August 16, 2007

Politics:
President of Uzbekistan participated at the seventh summit of SCO
Islam Karimov holds talks with Hu Jintao in Bishkek
Economics:
International seminar "U-CONNECT 2007" starts in Tashkent
State Demonopolisation Committee carries out beer market analysis
3rd session of SCO Interbank Consortium Council opens in Bishkek
Society:
"Exposition of museums: modern practice and opportunities" seminar held
Pomegranate —constellation of rubies


POLITICS

PRESIDENT OF UZBEKISTAN PARTICIPATED AT THE SEVENTH SUMMIT OF THE SCO

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov participated in the regular session of the Council of heads of member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) which was held on August 16 in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek.

Apart from presidents of Uzbekistan, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, representatives of observers – Iran, Mongolia, India and Pakistan attended the seventh summit of the SCO.

Upon completion of the enlarged session of the Council of heads of SCO member states in Bishkek a signing ceremony of summit documents adopted by the Council took place. The main documents signed by the heads of the SCO member states are the Treaty among the member states of the SCO on good-neighbourliness, friendship and cooperation and the Bishkek Declaration of the SCO. The Joint Communique of the Heads of the SCO member states was issued. A series of other important documents were also signed during the Bishkek summit of the SCO.

ISLAM KARIMOV HELD TALKS WITH HU JINTAO IN BISHKEK

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov arrived in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on August 15 to participate in the session of the Council of heads of states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

On this day, President Islam Karimov held talks with President of the People’s Republic of China Hu Jintao, and they discussed the state and perspectives of bilateral relations, as well as cooperation within the SCO, Uzbek National Agency Uza reported.

Mutual trust between Uzbekistan and China is strengthening, and this factor makes a positive influence on development of cooperation, Islam Karimov said at the meeting.

Hu Jintao said he considered Islam Karimov a close friend of China, and stressed that the President of Uzbekistan had greatly contributed to development of bilateral relations.

The two leaders said the cooperation between Uzbekistan and China was developing in accordance with the Interstate friendship and partnership agreement signed in 2005.


ECONOMICS

INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR "U-CONNECT 2007" STARTS IN TASHKENT

An international seminar on management and development of information resources "U-CONNECT 2007" is being held at the Le Grand Plaza Hotel in Tashkent on 15-16 August as envisaged in the partnership memorandum signed between the IT Association of Uzbekistan and the National Agency for Internet Development of Korea. The seminar is officially supported by the Uzbek Agency of Communication and Information and the Ministry of Information and Communication of Korea.

The aim of the event is to support international cooperation in the field of efficient use and expansion of information and communication technology (ICT), to share of information, experience and materials on Internet and ICT, and to support each other's efforts in the fast-developing international information community. "To establish coordination and the prospects of future cooperation between Uzbekistan and Korea" is the pronounced aim of the forum, as stated in the greeting speech of the Head of the ICT Department of the Cabinet of Ministers A. Ishanhojaev. The target audience of the forum includes the representatives of public structures of the cities and suburbs, leading universities and institutes of the country, and IT business.

The theme of the seminar is broad and includes the reports of foreign and local specialists on the current condition and development prospects of the IT industry. The main topics of the seminar include foreign experience in the development of national IT policy and strategy, formation of the adequate infrastructure, reports on "Internet and society", "Mobile technology", "Internet management: yesterday, today and tomorrow", and others. A wide range of reports will be delivered on the new technical approaches toward the optimization of the process of development and integration of advanced technology projects. Separate sessions of the seminar will be devoted to the issues concerning the formation of the infrastructure and standardization in the field of IT. The legislative framework for the security within the Internet will also be addressed.

Among the topics already discussed is the development of the national IT policy and strategy in the countries of South-Eastern Asia, particularly South Korea, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Mongolia. Eminent experts from these countries have discussed the priorities of development of e-government, construction of Internet network, etc. The representatives of the National Agency of Korea for Computerisation, the Association for Telecommunication Technology, KISTI and the University of Sungsil spoke on this topic.

Internet is one of the most powerful IT-instruments in Korea, which assists the country in its economic development. Nevertheless even such a developed country is facing problems with the wireless connection, the President of KISTI Mr. Yang Byung Tae noted. Korean delegates shared the country's experience in successful teaching of Internet-technology, and integration of the latest technological developments of the IT industry. "I hope that this seminar will become the cornerstone for the sharing of knowledge in many countries," the resident of the Korea Network Information Center Dr. Kwanho Song said.

The joint Uzbek-Korean events being held within the frame of long-term strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Korea are diverse and productive. The foundation for this partnership was laid during the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov to Korea in March 2006. The current seminar is expected to serve further strengthening of bilateral relations between the countries. The main task for today is to concentrate the efforts on the construction of information society through ICT, and such measures underpin the solution of the issue. International experience reveals how the leaders of the information society have reached substantial progress.

STATE DEMONOPOLISATION COMMITTEE CARRIES OUT BEER MARKET ANALYSIS

Following its action plan for the third quarter of the year, State Demonopolisation Committee has carried out the analysis of the market for production and sales of beer in Uzbekistan.

The aim of the research was to look into the competitive environment and the adequacy of pricing policies, and identify the prospects for the market.

The committee's press service said the research covered large beer producers of Uzbekistan – Uzbek-American Inter-Rohat JV (brand: Kibray, Tashkent region), Mehnat-Pivo (Patriot; Tashkent region), Uzbek-Czech Samarkand-Praga-Pivo JV (Pulsar; Samarkand), Raupxon (Yunusabad; Tashkent city), Almalykpivo (Tashkent region), Uzbek-German Ziyobakhsh Uni Trading JV (Asia; Bukhara city), and mini-breweries Besh-Yogoch Pivo LLC, Gambrinus LLC, Kamolot Mega JV, Tohiriy, and workshops within the Navoi Mining and Smelting Plant (Zarafshan and Uchkuduk).

The projected and installed capacity of five (out of six) large companies together made up 875,900 hectoliters of beer yearly (1hL=100 liters). The level of the used capacity makes up 497,200 hL or 54% of the installed production volume (production capacity not being used fully). The installed capacity of six mini-breweries made up 5,000 hL of beer yearly. The aggregate capacity is being used at less than 40%.

The level of prices for the same units of product (0.5L, 1L) are approximately the same for large producers. The sales price for a half a liter of beer (bottled) ranges from 300-600 soums, and for a liter – from 800 to 1,300 soums. At the same time, lower prices (as indicated by calculations) illustrate higher use of production capacity and relatively bigger volumes of production (sale). In the case of Samarkand-Praga-Pivo JV, the official distributor of Pulsar LLC, the price discount reaches 47%.

The same situation is true for "small" producers: the prices for 0.5L (bottled) makes up about 600-900 soums, and for 1L – reaches 1,500 soums.

A large beer factory of the Baltic Beverages Holding (a consortium of European beer companies) and Sarbast Plus (Uzbekistan) has been launched. The factory has a major competitive advantage reflected in the vast projected (installed) capacity, which makes up 1 million hL yearly. However, the market situation indicates that in the conditions of tough competition that currently characterizes the market the new player will have to put strong efforts to benefit from its competitive advantage.

3RD SESSION OF SCO INTERBANK CONSORTIUM COUNCIL OPENS IN BISHKEK

A series of bilateral agreements were signed at the Third session of the Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Interbank Consortium, which opened in the Kyrgyz capital on August 15, Information Business portal Uzreport reported.

The deals were approved by chief executives of the OJSC Settlement and Savings Company (Kyrgyzstan), the state corporation Bank for Development and Foreign Economic Activity Vneshekonombank (Russia), the National Bank for Foreign Economic Activity of Uzbekistan and the Development Bank of Kazakhstan, a report of the SCO website said.

The three agreements were signed between the Vneshekonombank and the OJSC SSC, the National Bank of Uzbekistan and the Development Bank of Kazakhstan respectively. They provide collaboration on sharing experience in the field of strategic partnership on the international financial market and development of long-term cooperation in the field of financial investment.

During a second day (16 August) of the Council session an agreement will be signed between the SCO Interbank Consortium and the Business Council. The Vneshekonombank chief Vladimir Dmitriev of the Interbank Consortium and the chairman Dmitry Mezentsev of the Business Council will put their signatures on the document.

The agreement sets a framework for long-term partnership between the two leading economic institutions of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and provides creation of a single data bank on investment projects, recommended for joint implementation in the SCO framework.


SOCIETY

"EXPOSITION OF MUSEUMS: MODERN PRACTICE AND OPPORTUNITIES" SEMINAR HELD

Seminar titled "Exposition of museums: modern practice and opportunities" was held in Tashkent. The heads of the leading museums of Karakalpakstan, regions and Tashkent city, and scientists participated in the event organised on the initiative of the Ministry of Culture and Sport, UzA reported.

During the seminar it was noted that large-scale work to improve the activity of museums and strengthen their financial-technical base is being carried out in the country on President Karimov's initiative.

Thus, the Presidential Decree of 12 January 1998 "On fundamental improvement and enhancement of the activity of museums" draws attention to the careful treatment of the rare historical artifacts kept in national museums, their examination, promotion abroad, as well as preparation and training of qualified specialists in the field, improvement of their professional skills.

Today, over 90 museums operate in Uzbekistan. Many of them, particularly historical, local history, art, literary-memorial museums belong to the system of the Ministry of Culture and Sport. Over half a million artifacts are kept in them.

"For years, the museum was located in an old building," the Director of the Local History Museum of Karshi Bahodir Mamadiev said. "Thanks to the attention the sphere has received, the building has finally been repaired and given a new look. It now has the world-standard technology and conditions for keeping and protecting historical monuments. That is why our museum has become a scientific-educational hearth, which is now being visited by an growing number of local visitors and foreign guests."

During the seminar reports were delivered on the topics concerning the strategy of organising the activity of museums, the principles of forming new museum expositions, and others.

POMEGRANATE - CONSTELLATION OF RUBIES

The Center of National Arts is hosting an exhibition entitled “Pomegranate — constellation of rubies”. On display are over 40 paintings which describe philosophy, particular vision and unusual fantasy of authors inspired with magic properties, legends and traditions related to pomegranate, Uzbekistan today reported.

From ancient time pomegranate is considered to symbolize love and friendship. Therefore, this topic is widely used in the creation of many artists. As Elmira Ahmedova, Director of the Center of National Arts said, the exposition was organized for two weeks and all the works, presented at this exhibition, were created in various periods of time when magic peculiarities of pomegranate inspired the artists to create so magnificent paintings reflecting pomegranates in different interpretations such as “Dress from Pomegranate”, “Pomegranate Bride”, “When Pomegranate is in blossom” and other works whose authors are artists of various generations, schools and styles. Ortikali Kozokov, Zokir Inagamov and Ruzi Choriev who are classicists of fine art, Bahodir Jalolov, Medat Kagarov and Rahmon Shodiev, representatives of mid generation and people’s artists of Uzbekistan and relatively young artists Zebuniso Sharipova, Dilshod Eshmatov, Mukhtorkhon Isanov and Muhammadjon Fazilov are among them.

“In the East the pomegranate signifies philosophy, world view, poetic thinking and fine arts. Thereupon, it can be beautifully depicted in all levels. We are about to present one of our projects, establishing the “Anor” restaurant. It is not just place to have a tasty meal but to witness demonstration of a verge of Uzbek culture, its national meals. While developing the project when we have chosen the name of our restaurant, we decided to connect everything with this subject and make it in a single conception”, pointed Elmira Ahmedova, in an interview with UT.

The restaurant is designed in the style of Uzbek traditional chaikhana (tea room) of 1920-1930’s. Artists used to paint on chaikhanas’ walls and decorate mirrors with “ganch” (a mixture of gypsum with clay used in carved decoration at that time).

“We managed to achieve our goal with great difficulties. We designed special cloths with patterns of pomegranate for the tables of our restaurant. It is a specially stamped cloth. The Tashkent school is a leader in this trend of art. It fulfilled our order perfectly. Designers made the arches above the entrance of restaurant’s halls in the style of ganch carving”, noted Elmira Ahmedova.

The artist Bahodir Yuldoshev talked himself about the style of wall painting.

“The idea of such painting appeared spontaneously when I began to paint it. It is a very interesting painting reminding the miniature but in large scaled sizes”, said the artist.

It should be noted that the Center of National Arts was established with the initiative of the “Forum of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan” Foundation for purpose of supporting national masters, preserving and reviving the traditions of folk art of Uzbekistan.

The center is a unique place because it presents every type of fine arts individually. “Every unique thing is under a single dome” is its slogan that represents not only a number of shops but also rich cultural life filled with different events.