September 5, 2007

Economics:
InfoComExpo Uzbekistan 2007 to open on September 18
UZBEKinPRINT and UZUPACK international exhibitions open in Tashkent
Microcredit Bank's Tashkent regional branch issues over 2.1bn soums in loans
Number of registered legal entities in Uzbekistan reached 461,200 as of 1 July 2007
Society:
16th anniversary of Independence Square of Uzbekistan
Uzbek-German summer academy on protection of architectural monuments
New maternity hospital built in Ahangaran

ECONOMICS

INFOCOMEXPO UZBEKISTAN 2007 TO OPEN ON SEPTEMBER 18

A major event in the ICT sector of Uzbekistan, the 8th InfoComExpo Uzbekistan 2007 International Exhibition will be held on September 18-21 at UzExpoCentre.

The Ministry of Foreign Economic Affairs, Investment and Trade of Uzbekistan, the Committee for Coordination of the Development of Science and Technology under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan, Uzeltehsanoat Association of the Enterprises of Radio-Electronic and Electrical Industries and Mechanical Engineering, Science Academy of Uzbekistan, Tashkent city khokimiat (administration), and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Uzbekistan are providing official support in the organization of the event.

InfoComExpo Uzbekistan 2007 will provide a unique opportunity to the visitors to familiarize with the latest achievements of the ICT market.

The main aim of the event is to attract local, foreign and international companies to establish new contacts, sign contracts, set up joint ventures, and attract investments. InfoComExpo Uzbekistan is a place where the professionals of the ICT market of Uzbekistan meet.

This year's exhibition will have a new section – Television and Radio Broadcasting – TRBU. Special attention is given to television and radio stations of Uzbekistan, which is why a diversity of broadcasting equipment and software for broadcasting will be presented at this year's forum.

Among this year's participants are companies from Russia, Kazakhstan, Italy, Japan, Hungary, Uzbekistan, and other countries.

The official opening of the event will be held on 18 September at the central hall of the UzExpoCentre.

UZBEKINPRINT AND UZUPACK INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS OPEN IN TASHKENT

From 5-7 September, the first hall of the UzExpoCentre became the focus of attention of all those related to publishing, printing, advertising, labeling, and packaging. This year too, two major international exhibitions UZBEKinPRINT (printing, publishing, advertising and stationary) and UZUPACK (packaging and labeling) are sharing the show space and taking place simulateously.

The general sponsor of the exhibition is Ozbekiston Publishing and Polygraphic Trade House. The Internet partners of the project is Sarkor-Telecom LLC JV. Technical support is provided by Reklama Master, Sarkor Solutions, Office Market, and Sivash companies. The organizers are PolRos Uzbek-Russian Joint Venture and UzExpoCentre.

Official support is provided by the Uzbek Agency of Press and Information, UzExpoCentre, Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade of Uzbekistan, and the Commercial Office of the Russian Federation in Uzbekistan.

The exhibitions are held for the 9th time this year. Over 40 Uzbek and 20 foreign companies are presenting their latest equipment, materials and technology for the main areas of poligraphy, publishing and advertising, as well as the production of labels and packaging.

Starting 2002, according to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers "On measures to improve the system of trade in books in Uzbekistan" the main section of the exhibition - "Book show" is given to the publishing business.

Every year, over 3,000 representatives of business circles of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan visit the exhibitions.

The exhibitions include the following sections:

- computer technology, word and image processing equipment, equipment for colour separation, film exposure, production of print forms for offset, flexographic and screen printing;

- latest printing machines and modern printing process methods;

- equipment and technology for paper finishing and bookbinding processes;

- equipment and materials for label and packaging production;

- services for different types of screen printing (on metal, glass, textiles);

- services for the production and design of polygraphic, labels and packages;

- office technology, copying machines, mini-printing shops;

- advertising: services, equipment, materials;

- paper and stationary: notebooks, notepads, folders, diaries, etc;

- equipment and technology for packaging and bottling of products.

The choice of exhibition themes is not accidental. The packaging of goods and the package's polygraphic design are growing in importance in Uzbekistan and the region, even more so, since the industry has practically unlimited technological opportunities to make the most regular product unique and competitive. It has often been the case that the imported products won over the local ones by better and more attractive packaging.

The growing popularity of the UZBEKinPRINT and UZUPACK exhibitions is illustrated by the fast growing list of participants. Among them are Davlat Belgisi State Company, Swan LLC, Korus LLC (Korea), Poligraphspectr LLC (Russia), ECOPACK OSIO (Kazakhstan), ColourFlex JV (Uzbekistan-UK), SYTECO JV, Printed Product Exporters' Union of Iran, and others.

The Label of the Year national design contest is organised for the fourth time within the frame of the exhibitions. The aim of the contest is to assist the development of designers' business and raise the level of quality of polygraphic label products. It also aims to identify young talents and introduce the wide opportunities of Uzbek printing companies to the consumers.

The contest is officially supported by the Uzbek Agency of Press and Information. The sponsors of the contest are ColourFlex JV, Ozbekiston Publishing and Printing Trade House, and Tong LLC.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that participation in the exhibitions is a good way to establish mutually beneficial partnership relations, and direct contacts with the customers and consumers, as well as to find real opportunities to develop production and activate your business.

MICROCREDIT BANK'S TASHKENT REGIONAL BRANCH ISSUES OVER 2.1BN SOUMS IN LOANS

Since the beginning of the year, Tashkent regional department of Microcredit bank has taken strong measures to support small business and private enterprise entities. For this purpose it has extended some 400 million soums in micro-loans to 275 entities. As a result 752 new jobs were created.

The bank's assets grew to 14.2 billion soums as of 1 July from 5.4 billion soums at the beginning of the year. Overall, the branch's lending in the reporting period was to comprise 1.4 billion, but the plan was exceeded by 52%, and 2.1 billion soums were lent.

Apart from this, within the frame of the Year of Social Protection, the bank has developed a special plan of actions and issued some 81.5 million soums in micro-loans to needy families (plan exceeded by 48%).

To maintain the required level of liquidity, and ensure that loans are repaid in time the bank provides consulting services. In particular, it organises seminars for the borrowers. During these seminars businessmen are trained on business administration and development of successful business plans.

NUMBER OF REGISTERED LEGAL ENTITIES IN UZBEKISTAN REACHED 461,200 AS OF 1 JULY 2007

According to the data of the State Business Register, the number of registered legal entities in all sectors of the economy reached 461,200 as of 1 July 2007, of them 423,000 (91.7%) were in operation, according to the State Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan.

The majority of registered enterprises and institutions are registered in the sector of agriculture (60.1%), trade and catering (14.2%), industry (6.1%) and construction (4.2%).

Of the total number of registered enterprises, non-state companies comprised 93.0%, of which 56.5% - private and dekhkan farms, 21.1% - private enterprises, 0.9% - enterprises fully or partially based on foreign capital, 0.4% - joint-stock companies, 14.1% – other types of enterprises.

In January-June 2007 the number of newly registered businesses made up 46,300, their majority located in Ferghana region (14.0%), Samarkand region (13.3%) and Andijan region (11.2%).

While the share of state-owned enterprises in the total volume of the GDP has declined (to 24.7%), and in the majority of the sectors is very low (0.1% in agriculture, 0.2% in retail trade, 3.4% in communication, and 11.6% in construction), in some other sectors it still remains quite high: 19.8% - in industrial production, 24.9% in paid services, and as high as 55.9% in transportation.

SOCIETY

16TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE SQUARE OF UZBEKISTAN

Sixteen years ago, on 5 September 1991, the main square of Uzbekistan was given the name of the "Independence Square" (Mustakillik Maydoni). Over the years of independence, the square - one of the main symbols of Uzbekistan, saw some major changes, UzA reports.

On the initiative of the President it was reconstructed: the monument of a golden globe and the map of Uzbekistan on it – the Monument of Independence – replaced the statue of the "Head of the Prolitariat", Lenin. This symbolized the emergence of a new independent state – Uzbekistan, which would from now on follow its own path of development.

The Technologist, a scientific-production association located near the square did not fit into the overall panorama. After the construction of the Senate building and the fountains, and the planting of trees, the institution was moved to another location. The near-lying road that always has a lively traffic was expanded.

The building of the Senate, the Upper Chamber of Oliy Majlis (parliament) of the Republic of Uzbekistan was erected at the Square. This impressive structure harmonically blended with the surrounding landscape. Four columns at the entrance of the building and three domes symbolize the conservation of centuries-old traditions. As President Karimov said, this palace illustrates the power and potential of the state and the pride of the nation.

Another structure erected at the square is the Arch of Good and Noble Aspirations. It is a unique architectural ensemble, 150 meters long, resting upon 16 white marble columns. The heart of every citizen who crosses its threshold fills with the sense of gratitude, and confidence about the future.

In December 2005, the President of Uzbekistan laid flowers at the Monument of Independence. The monument of a Happy Mother holding a child, built near it was also a successful architectural solution. This artistic ensemble became of the symbols of glory and honour, the pride of the nation and the country, and national statehood.

On the suggestion of the President, the complex was titled the Monument of Independence and Humanism. The concepts of independence and humanism are closely related. At their core are the centuries-old aspirations and hopes of the nation.

Now the newly-weds have a new tradition. Beginning their independent life, young people visit the Independence Square, pass under the Arch of Good and Noble Aspirations, follow the white road edged with red stone, and lay flowers at the pedestal of the monument. Wreaths are placed here on the national holidays and celebrations.

Adding to this harmonious architectural ensemble of the Independence Square are the 14- and 7-story buildings located near the square. The old fountains have been fully reconstructed; some new ones have been placed. They add to the splendor and stateliness of the square.

A business centre of the Navoi Mining and Smelting Kombinat was opened on the territory close to the square on the 15th anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence, and added to the view.

The flow of people on the Independence Square never falls. Among them are students, mothers, honourable seniors, foreign tourists. The Independence Square has become a true symbol of Uzbekistan, its present and future.

UZBEK-GERMAN SUMMER ACADEMY ON PROTECTION OF ARCHITECTURAL MONUMENTS

The 1st Uzbek-German Summer Academy on the protection of architectural monuments will be held on 3-21 September in Tashkent and Samarkand.

In the eyes of a tourist Uzbekistan much more than a country of deserts, oases, river landscapes, and mountains. Foreign tourists show great interest in the wonderful combination of extraordinarily beautiful aspects of the country's nature and the monuments of centuries-old culture and architecture.

Uzbekistan is a country with a thousands-year old history, which has shaped the country's unique Islamic culture. For centuries innumerable caravans went along the Great Silk Road to make the trading in goods between the east and west possible.

In light of this the higher specialized educational institution of the city of Potsdam, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbeksitan, DAAD German Academic Exchange Service, Technical Assistance Agency of Germany (Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit – GTZ), and the Gerda Henkel Foundation, organised a summer school on preservation of the architectural monuments of Uzbekistan.

The conceptual and organizational support was provided by the architectural and construction institutions of the city of Tashkent and Samarkand, represented by Professor Baboev, Professor Samigov, Professor Tulyaganov, and Professor Sultanov, as well as the Academic Coordinator of the Potsdam Institute – Kristiana Keizer.

The aim of the project is to develop closer friendly contacts not only among young participants, but also among the teaching staff. It is envisaged that parties will continue to organize and hold similar joint projects intended to strengthen cooperation and stimulate the sharing of experience between the countries.

NEW MATERNITY HOSPITAL BUILT IN AHANGARAN

Within the frame of the "Year of Social Protection" State Programme initiated by President Karimov, a new modern 40-seat maternity complex has been opened in the city of Ahangaran. The opening has been timed to the 16th anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence, according Uzreport.com Information Business portal.

To date, Ahangaran did not have a separate maternity hospital. A maternity department was located in a five-story building of the general complex of the city hospital.

Launched back in 1986, the construction of the maternity hospital had been stopped due to the lack of financing. Thanks to the sponsorship of the EuroCement Group, the construction of the medical institution was resumed, and completed within record-breaking period of time – a little less than three months.

Some 157 million soums were appropriated for the construction. EuroCement has also appropriated about 104.5 million soums for the construction of a policlinic to be commissioned in a few months.

The mayor of Ahangaran city Abdugaffar Mannapov participated in the hospital opening ceremony. Among other participants of the event were the Director-General of the AhangaranCement Denis Dotsenko, Deputy Mayor of the Tashkent Region, and the Chairman of the Women's Council of the region Farida Akbarova. They all emphasized that the birth rate was increasing in the region, and the opening of the maternity hospital was a wonderful present for the residents of the city.