September 8, 2008
Politics:
President Attends CSTO Summit in Moscow
Latvia, Uzbekistan discuss cooperation
Economics:
Uzbekistan wants tightened economic ties With Vietnam
Commerce Chamber, Coscom sign cooperation agreement
Italian businessmen’s to visit Uzbekistan
New joint ventures set up in Andijan region
Society:
International Epizootic Bureau Holds Seminar in Tashkent
NELTI project to start in Tashkent
South Korea to grant US$3m to improve work of State Archives
New Children’s Center Founded in Khorezm, Report Says
POLICY
PRESIDENT ATTENDS CSTO SUMMIT IN MOSCOW
On September 5 this year the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov participated at the Summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in the capital of the Russian Federation Moscow, according to the Jahon Information Agency.
The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) was established on May 15, 1992 in line with the Collective Security Treaty. The CSTO Charter and Agreement on legal status of the Organization were signed on October 7, 2002 and entered into force on September 18, 2003.
The session of the CSTO Collective Security Council at presidents-only format took place in Moscow with participation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, President of the Russian Federation Dmitriy Medvedev, President of the Republic of Armenia Serge Sarkisiyan, President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbaev, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Kurmanbek Bakiev and President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmon.
At their Moscow talks the state leaders are reported to have discussed the issues of consolidating peace and stability on the territory that covers the CSTO participating nations. They have exchanged views on stirring up struggle against terrorism and extremism, organized transnational crime as well as drug and weapon trafficking, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, as much as bettering the information security system, expanding military and military-technical cooperation.
The said issues have been further addressed at the delegation-level talks of the Collective Security Council’s session.
The session also saw discussion of issues as to further improve and raise efficiency of Organization’s activity, as well as prospects and priority directions of cooperation. The delegates to the session considered the implementation of program for joint combating terrorism and threats related to drug trafficking adopted between security bodies of the CSTO participating states.
On the outcomes of Summit the leaders are reported to have signed the Declaration of the Collective Security Council and other documents in terms of the Organization’s activity.
LATVIA, UZBEKISTAN DISCUSS COOPERATION
Political consultations of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Uzbekistan took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on September 4.
During these consultations the bilateral cooperation between Latvia and Uzbekistan, relations between the EU and Uzbekistan, issues of regional cooperation and security, as well as the forthcoming visit of the President of Latvia to countries of Central Asia in October were discussed, a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia said.
The Latvian delegation was headed by Under-secretary of State Edgars Skuja. During the political consultations, meetings were also held with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Vladimir Norov and his deputy Rustam Tuhtabaev.
During the meetings the parties emphasised the importance of the anticipated visit by the President of Latvia to Uzbekistan, which will enhance bilateral cooperation in the area of economy and foster co-operation between sectors.
During the meetings relations between the EU and Uzbekistan and the process of introducing EU strategy in Uzbekistan were discussed. One of the priorities of Latvia in both the bilateral cooperation and EU context is education.
During the meeting between Edgars Skuja and the Minister of Economic Relations, Investments and Trade of Uzbekistan Elyor Ganiev economic cooperation between Latvia and Uzbekistan were discussed as well as the organisation of a business forum during the forthcoming visit of the President of Latvia.
ECONOMY
UZBEKISTAN WANTS TIGHTENED ECONOMIC TIES WITH VIETNAM
The Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry said Vietnam and the Central Asian nation can ramp up their cooperation in garments, oil and gas, leather footwear, machineries and equipment.
The two nations should reach comprehensive cooperation in garments, the chamber's Chairman Alisher Shaykhov said in an interview with the Dien Dan Doanh Nghiep (Business Forum) newspaper, adding that Uzbekistan turns out an annual output of more than 1.3 million tonnes of cotton, which is the Vietnamese garment sector's import staple.
Vietnam can buy cheap cotton from Uzbekistan in order to boost the industry which yields nearly ten of billions of dollars from exports every year, the chairman said.
He urged Vietnamese businesses to invest in Uzbekistan to enjoy tax incentives for foreign investors for 3-7 years and low infrastructure costs.
Additionally, he said, Uzbekistan will be a gateway for Vietnamese products to the Central Asian market.
Two-way trade between Vietnam and Uzbekistan reached US$6 million last year, with Vietnam's main imports from the European country being fibre, cotton, silk, machineries, equipment, fertiliser and its export staples to the market being aquatic products, fruits, pharmaceuticals, tea and coffee.
Last month, two Chambers of Commerce and Industry signed a cooperation agreement in an effort to increase support for businesses of the two countries.
The signing of the agreement took place following the second session of the Joint Government Committee on Economic-Trade and Science-Technology Cooperation and along with another deal between the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group and Uzbekneftegaz, Uzbekistan's state-owned holding company in oil and gas.
The two countries also agreed to soon sign an agreement on visa exemption for Vietnamese nationals holding diplomatic passports and the others on plant quarantine and agricultural cooperation.
COMMERCE CHAMBER, COSCOM SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and Coscom, mobile operator of Uzbekistan rendering services under Ucell brand, signed a general agreement on cooperation on 4 September 2008. Alisher Shayhov, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, and Oguz Memiguven, director-general of Coscom, signed the agreement. As earlier reported, Ucell launched new unique corporate tariff "Tadbirkor" on 1 August to support entrepreneurs and businesses in Uzbekistan. The new tariff was launched within the framework of the agreement between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Ucell. "Tadbirkor", which means "entrepreneur", is a corporate tariff specifically designed for businesses to provide them with affordable yet quality mobile communication. The new tariff plan has only US$4 of monthly fee with all incoming calls and all calls within particular corporate group absolutely free of charge. All other outgoing calls are US$0.02 only.
In line with agreement, Ucell developed special tariff for small and medium businesses. At the same time, the mobile operator will create special conditions for businesses, especially in regions, at the assistance of the Chamber. The chamber, in its turn, will assist Ucell to promote service among businesses and attract potential corporate clients. Oguz Memiguven said: "We are fully aware that telecommunication technologies can make life of businesspeople better and contribute to development of entrepreneurship. Recently, we introduced new tariff plan to support development of business in Uzbekistan." Currently, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan offers mobile consulting services through its call-center at the assistance of Ucell. The service gives opportunity to businesses receive consultation on various issues, including legal issues. The sides are currently working on joint project, which will allow businesses in the regions to subscribe to mobile services. Ucell is one of the leaders in mobile communication market of Uzbekistan. The company has been working in Uzbekistan for 12 years and renders services on GSM900/1800 standards.
ITALIAN BUSINESSMEN’S TO VISIT UZBEKISTAN
A delegation of businessmen’s from Italy will hold bilateral meetings with their Uzbek counterparts at Radisson SAS Hotel on 11 September. The meetings are organized within the visit of business circles of Italy to Uzbekistan. The visit is organized by Italian Institute for Foreign Trade (ICE) under the Embassy of Italy in Uzbekistan, Centro Estero Alpi del Mare under the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Cuneo and Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan. The Italian delegation includes representatives of five companies, engaged in production of agriculture equipment and spare parts, including Abba' snc, Berfralk srl, G&A di Giordana Adriano, Supertino srl and Nordagri srl.
NEW JOINT VENTURES SET UP IN ANDIJAN REGION
The Uzbek-Russian-US joint venture Samoshertekst has been commissioned in Qorgontepa District of Andijon Region, eastern Uzbekistan, UzA reported.
The foreign investors have invested US$7.9 million in the enterprise and introduced the most advanced technologies there. This has enabled the enterprise to produce quality yarn that meets international standards.
The joint venture's annual capacity is 5,200 tonnes of yarn, which will be mainly exported to foreign countries. In all, 600 new jobs have been created since the joint venture was commissioned.
Another new Uzbek-British joint venture, PoytugTex, has been launched in Izbaskan district of Andijan region.
The new venture has the capacity to produce 4,200 tonnes of threads and 2,400 tonnes of yarn yearly. It currently employs 400 young people.
"Our enterprise has the equipment imported from Germany, Belgium and China," the Director of the joint venture Zakirjan Holmirzaev said. "We plan to export about 80 % of the manufactured output."
Andijan region currently has more than ten ventures set up in partnership with foreign investors.
SOCIETY
INTERNATIONAL EPIZOOTIC BUREAU HOLDS SEMINAR IN TASHKENT
Tashkent launched a seminar on cooperation of member-states of International Epizootic Bureau. The Government of Uzbekistan jointly with International Epizootic Bureau and Head Department of European Union Commission on Protecting Consumer Rights and Health organized the event.
According to the Jahon Information Agency, the representatives of agrarian branch, specialists of veterinary service, teachers of relevant higher educational establishments and staff members of international organizations took part at the seminar.
The delegates to the seminar have said that policy measures on further developing cattle breeding, raising cattle, procuring from abroad the pure-bred cattle created a firm basis to extend foodstuff production and filling up the domestic market.
Along successfully developing the cattle breeding, poultry keeping and other sectors which provide population with such product Uzbekistan pays a particular attention to effectively organizing activity of veterinary service. The Uzbek Government takes active measures to prevent emergence and spread of various infections.
The Uzbek veterinary service was awarded the official certificate of the International Epizootic Bureau for the successes it has achieved in terms of ensuring stability of epizootic situation in the country. According to this document, Uzbekistan is considered to be a country where the cattle-plague is absent whilst a spread of this decease in many countries causes large economic damage.
“I would like to particularly note that veterinary service in Uzbekistan is based on international requirements,” President of Regional Commission on Europe of the International Epizootic Bureau Nicola Belev said. “This seminar is a good opportunity for specialists to exchange views and experience.”
NELTI PROJECT TO START IN TASHKENT
International Road Union's (IRU) New Eurasian Land Transport Initiative (NELTI) will launch, on September 16, 2008 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, freight deliveries from Central and Western China to Europe and Turkey and demonstrate that the Silk Road is now open for business by road transport, Uzreport Business Information Portal reported.
Seven pioneering road transport companies: "Tizgaman Jahan" from Iran, "Oshmejtrans" from Kyrgyzstan, "AtrimLogistik" from Russia, "Karadeniz" from Turkey and "Central Asia Trans", "BK Intrans" and "Bunyod" from Uzbekistan, will carry out freight deliveries of industrial and consumer goods on the Northern, Central and Southern routes of the ancient Silk Road, along several thousands of kilometers.
NELTI will also allow a detailed monitoring of transport conditions en route. Monitoring results will be analysed by the NEA Transportation Research Institute (The Netherlands) and presented during the 5th IRU Euro-Asia Road Transport Conference in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in June 2009.
SOUTH KOREA TO GRANT US$3M TO IMPROVE WORK OF STATE ARCHIVES
The Government of the Republic of Korea will grant US$3 million to realize project on informatization of central state archives in 2008-2009.
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a resolution "On measures on reconstruction of central state archives and their technical modernization with attraction of the grant of the Government of the Republic of Korea" on August 21.
The grant will be used to creation of electronic archive funds in central states archives in Uzbekistan and equip with modern equipment on digitalization and restoration of archive materials, the document said.
The resolution entrusted Finance Ministry of Uzbekistan to ensure effective and targeted use of grant. The document said the equipment and materials, imported due to grants of the South Korean side, freed from customs payments, except customs registration fees. Unloading and storage of equipment and materials at airports and railway stations will be carried out free of charge.
The document envisages reconstruction and capital repair of the buildings of the Central State Archive of Uzbekistan, Central State Archive of Film and Photo Documents and Central State Archive on Scientific-Technical and Medical documents.
Central State Archives store unique documents, reflecting history of nations, living in Uzbekistan, from 19th century up to today.
NEW CHILDREN’S CENTER FOUNDED IN KHOREZM, REPORT SAYS
Uzbekistan pays a profound attention to bringing up the harmonically mature forthcoming generation, supporting talents, as well as creating conditions for unveiling creative potential of young people. For example, a considerable work is now underway in this direction in Khorezm Province, according to the report by Uzbekistan National News Agency.
The Children’s Creativity Center was established in Urgench, the administrative capital town of Khorezm. This facility – both finely refurbished and reconstructed in modern and national style – has much decorated the town, the report said.
More than twenty study groups – those of art literature, scientific and technical creativity, ecology, sports and others – will function at the Center. At the facility the children who are up to the people’s and applied arts will learn the gold embroidery, sewing, carpentry, wood and metal carving, coinage, ceramics, drawing and sculpture.
“About thirty out-of-school educational facilities now operate that aim to discover the talented youth in towns and villages,” acting head of Khorezm Regional Department for Public Education Kuronboy Tojiev said, “over 32 thousand 400 girls and boys attend tens of out-of-school study groups that function at such facilities. They become the prizewinners at the nation-wide contests. Undoubtedly, the new Children’s Creativity Center here in the town will draw more gifted youth to its activities.”