April 18, 2008

Politics:
Cabinet of Ministers sums up country’s development in 1Q 2008
Spanish Ombudsman Visiting Uzbekistan
Legislative Chamber considers several laws
Economics:
Hungarian Finance Minister Visits Uzbekistan, Meets Officials
Samarkand region's gross regional product grows 10.5% in 2007
‘Uzbektourism’ Visits Int. Festival in Cappadocia, Turkey
Pharmaceutical Fair Launched in Tashkent, Reports Say
Society:
Medical goods and equipment exhibition held in Tashkent
Week of talented youth's science launched in Tashkent

POLICY

CABINET OF MINISTERS SUMS UP COUNTRY’S DEVELOPMENT IN 1Q 2008

Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan held a session on April 18 to sum up the results of the country’s socioeconomic development in the first quarter of 2008.

According to the statistics, growth of the GDP in the first three months of the year comprised 8.1%, industrial growth 10.6%, agricultural production increased 4.8%, construction works 5%, retail trade 12.7% and paid services 19.8%.

Foreign trade turnover was growing at a stably high rate – 56.1%, mostly because of exports. The inflation level did not exceed the forecast.

The volume of investments increased by 41% in the reporting period, including 56.8% of foreign direct investments.

105 industrial objects were commissioned in the country, including textile enterprises Tagus Textile joint venture, Samo Shertex, Baypak, flour production at Qiziriq Zarafshon Un and roofing slate at Quvasoy Qurilish. General Motors Uzbekistan JV launched the new model of its popular Nexia car.

The share of the small business in the GDP increased by 2% compared to the same period of last year. The volume of credits issued to SME made up UZS 269 billion, increasing 39.8% against the first quarter of 2007.

About 170,000 new workplaces were created in January-March, including over 67,000 in the service sector and 55,000 in the out-work sector.

The activities envisaged in the “Year of Youth” State Program were being implemented. The program covers measures to improve material and moral support of the young people, create new workplaces for the youth and improve their living conditions and the quality of education worth a total of UZS 1.5 trillion.

In the reporting period, 3,200 young men who served in the Armed Forces were employed. Young families in the rural areas received preferential credits equal to UZS 1.4 billion to purchase cattle.

The Cabinet of Ministers considered implementation of the 2008 Investment Program and programs of modernization and technical re-equipment of the most important sectors of economy.

Another issue of the session agenda was ensuring the stable supply of foodstuffs. The participants analyzed the state of the supply in the regions, cities and districts.

It was noted that measures carried out by the government were ensuring the guaranteed supply of the socially important food products to the population. The country’s industrial potential and reliable reserves of grain, flour, oil and other goods, as well as reserves in the wholesale and retail trade were fully covering the available demand.

New facilities for production of foodstuffs are constantly being introduced – 43 new food enterprises were commissioned in the first quarter alone. At the same time, the assortment of the local production has to be increased and its quality improved, it was said.

The regional, city and district governors were entrusted with maintaining the stable supply of foodstuffs and preventing unjustified growth of prices in trade and in the markets.

The Cabinet made a decision to increase production of vegetables, melons and gourds, cattle produce, vegetable oil and rice.

The commercial banks were recommended to provide farms with credits for purchase of high-quality seeds of vegetables and melons, young plants and cattle.

Solving the employment problem was another issue the Cabinet considered, paying a particular attention to out-work. Cooperation between the enterprises and home-workers in the electro-technical, light and footwear industries, as well as in Bukhara, Namangan and Tashkent regions is insufficient, it was said.

The regional administrations, ministries, departments and economic associations were told to reconsider the parameters of creation of workplaces in the out-work sector for 2008.

The Cabinet of Ministers also considered preparation of the grain combines for the 2008 harvest and improvement of the reclamation of irrigated lands.

SPANISH OMBUDSMAN VISITING UZBEKISTAN

The delegation of Ombudsman of the Kingdom of Spain led by Enrique Mugica Herzog is visiting Uzbekistan, Jahon Information Agency reported.

On April 16 the members of delegation met with the Chairman of Senate of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Ilgizar Sabirov, the report has said.

At the Senate talks the sides have said that the relations between Uzbekistan and Spain were developing in all spheres, and particularly, the ties between the parliaments and Ombudsmen were on the rise.

The Spanish delegation is also reported to have learnt about the work of the Upper Chamber of the Uzbek national parliament.

“The abolishment of death penalty in Uzbekistan from January 1, 2008 and delegating to courts the right to issue arrest warrants have become as an important step on the way to democratize country,” – Mr. Herzog has said.

Also, during the talks the sides have agreed on expanding the ties between parliaments and offices of Ombudsman, according to the Information Agency.

On April 17 this year the delegation members have been to the Legislative Chamber (Lower House of parliament) of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and met with the Speaker Dilorom Tashmukhamedova.

At the talks the sides are reported to have said that the cooperation between Uzbekistan and Spain were consistently developing in all spheres, including in the area of parliamentary ties, Ombudsmen, law and order, as well as protection of human rights.

They have also exchanged views on cooperation between the two legislative bodies and Ombudsmen of Uzbekistan and Spain. The Agreement of cooperation signed on October 11, 2007 between the Authorized of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan on human rights and Ombudsman of Spain serves for the development of ties at the new level. At the Tashkent talks the sides have agreed on ever intensifying the contacts between the lawmakers and Ombudsmen.

The delegation of Spanish Ombudsman has also met with the Deputy Chairman of Constitutional court of the Republic of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Mirboboev.

Also, in Tashkent the delegation with the teaching faculty and students of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy.

LEGISLATIVE CHAMBER CONSIDERS SEVERAL LAWS

Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan held its regular session on April 17. Speaker of the chamber Diloram Tashmuhamedova chaired the session.

The deputies considered the draft law on introducing changes and addenda in the Air Code of Uzbekistan. After the discussion and corrections, the chamber passed the law, which will be sent to Senate for approval, UzA reported.

The deputies also considered draft laws on introducing changes in the law on inventions, useful models and industrial samples, and in the law on veterinary medicine and quarantine of plants. Both documents were passed by the chamber after the discussion.

The law on introducing changes and addenda in the law on joint-stock companies and protection of rights of shareholders was passed in the second reading, and the law on technical regulation in the first reading.

The deputies will continue consideration of other issues on the agenda next week.

ECONOMY

HUNGARIAN FINANCE MINISTER VISITS UZBEKISTAN, MEETS OFFICIALS

The Minister of Finance of Hungary Janos Veres is on his visit to Uzbekistan. On April 17 he held meetings at several ministries and agencies of the country, Jahon Information Agency quoting the news agencies.

At the meeting with the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan Alisher Shaikhov the sides have emphasized that the trade and economic relations between the two states were intensively developing. The indicators of bilateral trade turnover were stably rising.

In 2007 the volume of trade between Uzbekistan and Hungary accounted for 32.4 million US dollars. Several joint companies with Hungarian partners are now operating in Uzbekistan. Also, some Hungarian companies have launched their representation offices in the country. They manufacture equipments for the food industry and municipal economy, as well as process the agricultural products.

During the talks in Tashkent the sides exchanged views on further extending the partnership relations between the business and financial circles of Uzbekistan and Hungary, according to the reports.

The Uzbek-Hungarian business forum and co-operation exchange were also held as a part of the visit. The participants of the forum examined the prospects of development of trade and economic relations between the two states. The businesspeople learnt about the investment climate in both Uzbekistan and Hungary, as well as discussed the opportunities of further cooperation.

SAMARKAND REGION'S GROSS REGIONAL PRODUCT GROWS 10.5% IN 2007

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov participated in the extraordinary session of the Samarkand regional People's deputies council on April 15.

Speaking at the session, the head of the state said Samarkand was one of the country's leading regions, producing 6.3% of the GDP, 13% of agricultural produce and 8% of the service sector, UzA reported.

Last year, the gross regional product grew by 10.5%, industrial production by 24.6%, agricultural production by 6.3%, services by 37% and exports by 35%.

In the industrial sector alone, 21 new enterprises were created and 10 enterprises increased their capacities. Foreign and local investments worth US$10 million and 1.4 billion soums were attracted in this sector.

Samarkand region occupies an important place in the agricultural complex of Uzbekistan, too, Islam Karimov said. More than 24,000 farmers are currently working in the region. In 2007, they produced 100% of cotton and 80% of grain in the region.

Positive developments in social sector included building 900,000 square meters of housing, 72 km of gas mains and 195 km of water mains. As a result, over 88% of Samarkand region's population is now provided with natural gas and drinking water, the President said.

The head of the state then highlighted a number of existing shortcomings, saying Samarkand region had a lot of unused potential.

The share of industry in the country's GDP made up 24% last year, while in Samarkand this figure was only 10.5%.

Reduction of production at many industrial enterprises is worrying, he said. Uzbekistan's only refrigerators producer Sino has been working to 5-10% of its capacity for years. And Samarkand lift building plant produced only 303 lifts last year and is experiencing a crisis.

Of 58 privatized industrial enterprises 36 are not working to their full capacity, and 22 are not operating at all, Islam Karimov noted.

The session participants considered appointment of a new government for the region. Azamkhon Bahromov, who was acting governor, was freed from this post, and Uktam Barnoyev, first vice-minister of agriculture and water resources, was appointed the new regional governor.

On the same day, President Islam Karimov visited the Imam Bukhari complex in Payariq district of Samarkand region. Here he met the teachers and students of the Imam Bukhari center for hadith studies.

‘UZBEKTOURISM’ VISITS INT. FESTIVAL IN CAPPADOCIA, TURKEY

The International Tourism Festival was launched in Cappadocia in Turkey. The representatives of tourist firms and companies from about 20 countries, including Uzbekistan are participating in it, Jahon Information Agency reported.

Tourism is an important factor of stable development which promotes the rise of wellbeing of citizens, creation of jobs, preservation and protection of natural and cultural resources. In this respect, along with other spheres a profound attention is now being paid in Uzbekistan to developing tourism.

For over the last years the modern hotels were established with infrastructure of tourism and services to have been fundamentally changed in such ancient cities of Uzbekistan as Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Karshi and Marghilan.

Uzbekistan is situated in the center of Great Silk Road. With its unique historical monuments, holy places of worship, wonderful nature, original culture and traditions it draws tourists from all around the world. At the moment, such types of tourism as sports tourism and ecological tourism are developing. There are many alpinists and amateurs of mountain skiing among the visitors to Uzbekistan. The tourists who come to Uzbekistan gain much valuable information on history and culture.

The tourist firms and companies of Uzbekistan are regularly participating in the tourist fairs and festivals held in various countries around the world. The said festival launched in Turkey creates new opportunities to further improve this sphere and expand direct contacts with foreign partners.

Within the framework of the festival the representatives of the Uzbektourism National Company are expected to present the tourist potential of the country. They also plan to hold talks with foreign companies on expanding the tourist inflow to Uzbekistan.

“We are interested in further development of cooperation with the Uzbek companies in tourist sphere”, - the director of the Organization for Culture and Tourism of the city of Cappadocia Valettin Birsuz has said. “Uzbekistan is amazingly wonderful country with its many historical monuments. The Turkish people are very interested in such places. We are glad that we can comprehensively learn about the tourist markets of your country and establish the new contacts”.

PHARMACEUTICAL FAIR LAUNCHED IN TASHKENT, REPORTS SAY

The industrial pharmaceutical fair was launched in Tashkent. The event is held on the initiative of Uzfarmsanoat State Joint-Stock Company, Ministry of Health, municipalities of Tashkent city and Tashkent Province with participation of producers of medicines and medical products, wholesale and retail trade organizations, Jahon Information Agency quoting the Narodnoye slovo newspaper.

For over the years of independence the enormous industrial potential has been unveiled in Uzbekistan. Many branches of industry, including the pharmaceutical industry, saw their development. At the moment, more than 80 enterprises and establishments engaged in manufacturing medicines are operating as a part of an industry.

Annually the companies raise the volume of manufacturing. Thanks to expansion of assortments and quality indicators that meet the international standards the volume of exports of goods has increased. In 2007 the pharmaceutical enterprises exported products worth more than 17 million dollars. Besides, the joint enterprises were founded along with foreign partners from the United Kingdom, Turkey, Russia, and other countries.

The main goal of the said exhibition is to introduce to consumers the opportunities of filling the internal pharmaceutical market with domestic medicines, developing the branch-wise industrial and scientific cooperation with the Academy of Sciences, Uzkimyosanoat State Joint-Stock Company, academic institutions, as well as nation’s enterprises which supply the raw, components and technological equipment.

According to the Uzfarmsanoat State Joint-Stock Company, above 40 companies and organizations are participating at the fair. It allows the domestic producers to cut deals on realizing the goods and consolidating the mutually beneficial partnership ties.

SOCIETY

MEDICAL GOODS AND EQUIPMENT EXHIBITION HELD IN TASHKENT

Tashkent has hosted the exhibition of medical goods and equipments. At the exposition opened at the Tashkent Institute for Vocational Training of Doctors over 200 types of products of local companies went on to showoff.

Taking floor at the opening ceremony of the exhibition the Minister of Healthcare of Uzbekistan Feruz Nazirov said that the fundamental reforms in healthcare promote the improvement of protection of people's health, consolidation of material and technical base of medical establishments, raising the quality and expanding the scale of medical services.

At the moment, about 60 companies are operating in Uzbekistan which manufacture medical techniques and goods. They produce 250 types of products that meet the international requirements, Jahon Information Agency reported quoting local newspapers

WEEK OF TALENTED YOUTH'S SCIENCE LAUNCHED IN TASHKENT

The Tashkent State Technical University named after Abu Raikhon Beruniy launched the Week of science of talented youth.

The Ministry of Higher and Secondary Special Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan jointly with Kelajak Ovozi Youth Initiative Center organized the event, Jahon Information Agency reported quoting local media.

The main goal of the Week is to unveil the talented, creative and initiative youth, help them to manifest their potential, to develop the innovation, and expand the integration of science and production.

The conference "The role of youth in developing science and technique" is reported to have been organized in the framework of the Week. Over 500 students are expected to present their scientific and research works on fundamental sciences, innovative proposals, technical projects and elaborations in the area of electronics, automation, information technologies, mechanics, machine building, oil and gas, ecology, geology, social and humanitarian sciences, and other directions.