September 17, 2007
Politics:
Relations between Uzbekistan and India: a growing partnership
Bukhara Forum Notes Results In Building Law-Governed State, Civil Society
Economics:
Companies from 33 countries confirm participation in Uzbek cotton fair
In Line With President’s Decree, Young Families Obtain Loans, Establish Lives
ICT Week to be held in Uzbekistan in late September
5,000 domains registered in Uzbek national domain zone
Society:
President Inks Document On Unveiling Monument To Poetess Zulfiya In Tashkent
Staff of Women's Committee attends UNDP workshop on gender equality
Conference discusses issues of blood transfer services safety
Uzbek orphanages, boarding schools receive new Isuzu buses
Conference on 100th Anniversary of Uzbek writer Abdulla Kakhkhar Held In Ferghana
POLITICS
RELATIONS BETWEEN UZBEKISTAN AND INDIA: A GROWING PARTNERSHIP
A two-day international Conference "Relations between Uzbekistan and India: a growing partnership" was inaugurated at the Ferghana State University (FSU) on September 14, according to the report Business Information portal Uzreport.com.
The conference, devoted tî the 60th Independence anniversary of the Republic of India and the 16th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan, was a landmark event in the region being the first of its kind.
The conference opened with the warm welcoming speech by the Rector of the FSU, Prof. M.Ahmedov. The Deputy Khokim of Ferghana region Abduhamid Abdurakhimov was also present on the occasion. Rectors of the neighbouring universities of Andijan and Namangan also spoke at the inaugural session.
The Ambassador of India, H.E. Skand R. Tayal in his keynote address threw light on mutually-enriching historical ties between the peoples of India and Uzbekistan. He noted that Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur, who hailed from Ferghana Valley, laid the foundations of a very important era in the history of medieval India, when the glory and cultural brilliance of the court reached an acme and had few rivals in the world of that time.
Emphasizing the importance of cultural and academic interaction between the peoples and academic community of the two countries in modern times, he said that the scholars of the two countries can learn a lot from each other.
Ferghana Valley is an important centre of Uzbek culture. Engagement with the FSU is the beginning of a process, which may lead to greater mutually-beneficial exchanges and interactions.
Prof. A.Gafurov of the FSU, the main coordinator of the Conference on behalf of the university, spoke on Indo-Uzbek relations in the end of 20th and the beginning of the 21st century.
Mr. K.D. Dewal, Second Secretary from the Indian Embassy dwelt upon the economic relations between India and Uzbekistan and emphasized that many areas of economic cooperation between the countries remains unexplored and there is strong potential in those areas to increase trade and investment.
Dr. Jyotsna Bakshi of the India Chair at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, Tashkent, stressed that India and Uzbekistan are facing similar threats and must join hands in the struggle against extremism, terrorism and drag-trafficking for maintaining regional security and stability.
Besides more than sixty Professors, teachers and students from the Ferghana, Namangan and Andijan universities, several eminent scholars-Indologists from Tashkent also participated in the conference. A wide range of topics from history, culture, language, literature, education to the emerging vast opportunities of fruitful multifarious economic ties have been discussed in the conference.
On the previous evening on September 13, the Indian envoy Skand Tayal and the Deputy Khokim of Ferghana region Shukhrat Turakulov inaugurated a colourful cultural programme in the city Amphitheatre presented by Uzbek and Indian artists. The artists from Lai Bahadur Shastri Centre for Indian Culture enthralled the people of the city with the sounds and sights of Indian music and dance. The people of Ferghana also got an opportunity to see live demonstration of Indian yoga.
BUKHARA FORUM NOTES RESULTS IN BUILDING LAW-GOVERNED STATE, CIVIL SOCIETY
The scientific-practical conference “Uzbekistan: the main achievements in building the democratic state and strong civil society” took place in Bukhara, the reports by local agencies have said earlier today. The Institute for the study of civil society, Movement of entrepreneurs and business people – the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan and National Democratic Party “Fidokorlar” are reported to have organized the conference.
The speakers have said that the address by President Islam Karimov at the joint session of Oliy Majlis, Cabinet of Ministers and Staff of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dedicated to the 16th anniversary of the country’s Independence was indeed a program document and had a profound significance to accomplish further reforms in all spheres of life.
They have added that the head of state has fully and fairly assessed the development of country for over the years of independence and the country’s achievements for over this period.
The partakers of the conference also spoke about the significance of awareness activities aimed at informing the people about the profound reforms now being accomplished in the country.
The conference has particularly analyzed the process of building the law-governed state in Uzbekistan, ensuring equality of all citizens before the law, developing various forms of ownership, and others.
Also, the conference participants spoke about the need to consolidate the successes secured by the Uzbek people and address particular problems that serve as a barrier to the development of social and economic sphere.
ECONOMICS
COMPANIES FROM 33 COUNTRIES CONFIRM PARTICIPATION IN UZBEK COTTON FAIR
Almost 500 representatives of 263 companies from 33 states have confirmed their participation in the upcoming third International Uzbek Cotton Fair, UzA reported.
The fair scheduled for 17-19 September will gather specialists from Australia, USA, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, China, South Korea, India, Russia, Ukraine and other countries, head of exhibitions department of UzExpoCenter Oybek Mibrabayev told UzA.
The fair participants will be able to get acquainted with samples of cotton fiber and make purchases right at the event.
IN LINE WITH PRESIDENT’S DECREE, YOUNG FAMILIES OBTAIN LOANS, ESTABLISH LIVES
Since early this year the Joint-Stock Commercial Bank Microcreditbank allocated micro credits worth UZS 3,7 million to almost 3,000 young families, the Uzbekistan National News Agency Russian-language website reported on September 13.
The credits are allocated in the framework of the purposeful bank program, which was elaborated in line with the Decree of President dated on May 18, 2007 “On additional measures on material and moral support of the young families”, the report said.
The bank allocated the soft loans for the young families to launch their business. The consumer credits are reported to have allowed for many families to purchase furniture, household appliances, and sports inventory.
The bank also allots credits for holding the wedding ceremonies and cover expenses for the birth of the first child, as well as for travels, leisure and treatment.
By late this year Microcreditbank is scheduled to allocate more loans worth yet nearly UZS 3,3 billion.
ICT WEEK TO BE HELD IN UZBEKISTAN IN LATE SEPTEMBER
The Week of information and communication technologies InfoCom 2007 will be held in Uzbekistan during on September 24-28. It will consist of a number of events with participation of officials, businessmen and foreign IT specialists, UzA reported.
The ICT Week is being organized by the Cabinet’s Computerization and ICT Development Council, the Legislative’ Chamber’s Information and IT Committee, Uzbek Communication and Information Agency, UNDP’s ICT Policy project and the IT Association of Uzbekistan.
The International Conference on Information Technology Promotion in Asia (ITPA) 2007 will gather more than 60 foreign experts from South Korea, China, Japan, India and other states. Together with their Uzbek colleagues, they will consider development of IT and new technologies in the region.
The annual exhibition ICTExpo 2007 will be held in two cities this year – in Tashkent and Samarkand. The event will feature products and solutions of more than 45 companies, which are members of the IT Association of Uzbekistan. A number of conferences and round tables are also scheduled within the exhibition.
Another significant event of the ICT Week is the National ICT Summit, whose participants will discuss the state and perspectives of the ICT development in Uzbekistan, including ICT use in state management, e-education and e-commerce. The summit traditionally ends with adoption of a resolution on ICT development in the country.
Other events of the ICT Week are:
• The media forum on “The use of ICT in print media and development of internet resources”;
• Presentation of the Electronic Management Competence Center under the IT Association;
• The third international conference on the internet and the next generation of mobile, wireless and optical communications networks (ICI 2007); and
• The awarding ceremony of the winners of the National Internet Festival.
5,000 DOMAINS REGISTERED IN UZBEK NATIONAL DOMAIN ZONE
The number of domain names registered in the Uzbek national domain zone (UZ) has exceeded 5,000, UzA National Information Agency reported.
The last 1,000 domains were registered in the past six months, according to the zone administration.
The growth of the number of active domains made up more than 1,400 or almost 39% since the beginning of the year. In all, 2,050 new domains were registered and about 650 domains were deleted this year.
There are six official domain registrars in Uzbekistan – Tomas, BCC, Sarkor Telecom, Global Study, TV-Inform and Arsenal-D. The price of one-year registration varies between USD 18 and 25.
UZINFOCOM, ICT Development Center, is the administrator of the national domain zone.
SOCIETY
PRESIDENT INKS DOCUMENT ON UNVEILING MONUMENT TO ZULFIYA IN TASHKENT
On September 13, 2007, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a Resolution “On unveiling in the city of Tashkent the monument to the people’s poet of Uzbekistan Zulfiya”, the agencies reported the same day. According to the document, “taking into consideration the profound contribution of the people’s poet of Uzbekistan Zulfiya (Zulfiya Isroilova) to the development of national literature and culture, enormous role and significance of her unique creative heritage and public activity in upbringing the younger generation in the spirit of love and loyalty to Homeland, national and universal values” such monument shall be unveiled in the nation’s capital of Tashkent.
The resolution underscores that such proposal “by Union of writers of Uzbekistan, Ministry for culture and sports, and Republican center for spirituality shall be approved”.
Besides, “the Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan within a one month’s period of time jointly with relevant organizations shall announce the creative contest on making the monument to Zulfiya and hold it in line with an established order”.
Further, “the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall cover the expenses related to making and unveiling the monument through the reserve fund of the Cabinet of Ministers on the accounts made available by the Tashkent city khokimiyat (municipality)”.
In line with the document, “the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan R.Kasymov shall be tasked to oversee the execution of the said resolution”.
STAFF OF WOMEN'S COMMITTEE ATTENDS UNDP WORKSHOP ON GENDER EQUALITY
Representatives of the Women's Committee of Uzbekistan participated in a two-day workshop on the "Activity of Women's Committee of Uzbekistan on implementation of recommendations of UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women" on September 8-9.
Participants discussed issues on performance of Millennium Development Goals, international standards and recommendations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee), participation of women in migration processes and other topics related with ensuring rights of women.
Expressing gratitude to UNDP for organization of this event, Gulnara Marufova, Deputy Head of Women's Committee of Uzbekistan, said: "We are experiencing modernization process now and women of Uzbekistan take more and more significant positions in our society."
As an example, she said women occupied key positions in the government and added that Human Rights Commissioner of Oliy Majlis (Ombudsman), Deputy Speakers of Oliy Majlis and many MPs are women.
"Many laws and by-laws are being adopted in Uzbekistan to improve position of women. We, in our turn, should carry out work to monitor implementation of these laws and further improve the role of women in our society," Marufova said. She added that the workshop would improve capacity of Women's Committee of Uzbekistan and its cooperation with UNDP in these directions.
Shohida Aminova, representative of the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan, said: "We do not stand and we should make a lot. That's why we should increase efficiency of our work to ensure women's rights. Such seminars for our workers will be useful."
The event was organized within UNDP's projects "Promotion of the rights of women migrant workers" and "Legislative and Institutional Capacity Development for Women's Empowerment in Uzbekistan", implemented in cooperation with the Women's Committee of Uzbekistan.
The project "Promotion of the rights of women migrant workers" is directed to improve the protection of human rights of the women involved in labour migration in Uzbekistan and to increase the quality of services provided by relevant government and nongovernmental bodies to women migrant workers and the victims of human trafficking.
The project "Legislative and Institutional Capacity Development for Women's Empowerment in Uzbekistan" aims to support and build the capacity of the government, civil society and mass media in reducing the gender gaps via raising awareness of and implementing the recommendations of the CEDAW Committee to Uzbekistan. It is envisaged to achieve the goal via building the capacity of journalists, improving their professionalism and gender issues coverage in mass media.
CONFERENCE DISCUSSES ISSUES OF BLOOD TRANSFER SERVICES SAFETY
A national conference on the assurance of the safety of blood transfer service and the prospects of developing blood donation was held in Tashkent.
The representatives of the concerned state and public structures, international organizations, as well as local and foreign experts and scientists participated in the event organized on the initiative of the Ministry of Healthcare of Uzbekistan jointly with the ADB's "Improving the health of mothers and children" Project.
Currently 21 stations and 239 departments for blood transfer are operated in Uzbekistan. A number of programmes are run in the country to strengthen their financial base, provide them the necessary, modern medical equipment, and improve the qualifications of their specialists, UzA reported.
Measures being taken within the frame of the joint project of the Government of Uzbekistan and the ADB on «improving the health of mothers and children» are an example to this statement. Thanks to the sequential and gradual implementation of tasks envisaged by the project, all blood transfer stations and departments are being repaired.
A centralized system of services provision to the population is being integrated. The legal framework for the assurance of safety at blood transfer points and the development of blood donation is being created. A group of national and foreign experts works and constantly monitors the measures being implemented in this direction.
Reports revealing the WHO strategy aimed at ensuring the safety of blood transfer services, the results of the reforms being implemented in the healthcare system of Uzbekistan were delivered at the conference.
UZBEK ORPHANAGES, BOARDING SCHOOLS RECEIVE NEW ISUZU BUSES
Orphanages and special boarding schools of Karakalpakstan, Khorezm, Bukhara, Navoi, Samarkand, Ferghana, Andijan, Namangan, Syrdarya, Jizzakh, Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya, and Tashkent regions and Tashkent city have received new modern buses produced by Samarkand Automobile Plant, UzA reported.
Responsible officers of the system of public education of the regions, directors and the teaching staff of orphanages and boarding schools, and other public officials participated in the ceremonies.
Special boarding school No. 125 of Bostanlyk district was among the recipients. The school has 134 students. Some of them have achieved impressive results at different sorts of competitions. The school has small clubs and societies through which it promotes the knowledge of mathematics, music, carpentry, culinary, and sewing. Sponsors have helped build a new shower section in the dormitory; the water supply network has been renewed. The auditoriums, the dining hall and bedrooms have been repaired and re-equipped.
As a part of the "Year of Social Protection" State Programme, the orphanage No. 30 and the special boarding school No. 103 of Khamza district of Tashkent city have been given new Isuzu buses. Among the recipients in Tashkent region are the orphanages and special schools of Angren, Almalyk, Ahangaran, Bekabad, Yangiyul, Chirchik cities and the districts of Buka, Pskent, Urtachirchik, Kibray and Akkurgan.
This year, major works are being carried out to repair the objects of social infrastructure, orphanages, and schools, provide them all the necessary equipment, improve the qualifications and motivate the staff working for these institutions.
CONFERENCE ON 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ABDULLA KAKHKHAR HELD IN FERGHANA
Based on the Decree of the head of Uzbekistan of January 8 this year “On celebrating the 100th anniversary of the people’s writer of Uzbekistan Abdulla Kakhkhar” the spiritual and enlightenment events dedicated to the works of the Uzbek writer are now being organized in the Ferghana Valley, Uzbekistan National News Agency reported late last week.
One of such events was held at the Kokand State Pedagogical Institute. The scholars of literature and students participated at the literary scientific conference “The unfading writer”.
The creative heritage of the well-known master of word has an important significance in upbringing the young generation in the spirit of faithfulness to Homeland, strengthening the sense of respect to national and human values.
The participants of the conference have said that it was necessary to study more broadly the works of the writer. The students demonstrated small plays staged based on the works of Abdulla Kakhkhar.