April 20, 2009
Politics:
“Uzbekistan – A Country with Substantial Opportunities” – Foreign Minister Luis Amadu of Portugal
Economics:
Pakistan, Uzbekistan sign protocol for economic cooperation
Korean Air leases cargo plane to Uzbekistan Airways
Uzbek, Russia's Bashkortostan trade chambers sign cooperation accord
Korean delegation, Uzbekneftegaz discuss implementation of projects
Society:
OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan holds training courses on human rights for regional officials
Winners of the Customs Reform Coverage Contest Awarded
Global brands to participate at Stomatology Uzbekistan 2009
POLICY
“UZBEKISTAN – A COUNTRY WITH SUBSTANTIAL OPPORTUNITIES” – FOREIGN MINISTER LUIS AMADU OF PORTUGAL
As has been reported early by the Information Agency “Jahon” referring to the Press-Service of the Uzbekistan Foreign Ministry, last week the delegation of Portugal led by Foreign Minister Luis Amadu visited Uzbekistan for talks.
On February 16 this year the delegation has been to the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan to talk to the Speaker of Lower House of national parliament Dilorom Tashmuhamedova, according to the Khalk sozi Uzbek-language newspaper.
At the Legislative Chamber negotiations the sides are reported to have underscored that Uzbekistan and Portugal, as much as in other areas of interaction, were gradually continuing the parliamentary cooperation.
“Uzbekistan is the country with substantial economic opportunities, rich culture and ancient history,” Foreign Minister Amadu said, “Portugal accords a special attention to furthering and consolidating the ties with Uzbekistan. I come to Uzbekistan to further develop the political, economic and humanitarian relations between our countries.”
Also, at the talks at the national parliament the sides discussed the current state and prospects of relations between the higher legislative bodies of Uzbekistan and Portugal.
In Tashkent the Portuguese delegation has also had talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, according to the newspaper.
ECONOMY
PAKISTAN, UZBEKISTAN SIGN PROTOCOL FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION
Pakistan and Uzbekistan on Saturday signed a protocol to cooperate in water, power, agriculture, leather, textile, tourism and pharmaceutical sectors and to enhance bilateral trade between the two countries, Uzreport Information Portal reported.
The agreement was signed in Tashkent after the conclusion of 4th session of Pak?Uzbek Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC). The Chairman of the JMC from Pakistan side Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf and the Uzbek Minister for Agriculture and Water Management Safiuddin Ismailove signed the protocol.
The 4th session of the JMC was held at Tashkent from 17 to 18 April. The session discussed various proposals to enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation and stressed the need for joint strategy in this regard.
The Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf also called on the Uzbek Prime Minister and delivered a special message of good wishes of the Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani to him.
The Minister urged for opening of a branch of National Bank of Pakistan in Tashkent. He said that the government of Pakistan is considering a request of Uzbekistan for provision of transport facilities at Gawadar Port and Port Qasim.
He also informed him the Federal Cabinet has ratified the transit trade agreement with Uzbekistan. The Uzbek Prime Minister during the meeting assured that the necessary formalities are being finalized for opening of branch of National Bank in Tashkent.
Uzbek PM also expressed his good wishes and solidarity with Pakistan for its fight against terrorism.
Pervez Ashraf also held meetings with the Uzbek Minister of Commerce, Water, Economic Affairs and the delegation of chamber of commerce and industry. They all assured of their full cooperation and joint venture projects in Pakistan.
KOREAN AIR LEASES CARGO PLANE TO UZBEKISTAN AIRWAYS
The first A 300-600F cargo plane of the Korean Air, leased by Uzbekistan Airways, arrived in Tashkent on Monday, UzA reported.
The South Korean carrier will lease two Airbus cargo liners to the Uzbek national air company to be used to develop the Regional logistics center in Navoi.
As reported earlier, the first free industrial zone in Uzbekistan is currently being created in Navoi region in accordance with the decree of the President of 2 December 2008.
The zone will be located in the area of the Navoi international airport in order to create favorable conditions for investors. The plans include organization of highly technological production facilities.
According to Uzbekistan Airways director-general Valery Tyan, the Navoi economic zone requires corresponding transport infrastructure, including the air infrastructure.
This is why the airport is currently being transformed into the international logistics hub, which will then become the center for processing regional cargo and distribution of goods and services.
The main idea of the joint Uzbek-South Korean project is to create a global cargo network to unite cargo routes from Asia to Europe and back through the multi-modal logistics hub of the Navoi airport.
On receiving the A 300-600F plane, Uzbekistan Airways receives access to the cargo markets across the world. The plane can carry up to 40 tons of cargo and fly to distances equal to 7,000 km.
Initially, Uzbekistan Airways plans carrying out cargo flights on routes to Delhi, Bangkok and Moscow, with further expansion of the geography of flights in both Asian and European directions.
UZBEK, RUSSIA'S BASHKORTOSTAN TRADE CHAMBERS SIGN COOPERATION ACCORD
The heads of the commerce and industry chambers of Uzbekistan and Bashkortostan, Alisher Shaykhov and Sergey Yefremov respectively, have signed a cooperation agreement, Uzreport Information Portal reported.
During the meeting, the sides had discussed prospects for business cooperation and opportunities for mutually beneficial projects.
A delegation of businessmen from Bashkortostan held a meeting in Tashkent with the management of the Uzbekneftegaz [Uzbek oil and gas] national holding company and officials from agencies under the holding.
The sides discussed prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation, as well as exchanged information on international specialized fairs, in particular, on the fairs of the fuel and energy sector, as well as the chemical, oil and metallurgy industries, which are under way in Tashkent (at the Uzexpotcenter national exhibition centre).
The sides also shared information on the forthcoming congress of Russian oil and gas producers and on the international specialized fair entitled "Gas. Oil. Technology-2009" scheduled for 26-29 May in the town of Ufa.
The meeting adopted a decision to arrange an Uzbek delegation's visit to the events.
KOREAN DELEGATION, UZBEKNEFTEGAZ DISCUSS IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECTS
Chairman of the Board of Uzbekneftegaz [Uzbek oil and gas] national holding company received a delegation led by deputy minister of energy and resources of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy Kim Young Hak and President of Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC) Kang Young-won.
The sides discussed realization of exploration projects in investment blocks in Uzbekistan.
Uzbekneftegaz and KNOC signed an agreement on exploration of Chust-Pap and Namangan-Tergach investment blocks in Ferghana region in 2008. The sides agreed work schedule for 2009, which envisages completion of seismology and field works and receive the preliminary results.
The sides also exchanged opinion on cooperation on utilization of other investment blocks and establishment of cooperation in processing of hydrocarbons.
The Korean side expressed satisfaction with the work on project on complex development of Surgil field.
SOCIETY
OSCE PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR IN UZBEKISTAN HOLDS TRAINING COURSES ON HUMAN RIGHTS FOR REGIONAL OFFICIALS
A series of training courses on the theory and international standards of human rights, organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, began today in Termez, a city in the southern Surkhandarya region, Uzreport Information Portal reported.
Staff from the regional subdivisions of Department for Human Rights Protection and Legal Provision of the Internal Affairs Ministry in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Bukhara, Kashkadarya, Khorezm, Navoi, Samarkand and Surkhandarya regions as well as representatives of other internal affairs services dealing with human rights issues will take part in the three-day courses, to be held in Termez as well as Bukhara and Khiva, two other cities in Surkhandarya.
"The training courses on human rights theory and international standards contribute to the implementation of the UN General Assembly Resolution 62/171 on the International Year of Human Rights Learning," said Ambassador Istvan Venczel, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, at the opening ceremony on 20 April.
The UN General Assembly has designated 10 December 2008 to 10 December 2009 as the International Year of Human Rights Learning. The year commenced on the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Course participants will examine basic principles of human rights and the international system of human rights protection, including international human rights documents and treaties. They also will discuss the role of law enforcement in ensuring rights such as the right to peaceful assembly, privacy and freedom of expression, and conduct practical exercises on protecting and restoring human rights and freedoms.
The course series is the second of its kind organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator. The first series took place in February in Tashkent and Ferghana. These courses form part of project that aims to help Uzbekistan's Interior Ministry build the capacity of its Human Rights Protection Department.
WINNERS OF THE CUSTOMS REFORM COVERAGE CONTEST AWARDED
A ceremony of awarding the winners of the contest among journalists on coverage of customs administration reforms in Uzbekistan was held on April 17, 2009 in UNDP Country Office in Uzbekistan, the press-release of by the UNDP Country Office in Tashkent has said.
As part of the Government’s consistent measures aimed at creating the enabling environment for private sector development and eradication of all barriers restraining development of entrepreneurship, a comprehensive reform of the system of customs administration is underway. In particular, the new revision of the Customs Code and additional measures aimed at improving the customs administration are being developed in the nation, according to the press-release.
The efficiency of ongoing customs reform as a whole and elaboration of the new revision of Customs Code in particular much depend on reflecting the opinions and concerns of business entities engaged in foreign trade activity. In this regard, it is important to maintain a constant and constructive policy dialogue between the Government, private sector and other involved parties, thus providing for opportunities for the joint analysis and search for comprehensive solutions of unresolved issues.
In this context, the mass media plays a significant role in building the public awareness on the major directions of ongoing reforms in the system of customs administration and legislation, as well as about conceptual approaches for its implementation. Therefore, lately wide coverage of customs related issues in the mass media has become a common practice.
In the framework of activities aimed at involving all stakeholders in policy dialogue on customs reform, the joint project of the United Nations Development Program in Uzbekistan and the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, namely “Improving the System of Customs Administration in the Republic of Uzbekistan” in partnership with the International Center for In-service Training of Journalists and Economic Review magazine in October 2008 has announced a contest among journalists of all types of mass media on the best materials covering tasks and urgent issues of customs reform, issues of improving customs legislation and customs administration in Uzbekistan.
Thirty materials of journalists from various national and local media were submitted to the contest. The independent panel, having reviewed all materials, identified the winners who featured creative approach and professionalism in coverage of the customs reform.
In accordance with the decision of the jury, Gulnora Abdunazarova, reporter of Tax and Customs News newspaper won the first place. Valentina Pavlovskaya, Editor-in-Chief of the Chirchik newspaper, took the second place. Salimakhon Rustamova – the editor from Ferghana Regional Broadcasting Company received the third place, according to the press-release.
The journalists – winners of the contest were awarded the valuable prizes and diplomas for their contribution to the broad coverage of urgent issues and achievements of customs reform, as well as the use of innovative approaches in their activities.
The facilitators of the event wished creative success to the journalists in their prospective work to raise public awareness on the ongoing transformations in the systems of customs administration of Uzbekistan.
Given the important role of the media in informing the public in general on the abovementioned transformations and the need for further capacity building for the media, the Improving the System of Customs Administration in the Republic of Uzbekistan Project plans to continue such initiatives. Thus, in the first half of May 2009 it is planned to conduct an additional training for officials of press services of customs bodies and journalists of the national mass media with an objective to improve their professional competence in coverage of customs reform.
It is expected that the training will be based on the latest methods of teaching based on interactive learning through group work and review of case studies. Competent specialists from the State Customs Committee and Higher Military Customs Institute will conduct the training.
For more information about the training and the Project’s activities please refer to the above contacts or visit www.customsreform.uz.
GLOBAL BRANDS TO PARTICIPATE AT STOMATOLOGY UZBEKISTAN 2009
Fifth Anniversary Uzbekistan International Exhibition Stomatology Uzbekistan 2009 will take place in Tashkent's UzExpoCenter on 21-23 April 2009, according to Uzreport Information Portal.
The event is organized by ITE Uzbekistan, member of UFI, and its partner I.T.E. Exhibitions & Conferences Ltd (UK).
Over 30 companies from Germany, Denmark, China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Switzerland and South Korea will participate at the exhibition. Over 60 famous global brands will be presented at the exhibition.