July 30, 2010
Economics:
Uzbekistan, Vietnam boosting bilateral relations in various fields
Tukimachi-Angren railway line electrified
Samarkand: region's GRP grows by 11%, agricultural output – 6.6%
Ferghana: 47,600 new workplaces created within state employment program
Andijan: volume of construction work up 23.8% in Jan-Jun 2010
Namangan: volume of credits to real sector grows 1.2 times to 118bn soums
Bukhara: share of small business in GRP makes up 51.5% in Jan-Jun 2010
Khorezm: GRP up 8.1%, consumer goods production 13.5% in 1H 2010
Society:
Round table discusses implementation of recommendations on CEDAW
Uzbekistan introducing digital TV
Preparing for Admissions Tests
ECONOMY
UZBEKISTAN, VIETNAM BOOSTING BILATERAL RELATIONS IN VARIOUS FIELDS
The Vietnam-Uzbekistan Inter-Governmental Committee for Economic, Commercial Scientific and Technological Cooperation held its fourth session in Hanoi on 27 July to discuss ways to develop two-way ties in various fields.
The Vietnamese delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Le Danh Vinh, Chairman of the Vietnamese sub-committee, while the Uzbek delegation was headed by the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Economic Relations N. Najimov, Head of the Uzbekistan sub-committee.
The two sides exchanged information on the socioeconomic situation and reviewed the implementation of the results of the third session.
They signed the minutes of the fourth session on Economic, Commercial Scientific and Technological Cooperation covering a range of agreements under which, Uzbekistan will provide cotton products, chemical fertilizers and liquidized gas to Vietnam on a long-term and stable basis while Vietnam will provide agro-forestry products and seafood to Uzbekistan.
The two sides will also increase cooperation in trade and investment by holding seminars to help their businesses understand each other's legal frameworks, incentive policies and projects that are calling for investment.
They will focus on cooperation in industry, agriculture, health, education and training, finance and banking and construction.
The fifth session of the committee will be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan in 2011. (Source: Uzreport Information Portal)
TUKIMACHI-ANGREN RAILWAY LINE ELECTRIFIED
Uzbekistan Railways state joint-stock company launched 114-km long electrified Tukimachi-Angren railway line, linking Tashkent with the town of Angren.
Representatives of the government, company management and employees, foreign diplomats, including ambassadors of China, Germany and Kuwait, and others participated in the launch ceremony.
Tukimachi-Angren railway line electrification project worth USD 85.4 million was implemented with attraction of credit funds from German development bank KfW and Kuwait Fund of Arab Economic Development.
During the construction, three bridges with a total length of 265 meters, 2,258 pylons, six buildings for electric substations and other constructions were raised.
Chinese, German, Latvian and Russian companies participated in the electrification project, which will reduce costs 1.8 times, and will improve the environmental situation in the region.
The total length of the railway network in Uzbekistan is over 6,020 km, including 4,230 km of general-purpose lines. (Source: National News Agency UzA)
SAMARKAND: REGION'S GRP GROWS BY 11%, AGRICULTURAL OUTPUT – 6.6%
Samarkand city administration has hosted a meeting to consider results of the region's development in the first half of 2010 and implementation of priority directions of the country's socioeconomic development for 2010.
The Anti-Crisis Program, being implemented gradually on the initiative of the President Islam Karimov, serves to ensuring sustainable macroeconomic indicators in regions, stepwise development of all spheres.
The gross regional product (GRP) of Samarkand region grew by 11% year-on-year in the first six months of 2010, industrial output – by 16.2%, agricultural production – 6.6%, volume of construction work – 31.2%, retail trade turnover – 13.2%, services – 20.1% including paid services by 9%.
The share of small business and private entrepreneurship made up 65.8% in the region's GRP, and that of services sphere – 53%.
A regional program is under implementation in Samarkand region, which is targeted at the development of industry, creation of new workplaces due to establishment of agricultural products and mineral raw materials processing, structural reforms, financial rehabilitation of bankrupt enterprises and their sale to foreign investors.
151 projects were realized in January-June 2010 on the basis of this program. Investments worth a total of $31.6 million were utilized and 2,419 new workplaces were created with these purposes.
Certain work was carried out in agriculture as well. Thus, 14 light construction hothouses that will use alternative energy sources, 26 poultry and 13 fish farms, 7 bee-keeping farms were built. Besides, 524,900 sq m of housing estate were constructed, 55.7 km of gas- and 134.8 km of water-pipelines were laid. (Source: Uzreport Information Portal)
FERGHANA: 47,600 NEW WORKPLACES CREATED WITHIN STATE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
Ferghana city administration has held a meeting to consider results of the region's development in the first half of 2010 and implementation of priority directions of the country's socioeconomic development in 2010 set by the President Islam Karimov at the session of the Cabinet of Ministers on 29 January this year.
It was noted during the meeting that the Anti-Crisis Program, being implemented gradually on the initiative of the head of our state, serves to ensuring sustainable macroeconomic indicators in regions, stepwise promotion of all spheres, in Ferghana region as well.
The gross regional product (GRP) of Ferghana region increased by 2% year-on-year in January-June 2010, consumer goods production – 5.5%, retail trade turnover – 14%, paid services – 19%, volume of construction work – 16%.
Positive results have been achieved in the sphere of modernization of the main branches of economy. 15 projects were completed in Ferghana region in the reporting period, new enterprises were put into operation. 12 companies were founded with participation of foreign investors. (Source: Uzreport Information Portal)
ANDIJAN: VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION WORK UP 23.8% IN JAN-JUN 2010
Andijan city administration has met to consider results of the region's development in the first half of 2010 and implementation of priority directions of the country's socioeconomic development in 2010 set by the President Islam Karimov at the session of the Cabinet of Ministers on 29 January this year.
It was noted during the meeting that the Anti-Crisis Program, being implemented gradually on the initiative of the head of our state, serves to ensuring sustainable macroeconomic indicators in regions, stepwise promotion of all spheres, including in Andijan region.
The gross regional product (GRP) of Andijan region increased by 9.6% in the past six months, industrial production – by 12.7%, consumer goods manufacture – 14.4%, agricultural output – 7%, retail trade turnover – 14.2%, paid services – 11%, volume of construction work – 23.8%.
Amount of capital investments in Andijan region rose by 23% in the reporting period. Exports of the region's enterprises made up $13 million with the forecast plan fulfillment for 119.5%.
47,600 new workplaces were created as a result of effective measures on the employment of the region's population. Work worth 256 billion soums was fulfilled within the implementation of the "Year of harmoniously development generation" State Program. (Source: Uzreport Information Portal)
NAMANGAN: VOLUME OF CREDITS TO REAL SECTOR GROWS 1.2 TIMES TO 118BN SOUMS
Namangan city has hosted a meeting devoted to results of the region's development in the first half of 2010 and implementation of priority directions of the country's socioeconomic development in 2010 set by the President Islam Karimov at the session of the Cabinet of Ministers on 29 January this year.
It was noted during the meeting that the Anti-Crisis Program, being implemented gradually on the initiative of the head of our state, serves to ensuring sustainable macroeconomic indicators in regions, stepwise promotion of all spheres.
The gross regional product (GRP) of Namangan region increased by 11.1% in the past six months, industrial production – by 17.4%, agricultural output – 6.7%, retail trade turnover – 16.8%, paid services – 15.4%, volume of construction work – 19.6%.
Amount of capital investments in Namangan region rose by 6.6% in the reporting period. The investments utilized due to all sources made up 297.3 billion soums. This indicator was fulfilled for 106.6%.
The volume of credits directed by commercial banks to the real sector of economy in the region comprised 118.6 billion soums, which is 20% more compared with January-June 2009. Moreover, 1,761 workplaces were created due to investments worth 11.4 billion by banks in the restoration of productions.
1,706 small business entities were founded in Namangan region in the reporting period. The share of private sector in the region's GRP made up 68.1%. (Source: Uzreport Information Portal)
BUKHARA: SHARE OF SMALL BUSINESS IN GRP MAKES UP 51.5% IN JAN-JUN 2010
Administration of Bukhara region has hosted a meeting to discuss results of socioeconomic development of the region in the first half of 2010 and priority tasks on the implementation of the country's socioeconomic development program for 2010.
Thus, the gross regional product (GRP) grew by 6.5% in the reporting period. The share of small business the region's GRP exceeded the previous year's indicator and made up 51.5%.
Production of consumer goods increased by 6.5% in January-June 2010, volume of construction work – 9.2%, sphere of services – 18.7%. Implementation of Localization Program resulted in the manufacture of goods worth 12.7 billion soums.
41,091 new workplaces were created in the first half of 2010 within the Employment Provision Program. 72% of these workplaces fall to rural area. Moreover, 10,023 workplaces were organized for women on the basis of outwork. (Source: Uzreport Information Portal)
KHOREZM: GRP UP 8.1%, CONSUMER GOODS PRODUCTION 13.5% IN 1H 2010
Urgench city administration has hosted a meeting devoted to results of Khorezm region's socioeconomic development in the first half of 2010 and implementation of the most important priority tasks of the country's socioeconomic development in 2010.
It was noted during the meeting that the Anti-Crisis Program implemented in Uzbekistan on the initiative of the President Islam Karimov serves as an important factor of production development, increase of investment activity, ensuring employment of the population, growth of real incomes in regions.
The volume of the region's gross regional product (GRP) grew by 8.1% in the reporting period, industrial production output increased by 3.2%, manufacture of consumer goods – 13.5%, construction work – 16.7%, retail trade turnover – 12.2%, sphere of services – 15%.
Commercial banks in Khorezm region allocated 60 billion soums worth of credits for the realization of investment projects, modernization, technical and technological re-equipment of enterprises. This figure increased by 55% against the same period of 2009.
Implementation of the projects, included in Localization Program, resulted in production of goods worth 1.5 billion soums, while the sum of saved currency comprised $958,000. Besides, the utilized investments worth a total of 21.2 billion soums and $5.5 million promoted the increase of the region's economic potential and creation of more than 2,500 new workplaces.
32,600 new workplaces were organized in line with the regional population employment program, 82% of which fall to the share of small business and private entrepreneurship. (Source: Uzreport Information Portal)
SOCIETY
ROUND TABLE DISCUSSES IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS ON CEDAW
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Uzbekistan in cooperation with the National Human Rights Center and the Women's Committee organized a round table on the implementation of the recommendations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
The Republic of Uzbekistan joined the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 1995 and since has been regularly providing its periodical reports.
In the first months of 2010, the CEDAW Committee reviewed the 4th national report of Uzbekistan and provided its concluding observations and provisions. Based on these recommendations, the National Human Rights Center and the Women's Committee drafted the National Action Plan.
Representatives from the legislative, executive and judicial branches, as well as NGOs and media took part in the event and got familiar with the observations of the CEDAW Committee and discussed the draft action plan.
In particular, proposed actions included use of gender segregated statistics, new laws on equal opportunities and combating domestic violence and enhancing information campaigns on women's rights through web media.
The presentation of the "CEDAW in questions and answers" book was a welcome addition to the event. The book is a result of joint work between UNDP, the National Human Rights Center and the Women's Committee.
As part of knowledge enhancement efforts UNDP presented sets of legal literature to the National Human Rights Center, Ombudsman and Legal Training Center under the Ministry of Justice and others.
Before adjourning the participants were informed about the decision of the 64 session of the UN General Assembly on establishment of a new gender mechanism called UN WOMEN. (Source: Uzreport Information Portal)
UZBEKISTAN INTRODUCING DIGITAL TV
Uzbekistan was one of the first countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States to start introducing digital TV broadcasting.
The transfer to digital TV started in 2007 and should complete by 2015, according to the plan.
In 2008, test zones of digital broadcasting were set up in two cities of the country – Tashkent and Bukhara,
Currently, 25 channels are broadcast in the capital, and their number will soon increase to over 40.
This year, a digital transmitted will be supplied to Samarkand, while in Tashkent their number will be increased from two to four.
Next year, digital transmitters will be mounted in four other regions of Uzbekistan.
Tashkent-based company TelMax Electronics produces special TV tuners to receive digital channels.
To date, the company produced more than 5,000 of such set-top-boxes. With growth of demand for the receivers, a new company will be launched with foreign investments to manufacture 50,000 to 60,000 receivers per year. (Source: National News Agency UzA)
PREPARING FOR ADMISSIONS TESTS
Traditionally, on 1 August, admissions tests will be held in all higher education institutions for undergraduate studies. A total of 385 thousand people will take part in entrance examinations this year and only 56,6 thousand of them will become the first-year students. The republic average competition among university entrants made up about 7 people for one university seat.
The biggest inflow is in the Tashkent Pedagogical University, Termiz and Samarqand State Universities this year. Each of these universities has registered over 14,000 entrants. Andijon, Qarshi, Namangan and Farg’ona State University with 10-12 people for one university seat show the highest competition rates. However, different specialties have different competition rate. The Tashkent Technical University will be leading again in the number of admitted entrants: it is planning to admit over 2, 5 thousand people. However, the testing results will traditionally dot the i’s and cross the t’s.
According to the data of the State Testing Center under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 10,900 rooms in 390 buildings have been prepared for entrance testing this year. They included not only rooms at the universities but also in the other education institutions of the country. Besides, 36,000 officers from ministries, agencies, public organizations and self-government bodies will be involved to ensure testing regulations’ observance. Entrants will be offered some test tasks that will be checked by means of the special computer equipment.
As regards of the changed testing regulations Bakhrom Ismoilov, director of the State Testing Center informed as follows: “Starting from this year, testing regulations have been amended to ensure justice and impartiality. In particular, entering the testing room, a matriculant should only have passport and pass issued by the admission commission. Presence of other things is the ground for his/her removal. The fact of document’s forgery is a ground for bringing him to responsibility”. (Source: Uzbekistan Today newspaper)