August 1, 2007
Politics:
Uzbek Lawmakers Hold Session, Elect Lower House Deputy Speakers
Economics:
President approves programme on modernization of chemical industry in 2007-2011
ICT Summit in Uzbekistan – major event of year 2007
Home-based working grows fast in Navoi
Uzinterimpex receives ISO 9001:2000 certificate
UzKimyoSanoat's output exceeds 310.5bn soums in 1H 2007
Ipoteka Bank to hold special shareholders' meeting
Society:
Delegation of Saudi Arabia visits Uzbekistan
Women's Committee, UNDP organize seminar on migration issues
POLITICS
UZBEK LAWMAKERS HOLD SESSION, ELECT LOWER HOUSE DEPUTY SPEAKERS
The session of the Legislative Chamber of the national parliament of Uzbekistan - Oliy Majlis has been held in Tashkent, local papers reported July 31 this year. The Uzbek lawmakers are reported to have elected the deputy speakers of the Legislative Chamber from the political party group leaders in Lower House of Oliy Majlis on the initiative of the Liberal Democratic Party faction and in line with the Constitutional Law “On strengthening the role of political parties in the renewal and further democratization of state governance and modernization of country” initiated by President Islam Karimov, according to the report.
In contrast to the previous lawmaking practice, the very document now enables the group leaders to be elected as deputy speakers of the Lower House – the Legislative Chamber, to stand as members of the parliament committees and be actively engaged in their activities.
The session is also reported to have underscored that the election of representatives of political party factions as deputy speakers has become a significant move on further deepening the reforms of social and political life in the country. At the same time, the lawmakers have said that the opportunity to hold the high posts at the Lower House of Oliy Majlis will raise responsibility of the leadership before their electorate.
The issues on introducing changes to membership of some parliament committees and other items on the agenda have also been considered at the session.
ECONOMICS
PRESIDENT APPROVES PROGRAMME ON MODERNIZATION OF CHEMICAL INDUSTRY IN 2007-2011
The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov on July 27 signed a Resolution "On the Programme on modernization, technical and technological re-equipment of the enterprises of chemical industry for the period of 2007-2011".
The programme, prepared by Uzkimyosanoat (Uzbek chemical industry) state joint-stock company in conjunction with the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade of Uzbekistan, has been approved with the aim of further sustainable and balanced development of chemical industry, rational use of production capacities, introduction of effective energy saving and ecologically safe technologies, increase of manufacture of competitive export oriented and import substituting chemical products in 2007-2011.
Heads of Uzkimyosanoat and enterprises of the industry have been entrusted with personal responsibility for ensuring in full volume and established terms the achievement of target forecast parameters and implementation of the projects stipulated by the programme.
Uzkimyosanoat jointly with interested ministries and departments have two weeks to submit for approval to the Cabinet of Ministers the preliminary technical feasibility studies of investment projects "Reconstruction with elements of capital overhaul and renewal of production of AM-76 ammonia at Ferganaazot (Ferghana nitrogen) open joint-stock company" and "Reconstruction and modernization of large-capacity aggregate of AM-76 ammonia at Chirchik-based Elektrkimyosanoat (Electrical chemical industry) open joint-stock company".
Uzpromstroybank (Uzbek industrial construction bank) has been determined as refinancing bank on credits attracted for the implementation of these projects from foreign sources.
The Fund of Reconstruction and Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall envisage in 2007-2008 the co-financing of the abovementioned investment projects in accordance with the approved feasibility studies.
The presidential resolution exempted Ferganaazot and Elektrkimyosanoat until on June 1, 2009 from payment of customs duties (except for customs legalization fees) on the basic technological and supplementary equipment (with normative set of spare parts) imported within the implementation of the aforesaid projects, technological equipment and spare parts, software, technical documentation according to the list approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan.
Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan annually when forming the State Investment Programme shall ensure inclusion of investment projects stipulated by the Programme on modernization, technical and technological re-equipment of the enterprises of chemical industry for 2007-2011, first of all having in view the utilization of new types of products, increase of the volumes of its export and import substitution.
The Coordination Council on implementation of large and strategic investment projects with participation of foreign investments has been allowed jointly with Economy Ministry and Uzkimyosanoat to introduce clarities and amendments in the Programme on modernization, technical and technological re-equipment of the enterprises of chemical industry for the period of 2007-2011, having in view the inclusion of new investment projects on creation of productions on manufacture of modern export oriented types of chemical products.
ICT SUMMIT IN UZBEKISTAN – MAJOR EVENT OF YEAR 2007
The fifth international summit on information and communication technologies – ICT Summit 2007 – will be held on September 27-28 in Tashkent.
ICT Summit is an international event conducted within the frame of the ICT Week, one of the most important annual events in the sphere of ICT in Uzbekistan and the region.
This year, ICT Summit marks its fifth anniversary and unlike the previous years, it stands out as the main event and closes the ICT Week. The summit creates a favourable platform for the representatives of different state, education, nonprofit, and private structures to sum up the results of the whole week, identify the main trends, achievements and advantages of integrating ICT in different spheres of life, and discuss the solutions to the issues emerging in the process of implementation of the ICT potential and development of the ICT sector in general.
ICT Summit 2007 is organised by the Coordination Council for the Development of Computerisation and Information and Communication Technologies, the Committee for Press and Information Technologies of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, the Uzbek Agency of Communication and Informatisation, the UNDP Office in Uzbekistan represented by the ICT Policy Project, and the Association of IT Companies and Organisations of Uzbekistan.
During the summit, participants will discuss both general topics and more detailed thematic issues concerning different spheres.
The general topics will cover the trends and main changes in the regulative policy, achievements and shortcomings in the implementation of the national ICT development programme, experience in integration of ICT in different spheres of life and implementation of standards, development of infrastructure and other urgent ICT-related issues.
The main theme this year is stimulation of innovative activity, creation of different specialized scientific-technological zones and favourable infrastructure for the entrepreneurial and innovative activity, and the role of state in this process.
HOME-BASED WORKING GROWS FAST IN NAVOI
Navoi is an industrial city, which is why it provides broad opportunities for the development of home-based work.
Last year, more than 10 large industrial producers, including Navoi Mining and Smelting Complex, Kyzylkumcement, Navoiazot, Janubsanoatmontaj, Navoidonmahsulotlari, Pekin-Karmana, Navoi-FSK, Shams-Navoiy, Afrosiyob Bakteria, created 1,134 jobs for home-based workers. This year it is planned to increase the figure to 2,000.
"To raise the level of employment in the city, improve the quality of life for the population, special attention is being given to the development of home-based work," the head of the Economy Department of the City Khokimiat (administration) Mustafo Jiyanov said. "Since the beginning of the year this type of jobs were provided to nearly 1,000 women. They work primarily in the sphere of processing and services provision.
"Over the past period, Uzbek-Chinese Pekin-Karmana JV specialized in the production of polyethylene bags opened 45 jobs for home-based workers, and Navoielectrtarmoklari provided work to 40 people," he said.
UZINTERIMPEX RECEIVES ISO 9001:2000 CERTIFICATE
Uzinterimpex Company received an ISO 9001: 2000 certificate in an official ceremony on July 27 at the Ministry of Foreign Economic Affairs, Investment and Trade.
Prior to this, the company successfully completed work on the development and integration of quality management system, in line with the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan No. 349 dated 22 July 2004 "On measures to integrate quality management systems compliant with international standards at companies".
Over this period, the company has developed the documentation, trained its staff, and integrated the elements of the quality management system. The operation of the new system was then checked and its compliance with the international standards has been certified.
In March of this year the auditors of the German TUV CERT certification agency TUV Thuringen e.V carried out the certification audit and confirmed the compliance of the company's quality management system with the international DIN EN ISO 9001:2000 standard.
UZKIMYOSANOAT'S OUTPUT EXCEEDS 310.5BN SOUMS IN 1H 2007
In the first half of 2007, the enterprises of the UzKimyoSanoat (Uzbek Chemical Industry) produced goods for some 310.5 billion soums. The production growth rate made up 14.8%, Pravda Vostoka newspaper reported.
The enterprises of the industry produce different sorts of chemical products used in chemical, metallurgical, gold mining, textile, light, food industries and agriculture. The production of fertilizers constituted about 75% of the total industry's output.
The industry produced consumer goods worth 15.1 billion soums (up 34.1%). Production of mineral fertilizers made up 512,500 tonnes, including nitrogen fertilizers – 435,600 tonnes, and phosphoric fertilisers– 76,900 otnnes, which is substantially higher than in the previous years.
IPOTEKA BANK TO HOLD SPECIAL SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING
A special meeting of Ipoteka Bank's shareholders will be held on August 25 at the conference hall of the Mehnat branch.
The agenda includes the discussion of the implementation of the Presidential Decree No. 670 dated on July 12, 2007 "On measures to further increase the capitalization of banks and activate their participation in the investment processes on economic modernization."
The shareholders will also approve the maximum number of Ipoteka Bank's declared shares and introduce appropriate changes to the Charter.
SOCIETY
DELEGATION OF SAUDI ARABIA VISITS UZBEKISTAN
A delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia headed by the Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Abu Bakr Baqader visiting Uzbekistan met with the Minister of Culture and Sport of Uzbekistan Rustam Kurbanov on July 31.
The parties noted fast development of cooperation in all spheres, including the sphere of culture. The legal framework for this process is constituted by the agreements reached at the meetings of the heads of the two states.
The delegation also held talks at the Agency for Press and Information of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
They also visited the monument of Independence and humanism on Mustakillik Square, an art exhibition titled "The Country of Developed Islamic Culture" at the central gallery of the Arts Academy, and Hazrati Imom (Hastimom) Complex.
"The fact that Tashkent was made the Capital of Islamic Culture in 2007 by the International Islamic Organisation for Education, Science and Culture (ISESCO) illustrates the international recognition of the great contribution Uzbekistan has made to the world civilization and the development of Islamic culture, which fills us with pride," Mr. Baqader said.
"All this is the result of the large-scale work on the revival, preservation, studying and promotion of the rich heritage of great ancestors being implemented under the direction of the country's President Islam Karimov," he added.
WOMEN'S COMMITTEE, UNDP ORGANIZE SEMINAR ON MIGRATION ISSUES
About 30 representatives of state bodies, mahalla committees and NGOs from Ferghana region participated in the work of a two-day seminar on internal migration issues on July 27-28, which was organized by the Women's Committee of Uzbekistan and supported by the UNDP Country Office in Uzbekistan.
The seminar entitled "Social protection of women, participating in migration processes in Uzbekistan" was organized within state programme "The Year of Protection" and directed to raise awareness of staff of state bodies, law enforcement bodies and NGOs on social-legal protection of women-migrants, according to a press release of UNDP.
The event addressed such issues as women migration, interaction of various organizations in solving illegal women migration, legislation of Uzbekistan on labour migration, raising awareness of women migrants' rights, protection mechanisms of migrants' rights and others.
Women's Committee of Uzbekistan organized the event at assistance of UNDP's project "Promotion of the rights of women migrant workers". The project directed to improve the protection of human rights of the women involved in labour migration in Uzbekistan and to increase the quality of services provided by relevant government and nongovernmental bodies to women migrant workers and the victims of human trafficking.
Representatives of Women's Committee, departments of justice, internal affairs, labour and social welfare, Mahalla (Neighborhood) foundation and other organizations, located in Ferghana region, participated at the event. This is the second such seminar, organized by Women's Committee and UNDP Country Office in Uzbekistan. The first event was organized in Tashkent region and it is planned that six more such events will be held in various parts of Uzbekistan.
Gulnara Marufova, Deputy Chairperson of Women's Committee of Uzbekistan, briefed at the opening ceremony on work of the state bodies in migration issues. She underlined that it is important to work all organizations together in social and legal protection of women, participating in migration processes, including in protection of their labour rights.