May 22, 2009

Politics:
Malaysian Delegation Holds Talks in Uzbekistan
Economics:
Commerce Chamber, UNIDO to hold joint training
Singaporean tour operators visit Uzbekistan
Czech Airlines to carry out flights to Uzbekistan
Society:
International recognition of Uzbek model of reforms
Protection of children’s rights considered
Cooks and confectioners' contest held

POLICY

MALAYSIAN DELEGATION HOLDS TALKS IN UZBEKISTAN

On May 20 the delegation of Malaysia visiting Uzbekistan led by the Speaker of the Chamber of Representatives of the Parliament of Malaysia Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Haji Mulia met with the Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan Dilorom Tashmukhamedova.

According to the Information Agency Jahon, during the negotiations the sides have noted the gradual development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Malaysia in the sphere of parliamentary activity. The arrangements secured at the summits of the heads of two states serve as an important legal basis of such cooperation.

At the talks the sides have exchanged the views on cooperation of the highest legislative bodies of the two countries, according to the report.

“Uzbekistan is one of the most important partners of Malaysia in Central Asia,” Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Haji Mulia said. “The cooperation between our countries consistently develops in many directions. We have witnessed the considerable reforms being undertaken in Uzbekistan in the sphere of lawmaking. The current negotiations are called upon to promote deepening the relations in the area of parliamentary interaction.”

The Malaysian delegation has also had talks with the Chairman of the Senate of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan Ilgizar Sobirov, the report has also said.

Also, the delegation as a part of its stay in Tashkent visited the Khazrati Imam (Khastimom) Complex, the State Museum of history of Temur and his Dynasty and learnt about the unique exhibits that told about the life of the great medieval statesman and commander.

ECONOMY

COMMERCE CHAMBER, UNIDO TO HOLD JOINT TRAINING

Chamber of Commerce and industry of Uzbekistan and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) will hold a joint training on May 25-29, Uzreport Information Portal reported.

The training will focus on development and evaluation of investment projects, feasibility study and business planning with use of universal software COMFAR III Expert.

The training is aimed at improving knowledge of participants on development and evaluation of investment projects, feasibility study and business plans.

SINGAPOREAN TOUR OPERATORS VISIT UZBEKISTAN

A group of Singaporean tour operators are visiting Uzbekistan on business and familiarization visit to Uzbekistan.

The delegation includes members and management of National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS). The visit will take place from 19 to 25 May 2009. The delegation will hold negotiations with local travel agencies and familiarize with the national tourism product of Uzbekistan. The visit was organized by Uzbektourism national company and Uzbek Embassy in Singapore.

Robtrt Khoo, NATAS Executive Director, said: "We are interested in cooperation with partners in Uzbekistan and we want to help our members in establishment of contacts with travel agencies of the country, as well as share experience in formation of mutual beneficial partnership among private and state tourism businesses."
Worldwide Honey Tours PTE Ltd Executive Director Susan Teng said Uzbekistan Culture Days or presentation of Uzbekistan should be held in Singaporean tourism market to promote Uzbek tourism product.

According to marketing director of OrexCA.com Mikhail Shamshidov, Uzbek tourists are choosing now more Asian destinations compared to Europe. Uzbek tourists select India, Pakistan, Iran, Malaysia and China, etc.

Shamshidov said Uzbekistan could be interesting for Singaporeans, in particular, for rich cultural and ancient traditions of the country, great tourism sights, etc.
Singaporean delegation will also visit Samarkand and Bukhara cities.

CZECH AIRLINES TO CARRY OUT FLIGHTS TO UZBEKISTAN

Czech Airlines will start to carry out flight to Uzbekistan from 21 June 2009, representative of the company said on May 21, Uzreport Information Portal reported.

The flights will be carried out twice a week on Ŕ310 airplane. The airline plans to increase transportation level to 10,000 passengers by the end of 2009.

During the winter navigation, Czech Airlines plans to increase number of flights to Uzbekistan due to transit route through Almaty (Prague-Almaty-Tashkent).

Czech Airlines was founded on 6 October 1923. Its passengers fly to over 105 destinations in 45 states, or the airline covers all European capitals plus Nye York and Toronto.

The airline is member of SkyTeam alliance. Czech Airlines has modern airplanes fleet. The company flies to Astana, Almaty, Bishkek and Tashkent in Central Asian region.

SOCIETY

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF UZBEK MODEL OF REFORMS

Tashkent hosted the international conference devoted to examining the Uzbek model of reforms and the experience of forming the stable national economy on 22 May. The focus of the forum was on the book of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov titled “The world financial and economic crisis. Ways and measures to overcome the crisis in Uzbekistan”.

The conference was attended by over 350 state and public figures, businessmen, scientists and experts from 60 countries, representatives of 30 international organizations and financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, the United Nations and its structures, UzA reported.

The President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov sent a welcoming greeting to the participants of the international conference, which was read by the state adviser to the President V.Golyshev.

In their reports, the participants emphasized that the results of the Uzbek model of transition to the socially oriented market economy were based on five principles, outlined in the first years of independence. These principles have helped achieve high rates of economic growth, macroeconomic stability, large-scale structural transformations of economy, diversification and growth of exports and attraction of foreign investment.

The Anti-crisis program started last year is a logical continuation of the work aimed at fundamental changes in the structure of the economy, modernization of production, strengthening the banking system, creating modern market mechanisms, institutions and infrastructure.

The speakers at the plenary session, including representatives of international organizations, foreign governments, scientists and businessmen, said the timely actions taken by Uzbekistan to reform the economy had served as a reliable barrier to the consequences of the global economic crisis.

PROTECTION OF CHILDREN’S RIGHTS CONSIDERED

The Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan hosted a seminar on the role of parliament in the implementation on the Convention on the rights of the child and other international agreements related to protection of children’s rights.

The event was organized by the Committee for democratic institutes, NGOs and citizens’ self-government bodies of the parliament’s lower chamber jointly with the UNICEF office in Uzbekistan.

The seminar participants said that protection of the rights and interests of the children and young people was one of the priority directions of the state policy.

The laws adopted in this sphere serve to creation of socioeconomic, legal and organizational conditions for the children’s harmonious development and guarantee their rights and freedoms.

In January 2008, Uzbekistan adopted the law on the guarantees of the rights of the child. The document creates necessary prerequisites for raising the protection of the children’s rights to a higher level.

The participants of the seminar considered issues of reflection of the requirements of the convention and international acts in the national legislation, as well as the role of parliament in protecting children’s rights.

COOKS AND CONFECTIONERS' CONTEST HELD

Tashkent city administration in cooperation with Inter Tashkent Expo company and Osiyo Ramzi, Fashion Designers Association of Uzbekistan, held a competition of cooks and confectioners called “Wedding Ceremonies”.

At the opening of the contest, it was noted that in Uzbekistan great attention was paid to the revival and development of national values. The contest aimed at promotion of folk traditions and customs, in particular, the Uzbek national cuisine.

During the competition members of the jury evaluated the skills and experience of fashion designers, confectioners and cooks in various categories.

According to Sunnat Suleimanov of the Cooks Association of Uzbekistan, the competition was important in identifying new talents and sharing experiences among the cooks.