May 06, 2008
Economics:
Microfinancing problems considered at Legislative Chamber
Conference discusses development of seed production in Uzbekistan
Arbitration Development Center opened in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan Agrominitech Expo-2008 opens in Tashkent
Industrial products fair held in Nukus
Mehr Nuri fund helps women entrepreneurs
Society:
Development of prospective scientific research discussed at Senate
Chemistry Olympiad Ends With Winners Awarded & Appraised
Visitors & Guests: “Asrlar Sadosi” – Big Success
ECONOMY
MICROFINANCING PROBLEMS CONSIDERED AT LEGISLATIVE CHAMBER
The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan held a meeting on the implementation of the Law “On microfinancing” by commercial banks, credit associations, microcredit organizations and pawnshops.
The meeting, organized by the Committee for budget and economic reforms of the Legislative Chamber, was attended by heads of relevant ministries and agencies, commercial banks and microfinance institutions, UzA reported.
The Law “On microfinancing” guarantees rights and equal economic conditions in the field of small business and private enterprise, support of the class of owners and effective use of necessary financial sources for adaptation to the competitive environment in the free market.
In accordance with the President’s decree of May 2006, joint-stock credit bank Microcreditbank was set up in the country. Its priority is the establishment of the microfinancing system covering all entities and individuals that need microfinancing services.
Currently, all commercial banks, 59 credit associations, 31 pawnshops and 18 microcredit organizations provide microfinancing services in the fields of small business, private enterprise and farming, self-employment, family business and home work, especially in rural areas.
The meeting participants drew the attention to the inadequate study by the microfinancing organizations of the needs in microfinancing services in the regions.
CONFERENCE DISCUSSES DEVELOPMENT OF SEED PRODUCTION IN UZBEKISTAN
A conference on problems of seed production in Uzbekistan was held by the Committee for agrarian, water and ecology issues of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis.
Providing the agricultural sector with high-yield and high-quality seeds, conservation and efficient use of domestic and global gene pool, introduction of world experience, as well as improvement of the own seed base are a priority in development of agriculture in Uzbekistan, the forum participants said.
They noted the effective use of the achievements of modern science – biotechnology, cytogenetics, as well as genetic resources, which allowed creating advanced, highly productive and resistant varieties of cotton to produce fiber meeting the highest world standards.
The attendees exchanged views on improvement of the legal framework on seed production, introduction of modern innovative projects and increasing the efficiency of the harvesting and seed processing network in the country.
ARBITRATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER OPENED IN UZBEKISTAN
Deputy Resident Representative of the UNDP Country Office in Uzbekistan Kyoko Postill and the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan Alisher Shaykhov formally opened the Arbitration Development Center under the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan on May 2, 2008.
The Arbitration Development Center was founded within the joint project of the UNDP Country Office in Uzbekistan and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan "Supporting to the development of arbitration courts and other alternative methods of dispute settlement in the Republic of Uzbekistan" (Arbitration project). The project focuses on development of the arbitration courts and other alternative ways of dispute resolution through creation of the Center.
Uzbekistan adopted the Law "On arbitration" in 2006, which was aimed at regulation of creation and operation of arbitration courts in Uzbekistan. The law came into force in February 2007.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan created arbitration courts in all regions of Uzbekistan to develop favourable conditions for development of the system in the country. The courts reviewed over 700 cases in 2007.
The novelty of the system in Uzbekistan creates some difficulties for further development and popularization of the arbitration court in the country. Among the problems are lower number of skilled arbitration judges, inexistence of methodology and rules of documents circulation, low knowledge of businesses and population of the arbitration, etc.
Kyoko Postill said: "Our project with the Chamber responds to these challenges. The Center will work on improvement of the relevant legislation and set procedures to conduct arbitration trial and provide recommendations to improve their activities. The important part of the Center's work will be to train and eventually certify judges and mediators, so that they can improve their knowledge and skills."
"Our hope is that this project, by establishing the Center to improve the functioning of the arbitration court and alternative ways of dispute resolution, will ultimately contribute to the improvement of the business climate in Uzbekistan," she added.
During the opening ceremony, the Center staff presented the main work areas of the newly created institution and its plans for 2008. The participants also shared their views on improvement of legal base and procedures of arbitration system.
UZBEKISTAN AGROMINITECH EXPO-2008 OPENS IN TASHKENT
On May 3, the third International specialized exhibition and sale of mini technologies and compact equipment for agriculture “Uzbekistan Agrominitech Expo-2008” opened in Tashkent.
The event has been organized by the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Jahon Information Agency reported.
About 70 companies from more than 20 countries including Uzbekistan, Russia, China, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Italy, the Netherlands, Israel, Indonesia, South Korea, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, France, Czech Republic, Turkey and Iran offer their products and services at the exhibition.
A variety of mini technologies used in food and agricultural industries, production, processing, packing and weighing equipment, plant protection chemicals are demonstrated at the exhibition.
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS FAIR HELD IN NUKUS
The exhibition of industrial products manufactured under the label “Made in Uzbekistan” was held in Nukus.
Over 100 companies and private enterprise attended the event, organized by the ministries of economy, foreign economic relations, investment and trade of Karakalpakstan, as well as the regional administration of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
More than 300 categories of industrial products, foodstuffs, consumer goods and clothing and building materials were presented at the exhibition.
MEHR NURI FUND HELPS WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
In Uzbekistan, over 27,000 women are engaged in entrepreneurship, while more than 18,000 women work in farming.
Organized in 2004, Mehr Nuri fund has been implementing a number of projects related to development of entrepreneurship among women.
According to Jahongir Turahonov, project coordinator, each year, dozens of women are allocated grants for a family business.
Last year, 60 women from all regions of the country opened sewing and confectionary shops, built greenhouses, were engaged in livestock, poultry and beekeeping with the fund’s grants.
27-year old Nargiza Fazylova of Jizzakh always wanted to produce confectionery at home. Thanks to a Mehr Nuri grant, the young mother with support of her family is now preparing more than 10 types of confectionary products, which are delivered to stores.
Yulduz Beknazarova from Karshi acquired equipment for her sewing shop through the fund. “I am fond of clothing design. My sewing shop produces children’s wear and women’s clothing,” she said.
The fund also implements a project to develop small and medium business and farming, providing interest-free mini-loans and grants to women.
SOCIETY
DEVELOPMENT OF PROSPECTIVE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH DISCUSSED AT SENATE
The Upper Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan held a round table on development of advanced research for building high intellectual potential of the society. It was organized by the Committee for science, education, culture and sports of the Senate jointly with the Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of higher and secondary special education.
The participants noted that prospective research was being conducted in Uzbekistan in many areas of humanitarian, natural and exact sciences, such as nuclear physics, thermal physics, astrophysics, biology and microbiology, chemistry and chemistry of natural compounds, seismology and others.
More than 100 new methods of diagnostics, treatment and prevention of cardiovascular, infectious diseases and respiratory diseases was created and implemented in practice as a result of the ongoing scientific and technical projects in medicine.
The universities and agencies of the Ministry of higher and secondary special education put into practice more than 10 energy- and resource-saving technologies as a result of scientific research.
In the chemical industry, a new highly efficient method of production of fertilizers was created and successfully tested at Samarkand chemical plant.
The round table participants said the development of advanced research in the country was the basis for the formation of the high intellectual potential of the society. However, there are a number of issues requiring solution.
There is a strong need to identify and attract talented young people to research activities, organize an effective system of training promising scientists and develop innovative activities related to implementation of research findings into practice.
CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD ENDS WITH WINNERS AWARDED & APPRAISED
The 42nd International Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad among the schoolchildren ended in Tashkent. Having won one gold, silver and eight bronze medals the representatives of Uzbekistan have secured the first place in the overall team contest, the local news agencies reported.
The festive closing ceremony was held at the Tashkent-based branch of M.Lomonosov Moscow State University on May 4 this year. National teams of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Latvia, Estonia, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, as well as the members of Olympiad’s organizational committee, board of international judges, experts and representatives diplomatic corps participated at the event.
“Uzbekistan has rightfully secured the championship,” the dean at the Faculty of Chemistry at Moscow State University’s Tashkent branch V.Lunin said. “This is an outcome of reforms consistently carried out Uzbekistan”.
In total, the Uzbek team has won 13 medals and secured the top place. Second place went to the Ukraine while the team of Russian Federation earned the third place.
In the course of Olympiad 9 young chemists have won gold medal, 15 of them silver and 28 bronze medals. 29 participants have been awarded the special diplomas.
According to the Olympiad regulations, it is the medal-winners who can enter the Moscow State University and other higher educational institutions of participating-states without entrance exams.
VISITORS & GUESTS: “ASRLAR SADOSI” – BIG SUCCESS
“Asrlar Sadosi” (“Echo of Centuries”) traditional art festival initiated by “Forum of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan” Fund was held at Kaynar Village of Kitab District in Kashkadarya Province on May 3-4. Participants as well as the guests of festival have enjoyed all the variety of national culture, uniqueness of customs and traditions of Uzbekistan.
The small township made up of colorful marquees has emerged on six hills in the open where masters of applied arts, painters, designers, chefs, and other people of culture and arts from all parts of Uzbekistan presented their masterpieces. An exhibition-fair of ceramics, coinage, gold-embroidery art, miniature, textile, wood engraving, and national dolls was held as a part of the festival.
The festival agenda also included shows and contests of folklore music bands, baxshis (folklore storytellers), presentation of national costumes, as well as national games such as ulok-kupkari (contest of equestrians), kurash (national wrestling), shows by darbozes (rope-walkers) which took place in the open, as well. And literally the most enjoyable part of the festival was the contest of chefs who presented their tastiest masterpieces of national cuisine.
Despite the fact that it was the first festival of its kind it drew a massive interest. Initially, only 5.000 people were expected to take part in the festivities, but by the end of the day this figure rose to 30.000 people. Prominent people of art and culture from Uzbekistan, Japan, France, China, Bulgaria, Austria, as well as representatives of diplomatic corps and international organizations accredited in Tashkent were also among them.
The head of the World Bank Representative Office in Tashkent Brafor Lu arrived in Kaynar with his spouse. “We are pleased to have an opportunity to learn more about the Uzbek traditions, culture, art and national cuisine,” he said. “All the people we have met here are so friendly and hospitable. It is just amazing how local people are interested in this event. It shows how your people value their traditions and try to preserve their centuries-old cultural uniqueness”.
The head of UNESCO’s Representative Office in Uzbekistan Anna Paolini has also shared her impressions about the festival. “I am being joined by my children here,” she said. “I am glad that they are also learning unique culture of Uzbekistan. I would like to especially note that the venue of the festival is just perfect. On the way here we have seen such beautiful landscapes and hills that amazed us.
Also I am delighted that this festival has presented various directions of Uzbek culture, art and traditions. Usually, festivals cover only one direction or sphere, for instance, music festival, festival of applied art. But here in Kaynar we have seen the Uzbek culture, art, traditions, cuisine and national costumes in all their beauty. I commend organizers for their efforts,” Ms. Paolini concluded.