October 14, 2009
Economics:
Strong position of Uzbekistan in world cotton market
International industrial fair to be held on 20-24 October
Rural residents to receive new housing
Society:
Y-PEER website launch to further boost youth programming in Uzbekistan
New exhibition opens at Savitsky museum
ECONOMY
STRONG POSITION OF UZBEKISTAN IN WORLD COTTON MARKET
During the years of independence the cotton industry of Uzbekistan went through a radical transformation. As a result of successive reforms undertaken to develop new technologies of cultivation quality of cotton fiber has increased. Wide introduction of the principles and mechanisms of market economy has been steadily increasing fame and the competitiveness of Uzbek cotton in international markets. Today, with the requirements of the global textile industry high-yielding varieties of cotton resistant to drought, diseases and pests, are cultivated in the country, National News Agency UzA reported.
International Uzbek Cotton Fair, initiated by President Islam Karimov, demonstrates the ongoing, widespread economic reforms, offers opportunities for further improvement of export products harvested with hard work of our farmers, and the expansion of ties with foreign partners. At the fair the leading consumers, professionals and experts will be well acquainted with the latest developments in the Uzbek cotton industry, the process of growing, processing and export of raw materials. They will exchange views on the changes, new traditions and trends in the global cotton industry.
According to the association “Uzpahtasanoat”, improving the country’s procurement and processing of cotton contributes to further improvement of the quality of fiber. That in turn, is expanding the geography of countries that consume Uzbek fiber. A new system of certification of cotton fiber is consistent with international standards. A modern infrastructure of its sales ensures the quality during preservation and transport of fiber.
- At all enterprises operating in association of “Uzpahtasanoat”, continues the process of refining the current crop, – said the deputy chairman of the association “Uzpahtasanoat” Mr. Mahmoud Babajanov.
Fair participants will learn about the qualitative characteristics of Uzbek fiber, the latest innovation in its cultivation, marketing and logistics. Introduction to the activities of cotton plants, terminals and farms for further expanding the knowledge of the forum on the cultivation, processing and export of cotton in our country.
International Uzbek Cotton Fair demonstrates the growing authority of our country in the world market as one of the leaders of the cotton business, its role in international economic relations. There is no doubt that this fair will not only become an important event in the world cotton market, but will help in boosting the economy of our country, increase its competitiveness and further growth of international prestige.
INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIAL FAIR TO BE HELD ON 20-24 OCTOBER
The Uzexpocenter in Tashkent will host the International industrial fair and Cooperation exchange on 20-24 October.
The events are aimed at strengthening the cooperation between and within the industrial sectors. This, in turn, leads to increasing the production of the import-substituting and competitive products and growth of the volume of local products on the internal market, UzA reported.
“The fair and exchange will be held for the third time this year,” acting head of the industrial fair’s executive organ A.Kutumov told UzA.
If last year almost 300 local companies participated in the fair, this year their number will significantly increase, he said.
Besides, foreign companies interested in establishing beneficial partnership relations with Uzbek producers will also participate in the events.
During the 2008 fair and exchange, agreements and contracts for the total sum of UZS 1.4 billion were signed. The preliminary register of the deals shows that this time the figure will be even higher.
Starting from this year, the previously national fair and exchange have acquired the international status.
According to Kutumov, representatives of more than 650 foreign companies from 45 countries will arrive in Uzbekistan for signing deals for purchase of local production.
The sectors to be presented at the fair include geological research, processing of mineral resources, new technologies, car building, agricultural machinery, electrical appliances, chemical, pharmaceutical, light and food industries, construction materials, transport and others.
RURAL RESIDENTS TO RECEIVE NEW HOUSING
Construction of 15,000 square meters of housing is planned this year in Syrdarya region of Uzbekistan in line with the state program.
The first steps have already been made in Bayaut, Sardoba and Syrdarya districts of the region.
Thus, Syrdarya district administration received applications for the purchase of the new housing from more than 20 young families.
The engineering company Qishloq Qurilish Invest has been provided with 2.1 hectares of land for the construction of the houses.
“A large number of young people wish to have modern housing,” Nodir Suleymanov, deputy governor of Syrdarya district, told UzA.
“We have identified 20 families that need housing and submitted the list to the Qishloq Qurilish Bank, which will provide credits, and Qishloq Qurilish Invest.”
The foundations of the new houses have already been laid, and the young families will soon move in their new houses.
SOCIETY
Y-PEER WEBSITE LAUNCH TO FURTHER BOOST YOUTH PROGRAMMING IN UZBEKISTAN
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Uzbekistan launched the youthpeer.uz website in October 2009 aiming to improve communication among peer educators throughout the country and strengthen consolidated youth programming initiatives, Uzreport Information Portal reported.
This website will serve as a knowledge exchange platform and a tool that helps the network members share their success stories and discuss existing challenges.
Maintained in three languages – English, Russian and Uzbek – the website is a tool available for everyone who is interested in joining Y-PEER network, a ground breaking and comprehensive peer-to-peer initiative in the area of reproductive health and HIV prevention pioneered by UNFPA.
Y-PEER became active in Uzbekistan in 2005, as part of the regional network functioning in Eastern Europe and Central Asia and Arab States. Today, Y-PEER in Uzbekistan is a network of more than 200 young persons volunteering in the area of reproductive health and build capacity of their peers in promotion of healthy lifestyle.
One of the important features the website contains is a Peer of the Month section that helps identify the peer educator who did the best job within Y-PEER Network during the current month and most actively engaged their peers in learning activities. This section motivates all members of the network and makes them strive for better results in their work.
The website also contains the photo gallery illustrating various events organized by peer educators in the country and a link to the global Y-PEER website that helps local peer educators stay connected with their colleagues overseas and finding efficient solutions for healthy lifestyle promotion.
"We are keen on involving young people in our programming in the area of reproductive health and HIV prevention because we believe that youth participation has practical necessity allowing the organization's work respond to the actual needs, interests and specifics of young people," commented Nuzhat Ehsan, UNFPA Representative a.i. in Uzbekistan.
"Our Fund ensured that ideas and opinions of Y-PEER members were taken into account while the peer network website was under construction, so that young people are fully satisfied with the crucial communication tool they now have at their disposal."
NEW EXHIBITION OPENS AT SAVITSKY MUSEUM
The exhibition of restored paintings has opened at the Karakalpak state arts museum named after Igor Savitsky.
The museum, which has more than 90,000 unique exhibits, contains paintings that need to be restored.
The paintings, which have a historic and other importance, are being restored with the help of qualified specialists from Poland, Germany, France and Bulgaria.
“About 100 paintings depicting the past of our people have acquired a new life,” Guljamal Davletova, a museum employee, said.
“These paintings belong to famous artists Alexander Volkov, Vladimir Lisenki, Igor Savitsky and others.”
Most of the paintings are from private collections, whose owners could not provide the required storage conditions.