June 25, 2007
Economics:
Seminar on simplification of licensing and certification procedures held
Construction of two small hydroelectric power stations launched
Government sells 57.7% shareholding in Jizzakh Plastmassa
Society:
President sends message to participants of Universiada-2007 games
9,000 Muslims from Uzbekistan to go for hajj this year
UNFPA supports trainings for young people on peer education
Seven Days Around The Country
ECONOMICS
SEMINAR ON SIMPLIFICATION OF LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES HELD
The issues concerning product certification and service licensing were at the centre of attention during the seminar held at the State Commttee of Uzbekistan for Demonopolisation, Support of Competition and Entrepreneurship.
The legal framework for these two processes aimed at protecting the population's health is constituted by the Law "On certification of products and services".
In line with the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan dated 18 May 2007, the list of products made subject to mandatory certification has been shortened by 250 items. The document envisages further simplification of the order of licensing and certification and creation of additional favourable conditions for entrepreneurial activity, UzA reported.
In particular, the products to which no safety requirements are set by the technical documentation, as well as products used for technical and industrial purposes have been excluded from the list of products subject to mandatory certification. Moreover, certification is now not required for the products of the enterprises of public catering, except for semi-finished food sold through trade networks.
In addition, about 170 types of products may be certificated through their declaration by the enterprises possessing their own accredited test laboratories. The procedure of declaration is introduced in relation to such products, as cigarettes, tires for trucks, cotton fabrics, multi-layer insulation materials, cables, etc. Their quality is confirmed by the producer.
This all was discussed at the seminar. Participants reviewed the course of implementation of the governmental resolution. The representatives of the State Customs Committee, Ministry of health and UzStandard Agency attended the meeting. It was specifically emphasized that new rules introduced according to the resolution create better conditions for the enterprise entities. This will expand their capacity to produce competitive and export-oriented goods.
Seminar participants made a plan of measures that should be taken to raise awareness about the new regulations among entrepreneurs and other business entities.
CONSTRUCTION OF TWO SMALL HYDROELECTRIC POWER STATIONS LAUNCHED
Uzvodenergo (Uzbekistan Water Energy) Specialised Association (a division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management) has launched the construction of Andijan and Ahangaran Small Hydroelectric Power Stations.
The budget of two construction projects totals approximately US$16.9 million, Interfax quoted a source in the Association's management.
The source said it was planned to appropriate about US$3.7 million this year. Construction is scheduled to be completed by the late 2008.
All works are currently running in accordance with the project plan. The China National Electric Equipment Corporation (CNEEC) has already started the installation of equipment for the energy blocks of the stations.
Early this year, CNEEC signed a contract with the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management of Uzbekistan for the construction of Andijan and Ahangaran small hydroelectric power stations. The contract envisages the delivery of equipment and chief-assembly of two energy blocks with the capacity of 50MW for the Andijan station, and with the capacity of 21 MW for the Ahangaran station, as well as the training of the personnel.
The construction is funded through the US$15.93 million loan of the China Eximbank, provided under the guarantee of the Uzbek government, and UzbekEnergo's own funds.
It is planned that Andijan station will produce 171.1 million KW/h of electric energy yearly, and Ahangaran station – 66.5 million KW/h.
In line with the small hydroelectric energy development programme, Uzbekistan plans to build 41 small stations with the total capacity of over 1,180 MW by 2010. The total budget of the programme totals some US$250 million.
Currently, about 48 billion KW/h of electric energy is produced in Uzbekistan yearly. The share of hydroelectric power in this makes up only about 10%.
GOVERNMENT SELLS 57.7% SHAREHOLDING IN JIZZAKH PLASTMASSA
State Committee for Managing State Property (SPC) of Uzbekistan has announced a tender for 57.7% shareholding in Jizzakh Plastmassa (Jizzakh Plastic Factory) at the starting price of US$3.63 million, according by press-uz.info.
A source at the SPC Bureau for Post-Privatization Support of Enterprises told Rosbalt that in selection of the tender winner, preference will be given to the company that offers the highest price for the shareholding at sale and takes on investment obligations of at least US$5 million.
Jizzakh Plastic Factory is the largest enterprise of the Uzbek chemical industry specialized in production of plastic film, pipes and consumer goods. The factory was built in 1972. Production capacity makes up 30,000 tonnes of plastic products, including 4,400 tonnes of plastic pipes yearly. Jizzakh Plastmassa is planning to launch the production of 630 mm think pipes and joint pieces for drinking and technical water supply and sewerage.
The enterprise's main supplier is Shurtan Gas and Chemical Complex (Kashkadarya region, Uzbekistan) launched in the late 2001 and producing up to 125,000 tonnes of polyethylene yearly.
All tender offers are due to 13 August 2007. The results of the tender will be announced in September.
SOCIETY
PRESIDENT SENDS MESSAGE TO PARTICIPANTS OF UNIVERSIADA-2007 GAMES
Tashkent city hosted Universiada-2007 Games of students. Universiada is the third part of the three-stage continuous sports system initiated by President Islam Karimov, National Agency UzA reported.
It is a component of the National Program on training specialists. Today experts of many countries study experience of realization of the given program as the new pedagogical technology.
The given three-stage system has completely justified itself and is constantly improved. Stadiums, swimming pools and other sports grounds allow on a regular basis to be engaged with various kinds of sports, were constructed in Namangan, Jizzah , Ferghana, Bukhara, Khorezm, Andijan, Samarkand and Tashkent areas, where competitions were held.
The youth of Uzbekistan has the system that brings up and forms leadership qualities, prepares for an independent life.
The solemn ceremony was opened by mayor of Tashkent A.Tukhtayev.
This year the competitions were held in 12 kinds of sports, particularly, art gymnastics, handball, swimming, sports gymnastics, football, volleyball, athletics, a chess, table tennis, basketball, kurash and belbog kurash.
The competitions were held according to the international standards on the basis of the Olympic Games system. 14 teams participated in each type of competition. Total number of participants was about 2,400 athletes. On the final phases of the games 1,946 athletes competed for medals.
The opening ceremony of Universiada-2007 Games ended with the concert. For 4 days Uzbekistan and the whole world watched competitions which ended on 24 June.
The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov sent the following message to participants of Universiada-2007.
My dear sons and daughters!
I sincerely congratulate all of you on the solemn opening ceremony of the Universiada-2007 Games in our magnificent capital Tashkent – a great event attracting the attention of all the youth of Uzbekistan, all sport fans and devotees.
Since we are putting before ourselves the long-dreamed task to renew and modernize our country, build a free and prosperous democratic society, take our deserved place in the world community, it's natural that to achieve these goals the modern time is raising its requirements first of all to our young generation, entering the life and to each citizen living in our land.
I think that today this truth is well known to you, dear sons and daughters, who have gathered in this magnificent stadium and sporting grounds which welcome and are being opened to all of you.
In the given situation, when the world-scale competition is becoming more intense and complicated, our young generation is required to learn national and universal values, achievements of modern science and technologies, mobilize all its energy and talents towards the interests and future of our country.
Along with this, to achieve our great aims, a particular importance is attached to sports and physical culture in the lives of our boys and girls from their early years, their healthy and physically strong development, achieving high sport results, thus being inferior to no one.
To this end, from the first days of our independence a special importance is given to cultivating in our children the love and interest for sports, creating all required conditions for developing children's sport as a basis of all achievements in this sphere, establishing hi-tech and updated sport facilities in cities and villages, schools, lyceums and colleges, higher educational institutions. Today we can see the outcomes and results of these large-scale undertakings.
Today Ruslan Tchagaev and Rustam Kasymzhanov, Mukhammadkodir Abdullaev and Armen Bagdasarov, Dilshod Mansurov and Abdulla Tangriev, Guzal Hubbieva and Maftuna Tuhtasinova, Rustam Saidov and Utkirbek Khaidarov and hundreds of their young and daring followers make the world community stare at their glorious victories in the most prestigious world and continental competitions, thus promoting the glory of our Motherland.
Most importantly, at the example of our patriotic sons and daughters we do witness once again how our country is developing and renewing, becoming a strong and powerful state. The fact that the flag of Uzbekistan is being run up high in honor of our young people and welcomed with loud vivas by thousands of sport fans and international community, undoubtedly inspires the boundless feeling of pride and glory in the hearts of everyone living in this country.
In this regard, we would not be mistaken to say that three-stage interrelated sport games – "Spring of Hope", "Harmonious Generation" and "Student Games" constitute a concrete example of what we are practically accomplishing in this sphere.
Inspiring in our children love for sports from childhood, teaching its secrets and peculiarities, making them get hardened in hard trainings, cultivating a strong will, self-devotion, courage and dedication, mobilizing all energy towards achieving the targeted goals, and further perfection of these qualities - constitute the essence of this unique tree-stage system, which has become a school of high sport performance for millions of young people.
The higher stage of the above-mentioned school - the "Student Games", which we are starting today, is going to be a real battlefield, where we'll be able to witness such qualities as zeal and firmness, impartiality and honesty, respect to an adversary, in a word, utmost strive for victory and generosity. I believe that all of you share this idea of mine.
Of course, it's natural that your family members and age mates will be anxiously following through TV and mass media how you are stepping up high podiums after demonstrating your honorable features in severe and uncompromising competitions, and our people's and sport fans' attention will be focused on these games.
My dear sons and daughters!
I would like to embrace all of you and congratulate once again on today's celebration. I wish you all a sound health, victory, happiness and good luck.
My dear children! I do believe that helped by your intelligence, knowledge, talents and energy, and your Great Motherland behind you as a powerful support, you will set the highest targets!
9,000 MUSLIMS FROM UZBEKISTAN TO GO FOR HAJJ THIS YEAR
Some 9,000 Muslims from Uzbekistan will make annual pilgrimage to Mecca for the hajj this year, press service of the Committee for Religion under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan said.
"Meetings have been held with the Ministry for Hajj of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The parties have agreed that in 2007, 4,000 people from Uzbekistan will be allowed into Saudi Arabia for umrah (small pilgrimage) and 5,000 people – for hajj," press service said.
To agree on the conditions and the number of pilgrims, the Chairman of the Committee for Religion Artyk Yusupov and the Chairman of the Department of Muslims of Uzbekistan, Mufti Usman Alemov visited Saudi Arabia.
Today, over 2,200 religious organizations of 16 confessions are registered by the Ministry of Justice in Uzbekistan. The majority of them 2,042 (92%) are Islamic organizations, as 88% of the country's total population believe themselves to be Muslims. At the same time, 164 Christian organizations, 8 Jewish communities, 6 Baha'i communities, one Krishnaist community and 1 Buddhist temple.
UNFPA SUPPORTS TRAININGS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE ON PEER EDUCATION
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in cooperation with the Centre for Secondary Specialized and Professional Education (CSSPE) under the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan, will conduct two 6-day back-to-back trainings for trainers on peer education techniques from 25 June to 7 July.
The overall objective of the training is to prepare the pool of peer education trainers from Andijan, Djizzakh, Khorezm, Namangan and Tashkent regions. 40 college students were nominated by the CSSPE to take part in the training.
The training participants will learn how to educate their peers on such issues as HIV/AIDS prevention, reproductive health, gender and many other topics critical for adolescents and youth. It is expected that 5 trainings will be conducted in each province as a result of the ToT and that will allow to prepare the pool of 100 peer educators in each province, who in their turn will continue educating their peers in formal and informal settings.
"The ultimate goal of this activity is improving access of youth to information on reproductive health, HIV/AIDS and other STIs prevention, gender equality and other important issues, as well as informing them on the services and aid they could benefit from locally when facing various types of problems," – commented Mr. Ulugbek Zaribbaev, UNFPA Programme Associate on Reproductive Health.
Peer-to-peer education implies the information sharing between well-trained and motivated young people and their peers (those similar to them in age and background). This approach helps to ensure, either in an organized or an informal way, that those peers have the optimal knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and skills to be responsible for and to protect their health and well-being. Peer education can happen in small groups or through individual contact and can take place in a variety of settings.
The United Nations Population Fund is an international development agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. UNFPA supports countries in using population data for policies and programs to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV/AIDS, and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect.
SEVEN DAYS AROUND THE COUNTRY
The “Kelajak ovozi” Center of Youth’s Initiatives jointly with the “Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan” and “Mehr nuri” Fund launched a campaign “We are a single team!”
Within the framework of the project the Center set up three teams from amongst active young people. For the period of a week each of these teams are to visit the most regions of the country to meet the local youth, exchange views with their contemporaries, study new proposals and projects aimed at enhancing the activities of the regional branches of the Center.