May 27, 2009
Politics:
President leaves for Brazil
Economics:
First Deputy Uzbek PM receives UAE Energy Minister
An Uzbek-Korean Cooperation Exchange takes place in Tashkent
Uzbek-Saudi business forum takes place in Tashkent
Commerce Chamber, UNIDO hold joint training on business planning
Society:
International Festival of Silk and Spices Takes Place in Bukhara
Festival on Tashkent, ‘a Symbol of Pride’, Takes Place in Nukus
POLICY
PRESIDENT LEAVES FOR BRAZIL
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov left for Brazil with an official visit on May 26 on the invitation of this country’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Uzbekistan and Brazil closely cooperate on the international arena, supporting proposals and initiatives of each other, National News Agency UzA reported.
As one of the members of the Nuclear non-proliferation treaty in Latin America, Brazil fully supported the initiative of the head of Uzbekistan about creation of a nuclear-free zone in Central Asia.
Uzbekistan supported Brazil’s candidates to the United Nations bodies. In general, both countries have common and close views on international problems and issues of development.
The two states pay a great attention to the trade-economic and investment cooperation. Uzinfoinvest agency and Brazil’s Agency for trade and investments had signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation.
Uzbekistan and Brazil exchange delegations on various levels. In 2008, the Uzbek-Brazilian business forum was held in Sao Paulo.
During the visit of Islam Karimov to Brazil, the sides are expected to consider issues of expansion of cooperation between the two states and sign a number of bilateral documents.
ECONOMY
FIRST DEPUTY UZBEK PM RECEIVES UAE ENERGY MINISTER
Uzbek First Deputy Prime Minister Azimov Rustam, received in Tashkent, on Monday, 25 May 2009, UAE Energy Minister HE Mohammed bin Dhaen, who is visiting the country in a regional tour, Uzreport Information Portal reported.
The UAE minister conveyed the regards of President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces to Uzbek Prime Minister.
The two officials discussed the bilateral relations and ways of boosting them.
Al Hamili also met Uzbek Foreign Affairs Minister Vladimir Norov. Norov welcomed the UAE minister and the delegation accompanying him, commending the relations between the two friendly countries.
The UAE minister said the two countries were keen to further bolster cooperation in the economic, investment and trade areas. He also met some of the business leaders in Uzbekistan.
The UAE official also met representatives of Uzbekenergo state joint-stock company, Uzbekneftegaz national holding company, and Uzkimyosanoat state joint-stock company.
AN UZBEK-KOREAN COOPERATION EXCHANGE TAKES PLACE IN TASHKENT
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan organized an Uzbek-Korean Cooperation Exchange between businesses of two countries on May 26.
The event was organized to establish cooperation between the Uzbek and Korean business circles, specializing at production and sale of equipment for construction industry, agriculture and others, according to Uzreport Information Portal.
The cooperation exchange was attended by representatives of ministries and departments, associations and unions, trade and industrial enterprises, representatives of small and private businesses.
The participants held negotiations on bilateral cooperation.
South Korea is one of the largest trade partners of Uzbekistan in Asia-Pacific region. Trade turnover between countries increased by 23.7% to US$1 billion, of which US$91.5 million (up 31.1%) fell to exports of Uzbekistan and US$965.1 million (up 87.7%) – imports.
Number of enterprises with South Korean investments made up 351 as of April 2009, of which 57% are with 100% Korean capital. These enterprises work in such sectors as trade, light industry, chemistry, food industry, machinery, metal processing, etc.
About 91 representative offices of South Korean firms were accredited in Uzbekistan.
UZBEK-SAUDI BUSINESS FORUM TAKES PLACE IN TASHKENT
An Uzbek-Saudi business forum was held in Tashkent on 25 May. The forum was attended by representatives of business circles of Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia.
Representatives of financial and credit institutions, ministries, enterprises of oil and gas, tourism, transportation sectors of Saudi Arabia participated at the forum. Forms of cooperation were discussed during the forum, and concrete spheres of investments were determined.
Saudi Arabia businesses expressed interest in expansion of cooperation with Uzbekistan in different spheres of economy.
"We would really like to enter into cooperation in areas of energy, transportation, construction industry of tourism," head of the delegation, deputy chairman of Saudi Arabian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Rakhman al-Jeirasi said. The volume of investments into these spheres "is planned to be significant," he said. Another strategic sector for strengthening partnership is free industrial economic zone Navoi.
Trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia made up US$2.8 million in 2008. Seven enterprises with Saudi Arabian capital operate in Uzbekistan in such sectors as oil and gas sector, transportation, information and communication technologies, tourism, others.
COMMERCE CHAMBER, UNIDO HOLD JOINT TRAINING ON BUSINESS PLANNING
Chamber of Commerce and industry of Uzbekistan and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) started a joint training on 25 March 2009.
The training focuses 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.
COMFAR III Expert is a computer software that permits the user to simulate the short- and long-term financial and economic situation of investment projects. The software facilitates the analysis of industrial as well as non-industrial projects, whether new investments, rehabilitations, expansions, joint venture or privatization projects.
SOCIETY
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF SILK AND SPICES TAKES PLACE IN BUKHARA
For over the three days the International festival “Silk and spices” took place at the famous venue of Labi-hauz in ancient Bukhara, the Pravda Vostoka newspaper wrote.
The hundreds of craftsmen from nationwide and neighboring countries are reported to have taken part at the traditional event organized by the Bukhara Regional Khokimiyat (governor’s office), territorial branch of the Uzbektourism National Company and Khunarmand Regional Association.
Those who took a floor at the opening ceremony of the festival have said that under the leadership of President a considerable work was underway in Uzbekistan to revive the national values and extend the national craftsmanship.
Indeed, the national crafts are developing in the country. This festival, as well, has become a vivid confirmation to the aforesaid. The products made by entrepreneurs and skilful masters occupied the main part of the exposition placed on the wide area. The silk fabrics, especially the original traditions of the Ferghana school of making fabrics, are reported to have attracted the attention of visitors.
“We are working to expand the types and design of fabrics,” the master from Marghilan Nurmukhammad Valiev said. “Made of natural raw material and corresponding to the local climatic conditions, they stimulate the keen and heightened interest in foreigners.”
“I teach the Japanese language at the Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages,” said Yuko Matsun of Japan. “I was amazed with the items made by your craftsmen, which are the real works of art. Especially, I liked the Shafirkan embroidery.”
Both local and foreign visitors have been finely impressed with an exhibition of spices, as well, according to the newspaper.
FESTIVAL ON TASHKENT, ‘A SYMBOL OF PRIDE’, TAKES PLACE IN NUKUS
The various meetings, spiritual and educational events, as well as roundtables are now taking place nationwide on the threshold of broad celebration of the 2200th anniversary of the ancient and ever young capital city of Uzbekistan – Tashkent, the report by Khalk sozi Uzbek-language newspaper reported.
For example, the Youth festival dedicated to the history, present and the future of Tashkent took place at the Nukus-based Karakalpak State University named after Berdakh. The scholars, teachers and students of the university are reported to have taken part at it.
Nowadays Tashkent is one the most beautiful and bettered capital cities not only in Central Asia, but also all over the world. This town has become famous with its invaluable historic monuments, great thinkers, generous nature, hospitable and magnanimous people. For over the years of independence on the initiative of President Islam Karimov a substantial work has been underway to transform and further better Tashkent.
Those who took a floor at the festival in Nukus spoke about the history and today, the unique look of Tashkent, as much as its international significance. The stories about the famous places of worth in Uzbekistan’s capital city, important stages of development of Tashkent, as well as the related documentary devoted to Tashkent prompted a keen interest in those who came to the festival.
The Youth festival has come to an end with a fine concert program of groups of amateur performances. The songs and melodies sounded that glorified the native land, peace, friendship and love.
“Tashkent is a symbol of pride for each of us,” the leader of the University primary organization of the Kamolot Public Youth Movement Kuvonch Yusupov said. “Especially we admire the today’s look of the city. Similar events, certainly, will promote strengthening the feeling of pride in the hearts of our youth.”
As a part of the festival the exhibition of paintings dedicated to Tashkent has also been held, according to the newspaper.