27 March, 2006

Content:
Politics
Uzbekistan, South Korea to sign strategic partnership agreement
Uzbek envoy hands over credentials to Ukrainian leader
Saudi Arabian government approves memorandum on political consultations with Uzbekistan

Economy
President resolves on stimulation of livestock breeding in private farms
UzDaewoo Auto produced 500,000 cars in 10 years
State assets of ten companies of Uzbekenergo to be traded via stock exchange
Uzbek specialists undergo training in Russian centre
Italian businesses to visit Uzbekistan in May
Israeli experts conduct training course on artificial insemination

Society
Conference discusses co-existence of Islam and Orthodoxy
China hands over equipment to National Perinatal Centre
Culture
Week of Turkish Films to be held in Tashkent in April-May
Photo exhibition "Dynamic Beijing" opens in Tashkent

POLITICS

UZBEKISTAN, SOUTH KOREA TO SIGN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

Uzbekistan and Republic of Korea will sign agreement on strategic partnership within upcoming visit of Uzbek leader to South Korea, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of South Korea to Uzbekistan Mun Hayong gave interview to Jahon news agency of the Uzbek Foreign Ministry.

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov will start his state visit to the Republic of Korea on 28 March.

Speaking about relations, Korean envoy said the Korean investments to economy of Uzbekistan comprises over US$1 billion and this provides status of No. 1 investor.

He said Korea issued US$77 million within Economic Development and Cooperation Fund (EDCF) and plans to allocate US$30 million to equip educational establishments of Uzbekistan.

Ambassador said trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Korea made up US$520 million in 2005, which makes Korea the fifth largest trade partner of Uzbekistan. Currently, over 138 joint ventures and 37 office of Korean companies work in Uzbekistan.

Directions of cooperation
Mun Hayong said the government of Korea pays special attention to resources and energy diplomacy. Taking into account that Uzbekistan is reach for resources like uranium, gold, copper, oil, gas and others, the most perspective direction of mutual benefical cooperation is energy and resources sector, he said.

Ambassador said consolidation of South Korean technical and financial potential with natural resources and labour forces of Uzbekistan would serve for progress of bilateral relations for long time and lift relations to new level.

Uzbekistan and Korea are doing their best to develop cooperation in trade and investment. Uniting efforts, two countries can serve as bridge uniting Southern-Eastern Asia, Russia and Europe, which will allow to develop economies of two states, envoy said.

Two countries also can cooperate in car construction, textile, high and information technologies, Korean diplomat said.

Importance of upcoming visit
Upcoming visit of Uzbek President Islam Karimov to Republic of Korea will strengthen strategic partnership and cooperation for long years, Mun Hayong said.

The leaders of two states will discuss issues of mutual interest, including cooperation in culture, labour, resources and energy. He added that the document on strategic partnership will be signed.

Uzbek businesses will meet Korean companies and corporations, like Hyndai group, LG, Samsung and sign beneficial and perspective contracts, as well as establish long-term contacts.

Korean Ambassador said the visit of Uzbek head to Korea will create conditions for fast development of existing friendship, partnership and respect between Uzbekistan and Korea and open new page in bilateral relations.

UZBEK ENVOY HANDS OVER CREDENTIALS TO UKRAINIAN LEADER

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to Ukraine Ilkhom Haydarov handed over credentials to president of Ukraine Victor Yushenko on 23 March.

Ukrainian leader expressed good luck in new post and hoped that his efforts will be directed to strengthening of bilateral relations.

Senate of Oliy Majlis (upper house of Uzbek parliament) appointed Ilkhom Haydarov on 25 February.

SAUDI ARABIAN GOVERNMENT APPROVES MEMORANDUM ON POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS WITH UZBEKISTAN

Cabinet of Ministers of Saudi Arabia approved draft of memorandum on conducting political consultation between foreign ministries of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Republic of Uzbekistan.

Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Tashkent said on 24 March that the session of the Cabinet of Ministers was held on 13 March. The session approved memorandum, which was signed in Ar Riyadh on 6 February 2006.

The memorandum envisages conducing regular bilateral negotiations on regional and international issues of mutual interest and coordinate position on the issues, which were included to international conferences.

The document will be effective for five years from the date of signature and it can be prolonged if one of the sides does not express wish to terminate memorandum in written form within six months before the end of term of document.

PRESIDENT RESOLVES ON STIMULATION OF LIVESTOCK BREEDING IN PRIVATE FARMS

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted Resolution "On measures to stimulate the increase of cattle livestock in private farms" on 23 March.

Consecutive realisation of measures on the development of private farms, allocation to the population of additional lands, as well as state support have promoted significant growth of cattle livestock in private farms, saturation of home consumer market with cattle-breeding produce. At the same time, still there are not used many reserves and capacities in development and strengthening of private farms, breeding first of all cattle, raise due to this of employment of agricultural population and increase of families' incomes.

The document has been approved in order to create necessary legal and economic conditions for increase in number of farms engaged in cattle breeding, and solution of problems concerned with employment and increase of incomes of the population living in rural area.

In line with the resolution, it should be established that the people occupied in cattle breeding in private farms fall to the category of employed population, irrespective of use of their cattle-breeding products and have the right for pensions according to the Law "On state provision of pensions to citizens".

The document approved the Programme on stimulation of development in private farms of cattle livestock for the period of 2006/10. The programme envisages growth of the number of cattle in private farms; expansion of the network of zoo-veterinary stations and points on artificial insemination of animals; sale of pedigree cattle to farms at auctions.

Central Bank of Uzbekistan in conjunction with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population and Finance Ministry have one month to approve the Order of simplified allocation by commercial banks of preferential target credits to citizens for development of cattle-breeding in private farms under the guarantee of self-governance bodies – mahalla committees.

The resolution exempted until 2010 the livestock breeding enterprises and farms from payment of customs duties (excluding duties for customs registration) on breeding material, technological and ancillary equipment imported to Uzbekistan for development of livestock breeding.

UZDAEWOO AUTO PRODUCED 500,000 CARS IN 10 YEARS

Asaka-based UzDaewoo Auto produced more than 500,000 cars since its creation 10 years ago. Last year, the volume of production increased by 44% compared to 2004, and the company supplied over 45,000 cars to the local market and more than 53,000 to the foreign markets.

UzDaewoo Auto currently manufactures cars of Nexia, Matiz, Damas and Lacetti brands. The company started to manufacture modified version of Damas recently.

This year, the planned production is 140,000 cars, 60% of which will be sold internally.

By 2008, the company is expected to gradually reach the full designed capacity of 200,000 cars per year.

STATE ASSETS OF TEN COMPANIES OF UZBEKENERGO TO BE TRADED VIA STOCK EXCHANGE

Uzbek Stock Exchange will trade state assets of ten regional enterprises, which specialises on supply of electricity to consumers. The starting price of enterprises is equal to 65 billion soums.

Uzbekistan is one of the largest electricity producers in Central Asia. Last year, the country produced 47.58 billion kWt/h electricity and 20.62 million Gkal heating energy to consumers. Capacity of 39 power stations of Uzbekenergo made up 12.03 million kWt/h.

UZBEK SPECIALISTS UNDERGO TRAINING IN RUSSIAN CENTRE

Uzbek specialists are training at Russian centre on training specialists in oil and gas sector Orenburggazprom.
Orenburggazprom is the best training centre of Gazprom, Russian gas giant, and won special award for documentary on localisation and liquidation of emergency situations at gas condensate stabilisation equipment at gas processing plants.

Uzbek specialists will train at Russian centre till the end of March. It is expected that another group of Uzbek specialists will arrive in Orenburg in August 2006.

ITALIAN BUSINESSES TO VISIT UZBEKISTAN IN MAY

Italian businesses will pay a visit to Uzbekistan in May. It is expected that Italian entrepreneurs will hold negotiations with the Uzbek counterpart.

This is return visit of Italian businesses to visit of Uzbek entrepreneurs to Italy in September 2005. The visit was organized at support of Uzbek Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In the result of the visit, the sides signed agreements for 13 million euros.

It is planned to hold business forum and contact exchange within the visit of Italian businesses. The Italian side is planning to promote famous brands in Uzbekistan, Sadriddin Hakimov, chairman of Tashkent Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told UzReport.com.

He said that Uzbek-Italian Commerce Chamber and Promus Milan Chamber are planning to organize visit of over 60 Italian businesses to Uzbekistan on 11-15 May.

ISRAELI EXPERTS CONDUCT TRAINING COURSE ON ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION

Israeli experts conduct training course for farmers from seven regions of Uzbekistan on artificial insemination and embryo transfer on 24-28 March 2006. It is the first event of this kind to be held in Uzbekistan.

The course is held at a cooperative farm in Zangiata district of Tashkent region and organized by MASHAV, Consulting Centre for Small and Medium Business (CCSMB) under the Embassy of Israel, Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan and USAID. Israeli experts from company "SION" not only share their experience and achievements on cattle breeding but also brought necessary equipment for insemination for training and demonstration.

A number of farms from Kibray district have been involved in the experiment on artificial inseminations using Israeli technology since 2000. Israeli Centre for International Cooperation "MASHAV" donated 1000 dozes of sperm of pedigree bulls from Israel and experts from the Consulting centre provided training for local farmers.

The results exceed all expectations. This positive experience gave an impulse for conducting the special training course for farmers from various regions of Uzbekistan, which has been opened today. The training course corresponds with the resolution of the President Islam Karimov "On measures to stimulate increasing of livestock in private and peasant farming".

SOCIETY

CONFERENCE DISCUSSES CO-EXISTENCE OF ISLAM AND ORTHODOXY

Conference "Islam and Orthodoxy – 135 years of peaceful co-existence in Uzbekistan" was held on Sunday at Tashkent and Central Asian Metropolis of Russian Orthodoxy Church.

Tashkent and Central Asian Metropolis and Istoki literature-art union organized the event.

The organizers said the union of people, confessing various religion and living in one land, gathered great and valuable experience. "We want to share part of it with participants of the event," the organizers added.

Abdurazzak Yunusov, advisor of mufti of Uzbekistan, delivered a welcoming speech and said Islam was always religion of the peace and Uzbekistan is country, where people of various religion, are living.

Priest Pahomiy Lay, superior of church of Saint Ermogen, delivered a report on origin of Islam and reflection of religion's postulates in work of Arabic thinkers.

The conference noted the importance of Uzbekistan in World War II, when Uzbek families brought up children of various religions and nations.

CHINA HANDS OVER EQUIPMENT TO NATIONAL PERINATAL CENTRE

Embassy of China in Uzbekistan handed over modern equipment to National Perinatal Centre under Uzbek Health Ministry on 24 March.

National Perinatal Centre is single parental establishment in Central Asia and its uses latest equipment. Currently, over 400 people work in the centre.

Speaking at the ceremony, Asomiddin Kamilov, deputy minister of health, said the reforms of healthcare system in Uzbekistan pay attention to improvement of obstetrics and protection of children health.

He said in particular maternal mortality was 70 people per 100,000 births in 1991 and it decreased to 30 in 2005. The children mortality below 1 fell threefold.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to Uzbekistan Yu Hongjun said in his speech that the activity of parental centre is result of reforms in Uzbekistan's medical sphere. He said China is carrying out wide-scale reforms in healthcare system and this can serve as good stimulus for development of cooperation and exchange of experience between medical specialists of two states.

CULTURE

WEEK OF TURKISH FILMS TO BE HELD IN APRIL-MAY

Tashkent-based Museum of Cinema will host a Week of Turkish Films from 25 April to 1 May 2005.

Culture and Tourism Department of Turkish Embassy in Uzbekistan and Council of Societies of Friendship and Cultural relations of Uzbekistan with foreign countries are organisers of the event.

The organisers are planning to demonstrate seven Turkish films, of which three will be in Turkish, three in Uzbek and one in Russian.

PHOTO EXHIBITION "DYNAMIC BEIJING" OPENS IN TASHKENT

Photo exhibition "Dynamic Beijing" opened at the residence of Chinese Ambassador to Uzbekistan on 23 March.
The exposition presented work of Chinese photographers, covering modern economic and cultural life of China.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to Uzbekistan Yu Hongjun participated in the opening ceremony.