June 25, 2010

Politics:
Legislative Chamber considers new laws
Government thanks citizens for helping Kyrgyz refugees
President of Uzbekistan holds telephone talk with US Secretary of State
Uzbek President visits Bukhara region to witness socioeconomic reforms
Economics:
Xinjiang goods fair opens in Tashkent
Uzbek officials attend ADB workshop promoting public-private partnerships
Extensive Choice, Reasonable Prices
Society:
All the Diversity of Children’s Interests
Wordless Message

POLICY

LEGISLATIVE CHAMBER CONSIDERS NEW LAWS

The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan considered and passed a number of laws at its regular session on 22 June.

The first law approved by the deputies was the law on introducing changes in legislation aimed at putting in order the circulation of pyrotechnics.

The document envisages introduction of licensing of pyrotechnics circulation, and strengthening of administrative and criminal responsibility for their illegal circulation.

In particular, development, production, transportation, storage, sale, use, destruction and utilization of pyrotechnics will be subject to licensing.

The deputies also approved the law on introducing changes in the advertising law, which bans advertising of tobacco and all types of alcohol in the country.

The law also prohibits use of foreign words and phrases in advertising, which may lead to distortion of meaning, advertising of stimulating lotteries, contest, games or similar events whose participants have to purchase a certain product.

The deputies said the changes in the advertising law have a great importance since they are aimed at protection of health of the population, most importantly, young people.

The lower house of the parliament passed the law on introducing changes in the legislation in connection with improvement of the l4egislation on copyright and adjacent rights.

The document defines the terms of validity of rights for works of legal entities, and envisages transfer of on-air and cable broadcasting from copyright field to adjacent rights field.

Among other acts considered by the deputies were the law on introducing changes in the legislation in connection with reorganization of the state antimonopoly body, the law on introducing changes in the legislation in connection with adoption of the law on protected natural areas, and the law on introducing changes in the legislation in connection with improvement of the justice bodies. (Source: National News Agency UzA)

GOVERNMENT THANKS CITIZENS FOR HELPING KYRGYZ REFUGEES

Some 100,000 people, who crossed the border into Uzbekistan after the tragic events of 11-15 June in the south of Kyrgyzstan, were temporarily placed in Andijan, Namangan and Ferghana regions of Uzbekistan and provided with required help.

The people of Uzbekistan have shown a great support to those who had suffered as a result of the tragic events in the neighboring country. A special bank account was opened by the Andijan regional administration for those wishing to help women, children, the elderly and the wounded.

In less than one week, about 3.9 billion soums were received to the special account. Besides, legal entities and individuals have provided food, medicaments, clothes and other required items worth over 7.8 billion soums.

The government of Uzbekistan expressed gratitude to the companies, organizations, state and non-state bodies, farmers and entrepreneurs, as well as all citizens who have contributed to assisting the refugees from Kyrgyzstan. (Source: National News Agency UzA)

PRESIDENT OF UZBEKISTAN HOLDS TELEPHONE TALK WITH US SECRETARY OF STATE

On June 17, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov spoke with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the phone.

President Karimov and Secretary Clinton discussed the latest tragic events in southern Kyrgyzstan, in the city of Osh and Jalalabad region.

The US Secretary of State has been informed of the developing situation in southern Kyrgyzstan, and, first of all, in refugee camps on the territory of Uzbekistan, border areas with Kyrgyzstan.

During the conversation, the enormous amount of work in receiving refugees from southern Kyrgyzstan has been acknowledged. So has issues related to refugees’ allocation, provision with medical aid to everyone who needs it, creation of required living conditions, arranging for food, as well as the assistance to these refugee camps themselves.

Islam Karimov and Hillary Clinton exchanged views on potential ways of overcoming this tough state of affairs and stabilizing primarily the situation in Kyrgyzstan.

It was avowed that the issues related to providing direct assistance to refugees and the humanitarian aid to the population of areas that endured devastation, the soonest stabilization of situation in southern as well as the entire Kyrgyzstan, remain at the core of US attention. (Source: National News Agency UzA)

UZBEK PRESIDENT VISITS BUKHARA REGION TO WITNESS SOCIOECONOMIC REFORMS

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov visited Bukhara region on June 18 in order to make an on-site assessment of socioeconomic reforms and innovative work.

We rightly take pride in our great ancestors who made invaluable input into world civilization and left an indelible mark on the history of mankind. Studying, preserving and enriching the cultural, spiritual, and scientific heritage are our duty to future generations.

This very goal lies at the heart of ongoing large-scale efforts in the sphere of spirituality and enlightenment. Priority in this context is assigned to face-lifting and improving the holy seats of worship, thoroughly learning the sacred heritage of great forefathers, nurturing our younger generation in the spirit of love for our national values.

President Karimov started his trip to Bukhara region with a stopover at Bahovuddin Naqshband memorial complex, UzA reported.

With the initiative and supervision of the head of state, the complex has acquired a new look. New gardens have been laid out; so have all the required conveniences for pilgrims.

"Respect for the memory of noble ancestry, like Bahovuddin Naqshband, studying the heritage is essential to enrich the ethical world of our people," Islam Karimov said. "For generations, every person who has been in this holy place has experienced spiritual purification. It is the duty of every one of us to visit such divine sites and ask the Almighty for peace, harmony and prosperity for the country, people, and our children".

Reforms in all spheres underway in our nation are aimed at raising the welfare of people, guaranteeing the comprehensive development of the younger generation. That is the objective of anti-crisis program of measures initiated by the head of the state. It is also a major factor in securing sustainable socioeconomic growth in the country amid the global financial and economic downturn.

Practical outcomes of this unswerving work can be seen in Bukhara region. In the first quarter this year, the gross regional product grew by 5.1 percent. Emphasis on the development of private entrepreneurship, creation of organizational and legal conveniences, has been yielding its fruits.

These days, farmers have been harvesting wheat and bread-stuffs. Grain farmers have done their best for a timely harvest of yield husbanded by their taxing labor.

Owing to the extensive support for farmers – a stronghold of the economy, – they are active participants of the enduring sociopolitical reforms in rural areas.

Today, Bukhara region boasts some five thousand farms. Dehqons (farmers) of the region intend to collect 380 thousand tons of grain this year.

In an area covering more than 110,000 hectares of land farmers cultivate cotton of "Bukhoro-6", "Bukhoro-8", "Bukhoro-12" varieties. During this period – decisive for the upcoming harvest, – land treatment, irrigation, processing of cotton plant and other crucial agronomic activities are in full swing.

President Karimov got acquainted with Muzaffar Zayniddinov farm in Vobkent district. During a conversation there with farmers and activists of the region, the leader of country suggested to build our towns and villages in accordance with requirements of modern architecture. Islam Karimov insisted that urban and rural settlements' appearance be radically transformed, infrastructure enhanced, the welfare of villagers further improved by providing greater opportunities for expansion of farmers' work, by pushing for industrial advancement in rural areas and helping create new jobs.

The head of state noted that in Bukhara region one can spot the effects of persistent reforms in agriculture and the success of farmers' movement. The President praised the farmers who work selflessly in the fields, making for prosperity in their families and raising the welfare of our people.

"From the early days in the wake of our sovereignty, we set out to attain self-sufficiency in grain. Owing to the large scale reforms carried out in the agricultural sector, the situation changed radically for a short period of time. Adverse weather conditions notwithstanding, our farmers last year secured the highest figures in the history of crop production – they gathered more than seven million tons of grain. While even in the recent past Uzbekistan used to import grain, it now exports it. In 2009, we exported 800,000 tons of grain," Islam Karimov said.

During this chat with farmers, the head of state inquired into their living conditions and future plans.

"Our farm was established in 2007", put Bakhodir Gaffarov, chief of Muzaffar Zayniddinov farm. "At 18 hectares out of 42.3 we have cultivated wheat. We plan to bring the yield to 80 centners per hectare. 60 percent of the harvested crop we will retain for ourselves. Wide opportunities created for farmers are an important factor in our successes.

The economic potential of the country has been growing every year. The success of continuing reforms depends largely on the availability of qualified specialists. The President pointed out that priority should always be given to the comprehensive support for young people. As long as we embark on building a nation with a great future, it is imperative that the needs and interests of the growing generation be at the core of our attention.

Islam Karimov addressed issues concerning the further improvement of Melioration Faculty at Bukhara State University, efficient use of the country's existing experience in training professionals with profound knowledge and high qualification.

The head of state defined rational use of available land area, increase in crop yields, creation of early-ripening varieties and other similar issues as major challenges. In rural areas, small businesses and private entrepreneurship, cottage industry, services, and maintenance have been expanding. Only this way can one move up the welfare of villagers, their real incomes, and processing agricultural products with the use of cutting-edge technologies.

Accomplishing these tasks facilitates higher employment, including graduates of colleges and universities. President Karimov pointed to the need to create conditions for the preparation of young people, particularly girls, for independent life, occupational orientation of young people so that they find a worthy place in society.

During the conversation, the Uzbek leader also spoke about the recent events in Osh and Jalalabad region of the Kyrgyz Republic.

"It is hard even to talk about these events. Killing innocent people, children, pregnant women is nothing but barbarism, cruelty," Islam Karimov insisted. "I am confident the roots of these bloody crimes will be exposed, and that they will have a legal assessment.

"As I said earlier, the world recognizes and respects only those nations who, while retaining their dignity and pride, are confident in their strength and power, are capable of building their own future and protect themselves with their own labor and potential. Such people are great, they have a bright future. Our people have always been compassionate and distinct with their ability to sympathize with the misfortunes of others."

If we talk about the underlying reasons of the tragedy, the President stressed, "I do not support the principle 'eye for eye, tooth for tooth'. I not merely do not support that principle: I believe that he who thinks this way is the enemy of our people."

"We must appreciate and cherish the peace and harmony in our country. I urge you again to think wisely and act always on principle 'measure seven times before cutting'. Ignorance and cruelty never lead to good. This should never be forgotten."

Where there is a lack of peace and concord, there is no prosperity and happiness. This is why our people have always advocated peace.

In the current difficult situation, vigilance, endurance and ability to soberly assess are more important as ever. In the near and far abroad, there are also those who pretend to be our friends.

"This position can be traced in the events taking place in Kyrgyzstan. In accordance with it, one does not necessarily search for reasons to the incident. This has been allegedly a confrontation between the Uzbek and Kyrgyz ethnic groups. I emphatically do not support such allegations," Islam Karimov declared. "Neither Uzbeks nor Kyrgyz are to blame for it. This is a subversion organized and managed from outside."

The forces of sabotage sought to draw Uzbekistan into this confrontation.

According to President Karimov, we are a great nation and are able to find a common language with the Kyrgyz people who have lived with us side by side for millennia, and capable of solving our own problems. (Source: Uzreport Information Portal)

ECONOMY

XINJIANG GOODS FAIR OPENS IN TASHKENT

An exhibition of goods from Xinjiang (China) opened at Uzkurgazmasavdo exhibition center in Tashkent. The event has been organized by the Xingjian branch of International trade promotion committee of China with support of the Commerce and industry chamber of Uzbekistan and the Embassy of China in Tashkent.

Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region possesses rich natural resources and plays an important role in development of Uzbek-Chinese trade and economic relations, ambassador of China to Uzbekistan Yu Hongjun said. Last year, the Uzbek-Chinese trade turnover made up over USD 2 billion.

Eighty companies from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region are participating in the Tashkent exhibition, including small and medium enterprises.

“Uzbek-Chinese relations have a mutually beneficial character in all areas,” chairman of Commerce and industry chamber Alisher Shaikhov said.

“Today, there are over 300 companies created with Chinese investments that operate in Uzbekistan. They work in areas like light industry, agricultural processing and many others,” he added.

The Xinjiang goods exhibition covers industries like machinery building, textile, construction materials, pharmaceuticals, perfumery, foodstuffs and others. (Source: National News Agency UzA)

UZBEK OFFICIALS ATTEND ADB WORKSHOP PROMOTING PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS

The Asian Development Bank (ADB), under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program, conducted a public-private partnership workshop in Tashkent on 24 June.

About 50 Uzbekistan government officials from various ministries and agencies attended the workshop. Public-private partnerships have been gaining recognition in many developing countries as an important means of mobilizing private sector capital and expertise for infrastructure investments and service provision.

"Public-private partnership can help develop infrastructure and services without burdening public resources," said Kazuhiko Higuchi, ADB's Country Director for Uzbekistan in his opening remarks. "In Uzbekistan, with its rapidly growing economy, public-private partnerships have a great potential."

The workshop focused on the objectives, advantages, structure, and implementation of public-private partnerships. Hong Wang, Principal CAREC Coordinator, Arthur Smith, Chairman of the US National Council for public-private partnership, and Elaine Glennie, ADB's Senior Finance Specialist, facilitated the workshop.

"As of today, ADB has supported 52 public-private partnership projects totaling $4.4 billion in water supply, transport, energy and telecommunication sectors. Among Central Asian counties public-private partnership projects have been successfully implemented in Afghanistan, Armenia, Kyrgyz Republic, and Pakistan. ADB will further scale up public-private partnership in its member countries," said Ms. Glennie.

The initiative to promote public-private partnerships was endorsed at CAREC 7th Ministerial Conference in November 2008. Three workshops were conducted last year in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic and Mongolia, and two have been held this year - in Dushanbe and Tashkent.

7th Ministerial Conference of CAREC also endorsed holding a Business Development Forum (BDF) in Urumqi, People's Republic of China on 29-30 July 2010 that will support private sector participation in regional initiatives, encourage foreign direct investment in priority infrastructure projects, and promote collaboration among private and public sector organizations in CAREC countries. The BDF will discuss the challenges of public-private partnerships and showcase business and investment opportunities in the region.

Initiated in 1997, the CAREC Program is a partnership of eight countries and six multilateral institutions working to promote development through cooperation and support accelerated economic growth and poverty reduction.

By promoting and facilitating regional cooperation in the priority areas of transport, trade facilitation, trade policy, and energy, CAREC seeks to help Central Asian and neighboring countries realize their significant potential in an increasingly integrated Eurasia.

The eight CAREC countries are Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, People's Republic of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The Program's six multilateral institution partners are the Asian Development Bank (ADB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), International Monetary Fund (IMF), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the World Bank.

CAREC operates in partnership with other key regional cooperation programs and institutions, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Eurasian Economic Community. ADB's CAREC Unit (CARECU) has been serving as the Program Secretariat since March 2000.

Uzbekistan joined ADB in 1995, and to date has received over $1.945 billion on a project basis and $2.53 billion on a commitment basis. ADB has also extended $41 million in technical assistance. In April 2010, ADB approved four loans totaling $1.14 billion on a commitment basis.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific region through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region. In 2009, it approved a total of $16.1 billion in financing operations through loans, grants, guarantees, a trade finance facilitation program, equity investments, and technical assistance projects. ADB also mobilized co financing amounting to $3.2 billion. (Source: Uzreport Information Portal)

EXTENSIVE CHOICE, REASONABLE PRICES

Tashkent hosts the first stage of the international industrial fair and cooperation exchange, where the staple industries of the country and small enterprises exhibit their production in sectors.

At the fair, opened in Uzexpocenter, the enterprises of public services, transportation, capital construction, and building industry have presented their production. The peculiarity of samples of goods and readymade production, displayed on the stands, is a broad assortment, obtainable prices. Here you can get acquainted with the produce of national manufacturers, which is also made for export, and the produce potentially promising based on the localization of production and expansion of cooperation ties.

The companies of stock company Uzstroymateriali present the samples of their production for the purpose of the realization of mutually beneficial cooperation opportunities, the strengthening of intersectoral and intrasectoral industrial cooperation.

A great attention is paid to the issues of further development of building materials industry, rational usage of production facilities, application of energy-efficient and ecologically safe technologies, and increase in manufacture of export-oriented and import-substituting competitive production. The measures for reconstruction and modernization of present companies of the sphere, rational distribution of finance allowed a 10-12% increase in the volume of production annually.

Domestic enterprises have mastered the production of more than 30 items of modern construction materials. Last year business units of stock company Uzstroymateriali signed some 40 agreements for 2010. As part of the intersectoral cooperation, company is going to sign purchase agreements for machine building and cable production, chemical raw materials and equipment worth more than 35 billion soums.

Multi-aspect work in modernization, technical and technological industrial extension is being implemented in the departments of national stock railway company O’zbekiston Temir Yo’llari, and particularly at the subsidiary Liteyno-Mexanicheskiy Zavod. This company specializes in repair and modernization of railway vehicles - fright cars, cement truck cisterns, mineral carriers. In compliance with the localization program the production of new wagons, iron casting, spare parts for the railway vehicles and track structures has been established. The plant provides with their production the other industries, such as the departments of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Industry, which get the spare parts for pumps, metalware, water-pressure reinforcement, load lifting mechanisms and cranes.

The plant has its own engineering and design department, all necessary equipment and the stand for tension and compression checkouts of the production. More than 100 fright cars and closed wagons are manufactured at the factory. Besides, the oil and chemical goods cisterns, half-wagons and closed fright cars are being repaired and modernized, which prolongs their service life period. Since 2006 the company has introduced and now uses the ISO 9001:2000 quality management system.

The localization effect is demonstrated by the companies such as Osiyo Granit, which has applied the production of marble and granite slabs and figured items, Uzbek-Austrian Desk-invest, which provides the metal tile and corrugated board with the 50-year guarantee, the stock company Kvarz, producing the glass jars, bottles, automobile glasses, which are exported in the neighbor countries, Angrengazmash LLC, producing hot-water boilers, automatic gas-distributing stations and gas control points and gaining a great demand from the consumers.

The annual holding of the international industrial fair and cooperation exchange impulses the increase in localization volumes of readymade goods production, spare parts and materials based on industrial cooperation. This brings a considerable decrease in import volumes. (Source: Uzbekistan Today newspaper)

SOCIETY

ALL THE DIVERSITY OF CHILDREN’S INTERESTS

The third, final round of the republican circle contest has become one of the brightest and colorful events of the end of the school year and beginning of summer holidays. It presented amazing world and wealth of customs and traditions of the multinational people of Uzbekistan, diversity of children’s interests.

The contest gathered the best 54 circle teachers from all over the republic to demonstrate their experience. Competitions were held in five areas of focus: cultural and aesthetic education, engineering creativity, ecology education, tourism and local history, geography and culture, folk workmanship. The holiday teemed with all constituents of high spirits: folk music, songs and dancing, demonstration of artisans’ products, tourism opportunities in regions and many other things.

Winners were selected in each area, they were awarded with one first prize, two second and three third prizes. Circle teachers from Bukhoro region won the team championship: they came first in the competition among circle teachers in cultural and aesthetic education, engineering creativity and folk craftsmanship. They also won the third prize in children’s tourism and local history and geography studies. Specialists from Namangan won the second prize, and the third prize was shared between the teams from Andijon, Samarqand, Sirdaryo and Farg’ona regions, each of which took one second and two third prizes.

IN CONTEXT

Sadoqat Jamolova,
first prize winner, manager of the circle Young Maqom Performers at students’ creativity center, Jondor district of Bukhoro region:

I think there are no winners or losers in this contest. It has become a ground for exchanging experience of organizing circles, discussing the ways of solution of urgent pedagogical tasks. This is very important in terms of raising quality of education in circles that plays an important role in preservation of customs and traditions of our multinational people and discovering young talents.

Barnohon Solieva,
third prize winner, manager of the circle Puppet Theater at students’ creativity center, Kurgantepa district of Andijon region:

This contest displayed the whole diversity of folklore of people living in Uzbekistan, interests of the growing generation and the extent to which we were united by art and creativity. Managers of circles quite skillfully demonstrated their activity and its importance in upbringing the comprehensively advanced generation.

Javohir Fahritdinov,
third prize winner, manager of the circle Young Guide, Surkhondaryo regional center for children’s tourism, local history and geography:

Each region presented its best potential in the event, which broadened each participant’s outlook. I told about the opportunities of children’s tourism in Surkhondaryo region and the routes that can be interesting for children from other regions of Uzbekistan. These lands dispose about 700 archeological monuments. I found out that some people did not even think of the opportunities the region presented for the development of children’s tourism and local history and geography studies. (Source: Uzbekistan Today newspaper)

WORDLESS MESSAGE

At one of the summer days the cozy court yard of the art gallery Caravan One has brought together art connoisseurs of the capital. The muffled sound of a gong announced the beginning of the occasion, pretty important in the creative life of graphic artist Hilola Shermatova and the exhibition curator Gayane Umerova. Since for the former it is the first personal exhibition, and for the latter - a festival of realization of ideas.

Having united, two old friends, created the touching and fantastic world in which it seems that on the sunset under the tunes of eastern music the heroes from Hilola’s products revive. The exhibition attracts the visitors’ attention by its original design by Gayane. Everything is harmonious here: video-art, reproduced on water, wax candles on paper, creative installation on pear tree decorated with draped silk, and four series of graphic works by Hilola Shermatova.

“The atmosphere itself is the part of the composition, and the rain suddenly dripped, also became a certain symbol, the metaphor, explaining a new word which the artist wishes to present as the message,” emphasized the academician of Uzbekistan’s Academy of Arts, Doctor of Art History, Professor Akbar Khakimov. “Hilola’s creativity attracts by its rather curious plasticity, her graphics against the background of vanguard art forms draws quite positive feelings.

The theme of the exhibition is permeated with the eastern philosophical poetry. Maktub is the title of the exhibition means a destiny, message, letter sent to us, the witnesses of the emergence of fine art. The works are always extremely substantial and sincere that transfer feelings and mood of a sensual and refined author.

“I wished to demonstrate my dreams, feelings, the best,” explained Hilola. “Almost all my works reflect the theme of Eastern poetry. I do like creativity of Alisher Navoiy, Umar Hayyom, various fairy tales and love to write verses.”

Hilola is quite interesting and many-sided person. She graduated from the Benkov Republican School of Arts, the faculty of theater suit. Degree of Bachelor (animation faculty) and Master’s (book drawing faculty) she took at the Kamoliddin Behzod Institute of Arts and Design.

For last two years Hilola has worked as a production designer at cinema that, undoubtedly, got its reflection in her creativity. Yet the major influence Hilola got from her father, the well-known artist. She also had refined tutors such as Bobur Ismoilov and Lekim Ibragimov.

Hilola does not try to find a certain sense. It takes a sheet of paper and draws a line that turns into the drawing depicting her thoughts and state of the mind.

Hilola is a member of the Creative Association of the Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan. She regularly takes part in various exhibitions, such as the festival of fashion and jewelry art Osiyo Ramzi, East – West: a Link of Times. She is a constant participant of the republican youth exhibition Navqiron Uzbekiston and others. She is also an author of exclusive collection of national dress Silk that was successfully exhibited in Samarqand. (Source: Uzbekistan Today newspaper)