10 December, 2006

Politics:
President announced 2007 as the Year of Social Protection
President signs law on establishment of Day of Workers of Interior Ministry
ECO Secretary General visits Uzbekistan, hold talks
Regional seminar to discuss issues on prevention of drug trafficking
Economics:
NBU, Societe Generale sign credit agreement for US$33m
KES-ESI, LUKOIL sign agreement on Uzbek project
Society:
Uzbekinvest launches new marketing campaign to award its 1,000th customer
Uzbek artists keep audience spellbound
Uzbekistan beat Jordan 3–1

POLITICS

PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED 2007 AS THE YEAR OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

Meeting, dedicated to 14th anniversary of Constitution of Uzbekistan, was held in Turkistan Palace. Representatives of science, culture and art, public members, as well as representatives of foreign embassies and organizations participated in the meeting.

Speaking at the meeting President Islam Karimov pointed out that Constitution includes avowed principles of democracy and freedom, it considers historical and national features of our nation.

2006 was the Year of Year of Charity and Medical workers, it provided an opportunity to implement consequent measures promote charity work, increase the reputation and status of those who donate money to charity, create legal basis for this process so that these unselfish and noble actions find their deserved place in our society.

Uzbek leader proposed to declare 2007 as the Year of Social Protection.

The suggestion of the head of the state was greeted with support at the grand celebrations of the 14th anniversary of the country’s constitution on the eve of the Constitution Day.

Earlier years in Uzbekistan were named as follows: Year of Charity and Medical workers (2006), Year of Health (2005), Year of Kindness and Mercy (2004), Year of Mahalla (2003), Year of interests of the elderly (2002), Year of mother and child (2001), Year of healthy generation (2000), Year of women (1999), Year of family (1998), Year of human interests (1997).

PRESIDENT SIGNS LAW ON ESTABLISHMENT OF DAY OF WORKERS OF INTERIOR MINISTRY

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed Law "On establishment of Day of Workers of Interior Ministry of Uzbekistan" on 6 December.

The Legislative Chamber (lower house) of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan passed the law on 29 November, while Senate (upper house) of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan approved it on 1 December.

In accordance with the law, 25 October set as Day of Workers of Interior Ministry of Uzbekistan.

ECO SECRETARY GENERAL VISITS UZBEKISTAN, HOLD TALKS

Secretary General of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Khurshid Anwar is paying visit to Uzbekistan.

ECO Secretary General held negotiations at Uzbek Foreign Ministry, Uzbekenergo (Uzbek energy) state joint stock company and Uzbek Association of Transport and Transport Communications.

The sides discussed issues of cooperation within ECO and perspectives of further strengthening of the organization.

The sides, in particular, considered issues of further intensification of collaboration in trade, energy and transport communications.

Mr Khurshid Anwar acquainted with sights in Tashkent and Bukhara cities, the report concluded.

REGIONAL SEMINAR TO DISCUSS ISSUES ON PREVENTION OF DRUG TRAFFICKING

Five-day regional seminar for workers of inter-departmental sub-units on fight against drugs at international airports of Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan will start in Tashkent on 11 December.

The seminar aimed at strengthening opportunities on control drug trafficking at main international airports in Central Asia. Within project "Control over drugs in airports", it is planned to create special sub-units on fight against drugs in each above mentioned states. These sub-units will unite opportunities of law enforcement bodies in prevention of illegal drug turnover and coordinate their actions in organization of joint measures.

Six representatives from each state will participate in the seminar, which will allow to exchange experience, strengthen cooperation among staff of airports, as well as agree procedures and methods on drug control.

One of the main issues on the agenda of the seminar is to discuss opportunities on creation of database and exchange the best methods on realization of agreement on exchange of information among states.

The seminar was organized under aegis of Central Asian Drug Action Programme (CADAP), financed y European Commission. The UN Development Programme is realizing project in cooperation with UN Office on Drug and Crime.

The overall objective of CADAP is to foster a development-oriented drug control strategy in Central Asia that ensures a sustained reduction of drug consumption and trafficking in line with European Commission drug strategies. The programme renders assistance in preparation and realization of new legal base on prevention of drug spread in each country, supply specialized equipment and preparation of national drug reports.

ECONOMICS

NBU, SOCIETE GENERALE SIGN CREDIT AGREEMENT FOR US$33M

National Bank of Uzbekistan for Foreign Economic Activities (NBU) signed a credit agreement on issue of US$33 million to construction of gold mining complex in Central Kyzylkum with Societe Generale of France.

The credit issues under guarantees of Uzbek government and it is expected that the French bank will open financing in mid-December.

Uzbekistan attracts credit of Societe Generale to construction of gold mining complex at Kokpatas and Daugistau deposits, which is owned by Navoi Mining and Metallurgy Combine (NGMK).

Uchkuduk gold mining plant, which will work on the basis of biooxide leaching technology, mining enterprises at Koktapas and Daugistau deposits, are part of complex.

The project will be realized in two stages. The first phase envisages construction of capacities on processing 3 million tonnes of ore a year and production of gold at the volume of 10 tonnes. In the first phase, the gold recovering plant will receive ore from Kokpatas deposit. Daugistau deposit will be used in the second phase. The designed capacity of the second phase is 2 million tonnes of ore processing and 10 tonnes of gold production a year.

The cost of technological part of the first stage of project is US$80.5 million and the second phase – US$30 million. Total cost of the project with construction of mining enterprises valued at US$150 million. The project financed due to own resources of NGMK and credit resources.

Engineering Dobersek GmbH of Germanby and NGMK signed an agreement on supply of equipment for construction of gold mining complex at Koktapas and Daugistau deposits within the first phase of the project. The cost of agreement is US$30 million.

NGMK, fully owned by Uzbek government, is one of the largest gold producers in Central Asia. Muruntau, Central Kyzylkum, is main gold ore base of NGMK. The company has two gold mining plants – GMZ-2 in Zarafshan and GMZ-3 in Uchkuduk.

New gold mining complex, which will process sulphide ores, will be second line of GMZ-3. The company has license agreement with South African Biomin on use of Biox, biooxide leaching technology, in processing of gold-sulfide ore.

KES-ESI, LUKOIL SIGN AGREEMENT ON UZBEK PROJECT

KES-EnergoStroiEngineering (KES-ESI invovled in KES-Holding) won the tender on the energy transfer to the Khauzak Dengizkulskoe gas field in Uzbekistan, which is explored by LUKOIL Uzbekistan Operating Company, a subsidiary of LUKOIL Overseas.

The sides signed a corresponding agreement on the project. The project's cost is over US$9.5 million and it will be implemented within 6 months. It is expected that it will be finished in July 2007.

Within the contract KES-ESI will ship the equipment and install Khauzak substation for the launching.

Dengizkul is a part of the large project Kandym-Khauzak-Shady-Kungrad being under the LUKOIL and Uzbekneftegaz realization within the PSA signed in 2004.

The KES-ESI contract meets the strategy of the company aimed to increase its operations in the Central Asia.

KESEneroStroiEngineering is dealing in the sector of the energy objects construction, designing and launching into the operation. The annual turnover of the works is appraised to exceed 5.2 billion Russian rubles.

KES-Holding is one of the leading private companies performing in the energy business sphere, in particular, it provied the strategic stakes managing in several generating companies including TGK-5, TGK-6, TGK-9.

KES Holding also has the shares in UES, Irkutskenergo, Yayvinskaya GRES, Serovskaya GRES, RKS (75%).

SOCIETY

UZBEKINVEST LAUNCHES NEW MARKETING CAMPAIGN TO AWARD ITS 1,000TH CUSTOMER

Following the strategy of further encouraging customers' fidelity and loyalty to insurance services and enhancing insurance culture of the populationm Uzbekinvest national export-import insurance company has announced it will launch a marketing campaign "Thousandth customer" from 1 January 2007.

The action will be held in Tashkent in the form of draw game of valuable prizes among insurers – individuals, who have acquired insurance policy.

The action will be attended by insurance polices of motor transport (except motor vehicles to be left as a deposit), property insurance, accident insurance, personal liability insurance (except obligatory motor third party liability insurance). The action will continue until 1 December 2007.

Winners of the draw game will be presented with the prizes for the 1,000th customer of the company.

UZBEK ARTISTS KEEP AUDIENCE SPELLBOUND

A dance and music show by Sogdiana Chamber Orchestra, Uzbekistan was organised at Surya Auditorium in Lucknow Cantonment on Sunday evening. The show was organised under the joint auspices of Indian Council of Cultural Relations, Govt of India and Headquarters Central Command.

The internationally renowned 20 member orchestra troupe which is on a visit to India under a cultural exchange programme, kept the audience enthralled throughout the evening with their song and dance sequences ranging from classical Uzbek songs and folk melodies to the more popular local numbers from Raj Kapoor's evergreen films like 'Shri 420' and 'Aawara'.

Maj Gen RK Sanan, MG EME, Central Command, who graced the occasion as the chief guest, feliciated the troupe members with bouquets who in turn gave an Uzbek cap and shawl as a momento to the General. Speaking on the occasion, the troupe leader Feruza Abdurakhimova said that music was a universal language and knew no boundaries, Indian media reported.

UZBEKISTAN BEAT JORDAN 3–1

Uzbekistan enjoyed a victory at the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006 football tournament and progressed to the quarterfinals.

Uzbekistan beat Jordan 3–1 at the Al-Gharrafa Football Stadium for their third successive victory in the tournament to head group A with a maximum nine points to progress to the quarter finals.

They took the lead through Alexander Geynrikh in the 11th minute, before Odai Alsaify equalised for the Jordanians in the 35th minute. Vitaliy Denisov restored Uzbekistan’s lead with a goal in the 47th minute and Server Djeparov wrapped up the win in the 74th minute.

Qatar also qualified for the quarterfinals of the football competition after they defeated United Arab Emirates 4–1 in anpther group A match.

From the remaining group games to be played, only one team, the runner-up from group E, has the possibility of finishing above Qatar. This means Qatar have now secured at least the position as the second-best runner-up and will join group winners Uzbekistan, Korea and Thailand in the quarterfinals.

If Qatar does finish as the best runner-up, they will have to play group-mates Uzbekistan in the quarterfinals, the team they lost to in their group encounter 1–0.