October 21, 2010

Economics:
Regional insurance markets actively strengthen their positions
Dynamics of premiums collected by Uzbek insurers in 3Q 2010

Society:
Literary evening devoted to state language held

Culture:
Fund Forum hosts press conference within Art Week
In the name of historic preservation
A touch of Balmain chic at "Style.Uz"
Igor Chapurin adds glitz to the Tashkent runway

Sport:
ICF: Vadim Menkov – world’s best canoeist

ECONOMY

Regional insurance markets actively strengthen their positions

Last years saw active formation of regional insurance markets that play big role in the insurance market of Uzbekistan. The development of entrepreneurship, industry and agriculture as well as the growth of income of rural population create favorable conditions and demand for insurance services in regions.

Energizing of regional insurance markets is also evidenced by the growth of the volume of insurance premiums. The growth dynamics of the volume of premiums in the regional aspect is almost consonant with the dynamics of insurance market growth as a whole.

Totally, insurance premiums worth 51 billion soums were received in all regions of the country for nine months of 2010. 97.2% of them, or 49.6 billion soums, were received according to agreements made during the analyzed period.

The share of aggregate premiums received in regions made up 50% while 50% fall solely to Tashkent. The largest portion of premiums in regional context was received in Tashkent region, Ferghana, Andijan, Kashkadarya and Samarkand regions. (Source: UzReport Agency)

Dynamics of premiums collected by Uzbek insurers in 3Q 2010

According to preliminary data the volume of insurance premiums received during nine months of 2010 made up 119.9 billion soums. The growth rate of insurance premiums versus the same period of the last year comprised 20.1%.

Analysis of the structure of insurance premiums shows that increase of volume of compulsory insurance premiums and voluntary insurance premiums were almost identical.

The volume of voluntary insurance premiums grew by 20% and made up 85.2 billion soums while the volume of compulsory insurance premiums made up 34.7 billion soums by adding 20.4% versus the same period of the last year.

It indicates that 2010 saw relative stabilization of the volumes of compulsory insurance in the insurance market. Despite the tendency to growth until the end of the first half of 2010 the share of compulsory insurance changed it direction to the opposite in the second half of 2010.

On the results of the first quarter 2010 the share of compulsory insurance in insurance premiums amounted to 28.6%, the index grew by 34.2% by the end of the first half of 2010. SAIPRO experts explain this tendency as a consequence of the influx of CIVOCL insurants and the growth of the volume of CIECL.

Nevertheless, the third quarter of 2010 evidenced the acceleration of growth of voluntary insurance that resulted in the increase of the share of compulsory insurance in the volume of insurance premiums for nine months of 2010.

Thus, on the results of nine months of 2010 the share of voluntary insurance made up 71.1% while the share of compulsory insurance comprised 28.9%. To be noted, a new draft Law "On introduction of changes and amendments to the Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Administrative Responsibility" providing introduction of administrative penalties for the breach of legislation on CIECL by analogy with administrative liability for the breach of the legislation on CIVOCL is being considered by the Parliament to increase the efficiency of compulsory insurance of employer's liability.

In case of adoption of the Law in the fourth quarter 2010, it is forecasted to see the growth of the share of compulsory insurance till the end of 2010 due to the growth of the volume of CIECL.

SAIPRO analysts note that 83% of insurance premiums received during the period under view were provided by agreements made for nine months of 2010.Thus, 17% of received insurance premiums come from last year agreements.

The big share of premiums indicates stirring up of insurance activity this year. Totally the volume of premiums received by agreements made during nine months of 2010 made up 99.2 billion soums, the figure exceeds the index for the same period of the last year by 32.7%. (Source: UzReport Agency)

The literary evening dedicated to the day of adoption of the law on state language was held in Jizzakh school for talented youth named Umid.

The law on state language was adopted 21 years ago on 21 October. It gave the Uzbek language the official status to increase the role and importance of native language.

The reports on the history of formation and development were presented at the event, which was attended by famous Jizzakh writers and poets.

“We have chosen the lines by Alisher Navoi, devoted to invaluable role of language in person’s life as the main theme of today’s event,” said Muhayo Karimova, the teacher of Uzbek language and literature of Umid school. “The students prepared reports on the statements of our great philosopher about language and his poetic skills.”

The event, organized to enhance the knowledge of the language and outlook of the youth, continued by reading poetry. (Source: UzA News Agency)

CULTURE

Fund Forum hosts press conference within Art Week

On the fourth day of the Art Week, 12 October, the Fund Forum hosted a press conference with the organizers, guests and participants of the Art Week "Style.Uz".

The conference was attended by over 200 local and foreign journalists and turned into a dynamic dialogue between the panel and the media.

The press conference panel was composed of Professor Gulnara Karimova, the author of the Art Week "Style.Uz" and chairperson of the Fund Forum's Board of Trustees; UK Ambassador to Uzbekistan Rupert Joy; head of the British Council in Uzbekistan Steve McNulty; the president of "Les Editions Jalou" publishing house Marie-Jose Jalou (France); the president and founder of de Grisogono jewellery label Fawaz Gruosi (Switzerland); fashion designers Tsumori Chisato (Japan), Igor Chapurin (Russia), Domenico Vacca (Italy), Alexei Kanishka (Uzbekistan), a representative of Balmain fashion house (France); Uzbek artist Zaur Mansurov (Uzbekistan); the rector of Tashkent Institute of Textile and Light Industry Halida Kamilova; the artistic director of the Youth Theater of Uzbekistan Nabi Abdurakhmanov; choreographer Sergei Zlotnikov; academician of the Uzbekistan Academy of Arts Professor Akbar Khakimov; and the vice-president of the China Fashion Association Professor Yanfen Liu.

The questions asked by journalists focused mainly on the panel members' professional activities, the Art Week, Uzbek national culture and arts, as well as national and international projects overseen by the Forum and its partners.

Fawaz Gruosi: "This is my second time at the Art Week in Tashkent. I believe that the Art Week is a very positive event for Uzbekistan. I hope that as guests and participants we are also making little contributions to the event. It is certainly difficult to bring together art and industry, but such are the requirements of the time we live in. This is why the idea of organizing "Style.Uz", which combines fashion and arts, is so important to all of us."

Igor Chapurin: "The collection which I will present today is haute couture, and I have tried to give it an imaginative approach. I approached it imaginatively and it will be in synch with the notion of art. In fact, I was planning to go to Paris, but I cancelled my trip and came to Tashkent to attend the Art Week Style.Uz".

Rupert Joy: "The Fund has been working successfully to establish and develop international cooperation. This is why the Fund is in the vanguard of this sphere. And I am impressed by the enthusiasm and curiosity of Uzbekistan's youth".

Yanfen Liu: "I want to express my gratitude to the Fund Forum for organizing this event. This is the second time representatives of China are participating in the Art Week Style.uz. One of our main goals is to further develop relations with the Fund Forum, and this will help us support full cultural exchange between our two countries. (Source: UzReport Agency)

In the name of historic preservation

Within the frame of Art Week Style.UZ, an international scientific-practical conference titled “Preservation of Historical and Cultural Heritage: from Theory to Practice,” was held in Tashkent.

It brought together the archaeologists, art historians, cultural experts, ethnographers, and the staff of museums of Uzbekistan, France, Spain, Japan and Turkmenistan.

“Uzbekistan has a rich and unique history,” said Japanese archeologist Kato Kyudzo. “The valuable information on the Great Silk Road plays an important role in the further enrichment and development of the science such as history, archeology and art history. This indicates that your homeland had occupied an important place in scientific and cultural development around the world. I once saw this in the course of many years of research, conducted jointly with the Uzbek scientists in such ancient cities as Dalvarzintepa and Koratepa.”

The reports on the study and promotion of historical and cultural heritage and the adoption of modern technologies were presented at the conference.

Within the conference an exhibition was organized at the Youth Creativity Palace on the settlement of Kanha, the ancient city found in Tashkent region.The exhibition features photographs taken during the expedition in the archaeological complex of Kanha and the unique household items and jewelry. (Source: UzA News Agency)

A touch of Balmain chic at "Style.Uz"

French fashion label Balmain's show took the audience back to the days of Marlene Dietrich, Katherine Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot, where femininity ruled the world of fashion.

The first part of the show consisted of clothes made of sparkling, golden fabric: mini-dresses, tunics and pantsuits were both glamorous and sophisticated.

These designs are oriented towards women who lead an active lifestyle, and would be perfect for a formal banquet after a business meeting as well as an afterparty.

It will come as no surprise if high-heeled shoes with sharp noses will come back into fashion after this extravagant show from Balmain, whose elegant, super-feminine looks were favorites among European royalty and Hollywood fashion plates like Marlene Dietrich, Katharine Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, and Sophia Loren.

After the presentation of the new collection, the audience was in for a surprise: Balmain fashion house presented their most famous dresses since 1945. Watching this part of the collection, accompanied by beautiful music from the late 50's, viewers found themselves in Paris. The classic black dresses, large hats, long fur boa scarves, and tail and gloves were like a trip back in time.

The audience was especially captivated by long black evening dresses with semi-transparent flowing hems, bows, cuts as well as exquisite floral patterns on the designs.

Balmain's designs received a wave of applause from the audience, and many will agree that this has become one of the most memorable runway shows so far this week. (Source: UzReport Agency)

Igor Chapurin adds glitz to the Tashkent runway

Russian fashion designer Igor Chapurin showed his stunning creations on the fourth day of the Art Week at the Youth Creativity Palace. The bulk of his designs were evening dresses that were luxurious and simple at the same time.

The first of the show's three sections featured mainly black dresses as well as a few wine-red pieces adorned with glittering waistbands with a golden tinge.

One conspicuous element in these designs came from numerous frills and wide sleeves with cuts. The final piece in this part of the show was a fascinating evening dress with sequins.

Yellow dominated in the second part of the collection. As unexpected as it was to see a combination of evening style with a colour that is normally out-of-character of cocktail receptions, these silk and muslin dresses with feather-light tails looked fascinating, leaving no room for dissonance. The designs also featured deep V cuts, silvery finish, strass and sequins.

In the final part of his collection, the Russian fashionista seemed to have given preference to golden and silvery colours while accentuating unbelievably broad sleeves that resembled wings. Especially captivating was the last piece: an amazing silvery dress decorated with spangles, a thin train, and a sumptuous hem.

Chapurin who came on stage to bow was met with uproarious applause from the public. Clearly, the collection exceeded all expectations while proving Chapurin's words at the Art Week press conference that he had meant to put his collection in sync with the notion of Art. (Source: UzReport Agency)

SPORT

ICF: Vadim Menkov – world’s best canoeist

The International Canoe Federation (ICF) named a member of the Uzbekistan canoe national team a two-fold world champion Vadim Menkov “The best canoeist of 2010.”

Vadim Menkov is leading the world ranking on canoe for the second year. In 2009, he won one gold and two silver medals at the three stages of World Cup, held in Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary. He was the winner of the world championship in Canada on distance for 1,000 meters, after which the IFC gave him a special prize as the best canoeist.

Currently, Vadim Menkov within the national team is preparing for next Asian Games to be held on 12-27 November this year in Guangzhou, China. (Source: UzA News Agency)