August 28, 2007
Politics:
Senate appoints new Uzbek envoys abroad
Senate elects new judge of Higher Economic Court of Uzbekistan
Economics:
President participated in opening of Tashguzar-Baysun-Kumkurgan railway line
Ipoteka Bank's equity capital to be raised to 67bn soums
Uzbekistan, Korea intend to construct cement plant in Andijan region
Seminar on export transaction cycle to be held
Over 17,000 farms headed by women in Uzbekistan
Society:
2750th anniversary celebrations of Samarkand held
Seminar on avian influenza control and human pandemic preparedness held
OSCE trains dog-handlers on combating organized crime, terrorism
POLITICS
SENATE APPOINTS NEW UZBEK ENVOYS ABROAD
On August 25, 2007 the Senate of Oliy Majlis (parliament) of Uzbekistan passed a number of resolutions on the appointment of the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassadors of Uzbekistan abroad.
According to the resolutions of the upper chamber, Alisher Kurmanov is appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to Singapore; Jahongir Ganiev is appointed Ambassador to the Republic of Italy, Otabek Akbarov is appointed Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Alisher Salahitdinov is appointed Ambassador to the People' Republic of China, and Ziyadulla Pulathojaev is appointed Ambassador to the Republic of Kyrgyzstan.
SENATE ELECTS NEW JUDGE OF HIGHER ECONOMIC COURT OF UZBEKISTAN
Resolution of the Senate of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On introduction of changes to the staff of the Higher Economic Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan".
The Senate of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan resolves:
1. To elect Rahimjan Abdihamidovich Mavlyanov to the post of the Judge of the Higher Economic Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
2. The present Resolution enters into force as of the day of its adoption.
The Chairman of the Senate of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan I. Sobirov
Tashkent city, 25 August 2007.
ECONOMICS
PRESIDENT PARTICIPATED IN OPENING OF TASHGUZAR-BAYSUN-KUMKURGAN RAILWAY LINE
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov participated in the opening ceremony of the new railway line Tashguzar-Baysun-Kumkurgan on August 24.
The launch of the 223-km railway line will serve to socioeconomic development of the southern Kashkadarya and Surkhandarya regions and the country’s transport communications in general.
The line, crossing Hissar mountain range at 1,800 meters above sea level, has allowed reducing the distance for passenger and cargo transportations by 170 km.
The uniqueness of the line is also in the fact that it is important for the development of the whole region and the revival of the ancient Great Silk Road. The railway should lead to reduction of the cost and increase of the volume of cargo transportations between Uzbekistan and the Eurasian states via Afghanistan.
The volume of excavation works during the 33-months-long and USD 447-million project made up 52.5 million cubic meters, half of which was rock drilling and detonation.
Together with the railway line, related infrastructure and communications were created, including modern railway stations, locomotive depots, technical service stations and electricity networks.
Six world-standard railway stations were built along the line – Tashguzar, Dekhkanabad, Baysun, Kumkurgan, Okrabot and Darband.
President of Uzbekistan arrived at Dekhkanabad station on the first train and familiarized with the building and its facilities.
At the meeting with builders and residents of the adjacent villages, the head of the state spoke about the strategic importance of the new line, in particular, its role in increasing export and transit potential of Uzbekistan.
The oasis the railway line crosses is rich in natural resources like oil, gas, common salt, potassic salt, coal, haydite, detritus, limestone, gypsum, complex ore and others. Currently, construction of the potassic fertilizers plant is underway near the Dekhkanabad station.
According to Uzbekistan Railways company, a total of 609 objects were built along the Tashguzar-Baysun-Kumkurgan line, including 564 culvert constructions and 43 bridges. On the Bekhkanabad-Baysun part alone, 31 bridges were raised.
Islam Karimov familiarized with the bridge over Konsoy near Qoradahna village (Dekhkanabad district), which is 45 meters high and 234 meters long.
Tens of modern cottages were built for people working on the new railway line. A school for 216 students was constructed at Darband station, and a sports complex at Dekhkanabad station.
President of Uzbekistan also visited Okrabot station, located at the highest point of the railway line.
The solemn opening ceremony of the railway line was held at Darband station (pictured above). The head of the state congratulated and thanked those who participated in the construction works, including foreign partners.
One day earlier, on August 23, President Islam Karimov signed a decree awarding the participants of construction of the Tashguzar-Baysun-Kumkurgan railway line.
Almost 50 people received titles “Honorary builder of Uzbekistan” and “Honorary transport worker of Uzbekistan”, orders “Fidokorona khizmatlari uchun”, “Mehnat shuhrati” and “Dostlik”, and medals “Shuhrat”. One person was awarded the title of the “Hero of Uzbekistan”.
The total length of the railway lines of Uzbekistan comprises over 4,000 km. Some 70% of all cargo transportations and 80% of export-import cargo transportations in the country are made through railways.
IPOTEKA BANK'S EQUITY CAPITAL TO BE RAISED TO 67BN SOUMS
On August 25, in line with the Presidential Resolution of 12 July 2007 No. 670 "On measures to further raise the capitalization of banks and activate their participation in the investment processes to modernize the economy", Ipoteka Bank held a special shareholders meeting.
According to the resolution, the Ministry of Finance is to direct a portion of the Central Bank's profits for 2006 in the amount of 25 billion soums, which would normally go to the state budget, to the raising of the equity capital and expansion of the investment resource base of the Ipoteka Bank. Of the total of 25 billion, 15 billion soums are to be contributed to raise the equity capital and the remaining 10 billion are to be used as a line of credit with the target purpose of the expansion of mortgage lending.
Moreover, the Presidential resolution envisages a series of measures to raise the value of commercial banks' shareholders and their market attractiveness, to strengthen the financial-technical resource bases. This is intended to encourage banks to participate in the investment processes more actively and confidently.
During the meeting the shareholders of Ipoteka Bank discussed and made a number of decisions on such issues as execution of the Presidential Resolution No. 670 "On measures to further raise the capitalization of banks and to active their participation in the investment processes on modernization of the economy", determination of the maximum volume of the declared shares, approval of the amendments to the charter of the bank.
The shareholders of Ipoteka Bank decided to raise the bank's capital to 67 billion soums. In January-July, the bank's assets increased by 28.8% to 570.4 billion soums. The bank's total capital currently constitutes 43.9 billion soums, including paid-in capital of 11 billion soums.
The bank has 38 branch offices, 153 minibanks, 147 currency exchange points, 91 money transfer points, and over 600 savings and cash desks in all regions of Uzbekistan.
UZBEKISTAN, KOREA INTEND TO CONSTRUCT CEMENT PLANT IN ANDIJAN REGION
A delegation of Korean businessmen headed by the President of CL LCD Company Mr. Park Song Su visited Uzbekistan on August 26-27 within the frame of the trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
The aim of the visit was the signing of the protocol of intention on the construction of the cement plant in Bulakbashi district of Andijan region between the Rivoj Company (Uzbekistan) and Korean CL LCD. The official document signing ceremony was held on August 27 at the Dedeman Silk Road Tashkent Hotel.
The event marks an important step in the expansion of direction contacts between Uzbek and Korean entrepreneurs, the flow of foreign investments into the Uzbek economy.
The management of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Uzbekistan and UzQurilishMateriallari State Company, the representatives of ministries and agencies, as well as the members of the delegation and Uzbek entrepreneurs participated in the protocol signing ceremony.
The Republic of Korea holds a leading position among Uzbekistan's trade partners and the first position among the partners in the Asian-Pacific region. The parties have signed agreements "On trade", "On encouragement and mutual protection of investments", "On scientific-technological cooperation", which now regulate the trade and economic relations between the two states.
According to the trade agreement signed in 1992, a regime most favourable for the development of trade and economic cooperation has been created. According to the State Statistics Committee, the volume of bilateral trade totaled US$151.3 million in January-March 2007, of which Uzbekistan's export made up US$15.7 million and import – US$135.6 million.
Among the products exported to Korea are cotton fibre (44.1%), transportation, tourism, insurance, communication, and expeditor services (33.8%), and consumer goods (2.2%). Uzbekistan imports mainly car parts (81.1%), chemical products and plastic (9.5%), ferrous metals (2.9%), and services, including transportation, insurance, information, etc.
Investment cooperation is expanding steadily: the number of enterprises established in partnership with Korean entrepreneurs has grown 1.5 times of the past year to 208. This includes 26 companies with 100% Korean capital. The activity of these companies is mainly focused in the spheres of trade, light, chemical, food industries, car-building, metal processing, municipal services sphere, healthcare, tourism, etc.
The Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations Investment and Trade has accredited 58 offices of South Korean companies in Uzbekistan. These companies mainly deal with export and import operations, transportation service provision, textile production, technical servicing of electronic technology, etc.
SEMINAR ON EXPORT TRANSACTION CYCLE TO BE HELD
The Centre of Training on Company Management of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Uzbekistan together with a number of international organizations will hold a seminar on the "Export transaction cycle" on September 14 this year.
Seminar participants will have a unique opportunity to study the topics of "International legislative base", "The role and services of the export support organization", "Rules of negotiation", "Pricing", "Product cost estimation", "Transport operations", "Receiving orders", "Export financing", "Human resource management", and "Marketing in the global market".
Also, on 15-16 September the Centre of Training on Company Management together with several international agencies will hold a training on "Management system and creating competitive business".
The programme is based on a unique methodology of the UNCTAD/WTO International Trade Centre. It is an intensive two-week programme including the modules on improving the efficiency of management and forming a competitive company, business management system, business development tools, business tasks and competitiveness, management, development strategy and business administration.
OVER 17,000 FARMS HEADED BY WOMEN IN UZBEKISTAN
A large-scale campaign to encourage and support women's initiatives is underway in Uzbekistan. A guide in this action is the Presidential Decree "On additional measures to support the activity of Women's Committee of Uzbekistan" of 25 May 2004.
Extensive opportunities being created for the development of entrepreneurship contribute to the activation of women's as entrepreneurs too. Special attention is being given to the protection of the interests of farms being headed by women.
This topic was addressed at the seminar on improvement of the managerial skills of women-farmers and enhancement of their leadership qualities held at the Tashkent State Agrarian University, UzA reported.
Of the 212,000 farms operated in Uzbekistan, over 17,000 are headed by women. That is why the improvement of their professional skills and knowledge of business and economy, assistance in the supply of raw materials, and enhancement of the quality of products produced are receiving an increasingly high attention.
SOCIETY
2750TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF SAMARKAND HELD
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov participated in the celebrations of the 2750th anniversary of the city of Samarkand on August 25.
Officials, representatives of foreign embassies, international organizations, participants of the sixth international music festival Sharq Taronalari, tourists and others participated in the celebrations held at the city’s Registan square.
Greeting the ceremony participants, Islam Karimov congratulated them and all people of Uzbekistan with the 2750th jubilee of Samarkand. He also welcomed the participants of the Sharq Taronalari festival, which opened on the same day.
Sharq Taronalari has been held since 1997 on the initiative of the President and is included in the UNESCO list of international cultural events. It serves to uniting nations through music, promoting unique samples of national musical art, as well as preserving and developing musical traditions.
Representatives of more than 50 countries are participating in this year’s festival, compared to 32 states in the event’s first year.
UNESCO General Conference adopted a decision to celebrate Samarkand’s 2750th anniversary at its 33rd session on 20 October 2005. On 25 July 2006 President of Uzbekistan signed a corresponding Resolution on celebrating the city’s jubilee this year.
In accordance with the general plan of development of Samarkand until 2025, Registan square has been fully restored, and historical building Chorsu has been reconstructed.
While in Samarkand, President Karimov familiarized with the reconstructed and newly built objects in the city. One of such objects is Shakhi Zinda complex, repaired and reconstructed during 2005-2006.
On the place of Chuqur Bozor market, green square was created, and an adjacent car road was fully repaired. A garden replaced industrial buildings of Zarafshon company, and a fountains alley was laid at Ruhobod square.
The new small ring road linked Gur Emir mausoleum, Registan square, Jome mosque, Bibikhanum and Shakhi Zinda madrassahs, as well as Ulugbek observatory.
Apart from new parks and gardens, streets and roads, tens of new objects were built and repaired in the framework of preparation to Samarkand’s jubilee.
Among the reconstructed buildings are Khamid Alimjan musical drama theater, Russian Chekhov drama theater, the airport and the railways station. A number of medical institutions were built, gas supply was improved in 45 mahallas (neighborhoods) in the old part of the city and energy supply in 53 mahallas.
The head of the state praised the building and reconstruction works in the city. “There are not many such magnificent and ancient complexes like Shakhi Zinda in the world. Our duty is to protect them and preserve them in their original look for the coming generations,” Islam Karimov said.
President of the UNESCO General Conference Musa Bin Jaafar Bin Hassan, speaking at the celebrations, highly evaluated the role of Samarkand in the world civilization, its contribution to development of science and culture and the importance of the Sharq Taronalari musical festival.
SEMINAR ON AVIAN INFLUENZA CONTROL AND HUMAN PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS HELD
On August 28, the Agency for Reconstruction of Agricultural Enterprises in Tashkent hosted a seminar on the implementation of the Project on Avian Influenza Control and Human Pandemic Preparedness and Response activities in the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Among the participants of the seminar were the representatives of different divisions of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management and the Ministry of Healthcare, in particular the Head Department of Veterinary, Department of State Epidemiological Inspection, as well as the representatives of the World Bank and UNICEF. The aim of the meeting was to introduce to the project participants the Project Management Guide and some of the aspects of the World Bank procurement and disbursement rules and procedures. Also, a presentation of the main project components was delivered.
(i) 'Public Awareness and Information' to minimize the risk of outbreaks and contamination, by ensuring that citizens understand the threat, and are aware of symptoms, with a view to influencing their behavior in order to protect themselves and their communities;
(ii) 'Animal Health' will provide support for prevention, control and total eradication of avian flu through better planning, coordination and surveillance mechanisms;
(iii) 'Human Health' aims at reducing the impact of the influenza virus through public health planning and coordination, and by strengthening the public health surveillance and response capacity;
(iv) 'Project Implementation Support' will strengthen public structures to coordinate and manage project implementation activities, including financial management, procurement and monitoring and evaluation.
Currently, the majority of poultry in the country is owned by households, and poultry production is a significant part of rural households' incomes and food basket. Of the more than 20 million poultry in the country, 15 million (75%) are held by backyard flocks. Commercial poultry farms, which account for about 25% of poultry in the country, have enclosed poultry houses, and industrial poultry is thus less susceptible to enter into contact with wild birds. However, trade flows and particularly of chicks from Russia and Turkey, countries where the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has already occurred, constitute a high risk of HPAI exposure.
Uzbekistan has, so far, not had any recorded outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza. HPAI cases have been reported, however, in neighboring countries, including Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Iraq, India, and China. The risk to Uzbekistan of an HPAI outbreak remains significant as a result of migratory waterfowl patterns and/or cross-border poultry trade in the region.
The Government has prepared a National Program for Avian Influenza Prevention and Control. In addition, several international actors are already working to help Uzbekistan address the HPAI threat, including FAO, UNICEF and WHO.
"Globally, the World Bank has been playing a critical role in rallying international support to combat the threat posed by Avian Flu and in preparing for a possible human pandemic," says Loup Brefort, World Bank Country Manager for Uzbekistan. "Uzbekistan needs help in dealing with this threat that could potentially impose a severe burden of disease, loss of productivity and livelihoods on the country. An outbreak would also undermine the efforts to limit the global spread of infection."
Uzbekistan joined the World Bank in 1992. Total World Bank commitments to Uzbekistan amount to US$630 million.
OSCE TRAINS DOG-HANDLERS ON COMBATING ORGANIZED CRIME, TERRORISM
A four-month regional training for dog-handlers from Central Asian countries on combating organized crime and terrorism ended in Tashkent on August 28.
The training was organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan with the support from the OSCE Centres in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan and in cooperation with the National Dog Training Centre under the State Customs Committee of Uzbekistan.
"We hope that implementation of this OSCE project will become an important step in strengthening regional co-operation among the law-enforcement K-9 services in Central Asia and will increase their effectiveness in combating organized crime and terrorism," said Ambassador Miroslav Jenca, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator.
The training was attended by 22 dog-handlers from special units of the National Security Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
The participants of the training were able to learn from the experience of highly qualified instructors from Austria and Russia. Each participant of the training was provided with a German shepherd dog, special outfit and equipment to be able to continue the service in duty station.