June 6, 2007
Economics:
ADB Delegation Visits Uzbekistan
Roundtable in Tashkent Addresses World Rating Issues For Banks
UNDP – Reliable Partner In Extending Private Sector
Society:
President Visits Grand Complex in Town, Appraises ‘Noble Cause’
Second SOS Children’s village in Uzbekistan
Press-conference to World Day of Natural Environment
Contest for the Best School Psychologist of 2007
ECONOMICS
ADB DELEGATION VISITS UZBEKISTAN
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) top-level delegation has paid a visit to Uzbekistan on June 4 this year to discuss the prospects for extending and strengthening cooperation, the report by Business Information Portal Uzreport has said.
The management of the ADB Department for Central and Eastern Asia, led by the Director General Juan Miranda discussed the latest achievements in bilateral cooperation and plans for the future at the meetings with the Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Rustam Azimov, Deputy Prime Minister Ergash Shoismatov, and other officials, according to the report.
“ADB is glad to assist Uzbekistan in achievement of economic growth through a more intensive support of economic reforms in the country," Mr. Miranda is reported to have said. “We will be glad to assist the country's economic growth and improvement of living standards of its population."
Also, the parties discussed the establishment of long-term cooperation in the sectors of economy, which the government finds to be especially important and to which ADB may provide quality services. ADB delegation noted on the progress in economic reforms in the country, including the reforms in the management of state finances, and confirmed its readiness to render assistance in the achievement of development goals in Uzbekistan.
This visit is reported to have been the second visit this year, in accordance with the agreement reached by the parties in January 2007, which envisages the organization of regular meetings with an aim to strengthen cooperation.
ADB is considering the possibility of issuing loans for the total amount of US$500 million in the following three years to the priority sectors of economy such as state finance administration, agriculture, public education, urban and rural water supply, transportation, irrigation and micro-financing.
The parties also talked about the possibility of ADB's launching operations in the private sector of Uzbekistan, including investments in commercial banks and telecommunications sector. Both parties are said to have expressed their support of the development of long-term country development strategy.
The goals pursued by the Asian Development Bank include the reduction of poverty in the countries of Asia and Pacific through sustainable economic growth, social development and good governance.
Founded in 1966 ADB now has 67 members, of which 48 are in the Asian-Pacific region. In 2006 ADB approved loans and grants as a part of technical assistance for the total amount of US$8.5 billion and US$ 242 million, respectively, the report has emphasized.
ROUNDTABLE IN TASHKENT ADDRESSES WORLD RATING ISSUES FOR BANKS
The International roundtable on developing the rating services in the Republic of Uzbekistan took place in the nation’s capital – Tashkent, the Narodnoye slovo reported June 6. The National Bank of Uzbekistan alongside with the National association of securities markets participants, the Uzbek rating agency Prime Rating Services and one of the leading world rating agencies – the Moody's Investors Service are reported to have organized the event.
The delegates to the roundtable have said that the development of the sphere of rating services in the domestic market and invitation of the world rating agencies to the cooperation with national companies was of an immediate urgency.
They believed the granting the world ratings to the credit organization is not only of an interest for the owner and partners of the bank, regulating bodies and borrowers, but also it serves as a sign of financial standing of the organization for foreign investors, as well as an indicator of its reliability.
In its turn, it means the securing the world rating assessments by the Uzbek banks is one of the additional factors to attract the foreign investments into the financial sector and further develop the said area.
UNDP – RELIABLE PARTNER IN EXTENDING PRIVATE SECTOR
Curbing the state interference with the business activity, consolidation of the role of businesses in the country’s economic potential and termination of the available barriers for its growth – these are the objectives put forward by the Uzbek Leader as priority ones for this year.
According to the report by Narodnoye slovo newspaper, at the moment Uzbekistan undertakes a range of measures to achieve the set goals. In this, the state bodies, businesses, the non-profit sector and organizations make the concerted the efforts along such path.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) acts as a reliable partner of Uzbekistan in developing the private sector, the newspaper wrote.
The UNDP is reported to have been supporting the government in the reforms in financial sector, customs and tax spheres, and the regional programs aimed at raising the people’s prosperity.
To consolidate the partnership relations between the state and businesses in the country the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and the United Nations Development Program organized the presentation of initiatives on the topic “Development of private sector: need for cooperation”, where the sides had enunciated the proposals on further improving the business environment in Uzbekistan.
In this, the parties have sharpened their focus on the development of exports and investment potential, farming production based on cooperation and partnership, betterment of access to statistical data for the private sector.
SOCIETY
PRESIDENT VISITS GRAND COMPLEX IN TOWN, APPRAISES ‘NOBLE CAUSE’
On June 5 this year President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov visited the Khazrati Imam Complex in Tashkent to learn about the construction and betterment works undertaken on the site, according to the reports by national newspapers June 6.
For over the record short period of time – the four months only- the complex saw the enormous works on construction, repairs and greenery. At the moment, one is finely pleased to eye the grand Khazrati Imam Mosque, Barokkhon Madrassah, the place of veneration of Muyi Muborak, the new building of the Spiritual Board of Muslims of Uzbekistan, and other unique facilities, which time and again demonstrate the great creative potential of the Uzbek people, the newspapers wrote.
While watching the complex, which has radically been changed and acquired the completely new and original look, the person involuntarily recalls the words of the great Amir Temur: “The one, who aspires to believe in our might, let him look at the buildings we erect!”
While observing the Complex, the President said that such grand buildings can be raised only in the sacred soil blessed by the Almighty, and this confirms to what extent the spiritual roots of the Uzbek people are deep and solid.
Such noble deeds have become widespread throughout the nation. They embody the current thoughts and aspirations of the Uzbek state and all people.
Mr. Karimov has praised the work by constructors and engineers, the able masters and those all, who had demonstrated the selflessness in this noble cause. He has thanked them on behalf of the entire nation.
“Our souls and thoughts are clean and we believe that our future will also be bright,” – President has said.
SECOND SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGE IN UZBEKISTAN
The president of SOS-Kinderdorf International Helmut Kutin as well as numerous guests of honor are visiting Uzbekistan to participate in the opening of another SOS Children’s village in Samarqand.
The first such village was opened in Tashkent. The SOS Children`s Village Tashkent was built on a four hectares plot of land close to the city centre, donated by the Government of Uzbekistan. The land is very fertile and is perfect for growing flowers and laying out kitchen gardens.
SOS Children`s Village Tashkent comprises fourteen family houses, houses for the village director and the SOS aunts (who support the SOS mothers and take care of the children when the mothers are on leave), a multipurpose hall, a workshop, small sports- and playground and an administration and service area. Up to 126 children can find a new home in the fourteen family houses of SOS Children`s Village Tashkent, where their SOS mothers take lovingly care of them.
The SOS Kindergarten consists of two class rooms and offers room to up to forty children, were pre-school education is provided on a full-time basis. Additionally, various activities are offered for children who are attending school already. The family strengthening programme offers access to essential services for children’s development (eg. educational, nutritional and health support, social skills) and supports families to protect and care for their children. The program also aims at linking families with income generating activities and offers help to improve the parents’ parenting skills.
PRESS-CONFERENCE TO WORLD DAY OF NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
The United Nations Organization has declared the June 5 as the World Day of Environment. In this regard, each year in this day State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Protection of Nature undertakes events devoted to the World Day of Environment.
The main purpose of these events is attraction of attention of the public to environmental problem. In particular, Press conference devoted to the World Day of Environment is one of the mentioned actions.
A lot of national and international cooperation are carried out. In particular, the project of preservation of a biodiversity in Western Tyan-Shan is the practical step in protecting the unique ecosystem, florae and faunae. Nurata-Kizilkum biosphere reserve was initiated as a national model of preservation of a biodiversity in Uzbekistan.
CONTEST FOR THE BEST SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST OF 2007
The Ministry of National Education and the Republican Center of vocational counseling and pedagogical diagnostics of students in Tashkent organized the contest of the Best School Psychologist of 2007.
Winners of regional competitions from Karakalpakistan Republic, regions and Tashkent city participated in the final three-day stage of completions. In the final stage the participants have demonstrated their knowledge and skills on pedagogical diagnostics, testing, computer literacy, decision making in difficult and complex situations.
The first place at competition was awarded to Elvira Gabbasova, the psychologist of school number 107 in Uchtepa district of Tashkent. The psychologist of school 22 areas Uchkuprik district of Fergana region Ezozakhon Yigitaliyeva was awarded the second place, and the psychologist of school number 11 from Naryn district of Namangan region Gulnara Davronova was the third.