May 22, 2008
Politics:
Uzbekistan Sends Humanitarian Cargo to Quake-Stricken China
Economics:
Uzbekistan to export abroad 23% of extracted gas in 2008
CDM Project presents book on determining prices for carbon credits
UNDP DRR attends opening ceremony of "BestSoft Uzbekistan - 2008"
UzAgroSugurta sums up first quarter results
Society:
Conference on Tashkent’s Jubilee Takes Place in Town
With the care for mothers and children
Pakhtakor 2-0 won over Al Gharafa
POLICY
UZBEKISTAN SENDS HUMANITARIAN CARGO TO QUAKE-STRICKEN CHINA
On May 22 the cargo aircraft IL 76-TM loaded with a humanitarian cargo to the People’s Republic of China took off on its first such flight from Tashkent, Bakhodir Mamajanov of the Information Agency "Jahon" reported from the scene in Tashkent.
China suffered a devastating earthquake earlier this month with thousands of people to have been left under ruins of debris and concrete or saved to their lives by countless efforts of both the government and other relief organizations in the country.
The humanitarian cargo includes the stuff in high need among the quake-stricken population. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Uzbekistan Yu Honjun and Minister of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan Ruslan Mirzaev attended the flight take-off ceremony in Tashkent.
Ambassador Honjun spoke to journalists who have covered the noble mission of mercy and solidarity manifested by the Uzbek people to a friendly nation of China.
“I must say that the friendly relations between China and Uzbekistan trace back long into history,” – the top-level Chinese diplomat has said.
China suffered devastating earthquake and in this difficult time for us Uzbekistan has extended to us a generous helping hand. There is a saying in many countries of the world as much as in China that: a friend in need is a friend indeed. Today’s event vividly testifies to the sincere friendship between Uzbekistan and China. The Chinese people will never forget about it, Ambassador Honjun added.
At the moment, Uzbekistan plans to send another flight with a humanitarian load to China.
ECONOMY
UZBEKISTAN TO EXPORT ABROAD 23% OF EXTRACTED GAS IN 2008
Uzbekistan will export 15.3 billion cubic metres of gas in 2008 and the share of exports in the total annual gas production will make up 23%, Deputy Chairman of Uzbekneftegaz national holding company Shavkat Madjitov said at OGU-2008 international exhibition, Uzreport Business Information Portal reported.
Uzbekistan is planning to increase gas production by 2.3% to 66.8 billion cubic metres in 2008, according to Madjitov. In 2007, Uzbekistan produced 65.3 billion cubic metres of gas, of which 14.5 billion cubic metres were exported.
The major share of the Uzbek gas exports (85%) will fall to Russia this year as well. Besides, in 2008 it is envisaged to increase supplies to 12.75 billion cubic metres, against 10 billion cubic metres in 2007. Uzbekistan supplied 1.5 billion cubic metres of gas to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan last year.
The number of foreign participants in the OGU-2008 (Oil and Gas Uzbekistan) exhibition shows the interest of foreign investors in the oil-and-gas industry of Uzbekistan. Some 180 companies from 30 countries, including 60 companies from Russia, participated in the exhibition.
CDM PROJECT PRESENTS BOOK ON DETERMINING PRICES FOR CARBON CREDITS
Joint UNDP and Ministry of Economy project "Capacity Building for Clean Development Mechanism in Uzbekistan" presented the book "Equal Exchange: Determining a Fair Price for Carbon" at the Radisson SAS Tashkent hotel in Tashkent on May 14.
The book was translated into Russian and published on the initiative of the Ministry of Economy - the Designated National Authority on CDM in Uzbekistan. The book was a compilation of articles reflecting the viewpoints of lawyers, financiers, green investors, CDM project developers, traders and market analysts on the issues of pricing, selling, purchasing and other operations with carbon credits, Uzreport Business Information Portal reported.
The presentation was attended by representatives of the key ministries and departments of the Republic, including the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade, the State Committee on Nature Protection, the Main Forestry Department, the Main Administration of Hydrometeorology, the Oil and Gas Company Uzbekneftegas, the Chemical Production Company Uzkimyosanoat, the Power Company Uzbekenergo, the Municipal Waste Treatment Company Mahsustrans, as well as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Uzbekistan Energy Center, the Heat and Power Project, the Farmers' Association, the Technology Transfer Agency, altogether presenting the pool of CDM project proponents. The interested investors were the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, the Europe House, the carbon credit aggregators – companies Ecosecurities and Tricorona, as well as Mitsubishi Corp. and other foreign private companies.
The content of the book rich in legal and financial terms was communicated as a series of brief PowerPoint presentations on the major topics including risks of CDM projects, negotiating a fair prices for Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) – the outputs of CDM projects, as well as strategies of preparation of the Emission Reduction Purchase Agreements (ERPA). The presentations adjusted to the needs and interests of the invited target audience have found an active feedback and a vast of queries and comments.
The afternoon session was the round table on the legal and institutional framework for CDM projects, with major topics such as bidding procedures, details of implementation of low-profitable CDM projects and projects with CDM component, as well as taxation and benefit matters. Discussions of selection criteria for potential investors, procedures of legalization and purchase of additionally generated CERs, determining CER price depending on the price of the European Union Allowances, the problems in preparation of Project Design Document (PDD), as well as ways to make the CDM profits more 'green", i.e. aimed at social and environmental benefits were of high interest both of project proponents and investors. Another subject of discussion was the definition of the CER – is it a commodity or a service? – in the light of application of the custom legislation.
Given that legal and institutional framework on CDM has been developing, some questions could not get a final answer but were taken into consideration for further development and discussion at the next round table dealing with financing schemes, so that the legal and procedure environment become more convenient both for CDM project proponents and investors.
Following the project objective to increase the knowledge of the national experts and dissemination of CDM-related information, in addition to the presented book the attendees were provided with the project newsletter informing on news of the carbon market, current status of CDM projects in Uzbekistan and worldwide, carbon facilities operations and comments by the leading carbon investors. Beside that, the "CDM Library" CDs were disseminated among the participants, which contained the presented book and earlier publications on CDM in Russian, templates of project ideas note (PIN) and project design document (PDD), UNDP publications on renewable and traditional power engineering in Uzbekistan, as well as climate change materials by the Russian WWF.
The event has attracted the attention of the local mass media – the observers of magazine "Ekologicheskiy Vestnik", newspapers "Ishonch-Doverie" and "Uzbekistan today" (issued in Uzbek, Russian and English), as well as News Agency "Turkestan-Press", who were invited to the briefing. The journalists and commentators of the radio channels "Yoshlar", "Tashkent", "Mash'al" and "Uzbekiston" (program "Akhborot") have interviewed the participants and broadcasted brief summary of the event in Uzbek and Russian languages.
UNDP DRR ATTENDS OPENING CEREMONY OF "BESTSOFT UZBEKISTAN - 2008"
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Uzbekistan Kyoko Postill participated in the opening ceremony of the National Software Exhibition "BestSoft Uzbekistan - 2008" on May 15.
The "BestSoft Uzbekistan - 2008" was organized by IT Association of Uzbekistan and from the Government side was endorsed by Communication and Information Agency of Uzbekistan. Official partner of events was "ICT Policy" (ICTP) Project of United Nations Development Programme in Uzbekistan, Uzreport Business Information Portal reported.
The exhibition was the significant event familiarizing the wide audience as well as professionals in the field of information technology with the practice of creating and implementing projects in the field of software development in the country. All the achievements and prospects of the software industry, designed for businesses, public institutions and population were demonstrated at the exhibition.
According to experts' estimates, over 200 entities are working in software development and production business. The market's value increased 1.6 times in last two years and now it comprises US$16 million.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Kyoko Postill said: "UNDP supports the promotion of the Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs), because we strongly believe that it is a powerful tool to achieve the equitable and sustainable development of countries, which is our mandate. It is a good tool of knowledge sharing, which enhances local and global development opportunities, promote political accountability, and improve the delivery of basic services. It significantly enhances the development potential that can be used to build modern, competitive and versatile societies."
It is also significant fact that the Government contributes to promotion of ICT conducting the exhibition in the framework of World Information Society Day, proclaimed by a United Nations General Assembly resolution on 17 May. It displays aspiration to build people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented information society, where everyone can create, access, utilize and share information and knowledge.
UZAGROSUGURTA SUMS UP FIRST QUARTER RESULTS
UzAgroSugurta State Joint-Stock Insurance Company held a meeting to sum up the results of its activity in the first quarter of this year.
The company provides insurance services in the segments of general (non-life) insurance in both voluntary and mandatory forms across 17 insurance classes, paying particular attention to the integration of the new insurance products.
Today the number of insurance products offered by the company has reached 67. Along with the 13 regional directions, 173 district and city offices, 20 subsidiary companies, scattered across Uzbekistan, the company also operates 426 agent offices with the purpose of raising the level of the insurance protection of clients residing in distant rural locations.
Effective performance of the tasks in the first quarter of this year has allowed the company to raise its insurance premium revenue by 41.1% against the same period of the previous year. Despite the strong competition created by other strong participants of the insurance market the company's market share remained big – 24.6%.
The company thus took up the leading position in the market in terms of the insurance premiums collected, leaving the usual market leader UzbekInvest behind. The number of the insurance contracts signed by the company in the reporting three months made up 74% of the total number of contracts signed by all 27 insurance agencies of Uzbekistan, which illustrates the company's advanced growth dynamics and the growing trust of the population in it.
UzAgroSugurta is the only insurance company in the country specialized in the insurance of the risks in the agricultural sector. As a result of its consistent efforts on the insurance of grain and cotton harvests, the company signed 20,880 cotton insurance contracts and 8,364 grain harvest insurance contracts. The company's insurance obligations under these contracts comprised 24.6 billion soums and 11.1 billion soums respectively. The volume of the company's obligations under the contracts on the insurance of agricultural crops has grown by 51% year-on-year.
Pursuant to the Presidential Resolution No. 308 of 23 March 2006 "On measures to stimulate the breeding of cattle on private farms" efforts are being given to integrate new types of insurance to provide insurance protection to cattle breeders.
Close contact has been established with the commercial banks extended soft target loans to cattle farmers. Overall, as sponsorship and credit assistance is provided to farmers for the purchasing of cattle, the insurance company has managed to sign 596 insurance contracts accepting insurance obligations in the amount of 495.2 million soums. Also in the reporting quarter, the company signed about 700,000 personal and property insurance contracts with the purpose of raising the insurance protection of the population, particularly those groups residing in rural areas.
At the same time, in the reporting period the company made coverage payouts in the amount of 1.3 billion soums, 86.4% of which were on the agricultural risks insurance contracts, 11% - on the insurance of the population, and 2.6% on the insurance of small and private businesses. The growth of the overall volume of insurance coverage made up 147% compared to the same period of 2007. The volume of the insurance liabilities has grown by 41.3%.
Pursuant to the Presidential Resolution No. 640 "On additional measures to speed up the development of the services sphere in the Republic of Uzbekistan during the period through 2010" the company intends to move confidently towards meeting the goals set.
The company's management pays increasingly high attention to system automation through the use of new information technology and software to further integration operative management, develop the activity and raise the efficiency of staff, and speed up data processing.
In the second quarter this year UzAgroSugurta intends to pay particular attention to the insurance of oil-yielding crops, vegetables, and melons and gourds grown on the lands that had previously been used for the growth of grains.
The company's mission remains all possible support of each individual client, including corporate, state and private clients through the provision of high quality reliable insurance services; protecting the property interests of agricultural producers, maintaining stable functioning of the domestic insurance market, and growing the insurance reserves and investment to assist the development of Uzbekistan's economy.
SOCIETY
CONFERENCE ON TASHKENT’S JUBILEE TAKES PLACE IN TOWN
Institute of History of Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan along with the Women’s Committee of Tashkent held the scientific and practical conference dedicated to the 2200th anniversary of the city of Tashkent, according to the Jahon Information Agency.
The scholars, pedagogues, activists of the Women’s Committee, consultants on religious enlightenment and spiritual and moral education, as well as the Uzbek youth took part at the conference which was organized in Tashkent in the framework of the State program of the Year of Youth.
Tashkent enjoys an invaluable place and profound role in the history of national statehood, as well as in the social and political life of Uzbekistan. It did contribute much to the development of world civilization and is rightfully named as the “gates of the Orient”.
The Resolution of President “On preparing and holding the 2200th anniversary jubilee of the city of Tashkent” of April 2, 2008 is a main factor in comprehensive studies of the city’s history and contemporary development.
The said document envisages the worthy celebration of the 2200th anniversary of the city of Tashkent. Also, it reiterates the very need to further glorify the city, as well as consolidate love and devotion to Homeland in the hearts of the Uzbek young men and women.
The delegates to the Tashkent conference spoke on the studies, research and preservation of historical m0muments of the capital city and territories adjacent to Tashkent, according to the reports.
WITH THE CARE FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN
The Mother and the Child exhibition is taking place in Tashkent. The exhibition company “Inter Tashkent Expo” received all-round support of the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan in its organization.
The exhibition has been held for the second time and has taken a worthy place in a complex of events, directed to protection of maternity and childhood. Many entrepreneurs sign agreements with manufacturers of goods and services in the hall of “Navruz” Trade and Production Complex. There are a lot of visitors at the exhibition, especially young people, who work with innovations.
The stands present medicines, hygiene products, baby food, clothes for prospective mothers, products for babies, educational games and toys, goods for children creativity, subject books, video and audio materials.
For the first time in the framework of the event there will be a conference where pediatricians will discuss hot issues related to prevention and treatment of diseases.
At the first glance most of the exhibits seem not to be related to medicine. But pediatricians assure that each of the exhibits is useful and can bring happiness to a young family. And a happy family means healthy family.
PAKHTAKOR 2-0 WON OVER AL GHARAFA
Pakhtakor ended its AFC Champions League Group D campaign with a 2-0 win over Al Gharafa of Qatar.
Despite being forced to make wholesale changes due to the suspension of seven players, Pakhtakor completely dominated proceedings at MHSK Stadium and claimed a deserved victory thanks to goals by Zaynitdin Tadjiyev and Odil Ahmedov, UzA.
Pakhtakor had already been eliminated from knockout stage contention after a 2-2 draw at Al Qadisiya two weeks ago but Haydarov said that it did not diminish the importance of the game for his team.
“There were questions of how we would perform without so many of our key players but I think that we gave a good response today.
“But I must thank Alexander Kletskov and Renat Bayramov, who played in the match today despite still nursing injuries,” Haydarov added.
Kasimov: Kuruvchi’s eye on quarters.
Kuruvchi coach Mirdjalal Kasimov is already focussing on the ACL quarter-finals Kuruvchi coach Mirdjalal Kasimov is already focussing on the ACL quarter-finals.
Kuruvchi had one eye on the AFC Champions League quarter-finals after finishing Group A campaign with a 1-1 draw against Sepahan.
Having already sealed their place in the knockout stage, Kuruvchi fell behind after just two minutes at the Azadi Stadium as Jalaleddin Alimohammadi’s powerful finish gave last year’s finalists the lead.
However, Gochguly Gochguliyev deservedly equalised 17 minutes from time with a header after Server Djeparov’s corner was punched away by Sepahan goalkeeper Mohammed Savari.
The visitors then nearly scored a late winner but Anvarjon Soliev’s header slammed the woodwork with eight minutes remaining as they secured their 13th point of the campaign.