July 16, 2010
Politics:
President meets with German Vice Chancellor
UN Resident Coordinator praises Uzbekistan’s efforts in responding to Kyrgyz crisis
Economics:
Uzbekenergo introducing automated energy control system
Reaping the Fruits of Modernization
Bank Loans Help Foster Housing
Society:
Salaries, pensions to increase 20%
Improving conditions for political parties and NGOs in Uzbekistan
Epidemiological situation stable in Uzbekistan
POLICY
PRESIDENT MEETS WITH GERMAN VICE CHANCELLOR
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov met with Vice Chancellor of Federal Republic of Germany, Minister of Foreign Affairs Guido Westerwelle, on July 15 at Oqsaroy.
Welcoming the guest, the head of our state underscored the high level of mutual understanding and confidence reached between the two nations that is confirmed by the persistent progress in Uzbek-German cooperation in many spheres.
Germany is one of the key political, economic and trade partners of our country in Western Europe. Uzbekistan and the Federal Republic cooperate closely in bolstering regional security and stability in Central Asia. Advancing relations between the two nations has also facilitated enhancing the mutually beneficial cooperation between Uzbekistan and the European Union.
In Uzbekistan, major investment projects are implemented in various sectors of economy with the participation of German banks. Higher education and research institutions of the two countries have built equally practical ties. Within these relations, joint research projects have been conducted in sophisticated dimensions of industrial development, agriculture, efficient use of natural resources.
During the meeting at Oqsaroy, Guido Westerwelle expressed his sincere gratitude to the head of our state for the warm welcome and reiterated Germany’s willingness to boost its comprehensive interactions with Uzbekistan in many directions. According to the Vice Chancellor, our country has been making a remarkable input into securing peace and stability in the region by consistently advocating, among other things, to address the situation in Afghanistan with non-military means. In addition, the German foreign minister gave his high appraisal of the reasonable and constructive stance of the Republic of Uzbekistan with regard to the recent events in Kyrgyzstan.
Further development of bilateral cooperation and other topics of common interest have also been discussed at the event. (Source: National News Agency UzA)
UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR PRAISES UZBEKISTAN’S EFFORTS IN RESPONDING TO KYRGYZ CRISIS
UN country team in Uzbekistan highly evaluates the effective efforts of Uzbekistan in response to the humanitarian crisis, which became a result of the violence in Kyrgyzstan in June and led to mass flow of refugees to eastern regions of Uzbekistan, UN Resident Coordinator Anita Nirody said.
In her letter to President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, Anita Nirody expressed deep gratitude to the head of the state and the country’s government for close, effective and timely interaction with the United Nations agencies, which had been provided with immediate access to refugee camps created on the territory of Uzbekistan after the first wave of disorder in Kyrgyzstan.
Upon the invitation of the government of Uzbekistan, the UN Resident Coordinator, as well as representatives of the UNICEF and the WHO that visited refugee camps and received first-hand information on their state, were amazed by the high level of selflessness and measures undertaken by the leadership of Uzbekistan, Anita Nirody said in her letter.
Following consultations with the government of Uzbekistan, United Nations agencies, including UNHCR, UNICEF, World Food Program, UN OCHA, World Health Organization, UNFPA and others sent employees and humanitarian aid, which included blankets, foodstuffs, water, sanitary and hygienic items, as well as first medical aid kits for refugees.
“After the return of refugees in the end of June, the humanitarian aid of the United Nations, which was delivered to Uzbekistan, was forwarded to the neighboring Kyrgyzstan. In this regard, we express our special gratitude to the government of Uzbekistan for the support of our activities,” Anita Nirody said.
Expressing hope for further interaction, UN Resident Coordinator said she believed joint efforts to solve the refugee situation would help to further strengthen cooperation between the United Nations and the government of Uzbekistan. (Source: National News Agency UzA)
ECONOMY
UZBEKENERGO INTRODUCING AUTOMATED ENERGY CONTROL SYSTEM
Uzbekenergo state joint-stock company is continuing introduction of the automated electrical energy consumption control system.
The company and a Czech consortium Inecon Power-Sitronics signed a memorandum on strategic partnership to develop the automated energy control system in Uzbekistan.
The introduction of the new system at enterprises and houses will ensure reduction of technological losses and more accurate counting of the supplied energy resources.
The duration of the project is one year and its cost is USD 34.8 million. According to specialists, the company will be able to save 2.75 billion kWh of energy per year and to reduce green house gas emission to 1.9 million. The cost of the saved egerny will comprise around USD 125 million every year.
The new scheme will be financed by the funds of the Uzbekenergo, Uzbekistan Reconstruction and Development Fund, as well as foreign investments and credits.
Uzbekenergo at present is also reconstructing and modernizing its generating capacities and electricity networks. The company unites 54 enterprises and organizations. (Source: National News Agency UzA)
REAPING THE FRUITS OF MODERNIZATION
In accordance with a presidential decree on deepening the economic reforms and accelerating the development of building materials industry, an extensive work is carried out in this direction. According to the document 122 projects are provided for the implementation in 2005-2010, of which 119 ones have already completed.
A powerful impetus to the industry was suggested by a presidential decree on additional measures to stimulate an increased production and improved quality of wall materials, explained O’zqurilishmateriallari joint-stock company. Much attention is paid to the further development of the industry of building materials, efficient use of production capacities, introduction of energy saving and environment-friendly technologies, increase in production of export oriented and import substituting products. It was prioritized to raise the technological level and production efficiency through the application of high technologies and modern management systems. It is provided to modernize large enterprises specializing in the production of cement, plaster, ceramic tile, glass, wall materials, as well as construct new plants.
Today O’zqurilishmateriallari produces various materials, including cement, slate, glass and glassware, dry mixes, gypsum products, drywall, paint, cladding and ceramic tile, brick, wall materials. In recent years, the company developed production of more than 30 new goods. The efforts taken to upgrade the existing enterprises have ensured the production growth at 10-12 percent per year. Much of the output goes to export (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan). (Source: Uzbekistan Today newspaper)
BANK LOANS HELP FOSTER HOUSING
Acceleration of construction of houses and social infrastructure in rural areas identified as a priority for the development in 2010.
Last year a modern base with a great design, industrial construction and engineering capacities was created for construction in rural areas, funding sources were outlined and mechanism for allocating funds were developed. In accordance with the decree of the head of state, Qishloq Qurilish Bank was established that provides banking services in the construction of houses on the basis of standard projects to contracting and construction and repair companies, producers of building materials and other participants in this market.
Since October 2009, a specialized subsidiary engineering company Qishloq Qurilish Invest in assistance with administrations of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and regions started a work on determining the construction parameters for 2010, establishing a list of lands, contractors and citizens wishing to improve their living conditions, as well as collecting the first contributions of customers to a special bank savings deposit “Investments for the construction”.
Currently, 6800 houses are being constructed at more than 220 areas of 159 districts in rural areas. As part of the investment program approved for 2010, this year over 256.3 billion soums of soft mortgage loans were allocated for the construction of residential houses. According to preliminary estimates, the construction of residential houses in rural areas based on model projects will attract over 430 billion soums.
As of June 30 this year, with the assistance of Qishloq Qurilish Invest 219.7 billion soums was allocated toward financing the contractors engaged in the construction in rural areas.
The cost for construction materials such as burnt bricks, roofing materials, doors and window frames on average make 23-25% of all construction materials used. Accordingly, by commissioning modern and compact plants that will produce similar building materials, the prices for typical building materials are optimized. Engineering company Qishloq Qurilish Invest toward end of the year is to establish 12 new companies in all regions of the country with the total production capacity of 300 million pieces of burnt bricks, 1.5 million square meters of roofing materials and 75 thousand pieces of doors and window frames a year. Their commissioning is to attract 23.7 billion soums of bank investment.
Based on the recommendations of rural residents to the design of model homes, their quality and created conditions, the design and research institute Qishloqqurilishloyiha and Qishloq Qurilish Invest are actively working on further improving of existing and developing new model projects. (Source: Uzbekistan Today newspaper)
SOCIETY
SALARIES, PENSIONS TO INCREASE 20%
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a decree on 9 July on increasing the sizes of the salaries, pensions, stipends and social allowances on average by 20%.
According to the decree, starting from 1 August, the size of the minimum salary will make up 45,215 soums per month, pension and allowanced to disabled from childhood – 88,845 soums, and allowances to the elderly and disabled citizens without the required work experience – 54,265 soums. (Source: Uzbekistan Today newspaper)
IMPROVING CONDITIONS FOR POLITICAL PARTIES AND NGOS IN UZBEKISTAN
Improving conditions for political parties and non-governmental organizations in Uzbekistan was the focus of a meeting held in Tashkent on 15 July.
The event was organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan, together with the National Human Rights Centre of Uzbekistan, the Justice Ministry and the Institute for the Study of Civil Society.
"From the first days of its independence, Uzbekistan has carried out a policy of social partnership and has actively developed civil society. OSCE standards have a great significance for improving legislation in Uzbekistan in the field of political parties and NGOs," said Akmal Saidov, the Director of the National Human Rights Centre.
"Full respect for freedom of association is an essential feature of any thriving pluralistic democracy, and a precondition for the stable and peaceful development of society," said Douglas Wake, the First Deputy Director of OSCE/ODIHR.
"We therefore welcome the engagement Uzbekistan has shown in organizing this meeting and are ready to work with the authorities in developing concrete activities to improve the legal framework for political parties and NGOs as well as its implementation," he added.
Ambassador Istvan Venczel, the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan, stressed that this event is an important contribution to the efforts made in Uzbekistan in the area of democratization.
"The role of political parties and non-governmental organizations is crucial in this respect. I hope that this meeting will be followed by more direct cooperation between the authorities of Uzbekistan and ODIHR," he noted.
Some 70 representatives of state institutions, civil society and the media, as well as international experts from several OSCE countries, reviewed Uzbekistan's experience with developing conditions for the work of political parties and NGOs and discussed ways to improve law and practice in light of OSCE commitments and other international standards.
The meeting was organized as a follow-up to the visit of ODIHR Director Ambassador Janez Lenarcic to Tashkent in 2009 and builds on previous recommendations made by ODIHR, including those contained in a 2005 review of Uzbekistan's NGO legislation and the report on the December 2009 parliamentary elections. (Source: Uzreport Information Portal)
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION STABLE IN UZBEKISTAN
According to media reports, a complex epizootic situation is being observed in some countries of the region because of the spread among cattle of such diseases as brucellosis, tuberculosis, leukemia and pasteurellosis. Uzbekistan has stepped up measures to prevent the penetration of these diseases in the country.
The Main Sanitary and Epidemiological Control Department of the Health Ministry of Uzbekistan, in all regions of the country, seminars were held to improve the skills of practitioners in etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of tuberculosis, brucellosis, leucosis and pasteurellosis.
Gradual work is being conducted to raise the medical culture of the population, and promote the healthy lifestyle.
At the border crossing points, international airports, river ports and railway stations, 58 sanitary control stations have been operating. They are fully equipped with necessary devices, agents and disinfectants. Control has also been strengthened at the sanitary and veterinary laboratories operating in the country’s markets.
Chief epidemiologist of the Health Ministry Ibrahim Mamatkulov told UzA that a special program developed by the ministry defines concrete measures to be implemented in cooperation with relevant government and public organizations, as well as academic institutions.
One of the important tasks in stabilizing the epidemiological situation is creation of highly effective medicaments. The scientists of the country’s research institutions are working successfully in this direction.
The Epidemiology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Research Institute and the National Center for Prevention of Quarantine and Especially Dangerous Infections created Innamak and Immun-5 medicines.
These medicaments have successfully passed the test and are included in the state register of medicaments. They are highly effective in preventing the spread and treatment of brucellosis among humans and animals.
Production of these medicaments have already been launched. (Source: Uzreport Information Portal)