May 15, 2008
Politics:
President of Uzbekistan receives Foreign Minister of Indonesia
Foreign Minister of Indonesia meets Speaker of Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis (Parliament)
Conference considers enforcement of Law on guaranteeing child rights
Economics:
Uzbekistan-Indonesia business forum held in Tashkent
International oil and gas exhibition OGU 2008 opens
Uzbekistan Airways Discusses Cooperation with JATA
Uzbekistan Airways launches sale of electronic tickets
Frame. Flash. Sound-2008 exhibition opens in Tashkent
Society:
Fifth congress of CIS oncologists and radiologists starts in Tashkent
International Youth Film Festival "Creative Flight" starts
Forum Discusses Women’s Role in Extending Farming & Reforms
25,000 children to spend summer in Tashkent region camps
POLICY
PRESIDENT OF UZBEKISTAN RECEIVES FOREIGN MINISTER OF INDONESIA
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Hasan Wirayuda at the Oqsaroy residence on May 13, UzA reported.
“We consider your visit as another manifestation of mutual interest in developing cooperation,” said Islam Karimov. “While Uzbekistan and Indonesia are geographically far apart, the historical and spiritual closeness and a single religion make us close.”
Indonesia was one of the first foreign states that President Islam Karimov visited after Uzbekistan gained independence. The visit had laid the legal foundations for the development of relations between the countries.
The foreign ministries of the two states have been holding regular consultations that create opportunities to exchange views on important issues related to cooperation.
Indonesia is one of the important economic partners of Uzbekistan in Southeast Asia. A number of companies with Indonesian capital function in Uzbekistan, including Uzbekistan International (marketing in telecommunications) and PT Hikman Albros (hotel service).
Indonesia, like Uzbekistan, has a great potential and experience in the development and use of natural resources. The country produces oil, natural gas, coal, tin, copper, nickel, gold and other minerals. Considering this, it can be said that Uzbekistan-Indonesia cooperation in this field has great prospects.
The friendship society Uzbekistan-Indonesia makes a great contribution to strengthening the friendly ties between the peoples of the two countries. In 1997, a document on establishment of twin-city relations between Samarkand and Banda Aceh was signed. Since 2001, the center for study of the national language of Indonesia – Bahasa Indonesia – operates at the Samarkand Institute of Economy and Service.
During the visit of Foreign Minister Hasan Wirayuda to Tashkent an intergovernmental memorandum was signed on the establishment of a joint commission for bilateral cooperation, which demonstrates the interest of Uzbekistan and Indonesia to expansion of relationships in all spheres.
At the meeting with President of Uzbekistan, the Foreign Minister of Indonesia said his country was interested in expanding cooperation with Uzbekistan.
FOREIGN MINISTER OF INDONESIA MEETS SPEAKER OF LEGISLATIVE CHAMBER OF OLIY MAJLIS
Foreign Minister of Indonesia Hasan Wirayuda met Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan Dilorom Tashmuhamedova on May 13.
During the talks, the sides noted the consistent development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Indonesia in all fields, in particular, cooperation of the legislative bodies. They exchanged views on the current state and prospects of inter-parliamentary cooperation.
At the negotiations with the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Vladimir Norov issues of strengthening cooperation between Uzbekistan and Indonesia in all fields were discussed.
The two governments signed the memoranda of understanding to establish a joint commission for bilateral cooperation, and between the University of World Economy and Diplomacy of the Foreign Ministry of Uzbekistan and the Training Center of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia on cooperation in education and skills development in diplomatic sphere.
The members of the Indonesian delegation also visited the Hazrati Imam (Hastimom) complex in the capital.
CONFERENCE CONSIDERS ENFORCEMENT OF LAW ON GUARANTEEING CHILD RIGHTS
A conference devoted to enforcement of the mechanisms of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On guaranteeing the rights of the child” was held at the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis.
The event was organized by the Committee for democratic institutions, non-governmental organizations and self-government bodies of the lower house of parliament in connection with the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
It was attended by representatives of concerned ministries and departments, non-profit and international organizations, scientists and experts, and moderated by the committee chairman Akmal Saidov.
President Islam Karimov signed a decree on 1 May 2008 “On the program of activities devoted to the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”. The declaration was the first international legal document Uzbekistan joined after proclaiming independence.
Uzbekistan has established a national legal system, which corresponds to international standards protecting the rights of the child. The Law “On guaranteeing the rights of the child” was signed by the President on January 7, 2008.
The adoption by the parliament of laws on ratification of the Convention on the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment and the Convention on the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor was an important step in protecting the rights of the child, the participants said.
The events scheduled in the state program “Year of Youth” take into account vital interests of the young generation, their material and moral support, professional and spiritual growth, meaningful leisure and healthy lifestyle.
The conference participants made suggestions on the implementation of the Law “On guaranteeing the rights of the child”.
ECONOMY
UZBEKISTAN-INDONESIA BUSINESS FORUM HELD IN TASHKENT
The business forum of Uzbekistan and Indonesia was held in Tashkent on 13 May. It was attended by heads of ministries and departments, companies and concerns of the two countries responsible for foreign economic relations, trade, banking and finance, fuel energy, construction, agriculture, tourism and telecommunications.
The Indonesian entrepreneurs representing about 10 companies received detailed information on the priorities for attracting investment in the economy of Uzbekistan. They got acquainted with the wide-scale privatization process in Uzbekistan, as well as development of small business and private enterprise.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said Uzbekistan had favorable investment environment and necessary conditions for foreign investors.
“Indonesia pays a great attention to cooperation with Uzbekistan,” Hasan Wirayuda said. “We are particularly interested in expanding trade-economic and investment ties.”
Uzbekistan exports to Indonesia plastics and plastic products, cotton fiber, fruit and vegetables and other products. Indonesia has been supplying Uzbekistan with mechanical and electronic equipment, ferrous metals, foodstuffs and other products.
The business forum participants discussed trade-economic and investment cooperation, development of ties in banking and finance, energy and mineral resources, telecommunications and tourism, attracting Indonesian companies to the privatization process in the country.
INTERNATIONAL OIL AND GAS EXHIBITION OGU 2008 OPENS
The 12th international exhibition Oil and Gas Uzbekistan – OGU 2008 opened in Tashkent on May 13.
The OGU 2008 exhibition aims to familiarize experts with the latest developments in oil and gas production, transportation, hydrocarbons processing and realization of promising projects.
The leading oil and gas companies are demonstrating latest technologies of transporting oil and gas, exploration and development of oil and gas fields, as well as developments related to geodynamics of Central Asian and hydrocarbons.
The exhibition includes sections on oil and gas extraction on land and at sea (technology and equipment), oil and gas wells, construction and maintenance, petroleum and petroleum products, processing, storage and transportation of oil and gas, construction, industrial oil and gas installations, geological, geophysical, seismic equipment and services, pipelines, engineering, testing devices, safety and protection, environmental security, software, computer systems, electrical and power equipment, communications and telecommunications.
More than 180 companies from over 30 countries, including Uzbekistan, Russia, China, Ukraine, UAE, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Britain, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Iran, USA, Malaysia, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, are participating in the OGU 2008 exhibition.
UZBEKISTAN AIRWAYS DISCUSSES COOPERATION WITH JATA
On May 13 this year the National Air Company Uzbekistan Airways hosted the meeting with the delegation of Japanese Association of Tourist Agencies (JATA) led by the chairman of the Association Koji Shinmachi.
The air communication between Uzbekistan and Japan was launched in April 2001 with regular flights to Osaka and in November 2002 - to Tokyo, Jahon Information Agency reported.
The participants of the meeting have said that for over the last years thousands of Japanese tourists used the services of Uzbekistan Airways and learned about the rich cultural historical heritage, original traditions, costumes and modern live of Uzbekistan. The JATA delegation members also did so during their visit to Uzbekistan.
As a matter of fact, the Japanese people are the most traveling nation in the globe. Thus, there is a big potential to hold their tours around Uzbekistan. The meeting in Tashkent saw the discussion of those very issues.
In June last year the Government of Japan worked out a five-year plan to develop tourism, which, in particular, envisages to take the number of Japanese tourists going abroad up to 20 million until 2010 and the foreigners incoming to Japan – up to 10 million.
There is a much hope that more Japanese tourists will come to Uzbekistan by using the services of Uzbekistan Airways and the Uzbek tourists will undertake more trips to the Country of Rising Sun.
UZBEKISTAN AIRWAYS LAUNCHES SALE OF ELECTRONIC TICKETS
National company Uzbekistan Airways will start the sale of electronic tickets from 1 June 2008, deputy commercial director Vladimir Filipas told UzA.
All major airlines carrying out international flights are moving to electronic tickets this summer, which is a new standard of service pursued by the International Air Carriers Association (IATA).
The electronic ticket is a new method of processing the sale of passenger carriage in which all information is stored in the database of the airline’s automated system. The passengers will now receive an itinerary receipt printed on an ordinary sheet of paper and containing all the information that is usually included in the air ticket.
The e-ticket can be purchased either personally or via the Internet or by telephone. In case of a loss, a passenger may recover it while registering at the airport through an automated system.
FRAME. FLASH. SOUND-2008 EXHIBITION OPENS IN TASHKENT
Frame. Flash. Sound-2008, second equipment and service exhibition for cinematography, sound recording and broadcasting, opened in Tashkent. It has been organized by Uzbekkino national agency in collaboration with the National Television and Radio Company, Uzbekfilm studio and IEG Uzbekistan, the exhibition company.
Organized in the framework of the third international movie festival of the youth of Central Asia, Creative Flight, the exhibition demonstrates the latest innovations in the field of cinematography and broadcasting.
The equipment and technology for cinema, video, sound recording, theater and electronic media are presented at the exhibition by companies of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and China.
SOCIETY
FIFTH CONGRESS OF CIS ONCOLOGISTS AND RADIOLOGISTS STARTS IN TASHKENT
Tashkent became the venue of the fifth congress of oncologists and radiologists of the CIS countries. It united about 1,400 leading scientists and doctors not only from the Commonwealth, but also from countries like Germany, India, Canada, Poland, Serbia, Czech Republic and Sweden.
Currently, treatment of oncological diseases refers to a number of the most complex issues of clinical medicine worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, in many countries, cancer is the second most frequent cause of death.
In Uzbekistan, there is a relative stability in terms of cancer among the population, and the cases of the disease are significantly lower than in most countries of the CIS, Health Minister of Uzbekistan Feruz Nazirov said.
The oncology system of Uzbekistan includes the national center and a network of regional and city dispensaries and clinics, which have the latest equipment. Advanced methods of diagnosis and treatment are being developed and successfully implemented. Much attention is paid to preparation of the highly qualified personnel.
During three-day congress, its participants will discuss improving the quality of cancer treatment. Particular attention will be paid to early prevention and diagnosis of cancer.
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL "CREATIVE FLIGHT" STARTS
The third International Youth Central Asian Film Festival “Creative Flight” started on May 12 at the State Institute of Arts of Uzbekistan.
The event has been organized by the National Agency Uzbekkino in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Arts Academy, Public Youth Movement Kamolot, the National Television and Radio Company, Bukhara regional administration and Uzbekistan Railways company.
The main objective of the festival “Creative Flight” is to identify talented filmmakers and provide them with support and promote their works.
Along with works of young Uzbek filmmakers, films from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan will be presented at the festival.
Various meetings, master classes and other events will took place in the framework of the cinema forum, which will be held simultaneously in Tashkent and Bukhara.
FORUM DISCUSSES WOMEN’S ROLE IN EXTENDING FARMING & REFORMS
The forum on enhancing the activeness of women in developing farming and extending reforms in the sphere of agriculture in Uzbekistan took place in Tashkent, Jahon Information Agency reported.
The female farmers, staff members of the women’s committees, ministries and agencies are reported to have participated at the forum.
They have spoken about the special attention being paid now in the country to raise the social activeness of women, their spiritual and intellectual potential.
The forum has proposed to establish special programs aimed at raising knowledge and skills of businesswomen, and particularly, the special project on loans programs, according to the report.
Also, the forum saw the elaboration of plan on further consolidating cooperation with organizations that render various services to farms.
The Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the chairwoman of Women’s Committee of the country Svetlana Inamova participated at the Forum, the report concluded.
25,000 CHILDREN TO SPEND SUMMER IN TASHKENT REGION CAMPS
This year children’s camps in Tashkent region are scheduled to accept 24,620 children. 11,670 of them will spend summer vacations in such camps as Chimyon, Tong, Metallurg, Kimyogar, Kelajak, Humo and others, and the rest in camps organized with educational institutions.
Currently work is underway to repair and improve the camps and provide them with necessary facilities.
“More than 1,000 boys and girls will spend summer in our camp,” director of Boychechak Orom camp of Parkent district Azizbek Juraev told UzA. “We have created all conditions for their recreation. Swimming pools, playgrounds and buildings have been readied for the season.”
Local administrations, relevant institutions and enterprises, as well as sponsoring organizations have allocated almost UZS 1.12 billion for the preparation of the camps for the season, Etibor Rahmonova of the Tashkent region’s trade unions associations said.
In addition, children from low-income families will be provided discounted and free places in the camps.
Discounted places will be given to 770 students of professional colleges, sport schools and orphanages.
Besides, more than 1,000 children from the Aral Sea area will spend summer in the camps in Tashkent region.