September 15, 2010

Politics:
Uzbekistan marks Independence Day
Foreign leaders congratulate President with Independence Day
President signs resolution on celebration of Ramazan Hayit holiday
President pays tribute to memories of victims of repressions
Senators Buttress Regulatory Foundations of Reforms

Economics:
Transport service improving in Navoi
First five enterprises launched in Navoi free industrial-economic zone
Energy saving lamps plant launched in Tashkent

Society:
Syrdarya students granted free public transport passes
New colleges built in Samarkand region
Rice Growing Institute scientists receive new house
Uzbek sambo wrestlers win gold medals



POLICY

Uzbekistan marks Independence Day

Celebrations of the 19th anniversary of independence of Uzbekistan were held on 31 August at Alisher Navoi National Park in Tashkent.

This year’s celebrations were held under the slogan: “The highest value of our sacred Motherland are people, their rights and interests”. There reforms carried out in the country in all areas are aimed primarily at ensuring the people’s interests.

Members of the Government, Senate, Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan workers of science, culture, art, businessmen, representatives of foreign embassies and international organizations took part in the holiday celebrations.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov congratulated the people of Uzbekistan with the 19th anniversary of the country’s independence.

The national anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan is played.

Celebrating Independence Day, we must first of all note the enormous progress achieved in a historically short period of independent development. These years are, no doubt, written in golden letters in the history of the country as years equaling to centuries on the way to building a new society and a new state, based on principles of democracy and market economy.

From the first days of independence, the head of the state Islam Karimov set the main task to build a democratic state and just civil society. Five principles developed by the President, which are the basis of constructing a new state and new society, have proven their effectiveness.

Proceeding from these principles, the idea of “From the strong state to the strong civil society” is being consistently implemented into practice.

A solid economic foundation of civil society has been created, a multiparty system was established in the political life of the country, the activity of non-state structures, NGOs and self government bodies is improving, wide-ranging reforms were implemented in the judicial system, the media, and in the educational field.

The principle “Reforms for people, their rights and interests, and for the sake of reforms” is finding its reflections in life. The Constitution states that the highest value are people, their lives, freedoms, honor, dignity and other inalienable rights.

The judiciary plays an important role in defending the rights and lawful interests of citizens. Consistent reforms were undertaken in order to enhance the credibility of the judiciary, to ensure its full independence, to further strengthen its role in the formation of the democratic state and a just civil society.

Consistent liberalization of judicial and legal system served as an important guarantor of human rights. In connection with liberalization of criminal penalties, classification of crimes was also revised and changed. The reconciliation institute was introduced in the criminal procedure law, the advocacy institute was reformed, the system of enforcement of court decisions and the activities of the prosecutors were improved.

On the initiative of the head of state, the death penalty was abolished in the country, and the courts received the power to issue detention orders. This caused a lot of positive resonance throughout the world.

The Constitutional Law “On strengthening the role of political parties in renewal and further democratization of state governance and modernization of the country” has had a strong influence on the development and strengthening of the multiparty system, strengthening the role of political parties in the Legislative Chamber and decision making.

In the years of independence, the country has established the electoral system corresponding to the highest democratic requirements, generally accepted international norms and standards. Holding elections in accordance with principles of openness, transparency and justice is guaranteed in the Constitution, laws “On elections to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan” and “On guarantees of electoral rights of citizens” and other legal acts.

According to amendments made to the electoral law, elections were held in the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the local Councils of People’s Deputies on 27 December 2009, when 150 deputies were elected to the lower house of parliament, including 15 deputies from the Environmental Movement of Uzbekistan.

As President said in his speech at the joint meeting of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate, the held elections showed a high sociopolitical culture of the people, the growing level of political and civic awareness, and broad support of the steady progress towards the deepening of reform and modernization of the country.

Today, the whole world is watching Uzbekistan with great interest. In the global financial crisis, which strongly influenced even the developed countries, steadily developing economy of Uzbekistan proved the correctness and vitality of the chosen path of development.
The book by President Islam Karimov “World economic and financial crisis. Ways and measures to overcome it in Uzbekistan” was translated into dozens of languages and is studied around the world.

Structural changes, active investment policy, industrial modernization and diversification program, accelerated development of industrial infrastructure and transport communications implemented in Uzbekistan contribute to sustained and balanced growth of the economy.
In the first half of 2010, the country’s GDP growth made up 8 percent.

Products labeled “Made in Uzbekistan” are gaining popularity on the global market. Thanks to support of exporters and opening of new markets, export volumes grew by 14.3 percent. The domestic goods and services are exported to 139 countries.

In the first half of this year, over 518 billion soums were allocated by domestic commercial banks for modernization, technical and technological renovation of enterprises and implementation of investment projects. The volume of used foreign investments amounted to almost 1.7 billion dollars.

In the framework of the localization program, 181 types of new products were mastered. As a result of measures to stimulate production of export-oriented products, export of localized production increased almost 1.8 times.

Issues of development and stimulating small businesses and private entrepreneurs, as well as service sector remain under constant attention. As a result, the share of small business in GDP during the first half of 2010 amounted 41.1 percent.

Since the beginning of this year, 108 projects of technical modernization of production were implemented and 529 production facilities were commissioned.

Work on deepening agricultural reforms, strengthening the material base of the farms, and improvement of their efficiency is also yielding results. Production of various agricultural products is increasing. This year, the farmers harvested more than 7 million tons of grain. Cotton growers also expect high results.

The roads connect cities and people. Where there are roads and communication – there’s development and prosperity. The state pays great attention to development of road transport infrastructure.

In the first half of this year, 190.6 billion soums were spent for construction and reconstruction of roads of international and national significance, including construction of sections of the Uzbek national highway and acquisition of road-building machinery. Construction works are carried out at the 59 objects of infrastructure and services, located on the Uzbek national highway.

At the junction and stations of Toshguzar-Baysun-Kumkurgan railway line, construction of industrial and technical buildings and homes is nearing completion.

On the eve of the holiday, a new cargo terminal that meets the highest requirements was put into operation at the international airport of Navoi city.

The policy implemented in the country is aimed at increasing employment, stimulating work and increasing incomes, thus serving the interests of the people. While in many countries unemployment is growing, in Uzbekistan more than 509,000 new jobs were created in the first half of 2010. Salaries and income levels are also constantly increasing.

At the international conference on “Effectiveness of Anti-crisis measures program and priorities for post-crisis development (experience of Uzbekistan)”, held in April in Tashkent, economic growth in Uzbekistan was praised once again. The conclusions and recommendations of the forum noted high efficiency of measures aimed at countering the influence of the global economic crisis. At the same time, the participants highlighted the importance and relevance of priorities for post-crisis period outlined by President Islam Karimov, and the Anti-crisis program.

In early May, the 43rd annual meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank was held in Tashkent. The fact that the capital of Uzbekistan, the first in the CIS and the Caucasus region, hosted such a prestigious forum indicates growing international image of the country. All participants noted high level of organization and high efficiency of the forum.

Both the ADB Governors meeting and the IMF mission that visited the country in late June, praised the successes of Uzbekistan. According to the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, continued effective anti-crisis measures aimed at modernization and infrastructure development, as well as growth of exports will lead to more than 8 percent GDP growth in Uzbekistan this year.

In June, Tashkent hosted the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The forum approved the Regulations on the procedure for admitting new members of the SCO and the Rules of SCO procedures. Adoption of these documents at the Tashkent summit demonstrated high efficiency of the presidency of Uzbekistan in the organization.

In April, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon visited Uzbekistan. During his visit to Tashkent, a joint declaration on cooperation between the SCO Secretariat and the UN was signed. This was another historical achievement of the foreign policy of Uzbekistan in 2010.

As President points out, when people’s living conditions change, their attitude towards tomorrow also changes and their confidence in the future strengthens. Unprecedented measures to radically transform the look of villages on the basis of requirements of modern architecture and industry, housing, social and community facilities, communications are being carried out in the country.

During the first half of 2010, new residential housing was commissioned, gas and water pipes were laid. 847 new houses were built in 42 residential areas in rural districts.

Construction now continues of 6,800 houses in 233 places in 159 rural districts of Uzbekistan. For this purpose, Qisloq Qurilish Bank (Rural Construction Bank) allocated preferential credits amounting to 122.2 billion soums.

To better meet the needs in modern building materials, in the six months of 2010, 116 new enterprises for production of roofing materials, drywall, finishing dry mixes, and prefabricated structures were opened.

There is a deep meaning and significance in the fact the President declared 2010 as the Year of Harmoniously Developed Generation. As the head of state noted, “our children should be stronger, smarter, wiser, and certainly happier than us”. Educating harmoniously developed generation is defined one of the priorities of the state policy.

Under the “Healthy mother – healthy child” program, large-scale work is being carried out. Diagnostic, screening and perinatal centers equipped with modern medical facilities provide care for mothers and children.

Great changes have taken place in the education, too. Graduates of high schools and colleges now work in industry, agriculture, governance, social sector. In the first half of this year, 282.800 new jobs were created for young people.

In line with the 2010 State Program, wide-scale work to improve state education standards, curricula and textbooks, introduce new information and pedagogical techniques in the learning process, develop children’s sports is implemented. Sports complexes and stadiums, water sports palaces, rhythmic gymnastics halls are built in cities and villages.

In the years of independence, great attention has been paid to enrichment of the spiritual world and improving the culture level of the youth, as well as development of all arts, particularly music. Creation of new children’s music and art schools is the practical result of the work done in this direction. State award named after poetess Zulfia, contests like “Nihol”, “Yagonasan, Muqaddas Vatan”, “Yangi Avlod”, “Kelajak Ovozi” and others serve to encourage young talents.

The prosperity of the country and its achievements – all of this has been achieved mainly due to peace and stability, inter-ethnic harmony and mutual respect reigning in the country.

The celebrations of the greatest holiday were streamed live via the internet in more than 50 countries.

Foreign leaders congratulate President with Independence Day

A number of foreign leaders congratulated President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov with the country’s Independence Day.
Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, in her congratulatory letter, expressed appreciation of Uzbekistan’s continued participation in the organization’s programs and the country’s significant contribution to consistent implementation of the mandate of the UNESCO, particularly in the field of culture.

“UNESCO began its close cooperation with Uzbekistan in 1993. Bilateral cooperation has increased when in 1998 at the initiative of the Uzbek government, the organization’s Executive Board held a final meeting of the 154th session in Tashkent. At that event, an important resolution on culture of peace called “The Tashkent Declaration” was adopted,” Irina Bokova wrote.

Along with this, she praised “numerous initiatives put forward by Uzbekistan to further promote intercultural dialogue and closer cooperation between the states along the Silk Road”. “It gives me a great pleasure to note that a number of activities aimed at reviving the Silk Road were implemented through projects of the International Institute for Central Asian Studies (IICAS), founded in Samarkand in 1995 as the 2nd-category institute under the UNESCO auspices,” she noted.

“I am confident that under your leadership and personal direction, Uzbekistan will continue to play a dynamic role, in particular, as a leading member of the UNESCO Executive Board, and excellent relations that exist between your country and the organization will find further fruitful development,” Irina Bokova said.

President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers expressed confidence that friendly relations existing between the two countries would continue prospering. He assured the head of Uzbekistan of his highest esteem and made wishes of welfare and prosperity for the people of Uzbekistan.

President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev wrote: “I am convinced that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, which are linked by common culture and traditions, will always be true to bonds of friendship and good neighborliness while strengthening and developing mutually beneficial cooperation in the interests of the two countries’ peoples.”

President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai said he warmly welcomed and was sincerely glad that the friendly relations between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan were developing and strengthening day by day.

“Highly appreciating our good and friendly relations with the Republic of Uzbekistan, which are based on principles of good neighborliness and mutual respect, I sincerely wish for their further development in the political, economic and cultural fields,” Hamid Karzai wrote.

President of Mongolia Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj noted that bilateral friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between Mongolia and Uzbekistan was developing successfully.

“In 2011, we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. In this regard, I invite you to visit Mongolia at a convenient time for you,” the leader of Mongolia said.

King of Morocco Mohammed VI said he cherished brotherly Islamic ties between the two nations and was striving to continue cooperating with President Karimov to strengthen solidarity and development of bilateral relations for the benefit of the two peoples and the Muslim Ummah.

King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej also sent his sincere congratulations and best wishes of prosperity and happiness, as well as development and prosperity of Uzbekistan and its people.

Governor General of Canada Michaelle Jean wrote: “This year was marked by confident renewal of friendship between Canada and Uzbekistan. The increase of the number of visits of high-level delegations and close cooperation between our countries within multilateral forums in the recent time indicate deepening of our bilateral relations. Looking ahead to the coming year, I am confident that our relationship will further strengthen.”

President of Slovenia Danilo Turk expressed hope that cooperation between the Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Uzbekistan would continue to expand and strengthen in the spirit of mutual respect and understanding.

President of Egypt Hosni Mubarak wrote: “It is a great honor for me to send Your Excellency my most sincere and best wishes on the occasion of Independence Day of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Taking this opportunity, I wish Your Excellency strong health and happiness and the brotherly people of Uzbekistan further progress and prosperity.”

Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said said in his letter: “On the occasion of Independence Day of the Republic of Uzbekistan, I am pleased to send you, Your Excellency, my sincere congratulations. Taking this opportunity, I wish Your Excellency strong health and success in your work, and the Uzbek people peace and prosperity.”

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani expressed confidence in his letter that “the existing friendly relations between our countries and peoples will continue to grow and strengthen.”

King of Jordan Abdullah II noted: “It gives me great pleasure to extend my sincere congratulations on behalf of the government, the people of Jordan and myself to Your Excellency, the government and the people on Uzbekistan’s national holiday – the Independence Day.”

President of Tunisia Zine El Abidine Ben Ali expressed wish that bonds of brotherhood and cooperation existing between the two countries would see even greater progress and development in the common interest of the brotherly peoples.

Sultan of Brunei Hagey Hassanal Bolkiah also sent congratulations and best wishes to the President, the government and the people of Uzbekistan on the occasion of Independence Day of Uzbekistan. “I look forward to continuing our joint work to strengthen friendly relations between our countries,” he wrote.

President of the Republic of South Africa Jacob Zuma expressed warmest congratulations to the President, the government and the people of Uzbekistan on behalf of the people and the government of South Africa and himself. “I wish Your Excellency good health, as well as further strengthening and close ties of friendship existing between our two countries,” he said.

President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa wrote: “Relations between Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan are developing on the basis of friendship and mutual respect. I am confident that cooperation between our two countries will continue to expand and strengthen for the good of our peoples.”

Dr Ahmad Muhammad Ali, President of the Islamic Development Bank said the IDB appreciated the assistance extended by the Republic of Uzbekistan to the bank. “I ask God to give your country further prosperity and progress,” he noted.

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a resolution on 7 September on celebrating Ramazan Hayit holiday.

Taking into consideration the proposal of the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan that the first day of Ramazan Hayit is on 10 September, the President’s resolution proclaimed that this day should be celebrated as a holiday and is a day off.

The resolution states that the sacred Ramazan Hayit holiday has a great importance in the spiritual life of the people and in preserving the national and spiritual values.

Nuroniy and Mahalla funds, as well as Kamolot youth movement and other departments and public organizations have been entrusted with organizing the events related to Ramazan Hayit in all regions of the country on a high level and in accordance with national values of the Uzbek people.

President pays tribute to memories of victims of repressions

Uzbekistan marked the Day of Memory of Victims of Repressions on 31 August. President Islam Karimov participated in the memorial event at Shahidlar Khotirasi memorial complex.

The complex, which stands on the bank of Bozsu river in Tashkent, was created as a tribute to the memories of the compatriots, who gave their lives for the freedom of their country. This place also calls on the young people to value and protect their sacred land and its independence.

At the event, President Islam Karimov talked to the heads of the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, and representatives of the intelligentsia.

The head of the state touched upon the importance of the Shahidlar Khotirasi complex in restoring the real history of the Uzbek people and in upbringing the young generation.

On the same day, President Islam Karimov visited the Mustaqillik (Independence) Square in the center of Tashkent to lay flowers to the Monument of Independence and Humanism.

The members of the Parliament’s both houses, the Cabinet, the ministries and department, as well as the public also laid flowers to the monument, which is a symbol of freedom, bright future and noble aspirations of the people of Uzbekistan.

Senators Buttress Regulatory Foundations of Reforms

The Senate of Oliy Majlis gathered for the third plenary on the eve of the 19th anniversary of independence.

During two days they studied 19 issues including 12 laws, which are expected to become essential for the further deepening of democratic, sociopolitical and socioeconomic reforms and raising people’s welfare.
Members of the Cabinet of Ministers, chiefs of ministries and agencies and representatives of mass media took part in the meeting.

The issue “On amnesty due to the 19th anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan” introduced for the upper house of the parliament by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan was the first question considered by senators. The Senate adopted the respective resolution on the issue.

According to the members of the upper house of the parliament, the adoption of the amnesty act on the threshold of the proclaimed sovereignty of the Republic of Uzbekistan is another graphic display of humanness in our state where human rights and interests are the supreme value, essence and target of democratic, sociopolitical and socioeconomic reforms.

Taking the next step the senators approved the Law “On prevention of juvenile neglect and delinquency” that was designed and adopted basing on the State Program the Year of Comprehensively Advanced Generation. As senator Kholboy Ibraimov noted, the legislative act targets at the further improvement of the regulatory base on children’s protection, raise of responsibility of bodies and institutions dealing with the prevention of juvenile neglect and delinquency, as well as parents, youth guardianship and wardship authorities.

Certain norms of the law regulate the participation of culture and sports institutions, organizations operating in the sphere of tourism and mass media, citizens’ self-government bodies and nongovernmental non-profit organizations in the prevention of neglect and delinquency among juveniles, specify the procedure of their social, legal and pedagogical rehabilitation.

Senators also discussed and approved the Law “On changing and amending some legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan due to the improvement of the operation of bodies and authorities of justice” designed on the ground of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On steps for the further improvement of the notarial institute in Uzbekistan”.

The debating participants emphasized that the law was targeted at ensuring the protection of rights and legal interests of individuals and legal entities. The law makes changes and amendments into the Administrative Responsibility Code, Civil, Civil Procedural, Family, Tax Codes and other legislative acts.

Particularly, changes and amendments into the Law “On notarial system” envisage the establishment of the procedure, according to which the notarial actions on behalf of the Republic of Uzbekistan should be taken by scriveners working in the state notarial offices to ensure the secure protection of legal citizens’ rights.

The law also envisages the strengthening of qualification requirements to scriveners, introduction of the system of their compulsory advanced training, establishment of the legal status and requirements to notarial offices and measures on ensuring the citizens’ access to scriveners.

The upper house of the parliament also approved the law prohibiting any forms of advertising tobacco products and alcohol drinks.

As senator Nagmet Aimbetov noted, the Law “On changing and amending the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On advertisement” and the article 178? of the Administrative Responsibility Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan” envisages the improvement of mechanisms of revealing and restraining the cases of negligent and camouflaged advertising. It is targeted first of all at the protection of interests of the growing generation and popularization of the healthy life-style, the senator emphasized.

The law particularly specifies the strengthening of the administrative responsibility for violation of the procedure of the outside advertising and distribution of advertising of products (works and services) prohibited by the legislation, or rejection of the counter-advertising and perpetration of other delinquency.

Then the plenary participants approved the Law “On changing and amending some legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan” targeted at the protection of creditors’ interests in hypothecary legal relationships as well as bringing some certain regulations in legislative acts into mutual accordance.

“The respective changes were made in the Civil Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On execution of legal acts and acts of other authorities” to ensure the preferential right of the pledge holder for satisfaction out of the value of the mortgaged property,” noted senator Shukhrat Sobirov. “Taking into account the changes made in the mentioned legislative acts, the Law “On mortgage” is amended with the norm regulating the consequences of charge for the pledged property under the forced execution of legal acts or acts of other authorities.”

The senators also approved the Law “On changing and amending the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Republic of Uzbekistan due to the improvement of the procedure of interaction between the courts, prosecutors, investigators, inquiry bodies and competent bodies in foreign states”.

As senator Sobir Khamroev explained, the law envisages the elimination of some articles from the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Republic of Uzbekistan and supplementing it with the 14 section. The section regulated the issues of the international cooperation in the sphere of criminal justice and extradition of offenders for the formal accusation or sentence.

“This law will favor the further improvement of the national criminal and procedural legislation and jural practice within the international law cooperation in criminal processes,” concluded the member of the upper house of the parliament.

The Senate studied and approved also the other laws and considered the unification of Zangiota and Tashkent districts of Tashkent region and partial change of the territories of Zangiota, Qibray districts of Tashkent region and Khamza district of Tashkent city as well as renaming the Ohunboboyev district in Farg’ona region.

ECONOMY

Transport service improving in Navoi

Passenger transportation system has been improving in the city of Navoi to create conveniences for the population and comply with modern requirements.

Prestij Millennium LLC, launched on the eve of the Independence Day of Uzbekistan, opened five new routes in the city with 30 new buses produced by Samarkand-based SamAuto plant.

The routes link the most populated districts of Navoi. Affordable travel price makes buses convenient for the residents and helps reduce the number of transport carrying passengers without license.

Until the end of the year, Prestij Millennium plans purchasing 30 additional buses for new routes.

Head of Navoi district transport department Bunyod Bozorov says the growth of the number of private transport companies and the competition positively affected the quality of services provided to the population.
Bozorqul Ruziqulov, chairman of Nuroniy fund’s city council, told UzA the World War Two veterans and certain categories of the disabled may travel for free in the public transport.

First five enterprises launched in Navoi free industrial-economic zone

First five enterprises opened in Navoi free industrial-economic zone in central Uzbekistan on the eve of the country’s Independence Day. They operate in sectors like electronics, car parts production, polymers processing and food industry.

Telecom Innovations joint venture, which has a production capacity of 50,000 digital TV receivers per year, was set up by Uzbektelecom and Servetechno Pte. Ltd (Singapore). The total cost of the project is USD 1.6 million. The new company provided more than 30 young specialists with jobs.

Two new companies will produce polyethylene and polypropylene pipes. First enterprise, Polietilen Quvurlari, will produce 8,600 tons of 75 to 630 mm polyethylene pipes per year. The cost of the project, which employed about 70 people, is USD 7.2 million. At full capacity, the company is expected to export over USD 5.9 million worth of products.
The second enterprise, Polipropilen Quvurlari, is designed to produce 2,300 linear kilometers of 16 to 63 mm polypropylene pipes per year. The cost of the project is USD 5.2 million. Up to 50% of the ready products will go to export. The company employed more than 40 specialists.

UzÅãàåCable joint venture was set up by Uzvtosanoat and Åãàå cs Ltd of South Korea. It will produce 150,000 km of car cables per year. The total cost of the project is USD 13 million. The main purchaser of the products is Uzodji joint venture, which makes car harnesses for GM Uzbekistan plant. Besides, 20% of the production will be exported to GM enterprises in the region.

AgroFresh JV, founded by Markazsanoateksport and Kefayat General Trading Co. (UAE), is capable of storing up to 3,000 tons of fruit and vegetable products. The company has modern Italian refrigerating equipment with a regulated gas environment. The cost of the project is USD 5.03 million. Up to 50% of products will be exported. The company employed over 20 people.

Navoi free industrial-economic zone was founded in December 2008 in accordance with the President’s decree to create favorable conditions for attracting foreign investments to Uzbekistan, create modern highly technological enterprises and develop the country’s industrial potential and industrial, transport and social infrastructure.

Residents of Navoi FIEZ enjoy unprecedented preferences, including tax-free and preferential currency regime, as well as simplified rules of stay for foreign personnel.

Today, Navoi FIEZ is virtually ready for placement of new enterprises, with all engineering communications in place, including drinking and technical water, canalization, electricity, natural gas, telephony, automobile roads and railway lines.

The construction of the administrative and the financial center buildings has been completed for provision of administrative, banking, finance and other related services. The customs post was built for customs clearance of import and export goods.

At present, 16 projects are being implemented in Navoi FIEZ. Five of them have already started functioning, and seven more are to be launched by the end of this year. The new enterprises will produce energy saving bulbs, LCD monitors, electric gas meters, ready medicines, generators, compressors and instrument sets for GM Uzbekistan cars.

Energy saving lamps plant launched in Tashkent

British-Uzbek joint venture Neo Sun Light producing energy saving compact luminescent lamps opened in Tashkent.

According to company director Bakhodir Usmanov, the venture purchased USD 2 million worth equipment in China, and the production process was designed according to technologies from Philips and Osram.

Highly technological lines ensure strict control at all stages, guaranteeing high quality of the final product.

The lamps have a long term of service – over 8,000 hours of non-stop work or four years, which is eight times more than ordinary lamps offer.

Besides, luminescent lamps consume 4 to 5 times less electricity against filament bulbs.

This year, the company plans producing 2 million spiral lamps of four types (11, 15, 20 and 25 W). After the completion of the second stage of the project, the output will reach 4 million lamps per year.

The total volume of investments in the new company is expected to make up USD 3.4 million. With growth of production, Neo Sun Light eyes expansion on foreign markets.

SOCIETY

Syrdarya students granted free public transport passes

Students of academic lyceums and professional colleges living in rural areas of Syrdarya region have been granted the right for free traveling in the public transport.

Today, 4 academic lyceums and 48 professional colleges function in the region, according to regional administration.

Starting from the new academic year, the students coming to schools from rural areas have been issued special passes giving the right to travel for free in the public transport.

New colleges built in Samarkand region

A new professional college of economics and service was commissioned in Ulus village of Nurabad district and a service college was opened in Urganji village of Koshrabat district of Samarkand region.

The first college is designed for 615 students and the second for 435 young people. In the new academic year, the Nurabad college received 270 students and the Koshrabat college welcomed 150 students.

Acting director of the second college Kaitar Unaboyev told UzA the institution trains specialists in six directions, including petrol stations servicing, computers and computer networks assembly and repairs, household appliance repairs and others.

The college has laboratories and rooms for practical classes, an information and resource center, as well as sports gyms and grounds.

Rice Growing Institute scientists receive new house

The 10-apartment house for young scientists of the Rice Growing Scientific Research Institute was commissioned in Tashkent region.

The house was built in accordance with the President’s resolution on providing support to young families.

The apartments provided to young families have furniture and main household appliances.

“It is a happy day for our family. We received a two-room apartment,” Maksadbek Hayitov, institute employee, said.

More than 1,000 athletes from over 60 countries participated in the games held during 28 August-4 September in 13 kinds of martial arts.
In sambo, Akobir Kurbanov came first in 90 kg weight category, winning Sasho Yevtimob from Bulgaria, Ivan Remarenko from Moldov and Moisis Iliadis from Greece.

In 68 kg category, Damir Muhidov defeated Emil Khasanov from Azerbaijan, Nikita Kletsov from Russia, Hugo Delgado from Spain and Arman Sarsenbiyev from Kazakhstan.

Firdavs Kholmuradov won silver medal in muaithai, winning over Sebastian Kalvo from Argentina and Martin Ahtar from Sweden.