independence: the 23rd anniversary

Weekly
Since September 1, 2006
No. 34 (410) August 22, 2014
INDEPENDENCE:
THE 23RD ANNIVERSARY
President Xi Jinping: Sino-Uzbek
Relations Are at a Record High
inside:
Real Purchase, Virtual Payment
Currently, there are over 12.4 million
plastic payment cards used in the
country, with over 149,000 payment
terminals installed for them at
stores, services businesses, etc.
OPINION
Twenty Two
Years of
Excellence
4
Melting Metal to Make Works of Art
Denis Dovlatov
Today’s national airline is something
more than just a carriage of passengers.
A complicated mechanism and the
teamwork of which conditions the
safety of hundreds of thousands of
passengers, today has to flight with
a cruising speed, adapting to tough
competition. The airline industry is one
of the fields where gaps are obvious
and impossible to disguise. Thus,
only the most powerful, efficient and
flexible ones remain in the market.
Proving its rights for the sky for 22
years, Uzbekistan Airways National Air
Company (NAC) is one of such success
stories.
Today, the interaction between Beijing
and Tashkent is quite transparent
and predictable, with no obstacles to
their gradual and consistent progress.
Few would argue against the fact that
Uzbekistan and China are currently
cooperating as equal partners
respecting each other’s interests
and supporting one another in the
international arena.
This state of Uzbek-Chinese relations
has been well underpinned by the state
visit of President Islam Karimov to the
People’s Republic of China. The recent
two-day visit resulted in signing a joint
declaration and a number of agreements
that are beneficial for both countries.
On the first day alone, a few dozen
interagency deals and agreements were
concluded – all of them aiming longterm prospects. Besides, experts from the
“I would also like to highlight
the big success Uzbekistan
has had in building a strong
civil society, developing
parliamentary institutions
and consolidating the role
of women in its social and
political life. This fact proves
that the country has gained
a reputation as a successfully
advancing nation using its
own development model.”
INDEPEN
D
“I believe that securing peace
and stability − an important
factor in Uzbekistan’s
consistent and fast economic
and social development
– is one of the nation’s major
accomplishments during the
years of its independence.
E LIFE IN TH
E
GIONS
Thierry Mariani,
Member of the French
National Assembly, and
Deputy Chairman of
‘France – Uzbekistan’
Friendship Group:
C
EN
RE
A LOOK FROM
ABROAD
two countries worked out a road map to
carry out the Beijing agreements signed
during the summit. During the meeting of
the two presidents, President of the PRC
Xi Jinping noted that “currently the SinoUzbek relations are at a record high.” He
added that “today the action plan for the
further evolution of strategic partnership
between Uzbekistan and China for
the next five years is to be signed. Our
countries must catch the opportunity
of bringing our cooperation to an even
higher level of performance to achieve
even better results.”
The solid framework for the longlasting and reliable cooperation between
the two states at a higher level of
performance was built by signing the Joint
Declaration on the Further Development
and Enhancement of Bilateral Relations
of Strategic Partnership and the Treaty on
Friendship and Cooperation during the
official visit of President of the Republic
of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov to China in
June 2012 and the state visit of President
of the PRC Xi Jinping to Uzbekistan
in September 2013. Undoubtedly, a
major factor in developing such close
partnership is the mutual complementary
nature of the national economies and the
convenient geographical location of the
two countries.
Concerning
the
Uzbek-Chinese
official meetings, President Islam Karimov
noted that “Uzbekistan highly appreciates
every meeting with Chinese leaders . . .
In September last year, Xi Jinping paid a
historic visit to Uzbekistan, which was
highly significant for the development
of our bilateral relations. The current
negotiations are a logical continuation of
our highest-level dialogue.”
3
The Ancient and
Modern Bukhoro
Oleg Gaevoy
SPE
CIAL PROJECT
Bukhoro is one of the three most attractive tourist cities of Uzbekistan. The city attracts travel
enthusiasts from all over the world not just with its architectural monuments of medieval times,
but also with one hundred years-long history of market relations’ development.
Many tourists and guests arrive in Bukhoro by
train. Railway station is located in Bukoro Region’s
city of Kogon. It is easy to get to the regional center
even if you travel alone. Most of citizens of Bukhoro
speak Uzbek, Tajik and Russian languages. However,
lately they have started to speak English. You may
easily use public transport such as van share route
taxi, taxi cars, or a bus. In mostly half an hour you
get to architectural monuments where you may start
both touristic and business trip. All facilities such as
hotels, restaurants, where you may meet your partners
and friends, are created for tourists. At the same time,
tourism infrastructure such as new hospitality facilities
is always developing.
Just glancing through the car window, you get
impressed with the local peculiarities for the first time.
Majority of modern buildings are erected of brick,
concrete, iron and roofing slate with pastel colors. It
is a tribute to the builders of the ancient city, where
all the buildings of clay and sand purchased elegance
thanks to its shape, unlike color. But this is just the
outside. Inside, all buildings are full of shades of all
colors of the rainbow and scenic designs. Not only
bright is painting of the walls, but also carpets, suzani
and other traditional decoration. Masters of the past
created their masterpieces, where the abundance of
colors does not offend the eyes and visually pleasing.
6-7
cyan magenta yellow black
1
A GROUND FOR TAKEOFF
Writing about the national airline
of Uzbekistan in one article is like
swimming across the English Channel:
it is possible, but extremely difficult.
Today’s national aircraft industry is a
huge complicated mechanism operated
by about 15,000 people across the
country for more than twenty-two
years. What is the key to success?
Economic data, performance,
investment in fleet upgrade,
modernization of the infrastructure and
other important factors are supposed to
come further. Let us start with what is
important to us as journalists. Working
on the local media market for six years,
Uzbekistan Today has been covering
the activity of the country’s leading
companies. There is hardly a more
open and transparent structure than
Uzbekistan Airways. The company
traditionally holds two or three press
conferences a year, where the executives
allocate a few hours to respond to
any, even the toughest questions. They
truly answer questions, and not evade
them, which is very important. Other
domestic companies adopt this policy
step by step, which certainly plays
a huge role in terms of development
of transparency of relations between
society, business and government.
The area of Bukhoro Region
is 39,400 square kilometres.
It is Uzbekistan’s third
largest region. It has a
population of around 1.7
million. The regional center
is the city of Bukhoro
5
Blacksmiths do not only
make working tools, but
also create works of art
5
Family Business
Gulnora proposed the idea,
and her husband acted as an
accountant and a project manager
7
Two Bronze Medals in the Olympic Thrift-Box
Uzbekistan team won the first
medal in judo. The 17-year-old
Uzbek athlete Suhrob Tursunov
won the bronze medal
8
BUSINESS
Each and every country in the world tries
to create an attractive environment for doing
business. There are various mechanisms
ranging from the single value privileges and
preferences for certain businesses, to large-scale
tax exemption of entire industries. Experts say
that in the present conditions, when the struggle
for investments has turned global, developing
countries have to use nonstandard approaches to
stay ahead of their developed competitors. The
vital thing is not to slip up, since the new does
not always imply the successful. Uzbekistan has
a good experience by creating the region’s first
effective model of a free economic zone.
Justified Risk
4
2
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No. 34 (410) August 22, 2014
TODAY IN UZBEKISTAN
Approaching Strong
Civil Society
Fatherland Calls
There is an Uzbek national value that unites people, promotes
mercy, kindness and voluntary assistance. That is volunteer
clean-up campaign called hashar.
Uzbekistan takes a wide range of
measures to promote active participation
of nongovernmental noncommercial
organizations in solving current issues
of social, economic, humanitarian
development of the state.
17 millions of Uzbekistan’s residents have demonstrated these
qualities taking part in nationwide volunteer clean-up campaign
on 16-17 of August under preparation for the Independence
Holiday.
Area of more than 37,000 hectares was recreated, almost
Cooperation between institutions of public
authority and NGOs goes up and concerns
such areas as health, education, culture and
social protection за the population in the
first place. Support for the state and society
as well as for the process of fostering a
comprehensively advanced generation is
constantly intensifies.
The Parliamentary Commission on
Management of the Assets of the Public
Fund for Support of NGOs and Other Civil
Society Institutions Under the Oliy Majlis of
the Republic of Uzbekistan emphasized this
during its regular sitting.
Since the beginning of the year, more than
10 joint projects have been supported worth of
1.2 billion UZS. They were fulfilled by NGOs
in cooperation with executive authorities at
sites. Now about 70 grant projects of NGOs
and other civil society institutions approved
by the Parliamentary Commission and worth
of 1 billion UZS are being fulfilled.
During the sitting the Commission has
decided to support 40 more projects of NGOs
worth of 650 millions UZS.
“These projects are to improve the role
and importance of independent electronic
and print media in a democratic renewal and
modernization of the state, to improve skills
and knowledge of media workers in ensuring
publicity and openness of the reforms, which
contribute to the forming of strong open civil
society,” says Abdudjalil Turaev, the director
of the Public Fund.
Projects directed at solving the issues
identified in the State program The Year of
the healthy child to assist young families
in fostering morally mature and physically
healthy generation, to influence positively on
the development and consolidation of moral
and ethical values in children and youth by
means of mass media were supported during
the sitting.
The Commission has also heard reports of
the National Association of Electronic MassMedia of Uzbekistan and the Republican
Centre for Social Adaptation of Children
concerning realization of state social orders
allotted in 2013.
Members of the Committee have also
discussed arrangements of tenders for state
social orders directed at the implementation
of socially important projects of NGOs
and other civil society institutions as well
as increasing of social responsibility in the
society etc.
PARTY NEWS
Exemplary Grass Roots Party Cell
The grass roots party organization at the Milliy Tiklanish
of the Democratic Party of Uzbekistan was created by a
group of teachers under the educational center ‘Bilim
Orzu’ in Samarqand and now consists of 36 members. It
has successfully performed at the regional stage of the
‘The Most Exemplary ‘Grass Root’ party organization’
contest and has booked its berth for the finals.
Cooperation between the party organization and deputies,
elected for the local Kengash (‘Council’) of People’s Deputies serves
the interests of the electorate as well as the events conducted by
the activists of the party contribute to the increase of legal culture
of the society and current reforms promotion campaigns.
A seminar concerning preparation of the youth to family life and
social and psychological aspects of family life has been conducted
in cooperation with Samarqand municipal department of the
Republican Center for Spiritual Propaganda under the national
program of the the Year of the Healthy Child. The major themes of
25,000 kilometers of aryks and chutes were cleaned up, more
than 21,000 of trees were decoratively shaped and whitened and
16,000 items of special machinery were involved in the process.
In addition, more than 50 public constructions have been put
into operation these days. They have emerged in distant villages and
settlements indicating the increase of living standards of people.
The youth showed enthusiasm and inspiration during the event.
Under the direction of ‘Kamolot’ Public Youth Movement, young
people have raised Gardens of ‘Kamolot’ under ‘Landscaping the
Country’ project and have conducted landscaping activities in
mahallas.
Concrete assistance was given to aged and handicapped
people, underprovided families and those who have lost their
breadwinners. Houses of solitary elderly persons were renovated.
Nationwide volunteer clean-up campaign conducted under
large-scaled activity on creation and landscaping has demonstrated
that Uzbek people are going to celebrate their major holiday with
good intensions, in peace and chime.
MEDIA FESTIVAL
Online Voting
to Select the Best
The Ozod Yurt Tulqinlari [Waves of a
Free Country] Media Festival has been
gaining in popularity since it was first
held in 2007. The event organizers
intend to promote non-state television
and radio broadcasting in Uzbekistan,
increase the quality of television
and radio programs, and foster the
democratic, political and moral
development of the society.
The planners of the event are the
National Association of Electronic Mass
Media of Uzbekistan (NAEMMU), in the
partnership with the civil society institutions
under the Oliy Majlis, The Centre of
Youth Culture and Art, OSCE missions,
the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the
UNESCO Office in Uzbekistan and other
national and international partners.
The 7th media festival is due be held on
August 27, 2014, on the summer ground
of Tashkent City Palace Hotel. There will
be managers and creative workers of nonstate television and radio stations, the
members of NAEMMU, young journalists,
the representatives of ministries and
departments, NGOs and international
organizations, and diplomatic missions
accredited in Uzbekistan. The event
planners notice that the aims of the festival
are encouraging creative groups working
in non-state electronic media, promoting
the coverage of democratic reforms, and
improving the skills of journalists and
technical media staff.
The jury of the festival will include
the representatives of government,
international organizations and NGOs,
whereas the winners will be determined
by the online voting. Three categories will
be “Mening yurtim” (“My Land”) about the
23 years of independence, “Best media
production about the Year of a healthy
child” and “Best media production,
covering the life of young people”.
The event planners empathize the
“Mening yurtim” (“My Land”) category,
in which the nominees prepare the
media products covering the large-scale
reforms and achievements in all areas of
life, renewal and modernization of the
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2
country. The Association emphasizes
the importance of the reform coverage,
thus promoting an open and constructive
dialogue between the state and society.
The Association is implementing the
project aimed at the development and the
support of information services of regional
television stations. The association helped
to start the daily information-analytical
program “Hudud.uz” that covers local
news, thus contributing to increasing
public awareness of the local issues.
The Information Centre under the
NAEMMU cooperates with 14 non-state
television and 11 radio stations from
all the regions of the country to support
the interaction between the information
services of the members of NAEMMU.
The creative teams of the members
of NAEMMU prepare the content for
“Hudud.uz” and “Parlament Soati”
[Parliament Hour] television program that
airs on the regional non-state television,
UzReport TV channel and the official site
of NAEMMU.
NAEMMU claims the “Best media
production about the Year of a healthy
child” category is related to its project
of producing and airing socially relevant
media products on the non-state television,
radio stations and cable television that
was started in March. The project involves
37 creative and technical employers, 16
of whom work in the regional television,
and another 21 work in the central
television studio. They prepared more
than 250 public service announcement
on the topics of maternal and child
health, morality, bad habits, support for
people with special needs, environmental
preservation and promotion of healthy
lifestyles. Experts claim the effectiveness
of media projects on the issues of public
concern depends on the cooperation of
the media management, the state, NGOs
and international organizations.
The third category is about the life of
young people. In 2008, regional television
stations has already established youth TV
studios to identify talented young people
interested in a media career.
NAEMMU has conducted about
Developing Children Sport
An activist of the ‘Adolat’ Social Democratic Party
of Uzbekistan Nuriddin Ne’matov himself actively
goes in for sports and actively tries to get young
men and women into healthy lifestyle. In 2013
athletics sport department was opened in the
school №41 of Andijon Region on his initiative.
In a short time its athletes under the direction of
their coach have achieved significant results.
Ne’matov’s ten athletes placed top at the regional championship
and at the ‘Vesennyaya krasavica’ tournament held recently in
Bukhoro Gulasal Jiyanbekova has taken prize-winning place in
long jump discipline.
Now eight athletes of the young coach are on the region’s team
and getting prepared to National Finals to be held in Guliston.
YOUTH FOR THE DAY
Excellent Prospects
Nasiba Muminova
The youth has so many opportunities;
the only thing to do is to choose the
right one. Participants of the youth
festival ‘Children of the independence’,
which has taken place in the capital
of Uzbekistan under the motto ‘I love
you, you are dear to me, my beloved
Uzbekistan!’ are sure of this.
Both organizers of a many-day long
holiday marathon – ‘Kamolot’ Public
60 training seminars and workshops,
and organized five specialized media
camps, with the support of national and
international organizations, including
the OSCE, the Konrad Adenauer
Foundation, UNESCO, and CFI. They
were attended by Simon Ross (director,
France); Thomas Grimm (director,
Germany), Oleg Strenev (director of the
channel “Amazing Life”, Russia), John
Hazard (cameraman of the scientific
documentaries of National Geographic,
USA), Birgit Wetzel (journalist,
Germany), Regis Ghezelbash (producer
and director, France), and Leonid
Parfenov (TV presenter, Russia).
More than 50 episodes of the youth
television shows “Yakhshi kayfiyat”,
“Telestudio” and “Darsdan sung” were
prepared as the part of the project to
attract talented young people into the
media industry.
“This year we have a record number of
nominees, we will select the best of them
to be nominated in the three categories”,
says Polina Komleva, the press secretary
of NAEMMU. Komleva praised the high
quality of the submitted works, considering
from both technical and creative sides.
This is the great merit of NAEMMU, which
assisted in preparing the training seminars
and workshops with foreign coaches in
cooperation with different national and
international organizations.
During the event, the members of a
special parliamentary commission the
will award the certificates for government
grants for independent media covering
the issues of democratic reforms and
formation of civil society, the promotion
of healthy lifestyles, especially among
young people, raising the legal awareness
of the population. Commission’s official
name is “the parliamentary commission
on assets management of the Public
Fund for support of nongovernmental
noncommercial organizations and other
institutions of the civil society of the Oliy
Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan”.
Winners are awarded the “Ozod Yurt
Tulqinlari” statuettes, certificates and
other prizes.
this seminar were negative implications of early engagement and
issue of divorces.
Youth Movement, the Ministry of Higher
and Secondary Special Education and
the Ministry of Public Education and its
participants have dedicated it to the 23rd
anniversary of independence.
Over 200 boys and girls from different
regions of Uzbekistan have participated
in forums, seminars and have shared their
achievements and future considerations.
Among them were laureates of the Zulfiya
State Prize, owners of the badge ‘Uzbekiston
belgisi’, winners of international contests
and ‘Kamolot’s projects. Their fresh views
and creative approach surely play a great
role in state’s way toward high goals.
Under the festival were arranged
meetings with famous people, deputies
and the staff of public authorities.
Moreover, alumni of state ‘Barkamol
avlod’ children’s centers have conducted
exhibitions of their creative works and
young photographers, artists and poets
have engaged in corresponding contests
of works. Novice singers performed
together with famous artists during the
gala-concert.
Brain Storm
Dinora Ziyaeva
National contest ‘Yurt kelajagi’
gathered 606 ideas, projects and
creative works. Contestants have
competed in five areas: architecture
and design of clothing, traditional and
applied arts, development of social
and economic reforms, literature and
journalism and information technology,
rationalization and technical projects.
In total, 55,000 applications were
submitted for different stages of the
contest.
Summer camp ‘Lochin’ of Qashqadaryo
Region hosted the final stage of the contest,
where the contestants participated in
workshops conducted by leading experts
of the each field. Tutors helped to finalize
projects, shared experience, gave advices.
The contestants later used this knowledge
in finals.
“Children’s purposefulness made
me happy,” says Kutup Ayupov, the
academic secretary of the Tashkent State
Technical University named after Abu
Raykhon Beruni, member of the board of
adjudicators in the information technology,
rationalization
and
technical
projects area. “I
did not expect
to see so many
interesting
works. There are
certain criteria of
selection, which
will help us to
pick
winners.
However,
our
goal is not only
to select the best,
but also to help
each contestant
in improving his
or her work. I left my contacts to all the
interested and I hope to continue work
together with children on their ideas.”
The agenda also included meeting
with Bakhodir Ganiev, the chair of
the Central Kengash (‘Council’) of the
‘Kamolot’ Public Youth Movement.
The talk was very comprehensive.
Ideas for arranging a contest for the
handicapped people, widening of the
annual media workshop, arranging
of camp for artists, conducting an
event on introducing existing Uzbek
children’s websites to the population
were proposed during the meeting.
Workshops continued after the
contest in informal atmosphere.
Students were asking many questions
and experts gladly answered them.
Particular dialogs between students
and teachers attracted other
participants and quickly transformed
into a lecture. The contestants
fairly mention that the major prize
for everyone is not the victory, but
new gained knowledge and friends
countrywide.
3
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No. 34 (410) August 22, 2014
WORLD
NEWS
Cementing the Ties
The Embassy of the Republic
of Uzbekistan in Madrid,
Spain, has held a meeting
with Jose Garcia-Morales,
Deputy Director of Spanish
Association of Entrepreneurs.
During the meeting, the Spanish
executive expressed interest in boosting
the cooperation with Uzbekistan.
Jose Garcia-Morales proposed
considering the issue of organizing
a presentation of the economic and
investment potential of Uzbekistan
in Madrid in October 2014. He also
proposed holding a business forum
with participation of representatives of
business circles of the two nations.
Exchanging Views
The leaders of the national
company Uzbektourism met
with Pavol Ivan, Slovakia’s
Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary to
Uzbekistan, to discuss the
prospects of cooperation.
During the meeting, Uzbektourism’s
officials pointed out that the Slovak
Republic offers a new market to
attract tourists to Uzbekistan from and
itself presents ideal opportunities for
historic, resort and eco tours, including
winter recreation ones.
He said that Slovakians would
probably find over 7,000 architectural
and archeological monuments in
Bukhoro,
Tashkent,
Samarqand,
Shahrisabz, Khiva, Termiz and Quqon
very interesting, while Uzbek residents
would like to go to Slovakia to improve
their health in its hot and mineral
spring resorts and recuperate from
chemotherapy and surgeries.
At the end of the meeting, the parties
underlined their willingness to help
intensify and expand the cooperation
between Uzbekistan and Slovakia in
the area of tourism.
A Robust
Bridge
The Korea Post has published an article
“Korea, Uzbekistan Agree to Build
House of Korean Culture and Art” by
its Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik.
The piece enquires into the steadfast
advancement of the Uzbek-Korean
strategic cooperation.
NOTE
As the author points out, the two
countries have agreed to set up the
House of Korean Culture and Art
in Uzbekistan. The agreement was
reached during the state visit of South
Korea’s President Park Geun-hye to
Uzbekistan in June 2014 and was
included in the Joint Declaration
issued by the two states.
The agreement demonstrates
that the cultural relations of the two
nations are among their presidents’
main concerns. The House of Korean
Culture and Art is to contribute to
the process of strengthening the
bilateral relations of Uzbekistan and
the Republic of Korea and become a
matter of pride for the ethnic Koreans
residing in Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan’s Korean minority
greatly contributes to the development
of their home country and act as a
strong bridge between Uzbekistan
and Korea, allowing for better
cooperation and friendship of the two
countries.
The author writes that during the
summit the two leaders agreed to
bolster the interaction in the ongoing
joint projects of the construction of
Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex and
Talimarjan Power Plant, as well as
in areas concerning e-government
in Uzbekistan, developing the
information technologies, environment
protection, textile production, and
construction of highways and railroads
in the country.
During the latest summit
the two presidents
agreed to enhance and
advance the strategic
par tnership between
Korea and Uzbekistan.
They concluded a number
of agreements, including
a framework agreement
on aid, a framework
agreement on loans
from the Economic
Development Cooperation
Fund for 2014 – 2017, a
loan agreement between
the Expor t-Impor t Bank
of Korea and the National
Bank of Uzbekistan,
among others.
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3
President Xi Jinping:
Sino-Uzbek Relations
Are at a Record High
[1]
TRUST IS A PREREQUISITE
FOR FRIENDSHIP
International experts on Central Asia and the
Middle East forecast that cooperation with China will
remain one of the major priorities in Uzbekistan’s
foreign policy for the foreseeable future. Today, the
two countries demonstrate another new qualitative
stage of active and dynamic development in their
relations, cherishing the traditional friendship
between our two nations. The trust that the two
leaders have in each other enhances the close and
friendly interaction between Uzbekistan and China.
Islam Karimov said he highly values the friendship
and the high degree of mutual confidence with Xi
Jinping and expressed intention to continue with
the steadfast progress in the bilateral relations with
China.
Following the talks, the parties vowed to
reinforce the mutual political trust and continue
with the reciprocal support and coordination of their
actions in the international arena and cooperation
in the sphere of security. Xi Jinping emphasized that
China considers Uzbekistan as a reliable long-term
partner and that the cooperation with it is based on
mutual interests. The trade turnover between the two
countries has increased almost six times within the
last six years. In 2013, it reached $5.2 billion.
Experts and analysts highlight that Uzbekistan has
a great influence on the situation in the region. Both
countries support each other in their core interests.
This includes the political and security cooperation
at the regional and international levels. Uzbekistan
supports China’s policy of combating the ‘three evils’
- terrorism, separatism and religious extremism. The
two countries cooperate on a bilateral basis, and
within international and regional organizations,
including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
The leaders of the two nations have agreed to
strengthen the cooperation in the sphere of economy
and security within the SCO.
T I M E LY S U CC E S S
Experts suggest that Uzbekistan should use the
Chinese expertise in creating special economic
zones, for China has gained a lot of it for the two
decades of carrying out its own reforms. China used
all the available resources, considered the political
realities and so succeeded in achieving its goals to
become a world power. China proved that a rapid
and dynamic economic development of a country
is achievable if market mechanisms are used for it.
Lawrence Klein, an American economist, who was
awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics for his work
in creating computer models to forecast economic
trends, said that Chinese economic development
is a remarkable experience to be studied by many
countries.
Uzbekistan also follows the similar principle,
believing that reforms are a powerful driving
force for economic and social development. Islam
Karimov emphasized that Uzbekistan praised the
development of China and commended China’s active
and constructive role in the area of international
affairs and believed that China’s future is bright,
with no power able to stop its forward movement.
In accordance with the concept of foreign policy,
approved by the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis
in 2012, Uzbekistan strengthens the cooperation and
bilateral agreement with China by implementation
of more than 60 projects totalling more than $20
billion. Experts find these projects ambitious and farreaching, bringing huge investments into the Uzbek
economy.
China has a great experience in creating special
economic zones and developing high technology
intensive industries, and it actively invests in setting
up joint ventures in Uzbekistan.
Chinese investors have assisted in the creation of a
high-tech industrial park in Jizzakh special industrial
zone. Mobile phones, building materials and other
goods are produced there. Xi Jinping, during the
Uzbek-Chinese talks in an extended format, stated
that China encourages its enterprises to expand
investment in Uzbekistan and participate in the
construction of industrial parks in Uzbekistan.
The strategic partnership between Tashkent and
Beijing is also based on cooperation in the energy
sector. Chinese companies are actively involved
in exploration and development of new mineral
deposits in Uzbekistan. Thus, China National
Petroleum Corporation is involved in a number of
such exploration and development projects as well as
in natural gas processing in Muborak Gas Chemical
Complex.
Another ambitious project is the construction
of China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway line of
124 kilometers, with an electrified line between
Angren and Pop. The project started in 2013, after
the $455 million agreement was signed between
Uzbekistan Railways and the Chinese company
China Railway Tunnel Group on the construction of
the corresponding railroad. At this moment, a 60kilometer sector of that railway has been built. Xi
Jinping stressed that both sides should continuously
expand the scale of trade and investments, shore
up the cooperation in the fields of energy, finance,
agriculture
and
transportation
infrastructure
construction, jointly build the Economic Belt of the
Silk Road, attach priority to the construction and
operation of the line D of Central Asia-China natural
gas pipeline, and actively push forward the ChinaKyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project.
C U LT U R A L A N D E D U C AT I O N A L
E XC H A N G E
Both Beijing and Tashkent highly value culture
and cultural exchange as an essential factor in the
development of bilateral relationships between two
nations. Xi Jinping stated that as ancient civilizations,
China and Uzbekistan should enhance exchanges in
the spheres of culture, education, healthcare and
tourism, and deliberate on establishing cultural
centers and holding tourism years in each other, to
carry forward the friendship and spirit of the Silk
Road.
The exchange of students and trainees between
the two countries is another area of cooperation.
According to the bilateral agreement and within the
SCO, the PRC government allocated grants for 120
students and trainees from Uzbekistan for 2013/2014
academic years. About seventy Uzbek students
are enrolled at the University of Lanzhou with the
help of Confucius Institute. Last year, an academic
agreement on establishing the Confucius Institute in
Samarqand was signed, which greatly contributed to
the cooperation in the field of education.
***
The results of the state visit of Islam Karimov to
China are impressive, according to experts. Both
leaders are satisfied with the results of the summit. Islam
Karimov and Xi Jinping stressed that the agreements
reached during it would further the development of
relations between the two countries and hence the
advancement of their economies. The two countries
are firmly committed to the enhancement of bilateral
ties, which is in the interests of both nations. It is
now evident that the interaction between Uzbekistan
and China has been maturing from one year to
another, proving productive and mutually beneficial.
However, the depth and strength of these relations
will depend on the further persistent efforts made to
boost the friendship and comprehensive cooperation
between our two countries.
Sharing his view about
the development of the
system of education
in Uzbekistan, Viktor
Grishin, Doctor of
Economics, Rector
of the Plekhanov
Russian University of
Economics, said, “We
are pleased to be one
of the internationally
acknowledged higher
education institutions
operating in Uzbekistan.”
A Gratifying Partnership
“Over 10 years ago, the governments of
the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Russian
Federation signed an agreement under which
the branch of our university in Tashkent was
opened. As an economic university, we,
naturally, did not only run our branch office,
but also monitored the evolution of Uzbekistan’s
industries and social sphere. We are gratified
to see the indicators of the nation’s economic
development are better than the ones of most
other countries in the region. Uzbekistan’s
industrial sector, agriculture and investment
sphere are advancing at a rapid pace, and we
predict that they will continue to do so.
“The reforms carried out in Uzbekistan
have resulted in setting up many new and in
modernizing numerous existing manufacturing
enterprises of various sizes. The goods made in
the country are not only sold in the domestic
markets, but are also exported with success.
“The republic has established close economic
relations with many countries, which once
again proves the effectiveness of the nation’s
efforts made to develop market economy and
attract foreign capital. In Uzbekistan, you
are well aware of the fact that the current
development of the global economy depends
on the introduction of innovative technologies
and scientific discoveries made by highly
educated, skilled and creative people. Taking
account of this, Uzbekistan also concentrates
on improvement of its educational sector, which
will eventually result in even better economic
growth. The country has all the necessary human
and material resources for such modification.
“Reforming the educational sphere has been
one of the priorities of Uzbekistan’s government
policy since it gained independence. This
policy has already resulted in establishing its
own higher education institutions meeting
international standards and opening affiliates
of leading foreign universities in the country.
And we are also proud to have a branch of our
university in Tashkent.”
China Appreciates
the Program
Speaking about Uzbekistan’s national program
The Year of the Healthy Child, Director of the
Center for Russian and Central Asian Studies
of Shanghai International Studies University,
Professor Zhang Zili noted that China highly
appreciates this initiative:
“Children are the future of a nation and with
regard to this Uzbekistan’s national program The
Year of the Healthy Child is of a key political, social
and historical importance. Families compose the
framework of a society, and healthy children are
their main concern. China highly appreciates this
program and its implementation.
“Uzbekistan’s nation-wide practice of care
and protection of the health of its population has
been a matter of great interest around the world.
The international community acknowledges the
fact that the death rate of mothers and children
in Uzbekistan has decreased by 70% since the
country attained independence. To achieve
such a result, a country has to secure peace and
stability in it, which is essential for sustainable
development.
Given
China’s
reforming
experience, we highly appreciate Uzbekistan’s
policy carried out to maintain its internal peace
and stability.
“We are pleased to note that Shanghai
University contributes to the development of
educational exchange between our two countries.
Cao Deming, President of our university, visited
Uzbekistan in September 2013. Moreover, a
delegation representing universities of China
traveled to Uzbekistan to take part in the
opening ceremony of the Confucius Institute in
Samarqand. The negotiations conducted during
that trip focused on establishing partnership with
Uzbekistan’s universities.”
Golden Age
in the History of Mawarannahr
Responding to Call of the Times
A training session on the
new program of training
English teachers has started
in Tashkent. The session
was initiated by the British
Council in cooperation with
the Ministry of Higher and
Secondary Special Education
of the Republic of Uzbekistan
and the Uzbek State World
Language University.
The English teachers training
program is being carried out
under the large-scale reforms
in the sphere of education
and is aimed at improving the
qualifications of the local English
teachers so that they are be able
to teach English in the country at
a higher professional level.
Participating of the training
session are the 160 English
teachers
from
18
higher
education institutions of the
republic who have for two
years been using the new
curriculum program elaborated
by the Ministry of Higher and
Secondary Special Education of
Uzbekistan, the British Council
and Norwich Institute for
Language Education.
Held under the training
program are seminars on
working out teaching materials,
introducing advanced grading
system, regular improvement
of teaching skills, and student
independent learning practices.
The project ‘New Program
of Training English Teachers’
has been run since 2008. It
aims to promote reforms and
modernization
of
teaching
methods and techniques the
training program for English
teachers being used in the country.
According to Jamila Gulamova,
Deputy Director of the British
Council office in Uzbekistan,
the project is a striking example
of the cooperation between the
Ministry of Higher and Special
Secondary Education of the
Republic of Uzbekistan and the
British Council in developing
a training program for English
teachers-to-be so that it meets
the
relevant
international
standards and responds to the
call of the times. It is notable
that the project has become a
model of reforming a number of
training systems for teachers of
other European languages.
It should be emphasized that
the program was elaborated with
the incorporation of national
peculiarities
of
teaching
language and the international
expertise. Rod Bolitho, one of
the world’s leading experts in
language teaching, has already
conducted over six one-weeklong workshops under the
scheme. Besides, a workshop
of developing the final testing
material for the new program
has been organized, with one
of the most notable experts in
English language teaching and
knowledge grading, Richard
West.
In his article on great conquerors, the French
historian Arnaud Blin portrays the famed
military leader and statesman Amir Temur as a
great contributor to the concepts of statehood,
enlightenment, science, and culture.
The author characterizes Amir Temur as
a talented diplomat and a supporter of robust
relations between Asia and Europe.
Writing about the military campaigns of the
legendary statesman, the historian states that
Amir Temur had one of the world’s best armies
ever and was one of the world’s greatest military
tacticians.
Arnaud Blin writes that Amir Temur brought
together the best masters of his time from around
the world in his majestic capital Samarqand –
craftsmen, engineers, architects, artists, scholars,
scientists, poets and other professionals – and was
their patron. From youth, Amir Temur stood out
among his peers as a man possessing leadership
qualities, strategic flair and military genius. He was
a leader who was very much loved and respected.
The people around him were absolutely faithful
to him, and so was his army obeying his orders
without question. He was a great chess player
and so, during his military campaigns, he had an
unsurpassed clear vision of what decision had to
be made in extreme situations.
Referring to the historic exchange of messages
between Amir Temur and Charles VI, King of
France, Arnaud Blin notes that the great Central
Asian statesman was an advocate of free trade
with Europe.
Assessing the heritage left by Amir Temur and his
dynasty, especially his grandson Mirzo Ulughbek – a
great medieval astronomer, the historian concludes
that their times were Mawarannahr’s golden age.
4
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No. 34 (410) August 22, 2014
BUSINESS
Currency
Exchange Rate
Dynamics
1 USD 2344.38
4.19
+
1 EUR 3168.15
8.89
+
1 RUB 65.12
+
0.91
NEWS
Linking Them
Uzbekistan’s railway builders
continue the construction
of the unique electrified
railway line Angren – Pop,
which will connect the
central part of the country
with Farghona Valley, acting
as an important link of the
transnational transportation
artery linking Europe to Asia.
Over 60 kilometers of the line
have already been built.
The construction of the railway line
of about 124 kilometers in length,
with the line Angren – Pop being
part of it, began last year. At the
same time, an agreement on building
a 19-kilometer tunnel through the
mountain pass Kamchik at an altitude
of over 2,200 meters with a Chinese
company was signed. The road is to
start operation in 2016.
Small Business,
Strong Possibilities
In Uzbekistan, the number of
privileges for small businesses
and private entrepreneurs is
growing. Some of them are
to be launched this year.
As of October 1, 2014, the Single
Interactive State Services Portal is to
provide special personal accounts for
entrepreneurs to enable them to make
all their transactions through the
use of the Internet banking services.
The period of the moratorium on
the taxation inspection of the small
businesses and private entrepreneurs
that pay their taxes and make other
obligatory payments on time as
well as maintaining profitability and
the growth in production has been
extended until January 1, 2017.
A Window to a New Dimension
Zenith Electronics
has been taking part
in the localization
program since 2004
Ravshan Rustamov
Uzbek enterprises continue developing modern
manufactures of electrical goods. They are partnered by
the world’s leading brands that not just invest financial
resources, but also bring in modern technologies and
equipment. New LED backlight TV manufacturing
capacities are to be launched this September as a present
on the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of Uzbekistan’s
independence.
Zenith Electronics, one of the leading domestic manufacturers
of electrical equipment, intends to clear a new bar. Under
the agreement with South Korea’s Samsung Electronics, the
production of modern LED TVs will be commissioned in the
plant’s premises in Tashkent.
Employing over 250 people and dominated by young
specialists, the company produces a wide range of home
appliances including air conditioning systems, flat-panel TVs
and washing machines. The company has been moving towards
this more than a decade. In 2004, it was first included in the
national localization program, which clearly demonstrated
the need for its goods. The privileges granted by the state
helped to manufacture more than 500,000 items of various
household appliances. The commitment to the implementation
of international quality standards has been one of contributors
to the success. The production is certified for compliance with
ISO 9001quality management system.
Development of the LED TVs manufacture is a new stage
in the company’s development strategy by 2015. LED is a
liquid-crystal display with light-emitting diodes as a backlight.
According to experts, a significant increase in image quality is
one of their major advantages.
The equipment was updated and new technologies for
plastic casting and manufacture of printed circuit boards were
introduced in the course of the production development. The
total cost of the project exceeded $2.9 million. Already in
2014, the company is planning to produce about 9.9 thousand
TVs, ten thousand in 2015, and reach a maximum production
capacity of 75 thousand TVs by 2017. In the near future it is
also planned to raise the localization level to 49%. In order to
reduce the cost a part of the components will be manufactured
at the plant and related enterprises.
Public Utility Services
to Use Energy-Efficient
Technologies
Hurshid Rasulov
The construction of new buildings
in Tashkent is accompanied by the
development of public utility services
that introduce modern energy-saving
technologies. ‘Suvsoz’, the water
and sewerage operator, is one of the
leaders of this trend.
There are 169 pumping stations
operating in the city, which are the basis
of the municipal water system. ‘Suvsoz’
pays a particular attention to them,
as the technical staff of the company
constantly monitors their condition.
The modernization of pumping stations
is a major priority of the company.
‘Suvsoz’ agreed to purchase 239 sets
of process pumping equipment totaling
more than 3.4 million euros from Danish
company Grundfos, 135 of which have
already been delivered and successfully
commissioned to improve the efficiency
of water supply in Tashkent. The
company has done the reconstruction
of three major structures of the water
supply and replaced the worn-out
equipment with the modern energy
saving one. It installed new pumps at the
Qodiriy, Qibray and Bozsu water supply
headworks.
Specialists are completing the
reconstruction of three sewage treatment
plants with the replacement of the wornout equipment and the construction of
Qoraqamish discharge manifold. Putting
them into operation will significantly
improve the environmental situation
in Tashkent and increase the possible
amount of property connected to central
sewage system, company claims.
Real Purchase,
Virtual Payment
Steel Indicators
The steel factory
Uzmetkombinat produced
381,400 tons of steel in
the first half of 2014.
Uzmetkombinat, an only steel
producing company in Uzbekistan,
has summarized the results of its
operation in the first six months of
2014. The factory produced 367,100
tons of rolled steel and 26.2 billion
soums’ worth of consumer goods.
Under the modernization program,
the factory spent six billion soums on
new machinery and equipment.
Currently, there are
over 12.4 million
plastic payment cards
used in the country
Elbek Gafurov
Uzbekistan is taking measures to
increase non-cash payments in its
domestic trade. In the first half of the
year, the amount of the transactions
made through bank cards grew by
40% compared with the same period
last year.
Quality Roads
Over 30 billion soums were
spent on repairs of the
highways and roads, as well
as on construction of bridges
and overpasses in Navoi Region
in the first half of this year.
The implementation of the project
of reconstruction of the 3.4-kilometer
road in Karmana District to connect it
with the regional center is underway.
The reconstruction of the bridge on a
road in Khatirchi District is in progress
too.
cyan magenta yellow black
4
In today’s world, more and more
countries are coming to the fact that, in
addition to the internationally recognized
payment systems, it is necessary to create
national ones so as to be less dependent
on global economic and geopolitical
factors. For example, Russia in the next
few years plans to invest a significant
amount of money in building its own
national payment system. Uzbekistan
began taking steps in doing a long time
ago. Back in 2004, Uzbekistan set up a
national processing center. It started it
operation with the introduction of the
payment system Uzkart. In 2011, the
second phase of the development of
the national payment system began - a
transition from Duet standard platform
to EMV supporting so-called ‘on-line
cards’.
Currently, there are over 12.4 million
plastic payment cards used in the country,
with over 149,000 payment terminals
installed for them at stores, services
businesses, etc. Over 57,500 Uzbek
clients used Internet banking and over
363,000 use mobile banking services in
the country.
However, experts point out that
the increasing use of modern banking
services requires regular launch of new
banking products. The new edition of the
law on electronic commerce developed
by the Central Bank provides for the
solution of this problem. The new law
will undoubtedly serve to increase the
number of the non-cash transactions in
country and improve the quality of the
non-cash payment system. It will also
help to reduce the cost of trade between
business entities that are located far from
each other in Uzbekistan.
Top
Software
in Public
Sarvar Navruzov
In late September, the Youth
Creativity Palace in Tashkent
is to host Central Asia’s largest
specialized exhibition of software
industry – the annual national
software exhibition BestSoft
Uzbekistan - 2014.
The eighth exhibition in
run is traditionally expected
to be a platform to introduce
the general public and
technology professionals to
the practice of establishment
and
implementation
of
projects in the field of
software development, and
prospects of the national
software industry.
The exhibition will feature
the latest and most successful
projects in the country’s
software industry. It will
bring together the leading
experts in the development
and introduction of software
products to tell about
the latest achievements
in this field, share their
experiences and conduct
master classes, presentations
and workshops. Several
South Korean companies are
involved in the exhibition as
an additional motivation for
the development of national
software industry, attraction
of foreign investment and
technologies.
It is expected that the
exhibition will present more
than 40 companies, and
the total area of exposition
stands will exceed 450
square meters. It will
chiefly focus on information
security, multimedia and
design, development tools
and education with a
particular emphasis on the
e-government development.
Therefore, the forum will
also highlight regulatory
processes of introduction of
e-government, improvement
of quality of online services
provided by the public
authorities, the adoption of
international experience of
introduction of e-government,
as well as training of
qualified programmers and
IT-specialists.
Justified Risk
[1]
Six years after the launch of
the first free economic zone in
Uzbekistan, experts agree that
the venture has been extremely
successful. However, in 2008,
when the project was under
elaboration, views varied. Several
foreign experts expressed doubts
about the haste of this idea. It is
fair, as it was the second year of
raging global economic crisis,
and 2009 was predicted to be a
period of previously unexpected
global recession.
In conditions when dozens
of
multinational
companies
went bankrupt, let alone smaller
regional companies, it was difficult
to expect a significant inflow of
foreign investment. But the goal
was just like that – it did not make
sense to invest much money in
building the infrastructure of a
new economic zone for only a
couple of enterprises. In order to
make this model a success, it was
necessary to attract a large inflow
of foreign funds. Uzbekistan took
a justified risk and gave a start
to this unique project. This was
the first initiative of this kind on
the territory of the
position in the heart of the
country with its noticeable
transportation advantages, the
area had the necessary power
capacity. An uninterrupted power
supply to modern manufactures,
as well as convenient and wellarranged transport and logistics
system for the export of goods are
the two most important factors
for any investor. Therefore,
Uzbekistan embarked on an
integrated development of the
territory. In the same 2008 the
government signed an agreement
with the Korean Air on the
establishment of an international
logistics hub on the basis of
the Navoi Airport, as well as a
special transportation company
specializing in the carriage of
goods by tractor and trailer. Their
establishment has allowed the
manufacturing companies in FIEZ
easily transporting goods both
domestically and to neighboring
states.
Nowadays the hub is gaining
momentum. It is connected by
air bridges with many junctions
and logistics centers in Eurasia,
including
Frankfurt,
Incheon,
Milan,
Brussels, Dubai, New
Delhi, Tianjin, Vienna,
Hanoi and Zaragoza.
For the six months
of 2014 the volume
of cargo through it
has made up 14.2
thousand tons. With
regard to electricity, the
first combined-cycle power plant
with capacity of 478 megawatts
was put into operation at the
Navoi Heat Power Plant in 2012.
It is has enabled the increase of
the power output by almost a half.
A project on expanding the HPP
capacity through the construction
of the second CCP for 450 MW
is currently under elaboration.
Its launch is scheduled for
the fourth quarter of 2017.
The project will be financed
through a soft loan of $332.6
million of Japan International
Cooperation Agency, as well as
$150 million loan of the Fund for
Reconstruction and Development
of Uzbekistan. Uzbekenergo SJC
will allocate $45.8 million of its
own funds. The total project cost
will exceed $547,200,000.
The success of Navoi FIEZ has
conditioned the establishment of
another two similar free industrial
zones: Angren and Jizzakh. In
April 2012, President Islam
Karimov signed a decree on the
establishment of the Angren SIZ
in the Tashkent region. It was
established taking into account
the requests of foreign investors
urging for lower the threshold for
companies wishing to build the
capacities. As a result, investing
from $300,000 to $3 million in
Angren SIZ investors are exempt
from tax payments for three years,
from $3 million to $10
million - for five years,
and more than $10
million - for seven years.
By the end of 2015
under a special program
the Uzbek government
will allocate more
than $59 million for
the development of
transport, industrial
and engineering infrastructure in
the zone.
Jizzakh SIZ, another industrial
zone, was initiated in 2013.
Preferential conditions there
were the same as in the Angren
special industrial zone. However,
there were certain specific
differences. Originally this area
was created in close cooperation
with our Chinese partners, who
were ready to carry out dozens of
technological projects there yet at
the stage of its planning. UzbekChinese investment forums were
held in Beijing, Hangzhou,
Suzhou and Shenyang in April
2013. They resulted in signing
more than 50 documents on joint
high-tech projects. The zone has
a branch in the Sirdaryo Region.
The country’s first production
of cell phones under the brand
UzTE was launched there. To
ensure its effective development
the government approved a
special program on construction
and reconstruction of sections
of road and rail infrastructure,
development of water supply
systems, irrigation and drainage,
as well as the upgrade of
electricity and gas networks
worth more than $48.3 million.
ment e
n
r
e
v
o
g
the ent with th nt
,
8
0
0
2
In
greem establishme
a
n
a
d
e
sign n Air on the logistics hub
Korea international
of an
Central
Asian
region.
Late in 2008, the President
signed a decree on the
establishment of a free industrial
and economic zone (FIEZ) in
Navoi, which was a pilot ground
for Uzbekistan to gain experience
in attracting foreign investment
and building partnerships with
foreign companies. Domestic
experts realized that in order
to attract business, especially
in such difficult economic
conditions, it would require
truly unprecedented favorable
terms. So the enterprises in FIEZ
were exempted from land tax,
property tax, profit, improvement
and development of social
infrastructure taxes, single tax,
mandatory
contributions
to
the Republican Road Fund and
Republican School Fund.
There was only one condition:
an investor was required to invest
a certain amount of funds in the
development of production. For
instance, investing from three to
ten million euros a company is
granted tax exemption for seven
years, from ten to thirty million
euros - an exemption for ten years,
and those who invested more than
thirty million euros were exempt
from taxes for fifteen years. The
state has assumed all costs for
establishing transport and
avoi
N
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o
s
s
ce
the
c
d
u
e
s
n
e
o
i
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condi of another
s
a
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Z
FIE lishment
strial
u
d
n
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i
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es imilar fre
izzakh
J
d
s
n
a
o
tw
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A
:
s
e
n
zo
communication
infrastructure, gas, power and
water supply systems, which
were considerable. Favorable
conditions have attracted dozens
of companies from Asian countries
that have been less affected by the
global economic crisis. FIEZ has
turned into a stimulating factor for
domestic businesses as well. Many
local companies could not realize
their interesting initiatives due
to lack of experience and funds.
However, the FIEZ has become
a chance for them to attract
strategic foreign partners and work
together on promoting projects
and developing new niches in the
domestic and foreign markets.
To promptly address all the
problems and issues it was decided
to establish a Board of Directors
in charge of registration of future
members of economic activities in
the zone and conclusion of land
rental contracts and investment
agreements with investors. The
government of Uzbekistan is its
major founder.
The territory for FIEZ was not
a random choice. In addition to
the advantageous geographical
5
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No. 34 (410) August 22, 2014
SOCIAL FORUM
Twenty Two Years
of Excellence
Safety as a key to success
Valeriy Tyan,
Director General,
Uzbekistan Airways:
[1]
Timed to the Air Fleet Day and the celebration of the
23rd anniversary of independence of Uzbekistan, the
recent press conference has surpassed all expectations.
Representatives of the air company provided so many
‘hot’-prefixed news that news agencies have already
started posting hot news while the event was still in full
swing.
The company is building huge plans. Some of them
are associated with the development of the Tashkent
International Airport, the major domestic air harbor. The
main jewel in the national aviation’s crown serves over
2.8 million passengers annually. The airport capacity
exceeds 1,300 passengers per hour. This huge stream is
a serious challenge. It requires a coherent and effective
interaction of all links in the chain: the company,
customs, and border officers.
In recent years, the company has commissioned
a new local flight terminal and a transit hall
to unload the airport. This step has played an
important and positive role, as passengers who
transit the Tashkent airport from abroad to go
to other cities of the country greatly influenced
on the entire passenger terminal. To further
accelerate service and unload the main terminal
specialists are currently developing a project
on the engagement of the old terminal of local
airline and the surrounding area for a part of the
flights. CIP (luxury) and VIP halls are currently
undergoing reconstruction and repair with the
change of design, replacement of technological
and engineering equipment. In general, Uzbekistan
Airways is currently negotiating with Tashkent
urban planning authorities on the construction
of new interchanges near the airport and other
infrastructures.
It is planned to commission two new terminals in
autumn as a special present on the occasion of the 23rd
anniversary of independence of Uzbekistan. The airport
terminal in Farghona is getting prepared for the launch.
The new building will be commissioned this September.
Valued at 18 billion soums, the reconstruction project
envisages installation of modern ventilation and air
conditioning equipment, baggage handling, fire safety
systems. An outdated petroleum, oil and lubricant
storage was moved and renovated, thus contributing
in accelerated aircraft refueling: eleven tons of jet fuel
is refueled in nine minutes. With regard to passenger
capacity, it remains the same; however, much has been
done for the passengers’ convenience.
Another facility is to be commissioned at the Urganch
airport. The project is truly unique. National air company
specialists launched a passenger terminal there just a few
months ago. With the capacity of 300 people per hour,
it has a transit zone, VIP and CIP rooms for 200 persons,
a currency exchange, a mother and child room, a clinic,
duty-free shops, cafes. It operates temporarily until the
second departure terminal is launched. Once the new
terminal is commissioned, the capacity will double – up
to 600 passengers per hour.
Big efforts are taken in all the country’s airports
to improve the quality of passenger service. All of
them have an international status, and therefore meet
international standards. They are introducing a new
advanced and reliable passenger screening technology.
The runways were reconstructed, air terminal complexes
were beautified, the number of passenger terminals
was increased, and service is improving. All airports
in Uzbekistan offer business lounges for passengers.
New passenger terminals have been commissioned at
Bukhoro, Navoi and Samarqand airports in recent years.
The scaled work has been appreciated by international
NAC star ted operating Airbus
aircraf ts already in 1993,
and the first Boeing flew
up in 1996. Since 2004,
all the old planes have
been gradually replaced by
modern Boeing-757 and
767s, Airbus-320s, as well as
domestic aircraf t IL-114-100
cyan magenta yellow black
5
experts. Last year three airports won in different
categories of the prestigious competition ‘The CIS Top
Airport’ of the Airport Association of Civil Aviation. For
instance, the air harbor of Bukhoro was awarded the
title of ‘Dynamically Developing Airport’ among the
airports serving from 100 thousand to 500 thousand
passengers a year. International airports of Samarqand
and Urganch won in the category ‘For Contribution to
the Development of Production’.
SECURIT Y POLIC Y
Safety has always been one of the key pillars of the
air company’s policy. Press conference highlighted many
aspects of it. The technical policy of Uzbekistan Airways
has been invariably focused on purchasing new and best
aircraft. Unlike many neighbors, the company did not
choose the way of purchasing much cheaper secondhand liners. There was a chance to buy a fifteen year old
craft with more than one hundred kilometers of flights
to get an instant profit and ignore the key principle a guarantee of passenger security. It is important
to realize that the used planes imply outdated
technologies, inefficient fuel consumption and
repair and maintenance costs growing from year
to year. Therefore, the choice of the air company
and the Uzbek government was obvious: they will
not skimp on the safety of passengers.
In the early 1990s, the company’s fleet
consisted of machines that were morally and
technologically obsolete. NAC started operating
Airbus aircrafts already in 1993, and the first
Boeing flew up in 1996. Since 2004, all the old
planes have been gradually replaced by modern
Boeing-757 and 767s, Airbus-320s, as well as
domestic aircraft IL-114-100. Each liner offers a
business class, modern entertainment systems,
tablets.
There is a separate story of the company’s
commitment to innovation. In 2007, Boeing first
revealed a Dreamliner – the aircraft of the future.
A few years after the start of series production,
NAC started negotiating on the purchase of
this latest aircraft. The American corporation
recognized that the technology policy of our
carrier is close to theirs, and included two
aircrafts for Uzbekistan in its tight production
schedule. Besides, Boeing proved the interest in
the Uzbek market by including Tashkent in the
demonstration tour list. In June 2012, the dream liner
landed at the capital’s airport, once again underscoring
the company’s commitment to new prospects.
In 2016, two Boeing-787-8 Dreamliners, the most
cutting edge and efficient aircrafts, are expected to land
in Tashkent, making Uzbekistan the first operator of the
newest plane across the CIS. Uzbekistan Airways is not
going to stop at what has been achieved. Economists,
engineers, and businessmen jointly produced a concept
of development of national civil aviation by 2030,
which includes estimates of development of passenger
and freight traffic, and fleet upgrade.
Safety implies not just quality and modern equipment,
but also the timely flight monitoring and control. The
recent tragedy in the Ukraine sky showed how important
it is to keep abreast of current events. Uzbekistan
instantly responded to the collapse of the Malaysian
liner. By the company’s enormous effort, none of
the Uzbek crafts, even those who were already on
the route, flew over the notorious territory. Today,
all flights from Uzbekistan to the cities of Europe
and back avoid the airspace of Ukraine. This
applies to flights to London, Frankfurt, Paris, Rome
and Milan. NAC specialists developed a safe route
for flights to Kiev, too, through the Borispol airport
on the side of Russia and Belarus. The duration
of flights has increased by only 10-15 minutes
an average. The systematic work is unattached to
region and time. Air controllers from headquarters
in Tashkent permanently monitor not only the state
of boards, but also possible hazards like natural
disasters, which may pose a threat to the aircraft.
The continuous streamlining of the staff training
system is another important aspect in terms of
enhancing safety. The company attaches great
importance to both training and maintenance of
qualifications of pilots, flight attendants, ground support
specialists. Modern simulators of Boeing-757 and
767, Airbus 320 and the unique Full-flight -simulator
of domestic IL-114-100 are available at the fitness
complex of the Uzbekistan Airways Training Center.
There the aircrew is training and gaining piloting skills
in an optimally real environment. In the near future the
company is planning to completely abandon the training
of its pilots abroad. Currently young pilots undergo
theoretical training at the St. Petersburg State University
of Civil Aviation, and practical training in the training
center in Tashkent. Theoretical and practical training
will be provided in Uzbekistan under a new project.
Selection for the training will be carried out among
young people from technical universities or departments
who already have some technical knowledge.
NAC attaches special importance to aircraft
maintenance and airworthiness. Uzbekistan Airways
Technics (UAT) has the technical base and qualified staff
that provide all kinds of line and base maintenance of
aircrafts of both national and foreign carriers. All services
are confirmed by international certificates. Jointly with
Boeing Corp., UAT is building a maintenance center for
large structural elements of aircrafts made of composite
materials. Technological equipment is fully provided
by the American side. Experts expect to complete the
construction and installation works this September year,
and commissioning works by November. It is scheduled
to put the center in operation late this year. Meanwhile,
any equipment requires skilled staff. The company’s
staff underwent training and internship abroad in the
companies working with composite materials.
The expanding cooperation with foreign companies
is another important aspect. Last year alone, UAT served
15 national aircrafts, and the same number of foreign
ones. The list of regular partners includes Ural Airlines,
Russia, SCAT, Tatarstan, Czech Airlines, and others. As
noted by NAC representatives at the press conference,
the company is currently negotiating with the Ukrainian
colleagues, who are also planning to use the center’s
maintenance services for Boeing liners.
The figures prove the potential of the domestic
civil aviation. In the first half of 2014 the national
airline has performed more than 11.4 thousand flights,
carried nearly 1.2 million passengers and more than 20
thousand tons of cargo. Expansion of the route network
has played a big role in this dynamics. As of 2014, the
company has launched new flights from Tashkent to
Singapore, from Termiz
to St. Petersburg, from
Urganch to Volgograd,
as well as increased
frequency of flights to
many destinations.
Many national and
international
experts
emphasize great prospects
of the national airline. The
further development of the
domestic civil aviation is
built on the right policy,
the
comprehensive
measures aimed at training
pilots, the revival of the
network of airfields and
adequate cost of flight. The
current task is to adapt to
new conditions, minimize
costs and always prioritize
comfort and safety of
passengers.
The key factor of safety of passengers has always been in the heart of
the national airline. The policy of Uzbekistan in this direction is absolutely
clear: we purchase solely new and modern aircraft. Uzbekistan Airways
has been committed to this policy for more than twenty-two years, doing
its best to make its services available to a huge number of people at any
time and under any conditions. Since its establishment, the country’s
government has been fully supporting the industry in implementation of
scaled programs on the upgrade of its fleet, modernization of the ground
infrastructure, introduction of technical and technological innovations,
enabling the company to occupy a worthy place in the highly competitive
international air transport market.
Dynamic
development
Alisher Sattarov,
Director, Financial and Economic
Department at Uzbekistan Airways:
The financial state of the airline is a key indicator of its performance. In the
first half we have had 1.2 trillion soums of revenues, and 50 billion soums of
profits. Despite the volatility in the global economy and challenging market
conditions, the company is developing rapidly, opening new directions.
For example, the route to Singapore has shown its worth with its load of
about 100 people per flight. In accordance with our calculations, the load
should considerably increase closer to winter. This suggests that Uzbekistan
Airways has a clear development strategy, adapted to modern conditions
and market competition.
No trifles in our job
Akmal Akbarov,
First Deputy Director General,
Uzbekistan Airways NAC:
An air company is a huge system in which every detail is essential,
because a passenger would choose only the airline that offers the
utmost comfort and coziness. Therefore, we do our best to optimally
satisfy the wishes of passengers. We pay great attention to the meals,
which has its specifics including terms and conditions of food storage,
a special way of packing, delivery on board, transportation from the
aircraft, processing of used equipment and utensils, and much more.
All this implies the availability of special equipment and aligned
technological chains. This is an integrated system of catering, which
is effectively operating in all the country’s airports. We continuously
monitor the demand and shape the menu accordingly, updating it every
year. At the same time, the company is flexible to the food needs of
each client: there is a vegetarian and kosher food. We involve foreign
experts to advance the skills of our staff.
The first impression
of the flight
Sevara Tillakarieva,
Steward Service Chief,
Uzbekistan Airways:
Flight attendants and stewards are the face of any air company. That
is why the national airline is highly exacting in selecting this categor y
of staff, and their appearance. We have two types of uniforms - winter
and summer. The latter - of the color of sky - was approved last year.
When designing the winter uniform, the company sought to create an
image of an attentive, friendly and professional flight attendant. After
all, greeting the passengers on the board, these people in the uniform
shape the first impression of the flight. Designers took into account
the maximum of comfor t and elegance. There is a little national color
- a scar f made of adras. Regarding the training of flight attendants,
it is conducted in accordance with the ICAO and IATA standards and
national profile structures. Ever y two years, employees must prove
their proficiency, as well as advance their skills in Uzbek and English
languages. In addition, they regularly attend classes in specially
equipped classrooms on rescue procedures.
Airports
by international standards
Anton Khojayan,
Director, Ground Facilities and Airfield
Management Department:
Uzbekistan is implementing several big projects on the development
of production, transport, communication and engineering infrastructure,
building of new highways, purchasing up-to-date equipment.
Incorporating eleven airports, the national air company has been playing
a big role in this process. They have been completely reconstructed and
upgraded over the recent years in line with the requirements of time.
They have introduced quality management system as confirmed by
international certifications. Additional areas and service facilities appear
in the reconstructed airports and terminals allowing us to provide a
maximum comfort and convenience for passengers, combined with a
high level safety.
6
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No. 34 (410) August 22, 2014
INDEPENDENCE: LIFE IN THE REGIONS
The Ancient and Modern Bukhoro
The gross regional product in Bukhoro Region grew by 8% to 3.2 trillion
soums in the first half of 2014 compared to the same period last year.
[1]
Another peculiarity of Bukhoro,
even its new part, is absence of
straight streets, which is probably also
peculiarity of the local town-building.
In fact, they differ with their width from
the streets in old part of the city.
Pillar cranes and construction sites
are the familiar landscape of modern
new part of the ancient city and all the
settlements of the region. However,
people not only focus on construction
of modern homes and offices and
industrial facilities, but also the
restoration of architectural monuments
under the program, approved by the
Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan.
Now, there is a reconstruction of
three houses simultaneously. One of
them is the world famous Arc – the
residence of the Emir of Bukhoro,
where nowadays museum of local lore
is established. Here, the reconstruction
of the fortress wall is going on. Part of
it was recovered from a special bricks
a few decades ago, and the other one
requires protection from the damaging
effects of sun, rain and other external
factors. Today a group of restorers and
builders work on it.
Long stay among the plethora of
landmarks involuntarily evokes the
idea that hospitality and architectural
monuments, trade in various souvenirs
and handicrafts is the whole life
modern citizens of Bukhara. To make
sure that it is not the truth, you just go
beyond the old part of Bukhoro. Here,
productive life of the modern city goes,
roads are full of cars, the construction
of new residential and office premises
goes on, education, health, cultural
and sports facilities operate, centers of
financial, consumer and commercial
service as well as modern enterprises
are developing, and agrarian sector is
in operation outside the city limits.
Three Whales
“Foreign demand for Uzbek karakul-made
clothing is rising again. We sell our goods
in Russia, Turkey, Italy and Germany. This
is the result of widening of the product
line, consideration of modern fashion
trends and implementation of cutting-edge
sewing technologies. It’s high time to
develop and increase production.”
(From an interview with Kholmurod
Hakimov, Director of Mekhovaya Moda
LLC).
The agricultural output in the
first half of this year compared
with the same period last
year increased by 8%.
Melting Metal
to Make Works of Art
Supplemented by modern technologies,
the traditional crafts still thrive in the
workshops of the historic city.
The blacksmith shop of Shokir Kamalov,
a sixth generation blacksmith, is a living
blacksmith ‘museum’. The blacksmith
and his sons at work is the main display of
this ‘museum’. Master Shokir is happy to
see every guest in his shop and tell them
about his craft and his family.
An unusual shape of the furnace in the
form of a pitcher in the shop where the
Kamalovs forge their products attracts the
attention of his guests.
“My father said that a pitcher in
the house is a symbol of prosperity and
happiness. Therefore, I made the furnace
to have such a shape. A pitcher is also a
part of the brand logo I put on my works”,
says Shokir.
After telling us about the basics of
blacksmithing, the host invites us to the
hall with a display of his family’s history
and other objects. Previously, his family
used a pair of bellows to keep the necessary
temperature in the furnace. Now, they use
an electric fan. While Shokir’s father used
a special manually operated machine to
sharpen knives and other cutting tools,
his son does so with the help of electric
drives. His hall also features a display of
products he makes in his shop.
Blacksmiths do not only make working
tools, but also create works of art. Proving
this fact are the works by Shokir and his
sons displayed in another hall. The guests
visiting it are usually quite impressed by
their elegance. There is a figure of Kalon
Minaret with the legendary Humo bird
flying over it, for example – a work of art
with all its elements perfectly balanced.
The hall also features numerous knives
made of Damascus steel and other metal
ornaments.
There are many famous people
among those visiting Bukhoro workshops.
According to eyewitnesses, Gerard
Depardieu, enraptured by the work of
the craftswomen of the company Bukhara
Silk Carpet, bought three silk handmade
carpets there.
“Every guest can see us weaving our
carpets”, says the manager of Bukhara
Silk Carpet Sabina Burkhanova, who
comings from a family of artisans. “Our
guests can even book a show about
Bukhoro history of carpet weaving, with
some very interesting facts about it. For
example, Bukhoro residents prefer silk
carpets with short piles, not long woolen
ones, because there is a lot of dust in the
city. The extensive cultural relations of
Bukhoro with Central Asian regions and
Caucasus resulted in adoption of carpet
patterns from those regions. Each carpet
design has its own history rooted in
ancient times.”
Shokir Kamalov and his son in their shop
cyan magenta yellow black
6
“Businesses of petrochemical, light and
food industries are still holding the field. They
provide 80% of the regional production,”
emphasized Hayot Eshev, the head of the
department of prognosis and monitoring of
comprehensive development of the economic
administration of the Bukhoro Region.
“Branch of building materials is developing
steadily. In 2009 it comprised 3.8% of the
production, and in 2013 this index reached
8%.” Not only manufacturing of traditional
building materials, but also production of
modern materials such as dry blends and
plasterboard increases production volumes.
Knauf joint venture, the leader of Uzbek
building industry successfully operates in this
field.
Petrochemical branch is another ‘whale’
of the region’s industry; it comprises 41.4%
of the production. The industry’s giant is
Bukhoro Oil Refinery. “Putting Bukhoro
Oil Refinery into operation is a great event
not only in the history of Uzbekistan, but
in the life and fate of each of us,” stressed
president Islam Karimov at the ceremony of
opening in 1997. Today it produces aviation
fuel for modern planes, motor petrol, two
types of diesel oil, fuel oil and hydrocarbon
solvent. For the years of operation, the
factory has built its own infrastructure:
houses for workers and household plot with
greenhouses.
Another unique energy branch
manufacturing giant is the one established
jointly with Russia’s Lukoil. In will be put
into operation in 2016 and will have 100
gas-extractive wells, gas collection system,
gas-processing factory with capacity of 8.1
billions of cubic metre a year, export gas
pipeline of more than 70 kilometers long,
56 kilometers long railroad system, 120
kilometers long external highways and even
its own gas-turbine electric power station with
capacity of 80 megawatt. A borough designed
for 1,400 people with all the conditions for
involved specialists will become an important
object of social infrastructure of the new gasprocessing factory.
Companies of textile and light industry
take the second place according to the
production volume. Especially young
companies producing and exporting readyto-use fashionable clothes are in focus.
For instance, Bukhoro-komfort-tekstil
LLC produces a wide range of goods. Special
attention is paid to export-oriented goods.
“One of our achievements is entry of
Uzbek knitted clothing into Russian market,”
says Botir Jumaev, director of the business.
“Sport shirts and underwear are in demand.
To strengthen our positions we work on our
assortment.”
OFS LLC produces clothing from local
and imported fabric. Recently its facilities
have enlarged from 840 to 2,000 square
meters.
“We produce modern men’s clothes such
as jackets, pants and suits,” says Olim Fazylov,
the director of the company. “The quality of
our products equal to that imported. Last
week we have exported our goods for the first
time to Turkmenistan and we are discussing
export opportunities with our Kazakh and
Russian partners.”
OFS stands for Olim Sulaymonovich
Fazylov. The company was the life of Olim
Fazylov and the director named his company
after himself. He himself was a tailor and used
to teach the youth. His business started to
developed and as a result, a new prospective
company emerged, equipped with cuttingedge technologies.
Karakul-based production is the pride of
Bukhoro Region. “The demand for Uzbek
karakul-made clothing has been rising again
abroad,” says Kholmurod Hakimov, the head
of Mekhovaya Moda LLC. “For the last three
years we have been exporting our goods
to Russia and European states and this has
encouraged us finally. The Company has been
renting sites but now we are building our own
facilities. We are focusing on creating all the
necessary conditions to show our collections
and to conduct negotiations. Increase of
demand will force the development of
karakul-breeding businesses. However, so
far, we buy Afghan and Turkmen karakul
pelts, and we use our local material to cover
the shortage of the raw materials.”
How can one dislike such produce? It is
a unique work starting with raw materials up
to the efforts of master-women. They examine
each millimeter of pelts, combine appropriate
colors, sew them, cut out the width and then
sew women’s fur coats, cardigans. Some
Africa in Bukhoro
Mumin Mahkamov, head of the farm Murgak of
Bukhoro District, loves ostriches and hopes his
passion will bring him profit.
The farmer who once was a hired laborer at a
poultry farm does not fear to pursue his dream of
creating a profitable ostrich farm despite the lack of
experience of ostrich breeding and first failures.
“Patience as well as information from the
Internet help to overcome all the difficulties in
ostrich breeding,” Mumin Mahkamov says. “Six
years ago, I failed in my first attempt to start an
ostrich farm. None of the nestlings had hatched out
from the eggs I had brought from Russia. At second
attempt, I was luckier. I bought three three-month
ostriches from Tunisia from a company specializing
in wildlife trade. I reared them and learned to breed
the nestlings with the help of an incubator. At first, I
had many losses, due to my lack of experience and
delicate health of ostriches. Now I do not have these
problems.”
The farmer is only expecting his ostriches to bring
profits. So far, his farm survives through breeding and
selling quails and chickens.
Mumin Mahkamov sells only live ostriches. His
models are created from small pieces of about
several square centimeters like a mosaic.
Region’s food industry rapidly develops
following other branches. It focuses on
processing the increasing amount of
agricultural production. Since the beginning
of the year 35 investment projects worth of 6.3
billions soums have been already finished.
“Our company has its own farm and
processes meat and milk produce. Due to
the high demand for it we buy additional
raw materials from farmers,” says Olima
Mahmudova, chief specialist of Sulsherjahon
private business. “The development of
processing industry allows for reasonable
use of agricultural products as well as for
widening the assortment of the production
offered in stores and markets.”
“It is worth mentioning that all branches
of district’s economy contribute to the
widening of the assortment of goods,”
highlights Hayot Eshev. “In the first half of the
year our companies have put into operation
the manufacture of a new goods such as
polypropylene and polyamid threads used in
production of carpets as well as disposable
children’s health aids, sulfonic acid,
household chemicals and synthetic lawns.”
small farm is already well known among
the local lovers of exotic animals. Farmers
from Navoi and Tashkent regions have
already bought nestlings. Currently,
the farmer is negotiating with Khorazm
entrepreneurs.
“The more farmers are breeding
ostriches, the more livestock will be in the
market. This will help to promote them,”
Mumin Mahkamov shares. “Ostrich
bodies are waste-free. An ostrich will give
eggs and 40 kilograms of meat, a tasty
diet food. We just need to promote its
consumption. The leather can be used for
making clothes; we just need to organize
its processing. Doctors are already using
certain parts of the eye of ostrich as
transplants in some countries. Even claws,
eggshells and feathers are used in making
souvenirs.”
Despite the difficulties, the farmer never doubts
that ostrich breeding in Uzbekistan will soon become
a profitable business activity. His son who has just
received a diploma of a breeder and a veterinarian is
going to help him.
Food Abundance
“Fish-breeding farms leaped forward
in the first half-year period. They have
produced 513 tons of fish, which is
55% higher compared with the same
period of last year. These rates are
expected to remain the same and the
following new species of fish will come
to the markets in the region: African
sharptooth catfish, flatfish, hybrids of
carps and crucians, as well as carps and
grass carps.”
(From a talk with Farhod Jumaev,
Chief of Bukhoro Region Department of
Agriculture and Water Resources)
Crop production and livestock farming
have almost similar parts in gross regional
agricultural product of the Bukhoro
Region.
Alkali soil is the main problem of crop
production in the region. This makes the
industry strongly water-dependent; water
is used for purging the soil and watering
the plants. Due to this fact irrigation and
melioration systems upgrades are essential.
Pumping plants and waterworks facilities
are being updated.
We visited one of the biggest
construction sites – it is the Polyakov
waterworks facility in the village of Koza
of Vobkent District. Construction workers
have reinforced the banks of the future
waterworks facility and have finished
mounting of the water streams control
equipment.
“The capacity of the old facility built in
1947 was not sufficient and the structure
needs to be replaced. That is why we are
building a new facility with the capacity of
about 100,000 cubic liters a day – 20,000 30,000 cubic liters more – using cutting-edge
technologies and materials,” says Davlat
Azimov, chief engineer of the construction
company Romitandavsuvmakhsuspudrat.
“This object is responsible for the stability
of irrigation water supply for enlarged areas
under crops not only in Vobkent, but also in
Peshku, Romitan and Jondor districts.”
Major crops of the region are cotton
and grain. Water conservation activities
and water supply systems’ enhancement
allowed farmers to increase the efficiency
of the soil. Last year the average crop
capacity was 59.8 centners per hectare
and this year the results have increased and
have made up 60.2 centners per hectare.
Farmers hope to gather rich harvest of
cotton as well.
“Within the last few years, the selection
activities have improved significantly,”
emphasizes Farhod Jumaev. “Preference
is assigned to high-yielding varieties. For
example, ‘porloq’ named new domestically
developed variety is actively spreading. It
relates to middle fiber length varieties but
allows for manufacturing longer length
and finer length cotton. Three years ago
only one farm business grew it and today
eight farms cultivate it. The total area
under this variety of cotton has exceeded
400 hectares.
Great attention is paid to the
development of traditional gardening
as well as technologically intensified
gardening. More and more areas are
allotted to greenhouse construction.
Constructing special refrigerators allows of
keeping of the agricultural products. As a
result, markets and stores always have a
wide range of fresh vegetables and fruits
all the year round.
We visited Jushkan Permast farming
business of the Ghijduvon District. It
mainly occupies with cultivation of
cotton and wheat as well as dual-purpose
livestock farming. This year the first harvest
of the greenhouse has come out.
The greenhouse is one of the biggest
and modern in the district. It occupies an
area of two hectares and is constructed with
the use of Korean triple-layer technology
along with the system of drip irrigation.
Now it has two tractors, which the farmer
has bought himself this year.
“The harvest was less than expected;
the soil was plowed not deep enough. At
the time, workers are removing the upper
layer and are loosening and fertilizing the
bottom layers. Now roots of tomatoes and
cucumbers will be alright,” commented
Akmal Teshaev, the head of the business.
“For the last years demand for this product
has risen not only abroad, but also on
the inner market. You see how our ration
has changed: today we always have
traditional dishes certainly along with
fresh vegetables.”
Livestock farming has developed
intensively. Mirkhon Khodiev, the
chief specialist of the Bukhoro Region
Department of Agriculture and Water
Resources, mentions that head of cattle,
sheep and goats increased by 5-10% in
contrast to the first half of the last year.
Production of meat, milk, wool and karakul
pelt has also increased. Poultry farmers,
too, achieved high rates of production
growth – by 15%.
Attention is also paid to the developing
of desert areas. Today, karakul-breeding
businesses actively operate in those areas.
The department of Forestry uses them for
reproduction of camel’s-thorn: this plant
strengthens sandy soils and is a perfect
melliferous plant. This year, the amount
of honey-bee colonies has increased by
15% compared with the first half of the
last year.
The production of fish-breeding farms
has increased by 55%. There are eight
natural ponds used in the fish-breeding
production. 120 farmers have studied the
technology of fish-breeding in artificial
ponds and are now responsible for the
total pond area of 160 hectares.
“Our goal is to intensify fish-production
as well as to widen the range,” says Khuseyn
Gafarov, the head of the association of
fish-breeding farms of the Bukhoro Region.
“We produce eight species of fish, such as
zander, catfish, bream, vobla, asp, silver
carp, grass carp, carp and crucian. We have
brought African sharptooth catfish here and
they are acclimatizing now. This fish gains
commercial weight in half a year – twice
as faster that Asian catfish. Another novelty
is flatfish. We try to grow this salt-water
fish in the Dengizkul Lake. And one more
surprise: we have brought uterine livestock
population of hybrids of carps and crucians
and hybrids of carps and grass carps from
Russia. Their distinguished feature is their
unpretentiousness to the quality of water.
We think they will get acclimatized in our
ponds.”
7
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No. 34 (410) August 22, 2014
INDEPENDENCE: LIFE IN THE REGIONS
The number of foreign tourists visiting Bokhara is growing: 109,000 in
2012 and 115,000 in 2013. According to forecasts, 125,000 foreign guests
are expected to visit the city, with 65,000 having already visited it
Avicenna’s Successors
The hospitality of Bukhoro people is well illustrated by
their attitude towards foreign tourists. In Bukhoro, the
newly married couples freely talk with foreign guests and
take memory pictures with them; they often try to invite
them to take part in their weddings. It seems that Bukhoro
people are naturally born hosts, though most of them
do not work in the hospitality industry. Most Bukhoro
people live an ordinary life, building houses, working in
agricultural or manufacturing industries, getting married
and raising children.
Village for Tourists
“Several kilometers off Bukhoro, a village for tourists is being built. While
temporarily settling in it, you may learn a life style and work of rural dwellers
– agriculturists and stock farmers. A real village life will be shown there to tourists
by specially trained people, who will feel comfortable while being observed by a
great number of tourists.”
Passage from an interview with Bekzod Idiev, leading specialist of Bukhoro
Regional Branch of Uzbektourism)
Many tourist companies include a visit to Bukhara in their itineraries. If tourists stay
in Samarqand and Khiva for a day or two, then in Bukhoro tourists traditionally stay
for three or four days to see all historical landmarks, observe the numerous workshops
of artisans and shops with souvenirs. Masters and traders are willing to talk about
traditional crafts Bukhoro endlessly. Just start to speak…
At the same time, representatives of the hospitality sphere are convinced that this
ancient city can be even more interesting for foreign tourists. The Regional Office of
Uzbektourism and local entrepreneurs take measures – develop infrastructure. The
creation of the village for tourists is a project of this kind.
“We are proud of the fact that the number of tourists to Bukhoro has been on the
rise, we welcome guests to our city every year from over 100 countries and we want
that number to increase,” Bekzod Idiev said. “To do this, we are developing a network
of hotels and restaurants. For example, the first specialized hotel for the traveling family
will be built soon. We do our best to appreciate the wishes of the tourists who want
to see more and learn about the life of the region. We also develop special events
and agro- or -ecotourism, prepare new routes. We create conditions for tourists can
relax not only in restaurants but also in a variety of leisure facilities in breaks between
tours.
The initiators of the traditional measures for the development of event tourism
are the owners of hotels and restaurants. They become organizers of the events, as
well. The traditional festival ‘Silk and Spices’ has become the largest project initiated
by Raisa Gareeva, the manager of the hotel Salom. This is a real opportunity to get
acquainted with the customs and traditions of the Uzbek people, national crafts and
cuisine. Festivals pilaf and melons are equally popular in tourists. Here you can enjoy
a variety of national dishes and the best domestic varieties of melons.
Bukhoro restaurants are also expanding their services. Not only they feed their
guests, but also offer various programs with a combination of the useful with the
pleasant.
“Our restaurant is located near the famous Labi Hovuz, in Caravan Serai dated
from 19th century. The next is one of the oldest residential areas of modern Bukhoro
that makes the event fascinating,” said Farangiz Kushaeva, manager of the restaurant
Adras. “Our guests participate in master classes on pilaf cooking, baking of flat bread
and samsa. All, who attend the restaurant, is impressed with the theatrical show of the
traditional dress of people of Bukhoro.”
There are not many routes as to the agricultural and ecotourism, but existing
ones are already used. Agricultural-touristic tour is the attending to vineyards and
gardens located near Bukhoro. There, guests are offered to try local wines. Lovers of
ecological tourism are invited to Jayron Ecological Center. The tour’s purpose is to
show how endangered species of animals and birds are being taken care of in wild life
conditions.
Exotic recreation centers, whose services are attended by local residents and
foreigners, began to appear in the city. For example, a few months ago, the first public
swimming pool was put in operation. For a city where every drop of water is considered
precious, the first pool was a sensation.
“The idea to build a swimming pool in the city was born a long time. Specialists
observed a foreign experience in the construction of such facilities in Antalya, China
and Cyprus,” said Rahimjon Ruziev, head of Atlantis Pool LLC. “Finally, the dream
came true. People can enjoy three swimming pools and saunas. One pool is of indoortype, professional, other two, including a children’s pool with attractions, are open
ones.
About a half a year ago, first bowling center appeared. Currently, specialists think
of expanding of the sphere.
“We are planning to open a VIP-hall,” said Mansur Shamsiddinov, manager of the
Bowling Center. “This will help to cope with increasing demand for or services and
create additional facilities for attendants.
In short, Bukhoro is the city where you can have a great time.
Bukhoro is the birthplace of many prominent people. Abu
Ali Ibn Sino, the famous scholar of the Middle Ages, was born
there. There is an Avicenna museum in his native village of
Afshona in Peshku District – a motivating factor for students of
the medical college located near it. Dozens of winners of various
international competitions in chemistry, mathematics and physics
are the graduates of the local schools: specialized school No. 58
of Qorakul District and the academic lyceum No. 3 under the
Bukhoro State University. Abbos Atoyev, Rishod Sobirov and
Sharif Khalilov, London Olympics medalists, also come from
Bukhoro Region.
For centuries, Bukhoro was a major academic center
of Central Asia. Nowadays, dozens of newly built schools,
professional colleges and academic lyceums provide the twelveyear compulsory education system in the cities and villages
of the region. The local authorities also take great care of the
development of extra curricular educational system in the region.
They build and reconstruct children’s Schools of Music and Arts,
Barkamol Avlod Children’s Creativity Centers, and modern sports
facilities with youth sports schools. The regional system of higher
education is also crucial for the development of the region, the
authorities claim.
Recently, the Bukhoro branch of the Tashkent Institute of
Irrigation and Land Reclamation completed the construction
of the campus featuring modern educational and laboratory
facilities. The graduates from the branch work in Navoi, Khorazm,
Qashqadaryo and Surkhondaryo - regions with similar climatic
conditions. The Bukhoro Engineering Technological Institute has
almost finished the construction of its new campus to unite the
departments located in different parts of the city. The graduates
from the institute are working in oil and gas, food, and electrical
industries.
“We anticipate the completion of the construction and
supply of educational and laboratory equipment”, says Ulugbek
Muhamedkhanov, Rector of Bukhoro Engineering Technological
Institute. It will be another campus built for the Institute in the
years of independence.
The construction works have also been completed in the
Bukhoro State University training academic personnel for the
entire region. Meanwhile, the Bukhoro State Medical Institute is
building its own clinical centre in the centre of the city, and the
Tashkent State Dental Institute is expanding by building its own
branch in Bukhoro.
The Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan reconstructs the medical
facilities of the region: in Bukhoro, Qorakul, Peshku, Olot, Jondor
and Vobkent districts. “We replace the old decrepit buildings by
the new facilities that comply with the required sanitary norms
and rules. They will feature high-tech equipment”, says Ikhtiyor
There are 72 hotels and 27 restaurants offering their services to foreign
tourists in Bukhoro, and their number is growing. Specialists forecast
opening of 14 more hotels and few restaurants this year.
Family Business
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7
The secret of happiness, according to Akram Sharipov and his wife Gulnora
Kudratova, is simple. They are always together, at home and work, understanding
each other perfectly.
Akram and Gulnora are family entrepreneurs. In the first years of the independence
they traded imported goods in the local market. Then, they opened a furniture store.
A few years ago they decided to open a small hotel. It became one of the first hotels
opened under the recently adopted law on family business. Gulnora proposed the idea,
and her husband acted as an accountant and project manager. The idea of opening a
hotel was an improvisation. “We had a plan to build a furniture store when we bought
the land. But during the construction of it, we came up with the idea of opening our
own hotel”, says Gulnora Kudratova. “I have always worked together with my husband.
As our daughters had grown up, we needed another business that would unite all our
family at work. It is the business we all love, for we love receiving guests”, she adds.
The new three-star hotel is designed for those who want to plunge into the atmosphere
of modern Bukhoro and learn more about the daily life of ordinary Bukhoro people.
Unlike most Bukhoro hotels, which are located in the old part of the city, their hotel
Nurafshon is in the new part of it. The hotel stands at a distance of only a few hundred
meters from one of the seven historic gates of Bukhoro recently restored. The popular
Samanid Park and the historic sites around it are only a few minutes drive from the
hotel.
The hotel’s interior features modern Bukhoro style: bright colors, geometric
decorative designs and wooden elements. The halls and spacious rooms feature
upholstered furniture.
The family plans to receive their first guest in the coming months. “Our business
plan includes a project of further development of our hotel”, says Akram Sharipov. “We
are going to build a swimming pool and other amenities for our guests once things go
into the mountain”, he adds.
Imaginative People
Cheerful and creative people living in Bukhoro visit two theaters – the local
musical theater and the puppet one. In Bukhoro Region 27 folk groups operate.
Some of these days, they were certified by the Ministry of Culture and Sport.
In the first half of 2014, 100 projects in the
manufacturing industries, 263 ones in the
services sector, and 131 in the agricultural
sector were implemented under the program
of social and economic development of
Bukhoro Region for 2013-2015.
Abdulhakov, head of the control inspection of the Ministry of
Health of Uzbekistan in Bukhoro Region. “We also renovate
the regional multidisciplinary medical centres for children and
adults”.
The Bukhoro Regional Oncology Center that works for people
from Navoi, Khorazm, and Surkhondaryo regions has done a
major overhaul recently. “We have constructed a new building
for the department of radiation diagnosis and therapy. This year,
we are conduct an overhaul of the medical building with 120
beds. We anticipate the new equipment being installed soon. The
equipment includes CT scanner, modern ultrasound scanner, and
brachytherapy appliance - provided by the Ministry of Health and
the Islamic Development Bank”, says Gafur Saidov, head of the
Oncology Center. “Now we master the surgery to remove tumors
of the brain and spinal cord, as well as and the technology of
reconstructive surgery of the head and neck”, he adds.
“In the Bukhoro Region, there are eight folk groups, eight song and
dance groups, five national theaters and three musical bands. According
to the program on strengthening of the tangible assets of the centers of
culture and leisure of the population, they begin to work harder,” said
Muhammad Rahmatov, chief specialist on the organization of creative
associations and folk art of the Board of Cultural Affairs and Sports of
Bukhoro Region.
“Now, not only the availability of rooms for clubs, but also the room
for the assembly hall is a key factor. Modern culture and leisure centers
of population in Jondor, Bukhoro and Qoroulbozor districts meet the
contemporary requirements. Works in similar institutions of Olot, Romitan,
Peshku, Vobkent and Kogon districts will soon be completed. And all 49
leisure centers will be reconstructed in the next two or three years.
“I remember a performance of folk-ethnographic group Afshona of
the Center for Culture and Leisure of population in Peshku District, under
the leadership of Burkhon Avezov, which I visited a few years ago. The
performance impressed me with peculiar music, colorful costumes and
catchy performances. The program consisted of the acts performed by aged
and young people to symbolize the continuity of generations. I think that
in the new comfortable hall that this team will use after the completion of
repairs of the Center for Culture and Leisure, these performances will be even
more brilliant and more memorable. Attraction of more attention of young
people to the folk art will contribute to its preservation and expansion.”
Program of development of recreation parks also contributes to the
creating favorable conditions for cultural recreation. Currently, a range
of measures designed to create parks in every district with modern
attractions, venues for the public festivals and performances of creative
groups is implemented.
8
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No. 34 (410) August 22, 2014
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SPORT
Players Win, Coach Fails
At first glance, the sixteenth round of
the Uzbekistan Football Championship
became quite usual. All leading teams
achieved victory, keeping the diarchy
of Pakhtakor FC and Locomotiv FC in
the top of the league table. However,
the favorites have had to work hard to
get points from outsiders.
Two Bronze Medals in
the Olympic Thrift-Box
The Second Youth Olympic Games continue in Nanjing, China. The Uzbek national
team is short of the gold, but they still have time to please the fans, especially
since they have won two bronze medals.
Around four thousand athletes aged 14-18 years from 204 countries compete
in 30 sports of the Olympic Games. Among them are Uzbek athletes – 28 boys
and girls compete in 14 sports.
Uzbekistan team won the first medal in judo. The 17-year-old Uzbek
athlete Suhrob Tursunov won the bronze medal, beating many of the strongest
athletes in the world. There are 103 young judo professionals from 68 countries
competing for Olympic medals.
Suhrob’s weight category is 66 kg, which was the most popular and
‘difficult’. It is here that athletes, who have proven themselves not only on
the youth, but also adults’ competitions, perform. As a comparison, if in this
category twenty one judo athletes fought for medals, then, for example, at a
weight up to 100 kg only four athletes competed.
It took Suhrob 31 seconds to beat Stoyan Tarapanov from Bulgaria in the first
qualifying match. However, in the second meet, Suhrob gave in to Ukrainian
Bogdan Iadov. But, the successful performance of Ukrainian athlete in other
fights allowed Uzbek athlete aspire for the bronze medal. And our athlete took
an opportunity. In the first fight Suhrob defeated Dmitry Minkou from Belarus,
then ‘dealt’ with Aroutyun Dermishyan from Armenia, and in the crucial battle
for the third place, he won an athlete from Costa Rica Julian Sancho.
As for the second bronze, weightlifter Adhamjon Ergashev won. In weight
category up to 56 kg, he lifted 110 kg in the clean and jerk, 133 kg in the snatch
and 243 kg in double-event.
Big score in the matches between the
two leading teams must not be misleading.
Despite the crushing defeat of Qizilqum
from Pakhtakor scoring 1:4 and Metallurg
from Lokomotiv scoring 1:5, favorites
had to fight desperately for the victory.
Of course, the possibility of the teams
of Tashkent and their opponents are not
comparable, and famous players met a
strong resistance, instead.
Pakhtakor footballers played with
Qizilqum as the holders of first place in
the table. Players wanted to win by their
class; they played ordinary in the start,
rolling the ball across the field, for which
they were punished. Qizilqum footballers
played with inspiration, as a result of 15
minutes game, they poured a bucket of
cold water on the players of Pakhtakor,
opening the scoring in the match. It
brought down Tashkent team to earth.
And here they did their best. Within ten
minutes the table showed score 2:0 in
favor of Pakhtakor. Sergeyev and Kozak
excelled.
After ending the match, Samvel
Babayan, manager of Pakhtakor,
somewhat cunningly said that he was
pleased with the play his team did. “We
news
Among the Asian teams Uzbekistan
holds comes third. The first place on
the continent belongs to Japan, which
is 44th in the world. Then comes Iran,
ranking 48th. The rating of national
teams of the world is headed by
Germany. Argentina and the Netherlands
are second and third, respectively.
Following Masters
International football
competition in tribute to the
former player of Pakhtakor
Bahodir Ibragimov is underway
in Tashkent August 20-25.
In the Norwegian Tromso, World Chess Olympiad
has come to an end – prestigious tournament, where
dozens of national teams from different countries
participated.
called a failure – in the men’s tournament 150 teams
participated. Uzbek chess players have advanced
many strong teams, including the host team as a part of
which the current world champion Magnus Carlson
was playing. So our team achieved quite a good
result.
Chinese players have become Olympic champions,
Hungarian team came second and third place went to
our ‘offender’ the team of India.
In the women’s tournament in the last round,
Uzbek chess players are tied with a team of Turkey
(2:2) and scoring 13 points took place between 30
and 40. Of course, the absence of the leader of the
team Nafisa Muminova was dramatizing. The
first place went to the Russian chess players,
the second – to Chinese women and the third
– to Ukrainian team.
In the last 11th round, Uzbek chess players, being in
the leading group, competed with Indian team. case of
the success, our team could achieve a top-ranked place
in the table and even be among prize-winners.
It has been unclear why the Uzbek national chess
team could not play in due way. At first three boards
Qosimjonov, Filippov and Jumaev gave up their
positions. And Vohidov’s tie at the fourth board did
not change the situation.
The game resulted in 15 points of the men’s
team of Uzbekistan where they were ranked 17th
place. However, this result is far from being be
Wrestling as Goal
and Means
Players born in 2002 participate in
the competition. The team under the
leadership of Rufat Akramkhujaev
play for Pakhtakor. In addition, youth
teams of Bunyodkor, Metallurg
and Chilonzor and other teams vie
for victory in the competition.
School of Young
Tennis Players
A little less than a month is left till the start of the Amateur Wrestling World
Championship in Tashkent.
Proper Preparation
Is Half the Battle
In our country, tennis as well as many
other sports are becoming increasingly
popular.
Top-ranked wrestlers from over one hundred countries will arrive in Tashkent
on September 8-14. This is a main start of the year for athletes, which means that
the strongest athletes in Greco- Roman, Freestyle and Women’s Wrestling will
arrive in Tashkent.
Twelve countries aspired to be host of that championship. However,
Uzbekistan was granted the right to host the championship. Not only has the
country the cutting edge sports facilities, but also Uzbekistan proved that it can
implement competitions at the highest level. Over the last years, Uzbekistan
carried out two Continental Championships and two Asian Qualifying Olympic
competitions on freestyle, Greek and Roman, and women’s wrestling. The fact
that over 25 thousand people practice various wrestling types was a key impetus
for making decision in favor of Uzbekistan.
At present time, organizers are finalizing preparations for the championship to
start at the international standards level. We hope that our athletes will perform
steadily. In this connection, physical potential, which is enough good, plays not
so much important a role as the psychological one, because it is very difficult to
combat against the world’s strongest wrestlers before one’s countrymen. To gain
psychological readiness, national freestyle wrestling team, for instance, left for a
training camp to Makhachkala.
“The camp is being conducted together with Russian national team – one
of the strongest in the world – teams. At this stage, it is very important for you
to have good opponents, for guys to get used to high-competitive athletes,” said
Aleksandr Nedorezov, top coach of the Uzbekistan National Wrestling Team.
The national team on Greco-Roman style conduct a training camp in Tashkent.
Ravil Viktyakov, coach of the team, says that for most of the athletes this will be
the most pressing start over the last two years. “Currently, one should continue
hard complex exercises, avoiding traumas and other force-major situations that
may hider successful performance in domestic championship. I like the way the
guys bear responsibility when exercising hard,” said the coach.
The national football team of
Uzbekistan is to play in a friendly
match with the national team
of Iran on December 28. The
face-off is due in Dubai where
the squad of Uzbekistan will
conduct final training session
ahead of the 2015 Asian Cup.
As a reminder, the Asian Cup 2015
is scheduled for January 9 to 31 in
five cities of Australia. In the group
stage of the competition, the national
team of Uzbekistan will perform in
Group B together with teams of China,
Saudi Arabia and North Korea.
Pass, Strike, Goal
Member of the national team,
ex-Pakhtakor player Odil
Ahmedov, now performing
for Krasnodar, has opened his
scoring in the new season of
the Russian Premier League.
“Considered all, we played well, but there
were some faults. Our guys started well
in the first half. On the one hand, they
managed to retrieve a defeat and advance.
On the other hand, footballers strictly
performed the order of the coaching staff.
At the second half we planned to use
the tactics of counterattacks. The plan
worked. Football players are beginning
to show that game, which I want to do.
After a conceded goal, our team did
not lose courage, because guys know
my position: players win, coach loses,”
Sergey Lushchan said.
In other matches of the round the
following results are fixed: Neftchi vs.
Navbahor – 1:0, Bukhoro vs. Nasaf – 0:2,
Dynamo vs. Sogdiana – 0:1, and Mashal
vs. Andijon – 6:1.
Acceptable Result
Plus One
International Football Federation
has announced a new rating
of the national teams of the
world. Uzbekistan national team
improved its previous figure by
one position and is ranked 51st.
conceded the fastest goal, but the guys
were able to man up. We have talented
players in a substitute’s bench; with this
line-up we will overcome any problem.
With every play the team becomes
more coordinated. Until now, we were
winning with difference of one goal and
today we put an end to this tradition,”
he said.
Bunyodkor faced a strong opponent.
Igor Shkvyrin’s team played best in the
first round and took ranked sixth in the
table. Events went a similar scenario in
this match: Bunyodkor conceded a goal
first at the 19th minute owing to lack of
coordination in the team. But, the cold
shower came pat and resulted in 2:1 in
favor of Bunyodkor. Head coach Sergey
Lushyan analyzed the game of his team.
Today, sports fans very well know
such names of the masters of racket as
Denis Istomin, Farrukh Dustov, Akgul
Amanmuradova, Nigina Abduraimova,
Sabina Sharipova and Vlada Ekshibarova,
who compete for our motherland in the
international arena. Uzbekistan has built
all the necessary facilities for the children
who want to follow their example and all
those who wish to practice tennis.
The Republican Tennis School of
the Olympic Reserve in Tashkent trains
professional tennis players and creates
everything necessary for enhancing their
skills so as to grow new members for the
country’s national team.
In this school, 10 coaches of
international category train 55 young
tennis players. At the same time, special
attention is given to nearly 100 students
in primary classes who are reserve for the
Republican Tennis School of the Olympic
Reserve. This August, the school organized
the entrance examinations.
“Since childhood, I have been
practicing tennis,” said the student Iris
Tursunova. “I won 12 times in various
competitions held in our country. My goal
is to be trained by professional mentors
and become a tennis player, capable
of performing for the Motherland in the
international competitions.
There are boarding facilities in the
school for those students who come to
train in it from other parts of Uzbekistan.
There are 20 courts that meet
international requirements in the school.
Of the open courts, 13 are with rubber
and four are with sand surfaces. The three
indoor courts have rubber surfaces. The
students also enjoy two training halls, a
summer swimming pool, and a gym. The
school hosts the traditional competition
‘WTA-Tashkent Open’ for girls and ‘ATP-
Tashkent Challenger’ for boys.
“We enroll students from the fifth
grade to our school,” says the principal
of the school Samuk Abidov. “During the
entrance examinations we check their
general knowledge, physical condition
abilities for playing on the court.”
The school also holds workshops
conducted by experienced tennis players.
It also helps the students to master
the necessary athletic skills and gain
experience.
The talented graduates of the
Republican Tennis School of Olympic
Reserve Sabina Sharipova, Laylo
Bahodirova, Timur Ismailov, Sanjar
Faiziev, Guzal Yusupova participate in
international competitions. Undoubtedly,
some of the children who have passed
the entrance exams this year and joined
the school will soon become professional
tennis players who will be able to compete
on the courts of the world with the most
powerful athletes.
In the match of the fourth round
against Rostov, Odil Ahmedov
not only spent 90 minutes on
the field, but also was the author
of one of the goals scored.
Road Map
The Asian Football Confederation
approved calendar and the
time of start of matches of the
Asian Youth Championship (U16), to be held September 6
to 20 this year in Thailand.
According to the calendar of the
championship, the national team of
Uzbekistan will play in the first match
against a team of Nepal. The play will
be held on September 7. Two days later,
Aleksandr Mochinov’s team will play
in the second round of the group stage
of the competition against the youth
team of North Korea. Group stage will
finish on September 11 with a match
against their peers from Kuwait.
The newspaper is distributed through the diplomatic missions of the Republic of Uzbekistan in more than 45 countries around the world
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Acting Duty Editor:
Mikhail Siverskiy
FOUNDER:
NA “UZBEKISTAN TODAY”
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