September 15, 2008
Politics:
President Holds Talks in Baku, Sides Sign Documents
French Delegation Visits Uzbekistan, Speaks on Extending Ties
Economics:
Power Uzbekistan 2008 to be held in Tashkent on 23-25 September
Attraction of foreign investments discussed at seminar
German business delegation to visit Tashkent, Samarqand in October
Petronas starts exploration at new block in Uzbekistan
JVs in Andijan Province Attract Investments, People Get Jobs
Society:
Ombudsman & Law-Enforcement Bodies’ Joint Work Discussed
Lawyers' Chamber founded in Uzbekistan
Seminar Discusses Modern System of Children’s Soc. Protection
Event in Tashkent Exhibits Symbols of Time – Report
POLICY
PRESIDENT HOLDS TALKS IN BAKU, SIDES SIGN DOCUMENTS
On September 11, 2008 the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov arrived in the Republic of Azerbaijan with official visit, the agencies reported.
The visit of the Uzbek Leader to Baku began with a welcoming ceremony in Zagulba residence. Islam Karimov and Ilham Aliev stepped up to the podium. The state anthems of both countries were played. Then the two presidents observed the honorable guard lined up in honor of the high-level guest.
Then both presidents held tete-a-tete talks.
Islam Karimov said that ancient ties of friendship between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, similarity of traditions and cultures, common language and religion create big opportunities to all-round development of mutual cooperation. He expressed confidence that during this visit the both sides would agree on many mutually beneficial issues to upgrade the Uzbek-Azerbaijan relations to a new level.
While welcoming the Uzbek President, Ilham Aliev noted that today’s talks were the logical continuation of the high-level meeting held in 2004 in Tashkent. Azerbaijan pays profound attention to this visit of the President Islam Karimov.
During the talks the sides exchanged views on current and perspective Uzbek-Azerbaijan relations, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. The sides noted the conformity of views on the issues discussed. The goals and strives of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan in developing bilateral cooperation are common, and both countries are partners in political issues.
The Presidents paid particular attention to security issues. The sides discussed the ways of joint struggle against such threats as international terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking and transnational crime.
Then the presidents held delegation-format talks. The sides exchanged the views on a number of urgent issues of Uzbek-Azerbaijan cooperation, in particular, trade, economic, investment, scientific, technical and humanitarian issues.
It was noted at the talks that the level of economic cooperation does not fully reflect the opportunities and potentials of both countries. The volume of trade between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan in 2007 made up 60.4 million US dollars. Twenty-one joint ventures are operating in Uzbekistan with the participation of Azerbaijan partners.
By developing direct partnership ties between business circles of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, expanding investment cooperation the trade and economic indicators can be raised several times. In this context, the stepping up of the work of Uzbek-Azerbaijan intergovernmental joint commission, holding business forums, presentations of economic potential of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, exhibitions and other events are important. In particular, joint commission is engaged in seeking and finding new possibilities not yet applied, defining the ways of expanding the scales of cooperation, developing mutual beneficial projects. Economic forums will promote not only signing of new agreements, but also raise awareness among business cycles on the opportunities of the both states.
To develop links in banking and financial sector, reconsider substantially the list of exporting goods and services of the two states are also in need. It is important in expanding the dialog between the businessmen.
During the talks the delegations paid particular attention to the humanitarian cooperation. Literary heritage, culture and arts of the Uzbek and Azerbaijan nations are spiritually close.
Association of Azerbaijan Cultural Center is operating in Uzbekistan starting from 2003.
It should be noted that during the state visit of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliev to Uzbekistan in March 2004 the monument of Nizamiy was established at one of the picturesque parts of the city of Tashkent – square located around Babur Park and Nizami Tashkent State Pedagogic University. President Islam Karimov named it “symbol of respect and trust to fraternal Azerbaijani nation, its ancient history and culture, its ever-burning spirit, will and firmness, tested during centuries, its bright future.”
During the talks the sides agreed to hold more joint cultural events, develop relations in such fields as tourism, sports, education, science and healthcare.
On the outcomes of the negotiations, the sides signed intergovernmental agreements on cooperation and information exchange in tax sphere, mutual protection of confidential information, humanitarian cooperation, on further measures to develop trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation, on measures to further deepen cooperation in the sphere of railroad transport and develop joint transportations, as well as interagency agreements on cooperation in the sphere of environment and information and communication area.
At the meeting with mass media the presidents noted that the talks were held in the atmosphere of mutual respect and accord. The delegations discussed main issues of mutual beneficial cooperation. They emphasized that documents signed on the outcomes of the talks would serve to multi-term interests of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, development of both countries and raising of well being of the nations.
FRENCH DELEGATION VISITS UZBEKISTAN, SPEAKS ON EXTENDING TIES
Late last week the delegation of the French Senate led by the chairman of Senate Group Uzbekistan-France Monik Papon visited Uzbekistan, the agencies reported.
During their stay the delegation members held talks in the Senate of Uzbekistan, Legislative Chamber, ministries of foreign affairs, culture and sports, higher and secondary special education, as well as Tashkent City Administration.
The sides noted that cooperation between Uzbekistan and France gradually developed in many directions, including, in such spheres as cooperation between parliaments, trade, economy, science, education, sports and culture. They have particularly emphasized that the agreements achieved at the top-level meetings of heads of two states served as a legal basis for development of relations.
“We know Uzbekistan well on its ancient history, rich heritage and such cities as Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Tashkent,” M.Papon said. “We have witnessed big results of reforms ongoing in Uzbekistan in all spheres. For over the short period of time Uzbekistan achieved considerable successes in establishing the law-governed democratic state and civil society. We fully support the reforms that Uzbekistan carries out with an aim to raise the well-being of nation, and sincerely believe that cooperation between our states will expand and strengthen year to year.”
ECONOMY
POWER UZBEKISTAN 2008 TO BE HELD IN TASHKENT ON 23-25 SEPTEMBER
Third International Exhibition Power Uzbekistan 2008 will be held in Tashkent on 23-25 September. The exhibition will take place at UzExpoCenter's Central Pavilion, Uzreport Business Information Portal reported. ITE Uzbekistan, international exhibition company, and its partner I.T.E. Exhibitions & Conferences Ltd. (UK) are organizers of the exhibition. Power Uzbekistan is one of the important events in fuel-energy complex of Uzbekistan. It is expected that over 80 leading foreign and local companies, engaged in power sector, production of equipment for power industry, construction firms and other will attend the event. The objectives of the exhibition are to demonstrate scientific and industrial equipment to be used in the energy sector of Uzbekistan, attract more partners and customers, broaden the range of goods produced by domestic and foreign manufacturers, and increase cooperation between enterprises, organizations, firms and investors.
The theme of the exhibition allows demonstrating development and potential in key sectors of industry such as power engineering, electric equipment, building and construction, communication, oil-and-gas complex, and housing and utilities infrastructure. The exposition will have such sections as "Electrical machinery and parts", "Low voltage equipment", "High voltage equipment", "Cables, wires, accessories", "Electric insulating materials and insulators", "Power conversion equipment", etc. It is expected that "Lighting" section will attract special attention of visitors of the exhibition. Power engineering is a basic sector of the national economy of Uzbekistan. Its considerable production and scientific-and-technical potential has a strong influence on the development of national economy. Today, about 50% of power generating facilities of the Central Asia Integrated Power Grid is located in Uzbekistan. This power grid also incorporates the power systems of Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and southern Kazakhstan. The power system of Uzbekistan is a basic link in the electric power production and transmission chain in the region. Its geographic location and developed power transmission network allow proper organizing the power energy market, and being one of its active players. The power system of Uzbekistan entirely meets electric energy needs of national economy and population of the country and is an electric power exporter to other countries. The power system of Uzbekistan consists of 37 thermal power plants and hydropower plants with a total installed capacity of 11.2 million kW and feasible daily production of about 47 – 48 billion kWh. A total length of electric power network of Uzbekistan's power system is over 230,000 km of power transmission lines (all voltages) and transformer substations having a total capacity of 45 million kW. In the nearest future, the hydropower energy production capacity will be increased through a large-scale development of mini-hydropower plants (with capacity of 440 MW) at the waterworks. This would allow an annual production of additional 1.3 billion kWh of electric energy. The Programme for development and reconstruction of power generating facilities in energy sector of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the period before 2010 is being successfully implemented in Uzbekistan, with the emphasis on modernization of existing power facilities, more effective use of fuel and energy resources, introduction of new power generating technologies, and reduction of environmental impact by Uzbekenergo enterprises.
ATTRACTION OF FOREIGN INVESTMENTS DISCUSSED AT SEMINAR
Foreign investments are one of the most important factors of economic growth, attraction of modern technology into different economic sectors, and achievement of high competitiveness of the products manufactured at the international markets. It was emphasized by the President of the Republic Islam Karimov that "only through active attraction of foreign investments can we build a modern diversified and competitive economy." The issue of raising the role of local councils of people's deputies in attracting foreign direct investments in to the regions of the country and development of foreign economic relations was discussed at the seminar organised by the Senate Committee for Foreign Political Affairs jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Uzbekistan and the UN Development Programme.
In the course of the discussion it was pointed out that over the years of independence a favourable legal climate for investments has been created in Uzbekistan. A wide range of guarantees and benefits has been introduced for foreign investors, UzA reported. A whole system of measures to stimulate the activity of foreign enterprises has been developed. In 2007 the total volume of the appropriated foreign investments exceeded US$1 billion (up 58% year on year). At the same time direct investments make up about 76% of foreign capital injections. Foreign investments help the implementation of structural reforms in the national economy of the country, expansion of finished goods production and increase in the export volumes.
During the seminar it was emphasized that at this time the process of attracting foreign investments is being raised to a new level, and the role of regions in this process is being particularly stressed. The Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade of Uzbekistan jointly with the regional khokimiats (authorities) are making active efforts to develop a programme of development of foreign economic potential with due regard to regions' special features. As a result, investment attractiveness of a number of regions has been improved. Seminar participants discussed a wide range of forms and methods of attracting foreign investments.
Thus, it has already become a tradition to conduct Uzbekistan AgroMini-Tech Expo trade fairs where the farmers, agricultural firms and small businesses specialised in the processing of agricultural products are familiarized with the latest, advanced mini-technology and equipment produced by the leading foreign manufacturers. And this helps not only improve the processing of domestically grown agricultural products, but also helps develop foreign economic relations of the regions, creating additional stimuli for the attraction of foreign investments.
At the same time it was pointed out that in the process of attracting foreign investments into the economy of Uzbekistan not all substantial reserves are being used. The structure of foreign direct investments that has formed does not reflect the existing investment potential of the country, and they are not being homogeneously spread across the regions of the country.
The representatives of the councils of people's deputies were familiarized with the forms and methods of activity on attracting foreign investments into the regions, the possibilities of interacting with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the UNDP and other organisations. Participants also exchanged opinions and shared experience in attraction and effective use of foreign investments.
Senators, representatives of concerned standing commissions of local councils of people's deputies, representatives of khokimiats (authorities) of the regions, ministries and agencies, and media took part in the seminar.
GERMAN BUSINESS DELEGATION TO VISIT TASHKENT, SAMARQAND IN OCTOBER
A delegation of German businesses led by the Federal Minister of Economy and Technology of Germany Michael Glos will pay a visit to Uzbekistan in October. The visit will take place on 13-18 October and the delegation will visit Tashkent and Samarkand. The visit aimed at developing German-Uzbek economic relations and assisting development of unused potential of economic interaction. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan told UzReport.com that the delegation of businesses of Germany led by the Federal Minister of Economy and Technology of Germany Michael Glos paid a visit to Uzbekistan in February 2008. Current visit is directed to expanding and strengthening cooperation in energy, agriculture, food processing and chemical industry. Economic potential of Uzbekistan in textile and metallurgy is also attracting interests of German businesses.
The German businesses will hold negotiations with heads and representatives of ministries and interested enterprises of above-mentioned industries.
PETRONAS STARTS EXPLORATION AT NEW BLOCK IN UZBEKISTAN
Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) of Malaysia started a geological exploration at new block in Surkhandarya region, south-eastern Uzbekistan, Uzbeknefetgaz management said on 11 September. The cost of the project is US$20 million. The source in the company said the Malaysian company will explore Surkhan investment block, which envisages investments for US$20 million in five years, including US$15 million in the first three years, Rosinvest reported. Within the project, Petronas will conduct seismic exploration with 2D method, gravimetric and magnetometric survey prospect drilling of one well, as well as prepare geophysical and geological reports. Petronas established Petronas Carigali ("Surkhanski") Operating Company LLC to realize this project. Uzbeknefetgaz and Petronas will hold negotiations on product-sharing agreement on development of this block. The two companies signed an agreement on conducting geological exploration on Surkhan investment block 2008-2012.
In the first half of 2008, the Malaysian company realized programme of exploration of another investment block (Baysun) in Surkhandarya region. The cost of works was about US$80 million and envisaged 2D and 3D seismologic works, prospect drilling at Gadjak deposit and interpretation of the results. The sides plan to sign product sharing agreement on Baysun block till the end of 2008. Petronas and the Government of Uzbekistan signed product sharing agreement for 35 years on development of Akchalak gas condensate deposits' group. The sides will receive 50% of product each in the initial period in line with the agreement. According to Uzbekneftegaz, the perspective resources of gas at the deposit are 125 billion cubic meters and 130 million tonnes of liquefied hydrocarbons. Malaysian company also holds 20% in international consortium on development of the Uzbek part of Aral Sea. The consortium also includes Uzbekneftegaz, Lukoil Overseas, KNOC and CNPC and they signed product sharing agreement for 35 years on August 2006. In line with the agreement, the foreign investors will receive 10% of product and Uzbekistan – 50% in the initial stage. Malaysian company and Uzbekneftegaz signed agreement on construction of plant on production of synthetic fuel (GTL) with the cost of US$1.5 billion in 2008-2012. The project will be realized at Shurtan gas chemical complex in Kashkadarya region. The plant will process 3.5 billion cubic meters of gas and produce 1.75 million tonnes of synthetic diesel fuel and petroleum per year.
JVS IN ANDIJAN PROVINCE ATTRACT INVESTMENTS, PEOPLE GET JOBS
As a part of modernization program now underway in Uzbekistan the reconstruction and renewal of production at 11 big companies of textile industry are planned in Andijan Province, according to the agencies.
As a result of implementing prospective projects worth in total 69.5 million US dollars the volume of production of paper and pulp yarns will achieve 40.500 tons and knitted fiber - 6000 tons per year. The volume of exports of products is expected to rise up to 72.500 dollars. 3150 local youth will be employed.
At the moment, the investments were attracted into the Antex Joint-Stock Company, as well as Otinkultex and Investtex joint ventures worth in total 5.8 million dollars. As a result, 800 people in the rural area will obtain full-time jobs.
Uzbekistan Havo Yollari receives new Il-114-100
Uzbekistan Havo Yollari (Uzbekistan Airways), national airline of Uzbekistan, received new modernized Il-114-100 aircraft on Monday, 15 September 2008, according to the Uzreport Business Information Portal. The aircraft was developed by Aviation Complex names after Ilyushin (Russia) and produced by Tashkent Aircraft Production Plant named after Chkalov. Il-114-100 aircraft was modified taking into account recent requirements of modern market. The Russian firm improved some parameters of construction and aviation electronics, as well as improved accuracy of the aircraft's movement. The aircraft was equipped with aviation electronics of Rockwell Collins (US), engine of îò Pratt & Whitney Canada and propellers of Hamilton Sundstrand, while Honeywell (USA) provided auxiliary power unit. The capacity of aircraft is 52 passengers. It is expected that Uzbek airline will use the aircraft in internal flights and flights to the CIS states.
Currently, the company has two Il-114-100 aircrafts, but it plans to increase their number to replace old-dated Yak-40 and An-24.
SOCIETY
OMBUDSMAN & LAW-ENFORCEMENT BODIES’ JOINT WORK DISCUSSED
The seminar held in Navoi by the Authorized of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Human Right (Ombudsman) and the Representation of Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Uzbekistan was dedicated to cooperation of Ombudsman with court and law-enforcement bodies in protecting human rights, the agencies reported.
The staff-members of law-enforcement bodies, scholars, specialists, coordinators of CSTO international projects and reporters took part at the seminar, according to the reports.
The delegates to the seminar noted that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights became the first international legal document that the Republic of Uzbekistan joined after obtaining independence. The way that Uzbekistan chose aimed at building democratic law-governed state, powerful civil society, protecting the rights and interests is a priority direction to developing public, domestic and foreign policy.
The reflection of norms of aforesaid document in the nation’s Constitution and national legislation witnesses about the fact that human rights and interests were defined as a top value in the country.
From the early years of independence Uzbekistan has been carrying out a profound work to reform legal system, liberalize criminal punishments, comprehensively protect freedoms, rights and interests of human. Further strengthening the cooperation between law-enforcement bodies of the country is important in this direction.
Specialists are reported to have answered the questions of seminar participants.
LAWYERS' CHAMBER FOUNDED IN UZBEKISTAN
Constituent Conference of Lawyers' Chamber of Uzbekistan was held in Tashkent at the end of last week. Over 140 delegates from Karakalpakstan and other regions of Uzbekistan participated in the event.
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a decree "On measures to further reform the Bar in the Republic of Uzbekistan" on 1 May 2008, which approved proposal to establish Lawyers' Chamber of Uzbekistan. The decree said membership in the chamber is compulsory for all lawyers in Uzbekistan.
The objectives of the chamber are coordination of lawyers' organizations, promotion of the profession, participation in development of legislation, representation and protection of the rights and interests of lawyers, as well as controlling the lawyers' observance of the law and professional ethics.
The conference announced that the Lawyers' Chamber was founded on the base of Uzbekistan Bar Association. The chamber will have its regional offices.
The participants approved the charter of the chamber and selected chairperson of the Chamber.
SEMINAR DISCUSSES MODERN SYSTEM OF CHILDREN’S SOC. PROTECTION
Tashkent hosted seminar on Modern system of social protection of children in Uzbekistan and its further development. Ministry of Public Education and Sen yolgiz emassan Fund jointly with UNICEF organized the event, the local newspapers reported.
Delegates to the seminar have said that so far Uzbekistan accomplished a lot in social sphere. Last academic year alone the sixteen specialized schools and boarding schools were refurbished. Over 5.400 textbooks for children with mental, hearing and eyesight disabilities were published.
Every mercy houses, special schools and boarding schools employ their own buses. All children who acquire knowledge at home received learning materials, tables and boards. Thousand computers were allotted to children from the less well-off families and home-based learners.
Such meetings on the problems of social guardianship and protection of children in Uzbekistan turned traditional. For the first time it was held in 2004. During this seminar the participants, staff members of mercy houses, ministry of public education, public organizations discussed normative and legal foundation on which is based a modern system of social protection of children in Uzbekistan.
The goal of specialists is to elaborate new ways of reforming legislative mechanism of social protection and propose alternative forms of guardianship and care about children left without parents.
EVENT IN TASHKENT EXHIBITS SYMBOLS OF TIME – REPORT
The exhibition “Symbols of time” was opened at the Center of National Arts in Tashkent. The Forum of Culture and Arts Fund and Swiss Cooperation and Development Agency organized the exhibition, the Uzbekistan National News Agency reported.
The participants of the event noted that Uzbekistan pays particular attention to expand the awareness of forthcoming generation, develop all kinds arts as well as applied arts, support and stimulate creative youth. Therefore indeed, creativity centers, museums and other culture establishments have been constructing nationwide.
The Fund is a public organization that tangibly contributes not only in developing national culture and art but also assists to their popularization in the country and abroad, promotes creation of conditions and opportunities for mutual dialogue between the representatives of creative people, supports the young talents. Creativity projects, festivals and art exhibitions witness about the aforesaid.
At the second exhibition of modern art one can learn about the best works of Muhammad Fazily, Jamol Usmanov, Babur Ismailov, Aleksandr Nikolaev, Vyachaslav Useinov, Elena Kambina that were successfully demonstrated in the international exhibition and biennale.
Contemporary works of French, Spanish, German, Georgian and Kazakh painters were also exhibited at the event. All works attract the attention of visitors with new technical possibilities, last achievements of digital technologies.
“I participated at such exhibition last year”, French artist Robber Kayen said. “It gives visible imagination about creativity of masters working in different directions as well as promotes mutual enrichment and exchange. During the exhibition I convinced that the support of young talents is a priority in Uzbekistan.”
As a part of the exhibition that will last until September 22 the organizers scheduled to hold meetings with well known artists, creative talks, master classes and conferences.