July 19, 2010
Politics:
President Islam Karimov meets US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg
Uzbekistan's GDP up 8% in 1H 2010
Economics:
Uzbekistan Airways receives first of 10 A320s on order
Uzbekneftegaz and Petronas Shift to New Level of Cooperation
New-Angren Power Plant to Modernize
Society:
Andijon scientists work out new treatment methods
Reality Surpasses Expectations
POLICY
PRESIDENT ISLAM KARIMOV MEETS US DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE JAMES STEINBERG
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov met with United States Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg, at Oqsaroy July 17.
Welcoming the guest, the head of our state expressed satisfaction with the current state and positive dynamics of bilateral relations developing in the spirit of partnership and mutual understanding.
Today, political, trade and economic, cultural, educational and many other areas are defined as priority tracks in Uzbek-American relations. A good illustration to this has been the effect of a round table held recently in Washington, DC, that was attended by representatives of leading US business circles willing to explore investment opportunities in our republic, long-term projects and the Free Industrial and Economic Zone in Navoi being successfully built in our country.
The two nations effectively cooperate to bolster regional security and stability in Central Asia that includes working out joint measures to counter transnational threats and challenges. In this context, as the guest suggested, crucial have been Uzbekistan’s initiatives on resolving the conflict in Afghanistan by non-military means and socio-economic reconstruction of that country. Significant amounts of humanitarian goods and non-military cargo are delivered to Afghanistan through the territory of our republic. In addition, Uzbekistan provides practical assistance to its southern neighbor by supplying it with electricity, construction materials and soft commodities. Furthermore, our country participates in building up Afghanistan’s transport infrastructure.
During the meeting at Oqsaroy, James Steinberg expressed sincere gratitude to President Karimov for the warm welcome, and confirmed the willingness of the United States to consolidate and boost the mutually beneficial Uzbek-American cooperation. The senior US diplomat stressed the constructive nature of our nation’s policy aimed at maintaining and fostering peace in the region. Deputy Secretary of State appreciated in particular Uzbekistan’s balanced and reasonable stance toward the recent events in Kyrgyzstan with our government providing a wide-scale and comprehensive aid to the victims and refugees fled from southern regions of that country.
Prospects of enhancing the bilateral cooperation on a wide range of issues and other topics of common interest have also been discussed at the event. (Source: National News Agency UzA)
UZBEKISTAN'S GDP UP 8% IN 1H 2010
Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan held its session in Tashkent on 16 July to sum up results of socioeconomic development of the country in the first half of 2010 and reveal additional measures ensuring fulfillment of the most important priorities of the country's development program for 2010.
The session considered thoroughly and analyzed deeply the results of taken measures on structural reforms and modernization of the country's economy, implementation of the Anti-Crisis Program for 2009-2012 and maintaining high and stable growth rates of economy, increasing its effectiveness and macroeconomic balance.
It was noted that these measures have ensuring the 8% increase of the gross domestic product of Uzbekistan in January-June 2010. The volumes of industrial output went up 8%, consumer goods production increased by 11.8%, agricultural output – 6.9%, construction – 11.5%, retail commodity turnover – 10.3%, services – 10.9%.
The country's state budget was performed with a proficit of 0.2% to the GDP, while the level of inflation did not exceed forecast indicators.
Due to all-round support of exporters and active search of new sales markets, the country ensured growth of exports volume by 14.3% in the reporting period and reached a vast amount of positive balance of foreign trade turnover. Uzbek producers exported goods and services to 139 countries, including 26 new destinations. (Source: Uzreport Information Portal)
ECONOMY
UZBEKISTAN AIRWAYS RECEIVES FIRST OF 10 A320S ON ORDER
Uzbekistan's national carrier Uzbekistan Airways has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320 at a welcoming ceremony in Tashkent attended by government officials, Uzbekistan Airways' management and Airbus representatives.
It is the first aircraft out of 10 A320s ordered directly from Airbus as part of the carrier's strategic fleet-modernization program.
The A320 has been configured in a two-class cabin layout seating 150 passengers, 12 in business class and 138 in economy. Uzbekistan's A320s are to be powered by CFM56-5-series engines from CFM International. Uzbekistan Airways' first A320 makes its first commercial flight on 19 July from Tashkent to Baku.
"Uzbekistan Airways managed to prove how efficient the operation of a modern and young fleet can be. The airline will continue to expand and renew its fleet by means of the most advanced aircraft," says Valeriy Tyan, the airline's general director.
Uzbekistan Airways National Air Company was founded on 28 January 1992. The airline is currently operating scheduled flights to more than 40 cities throughout the world, including destinations in America, Europe, the Middle East, Southeast and Central Asia and the CIS.
In addition to the new A320, Uzbekistan Airways' current Airbus fleet includes three A310-300s and two A300-600Fs. The carrier also operates three Avro RJ85s, six Boeing 757-200s, five Boeing 767-300ERs, three Tupolev Tu-154B2s and three Tu-154Ms. (Source: Uzreport Information Portal)
UZBEKNEFTEGAZ AND PETRONAS SHIFT TO NEW LEVEL OF COOPERATION
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan approved the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) signed between Uzbekneftegaz and the Malaysian Petronas on cultivating the Boysun investment block in Surkhondaryo region.
In accordance with the document, Petronas acquired a right of attracting one or several co-investors and signing a consortium agreement with them within six months from the effective date.
The Malaysian company has started preparatory works to drilling the assessment well in Gajak deposit together with the attracted co-investor. Upon the results of drilling and assessment of hydrocarbons’ reserve Petronas will start the development of rough techno-economic justification (RTEJ) of the project.
The Malaysian side will establish a special marketing company in the form of legal entity registered in Uzbekistan to operate all necessary processes within the project and sell the extracted products. The operator and the marketing company will be granted discounts and preferences offered within the agreement.
The sides agreed that the taxation procedure including customs payments will be followed in compliance with the terms of the PSA signed between Uzbekistan and the Petronas Company pending its expiration date. (Source: Uzbekistan Today newspaper)
NEW-ANGREN POWER PLANT TO MODERNIZE
Internal funds of the SSC Uzbekenergo, Reconstruction and Development Foundation of Uzbekistan and a loan from Eximbank of China is attracted to modernization of the New-Angren Thermal Power Plant.
In compliance with the resolution signed by the head of the state, Uzbekenergo will earmark 47.13 million US dollars for this project. 28.82 million dollars of this amount is the funds of the Fund for Technical Extension and Modernization of the Coal Sector. Reconstruction and Development Foundation of Uzbekistan will allocate 52.77 million USD pending for ten years with the three-year discount period and refinancing opportunity of three percent of the interest rate per year through the SCB O’zsanoatqurilishbank including 0.5 percent of the refinancing bank margin.
Besides, 113.84 million USD of leveraged funds will be allocated by the Eximbank of China. They will be given for the term of 20 years with five years of discount and refinancing opportunity of 2.5% of the interest rate per year through the SCB O’zsanoatqurilishbank including 0.5 percent of the refinancing bank margin. Uzbekenergo will act as a borrower and executive body responsible for the targeted and effective use of attracted leverage.
The reconstruction of Angren opencast mine is currently under way. The modernization will empower them to bring the extraction indicators up to 6.4 million tones a year by 2012 (the current production capacity of the colliery is 3.2 million tones of coal a year). Meanwhile it is projected to increase the coal supply in the New-Angren TPP to ensure the year-round coal-fired operation. (Source: Uzbekistan Today newspaper)
SOCIETY
ANDIJON SCIENTISTS WORK OUT NEW TREATMENT METHODS
Specialists of the Central Research Laboratory at Andijon State Medical Institute continue to study the healing properties of copper. They are currently developing ways of its use for percutaneous treatment of diseases of internal organs. The details are presented by MD Vladimir Aleynik, head of laboratory.
Medicinal properties of copper for the treatment of external open wounds, including pus, fractures, diseases of the skin and eyes are studied. Copper sulfate is widely used as a component of various medicines. But the properties of copper for percutaneous treatment of diseases of internal organs are not sufficiently studied and therefore not widely used. To fill this gap, we created a plaster covered with ultra-fine copper powder and began to explore its properties in the treatment of various diseases. The technology is simple: sticking plaster on the surface of the body closer to the organ that causes discomfort of the patient.
Our studies have shown high efficiency of this plaster in the treatment of patients with chronic diseases. Thus, patients with unstable angina suffer less frequency of angina attacks, lipid metabolism and immune system improves. Patients with diabetes mellitus at the initial stages of the disease experience a decrease in blood sugar. But patients with rheumatoid arthritis feel overall improvement. Laboratory studies have shown a decline in rheumatoid factor and C-reactive protein.
This healing effect of copper is explained by the fact that in the body the element is an indispensable component for oxidation of enzyme systems. Copper serves as a carrier of the electron in respiratory chain, thus reducing its content in the tissues below the required level of disrupts the normal course of biochemical processes and is manifested in the form of various functional disorders. Pressing the copper to the body contributes to its penetration into the body and replenishing to normal level. Currently we are planning to continue research of copper for the treatment of other diseases and study its capability of complex treating of emergency conditions.
UT Reference
In medicine, copper is used since ancient times; its properties were studied and used in their practice by Aristotle, Ibn Sina and many other prominent healers. Today copper is used as an ingredient in medicines and medical supplies. Studies of healing properties of copper for the treatment of diseases of internal organs through percutaneous application are performed for the first time by scientists of Andijon State Medical Institute. (Source: Uzbekistan Today newspaper)
REALITY SURPASSES EXPECTATIONS
A team of developers of a high-antiseptic wound-healing remedy “FarGALS” on the eve of the fifth anniversary of release of the drug on the market announced a soon start production of new original products, including for the treatment of internal organs.
“FarGALS is a new generation of drug created to treat hard-healed wounds,” said Galina Babajanova, head of the development group and general director of NPAF FarGALS LLC. “Our product, which is a solution of compound substances produced by microorganisms, is used in cases of wound affected by microbes that are resistant to the other most common drugs. Thanks to its disinfecting, anti-inflammatory, antifungal properties and the ability to clean the wound of dead cells, the drug accelerates healing. By the way, the uniqueness of the drug is confirmed by two patents: one is issued by the Patent Office in Uzbekistan, and another by the Eurasian Patent Office.”
“Our center mainly provides treatment of diabetes patients, their festering wounds are usually difficult to treat,” says Jamolitdin Atajanov, research fellow at the National Center for Contaminated Surgery and Complications of Diabetes. “The new drug FarGALS significantly facilitates the treatment of our patients. The drug help shorten the duration of treatment of patients with even the most severely affected tissues.”
The medicinal properties of this formulation of Uzbek scientists were studied at Vahidov Specialized Surgery Center, Center for the Prevention of Quarantine and Especially Dangerous Infections, Tashkent Pediatric Medical Institute, second clinic of the Tashkent Medical Academy and the Republican Center for Contaminated Surgery, and Complications of Diabetes. Candidates and doctors devote their dissertations to the use of the drug in various areas of medicine. Experts have determined that it can be applied not only in surgery of trophic ulcers, bedsores, chemical and thermal skin injuries, trauma, suppuration of postoperative wounds, but also in treatment of various dermatological, gynecological, gastroenterological, ENT diseases, and even cancer.
“Currently, our product is produced in liquid form, but the doctors say that it is suitable not only for treatment of wounds. And now on the basis of FarGALS we have developed new forms of the drug, which will appear soon in pharmacies,” said G. Babajanova. “In particular, we are preparing to release the drug for the treatment of gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers.”
UT Reference
Unique medicinal formula of FarGALSa was developed by Uzbek pharmacists Galina Babajanova, Sergey Borminskiy, Azam Babajanov and Lolita Melikhova. Successful passing of clinical test and obtaining of permission from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the launch of production of the drug in 2004 layd ground for the foundation of a new national pharmaceutical company NPAF FarGALS LLC, which is currently producing the drug. (Source: Uzbekistan Today newspaper)