August 20, 2010
Politics:
Uzbek-Indian friendship celebrated
Uzbekistan’s Initiatives on Afghanistan
Economics:
Uzbek goods to be presented at Chinese fair
Water supply improving in Jizzakh
Gas distribution system to be modernized
Coal production on the rise
Ring road built around Bukhara
New small hydro power stations launched
Potential of National Power Industry
Society:
Youth forum held in Karakalpakstan
Uzbekistan: 19 years of independent development
Students with disabilities receive PCs
Exhibition of works about Motherland opens
Uzbek-Swiss project helps provide youth with jobs
Youth media camp being held in Chirchik
Uzbekistan’s photo art presented in Mongolia
Young journalists undergo training in Tashkent
POLICY
Uzbek-Indian friendship celebrated
An event devoted to the 19th anniversary of independence of Uzbekistan and 64th anniversary of independence of India was held in Tashkent.
It was organized by Uzbekistan Friendship Societies Council, Uzbekistan-India Friendship Society and the Indian embassy in the country.
S.Gulomov, vice president of Uzbekistan Sciences Academy and chairman of the Friendship Societies Council, said cooperation between Uzbekistan and India was developing successfully in all areas. The mutual visits of the heads of two states booster the bilateral relations.
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov paid a state visit to India in 2005 and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Uzbekistan in 2006.
“Ties of friendship and cooperation between our people have deep historical roots,” Indian ambassador to Uzbekistan Manal Shakh Alkadri said. He expressed confidence that this cooperation would continue strengthening.
Uzbekistan’s Initiatives on Afghanistan
The Paris Academy of Geopolitics has recently published a book “Geostrategy of Afghanistan” with an article “Uzbekistan's Position and Initiative to Address the Afghan Crisis”.
The article detailed the proposal of Uzbekistan, particularly, the initiatives of President Islam Karimov to resolve the Afghan problem.
In the beginning the author of the article notes that “issues related to regional security are a priority for Uzbekistan's foreign policy”.
He further wrote that earlier than many other countries Uzbekistan has condemned the destructive nature of international terrorism and religious extremism.
Back in 1993 at the 48th Session of the United Nations General Assembly President Islam Karimov has called on all members of the international community to unite their efforts in combating this global threat, and expressed the need to resolve the Afghan problem, with the support of the international community.
It is true that this situation has caused concern in many countries, primarily in the neighboring states.
The escalation of tension, obviously, has a direct effect on the regional and global security.
Despite the involvement of the international community in the process of political and economic rehabilitation of Afghanistan, the situation in this country remains complex and unpredictable.
It is also complicated by growth of drug trafficking from Afghanistan, where the opium production exceeds 8,000 tons, or more than 90% of world’s production.
It should also be noted that drug trafficking is becoming an important source of financing terrorist groups both in Afghanistan and in the neighboring countries.
The article says that to combat all these problems the President of Uzbekistan put forward a number of initiatives aimed at resolving the situation in this country.
Position and proposals of the Republic of Uzbekistan on this issue have been re-voiced during the Bucharest NATO Summit in April 2008, SCO and other regional organizations’ summits.
In particular, President Islam Karimov stressed that the situation in Afghanistan demonstrates the impossibility of solving the Afghan problem using the armed forces or the strengthening of military means.
The author notes that the war which has been continued for thirty years has destroyed the economic and social infrastructure of the country led to inevitable impoverishment of the population.
In this regard, the publication quotes words of President Islam Karimov from the speech at a joint meeting of the Senate and Legislative Chamber of the Uzbek parliament: “During thirty years of war billions of dollars have been spent to resolve the Afghan problem.
The current situation requires new strategies to approach to this structural crisis”.
In such a situation, as stressed by the Uzbek President, priority should be give to provide targeted economic assistance, construction and establishment of modern economic and social infrastructure to provide employment, as well as solving the acute problems of combating poverty.
It is also necessary to ensure a respectful attitude towards national and religious values, centuries-old traditions and customs of the multinational and multiconfessional Afghan people.
The report further underlines that the necessary strategy for achieving these goals would be to restart the 6+2 Contact Group on Afghanistan (Iran, Pakistan, China, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Russia and the US), which successfully functioned in the late 1990s, transforming it into a 6 +3 Group by including in this process NATO.
“The initiative of President Islam Karimov demonstrates his correct understanding of the current complex situation in the region”, the author writes.
According to the author, “taking into account these positive initiatives, the Contact Group in the new format could be an effective mechanism for international cooperation to find acceptable solutions Afghan perspective”.
The article concludes that Uzbekistan, which has actively participated in international efforts to promote stability and comprehensive development of Afghanistan, attaches great importance to friendly and good neighborly relations with this country.
This, according to the author, is caused not only by common borders but also the mutual interest of cooperation to ensure peace, stability and progress in the area.
In conclusion, the author of article recalls that in order to support the promotion of the international community to Afghanistan in December 2002, the Uzbek government has decided to reopen the Khairaton Bridge on the border between the two countries.
In November 2003 Ayritom customs complex was commissioned in the city of Termiz.
At the request of the Afghan government Uzbekistan built additional eleven bridges in the area of Mazari-Sharif-Kabul, which ensures uninterrupted communication between the northern and the southern part of the country and to strengthen trade relations between the two countries.
Since early 2002, the electricity supply has been restored to Afghanistan.
In practice, Uzbekistan renders assistance in rebuilding the Afghan economy, in particular, provides fuel, construction materials, fertilizers, food products, and more.
ECONOMY
Uzbek goods to be presented at Chinese fair
Commerce and Industry Chamber of Uzbekistan and China Foreign Trade Centre company signed an agreement at the Uzbek-Chinese business forum held in Tashkent on Thursday.
The business forum was held in the framework of the official visit of the Chinese business delegation to Uzbekistan.
The delegation included representatives of the Ministry of Commerce of China and China Foreign Trade Centre, the organized of the world’s largest Canton Fair.
The aim of the visit is to present the advantages of the Canton Fair, learn Uzbekistan’s investment potential and establish direct contacts between Uzbek and Chinese businesses.
“Visiting countries that are attractive in terms of investment climate is traditional for Canton Fair organizers,” Hikmat Abdurakhmanov, head of Uzbek-Chinese Trade House said. “Over the past three years, we organized six visits of Uzbek companies to China to participate in Canton Fair.”
The signed agreement envisages a number of preferences related to participation of the Uzbek businessmen in the Canton Fair, as well as presentation of Uzbek products at the forum.
This autumn’s Canton Fair is expected to attract over 65,000 participating companies and visitors from more than 200 countries.
Water supply improving in Jizzakh
166 km of water pipes were laid in Jizzakh region since the beginning of the current year, allowing to improve water supply in the area. At present, over 70% of the region’s settlements are provided with pure drinking water.
Because of the old age of pipes, which were laid 30 to 40 years ago, problems existed in some districts. Given this, in tens of villages, including Birlik, Khulkar, Pakhtakor, Samarkand, Uchtepa and others, water pipes were renewed.
New pipes with a total length of 16 km were laid in Korasuv, Dangara, Eshmatovul and Burjigon villages.
According to head of the main economic department of Jizzakh regional administration Shukur Khalimov, new water pipes are also laid in 12 districts where new rural houses are being built.
Gas distribution system to be modernized
Uztransgas joint-stock company and Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell Co. (China) will modernize the gas distribution system in Uzbekistan in 2010-2011, UzA informs.
The work is being conducted in accordance with the President’s resolution of 12 March 2009 on the Program of measures to implement the most important projects of modernization, and technical and technological renewal of production for 2009-2014.
Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell and Uztransgas signed the contract on design and supply of the objects of gas distribution system worth USD 77.5 million in 2008. currently, the sides are developing the feasibility study of the project jointly with interested sides.
The project foresees reconstruction of the electrical and chemical protection of the gas pipeline, mounting of the radio link along the gas pipeline, 2,000-km long signal transmission system and the automatic system of technological processes management (SCADA).
The project will be financed with use of the Chinese Eximbank credit worth USD 73.6 million, as well as own funds of Uztransgas equal to USD 7.4 million. The credit is being issued for 20 years.
Uztransgas is part of Uzbekneftegaz, national oil and gas holding company, and controls transporting and supply of gas in Uzbekistan.
Coal production on the rise
Uzbekkumir (Uzbek Coal) plans implementing eight investment projects worth USD 1.1 billion by 2015 in the framework of its coal industry modernization program, the company said.
Among the largest investment projects is modernization of the Angren open-pit mine in Tashkent region. Annual coal extraction here will be increased from 3.2 million tons to 6.4 million tons.
This will allow to reduce gas consumption at Novoangren heat power station by 850 million cubic meters per year.
Uzbekkumir signed a USD 119.8-million contract with Sino Coal International Engineering (China) to modernize the Angren mine, which will help improve the coal quality.
The complex of planned measures should lead to increasing the share of coal in the country’s fuel and energy balance to 15%.
Uzbekkumir, which annually produces some 3 million tons of coal, will also modernize and re-equip Shargun and Boysun coal mines and build new mines at Boysun coal deposit.
Ring road built around Bukhara
A ring road around Bukhara, uniting Samarkand-Ashgabat-Turkmenbashi and Guzar-Bukhara-Beineu motor roads, has been commissioned.
The construction of the road was included in the program of development of Uzbek national highway for 2009-2014.
According to Erkin Sharipov, head of Bukhoro Avtoyul, state enterprise managing regional roads, 110,600 cubic meters of earth-moving works were carried out during the construction, over 94,400 tons of asphalt were laid and one bridge was raised.
With the opening of this first-category road, drivers now do not have to enter Bukhara on their way through the city.
The transport traffic in Bukhara is expected to decrease and the environment should significantly improve.
The four-line and 20-meter-wide road is designed for passing of up to 15,000 vehicles per day.
New small hydro power stations launched
Small hydro power station has been commissioned at Akhangaran water reservoir in Tashkent region. The power of the two installed hydro aggregates is 21 MW.
Another small HPS was launched at Aksu river, watering Gissar reservoir in southern Kashkadarya region. It produces about 1 million kWh per day.
The station will work mostly during the vegetation period of grain and other crops grown in Shahrisabz, Kitab and Yakkabag districts.
The launch of the two power stations has increased the capacity of the Agriculture and Water Resources Ministry’s energy system from 323 MW to 439 MW.
Their opening concludes the first stage of the program of creation of the high-pressure hydro power stations at water reservoirs.
Other existing small hydro power stations in Uzbekistan are Andijan, Tuyamuyun, Tupolang and Urgut stations.
Potential of National Power Industry
Implementation of strategic investment projects of technical and technological renewal of the sphere, cutting down on manufacturing expenses and introduction of the regime of economy in the staple industry allowed to raise not only the potential of electric-power complex, but also the competitiveness of national goods at home and foreign markets.
The enterprises of the industry fully provide the republic’s economy and population with electric and heat power, increasing its export in contiguous countries.
Based on the large-scale investment, expansion of capacity ensures the development of complicated and high-technology energy complex.
The production capabilities have considerably increased as a part of the program for development and reconstruction of generating capacities for 2011-2012.
According to the national stock company Uzbekenergo, a new power unit with the capacity of 300 megawatt has been launched at New-Angren thermal power-station.
The launch of the power unit #1 with the capacity of 800 megawatt at Talimarjan thermal power-station has increased the reliability of electricity supply in Samarqand and Bukhoro regions.
Besides, more than 18,000 km of power transmission lines have been put into operation.
The mazout storages with the total size of more than 800,000 tons, the reducer substations with the capacity of more than 7.3 million kilovolt have been constructed at Sirdaryo, Tahiatash, New Angren, Talimarjon thermal power-stations.
The implemented tasks have allowed the companies of the industry to provide the fast increase in production of commercial output.
And that is not all. The national stock company Uzbekenergo has a lot of investment projects.
To ensure the stable supply of the people of Farg’ona valley and the South of Uzbekistan with the electric power, a single energetic system has been created in the country by connecting New-Angren thermal power-station with O’zbekiston substation and G’uzor-Surkhon substations.
The PS G’uzor-PS Surkhon high-voltage line built last year has considerably increased the export potential of Uzbek energetic system, which is nowadays exporting electric power to Afghanistan.
Tashkent, Sirdaryo, New Angren, Navoi, Talimarjan thermal power-stations and the heat electric power station of Tashkent are being renewed. The thermal power-stations of Navoi and Tashkent will get new high-performance steam-gas plants. Two more steam-gas plants with the capacity of 400 megawatt are to be fixed at Talimarjan thermal power-station, while the heat electric power station will get three modern economical gas-turbine units.
The cutting of gas consumption at the thermal power-stations and the increase in coal use are among the most urgent tasks of the industry. The modernization of the equipment of New-Angren thermal power-station will allow this.
Non-traditional and renewable energy sources are promising a lot. The launch of expander-generator aggregates at Sirdaryo and Talimarjan thermal power-station, the building of Kamolot thermal power-station with the capacity of 8 megawatt, the modernization of hydro generators of Charvaq hydropower station, the launch of experimental wind electricity generating installation with the capacity of 750 kilowatt near the Charvaq water storage reservoir are stipulated.
This will provide the cutting of anthropogenic impact on the environment, the increase in effectiveness of the organic fuel use.
SOCIETY
Youth forum held in Karakalpakstan
A youth forum titled “People and their rights and interests are the highest value of our sacred Motherland” and devoted to the 19th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence was held at Karakalpak State University named after Berdakh.
The event, organized by the Council of Ministers of the Karakalpakstan together with the Ministry of Culture and Sports, Karakalpak branch of Uzbeknavo variety association and Karakalpak branch of Kamolot youth movement, has turned into a true youth holiday.
A job fair, an entrepreneurs action, a show of national cultural heritage and events devoted to healthy lifestyle were also carried out within the forum.
“Our main goal is educating young people in the spirit of patriotism, providing them with career guidance, promoting national crafts and supporting entrepreneurship development,” said Kuvonch Yusupov, Kamolot member from Karakalpak State University.
Uzbekistan: 19 years of independent development
On the eve of the 19th anniversary of independence of Uzbekistan, the Public Opinion Center Ijtimoii Fikr held a survey among the population, with the goal to identify citizens’ evaluation of the historical path of development over the past years and results of large-scale transformations and achievements in all spheres of life. Residents of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, all regions and Tashkent city participated in the survey.
Compared to the previous polls, the current survey’s results have shown that the citizens of Uzbekistan are meeting the 19th independence anniversary with a sense of pride for their country, its economic, political and spiritual development and growing prestige in the world.
One of the main achievements of proclaiming independence, according to respondents, is preservation of peace and stability in the country. The majority of the surveyed (90%) noted considerable advances in the implementation of strong social policy and targeted measures to protect the population, strengthening the foundation of the democratic state and rule of law, industrial development, reforms in health, education and training.
According to survey participants, the basis on all achievements of Uzbekistan during 19 years of independence is the wise, balanced and deeply thought-out domestic and foreign policy pursued by President Islam Karimov. The head of the state enjoys a very high trust of the population, which is due to continued stability of the political and socioeconomic life.
The far-sighted policy of the President of the country has allowed to soften the negative impact of the global financial crisis. Thanks to timely actions the country was able to prevent the crisis’s influence on the economy.
The study has shown that that the public opinion in Uzbekistan is characterized by consistently high level of social optimism and belief in the future. 95.1% of the respondents expressed confidence that the country will successfully overcome the existing problems and become a highly developed and flourishing state. The main factors contributing to this, according to respondents, are peace, stability and harmony in the country, improving living standards, increased international cooperation, and rich natural resources.
The citizens are increasingly satisfied with the state in many spheres of society, including development of small businesses and private entrepreneurship, the level of social protection, safeguarding the rights and freedoms.
The survey, like pervious ones, has shown that thanks to successful implementation of socioeconomic reforms the welfare of the people has been growing.
Almost 100% of the respondents said they were proud of the fact that Uzbekistan has been occupying a worthy place in the world. One of the achievements of independence is the increased level of patriotism among the overwhelming majority of citizens, especially young people. The feeling of pride for the country and responsibility serves as a consolidating factor in society, contributing to achieving sustainable and lasting peace, harmony and order in Uzbekistan.
The results of the sociological study have shown that the society fully supports the strategic course of reforms implemented under the leadership of President Islam Karimov. A strong guarantee of this is peace and stability, as well as unity of the people for the sake of the great future of the independent country.
Students with disabilities receive PCs
Fifty school students with physical disabilities in Samarkand region were provided with personal computers on the eve of the new academic year.
The gift, presented by the regional public education department, will allow the children, who study from home, master the classes more effectively and connect with other students over the internet.
Kamoliddin Yunusov of Kattakurgan district’s school No.5 said he was very happy to become the owner of a personal computer.
A winner of several painting contests, he is planning to improve his skills further with the help of tutors.
Exhibition of works about Motherland opens
Exhibition of paintings and photographs devoted to the 19th anniversary of independence of Uzbekistan and presented at national annual contest “Eng ulug, eng aziz” has been organized at the Arts Academy.
This year’s national contest is held under the slogan “The people and their rights and interests are the highest value of our sacred Motherland”.
The demonstrated works reflect the achievements in the years of independence in various spheres, peaceful and prosperous life, great creative potential and hardworking nature of the people.
Uzbek-Swiss project helps provide youth with jobs
Almost 20 large enterprises and over 100 small business entities have joined the project “Uzbekistan-Switzerland: development of professional skills” since its launch in 2008.
The main purpose of the scheme is to develop and test the model of cooperation between professional colleges and companies.
In the project’s framework, colleges and their professional training centers have been provided with study and laboratory equipment, as well as literature.
Stuffy program “Business and entrepreneurship” has been included in the course plan of all professional colleges of Uzbekistan.
At the first stage of the project, new approaches to cooperation between the colleges and employers were developed.
At the second stage, the learning program was updated based on a list of modern professions.
The project participants call the mutually signed contracts very beneficial, since they provide tens of graduates with permanent jobs.
Such cooperation has been established, for instance, between Andijan service college and Andijan car industry college and GM Uzbekistan joint venture and a number of parts supplying enterprises.
Regional professional training centers created within the project help young people masker the skills and knowledge in 10 various specialties.
These centers also retrain temporary unemployed people and conduct courses in business and entrepreneurship basics.
Youth media camp being held in Chirchik
“Kelajak Ovozi” youth initiatives center organized youth media camp in Chirchik, Tashkent region.
The one-week camp, held with support of the Fund “Forum of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan” and National Electronic Media Association, has gathered more than 100 young journalists from across the country.
The camp gives the young journalists the opportunity to improve their skills through various training sessions, held by local and foreign (Japanese and UK) specialists.
The camp participants secure their practical knowledge, preparing articles and broadcast programs, as well as personal blogs.
Uzbekistan’s photo art presented in Mongolia
Exhibition named “125 years of Uzbek photography” was held in the National Gallery of Modern Art of Mongolia in Ulan-Bator.
According to Tashkent House of Photography, the event, organized in cooperation with the Academy of Arts and the Foreign Ministry of Uzbekistan, drew great interest of Mongolian art lovers.
The exhibition, devoted to the past and present of the Uzbek photography, consisted of over 50 works of various years. Among them were pictures made by the founder of the Uzbek photography school Khudoybergan Devonov.
The demonstrated photographs reflected the life and creative work of the Uzbek people, the country’s picturesque nature, cities and villages, and historical monuments.
Young journalists undergo training in Tashkent
The project of skill improvement for young journalists at the country’s leading media has completed in Tashkent.
It was organized by the Public fund to support and develop independent print media and news agencies.
In the project’s framework, participants from all regions of Uzbekistan attended master classes, seminars, trainings and round tables with experienced professionals.
The regional journalists visited the capital’s newspapers and magazines, websites and news agencies.
The trip also included visits to social and cultural objects, as well as various sights in Tashkent.