May 08, 2008
Politics:
Dmitry Medvedev sends congratulation to Islam Karimov on the occasion of 9 May
Economics:
Credit innovations to be presented in Hong Kong
Uzbekistan Agrominitech Expo-2008 ends
First solar power plants installed in Surkhandarya region
Tashkent-Non produces 500 tons of bread products per day
Society:
International festival of operatic art opens in Tashkent
Third Central Asian Youth film festival to be held in Uzbekistan
Commission for minors under Cabinet of Ministers holds session
Medical, social workers participate in training on gender issues
Veterans receive assistance worth UZS 45 million in first quarter
'Kamalak jilosi' Contest Awards Its Winners
POLICY
DMITRY MEDVEDEV SENDS CONGRATULATION TO ISLAM KARIMOV ON THE OCCASION OF 9 MAY
President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev sent a congratulation to President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov in connection with the 63th anniversary of the victory over fascism.
“On this memorable day, we pay tribute to the outstanding heroism of war veterans and home front workers, who saved the Motherland from the fascist enslavement. Their courage and fortitude, solidarity and mutual help are a worthy example for today’s generation of citizens of our countries,” Dmitry Medvedev said in his message.
“I am confident that the friendship between our peoples, tempered in the harsh years of war, will continue to serve as a solid foundation for the consistent strengthening of strategic partnership and multifaceted cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan,” the Russian President noted.
ECONOMY
CREDIT INNOVATIONS TO BE PRESENTED IN HONG KONG
Uzbek delegates will participate in the WOCCU World Conference of Credit Unions in Hong Kong this July. Totally, heads of financial institutions from more than 50 countries are expected to attend the conference.
Representatives of the country’s Association of Credit Unions and heads of credit unions will represent Uzbekistan at the conference. They will present new innovative solutions in crediting of small business and private enterprises.
The conference’s four-day program includes problems related to the current activity of credit unions, crediting mechanisms and conditions for each country and legal framework regulating this sector of financial market in each country.
The head of WOCCU Office in Uzbekistan Normunds Misis informs Uzbekistan Today that the conference also intends to discuss problems of developing the movement of credit unions, particularly effective models of organizing the activity of these financial institutions, crediting of small business and agriculture, as well as organizing and establishing strong associations of credit unions and innovative financial products.
Today Uzbekistan has nearly 60 credit unions and their members number around 70 thousand people. In 2007, the aggregate assets of credit unions increased 2.5 times and reached 48.4 billion soums including total credit portfolio 2.5 times, up to 42.9 billion soums.
The credit unions have been active in the depositary market as well. For instance, by the end of 2007 the deposited funds grew 2.4 times and reached 34.5 billion soums. Positive changes occurred in capital growth of credit unions. Their capitalization was nearly 11.6 billion soums, increasing 2.7 times within a year.
It is to be mentioned that last summer the Uzbek government approved the Microfinance Development Program for 2007-2010. Its main objective is to create favorable conditions for setting up people’s private businesses, offer the population the required microfinance services and develop the country’s financial system and private enterprise.
The program implementation is expected to establish by early 2010 an efficient and competitive microfinance system capable of satisfying people’s demand for microfinance services. The program also aims to set up 97 credit organizations and 62 credit unions and bring the total credits of microfinance organizations up to 127 billion soums.
UZBEKISTAN AGROMINITECH EXPO-2008 ENDS
The Third International Exhibition and sale of mini technologies and compact equipment for agriculture was held on May 3-6 in Tashkent. It was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Dozens of companies from more than 20 countries such as Uzbekistan, Russia, China, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Israel, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, France, Czech Republic, Turkey and Iran presented their products and services, UzA reported.
Mini technologies used in food and agricultural industry, mini equipment for production, processing and packaging of fruits and vegetables, dairy products, poultry, chemicals for plant protection, leather processing, etc. were represented at the exhibition.
“We are participating for the second time at this exhibition,” said Li Hilin, president of Vantoni, Chinese company. “We are impressed by the high level of organization and the range of products and services.” Vantoni specializes in production of cotton and grain combines.
In the framework of the exhibition, workshops were held on mini technologies used for processing fruit and vegetable and meat and dairy products, advanced technologies in poultry farming, horticulture and the use of filling equipment. Domestic and foreign manufacturers familiarized the participants with their technologies and equipment.
FIRST SOLAR POWER PLANTS INSTALLED IN SURKHANDARYA REGION
The authorities of Surkhandarya region are taking measures for wide introduction of the use of solar energy in order to save natural resources and protect the environment in the area.
The regional Nature protection committee and the National research centre Ekoenergiya are working together to install the first solar power plants at various organizations, institutions and farms.
One of the first solar power stations appeared at the farm “Sayid Kulfiddin” of Sherabad district, “Oktepa Nature Garden” Jarkurgan district and the maternity wards of the Termez district hospital.
“Using the new, non-traditional method of power generation, one of the hospital’s largest departments has been provided with continuous electricity supply,” chief doctor of Termez district hospital Holtoji Kurbonov told UzA. “According to preliminary calculations, with the help of a small power plant we can save half a million soums per year.”
“We believe the use of the solar power stations will bring positive outcomes,” chairman of the regional Nature protection committee Ruzigul Safarova said.
TASHKENT-NON PRODUCES 500 TONS OF BREAD PRODUCTS PER DAY
Measures are being taken in Tashkent to ensure stable and uninterrupted supply of bread products and prevent increase bread prices in the markets. According to the city administration press center, the issue is under constant supervision of municipal authorities.
Currently, seven large enterprises for production of bread products operate in Tashkent. Almost 50 bakeries process 500-520 tons of flour daily and produce dozens of types of bread products.
Tashkent-Non association is one of the largest enterprises specializing in production of bread products. It includes more than 40 enterprises, which daily produce more than 500 tons of production.
“The volumes we produce fully meet the needs of the residents of the capital,” chairman of Tashkent-Non chairman Maksud Kosimov told UzA. “Our enterprises Sagbon-Non, Sumbula-Non and Sahovat-Non bake more than 20-24 tons of bread products daily.”
To ensure the prompt delivery of products the association uses 100 special vehicles.
SOCIETY
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF OPERATIC ART OPENS IN TASHKENT
Bright colors of the spring seem consonant with the exciting event, which is breathed into landscapes of the capital. The International festival with participation of opera maestros of Italy, Russia and Uzbekistan opened in the State Academic Alisher Navoi Theater. It is dated to the 150th anniversary of great Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, the art of which is known to Uzbek spectators.
UNESCO announced this year as the Year of Puccini. While the world public prepares to celebrate such an important date, addressing the Puccini’s famous works, which for many years have been played in the best theater of our country, became an original offering to the anniversary. This was the topic of the press conference for the mass media, which took place here. It was attended by guests and organizers of the festival, which were the Ministry of Culture and Sport, “Uzbekteatr” art union, “The Forum of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan” Foundation with the support of the embassies of Italy and the Russian Federation in our country.
As was noted by Bakhtiyar Yakubov, Director of Alisher Navoi Theater, the international festival sets noble goals and objectives. It aims to boost the prestige of opera which shapes young people’s and connoisseurs’ appreciation of art, to stimulate exchange of musical values and accomplishments between the east and the west.
THIRD CENTRAL ASIAN YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL TO BE HELD IN UZBEKISTAN
Tashkent and Bukhara will host the third Youth film festival of Central Asian countries “Creative Flight” on May 12-18.
Organized by Uzbekkino national agency, Ministry of Culture and Sports, National Television and Radio Company, administration of Bukhara region, National Arts Institute, Arts Academy and other bodies, the festival aims to showcase works of young talents in the field of cinematography.
The upcoming film festival includes 35 movies in the contest program. Among them are “Let the sun always shine” by L.Maurekenov, “Safura” by B.Shibikeyev, “Hope” by M.Bakeyeva of Kazakhstan, “Child’s duty” by D.Niyazov of Turkmenistan and others.
Moreover, new movies will be showed off the contest program and master classes will take place.
The festival also includes modern film and video equipment exhibition in Tashkent’s Uzexpocenter.
COMMISSION FOR MINORS UNDER CABINET OF MINISTERS HOLDS SESSION
The Commission for Minors under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan held a session at the General Prosecutor's Office.
At the meeting, chaired by General Prosecutor, commission chairman R.Kadyrov, issues of prevention of offences among minors, creating conditions for revelation of their potential and healthy lifestyle in Navoi and Khorezm regions were considered, UzA reported.
The Navoi and Khorezm regional commissions for minors said they had developed special programs to solve the mentioned issues.
It was noted that last year the regional commissions provided practical assistance to more than 138,000 children in need.
17,000 branches of the Kamolot youth movement involved more than 5 million young people in all educational institutions.
Besides, regular meetings are being held at all educational establishments aimed at increasing the youth's legal awareness, it was said.
More than 23,000 young people were employed in the two regions, almost 4,000 students were provided with educational credits and 377 young entrepreneurs received microcredits.
MEDICAL, SOCIAL WORKERS PARTICIPATE IN TRAINING ON GENDER ISSUES
Two groups of medical and social workers will take part in the trainings on gender awareness within the joint project of UNDP and the Women's Committee of Uzbekistan "Legislative and Institutional Capacity Development for Women's Empowerment in Uzbekistan".
The project will hold two training entitled "Gender Awareness for medical and social workers" to improve skills and knowledge of medical and social workers on implementation and promotion of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), its norms and ideas in their professional activities.
The CEDAW Convention adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, is an international document on the rights of women. Uzbekistan was the first Central Asian country to ratify the convention in 1995 and has reported twice to the CEDAW Committee on its implementation. The country will present its next report in August 2008.
During the trainings, about 40 medical and social workers from all regions of Uzbekistan discussed such issues as women's rights, gender equality, violence and gender discrimination, as well as the role of women in the society. The trainings will be held at Grand Orzu Hotel in Tashkent on 7-8 May and 12-13 May.
Khilola Badriddinova, Education and training specialist of the project "Legislative and Institutional Capacity Development for Women's Empowerment in Uzbekistan", said: "We hope that the training will help to improve knowledge of medical and social workers on the CEDAW convention and they will use their knowledge in their work with clients and youth."
The goals of the project "Legislative and Institutional Capacity Development for Women's Empowerment in Uzbekistan" are to support and build the capacity of the government, civil society and mass media in reducing the gender gaps via raising awareness of and implementing the recommendations of the UN CEDAW Committee to Uzbekistan. The trainings were organized in the frameworks of implementation of the recommendations of the CEDAW Committee on raising awareness of various layers of population on the CEDAW.
VETERANS RECEIVE ASSISTANCE WORTH UZS 45 MILLION IN FIRST QUARTER
Nearly 3 million pensioners currently live in Uzbekistan. 16,000 of them are participants of the war of 1941-1945 and approximately 200,000 are veterans of the home front.
In the first quarter of 2008, the veterans were provided with material assistance worth nearly UZS 45 million, Erkin Bokiboyev, chairman of Central Council of Nuroniy fund, told UzA.
This public organization works in cooperation with concerned ministries and departments, municipalities and social organizations to help the single elderly people, pensioners and the disabled.
In accordance with regional programs, repairs of housing of many single senior citizens were carried out. Needy families were provided with microcredits using the employment assistance funds. Nearly 1,500 jobs were created for the disabled.
Uzbekistan is currently implementing the Program of measures to further enhance the targeted social protection and social services for single elderly people, pensioners and the disabled for the years 2007-2010.
'KAMALAK JILOSI' CONTEST AWARDS ITS WINNERS
Central Exhibition Hall of Uzbekistan’s Academy of Art has been a venue for “Kamalak jilosi” (“The rainbow shine”) show-contest of children’s paintings.
The event has been initiated by “Soglom avlod uchun” International Charity Fund, Ministry of Public Education, Academy of Art of Uzbekistan and Children’s Public Fund “Sen Yolg’iz Emassan”, according to the Uzbekistan National News Agency Russian-language website.
Inmates of the Children’s Houses of the country demonstrated their handmade paintings, decorative and applied works at the event, which was organized within the framework of the State Program of the Year of Youth.
The prime goal of the contest was to promote the national decorative and applied art among the young generation, as well as unveil talented children and enhance their knowledge and skills.
As a result of contest Namoz Yodgorov of the Children’s House No 32 of Bukhara city took the first place among the participants from 4 to 10 years of age and Askar Niyazov of the Children’s House No 23 in Tashkent city secured the championship in applied art contest.