May 02, 2011
Politics:
Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan: Construction of giant hydropower stations on Transboundary Rivers unacceptable
The European Parliament Members Held Talks at Uzbek Foreign Ministry
Bukhara region’s GRP increases by 9.6% in 1Q 2011
Livestock Development in the Countryside
promotes human welfare
POLICY
Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan: Construction of giant hydropower stations on Transboundary Rivers unacceptable
Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Central Council of the Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan Mr. B.Alikhanov responded through the media to the statements of the Minister of Energy and Industry of Tajikistan Sherali Gul, who earlier said that “the technical parameters of Rogun HPS will not be changed after the completion of environmental review of the project.”
“Hence, a senior Tajik official in fact rejected the findings of the international examination well in advance, when the outcome of investigation wasn’t even announced. the Tajik side thereby is casting doubt into the competency of the international examination, denying the interests of neighboring countries and the international community and the World Bank, which supported the will of the Central Asian countries on the need for an objective and comprehensive examination of the project on building hydropower stations in transboundary waters. The examination, which is financed and carried out by WB,” said the Uzbek parliamentarian.
He further noted that the Tajik side wants to demonstrate to the world that it does not want to “take into account the findings of international experts,” putting at risk not only the residents of neighboring countries, “but also its own citizens living below the stream of the Rogun dam.”
“Uzbekistan has consistently maintained a clear and principled position on the unacceptability of construction of giant hydropower stations on the transboundary rivers, which are vital for the entire population of the region.
Such issues in Central Asia should be considered and decided on the basis of universally recognized norms and principles of international law, as well as on the basis of availability of a consensus among the countries of the region,” concluded Mr.Alihanov.
The European Parliament Members Held Talks at Uzbek Foreign Ministryt
On April 27 this year the members of the European Parliament Ana Gomes, Elisabeth Jeggle, Teresa Riera Madurell, Anneli Jaatteenmaki, Heidi Hautala, Nicole Kiil-Nielsen, representing Portugal, Germany, Spain, Finland and France, respectively, held meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan.
During the talks the sides noted that the visit of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov to Brussels on January 24 this year and his meetings with the EU leadership gave a new impetus to extend cooperation in various spheres based on equality and mutually beneficial partnership.
The secured agreements during the visit open new prospects of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU in energy and financial-technical spheres.
At the meeting the sides have underscored the dynamics of cooperation between the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan (the national parliament) and the European Parliament.
The sides exchanged views on implementation of the EU Strategy for Central Asia.
The sides noted that it is impossible to implement the Strategy effectively without intensification of the investment constituents.
On the request of the MPs, they were briefed on the position of Uzbekistan on the water-energy issues considered to be vital for the Central Asian region.
The Uzbek side adheres to a principle position that it is inadmissible to construct large hydro-power stations at trans-boundary rivers. These issues in the region should be discussed and resolved on the basis of generally recognized norms and principles of international law with agreement of all countries of the region.
The sides also discussed other issues of mutual interest. (Source: mfa.uz)
Bukhara region’s GRP increases by 9.6% in 1Q 2011
The volume of gross regional product (GRP) of Bukhara region increased by 9.6% in the first quarter of 2011, the session of Deputies’ Council of the region said.
The growth of industrial output made up 4.5%, construction works – 53.3%, retail trade turnover – 10.1%, paid services – 14% and all types of services – 15.3% in the reporting period.
Investments for over 5 billion soums were utilized within the programme on development, modernization and re-equipment industry in the reporting period and 29 projects were implemented.
Within the eight projects, included to localized programme, goods for 6.2 billion soums were produced.
Bukhara region attracted investments for US$4.2 million on 18 projects within the regional investment programme.
Within the state programme \"The Year of the Small Business and Private Entrepreneurship\", some 39.5 billion soums and US$2.4 million were allocated. It helped to create 11,480 new jobs.
Overall, the region created over 16,500 new jobs in the reporting period within the employment programme, which is 2.8% up compared to the plan. (Source: UzDaily.com)
Livestock Development in the Countryside promotes human welfare
As a result of the governmental stimulation of the development of livestock in rural areas in 2010, agricultural production in Uzbekistan increased by 6.8%. Besides, the country take measures to provide the population with meat, milk, eggs, fish and other food products, as well as to create new jobs in rural areas.
An important guide to action in this direction is the resolution of the president of March 23, 2006on measures to stimulate the increase in livestock at private subsidiary farms, farmers’ households and enterprises.
The document provided an opportunity to sell livestock to the population and farms through auctions, allocation of target and concessional loans for the purchase of livestock, improvement of the animal health services and increase of feed provision. During 2006-2010 the number of cattle increased by 29%, sheep and goats - 28%, poultry - by 56%.
As a result, meat production increased by 56.2%, milk – 84.3%, eggs - nearly 40%. In order to further increasing in livestock, 215.5 billion soums of soft loans have been allocated for the past four years, a large number of pedigreed cattle have been imported from abroad.
As a result of support for low income and large families, they got over 134,600 head of cattle from sponsors and non-governmental organizations during this period. More than 1.441 million people were registered as holders of stock in personal subsidiary farms and farmers’ enterprises of the country.
The resolution of the president April 21, 2008on the stimulating the increase in livestock at private subsidiary farms, farmers’ households and enterprises, expansion of livestock production was another important step in the development of the sphere.
Before the adoption of this document the livestock farms paid compulsory contributions to various funds. Today all the revenues from product sales, in particular, refined are exempt from these payments. The resources remaining at the disposal of households contribute to the expansion and development of their activities.
Much attention is paid to adequate food for animals, improvement of the conditions of its keep, and issues of artificial insemination.
The laboratory of the Uznaslchilik republican enterprise is equipped with modern refrigeration units for storing the semen of pedigreed bulls. In 2010 it produced nearly 2,000 doses of semen. Also in the republic there are about 5,000 offices of veterinary services and artificial insemination. They possess all the necessary equipment and medicines. (Source: UT News Agency)