May 29, 2009
Politics:
Uzbekistan, Brazil expanding cooperation
President Islam Karimov holds negotiations in Madrid
Senator Yves Leterm of Belgium Visits Uzbekistan, Holds Talks
Economics:
Seminar on export issues starts in Uzbek capital
Surkhandarya region to launch new production capacities
Indian tour operators visit Uzbekistan to establish ties
Carlsberg Uzbekistan to organize beer festival in Tashkent
Society:
Prince Michael of Kent Visits Westminster Int. University in Tashkent
Roundtable discusses implementation of labour laws
All three clubs from Uzbekistan advance to next round
POLICY
UZBEKISTAN, BRAZIL EXPANDING COOPERATION
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov arrived on an official visit to Brazil on May 27 on the invitation of this country’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
On May 28 President of Uzbekistan held talks with President of Brazil. The leaders exchanged views on issues of Uzbek-Brazilian relations, as well as regional and international problems, National News Agency UzA reported.
Islam Karimov said that Uzbekistan was interested in comprehensive development of cooperation with this leading country in Latin America.
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stressed that Brazil considered Uzbekistan one of the leading states in Central Asia and a reliable partner.
Uzbekistan and Brazil occupy an important place in their regions. Uzbekistan took the initiative to establish a common Central Asian market. Brazil is the most advanced and economically powerful state of the South American common market of Mercosur.
Uzbekistan initiated the creation of the zone free of nuclear weapons in Central Asia. Brazil is a member of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America.
Both Uzbekistan and Brazil are supporters of the reforming of the UN, increasing its role and importance in solving international problems, and support the principle of the multi-polar world.
The leaders of the two countries are unanimous in issues of prevention of such threats as terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, transnational organized crime, and stand for international cooperation in the fight against them.
The two countries support each other’s proposals and initiatives on the international arena. Uzbekistan in various years supported the candidacy of Brazil in the UN bodies. In discussing issues relating to Uzbekistan at the UN, Brazil supports the position of the country.
There are good preconditions for the development of cooperation in the economic sphere. Brazil was also an agricultural country, exporting only raw materials. Now it exports coffee, soy, sugar, oranges, ore, steel, and at the same time aircrafts, vehicles, electronics, shoes, knitting products.
Brazil’s GDP (USD 1.8 trillion) is the highest in Latin America. The share of industry in the country’s GDP is around 40 percent, and in agriculture does not exceed 10 percent.
In the 1990s, Brazil implemented economic reforms, developed private sector, created a favorable investment climate, revised monetary and fiscal policies, and conducted large-scale privatization. At the same time, road transport, telecommunications and urban infrastructure were developing.
In response to growing demand for energy in recent years, Brazil started producing and exporting ethanol. Thus, along with the oil and gas, and oil and chemical industries, Brazil has an extensive experience in production of alternative energy sources.
As a result of application of advanced technologies in agriculture, Brazil ranks first in the world in growing sugar cane and oranges. 35 percent of coffee produced in the world is made in this country.
Analyzing the progress Uzbekistan has made during the years of independence, and the priority direction in implementation of reforms, one can find a lot in common with Brazil. Both countries rose from raw material exporting countries to exporters of finished products. From year to year, the share of industrial production increases in the exports of the two countries.
Uzbekistan and Brazil have a great potential for cooperation in the aircraft industry, mechanical engineering, petrochemical industry, textile and leather industry. In addition, there are good opportunities for cooperation in areas like agro-processing, tourism, transportation, geological exploration and production of construction materials.
Uzbekistan could become a bridge for Brazil, not only with the Central Asian states, but also with many CIS countries. A good example is the transcontinental intermodal logistics center that is being built in the city of Navoi. The only such center in the CIS is being created in cooperation with the Republic of Korea.
South Korea is a strategic partner of both Uzbekistan and Brazil. From this perspective, it seems logical that the Uzbek-Korean summit was held in Tashkent in early May and the Uzbek-Brazilian summit is being held now in Brazil.
Islam Karimov and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva comprehensively discussed the Uzbek-Brazilian relations. The presidents exchanged views on strengthening security in Central Asia, the situation in Afghanistan, and the processes ongoing in Latin America. The leaders also discussed the global financial and economic crisis, and the ways to reduce its impact and consequences.
After the negotiations, the Joint Declaration between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Federative Republic of Brazil was adopted.
The government of Uzbekistan and the government of Brazil signed agreements on technical cooperation, economic and trade cooperation, cultural cooperation, cooperation in agriculture, visa-free entry for diplomatic passport holders and a memorandum on cooperation in tourism. A number of bilateral cooperation documents were signed between the ministries and departments of the two countries.
The official visit of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov to the Federal Republic of Brazil will complete on 29 May.
PRESIDENT ISLAM KARIMOV HOLDS NEGOTIATIONS IN MADRID
As reported earlier, President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov left with an official visit for Brazil on May 26. On his way to the Latin American country, the head of the state made a stopover in the Spanish capital Madrid.
Here Islam Karimov met the King of Spain Juan Carlos to discuss the issues of bilateral relations and international problems of mutual interest.
Uzbekistan pays a great importance to cooperation with Spain. In 2006, the government passed a resolution on expanding cooperation with the Kingdom of Spain, and in February 2009 it approved the program of measures to of development of cooperation with this country.
Spain also highly values its relations with Uzbekistan. During the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Spain in January 2003, then mayor of Madrid Jose Maria Alvarez del Manzano presented Islam Karimov with the symbolical key of the city. That signified that Madrid was always open for Tashkent.
The relations between Uzbekistan and Spain have deep historical roots. Six centuries ago the state of Amir Temur was visited by the Spanish ambassador Rui Gonsalez de Klavijo. And Amir Temur appointed Muhammad al Qozi as his ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain. This shows that the two peoples already had cultural, political and economic relations at that time.
Spain is an economically developed country with a high image on the international arena. Uzbekistan is interested in expansion of cooperation with the European Union through this country. In its turn, Spain is interested in development of relations with Uzbekistan, which is a leading country in Central Asia. The foreign ministries of the two countries holds regular consultations, and the contacts between the parliaments and the ombudsmen are also developing.
In the economic sphere, Uzbekistan and Spain enjoy the most favored nation treatment. A number of joint ventures operate in Uzbekistan, including TechComInvest (trade), Maxam Central Asia and Maxam Uzbekistan (chemical industry), Balkan Export Import Asia (construction materials) and others. Representative offices of large Spanish companies Preparado Alimenticios (food industry) and Atlas Consorcio (alternative energy technologies) are accredited in the country.
Spain is one of the reliable investment partners of Uzbekistan.
Humanitarian cooperation has also been developing steadily between the two states. In 2000, the Spanish-Uzbek friendship association Clavijo-Amir Temur was set up. It participated in organization of the celebrations of the 600th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the state of Amir Temur and the Kingdom of Spain in 2004. In Barcelona, the famous book of Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur “Baburname” was published in Spanish language.
Close relations have been established between the higher educational institutions of the two countries. The institutes of the Science Academy of Uzbekistan hold joint research with large scientific establishments of Spain.
Islam Karimov and Juan Carlos highly evaluated the present state of bilateral relations, but noted that the economic cooperation did not correspond to the potential of the two states. The sides agreed to boost relations in this direction and strengthen the legal basis of mutually beneficial cooperation.
SENATOR YVES LETERM OF BELGIUM VISITS UZBEKISTAN, HOLDS TALKS
The senator of the Kingdom of Belgium, the chairman of the “Belgium-Uzbekistan” parliamentary cooperation group Yves Leterm is visiting Uzbekistan, according to the Information Agency Jahon.
On May 27 Mr. Leterm had talks at the Upper House of national bicameral parliament – the Senate of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The sides have said that the relations between Uzbekistan and Belgium were consistently developing in all spheres, including in the area of parliamentary relations. They have also said that the arrangements secured during the top-level meetings of heads of two states served as a major legal basis along such process.
The cooperation between the lawmaking bodies of states is important in terms of consolidating the legal basis of bilateral relations. At the Upper House Mr. Yves Leterm has been told about the activity of bicameral parliament of Uzbekistan.
“We are glad that the relations of Belgium and Uzbekistan are consistently developing in all directions,” Mr. Leterm has said. “While visiting Uzbekistan we have been convinced that the reforms in Uzbekistan were considerable and successful in terms of renewing and modernizing the society. We stand for further strengthening of the mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries.”
The same day Mr. Leterm has had negotiations at the Tashkent State Institute of Law, according to the news agency report.
ECONOMY
SEMINAR ON EXPORT ISSUES STARTS IN UZBEK CAPITAL
A three day seminar on issues of assisting to export of products of Uzbek enterprises to the European market opened in Tashkent on May 28.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan in cooperation with UNDP "Business Forum of Uzbekistan" organized the event within the framework of cooperation with the Czech Trust Fund.
The seminar is aimed at improving skills of top and medium-level managers on promotion of goods and services to export of the European markets. They will learn main basics and procedures of export, requirements and conditions of the European states at import of goods.
After the training, the familiarization visit to the Czech Republic will be organized and participants will have a chance to establish partnership with the European businesses.
SURKHANDARYA REGION TO LAUNCH NEW PRODUCTION CAPACITIES
Surkhandarya region of Uzbekistan will realize 76 investment projects (out of total 90) to launch production of various goods in line with the programme "The Year of Development and Well-Being of Village".
In the first quarter of 2009, the region attracted US$122.9 million of foreign direct investments and 4.8 billion soums of local credits, as well as 54.1 billion soums of own resources of businesses to organization of the activity of modern enterprises, UzA reported.
The report said over 27,000 small and private businesses are operating in Surkhandarya region. Their share in gross regional product made up 50.6%. This sector employs about 74% of population in the region.
INDIAN TOUR OPERATORS VISIT UZBEKISTAN TO ESTABLISH TIES
A delegation of Punjab branch of Indian Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) visited Uzbekistan last week and held negotiations with local counterparts on developing relations, Uzreport Information Portal reported.
Indian delegation included about 44 representatives of the Indian association and visited Tashkent and Bukhara on invitation of tour operator Oriental Express CA and at the support of Uzbekistan Havo Yollari (Uzbekistan Airways) office in Amritsar.
Ramesh Bhatia, chairman of PTAA, said the delegation visited Uzbekistan to discuss cooperation at the level of private tour agencies, studying offered tourism products of Uzbekistan. He said that the agenda of the visit was slightly changed after arrival and establishment of the cooperation with Uzbekistan national tourism administration was proposed.
Bhatia said the Indian side confirmed intend to Uzbekistan national tourism administration on entrance to tourism market of Uzbekistan and offered to sign memorandum of development of mutual beneficial cooperation in tourism.
Sarbdjit Singh, Guru Nanak Travel Advisers representative, said it is easier to reach from Amritsar to Tashkent rather than Indian resort Goa, taking into account direct flight between Tashkent and Pandjab.
Mikhail Shamshidov, director of Oriental Express CA, said over two years was required to organize the visit of the delegation of Punjab tourism business to Uzbekistan. Representatives of Oriental Express CA have visited India several times since 2007 and organized a familiarization visits to Uzbekistan of Indian firms.
The company also created special section for Indian tour operators, which includes tourism products and information about Uzbekistan, as well as information for Bolliwood to attract attention of directors to Uzbekistan. Indians frequently select their destination countries based on Bolliwood films.
The sides also discussed issues, which hindering attraction of Indian tourists to Uzbekistan. Among them were simplification of tourism formalities, including visa issues, decrease of air ticket prices, improvement of tourism infrastructure and others.
CARLSBERG UZBEKISTAN TO ORGANIZE BEER FESTIVAL IN TASHKENT
Carlsberg Uzbekistan brewery will hold first beer festival of its brands - Carlsberg City, which will present beers of Sarbast, Baltika and Tuborg Green brands.
Anders Lassen, marketing director of Carlsberg Uzbekistan, said the company prepared many surprises for consumers. He said that the festival will be exam for new brand Sarbast Special.
Each brand will present separate programme for consumers. Sarbast prepared performance of popular singer Shakhriyor, while Baltika presents rock music and Tuborg Green will display performance of DJ Iminoff.
Carlsberg Uzbekistan brewery was launched in autumn 2007. Its capacity is 100 million liters or 200 million bottles (capacity of bottle 0.5 l) of beer a year. The brewery produces Sarbast Original, Sarbast Extra, Tuborg Green, Baltika No. 3 Classic and Baltika No. 9 Strong brands now.
SOCIETY
PRINCE MICHAEL OF KENT VISITS WESTMINSTER INT. UNIVERSITY IN TASHKENT
These days the delegation led by Prince Michael of Kent is visiting Uzbekistan, according to the Narodnoye slovo national newspaper. On May 27 the delegation members visited the Westminster International University in Tashkent and met with teaching faculty and the students.
This university established on the resolution of President Islam Karimov in 2002 is a practical outcome of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United Kingdom in the sphere of education, according to the newspaper.
The main goal of establishing such prestigious higher educational establishment in Tashkent is to create all necessary conditions for unveiling the intellectual potential of the Uzbek young men and women, raising the efficiency of the contribution they make to the social and economic development of the country, as much as expanding the international cooperation in the system of higher education.
Seeing around the university, the British delegation is reported to have highly assessed the educational process, as well as the conditions created for the students to get into an depth learning and studies. Also, the delegation members participated in inaugurating the new sporting complex at the university, according to the report.
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSES IMPLEMENTATION OF LABOUR LAWS
Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan initiated a roundtable in Bukhara to discuss adherence to labour legislation in state bodies, enterprises and organizations.
Representatives of state bodies and law enforcement bodies discussed issues of implementing of labour legislation and effective control in this sphere, full protection of interests and freedoms of citizens, organization of labour protection.
Participants determined joint measures on eliminating existing problems in implementation of the law in the sphere and national legislation, as well as their improvement.
Creating a positive image of information resource centers
The World Bank's Public Information Centre (PIC Uzbekistan) hosted a two day workshop for the librarians of the universities of Navoi, Samarkand and Bukhara regions.
The workshop arranged jointly with the Republican Library of Navoi, the World Bank's regional depository library, was held in Bukhara on 18-19 May and involved over 30 professional librarians and information specialists.
How to develop a positive image of the resource center? How attract different groups of population in taking decisions related to acquisition of library stock, expansion of services, fundraising and other activities? How to build partnerships with other libraries and develop inter-library cooperation? These and many other questions were discussed during the panel and group discussions.
Information resource centres and the libraries under universities are key partners of the World Bank's Public Information Centre (PIC Uzbekistan). There are over 60 higher educational establishments in Uzbekistan, which serve as the main source of information for the country professionals. In accordance with the Presidential Decree of 2006, information resource centers were established under all the institutes and universities of Uzbekistan.
Most of them are still working like a traditional library making no difference between a library and information center. The World Bank's PIC concentrated its efforts at building capacities among librarians and information specialists in information management and related skills so as to better organize knowledge and information not only for university students - clients of the library, but also for researchers, policy makers, and others interested. Last year a workshop was held for the librarians of about 30 universities located in the capital city of Tashkent.
All the participants were unanimous in evaluating the workshop as an event which contributed greatly in enabling them to become more sustainable and create more impact in managing the available resources and delivering high quality services.
ALL THREE CLUBS FROM UZBEKISTAN ADVANCE TO NEXT ROUND
All three football clubs, Neftchi, Bunyodkor and Pakhtakor from Uzbekistan won away matches at AFC tournaments.
Neftchi advanced to the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup after beating Syria’s Al Maged 3-1 on penalties after holding on for a goalless draw at Al Abbassiyin Stadium on Tuesday.
The home side continued their early pressure and again went close four minutes later when Al Zino curled a free-kick just over the crossbar.
The pressure continued and Al Maged had further chances to take the lead after 15 minutes when Mouhanad Asaad was denied by Neftchi goalkeeper Tsoy.
Neftchi almost snatched a late winner against the run of play with 13 minutes remaining as Islom Tuhtahujaev headed over before Akmal Kholikov also headed over for the visitors in the last minute of normal time.
Extra-time failed to yield a real chance for either side and in the shoot-out Neftchi prevailed as Tsoy saved from Al Zino and Asaad and Al Kaddour missed from the spot.
Uzbek champions Bunyodkor beat Iranian giants Persepolis 1-0, courtesy Brazilian Rivaldo who rolled back the years to slot the ball from the spot and advanced into the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League.
The contest began at a frantic pace with Bunyodkor and Rivaldo enjoying early dominance and after eight minutes Server Djeparov crossed for Ulugbek Bakaev to head over at the far post.
The visitors continued to dominate and had another chance as Brazilian full-back Edson Ramos was denied by the legs of Persepolis goalkeeper Misagh Memarzadeh after Rivaldo’s shot from the edge of the area deflected into his path on the edge of the six yard area.
After injured Bunyodkor centre-back Gochguly Gochguliyev had to be replaced by the towering figure of Bakhtiyor Ashurmatov, Rivaldo guided a header wide midway through the first half before Timur Kapadze tried his luck from the edge of the area.
Captain Ali Karimi had the home side’s first real chance as his dipping free-kick from the edge of the area just failed to find a way under the crossbar.
But four minutes before the break Bunyodkor broke the deadlock as Rivaldo calmly converted from the spot after going to ground while under pressure from Sepehr Heydari and Nabiollah Bagheriha as he looked to turn on the edge of the area.
A minute before the break Murotjon Zukhurov preserved his side’s lead as he produced an athletic dive to turn away Bagheriha’s header which looked destined for the bottom corner from Karimi’s inviting cross before beating away the defender’s shot in first half stoppage time.
Alireza Vahedi Nikbakht headed wide for the home just after the break as Persepolis made an encouraging start to the second half with Bunyodkor happy to threaten on the counterattack to preserve their slender lead.
With 20 minutes remaining Persepolis still had failed to create a clear-cut opportunity and Rivaldo had a chance to seal the win minutes later following another Bunyodkor counterattack but was blocked out as he attempted to shoot despite Jasur Hasanov being unmarked inside the area.
Memarzadeh denied Bunyodkor’s Azizbek Haydarov with six minutes remaining, while Persepolis had only Karimi’s blocked shot in the closing stages to show for their efforts as Iran’s last surviving representatives in the AFC Champions League bowed out tamely.
ACL ever-presents Pakhtakor, however, had to come from behind to notch up a creditable 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia’s Ettifaq.
Ettifaq, who had a 100% home record in winning Group D, dominated the first-half but despite having several clear cut chances the home side had only Prince Tagoe’s 33rd minute strike to show for their efforts.
And after failing to reproduce the dominance in the second-half as Pakhtakor took control, first-half substitute Zaynitdin Tadjiyev equalised with 11 minutes remaining before second-half substitute Geynrikh sent Pakhtakor through to the last eight.