August 22, 2008
Politics:
Oman Delegation Visits Uzbekistan, Lauds Ongoing Reforms
Afghanistan Delegation Visits Uzbekistan, Sides Discuss Ties
Economics:
Assessment by International Financial Corporation of the Business Environment for Private Sector in Uzbekistan
Vietnam, Uzbekistan agree on need for joint investments
Jizzakh Hosts Job Fair, Fresh Graduates Obtain Jobs - Report
Society:
National Human Right Center prepares report for UN Human Rights Council
Soglom Avlod Uchun sends aid to Aral Sea Basin
Children from Uzbekistan to undergo treatment in German clinics
Artur Grabs Gold at Olympics, Nation Regains Pride & Joy
Soslan Tigiev wins silver in Men's Freestyle Wrestling 74 kilogram at the Beijing Olympic Games
POLICY
OMAN DELEGATION VISITS UZBEKISTAN, LAUDS ONGOING REFORMS
On August 21 this year the delegation of the Sultanate of Oman led by the Minister of Higher Education Ravia bint Saud Al-Busaydia met with the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Rustam Kasymov in Tashkent, Jahon Information Agency reported.
During the talks the sides said that cooperation between the two countries consistently developed in all spheres, including in the area of science and education, according to the report.
The delegation members learned about the reforms now underway in the system of education of Uzbekistan. They have also noted further development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Oman in the sphere of education, exchange of experiences and information, as well as the joint work in this direction were mutually beneficial to both sides.
The Minister of Higher Education of Oman highly assessed the profound reforms which are gradually being accomplished in the sphere of education in Uzbekistan and big attention and care shown to the Uzbek youth.
At the talks in Tashkent the sides exchanged views on further extending and strengthening contacts between Uzbekistan and Oman in the sphere of education, elaborating and implementing mutually beneficial joint projects.
“We have witnessed to what extent big attention is now paid by the Uzbek Government to developing science and education in the country, and the successes being secured in this direction,” Ravia bint Saud Al-Busaidia said. “We have liked the conditions and opportunities created in your country for the youth to gain best education. In particular, hundreds of colleges and lyceums which are now being built all around the country and new schools supplied with modern laboratory-training equipments speak about that Uzbekistan pays much attention to upbringing and educating the youth. We are going to consolidate the cooperation between our countries in education, implement joint projects aimed at training and raising skills of teaching cadres and exchanging experiences.”
The delegation of Oman also held talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies. As a part of their stay in the country, the delegation members visited the Khazrati Imam (Khastimom) Complex in Tashkent.
AFGHANISTAN DELEGATION VISITS UZBEKISTAN, SIDES DISCUSS TIES
The delegation of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan led by the Minister of Energy and Water Resources Muhammad Ismailhan is visiting Uzbekistan. On August 20 the members of the delegation met with the Chairman of State Joint-Stock Company Uzbekenergo Botir Teshaboev, the agencies reported.
During the talks in Tashkent the sides noted the gradual development of relations between two states in many directions. They also spoke on strengthening of ties for over the last years in the sphere of construction of roads and bridges, as well as energy. The agreements achieved at the top-level meetings of the heads of the two states serve as a legal basis for this. Emphasizing an active participation of Uzbekistan in restoring Afghanistan the Afghan minister underscored that Afghan people highly assessed such cooperation.
Partnership ties in the area of electro energy are important in the relations of both states. Uzbekistan has a capability to raise the volume of electric power supplies to Afghanistan.
In November 2006 Uzbekistan and Afghanistan inked memorandum of cooperation in the sphere of energy. In line with this document, Uzbekistan actively continues the construction of new substations that allow raising the volume of electric power supplies to Afghanistan.
At the talks in Tashkent the sides also discussed enhancing cooperation. They also considered the opportunities of joint elaboration and implementation of new projects.
ECONOMY
ASSESSMENT BY INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION OF THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT FOR PRIVATE SECTOR IN UZBEKISTAN
The International Financial Corporation, member of World Bank Group, announced the annual report “Doing business” with assessment of the business environment for private sector in 178 world countries, Jahon Information Agency reported.
The report says that “in 2006-2007 Uzbekistan achieved a significant progress in the sphere of improving the business environment. Reforms underway in the country simplified procedure of registration of companies, regulated procedure of voluntary liquidation of business, decreased cost of transferring ownership rights and curbed tax burden on companies that had allowed Uzbekistan to become one of the leading reformer countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Establishing new companies of small business. Uzbekistan simplified the procedure of state registration of companies by way of abolishing the practice of full examination of constituent instruments, eased internal procedures and established exhaustive reasons for refusal. Registration of companies with tax bodies and bodies of state statistics is carried out in one day in line with “one window” system. Such novelty saves 16 days for businesses.
Acquiring license and permissions for business. Uzbekistan raised the minimal term of expiry dates of licenses in the sphere of entrepreneurship activity from one to five years. At the same time, the licenses for 13 types of businesses in the sphere of tourism, audit, exchange operations and professional activity at the securities market are issued for unlimited term.
Registration of property. In line with the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan No.109 of June 7, 2006 “On improving the system of rates of state fees to accomplish notarial operations” the state fees for notarial certification to alienate the habitable and inhabitable property shall be calculated with taking into account the minimal salary. In line with this Uzbekistan decreased the cost of procedure for transferring the property rights by way of cutting the state fees from 10% off the property cost to amount of levies that is calculated on the basis of building area. This novelty allowed Uzbekistan to join the group of ten world countries – the leading reformers in the area of property registration.
Taxation. Starting January 2008 Uzbekistan decreased the income tax rate to 10%. In 2006 it made up 12%, in 2005 – 15%. The country also cut down a single social tax payment rate from 33% in 2004 to 24% in 2007. A single social tax payment rate for micro-firms and small companies was cut down from 13% to 8%, for trade companies – to 4%, catering – to 10%.
Liquidation of companies. In this sphere Uzbekistan is enlisted among the group of ten world countries – the leading reformers. Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov that came into effect on April 27, 2007 established an order of voluntary liquidation and closing down businesses. This decree defines the list of state bodies which take part in this process and establishes an accurate list of necessary documents. The new order also envisages liquidation of companies on a “one window” system.
Necessary reforms. At the moment, the country considers to simplify procedures of cadastral registration of land plots, obtaining permissions for construction and legal connection to engineering communications”.
VIETNAM, UZBEKISTAN AGREE ON NEED FOR JOINT INVESTMENTS
The potential for wider co-operation in joint-venture investment projects between Vietnam and Uzbekistan was confirmed yesterday during the meeting by Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai and Uzbekistan First Deputy Minister of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade Nasriddin Najimov in Hanoi.
Hai welcomed the Uzbekistan delegation for its working visit to the second meeting of the Vietnamese-Uzbek inter-governmental committee for trade economic and science-technology co-operation and emphasised that Vietnam would encourage economic sectors to take part in joint-venture investment projects with Uzbekistan.
He said that the two countries had great potential for co-operation in many areas including the supply of cotton-fibre, coal-gas using technology, oil and gas industries, agricultural product processing and tourism.
Deputy Minister Nasriddin Najimov said he was impressed by Vietnam's economic development speed, especially as its foreign investment capital had increased by 2.5 times, compared with that of 2007.
Najimov reported the result of the Vietnamese-Uzbek inter-governmental commission's session, in which the two countries' enterprises had pointed out concrete co-operation methods, VNS reported.
He said the two countries' enterprises needed to push up contact and exchange visits of delegations to update information, contributing to boosting the two countries' co-operation.
At the session, the Uzbekistan delegation signed a co-operation agreement with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and another on oil and gas with Vietnam Oil and Gas Corporation.
The two sides agreed to draft and sign an agreement on visa exemptions for Vietnamese citizens with diplomatic passports, an agreement on plant quarantine and a co-operation agreement on agriculture.
JIZZAKH HOSTS JOB FAIR, FRESH GRADUATES OBTAIN JOBS - REPORT
The two-day job fair was held at the city of Jizzakh, the administrative capital town of the Jizzakh Province, the southwest of Uzbekistan. Over 900 enterprises, organizations, small and private businesses offered vacancies, UzA reported.
At the fair over 2000 people were employed and 1.643 of them were the young people.
The main goal of the event held alongside with the Jizzakh Province municipality, Council of the regional office of Kamolot Public Youth Movement, and Main department for labor and social protection of population was to help the young job-seekers, in particular, the fresh graduates of professional colleges, as well as young men who have completed their active duty service in the national army.
Besides, at the fair the young men and women were allotted soft loans for launching their own businesses. Also, they were offered to gain professional training and raising the level of their skills.
During the event the Main department for labor and social protection of population handed over the sewing machines to 70 seamstress women. The Microcreditbank Joint-Stock Commercial Bank allotted privileged micro-credits to 83 young people to establish their businesses.
“I have graduated from the economics colleges in Farish District,” – says one of the job-seekers Mastura Bozorova, “at the fair I have received a soft loan to procure sewing machines and launch my own business. Now I have a starting capital. Thanks to the care we feel on the part of the nation’s leadership my dream is coming true – to establish my own sewing workshop.”
SOCIETY
NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHT CENTER PREPARES REPORT FOR UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
National Human Right Center prepared a national report to the UN Human Rights Council in line with the Universal Periodic Review procedures, Uzreport Information Portal reported.
According to the procedures, passed by the UN Human Rights Council, all countries, including Uzbekistan, should pass the Universal Periodic Review on human rights, which scheduled for December 2008.
The national report reflects national legislation, policies and institutional mechanisms on human rights in Uzbekistan. The document pays special attention to judicial system and activity of human rights institutions, as well as the work of the government on promotion of human rights.
All government bodies and about ten NGOs took part in preparation of the report. The center said the information in the report will give full picture of human rights' protection mechanism in Uzbekistan, existing problems and tasks on enforcement of international standards.
The report also presents information on events, organized in connection with the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Uzbekistan.
The center held a several meetings to discuss prepared document and now the center is finalizing the report, which will be handed over to the UN Human Rights Council by 1 September.
SOGLOM AVLOD UCHUN SENDS AID TO ARAL SEA BASIN
Soglom Avlod Uchun (For Next Generation) International Charity Foundation in cooperation with Uzbekistan Temir Yollari (Uzbekistan Airways) sent a health train to the Aral Sea Basin, UzA reported.
The train brought food products for 9 million soums and medicaments for US$13,000 to population of Turtkul, Beruniy, Amudarya and Ellikkala districts of Karakalpakstan Republic.
Doctors will visit children's camps and hospitals to conduct medical check of local people within three days.
CHILDREN FROM UZBEKISTAN TO UNDERGO TREATMENT IN GERMAN CLINICS
A group of children from Uzbekistan left for Germany on August 20 to undergo treatment in leading European clinics. As of today, over 140 children underwent treatment in German clinics, Uzreport Information Portal reported.
This charity is organized in line with the agreement of the Health Ministry of Uzbekistan, Soglom Avlod Uchin (For Next Generation) International Charity Foundation and Friedensdorf International.
Jumabek Nurov, representative of Soglom Avlod Uchin, said that twice a year, children with various diseases and illnesses visit German to undergo treatment in German clinics, while German specialists visit Uzbekistan once a year to select children, who need treatment in Germany.
These days, a German delegation led by the head of Friedensdorf International Ronald Gegenfurtner is visiting regions of Uzbekistan and examining children. The German specialists selected 17 children to undergo treatment in Germany.
Friedensdorf International founded in 1967 and cooperates with 35 countries of the world. The foundation helps cure and rehabilitate children in European clinics. It also supplies humanitarian aid to partner organizations.
ARTUR GRABS GOLD AT OLYMPICS, NATION REGAINS PRIDE & JOY
On August 21 this year the Olympic contests on free-style wrestling came to an end at the Beijing Olympics. Artur Taymazov of Uzbekistan stood against all his rivals and became a twice Olympic champion, according to the agencies.
One of the strongest wrestlers in the world, champion of Athens Olympics of 2004, Artur Taymazov beat Bakhtiyar Akhmedov of Russia in up-to 120-kg category at the final battle with a score 3 to 0, 1 to 0 and became a gold medalist of the XXIX Olympic Games.
A winner of silver medal of Sydney Olympics and gold medal at the Athens Olympics, twice champion of the world, a 29-year-old Artur Taymazov won a victory over the prizewinner of European Championship Ali Isayev of Azerbaijan with a score 3 to 1, Disney Rodriguez of Cuba – 3 to 1, Olympics and world champion David Musulbes of Slovakia – 3 to 0.
In honor of outstanding victory of the Uzbek athlete Artur Taymazov the flag of the nation was hoisted at the Beijing Olympics and the anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan was sounded.
At the moment, the Uzbek athletes on taekwondo Eugene Karimova, Dmitriy Kim, Akmal Ergashev and Asian champion on canoe paddling Vadim Menkov are continuing to lead battles for medals of the Olympics.
SOSLAN TIGIEV WINS SILVER IN MEN'S FREESTYLE WRESTLING 74 KILOGRAM AT THE BEIJING OLYMPIC GAMES
In Men’s Freestyle Wrestling 74 kilogram final, Uzbekistan’s Soslan Tigiev competed with Buvaysa Saytiev of Russia and got silver medal of the Beijing Olympic Games on Wednesday, August 20.
“Tigiev will benefit from this fight and remember it for the rest of his life,” said Tigiev’s coach Alexander Mishurov.
Soslan Tigiev advanced into the final after beating Murad Gaidarov of Belarus 1-0 and 1-0 in the semifinal.