September 12, 2007
Politics:
UNESCO director general congratulates President of Uzbekistan with 2000th jubilee of Margilan
Uzbek Lawmakers Address NGO’s Role In Civil Society
Forum in Tashkent Tackles Ombudsman’s Interaction With State Bodies
“Uzbekistan: 16 Years of Independent Development” Put Out
Economics:
Seminar on "How to start a business and make it successful?" held
Following Commemorations, Marghilan Sees Opening of New JV
BAU organizes courses to expand micro-financing and micro-leasing in Uzbekistan
Uzbektelecom modernizes fixed line telephone network in Tashkent
Society:
Amid Celebrations Scholars Gather In Marghilan To Discuss Its Historical Role
Population of Uzbekistan totals 26.8 million as of 1 July 2007
POLITICS
UNESCO DIRECTOR GENERAL CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT OF UZBEKISTAN WITH 2000TH JUBILEE OF MARGILAN
General director of UNESCO Koitiro Matsuura congratulated President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov with the 2000th anniversary of the city of Margilan. The celebrations of the jubilee were held in the country last Friday.
“This significant event is an integral part of Uzbekistan’s long-term and wide-scale initiatives to preserve and develop the republic’s richest cultural heritage, of which I was a witness during my visits to your wonderful country,” the 6 September dated message of Koitiro Matsuura read.
“By its 33rd session resolution, UNESCO General Conference acknowledged the unique place of Margilan in the history of Central Asia and the city’s great role in strengthening peace and intercultural dialogue on the whole Great Silk Road for ages,” the head of the international organization wrote.
UZBEK LAWMAKERS ADDRESS NGO’S ROLE IN CIVIL SOCIETY
The roundtable – “From strong state to a strong society: the role and significance of the non-government and non-profit organizations” was held at the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan (the national parliament), the local papers reported September 11 this year.
The Committee on democratic institutions, NGOs and self-governance bodies of the Lower house and National association of non-government and non-profit organizations of Uzbekistan are reported to have sponsored the very event. The head of the Committee Akmal Saidov presided over the roundtable, according to the report.
The participants of the event exchanged views on the legal foundations and prospects of establishing the civil society in Uzbekistan, as well as the role and significance of non-government and non-profit organizations in this area, report has said.
As the speakers have said, President Islam Karimov in his address “Uzbekistan: 16 years of independent development” has said that Uzbekistan now sees the stage-by-stage and consecutive transition from strong state to a strong society. The strong society is impossible to imagine without civil institutions. Therefore, the political parties, non-government non-profit organizations and citizen self-governance bodies play an important role in establishing the civil society. The open and strong civil society now cannot be viewed without NGOs and political parties, which represent the interests of various layers of population.
At the moment, there are about 5,000 NGOs in the country. They work to protect the people’s interests, raise the activity of women and the youth in the country’s social and political life, as well as to develop the work of civil society institutions.
The relevant proposals and recommendations on the discussed issues have also been elaborated on the outcomes of the roundtable.
FORUM IN TASHKENT TACKLES OMBUDSMAN’S INTERACTION WITH STATE BODIES
The international conference “Interaction of Ombudsman with judicial and executive bodies: experience and problems” has been launched in the nation’s capital of Tashkent, Uzbekistan National News Agency Russian-language website reported September 11.
The Authorized of Oliy Majlis on human rights (Ombudsman) has sponsored the event jointly with national partners and alongside with the support of OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan, according to the report.
The lawmakers at the Legislative Chamber and members of Senate of Oliy Majlis, representative of ministries and agencies, public groups, as well as diplomatic corps and international organizations accredited in Uzbekistan are participating at the conference.
The four plenary sessions are expected to take place in the framework of the conference, namely: “Ombudsman institute and parliament, executive power”, “Interaction of Ombudsman with law enforcement bodies and judicial power”, “Ombudsman and civil society”, and “Ombudsman’s role in the system of state bodies on human rights protection”.
Also, the conference will hold a presentation of the bulletin “World Ombudsmen” prepared by the Authorized of Oliy Majlis on human rights and published by the State scientific publishing house “Uzbekiston milliy entsiklopediyasi” (‘The national encyclopedia of Uzbekistan’).
“UZBEKISTAN: 16 YEARS OF INDEPENDENT DEVELOPMENT” PUT OUT
“Uzbekistan” Publishing House put out the book by President Islam Karimov “Uzbekistan: 16 years of independent development” (in Russian), according to the report by Uzbekistan National News Agency Russian-language website.
The book contains the address by the Uzbek Leader at the joint session of Oliy Majlis, Cabinet of Ministers and Staff of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, dedicated to the 16th anniversary of Independence, which took place on August 30 this year in Tashkent.
In his address President has comprehensively analyzed the cardinal transformations in social and political life accomplished in the country for over the years of independence. The head of the country wrote about enormous successes secured thanks to the diligent work of the people, their essence and significance, as well as important and outstanding objectives facing the society.
President Islam Karimov divided the 16 years of sovereign development of Uzbekistan into two periods. Each of those periods is of a peculiar and special significance in the history of new Uzbek statehood.
Thus, the primary period – the years 1991 through 2000 played an important role in the life of the country and people, and truly became a historical milestone. It covers the primary reforms and transformations related to the transitional period and establishing the bases of the national statehood.
The book has dwelled on the complexity and contradictory nature of the said stage, as well as profound significance of those reforms in establishing the foundations of new society.
The second period has also been scrutinized in detail in the book. President named that period as the time of active democratic reforms and modernization of country. The said period covers 2001 through 2007.
That stage was important in terms of providing for the stable development of economy, consistent reforming the political life, as well as legislative, judicial, and social spheres.
Dwelling upon the outstanding objectives President Islam Karimov drew a special attention to the fact that alongside with other countries that strive to secure a worthy place in the international community Uzbekistan needs to have a concrete and clear, well thought out strategy and action program, which would fully meet all requirements and tasks posed by rapidly changing time.
“It is only this kind of policy that may create the appropriate conditions and a solid foundation to reach the long-term objective, which we have set for ourselves – to join the ranks of the developed countries of the world,” – President wrote.
ECONOMICS
SEMINAR ON "HOW TO START A BUSINESS AND MAKE IT SUCCESSFUL?" HELD
The Chamber of Industry and Commerce jointly with the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) held a one-day seminar on "How to start a business and make it successful" on September 8 at Poytaht Hotel in Tashkent.
The Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry was founded on February 20, 1965, during the conference of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry titled "Asian progress through economic cooperation" in Manila. Its mission was to strengthen regional economic cooperation.
Today, this non-governmental organization unites 26 largest Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the region. On October 27, 2005 the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Uzbekistan joined the Confederation.
One of the priority areas of the CACCI's activity is organization of efficient cooperation between the Chambers, organizations involved in foreign economic activity and entrepreneurial associations of the countries in the Asian-Pacific region: support of joint ventures, expansion of business ties and assisting mutual understanding between the entrepreneurs and business association within the region and outside it; assisting the establishment of friendly relations and provision of support to entrepreneurs, assisting the improvement of the skills of entrepreneurs in the region, training, teaching business techniques, business ethics, etc.
The aim of the seminar was to assist potential entrepreneurs and businessmen in the establishment and development of their businesses, improvement and increase of their profitability.
To hold the event, specialists from the CACCI, including Mr. Gonzalo Catan, a businessman, the founder of one of the largest trade companies in Philippines, and the author of the businessmen's guide "101 idea of how to make money". In 1975 Mr. Catan was included in the top ten most distinguished young men of Philippines as the youngest founder of the most successful enterprise in the country. Another lecturer at the training is Mr. Leonsio Kubillas, a Professor of the Philippines University of Small-scale Industries. He is specialized in management audit, feasibility analysis, technological assessment, and consulting.
The representatives of business circles, interested organizations, as well as young entrepreneurs showed interest in attending the training.
FOLLOWING COMMEMORATIONS, MARGHILAN SEES OPENING OF NEW JV
The foreign Joint Venture “Orshah Textile” has been launched in the city of Marghilan, the Uzbekistan National News Agency Russian-language website reported September 10.
The company, which was established based on the Turkish investments, shall produce more than 100 types of goods – the men’s and women’s wear, tablecloths, towels, and other products, according to the report.
The company expects to export its produce to Russia, Japan, Italy, Turkey, Poland, China, and other countries, the report further said.
President of the company Fuat Em is reported to have said that the capacity of the joint venture “Orshah Textile” allows to annually export the produce worth 4 million dollars.
The launching of the joint venture comes as a significant event in the city in terms of the recent grand 2000th jubilee celebrations and creating more new jobs for the local population.
BAU ORGANIZES COURSES TO EXPAND MICRO-FINANCING AND MICRO-LEASING IN UZBEKISTAN
The Banking Association of Uzbekistan together with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Banking and Finance Academy plan to hold special courses on the expansion of the scale of micro-financing and micro-leasing for small business and private enterprise entities in Uzbekistan, Uzreport.com Business Information website reported.
The total length of the course is five days or 40 hours. The course will be taught in three blocks: "Theoretical and applied issues on organization of micro-crediting and micro-leasing for private entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan", "The order and conditions of extension of micro-loans and provision of micro-leasing in commercial banks of Uzbekistan, and the features of assessment of business plans, monitoring and procedure of provision of micro-loans and microleasing" and "Testing the knowledge and skills of students".
The course will be delivered by the leading scientists of the Banking and Finance Academy, and highly qualified specialists of large commercial banks and leasing companies of Uzbekistan.
Students who pass the tests will be awarded special certificates upon completion of the course.
UZBEKTELECOM MODERNIZES FIXED LINE TELEPHONE NETWORK IN TASHKENT
In line with the plan on modernization and development of the fixed line telephone network in Tashkent city, in September this year Uzbektelecom started to gradually replace the old telephone numbers of the switching stations number 50, 51, 54, 55, 57, 58, 60, 63-66, 68 with the new digital numbers starting with 250, 251, 254, 255, 257, 258, 260, 263-266, 268, according to the report of Business Information website Uzreport.com.
The replacement of the numbers of the switching stations number 60/63 is planned to start on September 10. From September 17, the company will start the replacement of the numbers of the switching station number 50, 51.
The old six-digit telephone numbers are being replaced by seven-digit numbers using the service technologies of the unification of voice access and other data transmission services.
Uzbektelecom is the national telecommunication operator of Uzbekistan. The company has 19 branches, including 14 regional and five specialized. The company also has shares in eight joint ventures. The local telephone network of the company includes over 2,000 switching stations with the capacity for 1.9 million numbers. The network has been digitalized to 80%.
SOCIETY
AMID CELEBRATIONS SCHOLARS GATHER IN MARGHILAN TO DISCUSS ITS HISTORICAL ROLE
On September 7 this year the scientific conference on the role of the city of Marghilan in the world civilization took place in the same city, the local agencies reported.
The prominent scientists and experts from France, Italy, Russia, the United States, Egypt, Kuwait, China, Pakistan, Iran, Australia and Kyrgyzstan are reported to have participated in it.
President of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan Sh.Salikhov presided over the conference.
“Holding of such large scientific conference on the 2000th anniversary of the city of Marghilan,” - the head of the UNESCO Representative Office in Uzbekistan Anna Paolini said while taking the floor at the conference, “this is the result of the considerable work now being accomplished in Uzbekistan to study the rich history and cultural heritage, expand the international scientific ties”.
At the plenary session the scholars from Uzbekistan, France, Egypt, the U.S., and other countries spoke about the invaluable role of Marghilan in the history of world civilization.
On September 8 the scientific conference continued its work in Tashkent, where the session saw several more other scientists speaking on the said topic.
POPULATION OF UZBEKISTAN TOTALS 26.8 MILLION AS OF 1 JULY 2007
The population of Uzbekistan, according to preliminary estimations of the State Statistics Committee, comprised 26.8 million people as of 1 July 2007, having increased by 181,900 or 0.7% since the beginning of the year.
Natural population growth made up 209,300 people, including 151,900 people in rural areas. Migration balance was negative 27,400 people in the reporting half-year.
The number of those born in the first half of the year comprised 284,200 people, which exceeds the previous year's figure by 26,800 people, or 10.4%. The birth rate has thus increased from 19.6 to 21.3 promille.
An increase in the birth rate is observed across all regions. A substantial increase has been recorded in Ferghana (from 17.9 to 21.1 promille), Tashkent (from 18 to 20.6 promille), Jizzakh (from 22.2 to 24.3 promille) regions. The lowest birth rate is still observed in the city of Tashkent – 17.1 promille.
Death rate increased by 2,100 people or 2.9% compared to first half of 2006. An increase in the mortality indicator was recorded in Kashkadarya (from 4.3 to 4.8 promille), Samarkand (from 5.1 to 5.5 promille), Surkhandarya (from 4.4 to 4.7 promille), and Khorezm (from 4.8 to 5.1 promille) regions.
In the reporting period, 93,200 marriages and 9,100 divorces were registered – 7 marriages and 0.7 divorces per 1000 people, against correspondingly 5.8 and 0.6 in the first half of 2006.