August 24, 2009

Economics:
Innovative projects being introduced in production
Tashkent to host "Uzbekistan Infrastructure" multi-industry specialised exhibition
New Uzbek-Italian-Russian joint venture launched in Tashkent
Credit culture as non-material asset of credit unions
Society:
Uzbekistan takes measures against infectious diseases
Tashkent is the city of peace and friendship
Schools ready for new academic year

ECONOMY

INNOVATIVE PROJECTS BEING INTRODUCED IN PRODUCTION

Products manufactured under the label “Made in Uzbekistan are currently exported to many countries. An important factor is introduction in the production of experimental design and technological projects of the scientists, National News Agency UzA reported.

The decree of the President of 15th of July 2008 “On additional measures to stimulate innovative projects and technologies in production” promotes cooperation between science and production.

Small businesses operating in the country are expanding production of import-substituting products, which comply with international standards. Previously, these technologies were imported from abroad. Today Uzbek scientists create effective projects that can compete with foreign analogues.

For example, an electric filter created at the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Land Reclamation is attracting attention of the industrial enterprises. It is used to clear the air of harmful dust at various enterprises, medical facilities and in residential houses.

According to inventor Mr. Shavkat Muzaffarov, the size of the filter is 20 times smaller than that of the foreign analogues. Besides, its features are low power consumption and high productivity.

The special industrial laboratory of the institute is working on production of six types of electric filters designed for residential buildings, medical facilities and businesses that use large volume of air in their technology processes. The cost of this unit is from UZS 250,000 to UZS 500,000.

TASHKENT TO HOST "UZBEKISTAN INFRASTRUCTURE" MULTI-INDUSTRY SPECIALISED EXHIBITION

ITE Uzbekistan announced a new multi-industry specialised exhibition project "Uzbekistan Infrastructure" in March of this year. The exhibition is scheduled to take place on October 7-9 in Uzexpocentre, Tashkent.

The implementation of the exhibition project is dictated by the current economic reality. The Uzbekistan Anti-Crisis Programme provides for modernisation of the manufacturing system, with a central role given to the application of innovative and modern technologies in the manufacturing process, Uzreport Information Portal reported.

The programme also includes construction of new infrastructure in the countryside. The total cost of the infrastructure construction projects outlined in the programme for 2009 amounts to $380 million.

The parameters of the programme to build and modernise the manufacturing infrastructure have been confirmed by presidential decree. The programme consists of 32 projects, at a total cost of $375 million, including construction of roads and gas supply facilities, and the development of electro energy infrastructure.

Such a large-scale programme requires significant investment, as well as modern technology and equipment for improving and diversifying production. Uzbekistan Infrastructure, the international inter-industry specialised exhibition, brings together four exhibitions: Power Uzbekistan 2009, TransUzbekistan 2009, CAIPS 2009 and UzComak 2009. Each of the exhibitions demonstrates the latest industry achievements, all of which revolve around infrastructure.

Uzbekistan Infrastructure is organised by ITE Uzbekistan, a member of UFI (The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry) and I.T.E. Exhibitions & Conferences Ltd (UK).

NEW UZBEK-ITALIAN-RUSSIAN JOINT VENTURE LAUNCHED IN TASHKENT

Prior to the greatest, the dearest holiday – 18 th anniversary of independence a new Uzbek-Italian-Russian joint venture “Sekko-Alessandro” began work in Urtachirchik district of Tashkent region, UzA reported.

In Uzbekistan, under the leadership of President Mr. Islam Karimov special attention paid to the modernization of production, attracting foreign investment, manufacturing of high quality, cheap and competitive products, increasing the export potential of the country and the level of employment.

The new company is able to process more than 2.5 tons of fruit and vegetables a day. Fruit and vegetables are supplied by the farm “Omad”, one of the founders of the joint venture.

The new company will employ about 80 young people.

CREDIT CULTURE AS NON-MATERIAL ASSET OF CREDIT UNIONS

A two day seminar of specialists of credit unions (CU), organized by the Agency for the Development of Financial Sector (ADFC) and Regional Bank Education Centre (RBEC) was held in Tashkent. The theme of the next training became "Crediting principles in credit unions".

The training participants received information on different directions. In the course of theoretical block, common information about credit organizations was represented.

The organizational analytical block included such subjects, as development of management structure, credit standards, organization of credit issue and redemption, analyses and control of credit operations.

The legal block consisted of information on legislative acts, regulating crediting sphere, and acts of Central bank on issues of activities of credit organizations.

Besides, CU employees studied the credit infrastructure – informational, methodical and other components of crediting process.

"The seminar was organized by ADFC and RBEC for the second time. In wide extent the purpose of the seminar is to make clear for the credit employee the ideas of the culture and philosophy of crediting, which means laws and principles of credit business," said lector of the training, teacher of RBEC Mrs. Tatyana Dergacheva.

"Exact understanding of established principles allows providing profitability of credits and decrease credit risks. And keeping of indicated principles is demanded not only from CU workers, but from the clients also. The credit organizations must be interested in formation of the field of constant clients, by representing qualified services," she noted.

According to the statistics, over 90% credit union assets are credit investments. That's why it is natural that the major risk for CU is a credit risk. Also it is necessary to mention percentage risks, appeared in the process of management with assets and liabilities, caused by wrong planning of terms by deposit and credit products.

The most general issue is related to evaluation of financial condition of the client, which means opportunities for detection of potential risks coming from financial position of credit receiver. Also CU specialists are interested in managing of risks, appeared in crediting process and its monitoring. Hereby CU workers often ask to bring concrete examples.

According to one of participants of the seminar Mr. Otabek Nazimov, credit worker of Umid CU, implementing its activity in Bukhara, the seminar represented fundamental theoretical block on organization, principles and strategies of credit operations. "We have received new information on estimation of subjects and objects of crediting and selecting most profitable projects", he said.

SOCIETY

UZBEKISTAN TAKES MEASURES AGAINST INFECTIOUS DISEASES

A number of dangerous infectious diseases that pose a serious threat to human health and life are actively spreading on the planet. Virus A (H1N1) has spread in more than 170 countries and caused numerous deaths. In addition, complex epizootic and epidemiological situation because of plague and haemorrhagic fever Krim-Congo is being observed a number of countries.

Director of the National center for prevention of quarantine and especially dangerous infections professor Aminjon Negmatov spoke to UzA about the measures taken in the country to prevent dangerous infections into.

“In Uzbekistan, a plan of concrete actions to prevent the penetration and spread of infections in the country has been approved and is being implemented by the center’s specialists,” he said.

“Special groups are working in all regions in the 5-km-wide buffer zones in the border areas and are monitoring the epizootic and epidemiological situation.

“Extensive work is being carried out in border zones at sanitary checkpoints. Continuous monitoring of imported products has been organized. People coming into the country pass medical examination. The checkpoints have special isolators and disinfection barriers.

“In case an infection is identified, the arriver is provided with first aid, and if necessary he or she is hospitalized. Healthcare institutions are provided with necessary medicines and disinfectants. Our center and its structures have sufficient laboratory equipment and disinfectants.

“Apart from this, a special attention is paid to public awareness raising activities,” Aminjon Negmatov said. “Thanks to the measures taken, a stable epidemiological situation remains in the country.”

TASHKENT IS THE CITY OF PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP

A scientific-practical conference devoted to the 2200th anniversary of Tashkent was held at the Council of friendship societies and cultural and educational relations with foreign countries of Uzbekistan.

The conference considered the role of the capital of the country in strengthening inter-ethnic relations and development of friendly cultural and educational ties with foreign countries.

The event was attended by chairmen and members of friendship societies, representatives of foreign embassies, relevant ministries, agencies, NGOs, scientists and specialists.

The participants said Uzbekistan played an important role in the development of comprehensive relations with foreign countries. The city is known worldwide not only as a center of culture, science, spirituality and enlightenment, but also as a symbol of peace and friendship.

The decision of the UNESCO General Conference on celebration of the 2200th anniversary of Tashkent reflects not only the recognition of its contribution to world civilization, but also its role in strengthening international relations.

Tashkent has also made a significant contribution to the development of Islamic religion and culture, as evidenced by the announcement by the Organization for Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) of the Organization of Islamic Conference of Tashkent as the capital of Islamic culture in 2007.

Studying the history of the city contributes to education of its multi-ethnic people, especially the younger generation, in the spirit of tolerance and respect for national values and traditions.

At the conference, presentations on the history of the city, great construction work, friendly relations with countries and cities worldwide were heard. Representatives of different nations and ethnic groups, as well as foreign embassies talked about the warmth, compassion and kindness of Tashkent’s people, who in hard times had always shared shelter and bread with all those in need.

Within the conference, a photo exhibition dedicated to the past and the present of the city was held. The ensembles of national cultural centers performed songs about the motherland, friendship and kindness.

SCHOOLS READY FOR NEW ACADEMIC YEAR

Newly built and repaired schools are being commissioned in Ferghana region, like in other parts of Uzbekistan, on the eve of the country’s 18th independence anniversary.

In Kungrad village of Buvayda district, the new building of the school No.47 for 240 students was raised. The school has been provided with new equipment and now has a gym.

According to head of the district public education department Mr. Abdujabbor Manazarov, tens of schools have been reconstructed and repaired in the district in the past few years.