June 11, 2007
Politics:
Islam Karimov Attends CIS Informal Summit, XI Int. Econ. Forum in S. Petersburg
President Islam Karimov met with Russian President
President Meets Turkmen Counterpart
Ambassadors of Korea and UK deliver credentials
Economics:
Government decision simplifies obligatory certification procedures
Aviabalt to issue some US$38m for IL-114-300 aircrafts production in Tashkent
Society:
Second SOS Children’s village in Uzbekistan opens in Samarkand
Children's Fashion Festival in Tashkent
POLITICS
ISLAM KARIMOV ATTENDS CIS INFORMAL SUMMIT, XI INT. ECON. FORUM IN S. PETERSBURG
On June 10, 2007 the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov is reported to have participated at the informal meeting of the Council of the CIS participating states in Saint Petersburg in the Russian Federation.
In such a report by Uzbekistan National News Agency, at the summit the presidents have addressed the reforming the Commonwealth of Independent States and raising the efficiency of its operating bodies.
As a matter of fact, the summit saw the arrival and participation of all leaders of the CIS states. The report thus has hinted that the Commonwealth has been standing at the doorstep of “positive changes”.
Apart from the summit, the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov is reported to have also participated at the XI International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg, which was covered on the site by nearly 1,500 journalists from around the world.
In line with the reports by Russian TV program Vesti-Seychas («The News Now»), the Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg has resulted in signing the contracts between various companies – both state and private- worth 13,5 billion US dollars.
The three-day Forum saw the participation of nine presidents, four prime ministers, and numerous business people from companies around the globe, the Vesti-Seychas has said.
The massive gathering in Saint Petersburg did furnish some organizational and logistical problems for the city administration, according to the TV program.
Valentina Matvienko, the Mayor of Saint Petersburg, has been quoted as saying that the city municipality would address the logistics of the Forum in a more accurate and knowing manner next year so that to be more prepared to tackle various unexpected problems vis-a-vis guest accommodation in hotels, and so on.
“We will be more prepared for the next year,” Ms. Matvienko has said while speaking at the news conference on the outcomes of the Forum in town.
PRESIDENT ISLAM KARIMOV MET WITH RUSSIAN PRESIDENT
President Karimov arrived in Saint Petersburg to participate in informal summit of CIS countries. He met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 9.
The leaders noted the expending relations between two countries. Cooperation between our countries consistently develops and there is a strong legal basis for them which is the Agreement of Allied Relations signed by presidents Islam Karimov and Vladimir Putin in November, 2005.
The volume of trade turnover between our countries in the past year has increased and reached more than 3 billion US dollars that testifies about successful continuation of cooperation.
Over 450 joint ventures with participation of Russian investors are established in Uzbekistan. Uzbek investments are enclosed in 284 joint ventures functioning in the territories of Russia. Over 80 representations of Russian companies and firms opened in Uzbekistan.
Last year Russian market received more than one million tons of various agricultural products from Uzbekistan.
Our countries have great opportunities to expand relations in fuel and energy sector, metallurgy, communications, tourism and other spheres.
During the meeting Islam Karimov and Vladimir Putin discussed the issues of further developing the relations between two countries.
PRESIDENT MEETS TURKMEN COUNTERPART
As has been reported, Islam Karimov, the President of Uzbekistan, on June 9-10 this year visited the Saint Petersburg to participate in the informal summit of the heads of CIS participating countries. On June 9 in his town residence in Saint Petersburg President Karimov met with the President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov of Turkmenistan, according to the report by Uzbekistan National News Agency.
For over the span of several centuries the Uzbek and Turkmen people have lived side by side. Their history and culture, languages and faith are inseparably linked to one another, the report has added.
The earlier meetings of leaders of both countries – Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan - at the highest levels have triggered the start of the quality new relations between the two nations, which strive to expand and develop the mutual cooperation. Also, such rendezvous have strengthened the legal basis of such relations.
In Saint Petersburg, the most European-like city of the Russian Federation, where the two presidents had traveled for the CIS informal summit, Mr. Karimov and Mr. Berdymukhammedov had talked about the prospects of the Uzbek-Turkmen relations, issues of regional cooperation, as well as economic integration and security.
AMBASSADORS OF KOREA AND UK DELIVER CREDENTIALS
Ambassadors of Korea Republic and United Kingdom of the Great Britain and Northern Ireland delivered credentials to President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov at the Oksaroy Residence in Tashkent on June 8.
Islam Karimov congratulated the ambassadors with their appointment to such honorable and responsible posts, wished them successes at their missions in Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan considers South Korea as one of its main partners. Bilateral trade turnover comprised USD 613 million in 2006. South Korea invested USD 1.5 billion in Uzbekistan before President Karimov’s visit to this country in 2006. The documents signed during that visit envisage investment of further USD 1.8 billion in Uzbekistan.
Almost 136 Uzbek-South Korean joint ventures operate in Uzbekistan, as well as representative offices of 45 South Korean companies.
Contacts in scientific, educational, cultural, healthcare and other spheres are also developing.
The UK leadership pays importance to broadening all round cooperation with Uzbekistan.
Trade-economic relations and socio-cultural ties are growing. The UK is one of Uzbekistan’s largest economic partners in Europe.
136 Uzbek-British joint ventures operate in Uzbekistan, as well as representative offices of 55 British companies.
Bilateral trade turnover with UK comprised USD 254,7 million.
At the regular April meeting of the Uzbek-British council on trade and industry demonstrated many possibilities for developing cooperation in economics, trade and investment.
The international Westminster University and British Council operate in Tashkent. There are regular contacts in science, health, tourism and other spheres.
ECONOMICS
GOVERNMENT DECISION SIMPLIFIES OBLIGATORY CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES
Based on the recommendations of the State Demonopolisation Committee, the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan has passed a resolution No. 104 "On introduction of amendments and addenda to certain decisions of the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan".
The document envisages amendments to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers dated 6 July 2004, particularly the provision envisaging the reduction of the list of products made subject to obligatory certification, the press service of the State Demonopolisation Committee said.
Thus, around 250 sub-positions of different types have been excluded from the list, and a declaration procedure is envisaged for the products, such as cigarettes and cigars, tires for trucks, fabrics made of cotton fibre, multi-layer insulation materials, insulated cables, lampholders, etc. In total around 170 products are made subject to declaration.
This decision of the government is envisaged as a step towards intensification of reforms aimed at developing enterprise and creating favorable conditions for the private enterprise entities.
AVIABALT TO ISSUE SOME US$38M FOR IL-114-300 AIRCRAFTS PRODUCTION IN TASHKENT
Aviabalt, a subsidiary of Russia's Technospetstal-Engineering, is expected to bring in 1 billion rubles (nearly US$38.6 million) at the expense of debenture bonds that will be issued, Uzbekistan Today news Agency reported.
These funds will be used for the purchase of components for the production of IL 114-300, turbo-prop middle-range aircraft, in Tashkent, the report said.
In May 2006, Technospetstal-Engineering (St. Petersburg) signed a contract with Tashkent Chkalov Aircraft Association (TCAA) for the production in 2006-2008 of thirty IL-144 planes powered by Russia engines TV-117SM. In accordance with the contract, the airplanes will be fitted with Russian-made avionics, namely, modernized digital aviation complex.
Besides, TCAA is to supply Uzbekistan Airways National Air Company with two IL 114-100 passenger planes till the end of this year. In 2001, TCAA and Uzbekistan Airways concluded a contract for the acquisition of three IL 114-100 planes worth US$21.5 million. In 2002, the National Air Company received its first plane and in early 2003 put it into commercial service for local routes.
The substantial portfolio of orders for this type of airliners is attributed mainly to the problem of renewal of passenger air base of middle-range planes. An-24 and Yak-40 types can no longer satisfy the carriers of the CIS which are experiencing a deficit of the new technology of the said type.
Regional carriers in the CIS are ready to purchase new planes. Vyborg, a Russian air company, is already using two IL-114 planes. "This plane will cover its cost within 5-7 years," says Georgiy Nazarenko, Director General of Vyborg. According to him, the company is ready to put into service ten planes a year, which will allow it to carry out air transportation in the northwestern direction.
According to Aviabalt estimates, the potential capacity of the market of regional planes in Russia is 250 units. But this is not the limit: considering the fact that investors are starting investing into the development of regional airports, it cannot be ruled out that in the near future the demands for middle-range planes will largelyincrease.
This is beneficial for Uzbekistan too, as it will create jobs and bring funds into the state coffers. No doubt, the new contracts will enhance the investment attractiveness of TCAA.
SOCIETY
SECOND SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGE IN UZBEKISTAN OPENS IN SAMARKAND
The SOS-Samarkand Childen’s Village has opened in Sogdiana district of Samarkand.
This is second such village in Uzbekistan. The first such village was opened in Tashkent.
The president of SOS-Kinderdorf International Helmut Kutin as well as numerous guests of honor participated in the opening SOS Children’s village in Samarqand.
SOS Children`s Village can harbor 52 children from 3 to 16 years old.
Various activities are offered for children who are attending school. The family strengthening program 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.
CHILDREN'S FASHION FESTIVAL IN TASHKENT
Bolajonlar-Shirintoylar 2007 National Children's Fashion Festival organised by the Forum of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan Foundation in cooperation with the Osiyo Ramzi Designers Association of Uzbekistan was held on 8 June at the National Art Gallery. This year, the students of the Yangi Avlod Forum and Chodir Ayol children's art centres also participated in the organization of the festival.
Young designers aged 6-20 from across the country demonstrated their models of school uniform, clothes for sporting activities and recreation, casual and formal outfits, attires for celebrations and prom dresses, as well as knitted and embroidered clothes. Around 30 designers representing seven cities of Uzbekistan – Tashkent, Bukhara, Nukus, Samarkand, Andijan, Namangan, and Jizzakh presented their works at the event.
Among foreign guests of the festival were designers from the Czech Republic and Russia. 140 young models aged 4-18, students of fashion schools and children's art centres demonstrated in total some 250 items.
"All parents want their children to look pretty. But not all of them know that there are trends in what children wear too – it is as fast changing as the "adult" fashion," said the organizers of the festival.
The winners of the contest will be sent to the International Children's Fashion Festival to take place in November of this year in Yalta. Also, the best designer and the best fashion school will be given an opportunity to publish their works in of the most popular glossy magazines of Uzbekistan.