July 11, 2007
Politics:
President of Uzbekistan received Chinese Minister
Economics:
Uzbek-Chinese Business forum
IDB signs US$8m credit line to Asaka Bank
Samsung presents latest product models
Society:
Legislation on Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights discussed
Japanese Ambassador, Minister of Higher Education exchange notes
UNFPA conducts media briefing on World Population Day messages
POLITICS
PRESIDENT OF UZBEKISTAN RECEIVED CHINESE MINISTER
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received the Minister of Finance of China Jin Renqing on July 9 in the Oqsaroy residence in Tashkent.
“Your visit is another proof of steady development of cooperation between our countries in all spheres,” said Islam Karimov.
The two countries are broadening cooperation in different fields and that cooperation was supported by the visit of Chinese Chairman Hu Jintao to Uzbekistan in 2004 and by the state visit of President Islam Karimov to China in May 2005.
It should be noted that the regime most favorable for the development of cooperation in the field of economy exists between the two countries. In 2006, the volume of bilateral trade exceeded US8 million. In the first four months of this year it totaled US6.5 million. In Uzbekistan there are more than 126 JVs with Chinese capital. 26 Chinese firms function here in trade, services, light industry, agricultural processing, information technology and communications.
Uzbekistan is implementing a number of social projects funded by interest-free (US million) and preferential (US.3 million) loans extended by the Chinese Government. Apart from this, Eximbank of China has issued Uzbekistan an export loan in the amount of US0 million. Within the frame of the credit line of US0 million extended by the Government of China to the SCO member-states, 19 infrastructure projects have been approved in Uzbekistan. Their total budget comprises some US2.1 million.
Fruitful cooperation between Uzbekistan and China, based on mutual respect and trust.
Uzbekistan and China cooperate in international structures such as the SCO.
At the meeting, the sides discussed perspectives of bilateral and multilateral relations between the two countries.
ECONOMICS
UZBEK-CHINESE BUSINESS FORUM
Uzbek-Chinese business forum was held on July 9.
Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce from Uzbekistan and Chinese Committee for Promoting International trade have organized the forum.
The representatives from ministries and companies of power generation, banking and transports, processing agricultural products, and others participated in the forum.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Republic Uzbekistan, Minister of Finance Rustam Azimov has noted that economic cooperation between our countries consistently develops.
During the session the sides marked consistent development in the sphere of investment. The companies from both countries are cooperating in several of projects of oil-and-gas and telecommunication industries, processing agricultural products, silkworm breeding and in providing the municipal services.
Many enterprises with Chinese investments operate in Uzbekistan in such industries as light industry, processing of agricultural products and information technologies.
26 firms and the companies from China have operations in Uzbekistan.
In 2006, the total amount of trade between two countries increased reached 698 million US dollars.
Several projects in machine-building, power generating, chemical industry, telecommunications and other branches are in the stage of implementation.
Now Uzbekistan mainly exports oil products, cotton fibre, silk and fertilizers to China. China mainly delivers electro technical and mechanical equipment, optical goods, tea, metals, plastic products and others.
Chinese entrepreneurs learned about Uzbekistan’s economic potential and the conditions for foreign investors.
IDB SIGNS US$8M CREDIT LINE TO ASAKA BANK
Of the total of US$15 million extended by the IDB to three Uzbek banks, US$8 million will be appropriated to the Asaka Bank. Ipoteka Bank, at the first stage, will receive US$1.5 million.
The agreements on the opening of global credit lines totaling some US$15 million were signed between the IDB and three Uzbek Banks - Ipoteka Bank, UzPromStroyBank, and Asaka Bank - for the financing of small business and private enterprise entities. The credit line will be opened for the period of 10 years with a two-year preferential period. The minimum sum of financing for an individual project will make up US$50,000, and the maximum – US$2 million.
The agreements were signed within the frame of the forum held between the delegation of the Arab Coordination Group, including the President of the Islamic Development Bank Mr. Ahmad Muhammad Ali, and the representatives of the ministries and business circles of Uzbekistan on 3 July.
The delegation of the Arab Coordination Group, which includes the Islamic Development Bank, the Saudi Fund for Development, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the OPEC Fund for International Development, and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, visited Uzbekistan on July 2-7. To date the Group has extended some US$75 billion for the financing of different priority projects in a number of countries, including over US$1 billion for the projects in Central Asia and Azerbaijan.
Uzbekistan joined IDB in 2003. To date, IDB has issued Uzbekistan some US$115 million for nine projects. The IDB's credit funds are intended for the projects in the fields of construction, transportation, energy, medicine, educational, and the financial sector.
SAMSUNG PRESENTS LATEST PRODUCT MODELS
To keep up with the market changes, Samsung Electronics constantly renews its products. On July 10 the company held a presentation of its new product models in Tashkent.
For the first time this year, innovative products demonstrating the company's commitment to the production of high quality, convenient, and affordable technology have been presented in Uzbekistan.
At the presentation the company introduced the latest models of LCD TVs and monitors, refrigerators, microwave ovens, ACs, printers, vacuum cleaners, cell phones, digital cameras, washing machines, MP3 players, etc.
It should be noted that all new products presented by Samsung are available in the retail stores of the company's partners. The number of retail stores selling warranted Samsung products is increasing. The company currently has 17 service centres across the country, four of them in Tashkent.
Offering a wide range of products, Samsung fully satisfies the needs of different category customers, providing modern technology to suit any taste and any budget.
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd has just been named as the number one consumer electronics brand in the world and is an acknowledged leader in the digital convergence revolution. Since its inception in 1969, Samsung has successfully transitioned from an analogue driven product line to a cutting-edge and award-winning digital innovator that is currently the world's number one manufacturer of CDMA mobile phones, LCD and CRT monitors, DRAM memory chips and microwave ovens. With worldwide electronic product sales of US$36.9 billion, over 75,000 employees and a global network in 47 countries, Samsung is truly a global giant and has been recognised as one of the world's top 100 Brands by BusinessWeek magazine.
"Today a successful brand is the company that can afford investing vast finances in the development of new technology," said the Sales Manager of Samsung Uzbekistan Serik Amirov. "Such investment is only possible if the company adds high value to the product," he added.
Amirov said the company invests about 9.5% of the total turnover in R&D. "If you stop investing, you fall behind. This is the principle of our company. It helps us support our leadership in the world market of high technology," he emphasized.
SOCIETY
LEGISLATION ON PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DISCUSSED
A roundtable meeting on "Bringing national legislation to compliance with the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis for Human Rights (Ombudsman)" was held on 11 July at the Radisson SAS Tashkent Hotel.
The event was organised by the parliamentary Ombudsman in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan and the OSCE Projects Coordinator in Uzbekistan.
The meeting was attended by the Defensor del Pueblo (People's Defender) of Spain, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Russian Federation, Commissioner for Human Rights of Azerbaijan, representatives of the European Ombudsman Institute, members of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of Oliy Majlis (parliament), the representatives of ministries, agencies, law enforcement and juridical bodies and non-governmental organisations.
This event, falling in line with the comprehensive general state policy on the construction of juridical civil society and protection of the constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens in the country, should become the sign of the new stage in further democratisation of the government's activity on the protection of human rights in Uzbekistan. The roundtable meeting evoked the interest of the foreign partners of the Uzbek Commissioner, and they expressed a wish to attend the meeting.
The organisers of the meeting greeted the participants. It is envisaged that the event will be held in three plenary sessions: "Strengthening legal guarantees of Ombudsman's activity: foreign experience", "Improvement of the legislation on Ombudsman", and the "Main directions to improve the legal status of the Ombudsman in the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan", and several section meetings to generate specific recommendations on improving the legal acts and regulations of Uzbekistan.
First Deputy Ombudsman of Spain Maria Luisa Cava de Llano Y Carrio, the representatives of the Ombudsman's offices of the Russian Federation V. Tambovtsev and Azerbaijan Z. Aliev spoke about the practice of the activity of Ombudsman institutes in Spain, Russian and Azerbaijan. The representative of the European Ombudsman Institute, Ombudsman of the Florence Province V. Gasparini will elaborate on the topic of improving the legislation of the European states on the Institute of Ombudsman.
Participation of the deputies and senators of the parliament, the representatives of the Ministry of Justice, National Centre of Uzbekistan, Centre for the Problems of Strengthening Lawfulness and Improving the Qualifications of the Staff of Prosecutor's Office and other national organisations in the discussions on the topical issues of the legislation and law enforcement practices should reveal new and possible approaches to the improvement of the Ombudsman's activity, to raising his/her status.
Some of these approaches are reflected in the draft laws to be presented "On the introduction of amendments and additions to certain acts of legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan due to adoption of the Law of Uzbekistan "On the Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis for Human Rights (Ombudsman)".
Roundtable discussion revealed the presence of certain problems hampering the improvement of the national legislation regulating the status of the Ombudsman and the main areas of his/her activity. Participants supported the efforts of the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis for Human Rights and the Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan aimed at bringing the legislation to compliance with the Law "On the Commissioner of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman)."
JAPANESE AMBASSADOR, MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION EXCHANGE NOTES
On July 10 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Uzbekistan Yuichi Kusumoto and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Higher and Secondary Specialised Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan Rustam Kasymov exchanged notes regarding the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarships.
The project run by the Government of Japan since 1999 is of great importance to the preparation of highly qualified specialists in Uzbekistan. Every year 20 Uzbek citizens are sent to Japan to get Master's programmes. Upon return to Uzbekistan, they assist the development and prosperity of the country. The number of Uzbek students sent to Japan to study has totaled about 160.
This is the ninth exchange of notes, and the sum being issued this time comprises 307 million yen (approximately US$3 million). In total, since 1999 the Government of Japan has issued some 2.875 billion yen (US$25 million) for this project.
UNFPA CONDUCTS MEDIA BRIEFING ON WORLD POPULATION DAY MESSAGES
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in cooperation with its national partners – Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Women's Committee of Uzbekistan on July 10 conducted media briefing dedicated to the World Population Day marked on July 11. The theme of this year is "Men as Partners in Maternal Health".
Media briefing includes short presentations and statements of each organization on the topic highlighted this year. In addition, the presenters will answer questions that are of interest for media regarding the World Population Day 2007.
"This event is one of the activities planned by UNFPA and its partners in the framework of the media campaign dedicated to the World Population Day celebration," commented Mr. Fuad Aliev, UNFPA/Uzbekistan Assistant Representative. "It is aimed at raising public awareness about the World Population Day and its important messages for 2007. This year's World Population Day encourages all men to become active agents and partners in protecting maternal health."
UNFPA and its partners will celebrate the World Population Day by organizing running marathons for women and arranging concerts in Andijan, Jizzakh, Namangan, and Khorezm provinces as well as in Tashkent City.
UNFPA 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.