August 3, 2007

Economics:
On the outcomes of development of the sphere of communications and information in the Republic of Uzbekistan for over the first half of 2007
"Made in Uzbekistan 2007" Exhibition to open soon in Tashkent
Volga-Dnepr's second IL-76TD-90VD being tested
KES-Holding provides for energy supply to LUKOIL's gas-condensate field in Uzbekistan
NBU to receive line of credit for US$60m from CDB
Society:
Demonstrative classes held at Uzbek-Japanese Centre
Festival In Ferghana Aims At Ecology & Human Health Awareness Rise
Online museum directory of Uzbekistan launched


ECONOMICS

ON THE OUTCOMES OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE SPHERE OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN FOR OVER THE FIRST HALF OF 2007

The session of the Board of the Uzbek Agency for Communication and Information took place in Tashkent. The session has addressed the outcomes of the work of companies in the sphere of communication and information for over the first half-year 2007.

It has seen the discussion of the course of implementation of decrees and resolutions of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and resolutions of the country’s government, as well as other issues within the scope of the Agency’s competence.

The speakers at the session have said that the development of information, massive introduction and the use of modern information and computer technologies, as well as telecommunications in all spheres of economy and public life, having the citizens’ growing needs for information fully satisfied, as well as expansion of the access to the world information resources were the main objectives in the ICT sphere development.

They have also underscored that by the end of the first half of 2007 the estimated number of Internet users has grown up to 1,835 million, that is to say, about 69 users per 1000 people in the country. The total access speed to international information networks now accounts for 239,144 Mbit/s. The number of economic entities, which provide with the access to the Internet has accounted for 693, of which the public access places – 579. The total number of the public access places to the Internet has made up 680.

Also, those, who spoke at the session, have said that during the said period the total profits of the sphere compare to the same period last year had increased by 46,5%, while the growth of volumes of the services rendered to the population – by twofold. As of July 1 this year the total telephone density plus the users of mobile telephone services per 100 people has accounted for 20,7 telephones. The co-efficiency of use of the ATS installed capacity of the local telephone networks has increased up to 89,5%. The level of digitalization of the installed capacity has accounted for 76,4%. Besides, for over the first half of 2007 the number of users of mobile telephoning grew by 1024 thousand users and had accounted for 3744 thousand.

In line with the Program of services development for 2007-2010 for over the said period of time 319 sites of small entrepreneurship and service provider posts have been established in Uzbekistan (against the figure of 200, which was envisaged for 2007). Also, the project “Satellite television and radio broadcasting” has been implemented, which had allowed to cover with state television and radio broadcasting 100% of Uzbekistan’s population, including 367 far and difficult-to-reach residential areas.

"MADE IN UZBEKISTAN 2007" EXHIBITION TO OPEN SOON IN TASHKENT

"Made in Uzbekistan 2007", a traditional exhibition of goods produced in Uzbekistan for export will be held on August 24-28 at UzExpoCentre in Tashkent.

The exhibition is being organised by the Ministry of Foreign Economic Affairs, Investments and Trade of Uzbekistan, and its structural divisions. Participants of the exhibition are the producers of export-oriented products – holding companies and associations, joint ventures, private factories, companies and firms.

UzExpoCentre is now preparing to host the large annual event: it continues to register participants, designers are working on the organization of the exhibition space, show areas are being distributed to the participants, a catalogue of participants is being prepared, promotional brochures and tickets are being designed and the promotion campaign has been launched.

The exhibition is intended to expand inter-industrial cooperation, introduce the producers to potential consumers, and assist small and private business entities promote their products in the external markets. The organizers have invited all ministries, agencies, international organizations and embassies, as well as foreign companies accredited in Uzbekistan to attend the event.

VOLGA-DNEPR'S SECOND IL-76TD-90VD BEING TESTED

The receiving-passing testing of IL-76TD-90VD aircraft produced at Tashkent Aircraft Production Corporation named after Chkalov (TAPOiCh) on the order of the Volga-Dnepr Group was started on 31 July. This is the second aircraft of this type. It will join the Group's fleet in the third quarter of this year. The order was financed by the Russian Sberbank, which opened a credit line for Volga-Dnepr Leasing Company with a limit of up to 45 million rubles for seven years in the early 2007.

Volga-Dnepr Group launched the programme on the upgrade of IL-76TD in 2002. In 2004, as a part of this project, the Group founded Volga-Dnepr Leasing Company. In 2006, the three-year work on modernization of the aircraft was successfully completed, and the first IL-76TD-90VD (VD stands for Volga-Dnepr) was commissioned for exploitation.

IL-76TD-90VD complies with the modern and forward-looking requirements and can be exploited in any part of the world without any restrictions. Modernised aircrafts use PS-90A-76 engines and the latest avionics – Kupol-III-76VD aircraft instrumentation. The maximum flight range was extended, the frequency of the required maintenance works was reduced, the number of the members of the crew was also decreased. Today, IL-76TD-90VD is the most efficient ramp aircraft with the cargo conveyance capacity of from 20 to 50 tonnes. The costs of transporting one tonne of cargo by IL-76TD-90VD are twice as low as by Hercules, the closest, an in fact, the only western analogue of IL-76TD.

KES-HOLDING PROVIDES FOR ENERGY SUPPLY TO LUKOIL'S GAS-CONDENSATE FIELD IN UZBEKISTAN

KES-EnergoStroyEngineering has completed the project to secure external energy-supply to the Khauzak bloc of Dengizkul gas field in Uzbekistan being developed by Lukoil Uzbekistan Operating Company.

Dengizkul is a part of the Kandym-Khauzak-Shady-Kungrad mega-project being implemented within the frame of a PSA signed in 2004 between Lukoil and Uzbekneftegaz Holding.

The object has passed the examination of the work commission, which consisted of the representatives of Lukoil, KES-ESE, exploiting companies, and local self-government agencies, and is ready for the workload.

KES-ESE has supplied and assembled the power equipment, set up and launched the 110/10 KW Khauzak transformer sub-station, reconstructed, set up and launched the Kokdumalak 110KW outdoor switchgear 220/110 KW substation, and the Kokdumalak's 110KW high-voltage line. The implementation of the project was complicated by the climate conditions, as the company was carrying out the construction of the substation in the desert with the high degree of soil corrosion and the estimated seismicity of the construction site of 8 points.

The US$9.5 million project was launched in January this year. KES-ESE Director-General said the provision of external energy supply to the Khauzak bloc would raise Uzbekistan's potential in the oil and gas industry.

NBU TO RECEIVE LINE OF CREDIT FOR US$60M FROM CDB

The National Bank of Uzbekistan for Foreign Economic Activity (NBU) plans to get a line of credit for US$60 million from the China Development Bank (CDB). NBU will use the funds to finance the delivery of equipment and technology for private business projects.

The signing of the credit line agreement is planned for the fall of this year. This is the second line of credit NBU will receive from the CDB. In May 2006, CDB extended a trade financing credit line for US$20 million for nine years with a two-year soft period. The interest charged was LIBOR+1.5%.

SOCIETY

DEMONSTRATIVE CLASSES HELD AT UZBEK-JAPANESE CENTRE

Demonstrative classes organised within the frame of the "Silk Road 2007" Project conducted by the Japanese delegation were held on August 2 at the Uzbek-Japanese Centre.

The "Silk Road 2007" Project is conducted on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the revival of diplomatic relations between Japan and China, and the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the countries of Central Asia. It started from the city of Nara in Japan and goes all the way along the Silk Road through China to Central Asia and further to the west. The final city will be Rome (Italy). The delegation stops in different cities, primarily those where the project exchange is conducted. The route of the project includes the cities of the People's Republic of China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Turkey, Greece, and Italy.

The project's main participants are women, but men can also join as a support group. The project offers to study the routes of the Silk Road for the future, by discovering and understanding it all over again. The aim of the mission is to establish strong friendly relations through cultural exchange with every country on the way.

"When the project was developed, I got interested in it at first as a collector. I believed that this topic would be close to a certain number of people from different countries of the world, who loved oriental culture. But the very first days of the Silk Road 2007 showed that beautifully presented culture and art cannot leave any audience indifferent. The culture of Japan is undoubtedly bright and unique, one cannot be surfeited with it, it fascinates" one of the organizers of the project said.

That day the classes of furoshiki (Japanese art of wrapping objects, that originally came from the times of the Silk Road when furoshiki wrapping cloth was used to transport clothes, gifts, or other goods), the demonstration of wearing kimono and the classes of origami were held. The word "furoshiki" literally means "bath spread", and is a square piece of cloth, used for wrapping or transportation of objects of any form and size.

Kimono (literally "something worn") is the national costume of Japan, popular and recognized around the world. Ukiyo-e style graphical prints were very popular in the West in the early 20th century, which is why smiling young ladies wearing kimono became one of the main symbols of Japan, an integral attribute of Japanese style. Traditionally, the art of wearing kimono is passed on from mother to the daughter, but in modern Japan special kimono schools work to preserve this ancient tradition. Classes cover selecting seasonally and event-appropriate patterns and fabrics, matching the kimono undergarments and accessories to the kimono, layering the undergarments according to subtle meanings, selecting and tying obi, and other topics. There are also clubs devoted to kimono culture, such as Kimono de Ginza.

"Silk Road – 2007" Project, scheduled to last 90 days (from June 28 through 25 September 2007), is a cultural exchange programme between the nations of different countries of Asia for the purpose of deepening mutual understanding and trust between people.

FESTIVAL IN FERGHANA AIMS AT ECOLOGY & HUMAN HEALTH AWARENESS RISE

The ecology festival under the motto “Independence, ecology and health of people” dedicated to the 16th anniversary of independence of Uzbekistan has been held in Ferghana, Uzreport.com Business Information Portal reported July 31.

The “Ecosan” International organization along with the State committee of Uzbekistan on protection of nature, Central council of the “Kamolot” Youth Social Movement and Creative union of journalists of Uzbekistan organized the event, the report has said.

The festival has aimed at further promoting the ecological culture among population, nourishing in the youth the sense of love to nature and the strife to safeguard it.

The local students of institutes, colleges and academic lyceums, and schoolchildren are reported to have actively participated at the event. People who spoke at the festival have said that such events held with a goal to improve the health of people and protect the nature bear positive results.

Within the framework of the festival the exhibition, which showcased the nature, flora and fauna of the Ferghana Valley was demonstrated. The ecology festival ended with a concert show with the participation of the well-known Uzbek pop-singers.

ONLINE MUSEUM DIRECTORY OF UZBEKISTAN LAUNCHED

Good news for art critics, historians, artists, craftsmen, tourists, travel agents, students and art-lovers in general – an online directory of museums artandcraft.uz has been launched.

The directory contains information on nine largest museums and galleries of Uzbekistan. Using the new resource, website visitors will be able to obtain detailed information the themes of the expositions, their frequency, as well as the contact details of the museums. There is also information about the museums' working hours and the availability of guides.

The website will be constantly refreshed, the information will be edited and expanded, the website's administration says. In the short future, it plans to publish electronic galleries. As a pilot project, in August of this year, the gallery of the Memorial Museum of Ural Tansykbaev will be published.