May 18, 2009
Economics:
President signs resolution on supporting small business
Tax policy in conditions of world crisis discussed
Sinarsky Tube gets delegation from Uzbekistan
Ipoteka-Bank finances construction of new housing
Effectiveness of banks’ investments
Society:
Uzbek Medicare and Vet Services Optimistic Not to Allow H1N1
French delegation visits National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan
Famous Italian Operas in Original Language Staged in Tashkent
ECONOMY
PRESIDENT SIGNS RESOLUTION ON SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a resolution on 15 May 2009 on measures to further support and develop entrepreneurship. The document envisages introduction of a number of additional preferences for small business and private entrepreneurs, National News Agency UzA reported.
In particular, starting from 1 June tariffs on development of cadastral documentation for measurements works, technical inventory, certification and assessment of residential buildings and structures, surveying, assessment and forming the passport of buildings for the inventory of non-residential buildings and structures will be cut twice.
In addition, tariffs for complex topographic and geodesic works and other services provided by cadastral services will be reduced by 40%.
The cost for development of architectural and planning tasks for drafting the construction will be reduced from 20 to 10 minimum wages, and the payment for development of architectural and planning tasks for projects of connecting to engineering communications will be eliminated.
As a result, if previously a businessman had to pay for preparation of architectural and planning tasks a total of 40 minimum wages or more than UZS 1.1 million, now this amount has been reduced to UZS 280,400, and in rural areas to UZS 140,200.
According to the resolution, the cost of the examination of design estimates will be reduced from 10 minimum wages to 3 or 3.3 times. The size of the fee for state registration of legal entities and individuals engaged in entrepreneurial activities has also been reduced.
The payment for opening accounts in banks will be reduced from UZS 28,040 to UZS 14,020, and in rural areas to UZS 2,804. The fee for environmental impact assessment has also been cut substantially, and will now be differentiated according to the level of the risk of the environmental impact.
Creation of favorable conditions for the development of home-based work is one of the most important priorities for ensuring the employment of the population. To expand the small businesses’ participation in this important task the resolution has granted the small businesses the right to hire homeworkers in quantities exceeding the number set by the law by not more than 30%. The small businesses will keep the legally guaranteed incentives and preferences.
TAX POLICY IN CONDITIONS OF WORLD CRISIS DISCUSSED
The conference devoted to priority areas of liberalization of tax policy in the process of modernizing the economy and the role of fiscal mechanisms in overcoming the negative impact of the world financial and economic crisis was held in Tashkent.
The forum focused on the directions outlined in the book of President Islam Karimov “Global financial and economic crisis, ways and measures to overcome it in Uzbekistan” and was attended by teachers and students of the Tax Academy, as well as scholars and professionals.
First vice-rector of the Tax Academy N.Oblomuradov noted that the initiatives on improving and unifying the tax system were producing significant results in the conditions of the global economic crisis.
The new edition of the Tax Code of Uzbekistan, which entered into force on 1 January 2008, serves to strengthen the catalytic role of taxation in the sustainable and proportionate development of the economy. Existing tax incentives are important in free development of entrepreneurship, small business and farming.
The anti-crisis program Uzbekistan is currently implementing foresees measures to reduce the tax burden and to provide incentives to ensure stable operation of enterprises and branches of the real sector.
At the two-day conference, presentations on improving the efficiency of tax policy, and ensuring stability of the banking and financial system were made.
SINARSKY TUBE GETS DELEGATION FROM UZBEKISTAN
Sinarsky Tube and Taganrog Metallurgical Works was visited by the delegation Sanoat Loyiha leading oil and gas companies of Uzbekistan Enterprise and Design Institute Neftgaz Sanoat Loyiha, Uzreport Information Portal reported.
The purpose of the visit of Uzbek specialists was to bring familiarity with the production process and quality control of pump and compressor casing with threaded connections.
Guests visited the office continuous casting machines, and tube-rolling mill with a continuous range of Premium Quality Finishing.
The representatives of Uzbek enterprises appreciated the high level of production of pipes with special properties and discussed with representatives of the Company's prospects for further cooperation, including on the supply pipes with threaded connections.
IPOTEKA-BANK FINANCES CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HOUSING
Ipoteka-Bank is currently financing the construction of 44 apartment houses in Tashkent and regions of Uzbekistan. So far, 20 houses consisting of 672 apartments have been commissioned.
Among them are a 72-apartment house in Nukus, 64-apartment houses in Andijan, Bukhara and Urgench, as well as a 104-apartment house in Tashkent, according to the report of UzA.
Ipoteka-Bank provides services through its 130 mini banks, 474 savings branches, 145 currency exchange and 548 remittance offices across the country.
In accordance with the President’s decree on supporting young families, the bank is also assisting this category of the population in starting business and improving their living conditions.
In the first quarter of 2009, Ipoteka-Bank issues mortgage credits to more than 300 families for the sum of UZS 7.25 billion for construction and purchasing housing. Another 300 families received consumer credits worth UZS 873 million, which is 51.8% more than in the same period of 2008.
The credits to small businesses since the beginning of the year comprised almost UZS 35 billion and microcredits exceeded UZS 6.3 billion. As a result, more than 2,000 new workplaces were created.
In the framework of the Year of rural development, Ipoteka-Bank implements complex measures to improve the rural infrastructure and raise the people’s living levels.
EFFECTIVENESS OF BANKS’ INVESTMENTS
The press conference in Tashkent was devoted to financial support by the banks of the real sector of the economy, ensuring its stable operation and increasing the export potential.
At the event, organized by the Central Bank of Uzbekistan jointly with the Asaka Bank, special attention was paid to tasks defined in the Anti-crisis program measures developed under the leadership of President Islam Karimov.
Until 1 April 2009, banks issued credits worth UZS 7.89 trillion to the real sector for the purposes of increasing the capitalization and strengthening the financial stability of enterprises, introduction of new technologies and supporting innovative projects.
In particular, large companies have been allocated loans equaling to almost UZS 55 billion, and small business and private entrepreneurs – nearly UZS 45 billion.
In order to support exporters, the terms of their repayment of loans were revised for companies facing financial difficulties due to declining prices and demand for certain goods in the global market. As a result, credit and interest repayment dates for 20 enterprises were extended for 12 months.
Meeting the increasing demand for medium- and long-term loans, the banks are paying serious attention to lending to small businesses. In the first quarter of the year, UZS 356.1 billion was allocated to small businesses for financing projects of organization and expansion of production activities. This is 71.8% more than in the same period of last year.
SOCIETY
UZBEK MEDICARE AND VET SERVICES OPTIMISTIC NOT TO ALLOW H1N1
According to the world mass media, the epidemiological situation somewhat turns okay in some regions of the world where the outbreak of the H1N1 virus, also known as the “swine flu”, has been earlier actively observed, the report by Jahon Information Agency said May 18.
Nevertheless, the complex of measures is being undertaken in Uzbekistan to prevent the introduction of infection and its spread on the nation’s territory. In particular, the veterinary services of Uzbekistan are also taking a very part in this work, the report said.
“Not a single case of this disease has been revealed in our country neither among people nor animals,” the head of division of the veterinary inspection of the Head state veterinary department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdurasul Boltaev said. “However, the causative of the H1H1 flu is a mutated virus. So far, there is not immunity to it. In this respect, the veterinary services of Uzbekistan undertake the substantial preventive measures.”
In order not to allow the introduction of various infectious diseases to the territory of the country the head state veterinary inspectors of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, provinces and city of Tashkent have reinforced the ant—epizootic control at slaughter houses, peasant’s markets, airports, railroad and motor stations. Not less important seems to be an awareness work undertaken with people, including the livestock owners.
As a result of effective work of all units of the veterinary services of Uzbekistan, at the moment the favorable epizootic state is being maintained on the territory of country not only in terms of the H1N1 virus, but also other infectious animal diseases.
FRENCH DELEGATION VISITS NATIONAL TELEVISION AND RADIO COMPANY OF UZBEKISTAN
A delegation of Embassy of France in Uzbekistan, including Luciano Rispoli, regional attache on audiovisual cooperation, and Eric Albert, attache on cultural cooperation, paid a visit to the National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan (NTRC) on May 13, Uzreport Information Portal reported.
The French delegation got acquainted with the activity of NTRC and history of development of TV and radio in Uzbekistan.
The sides exchanged opinion on current affairs of cooperation of NTRC with CFI (Canal France International) and RFI (Radio France International). The sides expressed satisfaction with the cooperation.
The parties considered issues of creating joint TV programmes with participation of Uzbek and French specialists and opportunities on broadcasting programmes of NTRC Uzbekistan in France, as well as interaction on production of TV programmes and films.
FAMOUS ITALIAN OPERAS IN ORIGINAL LANGUAGE STAGED IN TASHKENT
The opera of the great composer Donicetti “The love potion” with participation of Italian opera masters has been performed in its original language at the State Academic Bolshoi Theater of Uzbekistan in Tashkent, Jahon Information Agency reported.
The performance of the prominent conductor Eddy de Nadai, leading soloists Leonardo Kaimi and Monica Tarone, who perform solos at La Scala and other world theaters, has been made possible as a part of the joint project undertaken along with Embassy of Italy in Tashkent.
Speaking at the news-conference the Director of the State Academic Bolshoi Theater Bakhtiyor Yakubov has said that arrival of these and other stars of the opera and ballet art stood as very much recognition of the artistic level of the Bolshoi Theater. He also said that it became possible thanks to profound attention now paid on the part of the Uzbek Leadership to developing theatrical art in the country.
Undoubtedly, the international festival of opera art in Tashkent dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the Jacomo Puccini, who is also well known in Uzbekistan, is reported to have also promoted the contacts with Italy. For over the span of many years many masterpieces of this outstanding composer, including the Madame Butterfly, Floria Tosca and Bohema, are staged at the State Academic Bolshoi Theater in Tashkent.
“We have been astonished by seeing the reverent attitude of the Uzbek artists and musicians towards their viewer and classics,” the Italian soloists Leonardo Kaimi and Monica Tarone have said. “The theater has accumulated rich traditions of music performance of the Italian operas, including of the works of Puccini, Donicetti and Verdi – and all of them are basically performed in the original language.”
Donicetti is a brilliant representative of the belcanto theater and his “The love potion” has earned a special popularity on the world stage with its witty intrigue, joyful buffoonery and energy of action.