12 October, 2006

Politics
Report by the Information Agency “Jahon”
Conference views coordination of Uzbek, Kyrgyz and Tajik emergency ministries

Economics
Uzbek trade and economic mission to visit Vienna and Bratislava
Uzbek-Russian trade turnover increases by 21% in January-August
Russian business delegation arrives in Uzbekistan to boost ties
Trainings on usage of Renewable Energy Sources in rural areas of Uzbekistan
American-Uzbek Chamber of Commerce holds anniversary session
MTS-Uzbekistan has over 1.09 mln subscribers

Society
Tashkent to receive Great Silk Road cities' mayors
International Conference on the Silk Road
Westminster University students receive diplomas
Love and tolerance as seen through camera
Uzbekistan won Bangladesh 4-0 at AFC Asian Cup 2007 qualifiers


REPORT BY THE INFORMATION AGENCY “JAHON

Uzbekistan, as an initiator of establishing a nuclear weapon free zone in Central Asia, has advocated and advocates the strict observance of the Nuclear weapon non-proliferation treaty provisions and accords profound significance to the issues of decreasing the threat of its use.

And in this very aspect Uzbekistan considers and condemns the nuclear test carried out by PDRK.

Republic of Uzbekistan supports the efforts, aimed at settlement of the situation to have unfolded at the Korean Peninsula, and expresses hope that it can be addressed exclusively by political and diplomatic way.

Proceeding from this, the Republic of Uzbekistan joins the appeals of the international community to take all efforts o¬n taking down the tension in Northeast Asia.

CONFERENCE VIEWS COORDINATION OF UZBEK, KYRGYZ AND TAJIK EMERGENCY MINISTRIES

The fifth regional conference, held within the framework of the DIPECHO-III programme, has discussed coordination of actions of emergency ministries of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, international and public organizations, in case of extraordinary situations.

The conference is financed by the European Commission for humanitarian assistance (ECHO), the communication coordinator to maintain liaison with the community of Mercy Corps (Tajikistan), Sanavbar Akbarova, said. The conference was attended by over 100 people from three countries, representatives of Mercy Corps, German agro-action, Habitat, Shelter for life, Pharmaciens sans frontiers, YGPE and the Red Crescent society.

During four days the participants discussed state and prospects for the development of "the reaction groups", analyzed and estimated the level of their readiness for emergency situations, discussed their further activity in this area and dissemination of self-training experience among local associations.

The coordinator of the project "Preparation for natural disasters and the decrease of risk of associations in the zones of perilous territories of Fergana valley", Rano Numanova, said that "a similar planning and close cooperation will make it possible for local population to have sufficient training under possible natural calamities in the nearest future". Likewise, the conference paid serious attention to the creation of information base for extraordinary situations in Ferghana valley.

ECONOMICS

UZBEK TRADE AND ECONOMIC MISSION TO VISIT VIENNA AND BRATISLAVA

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan invites Uzbekistan's entrepreneurs to participate in the commercial and economic mission to the cities of Vienna (Austria) and Bratislava (Slovakia).

This visit will take place on 12-17 November this year. Within the framework of the trade and economic mission Uzbekistani businessmen will have an opportunity to hold negotiations with representatives of business circles of Austria and Slovakia, to attend business-forums, and also to get acquainted with the cultural sights of Vienna and Bratislava.

UZBEK-RUSSIAN TRADE TURNOVER INCREASES BY 21% IN JANUARY-AUGUST

Trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Russia increased almost by 21%, Boris Atamanov, head of Trade Mission of Russia in Uzbekistan, said on Wednesday at the meeting of Ural businesses with their Uzbek counterparts.

As earlier reported, the delegation of Russian business is paying three-visit to Uzbekistan to boost cooperation between two countries.

Atamanov said at the meeting that Trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Russia made up US$1.38 billion in January-August 2006 or up by 20.9% year-on-year. He added that the potential between the sides is not exhausted and business circles of two states have issues to discuss and work on them.

Russian official recalled that trade turnover between two countries was US$2 billion in 2005.

Atamanov said the relations between Uzbekistan and Russia regulated with large number of interstate documents, signed in recent years, and it can be predicted that trade turnover between states will increase further.

Russia and Uzbekistan actively cooperate in trade, energy, telecommunication, oil and gas, chemical, pharmaceuticals and other sectors.

RUSSIAN BUSINESS DELEGATION ARRIVES IN UZBEKISTAN TO BOOST TIES

A delegation of Russian businesses led by President of Ural Chamber of Commerce and Industry Yuriy Matushkin is paying three-day visit to Uzbekistan to expand business cooperation among entrepreneurs of Uzbekistan and Russia.

The visit organized by Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan in cooperation with Ural Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Russian delegation includes leadership of Ural Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Ural enterprises and companies, engaged in metallurgy, oil and gas, housing, construction and others.

During their three day visit, Russian businesses will participate in various events. On 10 October, the Russian delegation attended business forum in Tashkent and discussed with their Uzbek counterparts issues on cooperation.

Yuriy Matushkin said in interview to UzReport.com that he hopes that the visit will allow to increase bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and Sverdlovsk region of Russia by 20%. He said Russian businesses arrived in Uzbekistan with their concrete proposals to hold constructive negotiations and establish contacts.

He said it is good opportunity for Uzbek businesses (to establish ties with Russian companies), as they should not travel to Russia.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan also hopes that the visit of Russian delegation to Uzbekistan will be fruitful.

Sayora Ataeva, head of department on foreign economic relations of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, said this is not first visit of Russian delegation to Uzbekistan and it expresses high interest to cooperation.

She added that the Uzbek side also shows great interest to collaboration with Russian businesses. The Russian delegation includes companies, engaged heavy, chemical and energy industries. Some 50 Uzbek companies attended business forum, she said.

Russia is one of the main economic partners of Uzbekistan. Trade turnover between countries made up US$1.6 billion in 2004 and US$2 billion in 2005. The share of Russia in total trade turnover of Uzbekistan makes up 22%.

TRAININGS ON USAGE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES IN RURAL AREAS OF UZBEKISTAN

On 25 September – 2 October, 2006 Clean Energy for Rural Communities in Karakalpakstan Phase II Project held series of training-seminars on potentials of renewable energy utilization in the villages and rural settlements in Karakalpakstan, as well as existing and possible financial mechanisms to mobilize resources for procurement and operation of renewable energy sources based on the experience of Kostruba village in Karakalpakstan, in Nukus, Urgench, Navoi and Bukhara.

Representatives of regional branches of State Committee for nature protection of the Republic of Uzbekistan , local authorities, NGO and private sector participated in the training-seminars.

Participants were informed about Clean Energy for Rural Communities in Karakalpakstan Phase II Project activities and objectives. Presentations on potential of renewable energy in Uzbekistan and application of renewable energy sources in Kostruba village were made by Mr. Khodjaev, Project Consultant. How renewable energy sources and equipment work was explained and benefits and good opportunities they offer were emphasized. Mr. Nagmetov continued with detailed explanations of financial mechanism established in Kostruba village to mobilize resources for procurement, operation and maintenance of photo-voltaic home system installed. The experience of Kostruba village consists of establishment of community account that will receive monthly contribution from the community members to be further utilized on procurement of lamps, spare parts, small reparations.

Participants expressed their interest in considering the benefits and opportunities the "clean" technology may offer to their regions and communities. Regional and local mechanisms to promote renewable energy being established in Karakalpakstan were of particular interest to the participants. They pointed out the need to demonstrate renewable energy potential, create mechanisms of support and promotion of renewable energy in all regions of Uzbekistan. During the training, the participants learned how to use solar energy technologies to solve the problem of absence of electricity in remote rural areas and which mechanisms exist to help doing so.

The objective of Clean Energy for Rural Communities in Karakalpakstan Phase II Project is to demonstrate the practical use of solar energy for independent supply of energy to remote settlements in Karakalpakstan and to raise public awareness in remote settlements of the advantages in using renewable energy sources. Application of renewable energy will contribute to reduction of CO2 emission and cleaner environment. Another outcome of the Project will be creation of a regional financial mechanism (micro-credit) for expansion of renewable energy utilization by rural communities.

AMERICAN-UZBEK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOLDS ANNIVERSARY SESSION

The expansion of mutually beneficial trade and economic relations between Uzbekistan and the USA serves the interests of both countries; it has been emphasized at the 10th annual session of the American-Uzbek Chamber of Commerce (AUCC), which has taken place in the embassy of Uzbekistan in Washington.

The session was attended by senior officials of the State Department, the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Power Engineering, the Agency for trade and development, Eximbank of the USA, and also representatives of American companies, including such well-known companies as Newkem, Case New Holland, Danovant Enterprises, Boeing, Caterpillar, Martin Lockhid and so on.

Addressing the audience at the session, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, J. Cornell, stated that in the past 10 years AUCC made significant contribution to development of commercial and economic relations between the USA and Uzbekistan. He says that according to the volumes of making direct foreign investments into the economy of Uzbekistan, "at present American companies remain among the leaders, and this fact is a striking evidence for the successful activity of the Chamber of Commerce". He also considers that AUCC contributes not only to the strengthening of trade and economic dialogue, but also "to the deepening of understanding in the USA of the significance of the enormous historical cultural heritage of Uzbekistan".

The representative of the American tourism business, M. Miller noted the Uzbek market's prospect for tourism and services industry. "There are few countries in the world, such as Uzbekistan, which have the most ancient architectural masterpieces, rich traditions and culture", he said. In his opinion, Uzbekistan is the natural civilized and historical centre, having traditionally determined and kept determining development and tendencies of the spiritual life of Central Asian peoples. In this context M. Miller noted that Americans need to acquaint more closely with the historical heritage of Uzbekistan.

As a whole, the participants in the session praised the work conducted by the government of Uzbekistan on gradually implementing the long-range programme of market reforms and modernization of the economy. The AUCC's session emphasized that as a result of these efforts, over the recent years sustained economic growth, macroeconomic and financial stability are prevailing in the country.

The American-Uzbek Chamber of Commerce (AUCC) is the voluntary noncommercial organization, created for the purpose of developing trade and investment activity between Uzbekistan and the USA. The founders of the AUCC are over 20 largest American corporations and banks. The AUCC include from the Uzbek party more than 60 state departments, associations, organizations, industrial enterprises and private companies.

MTS-UZBEKISTAN HAS OVER 1.09 MLN SUBSCRIBERS

Subscribers' base of MTS-Uzbekistan reached 1.09 million people as of 30 September 2006, according to data of MTS (Russia).

The Russian company said its Uzbek subsidiary recorded 9.4% growth of subscribers' base in September compared to August 2006.

MTS-Uzbekistan is the first Uzbek mobile operator, subscribers' base of which reached 1 million point.

MTS-Uzbekistan, earlier rendered services under Uzdunrobita brand, founded in August 1991 and it is the first mobile operator in Central Asia. The company also leads on number of subscribers in Uzbekistan.

SOCIETY

TASHKENT TO RECEIVE GREAT SILK ROAD CITIES' MAYORS

Tashkent International Tourism Fair (TITF), to be held on 26-28 October, will open a series of unique events within the framework of the first regional forum of the Great Silk Road countries' cities mayors.

Following their participation in the inaugural ceremony of the TITF "Tourism along the Silk Road", cities mayors of a number of countries, located on this ancient commercial arterial highway, during the two-day forum will discuss regional interaction and commercial and economic cooperation on the basis of the revival of the historic importance of the Great Silk Road.

The forum of Silk Road cities mayors will be held for the first time in Uzbekistan on the initiative of the UN Development Programme with the participation and support of Tashkent city administration, the National Company Uzbektourism, the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and UN World Tourism Organization.

In addition to the issues, dealing with the integrating efforts of the regional countries to develop tourism relations along the Silk Road, the forum is planning to discuss the attraction of investments in the improvement of urban and transport infrastructure both in quite historical centers and between them, environmental protections, the expansion of contacts in the sphere of culture and art and so on. On the results of meetings and discussions it is planned to accept a declaration of the Tashkent forum of cities mayors of the Silk Road.

A senior official of the UNWTO, Dr Harsh Varma will attend the tourism fair and forum. It is necessary to note that World Tourist Organization together with tourism administrations of member countries of the UNWTO, since 1993 it has been implementing a unique international project "Tourism along the Silk Road". Historical "Samarkand Declaration on tourism along the Silk Road" was adopted in 1994 within the framework of this project and during the UNWTO session. Since 1995 Tashkent has been hosting an annual international tourism fair, and since 2004 the UNWTO office has been functioning in Samarkand to implement this project.

It is expected that the new format of cooperation of countries, located on the Great Silk Road, will become extra incentive for wide and multilateral cooperation of the region's states; it will serve as the real confirmation of the renaissance of trade and economic and intercultural exchanges on this ancient arterial highway.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE SILK ROAD

On October 19-20 this year Tashkent will host the international science and theoretical conference, namely the "Great Silk Road. Culture and traditions. Past and Present".

Conference will take place at the International caravansary of culture of the Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan.

The news conference in Tashkent attended by both local and foreign journalists has been dedicated to this important event in the lives of scholarly and creative community in the country.

Organizers of the international conference - the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Uzbekistan, "Culture and Art Forum of Uzbekistan" Fund, UNESCO office in Uzbekistan, Academy of Sciences and Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan, as well as International caravansary of culture.

It is no secret that the term the "Great Silk Road" began to be scholarly used by following the example of the Deutsch researcher von Richgofen, who is known to have named as such the famous transcontinental trade highway in o¬ne of his research works published in 1877. He has reasoned such naming by the most expensive and popular commodity of antique times - the silk, which had in fact brought together the civilizations of the East and West. For over the span of several centuries the territory of Uzbekistan, while at the heart of Central Asia, has served as a unique connecting bridge between the states in Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Conference is called upon to promote the revival of the interest of the world scholarly community not o¬nly towards much detailed research of the given topic, but also breathing in a new life to its wonderful traditions, spirit of efficient cooperation of the people of various countries.

Holding of such science conferences in Uzbekistan represents a special significance since they promote the exchange of information about the newest, and sometimes, sensational discoveries by scientists from various countries, as well as popularize the important role, which has always belonged to Uzbekistan - at the crossroads of trade highways of the Silk Road.

Same conference of the last year, dedicated to the restoration of monuments of archaeology, architecture and art, has broadly echoed around the country and abroad. Therefore indeed this year more scholars have expressed their wish to come to the forum and send their research papers so that they would be published in the forum's final collection.

Scientists include the historians, archaeologists, restorers and experts from Europe and Central Asia, as well as Australia, Russia, South Korea, Japan, and other countries. Along with that, aiming to generalize the gathered data the organizers of the forum are working o¬n the database of scholars and experts, who specialize o¬n the Silk Road and bibliographical list of their research work.

Thank to the richest cultural heritage, which belongs to Uzbekistan, for over the span of many years the historical and cultural monuments o¬n the territory of the country have been attracting a rapt attention of the scholars around the world.

Hence, Uzbekistan has long ago become not o¬nly the venue for pilgrimage of tourists, but also foreign scientists, which annually undertake unique discoveries o¬n this soil - thus adding up the new pages to the country's history as well as treasury of the world civilization.

WESTMINSTER UNIVERSITY STUDENTS RECEIVE DIPLOMAS

A solemn ceremony of awarding graduates with university diplomas was held at Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT) on 6 October.

This was the graduation of students, who were trained in all four areas - "Economy", "Business Management", "Information technologies in business" and "International Law". The rector of Westminster University, Dr Jeffrey Kopland and other guests especially arrived from the capital of Great Britain (London) for attending the ceremony. Graduates' parents, and also all those, who made contribution to the formation and development of WIUT in our country were invited to the ceremony.

Following the address by the rector of the university, Dr Abdujabbar Abduvahitov, who congratulated the graduates on so significant event in their life, Dr Jeffrey Kopland, who had arrived from London made a welcoming speech before the audience. He noted that it had been great pleasure for him to participate in the previous year's first ceremony of presenting diplomas. And that day he was again granted a special privilege – to award diplomas to the second graduates of the university. "This year, said the Dr, the first graduates on the areas of "Economy", "Information technologies in business", "Law", and also the second graduates of the Faculty of "Business management" graduated from the university. As a result of this daring step, in terms of education students of Uzbekistan became the first graduates of this conceptually new higher educational establishment.

They acquired academic and professional skills of high level, being trained at this university, where the teaching is conducted in the English language. It is known that English is the basic language of world trade and diplomacy. There is no doubt that all skills to carry out work in English acquired during the training will prove useful to them in the future, and everyone as specialists, they will be demanded not only by employers of Uzbekistan, but also abroad".

It is worthy to note that Westminster International University in Tashkent, created on the initiative of the president of the Republic of Uzbekistan train highly skilled specialists in the above-indicated areas and unites in itself both the foreign and local potential of the development of education. The university enjoys wide experience and traditions of the best universities of Great Britain and Uzbekistan.

School leavers, who enter WIUT, are enrolled as the students of the Westminster University in London and are trained according to their certified programmes. The training language in this institution is English.

It is important that as in other higher educational establishments of our republic the teaching at the university is conducted on the grant and contract basis. Following the completion of the training, those graduates who studied on grant basis are directed to work at leading state organizations and enterprises. During the studying period students pass intensive practice at different establishments. The analysis of the results of studies and practice, and also working activity of the first graduates of WIUT gives grounds to assert that the students after receiving education at the university can successfully realize themselves in different spheres of the economy and business.

Until now about 40 leading organizations and companies expressed desire to accept WIUT graduates for work and sent the appropriate requests to the university. Among them there are such establishments of the republic as the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Fund for Reconstruction and Development, the National Bank of foreign economic activity of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the company Uzbekiston Havo Yollari (Uzbekistan Airways) national airline, Uzteleradiokompaniya (Uzbek television and radio company) and many others.

This year the university opened Master's Degree Programme in the area of "International business and management". Furthermore, WIUT is carrying out research activity and large-scale programmes to improve qualification and business trainings.

LOVE AND TOLERANCE AS SEEN THROUGH CAMERA

Photo-exhibition entitled "We love – we are loved: the meaning of love to tolerance and acceptance" was held on 6-14 October at the Tashkent House of Photography of the Arts Academy of Uzbekistan.

The artworks of young people from Uzbekistan, and other countries of CIS and Europe collected in the framework of the "A LoT: Acceptance through Love and Tolerance" Project have been included in the exposition.

The A LoT Project involves the organization of a photography contest, a photo-exhibition and a seminar, and the development of a website on tolerance.

The key idea behind the project is to demonstrate the importance of love for tolerance and acceptance in all of its expressions.

Special focus is made on the 14-30 age group, i.e. the group of the population regarded as most responsive to the influence of socio-economic reforms in the society.

The organizers of the project are young people understanding the importance of engaging in this event not professionals, but young people who would like to express their attitudes towards the concepts of tolerance, acceptance, and the meaning of love for both through art images.

The contest was conducted for two months. The total of 123 works of young people of Uzbekistan, CIS and Europe were collected.

Pictures were assessed by expert jury, among who were representatives of organizations, who have agreed to support this initiative, and professional artists.

The winners and laureates of the contests were announced during the exhibition opening ceremony.

A two-day workshop on "Youth and Tolerance" was conducted for the contest participants from Uzbekistan on 4-5 October. The workshop addressed theoretical and practical aspects of tolerance in a multinational state.

The project team expressed its gratitude to all sponsors, partners and project participants, who have responded to the initiative and contributed to its implementation.

UZBEKISTAN WON BANGLADESH 4-0 AT AFC ASIAN CUP 2007 QUALIFIERS

Uzbekistan won Bangladesh 4-0 and strengthened their claim on second position and a spot in the Finals over close contenders Hong Kong from Group F in the AFC Asian Cup 2007 penultimate qualifying round on Wednesday in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Hong Kong are to play group leaders Qatar, who have already qualified, in Doha later this evening and need to post a similar big win to stay in the running.

With the home and away games between Valeri Nepomniatchi's Uzbekistan and Hong Kong ending in draws, goal difference will act as the tie-breaker if both sides end up with the same points after the final and sixth Match Day on November 15.

Uzbekistan went into the game at the Army Stadium locked on five points with Hong Kong.

Ilyas Zeytullaev (10) lost little time in opening the scoring for the Central Asians and this opened the floodgates with Ulugbek Bakaev (18), Server Djeparov (22) and Maksim Shatskikh (29; penalty) making it 4-0 before the break against their clueless opponents. Uzbekistan's strangle-hold on the game continued in the second half but a series of misses ensured that there was no change in the scoreline.

The Uzbeks now have a positive goal difference of eight while Hong Kong have scored three and conceded five.

The Central Asians host Qatar on the final Match Day on 15 November while Bangladesh travel to Hong Kong hoping to break their duck.