22 December, 2006
Politics:
Islam Karimov expresses condolences on Turkmenbashi’s passing away
Kurban Hayit to be celebrated on 30 December
Economics:
Uzbekistan builds up produce export thanks to growth of supplies to Russia
Prospective Gas Deposits Under Development
Society:
Patriotism Month Held With Just Days Away From Homeland Defender’s Day
Uzbek Exposition Goes To “Christmas Bazaar” in Kiev
POLITICS
ISLAM KARIMOV EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON TURKMENBASHI’S PASSING AWAY
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov expressed deep condolences to the family and close ones of the President of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Niyazov, who passed away on 21 December.
In a letter to Gurbanguli Berdymukhamedov, temporarily acting President of Turkmenistan, Islam Karimov said: “The news on untimely passing away of the President of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Niyazov, distinguished leader, faithful son of the Turkmen people, who gave all efforts to serving his country, was accepted with deep sorrow.”
KURBAN HAYIT TO BE CELEBRATED ON 30 DECEMBER
The day of 30 December, the first day of the Kurban Hayit (Eid al-Adha), will be celebrated as a national holiday and will be a day-off in Uzbekistan.
President Islam Karimov signed a corresponding decree on 22 December.
The related state bodies and public organizations have been entrusted by the decree to ensure organization of all holiday-related events at the high level.
Kurban Hayit is celebrated as a national holiday according to the presidential decree “On announcing Kurban Hayit religious holiday” of 20 June 1991.
ECONOMICS
UZBEKISTAN BUILDS UP PRODUCE EXPORT THANKS TO GROWTH OF SUPPLIES TO RUSSIA
Since the beginning of this year Uzbekistan has exported around 694,000 tonnes of agricultural products worth a total of US$342 million.
At the same time, in 2005 the export accounted for about 660 thousands tons. Russia remained the main buyer of Uzbek agricultural produce; the share of this country in the total supplies has increased from 50% to 86%.
According to information of the source, around 250,000 tonnes of vegetables and cucurbits crops (worth US$83 million) and 404,000 tonnes of fruits (worth US$244 million) have been exported since the beginning of 2006. In addition, 32,800 tonnes of processed products and 7,000 tonnes of vine products have been exported during the mentioned period of time.
To the opinion of the analysts of "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" journal, the growth of produce export from Uzbekistan became possible primarily due to the banned supplies of vegetables, fruits and berries of Polish, Moldavian and Georgian origin to Russia. At the same time Russia created the maximally favorable conditions for the supplies of fresh and processed produce from Uzbekistan to Russian market. The experts point out that Uzbekistan has very favorable climate for the further growth of fruit and vegetable production and export.
PROSPECTIVE GAS DEPOSITS UNDER DEVELOPMENT
The Uzbek-Swiss joint venture, Gissarneftegaz plans to start extracting natural gas at the deposits Severny Nishan and Severny Guzar (the Bukhara-Khiva Area), the project is scheduled for December 2006.
When the Severny Guzar deposit reaches its rated capacity, it will produce 430 million cubic meters of natural gas and 30,000 tons of gas condensate. The Severny Nishan's rated capacity is about 2 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year.
Some US $70 million worth of investments will be implemented by the end of this year. According to preliminary data, in 2007, the joint venture is expected to invest more than US $60 million in reconnaissance and development of oil and gas fields countrywide.
Last year, Switzerland's Zeromaxand Shurtanneftegaz (which is an integrated part of the National Holding Company Uzbekneftegaz) established a joint venture enterprise, called Gissarneftegaz, to be engaged in the implementation of reconnaissance and prospecting works within the Tagan-Shimoly-Tandyrchi area of the Gissar region, as well as to develop the following gas condensate deposits: Severny Nishan, Kamashi, Beshkent, Severny Guzar and Shakarbulak, all based in the Bukhara-Khiva oil-bearing district.
SOCIETY
PATRIOTISM MONTH HELD WITH JUST DAYS AWAY FROM HOMELAND DEFENDER’S DAY
The month of mass patriotism dedicated to the Homeland’s Defenders Day and the 15th anniversary of formation of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan is now held in Uzbekistan.
Within the framework of the Month the meeting, namely “Homeland is Sacred to Everyone” took place at the Tashkent city department of the Republican Center for Spirituality. Military service people, deputy directors of the professional colleges and schools, as wells as the community members participated at the event.
Head of the Republican Center for Spirituality M.Khojimatov and lieutenant colonel I.Inoyatov of the Ministry of Defense have underscored the efficiency of the ongoing reforms in the Uzbek Armed Forces.
The conditions created for the military servicemen and cadets, as well as the privileges enjoyed by them now increase the prestige of military service and promote the raise of interest of the young people to serve in the national army.
The important factor in this work serves the decree of President Islam Karimov “On the measures to further improve the system of privileges to the active-duty military servicemen in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan” of October 31, 2005 and other documents.
UZBEK EXPOSITION GOES TO “CHRISTMAS BAZAAR” IN KIEV
The 14th International Fair “Christmas bazaar” took place in the grand exhibition hall of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Ukraine. The Ukrainian and international companies, as well as the foreign diplomatic missions accredited in Kiev, which represented their countries, culture, national cuisine and drinks, exclusive handmade items, and traditional souvenirs, participated at the event.
Uzbekistan exposition for the first time went to display at the fair. It was decorated in the national style with a colorful information stand, which told about the historical cities of the country.
At the same time, the Uzbek exposition offered such goods of the decorative applied art of the nation as suzane, han-atlas fabrics, men’s and women’s national costumes, gowns, china and wooden souvenir items crafted in traditional oriental style.
Also, the paintings of modern Uzbek artists were among other items, which drew the particular attention of the fair visitors. The photo exhibition told the contemporary Uzbekistan, as well as its social and economic progress, as well as the cultural reawakening in the country.
Besides, the visitors to the fair have gained an opportunity to enjoy the Uzbek national cuisine, and especially, the dry fruits, national sweets, and mouthwateringly delicious melons and watermelons.
The Ukrainian tourist companies “Noviy mir”, “Krym-turbyuro”, and “Piligrim” have expressed their keen interest to establish contacts with their Uzbek partners in the field to set up the tours along world-famous destinations of Uzbekistan – the pearls of the Great Silk Road.
The “Christmas Bazaar” has been broadly covered by the local mass media in the Ukraine, where the TV pictures of the Uzbek exposition were aired through the news channels around the country.