February 26, 2011

Opening the meeting, Vice Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Elyor Ganiyev said the relations between the two countries were successfully developing in all areas.

Both Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are interested in expansion of mutual cooperation, which is proved by the regular meetings at the highest level.

The two states have huge potential for development of relations in the economic sector, including oil and gas, international cargo transit, and other fields.

The volume of mutual trade between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan made up USD 195.5 million last year. The sides agreed to use all opportunities to increase this figure in the future.

Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan Bayar Abayev expressed satisfaction with the results of cooperation in various areas.

“The relations between our countries are developing dynamically in the spirit of mutual trust, respect and interest,” he said at the session. (Source: UzA News Agency)

Kungrad Soda Plant, only soda ash producer in Central Asian region, produced 90,300 tonnes of soda ash in 2010. According to Uzkimyosanoat (Uzbek Chemical Industry), the grow rate made up 17.6% year-on-year. Currently, the enterprise produces 240-250 tonnes of high-quality product a day. The figure was achieved due to using 80% of the production capacities. Currently, demand of Uzbekistan to soda ash is rated at 56,500 tonnes a year. In 2009, over 88,000 tonnes of soda ash were realized, of which 56,000 tonnes in internal market. According to UzEX data, Kungrad Soda Plant has realized 5,400 tonnes of soda since the beginning of 2011, which is up 6% year-on-year. Main consumers are enterprises of glass industry. Their share in soda buyers makes up 72%. Aggregate share of textile, oil and fat, and other industries grew from 10% to 28%. Ferghana region was leader among regions with 55%. Due to growth of demand to soda ash in global markets, the prices for this product also grew at UzEX.

In October 2010, the prices increased from 495,000 soums to 505,000 soums per tonnes. In the end of 2010, the prices reached 518,000 soums per tonne. Uzkimyosanoat is planning to increase production capacity of Kungrad Soda Plant to 150,000 tonnes a year. Uzkimyosanoatloyiha, planning institution and part of Uzkimyosanoat, started to develop preliminary feasibility study of the project on expansion of production at the Kungrad Soda Plant.

At the end of 2011, the feasibility study will be discussed by leading specialists of the industry. In early 2012, the tenders on supply of equipment will be announced. In the middle of 2012, Uzkimyosanoat will start modernization of the plant’s capcities. The project will be realized within three years. The preliminary cost of the project is US$50 million. The expansion of capacities of the plant will be carried out due to raising limestone production at Jamansay field and technical salt at Barsakelmes field in Karakalpakstan. The annual demand of these raw materials makes up 153,000 tonnes of limestone, 160,000 tonnes of salt and 1,000 tonnes of ammonia.

Kungrad Soda Plant is only enterprise on production of soda ash in Central Asia. The enterprise was commissioned in August 2006 by China’s Citic Pacific Ltd. and Uzkimyosanoat. Total project cost was US$100 million. In line with contract, Citic Pacific Ltd. designed and constructed technical part of the plant on “on turnkey” basis with the cost of US$32.3 million. China Industrial-Commercial Bank financed technological part of the project under insurance coverage of China Export-Credit Insurance Corporation (90% of the contract) and loan of Uzpromstroytbank (10% of contract) under the guarantee of the Uzbekistan Government. General construction works were executed by local insurance companies due to own resources of Uzkimyosanoat. The project capacity of the enterprise is 100,000 tonnes of ash soda a year.

The main raw material for construction of soda ash is sodium chloride (salt) and limestone. All main raw materials for production are produced in Uzbekistan.

The sodium chloride is mined at Barsakelmes deposit, located 53km away from Kungrad Soda Plant and limestone at Jamansay limestone deposit, developed at 250 km away from the plant. According to geologists, the approved reserves of these raw materials can satisfy demand of the plant for over 100 years. At necessity, these reserves can be expanded.

Another component of production is ammonia, which is supplied by enterprises of Uzkimyosanoat – Maxam-Chirchiq (Chirchiq city) and Navoiazot (Navoi city). For last three years, Kungrad Soda Plant increased exports by five times. According to targeted figures of industrial development of Uzbekistan for 2011-2015, the production volume of soda ash in Uzbekistan will reach 95,000 tonnes this year. According to forecast, the plant will reach its designed capacity (100,000 tonnes) in 2012. (Source: UzDaily.com)

Uzpharmsanoat to implement 59 projects

State-Joint-Stock concern Uzpharmsanoat is planning to realize 59 projects with total cost of over US$1.086 billion within the programme on priorities of industrual develoment of Uzbekistan for 2011-2015.

In particular, 33 projects of Uzpharmsanoat were included to the list of the investment projects, which are under imlementation and prepared to realization in industry.

Total cost of these projects makes up US$390.4 million. At the same time, foreign investments and loans makes up US$319.4 million, loans of banks – US$51.1 million and own resources of Uzpharmsanoat – US$19.9 million.

Uzpharmsanoat will direct US$376.4 million to new construction and US$14 million to modernization and reconstruction.

In 2011-2015, it is planned to utilize investments for US$386.9 million. In the reporting period, the volume of invetsments to new construction will make up US$373.4 million and to modernization and reconstruction – US$13.5 million.

Main part of investments will be used within two projects. In particular, it is planned to organize production of immunobiologic medicmants in Tashkent by 2013. The annual capacity of the enterprise will make 12 million doses.

The cost of the project makes up US$100 million. The project is fully financed due to investments of Omninvest KFT (Hungary).

Diecon GmbH (Germany) will invest US$150 million to the project on production of insulina, injections and other medicaments in Tashkent region in 2011-2015. The plant will produce 25 million doses of medicaments a year.

The capacities on production of medicaments for treatment of socially important diseases will be created at Code Pharm in Navoi free industrial and economic zone. The enterprise will produce 468 million units of medicaments a year.

Poland’s Code Pharm Sp.z î.î. is planning to direct US$19.3 million to the project. The commercial banks will also allocate US$10 million.

Uzpharmsanoat also plans to launch production of syringes and needles, medicaments and injections, vitamins, antibiotics and others.

Twenty-one projects with the cost of US$348 million were included to new investment projects in industry, which are under development now. The volume of foreign investments to these projects will make up US$202.8 million, loans of the bank – US$145 million and own resources of Uzpharmsanoat – $0.2 million.

The volume of investments to new construction will make up US$327.5 million and to modernization and reconstruction – US$20.5 million.

Within these projects, it is planned to launch capacities on production of medicaments, anabolic medicaments, antiviral medicaments and others.

Uzpharmsanoat is also developing five perspective projects. The terms of four rojects, including its cost and capacities, are not defined yet. The cost of the fifth project is US$28 million. These projects will be directed to production of oncological medicaments, ferruginous medications, single use tests, etc. (Source: UzDaily.com)

UzBuild 2011, the 12th Uzbekistan International Construction Exhibition, begins on 15 March in the capital of Uzbekistan. Every year, Uzbekistan’s leading building and interiors exhibition present many different stands – this year, one of them will be the national stand of the State of Kuwait.

Kuwait is exhibiting for the first time at UzBuild, so the appearance of several manufacturers will be especially noticeable. Nine companies will exhibit under the flag of Kuwait: Al-Bahar Industries, Al-Sharhan Industries, Al-Ahlia Chemicals Company, Polyurethane Company, Aquasan, Al-Hasawi Group, Alusol, Neama Group, and Al-Ammr Electricity.

The companies on the national stand will present a diverse range of products, which are demand in the local construction market, such as: construction tools; equipment; construction chemicals; heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; bathrooms, aluminium structures, power tools, extra strong glass from plastic; and much more.

Uzbekistan and Kuwait have signed documents on cooperation in the trade, economic and scientific-technical spheres; on mutual promotion and protection of investments; and on avoidance of double taxation. This legal framework provides good opportunities for developing relations in almost all areas.

The entry of Kuwaiti manufacturers to the Uzbekistani market will be one of the stages of economic cooperation between the two countries, further expanding the scope of mutual trade, increasing direct contacts between the business communities of the two countries, and developing partnerships.

UzBuild 2011 will run from 15 to 18 March in Uzexpocentre. Visitor registration is now underway. For your convenience, and to save time, you can obtain an e-ticket in advance on the site www.uzbuild.uz. (Source: UzDaily.com)

SOCIETY

Exhibition to reveal secrets of health and beauty

On 24-26 March, the Youth Creativity Palace will host “Health and Beauty” International Exhibition of Traditional Medicine and Beauty Care to be organized by the Fund Forum, Avicenna International Association of Traditional Medicine and the Women’s Council.

The exhibition has been given the goal of increasing interest in traditional ways of treatment, demonstrating treatment and preventive procedures, reflexology therapies and advocacy of a healthy lifestyle.

The exhibition will be attended by representatives of producers of natural drugs, medical and diagnostic devices, medical centers, spas as well as practitioners of naturopathic treatment, phytotherapy, acupuncture, and mud bath therapy along with the broad public.

The thematic sections of the exhibition include: treatment and prevention procedures, medicinal herbs, phytotherapy, honey therapy, herbal therapy; healthcare equipment and devices; naturopathic therapy, healthy food; treatment and rehabilitation centers, educational centers; yoga, reflexology and manual therapy, sujok therapy, acupuncture, physiognomy, health massage; natural therapeutic cosmetics (including face and body care products based on traditional recipes); ayurvedic and Tibetan healing practices; specialized literature, calligraphy, talismans, amulets made of natural materials, etc. (Source: UzDaily.com)

CULTURE

Navoi's poetry translated into dance

Charkhpalak (Watermill) Theater of Ethnographic Costume on 18 February presented a choreographed staging of "Seven Planets" based on the great Uzbek poet and philosopher Alisher Navoi' poem Sab'ai Sayyor at the Center of National Arts. Over 200 people came together to celebrate the 570th anniversary of the eminent man-of-letters.

The actors of Charkhpalak Theater have contributed to the celebration of Alisher Navoi's creativity, showing a masterfully choreographed performance. Last year, the team presented a costumed show as part of an exhibition of works by Jamal Usmanov, which was organized in honor of the eminent poet's anniversary.

The theater was set up under IJOD Association of Artists, Art Historians and Craftsmen at the initiative of Gulnara Karimova. The team debuted in 2009 during Bazar-Art Applied Art Exhibition-Fair. In its performances, the theatre uses elements of national and modern music and dance while at the same time preserving the history and traditions of our nation.

This time again, Charkhpalak team had the opportunity to demonstrate the entire palette of the culture of the past. The performance of the team was based on "Seven Planets", one of the five epic poems that make up Navoi's khamsa (quintuple).

The shakh's golden robe, transparent scarves and the dazzling brilliance of the female dancers' dresses, accompanied by national music, all made up for a memorable experience crafted by talented actors and actresses and took the audience back to the days when the great poet lived.

"The poem Seven Planets consists of seven stories, each of which may be seen as a separate poem about lofty love, a kindhearted ruler and friendship of nations," said professor Suyuma Ganiyeva, a scriptwriter and winner of Beruni State Award.

"These ideas feature prominently throughout the staging. Through dances, songs and poems we tried to communicate the ideas that Navoi put forth back in the day that different nations should live in peace while rulers must be just. I'm glad that we're celebrating the birthday of Navoi, whose manuscripts have been preserved to this day."

These words can be confirmed by the fact that the 200-odd guests were composed of people of all ages. The theatrical show concluded with a catwalk show of men's and women's national costumes that were worn back in the day by people of various social categories during the Navoi's epoch.

The project on a grant provided by the Public Foundation for the Support of NGOs and other civil society institutes under the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan. (Source: UzReport Agency)

TOURISM

Uzbekistan presents its tourism potential in Brussels

A presentation dedicated to tourism potential of Uzbekistan was held in the presentation hall of Terres D'Avanture travel agency located in the capital of Belgium Brussels.

Along with Terres D'Avanture, the presentation was organized by diplomatic mission of Uzbekistan in Belgium and air company AirBaltic. The presentation drew representatives of public, business circles, tour agencies of Brussels and other cities.

The event was held under the motto "Uzbekistan – the country of the Great Silk Road" and drew audience's attention to rich cultural and historical heritage, traditions of Uzbek people exotic for Europeans, national clothes, games, colours of Uzbek bazaar.

Famous expert in Eastern history and culture Helen Moisef introduced the audience to Uzbek cities, priceless monuments of culture and architecture, rich tourism potential. Her presentation was accompanied by a footage of video slides and classic Uzbek music that impressed the public.

During the presentation AirBaltic held a drawing of a free ticket en route Tashkent- Riga- Brussels- Riga – Tashkent. A famous journalist who won the ticket promised to publish a range of articles dedicated to Uzbekistan after his visit to Tashkent.

Organizers of the presentation answered all questions of visitors who revealed great interest to Uzbekistan and wanted to learn more about Uzbekistan's historical and cultural monuments.

Ms. Moisef said that the event sparked a vivid interest among Belgians. According to expert, the Great Silk Road and in particular Uzbekistan is one of the most popular tourism directions in Europe.

"Our present task is to provide more information about Uzbekistan and its rich tourism potential," the expert added.

For the last years more and more tour agencies actively participate in attracting tourists to Uzbekistan due to its inexhaustible tourism potential, so Europeans have more opportunities to discover Uzbekistan. (Source: UzReport Agency)

SPORT

Uzbekistan Olympic team plays 2-2 draw with Shakhtar

Uzbekistan Olympic team (U-23) held its first warm-up match within the training camp in Turkey. The Uzbek side held match against reserve team of Shakhtar Donetsk.

The match ended with the score 2-2. Sherzodbek Karimov and Kenja Turaev were on target for Uzbekistan.

Head coach of Uzbekistan national team Vadim Abramov, who is in Turkey now, shared his thoughts about the match between the sides.

Vadim Abramov said that the match was interesting and the Uzbek side dominated during it. He added that defensive errors helped the Ukrainian side to score.

Vadim Abramov said that Uzbekistan national team is preparing to the match against Neman. The team will play two more matches in Turkey. (Source: UzDaily.com)