September 29, 2008

Economics:
Effectiveness of fish-breeding in Uzbekistan increasing
BAS Programme holds roundtable on consulting development in Uzbekistan
Roundtable discussed risk analysis, software development
National ICT summit concluded its work
Society:
Factors of forming civil society
National University of Uzbekistan marks 90th jubilee
Music Schools Refurbished & Developed in Line with Decree
Play Tells About Human Trafficking Victims, Calls for Vigilance
Uzbek World Chess Champion Puts Out Book on Game - Report

ECONOMY

EFFECTIVENESS OF FISH-BREEDING IN UZBEKISTAN INCREASING

The resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan of 13 August 2003 on measures for deepening demonopolization and privatization in the fish branch serves as an important guide in further development of fish-breeding in the country, UzA reported.

In accordance with this document, the work on satisfying the demands of the population in fish products, deepening economic reforms in the sector and privatization of fish breeding is being carried out.

According to the Ministry of agriculture and water management of Uzbekistan, at present more than 300 entities are engaged in the fish-breeding sphere. 147 of them are occupied in breeding fish in artificial reservoirs, while 259 catch fish in natural ponds on leasing conditions.

Measures are taken for providing enterprises with necessary technology and fodders, leasing lakes and water basins for long terms, issuing preferential credits. All this contributes to increasing the number of fish-breeding enterprises and production of fish.

If in 2007 some 8,000 tons of fish were produced and caught, this year the number is expected to exceed 10,000 tons, the ministry said.

Scientific research center for development of fish-breeding, which operates under the agricultural scientific and industrial center of Uzbekistan, plays an important role in development of the fish branch.

On the basis of the program of fish-breeding development until 2010, enterprises are provided with necessary technology and fodders. The purpose is to increase the effectiveness of the existing reservoirs, rationally use natural water basins and increase the volumes of production.

BAS PROGRAMME HOLDS ROUNDTABLE ON CONSULTING DEVELOPMENT IN UZBEKISTAN

Business Advisory Service Programme (BAS) and Professional Business Consultants Association held a roundtable on cooperation for development of consulting services' market in Uzbekistan on September 26, Uzreport Business Information Portal reported.

The event was held to strengthen contacts and assist unite consulting firms of Uzbekistan and other participants of development process to ensure fast growth of consulting services' market.

During the discussion, the participants acquainted with measures to stimulate development of consulting market in Uzbekistan, which will be implemented by institutions on development of private sector and donors. In particular, the second exhibition of consulting service Consult Forum 2008, research of consulting market in Uzbekistan, training "Key skills of consultants", preparation of catalogue of professional consultants of Uzbekistan and exhibition "Work in consulting" were presented during the event. Nazar Talibdjanov, national director of BAS in Uzbekistan, presented the activities of the BAS.

He said that the programme has two main goals: assist small and medium entrepreneurs to develop their businesses and support professional development and growth of local consultants. Both goals are directed at promoting transition to market economy, where the BAS Programme works. The programme works directly with small and medium businesses, rendering them practical consulting services.

Central Asia BAS was initiated in 2001 with funds from the Japan Europe Cooperation Fund (JECF). Now funded by the JECF and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (seco) and operated by the EBRD's TAM/BAS Programme Team, the Central Asia BAS Programme aims to assist locally-owned, private small and medium enterprises in Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan to achieve their development and growth objectives. The programme achieves this by helping SMEs hire business consultants for advisory projects that enable the enterprises to enter new markets, improve internal operations and products, reduce operating costs, gain access to financing and plan future business operations. Small management teams in Almaty, Bishkek Tashkent and Dushanbe develop and initiate between 5 and 10 new projects per month, and regional offices in 4 cities in Kazakhstan, 3 cities in Uzbekistan and 1 city in the Kyrgyz Republic allow the Programme to work directly with the enterprises that need its support the most.

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSED RISK ANALYSIS, SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

A roundtable titled "Main Dimensions of Risk Analysis and Software Development" was held in the conference hall of the Radisson SAS Hotel in Tashkent on September 25, 2008.

The roundtable was organized by the joint Public Finance Reform Project of the Ministry of Finance, State Tax Committee and United Nations Development Programme in partnership with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Tax control is conducted by the tax authorities for full and timely collection of taxes and dues as well as for compliance with tax legislation. Creation of effective tax control system in Uzbekistan is among factors of favorable climate for business development. According to the international experience, a prerequisite of effective tax control is availability of streamlined system for short-listing taxpayers to conduct audits based on the analysis of risks of tax legislation offences, the press release of Public Finance Reform Project said.

With the help of risk analysis, pre-audit analysis of financial reports and tax reports, future areas and facilities will be identified for records-based check. All taxpayers will be ranged by the degree of risk, while tax audits will be conducted only at the companies with high degree of risk. After implementation of risk analysis the costs borne by businesses will be reduced, while the government will have the opportunity to audit smaller number taxpayers given limited human and material resources and ensure maximum effectiveness of tax audits.

The roundtable was arranged in order to identify coordinated position on pre-audit analysis of financial and tax reporting, prospects for improvement of records-based audit, discussion of the principles of risk analysis, and development of software to conduct it. Also the issues of determination of the risk criteria for tax legislation offenses, organizational changes in the performance of tax bodies for effective implementation of risk analysis, and guarantee taxpayer rights were discussed at the event.

In the course of active discussions the participants noted that for implementation of risk analysis in the tax control system, it is essential to develop methodology for assessment of violation risks of tax legislation and create prerequisites to conduct risk analysis. For its effective implementation it is essential to identify the risks, identify their classification, significance of each risk, process large amount of data in the financial and tax reports of taxpayers. The speakers introduced the existing problems to the participants of the roundtable underscoring the importance of improving tax control system utilizing information and communication technologies.

The release said the officials of the Cabinet of Ministers, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economy, State Tax Committee, representatives of private sector and international organizations as well as taxation and tax administration specialists attended the roundtable.

Exchange of opinions enabled to develop specific recommendations and practical proposals for implementation of risk analysis into the system of tax audits and software for its implementation, the release concluded.

NATIONAL ICT SUMMIT CONCLUDED ITS WORK

Sixth Summit of the Information and Communication Technologies concluded its work in Tashkent, on Friday, 26 September.

As earlier reported, about 400 delegates from Uzbekistan, Britain, Germany, South Korea, Japan, the Netherlands, Russia, Lithuania, Kyrgyzstan, the USA and other countries took part in the summit.

The ICT Summit wass organized by the Coordination Council for Development of Computerization and Information and Communication Technologies, the Committee on Press and IT issues of Oliy Majlis Legislative Chamber, the Communication and Information Agency of Uzbekistan (UzACI), ICT Policy Project of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Uzbekistan and Association of IT Companies and Organizations of Uzbekistan.

The participants considered trends and major developments in regulatory policy, progress and challenges in implementation of national ICT development programmes, best practices of ICT deployment in various sectors, introduction of 3G and WiMAX, issues of infrastructure development and other most critical areas.

SOCIETY

FACTORS OF FORMING CIVIL SOCIETY

Tashkent hosted a conference on the rule of law and strong civil society, organized by the Public fund for support of independent print media and news agencies, Institute for Civil Society Studies and other structures.

The forum was attended by senators, deputies of the Legislative Chamber, representatives of local administrations, government organizations and NGOs.

The speakers noted that the purpose of reforms in all fields was to protect human rights and interests. This is particularly evident in developing multiparty system, liberalization of society, enhancing the status of non-governmental organizations.

It was noted that in Uzbekistan was implementing an effective mechanism of protecting political rights and freedoms of citizens. A large number of non-governmental organizations, independent media and other institutions of civil society are functioning in the country. A large-scale work is being conducted to create organizational and legal environment, as well as economic and legal guarantees for their free development and active participation in the democratic renewal and liberalization of the society.

This, in turn, leads to increasing political and social activity of the public, and strengthening of the democratic values in the society. Bringing to the general public the values of the democratic reforms requires active work of the media, special responsibility and legal knowledge.

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF UZBEKISTAN MARKS 90TH JUBILEE

Raising the intellectual and spiritual potential of the youth, formation of the new generation in the spirit of patriotism, high morality, respect for national and universal values is a task crucial for the future of the country. The National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek plays a vital role in carrying out this task. The university is celebrating its jubilee in accordance with the decree of the President of 9 April 2008 “On celebration of the 90th anniversary of the National University named after Mirzo Ulugbek”.

A solemn meeting on this important date was held in the Culture Palace of the National University. It was attended by representatives of a number of state and civil structures of the country, rectors of higher educational institutions, heads of research institutions of the Science Academy, teachers and students of the university and its graduates.

The State Adviser to the President H.Sultanov read the congratulatory message of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov to the staff and the students of the National University.

In accordance with the Presidential Decree of 26 September 2008, a group of professors, researchers and students of the university was awarded with high state awards. They received these awards at the ceremony.

Over the years of its existence, the National University made an enormous contribution to the development of education and science in the country and in the entire Central Asian region. Established in 1918, it went through several stages of development. On 28 January 2000, President Islam Karimov signed a decree granting the university the national status.

This high status, recognized around the world, is the result of high attention paid to the continuous improvement of the educational process, development of scientific activity and strengthening the material and technical base of the institution.

The Rector of the National University G.Mukhamedov said that more than 11,000 students were being educated at the institution in 38 areas and 88 specialties, and hundreds of graduate and doctoral students conduct research. The university staff includes academics, doctors and candidates of science, experienced teachers.

Among the university graduates are many prominent public figures, organizers of science and industry, culture workers of Uzbekistan. Thousands of graduates are currently working in the countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America. This tradition continues nowadays – students from 30 states are receiving knowledge and skills at world standards.

The Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan R.Kasymov and mayor of Tashkent city A.Tuhtayev participated in the celebrations.

MUSIC SCHOOLS REFURBISHED & DEVELOPED IN LINE WITH DECREE

The children’s music school No.6 in Naryn District is one of the exemplary educational establishments in Namangan Province. At the moment, many talented children attend the school. Many of them were the active participants of regional and republican contests, the report by the Uzbekistan National News Agency has said.

Two pupils of the school – Utkir Yuldashev and Mirjalol Urinbaev – became prizewinners of the Republican young makom (national classical songs and lyrics) performers contest held in 2006. The winner of Republican young musicians’ contest of 2007 Sevara Najmiddinova entered the Republican specialized music academic lyceum named after R.Glier on preferential terms.

The principal of the school, skilled pedagogue and arts critics Farida Khojimatova is reported to have made considerable contribution to the progress of her gifted pupils. As a school headmistress she duly assesses and rewards capabilities of each pupil while paying attention to developing their abilities.

The status of the school grows as much as rises a number of parents who want their children to attend this school. Last year 75 pupils joined the school. This year their number exceeded 100 – at the department of piano, the Uzbek national instruments, traditional singing, button accordion and choreography.

“We, the pedagogues are glad that our country pays a big attention to training of comprehensively matured and qualified cadres,” Farida Khojimatova has said. “The Decree of President of Uzbekistan “On State program to strengthen financial and logistical basis and further improve activity of children’s schools of music and arts for 2009-2014” became a powerful stimulus to accomplish considerable work in upbringing harmonically developed forthcoming generation.”

“Positively addressing the tasks set in the document will allow for development of the Uzbek music art and promote its successes globally. Such practice opens up new prospects for spiritual enrichment of youth, making young men and women aware of the best samples of world music art,” she further said.

At the moment, a tangible work is being accomplished to strengthen financial and logistical basis of the school and better its activity. The new music instruments and necessary equipments were already procured. At the same time, the work in this direction continues.

PLAY TELLS ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS, CALLS FOR VIGILANCE

This year Uzbekistan adopted laws “On counteracting trafficking in persons”, and “On ratifying Protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children supplementing the UN Convention against Transnational crime (New York, November 15, 2000)”

These laws are aimed at providing for interests of the Uzbek citizens as well as bettering struggle against trafficking in persons. At the same time, these documents promote achievement of such goals as protecting human, society and state from any manifestations of this type of crimes, preventing, revealing and suppressing such criminal activity, mitigating its consequences.

Trafficking in persons is a transnational crime that violates human dignity and one of the serious threats to development of society and state. Annually about 2.7 million people in the world become a victim of human trafficking. Most troubling is the fact that women and children suffer from most of these cases.

Therefore, Uzbekistan pays a concrete attention to preventing this type of criminal activity, consolidating struggle against it, in particular, raising the legal awareness of citizens. Effective methods as well as the power of the art are also used in attracting attention of public to this issue, keeping the youth off this crime. Play “Tortadurman jabrini” (“Bitter repentance”) which premiered at the National Academic Drama Theatre of Uzbekistan serve as an example of aforesaid.

T.Makhmudov and D.Makhmudova are reported to have authored the play. Tashkent city prosecutor’s office and Tashkent city criminal court assisted the authors in staging the play. S.Umarov has directed the play. The key roles are cast by M.Kholikova, J.Zakirov, S.Yunusova and Z.Ashurova.

The play tells about the fate of women and girls who became victims of human trafficking, sufferings of their relatives, tricks of perpetrators of this crime.

UZBEK WORLD CHESS CHAMPION PUTS OUT BOOK ON GAME - REPORT

The books “Shaxmat – sehrli olam” and “Volshebniy mir shahmat” (‘The fairy world of chess’) written by world chess champion Rustam Kasymjanov of Uzbekistan were published in Tashkent in the Uzbek and Russian languages, according to the report by Uzbekistan National News Agency.

Each of the books includes 38 classes that teach this fascinating, wise and ancient game. The books are aimed at broad audiences of readers – ranging from schoolchildren to people of elder ages. They are printed at high book-printing level accompanied with photos and author’s drawings.

In 2004 Rustam Kasymjanov became a world champion on chess. On the Decree of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov of July 14, 2004 he was awarded an Amir Temur order.

“When our President awarded me the order he told me in fatherly way: “You must write a book. Your experience is valuable and it should be transferred to young generation”. This is a short background of how this book came about,” Kasymjanov has said.

After the book was published the Chess Federation of Uzbekistan which has sponsored its publication gave the country’s Ministry of Public Education 10,000 copies of the book in the Uzbek and yet 1500 – in the Russian language. From now on the information and resource centers of schools and libraries nationwide will have at their stocks these fascinating and useful books for out-of-school reading, according to the report.

According to the Ministry, the book will further be given to general education schools throughout the country. The officials are entertaining hope that it would raise a keen interest among young readers who could in their turn manifest a live strive to go in for chess and later turn into new champions.