Uzbekistan's rapid growth and its impressive achievements in domestic and foreign policies. Uzbekistan is Korea's partner for ages, the prime minister said.

Korean premier said she visited Uzbekistan in March 2006 as MP and current visit is the first official visit of Prime Minister of Korea to Uzbekistan.

She said that Korea is interested in further expansion of cooperation with Uzbekistan. She said the Korean side highly values measures of Uzbekistan in strengthening peace and stability, in particular in realization of idea on creation of nuclear free zone in Central Asia.

Uzbek head and Korean prime minister exchanged views on further strengthening of wide-scale cooperation between two states.

UZBEK, KOREAN PMS DISCUSS BILATERAL RELATIONS

South Korean Prime Minister Han Myung-Sook met Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on 25 September.

During the meeting the sides considered the issues on cooperation between two countries. The parties have especially noted, that consecutive development of bilateral relations is a great value of agreements and documents signed during the visits of the leaders of two countries.

Especially, the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov in March 2006 to South Korea has lifted bilateral relation between our countries to a new level. During visit was signed Joint declaration on strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Korea.

Last year the volume of commodity circulation increased by 38% and amounted to US$564.5 million. The volume of Korean investments to Uzbek economy has exceeded US$1.5 billion.

During the meeting Prime ministers analyzed present state of mutual relations, all-round exchange of opinions on development of perspective tasks and further expansion of scales of mutually beneficial cooperation between the countries has also been held within the framework of the meeting. In particular, the sides considered the growth of potential of cooperation in the spheres of energy, mining, information and communication technologies, construction and architecture.

The negotiations resulted in signed several bilateral agreements between Uzbekistan and Korea: Base agreement on delivery of concentrates of uranium ore, Arrangement on realizations of the Agreement on social security, Memorandum of mutual understanding on cooperation in the field of construction and architecture, Memorandum of mutual understanding on cooperation between Fund of Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan and Eximbank of Korea, Cooperation agreement between Fund of Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan and Korean Development Bank, Memorandum of mutual understanding between "Uzavtoyol" state stock company and Korean corporation of highways, Memorandum of mutual understanding on cooperation between Communication and Information Agency of Uzbekistan and Korean Ministry of Communications and Information, Memorandum of mutual understanding between State Property Committee of Uzbekistan and Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy of Korea.

UZBEKISTAN SUPPORTS UN GLOBAL STRATEGY AGAINST TERRORISM

Uzbekistan supports the United Nations Global Strategy against terrorism adopted by the General Assembly on 8 September 2006, Uzbek Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov said at his speech at the 61st session of UN General Assembly in New York, USA, on 25 September.

"Fundamental changes in the modern world are accompanied by emerging challenges and threats. At present, the terrorism, extremism and drug aggression pose a great danger to sustainable development of states and peoples of the world," Uzbek official said.

Norov said Uzbekistan firmly supports the United Nations Global Strategy against terrorism, adopted by the General Assembly on 8 September 2006. Terrorism is not acceptable in any of its forms and manifestations, he added.

"The effectiveness and efficiency of the international efforts to fight against terrorism can be guaranteed only by eliminating its sources, first of all, the ideological and extremist centers, which finance and direct the forces of international terrorism, and also by designing common approach on assessment of this most dangerous phenomenon of present day."

Uzbek Foreign Minister said an effective basis for joint counteraction against the threat of terrorism could become the Universal Convention on international terrorism. This document must be of a non-discriminatory nature, exclude the policy of double standards, and call upon the states for a concerted action in countering the ideologies of extremism. Maintenance of regional and global security cannot be possible without establishing a comprehensive peace and stability in Afghanistan, Norov said.

Uzbek official said one of the effective ways in resolving the Afghan problem and restoring peaceful and neutral Afghanistan must be an efficient and real progress in implementing the concrete projects funded by the international community in social, economic and humanitarian spheres - in the areas, which can affect the life attitude of long-suffering people of Afghanistan.

Fundamental strategy review and more efficient coordination is required in the field of fight against one of the most dangerous problems -drug production and drug trafficking, he said.

Uzbekistan, as an initiator of establishing a Nuclear-Weapon- Free-Zone in the region, together with its neighbors, puts utmost efforts towards strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime. On 8 September 2006 in Semipalatinsk the Central Asian states signed the Treaty on creating Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone in Central Asia. Realization of this initiative put forward by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov is a concrete contribution of the states in the region to strengthening the global non-proliferation regime and also in creating a solid system of regional security, Norov said.

Uzbekistan calls on nuclear powers to join the Protocol on security guarantees, attached to the Treaty on Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone in Central Asia, he added.

Uzbek Minister expressed gratitude to the United Nations for its assistance in realizing this initiative.

UZBEK, UKRAINIAN FMS DISCUSS TIES, AFGHANISTAN

Uzbek Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov and his Ukrainian counterpart Boris Tarasyuk discussed issues on holing of next session of joint interstate commission on cooperation within the framework of the 61st session of UN General Assembly in New York, USA.

The sides agreed to hold the seventh session of joint interstate commission on cooperation in Kiev, Ukrainian capital city, till the end of 2006. The sides noted that the meeting will promote development of relations between two states in all spheres, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's spokesman Andrey Deshitsa said.

Heads of Foreign Ministries discussed bilateral cooperation in such spheres as mining, car industry, energy, aviation and tourism.

Ukrainian minister said Ukraine is interested in participation of Ukrainian investors in privatization, reconstruction and modernization of objects in Uzbekistan.

Uzbek and Ukrainian official exchange opinion on opportunity on participation of two states in rehabilitation of economy of Afghanistan.

UZBEK, AZERI FMS CONSIDER BILATERAL RELATIONS

Uzbek Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov held a meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov, Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan said.

The sides discussed issues on perspectives of bilateral cooperation between the states, the ministry said.

RUSSIA, UZBEKISTAN END JOIN ANTI-TERROR EXERCISE

The Russian-Uzbek anti-terror training has completed a series of inter-state exercises aimed at fighting terrorism, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said as he officially announced the exercise closed on Saturday.

The anti-terror training was held at a testing ground in Russia's Krasnodar region from 19 to 23 September.

The Russian defence minister said he was sure the combined exercise would lay down a firm foundation for friendship between Russian and Uzbek armed forces and contribute to collective security in the North Caucasus and in Central Asia.

ECONOMICS

UZBEK, KOREAN BUSINESSPEOPLE GATHER AT FORUM IN TASHKENT

The business forum of entrepreneurs of Uzbekistan and South Korea was held on 25 September at the Tashkent International Business Center (IBC).

During the business forum the sides have noted the enormous results of economic policies led by Uzbek President Islam Karimov. This can be observed also in profound achievements secured between the two countries in economic cooperation.

As reports indicate, 138 enterprises, created with participation of South Korean investments, now operate in Uzbekistan. They function in the areas such as machine building, trade, chemistry, food and light industries, reprocessing of metals, healthcare, tourism, sphere of services, and other. Besides, new fields of industry are currently considered to be prospective.

Thirty-seven South Korean firms and companies have opened their representation offices in Uzbekistan. Last year the volume of mutual trade rose by 38%, while making up US $564,5 million.

Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan Alisher Shaikhov and his Korean colleague Kim Sang Yul have underscored development of cooperation in various areas between the two countries. According to them, the spheres include trade, machine building, textile, telecommunications and informational technologies, oil and gas, and tourism.

Korean businesspeople are said to have studied the economic potential of Uzbekistan. They said that the support of small and private businesses in the country certainly renders its fruits, as much as creation of favorable conditions for foreign investors and establishing mutually beneficial cooperation.

MERITED UZBEKISTAN’S TOURISM WORKERS TO BE AWARDED ON WORLD TOURISM DAY

The National tourism administration together with the Ecosan international organization, the Association of private tourist firms of Uzbekistan and the Ecosan - tour Centre for ecological tourism" will conduct festive events, dedicated to the World Tourism Day on 27 September this year in the Bobur Park. The chairman of the National Company of Uzbek tourism, Zahidjon Hakimov, has told this at a meeting with representatives of the tourism industry of the country.

As a part of the celebrations, dedicated to the World Tourism Day, it is planned to conduct in Tashkent this year an eco-festival on the theme "Tourism and ecotourism for the purpose of steady development", which aims to enlarge ideas about tourism potentials of Uzbekistan and to contribute to steady development of tourism, the head of the National Company of Uzbektourism, noted.

According to him, the holiday programme envisages the presentation of ecological tourism itineraries, the summing up of the results of the Republican Marathon of ecological festivals, dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the Independence of our country, exhibitions, concerts and festivity in the open air.

This year, specially dedicated to the World Tourism Day, we timed the rewarding of merited employees in the tourism sector for their contribution to development of tourism in Uzbekistan, Zahidjon Hakimov concluded.

The World Tourism Day, founded by the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization in 1979, is celebrated yearly on 27 September. The World Tourism Day is conducted with a view to popularize tourism, cover its contribution to development of cultural ties, and guarantee mutual understanding between the peoples. Every year the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization proclaims a slogan for tourism day. This year, according to the UNWTO's recommendation, the celebrations will be held under the motto "Tourism Enriches", whose purpose is to improve possession of information on tourism's positive influence on the economy and society. The World Tourism Day, founded by the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization in 1979, is celebrated yearly on 27 September. The World Tourism Day is conducted with a view to popularize tourism, cover its contribution to development of cultural ties, and guarantee mutual understanding between the peoples. Every year the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization proclaims a slogan for tourism day. This year, according to the UNWTO's recommendation, the celebrations will be held under the motto "Tourism Enriches", whose purpose is to improve possession of information on tourism's positive influence on the economy and society.

UZBEKISTAN'S TOURISM EXHIBITION SWITCHES TO INTERNATIONAL FAIR

World Tourism Day is celebrated on 27 September in the republic, as in many other countries of the world. An annual tourism exhibition "Tourism along the Silk Road", whose basic organizer is the National Company Uzbektourism, becomes one of the most important events for local tourism.

This year the exhibition will take place in the capital complex Uzko'rgazmasavdo from 26 to 28 October. In an interview, the head of the advertising agency "The Great Silk Road", Farangiz Abdullayeva, has told our correspondent that the traditional tourism exhibition, which will be held 12 times this year will switch from the national level to the international level.

"This year our exhibition will be slightly differed from previous ones. This time we mostly accentuated international tourism companies, and we nevertheless want to go away from the level of local exhibition and thus to change the status of national exhibition in the sphere of tourism to the international one. This year confirms that we can cope with this issue. A total of 15 countries of the world confirmed their participation in the Uzbek traditional tourism fair "Tourism along the Silk Road". We will receive the Baltic States, Belgium, Greece, Switzerland, Poland, Cyprus, Crimea and a number of CIS-countries - Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Russia and so on," Abdullaeva noted. "We recall that about 500 tourism companies, having licenses for carrying out their activity in this realm are currently functioning in our country," she added.

INDIA, UZBEKISTAN AIM TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN TRADE, ECONOMIC RELATIONS

A delegation of the Federation of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for agro-industrial business arrived in the Republic of Uzbekistan with an official visit on 22 September.

The Indian delegation's aim from the visit was to establish cooperation with Uzbek companies and the farmers, which are engaged in production and the processing of agricultural production.

The Indian delegation comprised representatives of over 10 Indian companies, being engaged in food, fruit and vegetables industry, and also in the bank sector.

Indian export to Uzbekistan mainly consists of pharmaceutical production, machines and equipment. Chief exports from India to Uzbekistan are also tea, coffee, meat, spices and some food products, cotton fabrics, lens for glasses, dyes, carpets and other articles.

A total of 35 enterprises, set up with the participation of Indian investors, including 10 firms with 100% foreign capital are currently functioning in Uzbekistan.

Over eight joint ventures with Indian partners are nowadays operating in the country in such spheres as services, organic compounds and equipment.

"During his visit to Uzbekistan in April this year, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh emphasized the trade and economic relations between our countries.

Commodity turnover is US$160 million, and President Islam Karimov was not very contented by the turnover between our countries. The two leaders signed agreements so that the relations between Uzbekistan and India would further develop", the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of India to Uzbekistan of Scand Ranjan Tayal, said.

Uzbekistan is capable to supply over 50 descriptions of goods to the friendly country. At present Uzbekistan exports spare parts to aircraft, hide production, silk cloths, cotton fibre, fertilizers, copper, zinc and other production.

Production cooperation presents one of the new forms of the economic relations betweens Uzbekistan and India.

According to its visiting programme, the Indian delegation is envisaged to attend the 3rd Indian exhibition "AgroTek", which will take place on 6-8 October in the Hotel Le Grande Plaza.

The exhibition will represent products of such branches as pharmaceutics, cosmetics, surgical and hospital equipment, food industry, textile, telecommunication technologies and others.

MTS-UZBEKISTAN TO PARTICIPATE IN ICT EXPO 2006

MTS-Uzbekistan Company (Uzdunrobita) will present a colourful stand styled to suit the new MTS brand at the First National Exhibition of Information Technology, ICT Expo – 2006, to be held on 26-28 September at UzExpoCentre Exhibition Complex. MTS Uzbekistan Company is the leader in the market of mobile communication of Uzbekistan and currently holds 50% of this market. MTS Uzbekistan network has the widest coverage in the country. The network continues to expand and develop: the number of base stations ensuring certain zone of radio-coverage and high quality connection increased 2.5 times compared to January 2005 (from 340 to 830).

MTS Uzbekistan currently has more than 1 million users. The user base monthly expansion rate averages 60,000 people. Since the beginning of the year the number of MTS Uzbekistan users has increased by 75% (around 580,000 in January 2006). Today, along with the traditional voice communication services, MTS Uzbekistan provides a wide range of additional services, such as SMS, MMS, WAP, GPRS, mobile paging, international roaming in more than 110 countries of the world, etc.

In 2006 MTS Uzbekistan has achieved remarkable results. The company has successfully gone through the process of re-branding. It began to provide mobile communication services under the new brand "MTS" starting 15 June. The achievements of MTS Uzbekistan were highly appraised by the international community, according to the results of the research conducted by TeleGeography Research, analytical subdivision of PriMetrica Inc. Uzdunrobita ranked sixth in the world among mobile communication operators by EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, dividends and amortization).

On 14 September the company marked its 15th anniversary, which coincided with the time when the number of company's users exceeded 1 million. The same day, MTS Uzbekistan conducted a presentation of its TIME™ prepaid system. The advantages of this product are simplicity and convenience in use, precise by-second tariffing in an online regime, and the possibility of using the phone until the balance reaches 0, as well as access to a wide range of additional services. TIME system users are offered two new product packages: Time Basic and Time Light. Under Time Basic calls are charged for by seconds starting from the 61 second of the talk. Under the Time Light, seconds are counted from the first second of the talk.

Specifically for the ICT Expo 2006, MTS Uzbekistan has prepared souvenirs for the visitors and different promotion and information materials. The visitors will be able to receive information concerning them from the qualified staff of the company.

Mobile Tele Systems (MTS) is the largest operator of mobile communication in Russia and CIS. Together with its subsidiaries, the company provides services to over 66.7 million users. The population of 87 regions of Russia, as well as Belarus, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, where MTS and its subsidiaries have licenses to provide GSM standard services, totals some 230 million people. MTS stock has been quoted at New York Stock Exchange under the code MBT since June 2000.

MTS Uzbekistan (Uzdunrobita) is the largest mobile communication operator in Uzbekistan. Uzdunrobita joined Mobile Tele Systems in August 2004. Today the company holds over 50% of the mobile communication market of Uzbekistan and has over 1 million users.

MTS Uzbekistan network covers all large areas of residence in Uzbekistan, and a large part of the main highways connecting them. In September 2006, Uzdunrobita marked its 15th anniversary.

TAPOICH TO PRODUCE PLANES FOR BUSINESSMEN

Tashkent Aircraft Production Association Named after Chkalov (TAPOiCh) has set up an experimental-design bureau. The first project the bureau is to work on is an aircraft for agricultural aviation, and the second is a 10-seat turbo-prop airplane envisioned for business trips.

"We have set up an experimental-design bureau. Its first creation will be an aircraft for agricultural aviation. The second project will be a business plane. We will start with a 10-seat aircraft, and later increase the number of seats to 30," said Director General of the TAPOiCh Vadim Kucherov during the meeting held at Tashkent Aircraft Construction Professional College.

He also said that a modernized transportation IL-76TD-90VD was handed over to Volga-Dnepr Company, and a certificate for the production of the modern model of short-distance passenger plane IL-114-100 was received in August of this year, press-uz.info said.

Kucherov added that IL-76TD-90VD was equipped with powerful PS-90A engines and improved navigation equipment. One of the advantages of this equipment is increased protection against collision in the air.

THIRD INDIAN TRADE EXHIBITION TO OPEN ON 6 OCTOBER

The Third Indian Trade Exhibition will be held on 6-8 October at Le Grande Plaza Hotel.

The exhibition will include products of different industries, such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, surgical and hospital equipment, food industry, textile industry, telecommunication technology, etc.

The Chambers of Industry and Commerce of India and CIS are organizing the event with the assistance of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Uzbekistan, the Embassy of the Republic of India in Tashkent, and the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in India.

SOCIETY

UZBEKISTANI MUFTI UPBEAT ABOUT WORLD AND TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS CONGRESS

At a news conference, held on 21 September, the chairman for the Spiritual Directorate for Muslims of Uzbekistan, the mufti, Usmankhoja Alemov, positively assessed the concluding documents, adopted in the second congress of leaders of world and traditional religions in Astana.

The documents call to desist from bloodshed and mutual hostility, based on the religious prejudices. Likewise, the documents proposed the ways of developing interdenominational dialogue. They obtained positive opinions among the Muslims of Uzbekistan, the mufti said.

The deputy chairman of the Committee for religious issues under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Artyk Yusupov, also positively assessed the results of the Astana congress of representatives of world and traditional religions. He noted that in Uzbekistan both Muslims and other confessing religions citizens, and also representatives of the clergy of leading concessions spoke out in favour of tolerance in the relations.

During the press conference, organized by the Spiritual Directorate for Muslims of Uzbekistan and by representatives of the Committee for religious issues under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the occasion of the forthcoming holy month of Ramadan for the people of practicing Islam, its participants gave estimation to the observance of religious liberty in Uzbekistan. It is planned to create necessary conditions for those, who will perform evening and night prayers in over 2,000 functioning mosques in the country. Representatives of the aforementioned organizations described the conditions, created in the republic for those who are going to make a pilgrimage (hajj) in Mecca. [Every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so is obliged to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in his or her lifetime].

This year they will comprise over 5,000 people. The deputy chairman of the committee for religious issues under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan, Artyk Yusupov, said that within the period of 1991-2006 over 53,000 people of Uzbekistan accomplished the rite of a large pilgrimage - hajj and over 32,000 citizens - the rite of a small pilgrimage - Umrah.

TASHKENT HOSTS CONFERENCE ON PAST AND PRESENT OF THE GREAT SILK ROAD

International scientific conference "Great Silk Road. Culture and Traditions. The Past and the Present", will be held in the International Caravan- Saray of culture of Ikuo Hirayama of the Academy of Fine Arts of Uzbekistan [in Tashkent] on 19-20 October, its organizers have reported.

The conference organizers are the Academy of Fine Arts of Uzbekistan, Fund Forum of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan, the UNESCO mission in Uzbekistan, the Ministry for Culture and Sport of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the International Caravan-Saray of culture of the Academy of Fine Arts. The implemetors of the project was the Khalqaro Madaniyat Komaklari [International Cultural Supports] LLC.

The aim of the conference is to attract the world community's interest in restoring Great Silk Road. The conference, turned out to be already an annual conference, will be attended by historians, archaeologists, restorers and experts from the countries of Europe, Central Asia, and also Australia, Russia, South Korea, Japan and other states.

The participants in this international forum will discuss the following topics: "The Great Silk Road: the history of creation and basic development stages", "The role of culture in the historical and political, social and economic aspects on the Great Silk Road's space", "The restoration of the wall painting of cultural and historical monuments", "Topical issues of the revival of the Great Silk Road in the 21st century", "Prospects for research and retention of material and spiritual heritage" and "Cultural traditions of the Great Silk Road in the contemporary artistic creativity of Central Asian peoples". From the first days of the formation of the International Caravan saray of culture, the basic purpose of the activity of this scientifically enlightenment establishment was to research the Silk Road in the historical aspect, to revive and popularize the traditions of development, and to expand cultural dialogues between the peoples of different countries of the world.

Joint large-scale materials research of archives and libraries, art masterpieces and material culture from the museum collections of our country and abroad with foreign specialists, the archeological excavations of Uzbekistan's unique monuments made it possible to make new, now and then sensational discoveries, which completed unexplored facts of history.

Development of transportation communications, and also the revival of the Great Silk Road is of particular importance in the epoch of globalization and integration of states in the region into the world economy, including the development of tourism sector. Likewise, it has a great impact on the blossoming and growth of welfare of these peoples. Since, the shortest and most advantageous routes of these world famous commercial arterial roads of antiquity lay on the territory of Uzbekistan, located in the heart of Central Asia, where they intersected, then the research of these issues are extremely urgent and has practical value.