Getting into a New Stream A Launch Pad for

Weekly
Since September 1, 2006
A Launch Pad for Future
Accomplishments
OPINION
Despite the negative trends in the global
economy, the domestic real sector and
investment policies keep showing a positive
trend. In the first quarter of 2015 the
volume of industrial production increased by
7.9%, GDP - by 7.5%. 53 new investment
projects totaling $4.8 billion have been
launched.
The international conference on ‘The Role of
Trade Unions in Ensuring Citizens' Rights for
Decent Working Conditions: the Experience
of Uzbekistan’ in Tashkent has proved a
successful presentation of accomplishments
of Uzbekistan in this direction.
building of up-to-date developed
infrastructure.
Assigned for 2015-2019, the programs
will give way to implementation
of 846 projects on modernization,
technical and technological extension
of production totaling $40.8 billion,
141 projects aimed at the construction
and development of engineering and
communication and road infrastructure
worth $9.8 billion, as well as 602
projects on localization of production
worth $5 billion, as well as the launch
of manufacture of 1,200 new products.
4
Uzbekistan is a leader in the
development of karate in the
continent. This was demonstrated at
the Second Asian Championship among
clubs in Tashkent.
6
On the Way to Harmony
Fifty gold and fifty silver medals
doled out at Festival of Fine
and Applied in Tashkent
7
Goal: Hit the Bull’s Eye
Thanks to Server Ibragimov’s win,
Uzbekistan is set to participate
in the Paralympic shooting
competitions for the first time
8
Civil Society: Current Stage and
Prospects of Development
Igor Chyornih
system is that in order to achieve high
performance clubs can use not only their
own but also foreign athletes. That is why
the Asian Championship was attended
by athletes from the United States and
European countries.”
8
Dinora Ziyayeva
On the eve of International Day of Dance, which the
world marks on April 29, two festivals were held in
Uzbekistan. It appears they take a firm root in the
cultural life of the country.
One of them – “Dancing actor” – is established by
the Ministry of Culture and Sport Affairs at the initiative
of the Republican Theater of Young Spectators. Actors of
drama and musical theaters, students of schools of music
and art, as well as students of the higher educational
institutions of the capital city have taken part in it.
Next year the festival will be held in all the regions
of the country.
“We did not expect that all the items will be at that
much high level,” says deputy director of the Republican
Theater of Young Audiences Zulfiya Hamrayeva. “The
jury, which included People’s artists, choreographers,
producers, and teachers, had difficulties in identifying
the best dancer.”
The Gala-concert of the festival was opened by
the integrated “Face” Motion Theater, proving that the
impossible is possible. It was awarded the diploma “For
Purposefulness and Love to Scene”.
7
1
Bright Days in the Neighborhood
For war veteran Nazar Nazaryan,
Remembrance and Honor day
is more than just a holiday
5
Story without Words
cyan magenta yellow black
THE FORUM WAS ORGANIZED by the
Federation of Trade Unions of Uzbekistan.
It brought together the delegations of the
International Trade Union Confederation,
the International Labour Organization,
heads of Uzbek missions in UNDP, EU,
OSCE, UNICEF, Friedrich Ebert Foundation,
members of the parliament, representatives
of governmental and non-governmental
organizations, international experts from
Germany, France, Denmark, China, Russia,
Lithuania, Moldova and other countries.
The Uzbek side detailed the guests on
the state policy in the field of social and
labor relations, creation of decent working
conditions, active involvement of trade
unions in this process with the focus on the
protection of the socio-economic interests and
labor rights of workers and their families.
Enshrined in the Constitution and laws,
basic workers' rights fully comply with
international labor standards, and in many
respects even surpass them, noted the forum
participants. There are specific benefits and
guarantees in providing employment and
creating appropriate conditions for workers.
In recent years, about 60% of expenditures
of the national budget have been channeled
to social sector. Large-scale measures on
raising the level and quality of life and
providing workers with decent salary and safe
working conditions have been underway.
The country has accrued a considerable
experience in the development of social
and labor institutions. Much has been done
to streamline the labor law and pension
system, and regulate the labor market.
Uzbekistan has been successfully
extending social security system to fully
meet the priorities. For instance, the state
social insurance covers all employees.
There are cash payments or services for
sickness, maternity and old-age pension,
disability and survivor benefits. Specific
measures are being taken to stimulate the
demand for labor, and create stable jobs.
4
Inside:
more than 430 new types of localized
products has been launched. The growth
of investment activity has contributed
to the increase of contract construction
works by 18.9%.
Experts dwelled on the future
prospects of the domestic economy.
Approved in February and March, the
industrial production and transport
infrastructure development programs
are expected to become a strong
foundation for future economic
growth, enhancement of structural
transformations and diversification of
production, bringing major industries
to a new level of development, and
Bahrinisso Babayeva,
a bronze medal winner
“The Asian Karate Federation for the
second time trusted Uzbekistan with
hosting a major competition. It is no
secret that the organizing committee
and board members took into account
the high level at which in 2012 Tashkent
held the championship of Asia. This
time, the tournament was also organized
at a very high international level,” said
the chief judge of the Asian Karate
Federation, Patrick Lim. “The sports
complex ‘Uzbekistan’ provided excellent
conditions for performances of athletes and
the work of judges. Foreign participants
were pleased with the reception and
accommodation conditions.”
“Two years ago, the Asian Karate
Federation has set its sights on the
development of region based karate
clubs, which are highly developed in
Europe,” said the president of the Karate
Federation of Uzbekistan Bahtiyor
Mirzakulov. “The advantage of the club
Tourism exhibition ‘The World of
Recreation’ presented opportunities
in eco-tourism, sports tourism
in Uzbekistan as well as crafts
Igor Saneyev
Getting into a New Stream
Rahim Turdiev
Tourism: A Delicate Matter
Decent
Working
Conditions
Kamil Akhrorov
The statistics was announced
at a government session in
Tashkent. Economists estimate
that the national budget was
executed with a surplus of
0.1% of GDP. Inflation did
not exceed the estimates. The
measures on the full support
of domestic manufacturers of
consumer goods and a balanced
stimulation of domestic demand
have contributed to an increase
in production of consumer
goods by 11.2%, retail trade - by
15.2% and services - by 13.1%.
The participants reviewed
the progress of major programs
and investment projects aimed at
structural changes, modernization and
diversification of industrial production,
enhancement of localization of
production
of
finished
goods,
components and materials. The ongoing
active investment policy and accelerated
process of modernization, technical and
technological extension of industrial
production and creation of developed
infrastructure have contributed to the
growth of investments by 8.7%, including
foreign direct investment – by 10%. 53
projects worth over $4.8 billion have
been launched under the Investment
Program for 2015. The manufacture of
No. 17 (445) May 1, 2015
Experts discuss trends in the development of civil society in Uzbekistan
The capital hosted the
annual conference of the
Independent Institute for
Monitoring the Formation
of Civil Society (IIMFCS)
devoted to the quantitative
and qualitative changes in
the development of civil
society in Uzbekistan.
The
conference
was
attended by members of the
Parliament, representatives
of public and government
organizations, research and
educational
institutions,
experts from foreign and
international organizations
(UNDP, the EU delegation,
OSCE, USAID missions,
the NDI, the NGO ‘Regional
Dialogue’, the fund named after F.
Ebert and others), as well as the media
(total about 150 people).
The Independent Institute for
monitoring the formation of civil
society plays an important role in
the development of further measures
to stimulate the activity of public
organizations and their participation
in the implementation of the most
important components of government
programs, development of social
partnerships in the country. The deep
studies carried out by its staff in
identifying the real problems of the
development of civil society, analysis
of the structural and qualitative
changes in the society, the legal
framework in this area, the study of
foreign experience are becoming the
basis for the development of further
measures to build a strong civil society.
The results of the annual
monitoring of the state of civil society
in Uzbekistan in 2014 were presented
to the participants of the conference.
Specialists of IIMFCS carefully
examined the trends and dynamics
of non-profit organizations, public
foundations, and trade unions in the
system of democratic institutions, the
media, political parties, and local
authorities.
“During the years of independence,
the
country
implemented
comprehensive measures aimed at
establishing the organizational and
legal conditions for the formation
of civil society,” said director of the
Independent Institute for monitoring
the formation of civil society G.
Abdukarimov. “Today they are an
important factor in protecting the
rights and interests of the people,
and enhance their social activity and
legal culture, providing a balance
of interests in the society. The
present stage of social development
is characterized by the increasing
role of democratic institutions in all
spheres of life: economics, politics,
spirituality, etc.”
2
2
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No. 17 (445) May 1, 2015
TODAY IN UZBEKISTAN
PARLIAMENT
Cultural Legacy:
from Theory to Practice
Civil Society: Current Stage and
Prospects of Development
The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis has hosted a scientific-practical
conference ‘Protection and Use of Cultural Heritage Sites: Theory and Practice’
that was organized by the Committee on the Issues of Science, Education,
Culture and Sport.
State policy of Uzbekistan highlights the issues of revival, preservation,
study and popularization of our rich historical heritage. The requisite legal
framework is created for that. The laws ‘On import and export of cultural
property’, ‘On protection and use of cultural heritage sites’, and others have
been approved. National legislation in this sphere leans on the international
documents and conventions, ratified by Uzbekistan.
The country possesses over 7,500 cultural properties (over 59 percent of
which are archeological sites). Museums store thousands of objects, while
millions of documents are kept in archives.
The conference participants discussed the work on the implementation of
the State program on protection, use and popularization of cultural heritage
sites for 2010 – 2020, as well as its subsequent effective utilization in the
future.
The gathered shared interesting opinions and proposals. In particular,
they focused on the necessity to develop the service industry nearby cultural
sites, and along the roads leading to them. MPs underscored the improvement
of the sites’ condition as one of the factors of tourism development in the
country. They assured that upbringing of the younger generation in the spirit
of considerate attitude to historical heritage promotes their comprehensive
development and spiritual education and brings up in them the feeling of
strong national consciousness.
They also noted the importance of strengthening the government control
and legal liability for the safety of the operands, as well as social protection
of this sphere’s employees. It was also pointed out that there is a need in
increasing the responsibility of all institutions concerning the protection of
these objects. MPs believed that it is necessary to improve legislation in
accordance with the time requirements, regulate the sphere of legal relations,
and prevent violations.
The conference participants agreed that special attention should be
paid to the implementation in the national legislation of the international
instruments relating to the protection and use of cultural heritage sites, to
strengthening control over the implementation of laws and state programs in
this area, especially illegal export and import of such cultural values.
Concrete recommendations were elaborated on the results of discussions.
MPs, representatives of government and public organizations, educational
and research institutions attended the conference.
Parliamentary Commission
Discusses Funding
for Social Projects
Eldor Sattorov
The meeting of the Parliamentary Commission for Management of Assets of the
Public Fund for Support of NGOs and Other Civil Society Institutions at the Oliy
Majlis has discussed the funding of prospective, socially significant programs and
projects for 2015.
The meeting participants proposed to allocate 10 bln soums from the government
budget to implement the priority tasks in deepening democratic reforms and formation
of civil society. Their volume in comparison with 2014 grew by 22 percent. Programs
and projects of social partnership will be supported in the form of government
subsidies, social service procurement, and grants on a competitive basis.
In particular, 2 billion soums have been allocated in the form of social service
procurement for funding socially significant projects of NGOs, the media and other
civil society institutions.
Social service procurements will be provided for the implementation of the tasks
defined in the State Program ‘Year of Attention and Care for the Senior Generation,’
as well as assistance in the upbringing of physically healthy and comprehensively
advanced younger generation, strengthening the fundamental principles of a
democratic legal state and civil society, and inter-ethnic cohesion. The priority areas
were identified to ensure effective measures for social protection of lonely elderly
citizens, the disabled and other socially vulnerable categories of the population,
improvement of the mechanisms of social services, and strengthening of material base
of medical and social institutions.
Projects aimed at increasing involvement of the population in the protection of the
environment, education of young people, and increasing the legal awareness of the
population will be provided in the form of government grants on a competitive basis.
For this purpose, the Parliamentary Commission has allocated more than 4.75 bln
soums to support about 350 projects. Government subsidies in the amount of 3.25
billion soums have also been allocated.
Overall, the implementation of the projects in 2015, funded by the Public Fund
under the government grants, subsidies and social service procurement, ensure
involvement of more than 2 thousand NGOs and other civil society institutions.
[1]
The democratic reform is aimed at
building a legal state and civil society.
Strong organizational, legal and
institutional mechanisms have been
formed for the development of civil
institutions.
The participants praised the measures
implemented for further deepening
democratic reforms and formation of
civil society. The importance of passing
the laws ‘On social partnership’, ‘On
transparency of the activity of bodies
of state power and governance’ aimed
at strengthening the role of NGOs in
the development and implementation
of socio-economic programs, public
and media access to information of
the state bodies of power and control,
openness and transparency in the past
year have been emphasized.
The participants highlighted the
increased level of political and legal
culture, and civic engagement during
their presentations. Thus, the elections
to the Oliy Majlis and local councils
of people's deputies, which showed
an increased socio-political activism
of citizens, the role and maturity of
political parties and civil institutions,
has been marked as an important event
in 2014.
The growing role of civil society
in the implementation of democratic
reforms in the country has been
also discussed at the conference. In
particular, last year over 1.5 thousand
representatives of the third sector
attended the central and local public
places of discussion of the bills, while
more than 400 NGO’s took part in the
implementation of the State program
‘Year of healthy child’.
Every year, the Public Fund for
the Support of NGOs and other
civil society institutions under the
Oliy Majlis, the Fund for support of
NGOs in the NANGOUz and other
organizations sent substantial funds for
the implementation of future projects
to address critical social and economic
problems.
The result of this great work was
an increase in the number of civil
institutions, in particular NGOs, to
over 8,100 by January 1, 2015.
In 2014, the number of NGOs
participating
in
scholarship
competitions held by the Public Fund
for Support of NGOs and other civil
society institutions in the country's
parliament made up 421, of which 176
were the winners.
In 2014, the leaders and activists
of non-governmental organizations
continued to work as members of
more than 40 permanent national
inter-ministerial
committees.
The
status of NGOs has increased, and the
efforts of civil society keep gaining
the recognition of the public. In
2014, representatives of 46 NGOs
received state awards. At the same
time last year, according to the
results of parliamentary elections, 20
representatives of NGOs were elected
to the Legislative Chamber of Oliy
Majlis.
It was noted likewise that the
country is experiencing a dynamic
growth in the number of mass media,
in comparison with 1991 their number
increased overall 3.5 times over, the
newspapers - by 2.5 times, magazines
- by 3.5 times. As of January 1, 2015
the Uzbek Agency for Press and
Information registered about 1,400
media and more than 60% of them
were privately owned. The number
of Internet resources registered as the
media has more than doubled in the
past five years, and last year amounted
to 304.
The analysis of the monitoring
data shows a significant increase in
the role of the media in identifying
and highlighting current issues of
concern for people in the field, the
implementation of public control over
The Return of Pistachio
Ilxom Ilyasov
There are many varieties of pistachios
on the shelves of local stores.
However, the high price and the fact
that it is imported from abroad, even
from distant California often confuses
the customers. Meanwhile, this
valuable crop, resistant to droughts
and high temperatures, is a native of
our land. Will pistachio return to its
homeland? A positive answer to this
question was given by the participants
of the seminar, held in Bostanlik
district of Tashkent region.
Saylik village is an indescribably
beautiful place. Mountains, snow-capped
peaks, clean air and well-groomed fields
on the slopes. Here, a local farmer
Komiljon Sidikov grows grapes, apples,
cherries and other fruits.
In 2013, he visited the United
States through a grant of the Ministry of
Agriculture, to adopt the experience of
top American farmers. Now he is obsessed
about trying to grow pistachio at home.
“If a farmer in California has at least
five hectares of this culture, he is a very
wealthy man,” says Komiljon. “But it's
not just about profit. Once all of these
slopes were filled with pistachio, and
now we have it in short supply. But we
cyan magenta yellow black
2
can make a difference.”
Upon returning home, the motivated
farmer got down to business. He became
a member of the Small Grants Programme
(SGP) of the Global Environment Facility
in Uzbekistan, where experts provided
substantial assistance, in particular, by
providing the seedlings in containers.
This year K. Sidikov allocated five
hectares of dry lands under pistachio, but
in the future intends to increase this area.
The workshop brought together 17
young farmers who drew Komiljon as
an example, and decided to cultivate
pistachios. Experts of SGP told them in
detail how to lay the plantation, showing
how to plant the seedlings grown in
containers, how to care for young shoots
and to carry out the budding.
Particular interest was aroused
by the presentation of an expert from
the Republican Scientific Centre of
Landscape Gardening and Forestry
Galina Chernova, who dedicated her
life to pistachio, and cultivated 40 new
varieties of this crop.
“The pistachio loves the height, the
wind and the sun,” said Galina to the
participants. “All of these you have in
abundance. But growing this crop will
require your patience, knowledge, and
experience. The first harvest will appear
only after ten years. Do not believe
the activity of the state power and
administration. They also highlighted
the strengthening of the autonomy and
independence of the media and their
role in identifying and highlighting
current issues of concern of the
population on the ground. Thus, in
2014, the printing media published
2452 significant critical and analytical
materials (while in 2013 only 2159). The
speakers noted the growth of readers’
trust in the media as an effective means
of expression regarding some socially
relevant issues, and as a tool of public
control over the activity of state bodies
in solving the acute problems.
The event has also analyzed the results
of monitoring in strengthening the role
of political parties in the political life
of the country, the authority and impact
of self-government in addressing local
territorial problems, the implementation
of targeted social protection of the
population. Other issues of civil society
in Uzbekistan were also reviewed.
The importance of improving the legal
culture of the population, and the
citizens' sense of justice in this process
was
strongly
emphasized.
“Uzbekistan
has made a big
step forward in
the formation of
the foundations
of
a
strong
civil
society,”
said
regional
director of the
international
NGO ‘Regional Dialogue’ Mjusa
Sever (Slovenia). “A thorough platform
has been created for the activities
of NGOs and other civil society
institutions, which enjoy the support
and authority among the population.
Based on the analysis conducted by
IIMFCS, assessment of civil society in
Uzbekistan and its institutions is highly
positive.”
“We
have
established
a
close cooperation
with
the
IIMFCS.
Given
the
increased
number
and
quality of the
activities
of
non-profit
organizations in
your country, legislative consolidation
mechanism of social partnership, we are
interested in continuing this work and
want to contribute to the realization of
certain priorities,” said representative
of the National Democratic Institute
(USA) Eric Brett. “And here special
attention is deserved by NGOs that
are currently working to solve specific
problems in the
regions.”
“ T h i s
conference
is
interesting
in
terms
of
defining future
priorities,” said
the OSCE Project
Coordinator
in Uzbekistan,
Ambassador
Gyorgy Szabo. “Uzbekistan has
established a solid base for the
development of civil society institutions.
Indicators of development, in turn,
help to improve the organizational and
legal mechanisms of their activities.”
The annual report of the IIMFCS,
presented at the conference, covered
the main directions of shaping the
civil society. In this regard it should be
noted that an important aspect of the
research activities of the Institute is to
organize public hearings on topical
issues, including the improvement
of legislation. It has become a
practice to hold large national and
international forums. The information
and analytical work received a new
impetus. One of its results was another
brochure ‘Development of civil society
institutions in Uzbekistan: Facts and
Figures 2014’ issued by the IIMFCS.
Following the conference several
recommendations have been made on
the subject of further improvement
the activity of IIMFCS, strengthening
the role of civil society institutions in
democratic renewal and modernization
of the country. In particular, it will
focus on such areas as creation and
organization of effective functioning
of public commissions for social
partnership created at the local
Councils of deputies within the
framework of implementation of the
Law ‘On social partnership’.
And taking into account the
provisions of the Law ‘On the
openness of public authorities and
administration’ work will be focused
on the organization of further
effective cooperation with the media,
active members of the bodies of selfgovernment, creating public awareness
on the implementation of socioeconomic development programs.
However, taking into account the
results of the elections of 2014, the
activities of the institute will focus
on the issues of further raising the
level of legal awareness of members
of party groups in local councils of
people's deputies, and developing
their parliamentary activity skills.
An Original and
Innovative Approach
Mansur Ochilov
The presentation of the publication ‘The mechanism of protection of the rights
and freedoms of citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan’ has been held in
Tashkent.
all sorts of myths, for
example, that a single tree
can generate hundreds of
kilos of harvest. It is a great
achievement if you can
collect at least 10-15 kilos,
and it will happen only in
twenty years. But know
that there is nowhere in the
world pistachio grows to be
that much tasty.”
The participants learnt a lot about
this valuable crop, in particular, that it
significantly improves the condition of
soil, local environment, restores degraded
barren foothills. This is a wonderful
medicine, which was acknowledged
by Ibn Sina. And it is known as a wood
complex, as all its parts: wood, leaves,
fruit, and tar can be used for the needs
of people.
... Now 200 tons of pistachios are
produced each year in Uzbekistan on
an area of 30 thousand hectares. For
comparison: Iran produces 200 thousand
tons of pistachios every year. But the
interest of young farmers in the country,
who decided to revive the crop in its native
land, will certainly change this situation.
It is published with the support of the National Centre for Human Rights in
cooperation with the academic lyceum of the Tashkent State Law University.
Its author is Muhayo Ochilova - leading teacher of the educational institution.
The event was attended by representatives of the Ministries of Justice, Internal
Affairs, General Prosecutors Office, the Women's Committee, as well as the
faculty and students of the Lyceum.
It was noted that Uzbekistan has joined more than 70 international
human rights documents and accepted the obligation to create necessary
organizational and legal conditions and guarantees to support their
compliance. These include the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the
International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and many
others.
The Head of the National Centre for Human Rights Akmal Saidov
emphasized the practical significance of the publication, focusing on an
original and innovative approach of the author to the presentation of this
complex topic. It consists of five sections that describe the fundamental
documents on human rights, and provide a brief history of the adoption of
laws in this area.
Crossword puzzles and logic problems are provided for young readers.
The publication will be useful for teachers and for students of educational
institutions and is designed for a wide range of readers interested in human
rights issues.
During the presentation, teachers and students of the Lyceum showed
theatrical performances on this topic, and participants discussed which rights
have been violated in a particular situation.
3
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No. 17 (445) May 1, 2015
WORLD
UN Envoys Wraps
up Mission
Special Representative of UN
Secretary General Miroslav
Jenca has completed his
mission in Central Asia.
Miroslav
Jenca,
Special
Representative of the UN Secretary
General and Head of the UN Regional
Center for Preventive Diplomacy for
Central Asia (UNRCCA) since 2008,
visited Uzbekistan for a meeting with
Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov.
The sides discussed the state and
prospects of interaction between
Uzbekistan and the UN as well as
the schedule of upcoming bilateral
meetings in the current year.
Uzbekistan at
Baltic Fashion &
Textile Riga 2015
Uzbekistan participated in
an international exposition,
Baltic Fashion & Textile Riga
2015, in Riga, Latvia, along
with about 400 companies
from over 15 countries.
For a second year running,
Uzbekistan’s Uzbekyengilsanoat has
presented products by country’s
light industry, from cotton yarn to
ready-to-wear to fabrics, in Riga.
International specialists concurred
that the high quality and competitive
prices of Uzbek-made goods can lead
to increased deliveries to Europe.
Negotiations between Uzbek and
European specialists have resulted in
cooperation agreements. Specifically,
the sides struck over $1.5 million
worth of deals for the delivery of
textiles to European countries.
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Laszlo Sabo, who
headed a representative delegation of business circles, visited Uzbekistan. The
visit program was fruitful and informative.
Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz
Kamilov received Lazlo Sabo on the 28th of April. In the course of the
meeting the sides confirmed their mutual interest in further expansion
of Uzbek-Hungarian cooperation in the trade, economic and investment
spheres. The Uzbek side had supported the Hungarian Government
intention to open a diplomatic representation in Tashkent.
An Uzbek-Hungarian business forum with participation of business
circles of the countries was held in Tashkent on the April 29. The event was
organized within the framework of the visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan of
the deputy minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, co-chairman
of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation Lazlo Sabo.
In his welcoming speech he highly praised the modern level of bilateral
trade and economic cooperation and called upon the Hungarian companies
to make more active use of available potential in the implementation of
join trade and investment projects. .
Taking part in the business-forum were heads and representatives of
such leading Hungarian organizations as the Hungarian Agrarian chamber
and EximBank of Hungary, companies manufacturing modern equipment
for the food and pharmaceutical industries, medical and electro-technical
equipment, purification systems and industrial and public utility services,
technologies for deep processing of farm products and building materials.
In the course of the business-forum were held presentations of
Uzbekistan’s economic and investment potential, as well as concrete
projects of prospective cooperation in the pharmaceutical, food and
electro-technical
industries
and in the sphere of production
of building materials. Also
were considered proposals
on increasing the delivery
of Uzbekistan companies’
products to the Hungarian
market.
Cooperation exchange and
negotiations between business
circles of the two states were
held in the second half of the
day.
NOTE
The Republic of Uzbekistan and the Hungarian People’s
Republic established diplomatic relations in March 1992. In October
2002, the governments of the two countries signed agreements on
mutual protection and encouragement of investments and international
automobile transpor tation of passengers and cargo. In April 2008,
the two governments inked a Convention for the Avoidance of Double
Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion. In compliance with the
Agreement on Cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and
the EU, most-favored-nation treatment was established between the
two countries. According to results of the year 2014, the trade turnover
between Uzbekistan and Hungar y totaled over $63 million. There are
three enterprises with the par ticipation of investors from Hungar y,
among them two joint ventures and one – with 100% Hungarian capital.
Representative offices of four Hungarian companies are accredited with
the MFERIT. There is an intergovernmental commission on economic
cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and Hungar y operating
since 2013. The commission’s activity is regulated by the Agreement on
Economic Cooperation of November 7, 2011. The last meeting of the
commission was held on November 24-25, 2014 in Budapest.
“Our Countries
Care about
Sustainable
Development”
The President of Latvia’s Academy of Sciences, Ojars
Sparitis, has authored an article dedicated to the
development of science in Uzbekistan for the Latvian
magazine “Izglitiba un Kultura” (Education and Culture).
Sparitis tells readers about cooperation between
Uzbekistan and Latvia in education. The author writes that “the
Latvian University and the National University of Uzbekistan
signed an agreement on the expansion of interaction in
environmental monitoring as well as protection of scientific
research into water resources and soil desalination.
Latvia and Uzbekistan accord attention to the policy
of sustainable development: as a result, the countries are
ratcheting up scientific collaboration and specialist exchange
to implement joint projects, conferences and publications
as well as cementing ties between the countries’ top
universities.”
Sparitis also shares impressions of his visit to the Institute
of Bioorganic Chemistry affiliated with Uzbekistan’s
Academy of Sciences: “Uzbek scientists have created a
lot of developments in the area of diabetes and hepatitis.
Particular attention should also go to research in agricultural
development. In particular, developing more productive
varieties of cotton, wheat, and seed potatoes, which I believe,
may be described as achievements of the 21st century.
Competitions in discoveries in genomics are currently held
between Uzbekistan, the USA, China, the Netherlands and
other leading countries. Therefore, cooperation between
Latvian and Uzbek chemists and biologists as well as members
of agricultural and forestry institutions is promising.”
“Uzbekistan’s Role in Regional
Security is Evident”
Institute of Forecasting and Security in
Europe (IFSE) has initiated a “Round Table”
in Paris, devoted to the results of Presidential
Elections in the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Taking part in the event were representatives
of the French public, political, academic and
expert circles. The participants have discussed the
results of the elections and reviewed the aspects
of ensuring the regional stability and security.
The elections in Uzbekistan were held under
qualitatively new socio-political and economic
conditions, significantly increased inter-party
competition, political and civil activeness of
population. The evidence of their democratic
and transparency nature was the involvement
of observers from 43 states, as well as five
International organizations: OSCE, CIS, OSC,
A-WEB and OIC – such is the opinion of the
French experts, who visited the country in the
capacity of observers.
IFSE President Emmanuel Dupuy:
VIEWPOINTS
Business Cooperation
NEWS
“The role of Uzbekistan, which it plays in the problem of ensuring
regional stability and security, is evident for Europeans. Namely because of
that was organized the “round table” on the subject “The Role of Uzbekistan
in ensuring security and sustained development in Central Asia” within the
framework of the IFSE visit to the country jointly with the Institute of strategic
and inter-regional research. Europe, and France in particular, should cognize
the strategic importance of this region, stemming from contemporary realities
and its own security and expand its interaction with the region.”
Pierre-Emmanuel Dupont, lecturer of the Paris University of law,
economics and management:
“I have visited dozens of voting stations of Samarqand and have to
admit the high level of their logistical support. I think that the results of the
elections fully comply with the spirit and expectations of the population,
which had chosen a course of political stability and consolidation of the
country’s international prestige.”
Banks: Quality and Stability
Constructive Dialog
A parliamentary delegation led by
Chairman of the First Committee of
Friendship of the Kuwait’s National
Assembly Saud Nashmi Al -Khariji
has visited Uzbekistan.
A meeting at the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan
took place during the visit, where the
sides discussed the state and prospects
of bilateral relations in various spheres.
The parties stressed that both sides are
interested in strengthening cooperation
between Oliy Majlis and the National
Assembly of Kuwait, legislative support
for the further development of political,
trade-economic and humanitarian
ties, improving the legal framework of
cooperation.
Kuwait is one of the most important
economic and investment partners of
Uzbekistan in the Arab world. After
the official visit of President Islam
Karimov to Kuwait in January 2004,
relations between the countries have
risen to a higher level, and are aimed at
strengthening the legal basis of bilateral
relations, and new opportunities
for expansion of cooperation were
involved. A great contribution to the
development of bilateral relations was
made by an official visit to Uzbekistan
of Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in July 2008,
following which several documents
were signed to strengthen UzbekKuwaiti relations in such areas as
countering terrorism and organized
crime, trade and economic, scientifictechnical spheres, mutual protection
and
promotion
of
investments,
avoidance
of
double
taxation,
air
transportation,
environmental
protection and natural resources, as
well as health and tourism.
The program of the delegation
included meetings at the Legislative
Chamber and Senate of Oliy Majlis of
Uzbekistan, MFERIT, the Committee
on Religious Affairs under the Cabinet
of Ministers, as well as a visit to
Samarkand.
The meeting at the Legislative
Chamber emphasized the role and
importance of the Concept of further
deepening democratic reforms and
formation of civil society in the country
to improve the activities of Parliament.
The meeting with the members
of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis
focused on issues in expanding and
strengthening cooperation between the
two parliaments, organizing activities
for the further development of interparliamentary relations, exchange
of experience in legislative activity.
Following the talks, the head of the
delegation, said, “Kuwait is interested
in further development of relations
with Uzbekistan. I am sure that interparliamentary cooperation between our
countries will continue to develop.”
Women Enjoying Protection
The United Nations Office in Geneva reviewed a report on the
social protection of women in Uzbekistan.
“One of the priorities of Uzbekistan’s
state policy is social, economic and
legal protection of women. Trade
unions actively participate in this
process. Specifically, the Council of
Trade Unions of Uzbekistan is working
cyan magenta yellow black
3
to protect the socio-economic interests
and labor rights of women. It is with
this goal in mind that a Council of
Women was established. Morover,
commissions working on women’s
issues operate in the country. The
commissions undertake measures to
to further enhance social protection of
working women,” the report says.
Creation of home-based jobs
receives special attention. Trade
Unions, which allocate funds for the
creation of new jobs, contribute to the
expansion of free legal counseling,
especially for female entrepreneurs. At
companies and organizations, young
mothers with children aged 2 to 3 are
provided with financial support in
accordance with collective agreements.
Working schedules not exceeding 35
hours per week have been set up for
working mothers at enterprises of the
nongovernmental sector.
The report presents information
on the Federation Council’s efforts to
encourage and support active women.
In 2014, as many as 1,960 women were
given electric home appliances to the
tune of 1.5 billion soums. Sanatoriums
affiliated with trade unions pay more
attention to medical treatment of
women, especially those from rural
areas. To boot, the number of social
passes for treatment provided for
fertile-age women and veteran women
is growing year after year.
Exactly one year ago, the Moody’s
agency for the fifth time confirmed
the forecast of banking system
development as “stable”. The stable
dynamics of assets’ quality, high rates
of economic growth, good banking
profit indicators, sustainable level of
liquidity and the efficiency of banks
are factors that determine predictions
for Uzbekistan.
Last week the Central Bank of
Uzbekistan jointly with the Moody’s
held the fifth annual conference devoted
to receiving international ratings by the
country’s commercial banks.
Three-hundred head and responsible
officers of commercial banks were its
participants. The conference was opened
by General Director of the Association of
Uzbekistan Banks Saydulla Abdullayev.
He noted that significant work was
carried out in the country in recent years
on further raising the sustainability of
the financial and banking systems. Their
indicators meet the requirements of
international standards and on a number
of standards have even more stable
positions. As a result all commercial
banks received rating assessments from
such well-known international agencies
as Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch
Rating's, which confirm their stability
and sustainable growth.
The speakers admitted that the efficient
supervision carried out by the Central
Bank, including continuous monitoring
of capital and liquidity sufficiency quality
indicators create necessary conditions
for sustainable operation of commercial
financial establishments. They reminded
that the Central Bank keeps improving
the process of banking regulation on the
basis of the best international practices
in compliance with recommendations
of the International Monetary Fund, the
World Bank and the Basel Committee on
Bank supervision.
The Moody’s experts told about the
methods of awarding credit ratings and
shared their opinion on the results of
reforms carried out in the banking system
of Uzbekistan. The major factor of the
positive forecast in the development
of the banking system of Uzbekistan
is the country’s sustainable economic
growth ensuring favorable operational
environment for banks within the forecast
period making up to 12-18 months.
Issues were considered in the course
of the conference related to changes in
the economy of the European zone and
their impact on the CIS countries; and
were reviewed by the Commonwealth
countries’ banking systems in conditions
of turbulence.
The Conquering Power
of Painting
A modern art exhibition titled
“New Silk Roads: Painting Beyond
Boundaries” has opened its doors at
the ION Art Gallery in Singapore.
The seven-day art show was given
the goal of putting the spotlight on the
cultures and fine art of Central Asian
countries and helping revive traditions
of the historical Silk Road.
Organized with support from Lassale
College of Arts and ENE Central Asian
Art, the unique exhibition came as a
remarkable cultural event for people of
the island since it was the first art show
to present magnificent paintings from
Central Asia.
Speaking at the opening ceremony,
Ambassador of Singapore in Uzbekistan
Zulkifli bin Baharudin highly praised the
creativity of the artists while emphasizing
the implications of this kind of exhibitions
for mutual understanding and mutual
internalization of cultures and growth
of creative ties between the countries:
“I am privileged to be participating in
such an important event for intercultural
exchange. The exhibition “New Silk
Roads: Painting Beyond Boundaries”
which has been presented for the firstever time in Singapore is an excellent
opportunity to get a taste of the unique
culture, traditions and art of the Silk
Road in Central Asia, particularly in
Uzbekistan. Each painting demonstrates
utmost mastery and each work conveys
oriental colors and ambience. I am
sure that all the art aficionados who
have gathered together here today will
appreciate the originality and singularity
of each piece on display.”
President of Lassale College of Arts,
Professor Steve Dixon, also shared his
impressions saying that artworks by
Uzbek painters piqued his interest by
virtue of “incredibly sophisticated and
unusual compositional solutions”. He
noted that they have all it takes to be
true art: style, sense of color and utmost
mastery. The works by these masters
reflect the centuries-old culture and
spiritual values of nations living in this
region. He said he is convinced that
“the art presented at the event will give
Singaporeans and international guests a
deeper insight into the spiritual world of
the Uzbek people.”
4
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No. 17 (445) May 1, 2015
BUSINESS
It is projected to implement 846 projects on the modernization,
technical and technological renovation in the years to come
A Helmsman
and His Team
Uzbekistan renounces
government corporations
Ravshan Rustamov
No business, even having most advanced equipment and
skilled staff, is capable to operate effectively without a wellbuilt system based on international standards. In the near
future Uzbekistan intends to dramatically change the existing
approaches to corporate governance, focusing on the efficient
use of production, investment, logistical, financial and human
resources.
A Launch Pad for Future Accomplishments
[1]
The participants thoroughly reviewed the progress of
programs on building the industrial capacity in the regions,
integrated development of road transportation, engineering,
communications and social infrastructure there. 434 new
production facilities have been commissioned since the
beginning of the year as part of the regional programs of
socio-economic development. 169 km of water and 54 km of
gas networks, and 1.3 million square meters of housing have
been built in the countryside. The construction of 12,000
individual standard design houses with all related engineering,
communication and social infrastructure has been underway.
The discussion of the measures on the increase of the scale
and expansion of the range of export products, enhancement of
product competitiveness in foreign markets and diversification
of exports were central points at the session. Despite the
growing unpredictability and volatility of the world markets,
the implementation of systemic measures on stimulation
of export enterprises and support in the promotion of their
products to foreign markets has ensured the growth in exports
by 13.9% and a positive trade balance. Since the beginning
of 2015, 146 new enterprises have been involved in export
activity, and 102 new kinds of products have been exported.
Small business and private entrepreneurship was in the
spotlight as the major locomotive of the national economy.
The ongoing system-based measures have contributed to the
establishment of over eight thousand new small businesses
in the first quarter of 2015, which is 10.2% more YOY. Banks
have allocated 2.8 trillion soums of loans to small businesses,
which is 1.3 times more YOY. 55 state assets worth 28.3 billion
soums were sold to private owners, of which 13 operands
were sold to investors at zero redemption value under the
condition of adopting obligations on investing 9.7 billion
soums.
New jobs rank among the major indicators of success in
any economic model. More than 141,000 new jobs have been
established in the first three months of 2015, of which over
88,000 jobs, or 62.6% were created in rural areas.
The implementation of measures under the national
program The Year of Attention and Care for the Senior
Generation has entered its active phase aiming at rendering
proper attention and all-round support to older people,
improving the quality of health and social services, which is
funded by nearly 593 billion soums from all sources.
Catching the
Wind in a Net
A map of domestic wind treasures outlined
Hurshid Rasulov
Renewable energy sources (RES) rank
among the global economy’s fastest
growing sectors. In the next five years,
experts expect a 40 percent growth.
Uzbekistan intends to reach new export markets due to advanced technologies
Planting Investments
Sarvar Navruzov
The World Bank and the Uzbek
government have signed a loan
agreement for $150 million to finance
the project on the development
of horticulture sector. It will be
implemented in eight regions:
Karakalpakstan, Andijan, Jizzakh,
Ferghana, Kashkadarya, Namangan,
Samarkand and Tashkent regions.
Development
and
strengthening
of mutually beneficial relations with
international organizations, international
institutions,
world
industry-specific
institutions has been among the main thrusts
of the foreign policy strategy of Uzbekistan
over the years of independence. The
mutually beneficial partnership with the
World Bank since 1992 has made a special
contribution in this context.
Horticulture Development Project
comprises three components: agricultural
support services, access to credits and
establishment of effective management
system.
“Having more jobs and better paying
jobs is critically important for the well-being
of people living in rural areas of Uzbekistan.
Horticulture Sector Development Project
will create new jobs by improving access
to technologies, knowledge and markets,
strengthening technical and managerial
capacity in the farming and agri-business
sectors, and introducing new financial
products in the financial sector,” said the
World Bank Country Manager for Uzbekistan
Junghun Cho.
This is the first project in the World
Bank Group portfolio in Uzbekistan where
the World Bank and the International
Finance Corporation (IFC) will join efforts
in implementing the project. The IFC will
support local food producers and processors
in implementing the internationally
recognized food safety solutions. That will
help companies along the agribusiness value
chain to improve their competitiveness and
long-term value chain sustainability. The IFC
support will also improve capacity building
of commercial banks’ staff by promoting all
types of agricultural lending to ensure access
to markets for farmers-producers.
Meanwhile, HDP is just one out of
numerous initiatives to be implemented
in the coming years. Current World Bank
commitments to Uzbekistan amount to over
$1.6 billion, of which almost 40% fall to the
energy sector and enhancement of energy
efficiency. Projects worth more than $5.7
billion will cover the further development
of relations under the new strategy of the
World Bank partnership with Uzbekistan
by 2020, of which $3 billion accounts for
energy.
The increase in the share of alternative
power generation in a total energy production
has been caused not just by the desire to
decrease the dependence on hydrocarbons,
but by the long-term and strategic development
trend of world energy. Uzbekistan has been
actively involved in the development of its
own products for the renewable energy system.
The policy of renewable energy has been
pursued not only by the countries poor in
natural resources, but also by Saudi Arabia,
the USA, Great Britain, Norway and other
oil and gas producing leaders. The reason is
simple: the global power industry enters a new
phase of its technological development, so if
the chance is missed, one will likely never be
able to catch up with competitors, because of
the lack of the know-how and practice.
Therefore, Uzbekistan has been arranging
many expert sites, attracting leading foreign
experts and specialists for sharing experiences
and adapting best practices on the Uzbek
land. One of them - national conference on
building wind energy capacity – wrapped up
last week in Tashkent.
In his keynote speech at the conference,
First Deputy Minister of Economy of
Uzbekistan Batyr Khodjayev pointed out to
the need for breakthrough technologies in this
field.
“In Uzbekistan, the electricity consumption
will double by 2030 against the current indexes
and exceed 105 billion KWh. Therefore,
the development of new highly efficient
technologies and renewable energy sources is
not just an option, but a necessity. Introduction
of renewable energy turns into a crucial factor
to not just balance the growing demand and
consumption of energy, but also increase the
innovation capacity as part of the country’s
economic development,” he said.
An ‘Atlas of Winds’ is designed to become
a kind of a pass into the renewable power
energy future of the country. The interactive
information and analytical system of the
wind energy capacity of Uzbekistan was
designed through computer simulation by
German companies Geo-Net and Intec-Gopa.
According to German experts, wind energy
resources are estimated at over 520,000 MW
of installed capacity and more than a billion
megawatt-hours of electricity per year as the
preliminary results of conservative assessment.
On the foot of the atlas, the Uzbekenergo
company has identified two promising areas in
Navoi region and in the south of Karakalpakstan
for further detailed studies to clarify their wind
capacity. This March, 85 meter meteorological
masts were installed in each area to measure the
wind speed and direction, as well as air density
and temperature. The devices transmit information
to an online server for further analysis through
a satellite system. It will help to determine the
most optimal unit capacity of wind turbines and
calculate the capacity of electricity generation in
the preparation of an investment project.
At the conference, the expert community
dispelled the myth of the high cost of
electricity generated by renewable energy
sources. Today, under favorable conditions,
the relative capital investment in one MW
of installed capacity of wind power plants
exceeds $1 million, which is almost equal to
the similar cost of up-to-date combined-cycle
plants. The production cost of electricity using
alternative sources averages 5.5 cents per
1kWh.
European experts have been actively
supporting Uzbekistan in the development
of alternative energy. The Sustainable Energy
Program for Central Asia (CASEP), financed
by the European Union, has launched the
development of technical documentation
under the program of electricity supply to 400
hardly accessible rural health units on the
basis of alternative sources.
“We have embarked on the development of
technical documentation. In the second stage
we will seek funding for the pilot projects, and
furthermore - loans for implementation of the
program. It is expected that the technical part
will be completed this October-November,
and five or six pilot projects are scheduled
for next year,” said program’s key expert on
renewable energy Paata Janelidze.
Tourism:
A Delicate Matter
Daniyar Salomov
The Uzbek capital has hosted not the first, but definitely the
most colorful and attractive exhibition in the new season.
The Uzbek international tourism exhibition ‘The World of
Recreation’ has welcomed its visitors. The exhibition of
vintage cars was the spotlight of it, the attraction for both
residents of the capital and regions, and foreign guests.
No need to be an expert to see the obvious boost of tourism
in Uzbekistan, as evidenced by the increasing inflow of foreign
tourists in Tashkent, Samarkand, Khiva and other cities, as well
as world-renowned hotel brands and tourism companies.
This year, the exhibition was represented by over 147
companies, including travel agencies, guest houses, hotels
and hotel chains, airlines from 30 countries, among them
Spain, Malaysia, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, the United Arab
Emirates, Turkey, Switzerland, the Maldives and the Seychelles.
The visitors could see the tourism potential of Uzbekistan,
and explore a variety of services. Besides, the exhibition
demonstrated the opportunities of ecotourism, sports tourism in
cyan magenta yellow black
4
Exhibition got involved
about 150 companies
Uzbekistan, folk crafts, as well as a fascinating
photo exhibition.
“We are here for the first time to learn about the tourism
infrastructure in Uzbekistan and present our services. Your
country has a good capacity in the historic tourism. Also, you
have great opportunities to promote the so-called active tourism
- Charvak, Chimgan and Zaamin - there are few like places in
the world. It stands to reason that the Tashkent region and its
mountain resorts are called the ‘Central Asian Switzerland’,”
said the Caribbean Resort Regional Deputy Director for Sales
and Marketing Walid Haggag.
Fans of vintage and classic cars, glittering hoods and unique
frameworks were invited to the exhibition of 20 unique vintage
vehicles not younger than 60 years. Every exhibited vehicle has
its long history, some were shot in the films and participated
in photo shoots, and some transported well-known historical
personalities. To date, all cars have been restored and repaired.
A range of measures adopted last week by President of
Uzbekistan is to become a key to open the door for companies
into the future. Experts predict that some of them will be
extremely unpopular in some ‘stagnant’ managers of domestic
enterprises who are not ready to streamline with the realities
of the time. Meanwhile, the real sector of the economy of
Uzbekistan might be short of a significant part of foreign
investment and lose its share both in external and domestic
markets in the near future if the measures are not taken now.
It is true that the level of corporate governance in Uzbek
companies is still far behind their competitors in developed
countries; however, there is a positive trend. Some 1015 years ago, the term ‘corporate governance’ sounded
outlandish for the domestic economy. It was a tough
challenge for the young republic to immediately shift to a
freely regulated market after it had completely changed its
economic structure. Therefore, the government designed
a special program of phased transition, with large-scale
privatization of state assets, establishment of joint-stock
companies and private enterprises in the first stage.
Today, the domestic companies are shifting to a new
stage: economic growth motivates them for accessing foreign
markets, and therefore, scaling up their output by channeling
investments in the upgrade and technological extension.
These objectives seem unfeasible without building a
competent system of distribution of rights and duties among
staff, without regulations and procedures of decision-making,
in a word, without a system of corporate governance.
A monitoring showed that the country's 364 joint stock
companies are not able to meet the challenges of the time,
and are subject to elimination or reorganization by October
1, 2015. To radically change the situation in the rest of the
companies, experts have developed a standard organizational
scheme of a joint stock company guided by the thorough
study of the governance system in the biggest international
companies. All domestic joint stock companies should bring
their structure in line with the scheme by the end of July.
Heads of companies with the state share will have to
be certified on the knowledge of modern technologies
and principles of corporate governance, management and
marketing, information and communication technologies,
and their application in the production management system.
Upon the results of assessment, the vacant post will be offered
to progressive, highly qualified executives meeting modern
requirements, as well as foreign managers. As of June, the
decision on the appointment of the head of a company’s
executive body will be made on a competitive basis.
In order to attract the progressive foreign specialists
to domestic enterprises it is planned to provide them with
certain tax exemptions. For example, joint stock companies
are exempt from paying the single social payment from the
payroll of foreign workers involved in managerial staff, and
revenues of foreign experts are exempt from income and
profit tax at the source, as well as mandatory insurance
payments of citizens in the off-budget Pension Fund under
the Ministry of Finance.
A Research and Education Center of Corporate
Governance, which should replace the abolished High
School of Business, is seen to become a pillar of the new
system. It will be established with the involvement of the
leading German educational institutions.
The new center will provide a methodical platform
for the introduction of modern organizational forms and
practices of corporate governance, as well as deal with
training and advanced training of related managerial staff in
accordance with international requirements and standards.
President Islam Karimov entrusted the government with the
adoption of a special document by the end of May 2015 on
the organization of the center's activities, and assignment
of specific tasks, functions, structure, and admission quota
for students, as well as the measures that would ensure the
effective operation of the center.
By August 1, 2015 it is planned to develop and approve the
Corporate Governance Code. The document will be developed
by the Commission on Ensuring Effective Operation of Joint
Stock Companies and Streamlining the Corporate Governance
System in conjunction with related ministries and agencies.
It should envisage recommendations on implementation of
best practices in corporate governance, build a development
strategy and set long-term objectives, establish internal
control system and mechanisms for effective interaction of
the executive body with shareholders and investors. The
document will define the standard organizational structure
of joint-stock companies taking into account their scale,
industry specifics and development thrusts, as well as require
from them publishing information in line with international
audit and financial reporting standards.
As of July 1, 2015, Uzbekistan will ban using the word
‘state’ in the names of joint-stock and other business entities,
regardless of the share of the state in their charter capital.
Besides, the decision on the appointment of the head of the
executive body of a company will be naturally made on a
competitive basis with the involvement of foreign managers.
In case if shareholders, including minority shareholders,
claim to the Economic Court of the violation of their legitimate
rights and interests, they will be granted with deferral of
payment of the state duty, with subsequent recovery from the
guilty party.
The new measures are expected to simplify access to
international markets and foreign investment. They imply
the increase in the investment attractiveness of the business,
simplified access to loan capital, as well as acquiring the
status of credible investor. With this purpose, within 20152018, the Uzbek joint-stock companies will take on the
annual publishing of financial statements and conduct of
external audit in accordance with International Standards
on Auditing and International Financial Reporting Standards.
By July 1, 2015, the Commission on Ensuring Effective
Operation of Joint Stock Companies and Streamlining the
Corporate Governance System should approve the schedule
of publication of annual financial statements of joint stock
companies.
5
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No. 17 (445) May 1, 2015
OPINION
Decent Working Conditions
Uzbekistan is Open to the World
Jaap Wienen,
Deputy General Secretary,
International Trade Union Confederation:
“Uzbekistan has been taking scaled measures on social protection and
development of social par tnership in labor field. We have witnessed
how intensively your countr y has been implementing international labor
standards.
At the conference we have learnt about the activities of cer tain primar y
trade union organizations under enterprises and institutions of the
republic. We have highly commended good working conditions during our
visit to Maxam-Chirchik joint venture in the Tashkent region. Safe working
conditions and social protection of employees of the joint venture fully
meet international standards and all elements of decent work. This is
the outcome of effective social par tnership between the trade union and
the employer company, while the collective agreement has been safely
ensuring the protection of socio-economic interests and labor rights of
workers.
The conference was held at a high level, and covered many relevant
points. This is a prime example of the fact that Uzbekistan is open to the
world, and is enthusiastic about the international dialogue.”
An effective mechanism
[1]
The
authorities
have
been
effectively
developing
small
businesses,
farming,
home-based
work, handicrafts, services, supporting
livestock production in private farms
and establishment of agricultural
companies in rural areas, concurrently
eliminating all barriers to the
development of private enterprise, and
cutting the presence of the government
in the economy and other areas. All
these measures have been scalingup employment, and mitigating the
stratification of the population by
income level.
Trade unions are essential in terms
of guaranteeing citizens’ rights at
work. Incorporating over six million
members in 14 branch unions, the
Federation of Trade Unions has been
pursuing a system-based policy in
this direction. They contribute to the
effective implementation of the ILO
Decent Work Agenda.
The General Agreement between
the Government, the Council of
Federation of Trade Unions and the
Chamber of Commerce and Trade on
Socio-Economic Issues for 2014-2016
ensures decent working conditions for
different categories of workers. It is a
pillar for 90 branch and 14 regional
agreements across the country, and
more than 100,000 of collective
employment agreements at enterprises,
organizations and institutions. They
cover the issues of employment
promotion, protection and safety,
legal and social protection of workers,
benefits for specific categories
of workers, compliance with ILO
conventions.
Compensation of employees is an
important issue. The average monthly
wage at state enterprises and budget
organizations has been steadily
increasing.
The law envisages the mandatory
fringe benefits for working at night
and on the weekends, holidays and
overtime. Workers of 32 districts,
cities and certain enterprises in desert,
arid or mountainous terrains receive
regional premium benefits.
Trade unions tend to increase
workers’ income through local acts,
as today they receive some additional
income through collective agreements.
The policy of equal pay for work of
equal value, and timely payment has
been pursued under the legislation,
national and international standards.
Trade unions of Uzbekistan
have been increasingly focusing
on protecting occupational safety
and health, prevention of industrial
accidents and occupational diseases. In
this direction, trade unions have been
working closely with social partners.
For example, 6,000 enterprises and
organizations were monitored last year
to ensure safe working conditions for
employees.
This
year,
Uzbekistan
has
elaborated a Program of Action to
Improve Working Conditions and
Safety in Uzbekistan for 2015-2016. An
interdepartmental working group will
analyze and submit specific proposals
on the prevention of occupational
injuries.
Legal protection of workers is
essential as well. Over the past three
years, trade unions have considered
dozens thousands of citizens’ appeals.
About 68% of them related to labor
legislation, 28% - illegal actions of
employers. In 2014, trade unions
submitted hundreds of petitions to the
courts and employers, thus restoring
the rights of over 1,100 citizens.
EMPLOYMENT
AND
LABOR
MARKET ISSUES have been a priority
in many countries. The forum
participants expressed keen interest in
the experience of Uzbekistan in this
field.
Creation of appropriate conditions
for full employment was in the
Trade Unions at Their Height
Sergejus Glovackas,
ILO Chief Specialist:
“I am honored to once again participate in this important event.
We have addressed many relevant issues of social and labor relations. The
level and quality of international conferences in Uzbekistan has been scaling
up year by year.
There are many skilled trade union specialists in your country, and
international trade union centers commend the work being done by your
trade unions.
I would like to point out to the rapid growth of cooperation between
Uzbekistan and the ILO. It is very important that we maintain the dynamic
cooperation in this field.
Uzbekistan›s experience in ensuring citizens› rights to decent working
conditions should be extended to the whole of Central Asia.”
Providing Employment
Pierre Coutaz,
International Department Secretary,
General Confederation of Labor of France:
“I am impressed to see such a large percentage of working members of
trade unions in Uzbekistan. I have appreciated the system-based measures
your country has been taking to ensure employment. The conference was
very useful, constructive and rich in discussions.”
cyan magenta yellow black
5
spotlight. Approximately one million
jobs were created in the republic in
2014, including 60% in rural areas.
Uzbekistan has a large and rapidly
growing labor capacity. The number
of able-bodied persons in the country
makes up 18 million people, or 62%
of the population. The labor force
annually increases by 2%.
Uzbekistan has been successfully
implementing the annual Job Creation
Program, which is approved at a joint
meeting of the Legislative Chamber
and Senate of Oliy Majlis. It has been
implemented thanks to several main
thrusts.
First of all, the program is driven by
the accelerated development of small
business and private entrepreneurship
and creation of a favorable business
environment, which provides over
350,000 new jobs every year. Homebased work and family businesses allow
employing more than 220,000 people.
Poultry, livestock, fish farming, beekeeping in farming enterprises, as well
as the greenhouses provide 140,000
new jobs.
Nearly 500,000 graduates of
vocational colleges come to the
country’s labor market every year, so
Uzbekistan is taking special measures
for their employment, including their
assignment to a specific company
for
internship
and
subsequent
employment. Public organizations
and trade unions have been actively
involved in this process.
Trade unions assist in the
implementation of the above-mentioned
measures through maintaining public
control over the procedure of signing
labor contracts and provision of newly
hired graduates with special clothing
and personal protective equipment,
briefing on labor protection and safety
measures and providing moral and
financial support. Trade unions see it
highly relevant that newly employed
graduates are introduced to the terms of
the collective agreement and attached
to a skilled professional.
Trade unions also provide public
monitoring over the implementation
of the Job Creation Program. In case
of revealed shortcomings at a business
entity or organization, trade unions
make a submission to the relevant
authorities and employers.
In the follow up, Uzbekistan
intends
to
expand
productive
employment by increasing the number
of new high-paying jobs in small
business and private entrepreneurship
sector, farming, social and market
infrastructure.
The
currently
increasing
employment of human resources is
seen as a factor of growth in income
and living standards.
THE
ISSUE
OF
SOCIAL
PARTNERSHIP in the workplace
triggered an interesting dialogue at
the conference. In Uzbekistan, social
partnership has been part of the
ideology of effective social dialogue
between the government, trade unions
and employers, which allows achieving
a balance of interests of all three
parties on the basis of cooperation.
A strong social policy has paved the
way for the development of new trend
of social partnership of the state with
representatives of all NGOs through the
joint development and implementation
of state social programs.
In September 2014, Uzbekistan
adopted the Law ‘On social
partnership’, which stipulates the
interaction of state bodies with NGOs
and other civil society institutions in
the development and implementation
of the socio-economic development
programs. It chiefly focuses on social
protection, support and increase of
social involvement of the population.
The
above-mentioned
General
Agreement between the Cabinet of
Ministers, the Council of Federation
of Trade Unions and the Chamber of
Commerce and trade is deemed the
major document of social partnership in
the labor sector at the national level. The
document triggers a range of measures
to ensure the creation of decent working
conditions for different categories of
workers. Under the agreement, the
parties may enter into partnership
relations at all levels with regard
to streamlining legislation in labor,
employment programs, prevention of
injuries and diseases, social protection
of employees, and others.
The
general
agreement
has
empowered signing of industryspecific, territorial agreements, and
collective
bargaining
agreements
at companies, organizations and
institutions. Collective contractual
relationships cover more than 98% of
legal entities, employing trade union
members in Uzbekistan. The rate is
seen high both at the national level
and in the international scale. They
attach importance to social security,
health and safety, protection of the
corresponding rights, improvement
of health of employees and their
families. All collective bargaining acts
comprise the elements like promotion
of employment, decent wages, labor
safety and security, legal and social
protection of workers, benefits
for certain categories of workers,
compliance with ILO conventions.
5,500 young families received
interest-free loans, more than 2,800
students paid contracts for education,
about 190,000 workers improved
their health at sanatoriums and health
resorts last year through collective
contracts and agreements. Under the
Year of Attention and Care for the
Senior Generation, these acts empower
financial assistance to older workers,
provide valuable retirement gifts,
targeted support for retired employees
of enterprises, and health improvement
of labor veterans on the preferential
basis.
Collective agreements at all levels
are featured by the availability of
sections and measures on strengthening
social protection and ensuring
employees’ rights for decent working
conditions based on social partnership.
ALONG WITH PLENARY SESSIONS,
the conference was held in four
sections: ‘Promoting international labor
standards and streamlining national
legislation for implementation of the
fundamental rights at work’, ‘Ensuring
favorable and safe working conditions
and expanding social protection’,
‘Enhancing the opportunities for decent
employment and income’, ‘Social
control and social partnership in the
context of guaranteeing the rights to
decent working conditions’.
The forum broadly demonstrated
international experience in terms of
creation of decent working conditions.
First of all, representatives of
international organizations clarified
the idea itself, which is based on
productive employment, rights at
a workplace, social protection and
social dialogue.
In their reports foreign participants
brought up such points as ‘The role
and place of trade unions in the
implementation of social model in
Denmark’, ‘Salaries and incentives
in Germany’, ‘The experience of
France in ensuring salary equality’,
‘National Tripartite Social Dialogue in
Azerbaijan’, and others.
Conference participants highly
Wolfgang Lutterbach,
Senior Specialist, ILO Workers’
Activities-Desk Office for Europe:
“I see the experience of Uzbekistan in creation of decent working conditions
as very interesting. The General Agreement between the Government,
the Council of Federation of Trade Unions and the Chamber of Commerce
and Trade on Socio-Economic Issues for 2014-2016 suggests many useful
things to learn from. The relationships between workers and employers
are regulated by collective bargaining regulations, secured by effective
transparent mechanisms of public control over the implementation of local
acts. This tripartite social dialogue is increasingly recognized as an effective
mechanism for policy formulation and implementation in the field of labor,
employment and social protection.
The forum has become a platform for pooling experience for foreign trade
union activists, which is especially relevant in the light of the current effects
of the global financial and economic crisis in many countries.”
commended
the
experience
of
Uzbekistan in ensuring labor rights of
citizens, and effective involvement of
trade unions in this process.
In the wake of the forum
the
participants
approved
the
recommendations and proposals for
the extension of the experience of
Uzbekistan in creation of decent
working conditions in companies and
organizations, further streamlining of
the activity of trade unions and partner
organizations in this direction, the
institutionalization of social dialogue,
and establishment of public control.
As part of the international
conference foreign guests were
introduced to the specifics of trade
unions at enterprises and institutions
of the country, and visited historical
cities of Samarkand and Khiva.
***
The Council of Federation of Trade
Unions held a panel discussion on the
occasion of the World Labor Protection
Day.
As noted at the event, labor
protection ranks among the priorities of
trade union organizations of the country.
Labor protection services have been
established under territorial and industry
specific trade union organizations
to prevent employment injuries and
occupational diseases, and strengthen
employers' liability in this regard.
Uzbekistan has made some
progress in ensuring the observation
of sanitary rules in workers’
associations, continuous operation
of social facilities through collective
agreements. Employees are provided
with protective clothing and footwear,
personal
protective
equipment,
preventive nutrition.
The speakers pointed out that
the cooperation of trade unions with
employers, government organizations
and NGOs has been contributing to
strengthening of labor protection. The
streamlined legal framework in the
field has provided opportunities for
addressing many issues through social
partnership.
The panelists discussed the
ways of enhancing prevention and
occupational safety. They shared the
related national and international
experience.
The meetings on the occasion of
the World Labor Protection Day were
held in Karakalpakstan, regions and
the Tashkent city, in the primary trade
union organizations of the republic.
Bridges of Cooperation
Marlise Brigitte Daane,
Press-Secretary, IG Metal
Industrial Union (Germany):
“Such forums help building effective bridges of cooperation between trade
unions in different countries.
Uzbekistan has made great progress in protecting socio-economic and
labor rights of workers. It is noteworthy that the state has been assisting in
addressing problems in labor sector. Such a support has a positive effect on
the further development of this work.”
Strategic Partnership
Zhang Jianguo,
Department Head, All-China
Federation of Trade Unions:
“Having reached the level of strategic partnership in all fields, the ChineseUzbek cooperation has been developing dynamically. My respect for the
hardworking people of Uzbekistan, with their long history, rich and multifaceted
culture, is boundless.
The interaction between the trade union organizations of the two countries
has been intensifying year after year. The conference has introduced us to the
impressive work Uzbekistan has been carrying out to ensure citizens› rights to
decent working conditions. We are impressed by the innovations in this field.”
6
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No. 17 (445) May 1, 2015
SOCIAL ORBIT
Schoolchildren attending a career guidance exhibition
LAVISHED WITH ATTENTION
REMEMBRANCE AND HONOR DAY
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
Bright Days
in the Neighborhood
Eldar Rahmatullayev
With Remembrance and Honor Day and the 70th anniversary of Victory in World
War II fast approaching, an unusual atmosphere has set in Uzbekistan. An Uzbekistan
Today correspondent visited Hamid Sulaimonov Mahalla (neighborhood) in Tashkent’s
Yakkasaroy District.
Schoolchildren
on the Threshold
of Life
The Ministry of Public Education
continues to introduce information and
communication technologies thereby
contributing to the implementation
of laws that guarantee free twelveyear education, which is split into
two segments: nine years at general
education schools and three years
at a lyceum or college. This year,
information technologies are being
introduced to the system of monitoring
the process of application to secondary
special and professional schooling.
Moreover, career guidance and
counseling for ninth-graders is being
computerized.
Sanjar Anvarov
Director of the Republican Center
for Career Guidance and PsychologicalPedagogical Diagnostics of Students at
the Ministry of Public Education, Komol
Gofurov, has told an Uzbekistan Today
correspondent how schools prepare
their students for college and lyceum
admission exams.
“Mr. Gofurov, what innovations are
expected this year?”
“This year, for the first time
applications to lyceums and colleges
will be based on an electronic system of
monitoring. Last year, it worked in test
mode and lived up to expectations. We
rely on it to glean accurate information about each and find
out whether he or she was admitted to a particular college or
lyceum.
The monitoring system has made it possible to automate
and predict the influx of boys and girls willing to enroll in a
particular school. The system contains information based on
the results of surveys of students regarding their choice of
an educational institution and specialization. The computer
system automatically collates all the information and we
can now gauge the situation at every college in terms of
profession. We can say that approximately 15% of professional
colleges will see an increase in the number of applications.
These include institutions that train medical and humanities
specialists. We now hold explanatory work for applicants
so that graduating schoolchildren would know the emerging
situation. This way, we would also be able to help them deal
with the situation.”
“As practice has shown, the most challenging task is to
help every graduating schoolchild choose a specialty and
profession.”
“Yes, that’s exactly why a lot is being done to help every
graduate in this regard. The Center for Secondary Special
and Professional Education annually adjusts quotas based on
predictions with regard to demand for specialists. Schools are
also working to familiarize students with requirements in the
jobs market.
However, the choice of a profession remains a tough
task for schoolchildren. Some of them are not ready to cope
with it. There are school-based psychologists and career
guidance specialists who should come to their aid. But that
does not always held. Therefore, we have created a computer
program based on developments by local and international
psychologists that is used to test students and determines their
inclinations for particular professions. This year we tested it
at school №110 in Tashkent’s Mirabad District and Schools
№11 and №27 in Tashkent Region. We plan to introduce the
software at all schools next year. By that time it will be able to
HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGIES
A string of events celebrating
the 70th anniversary of
victory in World War Two
is being held in Uzbek
regions at the initiative of
the Nuroniy Foundation.
list not just the names of occupations that
fit students, but also provide information
about whether a particular profession is
in demand in the jobs market.”
“But even after the software is
introduced, problems related to popular
professions and conflict of interest will
remain unresolved, won’t they? Testing
will show demand for plumbers or
carpenters. The labor market indicates a
need for “working hands” while students
aspire to get into medical, pedagogical
and law colleges.”
“We conduct student surveys three
times a year in order to see their desires
and intentions regarding further studies.
We have compared results and see how
students’ opinions change. As a rule, the first two surveys
show the strong influence of the ‘collectivism’ factor on their
choice; you can see an entire class willing to continue their
studies together. In the third survey, we can see that they
demonstrate a more conscious approach.
That’s the result of a series of events, called ‘festivals of
professions’, which are held in-between surveys. Colleges
and lyceums host open house days. Representatives of
secondary education institutions come to schools and talk
about the opportunities offered by their institutions. Various
competitions and quizzes are held in an effort to raise
students’ awareness and overall knowledge. And an annual
“My Future Profession” essay is administered. All these induce
students to think twice before making a choice. Meetings with
parents have also become traditional. In recent years, these
meetings have been held separately for mothers and fathers as
parents have shown different approaches to determining their
children’s future occupation.
An analysis of the current system of career guidance has
revealed that the weakest link is the absence of professional
counseling for children concerning their future professions.
The child receives advice from his or her teachers, parents,
grandparents and friends but never a specific, well-grounded
answer to the question of what to be. Once introduced, the
computer-based testing will help relieve the acuteness of this
problem.”
Is there any probability that the recommendations will be
made mandatory for implementation?
“Children and their parents will always have a choice. Our
task is to provide them with maximum professional counseling
and help every ninth-grader to gain professional skills that
would enable them to engage in their favorite activities and
become sought-after specialists. Consequently, all this should
contribute to the formation in Uzbekistan of a labor market
where every specialist in addition to professional knowledge
will be required to have a broad world outlook as well as
economic and legal knowledge.”
Medical Discoveries
That Instill Hope
Oleg Gayevoy
“Tertiary peritonitis”, a word
combination that has not yet
become habitual for local
surgeons, is an umbrella term for
all types of purulent peritonitis
that develop after surgeries on
purulent complications in health
conditions affecting the abdominal
cavity that result from other
gastrointestinal tract diseases. At
the same time, research centers
have emerged in Uzbekistan that
aspire to remove this condition
from the list of highly lethal
diseases. International scientists
praised results secured by Andijan
specialists.
Three
major
medical
establishments in Andijan Region
– the Andijan Medical Institute, the
Center for Clinical Limphology, and
the regional branch of the National
Specialized Center for Emergency Aid
– have joined forces in an effort to
address tertiary peritonitis. Following
a body of research, a group of
specialists working under the tutelage
of Professor Erkin Jumaboyev, the son
of the founder of clinical lymphology
in Uzbekistan Satkul Jumaboyev, has
cyan magenta yellow black
6
arrived at a conclusion that tertiary
peritonitis is a problem that is to be
addressed by using regional lymphatic
therapy methods. The treatment
techniques they have proposed have
made it possible to cut the lethality
of the disease two-fold. Around two
hundred patients have been treated
based on the said methods thus far.
The local doctors based their
inventions
on
the
numerous
discoveries about the greater
omentum made over the past years
elsewhere in the world. Research has
revealed that it is not just a group of
body cells that impacts the physique,
but also a crucial organ of the human
immune system that is responsible
for warding off infections from the
abdominal cavity and serves as a
shield from inflammatory disease.
This effect is provided by cells
produced by milk spots found in the
greater omentum.
“Our research has shown that the
primary cause of all types of peritonitis,
especially tertiary peritonitis, is
insufficient activity of cells produced
by milk spots. The immune system
becomes weak and standard
treatment is rendered ineffective,”
says Professor Erkin Jumaboyev of
the Department of Hospital Surgery
I and the chairman of the Mahalla Committee Mahkam Sultonov set out to visit World War
Two veteran Nazar Semyonovich Nazaryan.
“On April 7, we were joined by members of the District Mayor’s Office and the Ministry
of Defense to visit Yuri Shevchenko. We presented him a commemorative medal and a
money award on behalf of President Islam Karimov,” Mahkam Sultonov said as we made
our way to see the respectable veteran. “But time has mercy on no one; after two days, he
departed this life. The mahalla now has only one 1941-1945 war veteran and four labor front
participants,” Sultonov said. “They rarely leave their homes but their neighbors remember and
respect them for their outstanding services for their motherland. They are visited by doctors
and representatives of authorities. Each visit by guests to our mahalla boosts veterans’ prestige
and contributes to the understanding of the importance of victory over fascism and aspiration
to value peace and rapport that our multinational country enjoys. Being close to them plays an
important role in the upbringing of the youth in the spirit of peace and tolerance.
“In what has become a tradition, no important event is held without culinary delights,
including on Remembrance and Honor Day,” he continued. “In our mahalla, laying a table
with treats has become a good tradition. Unfortunately, this year’s celebrations will be without
respectable veterans, who won’t be able to join us due to their frail health. Nonetheless, the
gathering will talk about and honor them, their feats, and their contributions to the victory. We
will also remember and pay tribute to those who passed away, but they have remained in our
hearts. On behalf of the mahalla committee and neighbors, each and every veteran will be
given souvenirs and sweets in their homes.”
…In the course of our conversation we approached a freshly painted gate. The honorable
man’s daughter, Margarita, opened the door and greeted us. Then appeared the veteran. Our
conversation took place in the small, well-groomed yard.
“I joined the war in 1941 as a volunteer and went as far as Germany. I have lived in
Uzbekistan for nearly 70 years. Before retirement, I worked as a watch repairman. Today I
enjoy life and pray to the Almighty that there would always be peace on earth and that our
children lived in peace and accord,” Nazar Nazaryan says. “I don’t leave the confines of
my home due to my health. But I don’t suffer from lack of attention. Recently, I was visited
by doctors, employees of the mayor’s office and the Ministry of Defense, who extended
congratulations on behalf of our President and gave me a medal and a money award. They
also offered me free recreation at a sanatorium, but I declined. The other day, high school and
college students from the neighborhood came to visit me and offered to help about the house.
They are great guys, who helped us clean the house after winter and repair the façade.”
For Nazaryan, Remembrance and Honor Day is a very special date. In keeping with
tradition, an elderly person’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren get together in
the house.
“It is now the third generation that enjoys peaceful life. It is my great-grandchildren. And
I am in seventh heaven,” Nazaryan says. “I find myself remembering the war, my friends and
colleagues who did not make it to this day. The only solace I have is that these deprivations
were not in vain.”
Nazar Nazaryan
…The veteran’s
daughter Margarita
saw us out. Saying
goodbye to her,
Mahkam
warned
her saying: “Expect
more guests. A group
of
entrepreneurs
working
in
the
mahalla are planning
to visit the veteran
with presents.”
In the words of
the chairman of the
Mahalla Committee,
the veterans are in
for more presents
and surprises. The
Year of Attention and
Care for the Senior
Generation has made
sure that no one is
left unattended.
***
The Museum of the Armed
Forces of Uzbekistan has put
together a major exhibition
at the Pension Home for
War and Labor Veterans.
Residents of the pension home
have been given an opportunity
to view photos and models of
military equipment used during
the Second World War as well as
modern equipment. Exhibits also
included military uniforms from
various years. Veterans reminisced
about
their
relatives,
loved
ones and friends that had made
contributions to the triumph over
fascist Germany.
The event concluded with
performances by an orchestra and
the Central Ensemble of Song and
Dance of Uzbekistan’s armed forces.
Those gathered listened to wartime
songs and modern melodies.
***
Over 120 war and labor
veterans have taken a rest
at Tovoqsoy sanatorium
in Tashkent Region.
They have returned home full of
memories and lasting impressions
of the time they spent at the
facility.
Members of the sanatorium’s
administration said that thorough
preparations had been undertaken
for veterans’ recreation. One of
their favorite spots is a gazebo with
a national trestle bed that gave
them an excellent opportunity
to enjoy get-together for tea,
enjoying conversations and sharing
memories.
A mandatory part of the
recreation is medical treatment.
Veterans
were
serviced
by
experienced physiotherapists and
treated to herbal drinks.
YEAR OF ATTENTION AND CARE FOR THE SENIOR GENERATION
History Perpetuated in Snapshots
Asliddin Hakimov
In the Year of Attention and Care for the Senior
Generation in Uzbekistan, the State Central Archive
of Cinema and Photo Documents is demonstrating
documents reflecting the life of elderly people in various
years and helping to add more snapshots to family
archives.
at the Andijan Medical Institute,
who led the research. “Therefore, in
order to successfully ward off tertiary
peritonitis we focused on looking for
techniques that would make these
cells work.”
The discovery made by Andijan
scientists lay in a new area of modern
medicine, which has been dubbed
“lymphotropic cell therapy”. It refers
to boosting cells’ immune activity with
the help of certain sets of medications
out of the body and introduction of
resultant cells to the body in line with
lymphotropic therapy rules, that is, to
particular zones where they may start
to actively fight infection and perform
their functions.
“Our method does not exclude
conventional components of tertiary
peritonitis treatment,” Professor
Jumaboyev summed up. “But it
sharply increases patients’ recovery
chances.”
The method has been presented
at the international conferences
focusing on clinical lymphology,
where it drew positive reviews from
international specialists, and has
been incorporated into practices at
the Andijan Medical Institute and
the regional branch of the National
Research Center for Emergency Aid.
Tashkent’s Turkiston Palace of Art
hosted an event attended by over
500 people, among them 1941–
1945 war and labor front veterans
and members of the Kamolot Youth
Movement.
The event treated those gathered
to exciting performances by music
teams and Uzbek celebrities.
With support from sponsors
that included ArtExpoServis and
Uzbekyengilsanoat,
war
and
labor veterans were honored with
presents.
and Care for the Senior Generation.”
The staff of the archive has given Uzbekistan Today
correspondents an exclusive opportunity to familiarize
themselves with such requests.
One such request was made by a Malika Saidova, who
expressed profuse gratitude after she was provided with
what she had been looking for. She had asked the archivists
to help find screenshots from a video featuring her father,
Malik Rahimov, once a lecturer at the National University of
Uzbekistan, then known as Tashkent State University.
Another Uzbek citizen, Bahodir Otaquziyev, the son of
eminent poet Uygun, had been seeking materials about his
father. The staff provided him with a number of photographs
and footage featuring the late man of letters.
Film director Sharofat Sharipova got hold of copies of
films she had directed – “The Kind Storyteller” and “The Life
and Creativity of Ghofur Ghulom” (a 20th-century Uzbek
poet), a perfect present for her birthday.
Following tradition, the State Archive has responded to
the announcement of 2015 as the Year of Attention and Care
for the Senior Generation by mounting a thematic mobile
exhibition. It may be viewed at various events.
“The oldest photograph on display dates back to 1930
while the newest one was made during Navruz celebrations,
when all the veteran archivists got together and were treated
to meals,” says Zulfiya Suleimanova, head of a department.
“The photo captures traditions reflecting veneration that
elderly people enjoy in Uzbekistan.
They are guardians of traditions and
customs and play an important role in
the upbringing of the rising generation.
Uzbek society pays a considerable
amount of attention to their prosperity
while the government provides a broad
spectrum of social services seeking to
improve living standards for them.
Many people contact the state
archive with requests to help find images
of their loved ones. Many of them have
their requests fulfilled, since a number
of newspaper offices, news agencies,
film studios and leading documentary
makers have long participated in the
formation of archives.
“We often have people asking us
to find photographs of relatives and
to find works created by them,” says
Suleimanova. “This year, the number
of such people has notably increased
since many events are being held in Zulfiya Suleimanova describes
connection with the Year of Attention photographs on display
7
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CULTURE AND ARTS
On the Way
to Harmony
Story without Words
[1]
The hall was overcrowded with
lovers of dance. The spectators were
enchanted by every single motion of the
dancers: you know, that every dance
was telling a love and life story.
“We are grateful for support to our
director Karima Zaripova and coordinator
Ravshan Nurmukhammedov. We would
not be able to achieve such results
without them,” say students of the
variety-circus college, awarded with
diplomas. “We felt so much agitated
because we had to compete with
professional actors. We had learnt so
much in three days and now we feel
confident in ourselves.”
The evening ended up with a
performance given by the festival
winner, actor of the Republican Theater
of young spectators Shakhboz Turonov.
“An actor should be a Jack-of-all-
Nasiba Muminova
Fifty gold and 50 silver medals have found
their winners at the Festival of Fine and
Applied art organized by the Academy
of Arts of Uzbekistan. Some of
the awards were presented to
winners living in various parts of
the country, at the Exhibition
Hall of the Academy of Art of
Uzbekistan.
International festival of polyphonic ensembles and orchestras of
national instruments at the Conservatory of Uzbekistan
“I understand that to present
a sole work of art focusingg on it the
audience’s entire attention is quite a
responsible matter,” he said. “It took quite
some time for me to get ready to start the
work. I had re-read Alisher Navoi’s “The
Language of Birds” and was inspired by his
poem. Hopefully the idea of a single work
of art will become a good tradition.”
Students of the National Institute of
Arts and Design presented an unusual
exhibition-performance in the foyer of the
Republican Theater of Young Spectators.
Spectators moved around the hall. A thin
ray led everyone in the right direction in
absolute darkness revealing new secrets of
the play, which they became participants
of.
“It’s everybody’s secret that a human
comes to this world and departs it. We
tried to look at the subject differently. In
this play, an unborn soul travels around the
world falling in love with all manifestations
of life,” says Normurod Negmatov,
producer and young painter.
Every day of the Festival was devoted
to one of the educational institutions under
the Academy of Art of Uzbekistan.
“Boys and girls with certain level of
preparedness – graduates of Children’s
Schools of Music and Art, specialized
Lyceums and Colleges – enroll at our
higher educational establishment. The
Chair of monumental painting is one of the
most complex ones, since this direction
is linked with architectural structures.
Nevertheless, girls too study with us
successfully,” shared his thoughts Nodir
Shoabdurakhimov, teacher of the Chair
of the Kamoliddin Bekhzod National
Institute of Arts and Design. “Upon
completion of training the graduates join
the ranks of the country’s specialists in the
regions. They are in demand everywhere
because new architectural and townplanning structures are being erected
everywhere.”
“It’s a bit sad that this holiday, which
lasted for five days all over the country,
has come to an end. About 300 students
from our boarding school had taken part
in it. The works by students of the artistic
department had attracted everybody’s
attention. The interest to children’s fine art
is always great – their paintings are noted
for their sincerity and rich fantasy. And the
students of the musical department gave
a concert at the closing ceremony of the
Festival,” says director of the Republican
Boarding school of art Somiy Sodiqov.
“Many were awarded with diplomas and
medals. This is not only a motivating factor
for the growing generation but also an
powerful propaganda of children’s creative
activity.”
“I think that successes in the
development of different trends in art
are linked with our nation’s love to the
beautiful, aspiration to decoration in a
good sense of the word,” said People’s
Artist of Uzbekistan, academician Sobit
Rakhmatov. “Just recall a traditional
Uzbek courtyard, every room in a house
– an aspiration to ennoble the surrounding
environment is seen in everything. This is
a proof of the nation’s cultural level and its
aspiration towards a harmony.”
Children Play Navruz Melodies
Sayora Ruzihojayeva
The “Navruz sadolari” (Melodies
of Navruz) International festival of
polyphonic ensembles and orchestras
of national instruments was held in
Tashkent. More than 50 children’s
ensembles and orchestras of national
instruments, numbering more than
one thousand participants from
three to fifteen years of age from
all the regions of the country and
near abroad took part in the musical
forum. Hence this year the festival
got the status of an international one.
“The objective of the festival is
further development of polyphonic
performance on national instruments,
promotion
of
creative
activity
of national instrumental groups,
strengthening of international creative
relations, exchange of repertoires and
acquaintance with modern music,” said
the festival coordinator, artistic director
and chief conductor of the “Sogdiana”
Designer by Nature and Profession
Uzbek State chamber orchestra of
national instruments, Professor Feruza
Abdurakhimova. “Playing national
instruments is a foundation of musical
culture. And if we want to preserve and
develop it, we have to pay attention
to children’s musical education. The
festival is devoted to the Year of Attention
and Care for Older generation, and also
to the 105th birth anniversary of the
founder of the first orchestra of national
instruments, Merited Art worker Ashot
Petrosyants, and 90th birth anniversary
of one of the founders of modern ways
of playing national instruments, professor
Anvar Hakimov.”
“We performed at such a responsible
event for the first time with our 14
small children aged from three to six
years,” says musical chief of preschool
children’s educational establishment
No.360 of Uchtepa district of Tashkent
Nilufar Rejametova. “Children tried hard,
and jury members evaluated highly their
performance. The children’s ensemble
won the first place in their age category.
Clothes designer, founder and leader
of one of the leading Fashion houses
of the capital LALI – Lali Fazilova – is
one of those who makes art functional
and through her creative activity she
implants in people love for national
and global fashion industry trends.
She popularizes overseas the modern
tendencies in the Uzbek fashion,
traditions and customs of the Uzbek
people. She introduces successfully in
Uzbekistan her foreign colleagues’ best
practices.
For the majority of Uzbekistanis the
concept ‘Fashion house’ is associated with
production of smart clothes demonstrated
on the podiums. What did your creative
path in this matter start from for you?
“The Fashion house is the result I have
arrived at. I had started with regular orders
on garments. After many years of work at
the Republican fashion house I decided to
try my individual creativity. The first orders
Lali Fazilova makes the art functional
were made on the Veritas sewing machine,
which my father presented me with. My customers, accepted depends on many factors.
who liked my work, invited new customers and the
One week ago I came back from Kazakhstan,
number of orders kept growing up. To cope with where had been held a Fashion week. Our new
new orders I invited an assistant. This is how it had collection “Intizor” had aroused a great interest of
all started.
the public and mass media. It was like a fresh spirit
In time the dressmaking establishment turned in the Kazakhstan Fashion week, where traditionally
into the Fashion house. We elaborate seasonal take part many Georgian designers in whose works
collections of stylish garments for our charming dominate leather and black color. I think that our
ladies, who want to look nice and proudly wear garments gladdened the eyes with rich colors and
clothes made in Uzbekistan.”
finesse so much peculiar to Uzbekistan. I would
How are the works of national designers like to believe that we had worthily presented the
accepted abroad?
modern Uzbek fashion through this collection. Its
“I always attach major attention to traditional elaboration was inspired by the guest room design –
elements. Our models are made of natural national intizorhona – at the architectural monument of the
fabrics, we had carefully studied the cut of historical Bukhara Emir’s summer residence – Sitorai Mohi
costume of Uzbekistan and use hand embroidery Hosa. Its carving and painting designs are widely
inspired by the Central Asian motifs. We use fabrics used in the making of the clothes. It was namely
manufactured by Marghilon craftsmen – keepers of there that was born the idea of the “Forest fairy”
traditions. The ideas themselves, which enable us to dress, abundant in flowers and butterflies.
create original smart clothes, are kind of symbiosis
I remember the Festival of Turkic speaking nations
created on the basis of modern fashion trends held in Turkey. We presented there a collection made
and stylized application of elements of national up of traditional Uzbek dresses: ensembles, which
creativity. And how this creativity is going to be used restored historical cut and aesthetics of popular
7
costumes. The show was
complete with a bride’s
dress. It was made in
the form of a cocoon
and decorated with
embroidered mulberrytree leaves symbolizing
the youthfulness of the
bride opening up like a
butterfly from cocoon.”
What do you feel
when your collection is
parade on the catwalk?
“I always had a
wish to see the show
from the hall, not from
behind the scenes. But
unsuccessfully so far.
Fashion show is an
important event; it is
quite labor-consuming
and requires tremendous
concentration.
First
comes
excitement,
which one has to
suppress; followed by
feeling of pride for the
job done well. Then comes self-criticism: gradually
in the course of the show I admit for myself those
moments, which I would like to take into account
and what corrections need to be introduced in the
next collection. And, naturally, during the final
official show, when I see the reaction of audience,
everything acquires that very meaning, which I had
to work so hard for.”
Are your dresses in demand in Uzbekistan?
“We present our seasonal collections in the
show-room of our Fashion house in Tashkent.
Show-room is a relatively new concept in our
fashion-industry, but is a rather popular practice in
the activities of foreign Fashion houses. One can
get acquainted with a brand collection, buy the
original or order a copy of one or another dress in
the showroom.”
Does it mean that there are no exclusive
dresses?
“We produce dresses in small batches. There is
very little probability that you may come across two
ladies dressed up in identical dresses. Each dress is
made for a concrete customer.”
The festival provided the children an
excellent opportunity to display their
creative talents.”
“Orchestra music, I am confident, is
a powerful lever for patriotic upbringing.
This is why apart from scrupulous
study of national, classical and modern
music annually we take part at the
“Navruz sadolari” (Melodies of Navruz)
festival,” shared his ideas teacher of
Gulistan College of art and Children’s
school of music and art No.1 Ismoil
Bakhodirov. “The school orchestra won
the first place in its nomination thanks to
playing complicated items. This is not
an accidental success. It is the result of
care and attention to children. Schools
of music and art are being reconstructed
and new ones erected everywhere – this
creates favorable conditions for spiritual
upbringing of the growing generation.”
The festival days turned out full
of events and fruitful; an international
conference, an exhibition of popular
instruments, and master classes were
held within it.
Tribute to Music Geniuses
Malika Akhmedova
Sanjar Anvarov
cyan magenta yellow black
were identified in the nominations
“For artistic skill, “Original idea”, “The
best team”, “The festival discovery”,
“Enchanting performance” and others.
FESTIVAL
The public had warmly
supported all the winners.
But applauses were especially
loud when Hudoyshukur
Rajabov, first year student off
e,
the Republican Design College,
al.
showed up to get his silver medal.
“Hudoyshukur Rajabov hass noo
hands,” says chief pedagogue inn easell
ge
painting of the Republican Art College
theless, this
thiis
Zukhriddin Islamshikov. “Nevertheless,
own for his
young man from Khorezm is known
uch energy
g
self-control, courage and so much
remendous
that he manages to achieve tremendous
successes. It looks like he sees everythingg
through his heart. When he paints one
ws an exact
feels amazed at how he draws
h. This time
line or stroke of the paint-brush.
ng with his
too he had surprised us, including
knowledge acquired during incomplete
academic year. He created a deeply
meaningful work on the planner, for which
he deserved the silver medal.”
On the eve of the award presentation
ceremony the Central Exhibition hall
for five days was turned into a huge art
studio on the planner. All sorts of master
classes were also conducted here. Creative
competitions, discussions, meetings and
concerts were held within the framework
of the Festival. The Art critics had the
opportunity to discuss the urgent issues at
two national conferences.
Creative works by eminent painters,
sculptors and craftsmen were represented at
the Festival devoted to the Year of Attention
and Care for the Older Generation.
“We brought their works to the
exhibition, which are presented to the
audience for the first time,” told us
Chairperson of the Karakalpakstan branch
of the Academy of Art of Uzbekistan
Gulbakhor Izentayeva, “as well as works
by experienced painters Sarsenbai
Baibosynov, Abdulla Rajabov, ceramist
Daribai Tajimuratov. Students of the
specialized school of art under our branch
had also come to the exhibition. Performer
of epic legends Salamat Ayapov adorned
its folkloric part.
Merited Art worker of Uzbekistan
Damir Rusybayev – out of his numerous
works - presented at the exhibition of
a single work of art, opened at the State
Museum of Art, a sculpture of a bird.
trades, i.e. be able to sing, dance, play
musical instruments,” says the actor.
“The festival brings together actors from
different theaters and turns into a scene for
pooling creative ideas. The participation
in the festival itself has become a good
lesson for me. I am grateful to my partner
– Nargiza Rustamova, who invited me to
take part in the competition.”
The youth of Uzbekistan keep abreast
with the time, which is proved by the
participation of more than two thousand
young dancers in the “Yoshlik zavqi” (Joy
of Youth) festival of ballet and modern
dances. 226 of them faced the jury at the
national stage, demonstrating the best
items in three directions – dance from a
well-known ballet, modern dance (hiphop, tic-tonic, break-dance, electro,
etc.) and a variety-sport dance.
Winners in the three directions
were announced at the Gala-concert at
Turkiston Palace and the best dancers
At the gala concert at the
Theater of Young Audiences
A series of concerts is held at the Organ Hall of
the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan devoted
to composers, whose jubilee birthdays are
marked this year by the world musical public
– 205th birth anniversary of Frederic Chopin
and Robert Schumann, 175th anniversary of
Pyotr Ilich Tchaikovsky and 140th anniversary
of Morris Ravel.
The works by the classicists filled the program
of a series of evenings at the State Conservatory
of Uzbekistan. Students of the Chair of special
piano and the Lyceum for endowed children
under the Conservatory performed popular works
by classic composers. The baton then was passed
on to vocalists who sang to the accompaniment
of the Conservatory faculty staff – professor of
the Chair of accompaniment skills and chamber
music Malik Qosimov and assistant professor
of the Chair Makhfuza Qozoqboyeva. They
presented the chamber-vocal works by Pyotr Ilich
Tchaikovsky.
“The composer liked the vocal art and wrote
quite a number of wonderful works,” says professor
Malika Qosimova, “They were performed by
soloists of the Bolshoy Theater named after Alisher
Navoi, among them an experienced vocalist
– Merited Artist Gulshan Azizova, and young
vocalists – Gulnar Aljanova, Nadezhda Bandelet,
Umid Isroilov, Gulnara Samykova, and Jabrail
Idrisov. The youth strives to achieve the heights
of performance mastership, all participants of the
concert are the laureates and winners of many
significant contests. Thus, Jabrail Idrisov had
recently won the title of a laureate and the third
place at the International competition of Italian
opera performers Competizione dell’Opera held
in the capital city. And a promising Umid Isroilov
is a laureate of the State prize “Nihol”.
Their performances bring true delight to music
lovers. This time too all performers managed to
deliver to the audience the content of the works
by prominent composers and were rewarded with
thunderous applauses.
“Columbus with a Conductor’s Baton”
Galina Ametova
A monograph by assistant professor of the State
Conservatory of Uzbekistan, musical critic
Inessa Gulzarova “Eldar Azimov. Conductor
with a Name” has come off the press.
The book is devoted to creative path of the
Merited art worker of Uzbekistan, artistic director
and conductor of the “Turkiston” chamber orchestra
Eldor Azimov. The orchestra under his leadership
has for the first time in the country performed many
classical and modern musical pieces of the world.
A great number of musical works were written by
composers of Central Asian republics specifically
for this musical group. “It is not incidental,”
writes the author, “the maestro Azimov is called a
‘Columbus with the Conductor’s Baton’, who gave
life to several dozens of musical items.”
The publication is devoted to the 70th birth
anniversary of E.Azimov and 20th anniversary of
the orchestra he heads.
The author writes with sincere enthusiasms
about
her
hero
and people, who
surrounded
and
surround him; tells
in detail about the
establishment of the
“Turkiston” chamber
orchestra. She lifts
the veil over the birth
of various concert
programs and reveals
certain secrets of this
difficult but incredibly
interesting profession
of a conductor. Essays by contemporaries
who had come into contact with the endowed
maestro add up depth to the content of the book.
I.Gulzarova also provides reviews of the orchestra
performances published in the newspapers and
magazines, including those of her own. A big
number of photographs, which fixed the moments
of performances, attach the narration voluminous
visuality.
8
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SPORTS
Summer Biathlon
CLOSE-UP
Goal: Hit the Bull’s Eye
Husniddin Erkinov
The construction of a roller track has
begun on the territory of the sports
base of the Tashkent Regional Center
for technical and applied sports in
Chirchik. It will allow athletes to
return to the leading positions in
summer biathlon, according to Coach
Sergei Serebryakov.
Mahmud Utembaev
“If someone told me a few years
back that I, a disabled man from
Syrdarya, would become a world
champion in shooting with a pistol,
I would not believe them. But this
became a reality,” said a member of
the Paralympics team of Uzbekistan
Server Ibragimov.
Server became a professional
sportsman when he was in his thirties.
The Olympic Movement of Uzbekistan
had a huge influence on the life of a
man with cerebral palsy.
“They came to my home and said,
enough watching TV, let’s get you to
the gym. This was chairman of the
Paralympics Association of Syrdarya
Region Akmal Saburov,” says Server
Ibragimov. “I did come to the gym,
but had doubts about the whole thing.
I was worried that no one will assist
me or help me with the trainings.
However, everyone was focused
on helping me to become a proper
paralympian. We first started off with
athletics and weightlifting, but I did not
like these disciplines. Then we moved
on to shooting and I loved it. In a few
months on the republican competitions
I showed the highest result. This was
the beginning of my new life.”
For the last two years Server is
rarely at home, as most of his time he
spends in Tashkent at the training camp
before the next major international
competition.
Our correspondents met with the
successful athlete and his coach Natalya
Yefimova
on the shooting
range of Chilanzar
District
affiliate
of
‘Vatanparvar’
Organization, right
after their return
from Poland.
“For
me,
this trip to the
Shooting World
Cup was very
hard,”
recalls
Server Ibragimov. “Firstly, the road was
difficult, and secondly, I experienced
emotional stress after beating my own
personal record, updating the world
record, becoming the first in the world
rankings, and wining the license to Rio
de Janeiro. It just does not fit all in my
head.”
Natalya Yefimova commented
in a coaching manner «It was the
fourth start for Server in international
competitions. In each of them he
improved his results. If his start, which
opened the way for international
competitions were 505 points, which he
earned at the national championship,
at the World Cup in Szczecin he had
already received 576 points! This
is the best result for shooting from a
pistol from 10 meters that has ever
been recorded by a Paralympian. The
credit belongs to the fact that he more
than anyone else hit the bull’s eye.
Of course, Server made a great leap
forward in his development. Before
that, his best result was 562 points and
sixth place in Incheon on the Asian
Paralympic Games.
“The World Cup Final was the
most difficult test for me, which had
to take place in the sports arena. I was
very worried, because never before
had I come so close to the ‘gold’ in
international competitions. I tried
very hard to focus on my targets as I
knew that I was capable of winning the
competition,” said Server Ibragimov.
“A burst of energy that I felt after I
went through to the final helped me
a lot. Moreover the German athlete
knew that I had very little experience
of performing at such prestigious
competitions, and thus relaxed too
early.”
It's only been a couple years
since Uzbekistan began to thoroughly
prepare its athletes with disabilities
for international competitions in
shooting. And for the short term thanks
to the victory of Server Ibragimov the
country will compete in shooting at the
Paralympic Games for the first time.
Sergey Valentinovich, how is
national biathlon being developed?
“We are continuing with its
systematic popularization throughout
the country. In April, the Cup and
Championship among youth and juniors
were held in the republic. They showed
that today Namangan, Samarkand,
Tashkent region and Tashkent city are
clearly in the lead in this sport. The
highly qualified coaching staff is one of
the main factors influencing the good
results of the athletes from these regions.
Along with experienced coaches, good
performances are being shown by the
triple world champion Ruslan Nasyrov,
winners of the Asian Championship Alina
Aiupova and Dilafruz Imomhusanova
and other athletes who have shown good
results in international competitions.”
Why weren’t our athletes able to win
high awards in the last couple of years?
“Among the highest awards, which our
athletes were able to win in recent years
is the first place of Ruslan Nasyrov at the
2006 World Junior Championships, and
then equivalent performances in 2009
and 2011 at the world championships,
16 clubs from 8 countries competed
for the coveted prize. Uzbekistan was
represented by 3 clubs.
“All three clubs of Uzbekistan are
composed by selecting the strongest
athletes from across the country,
including the 12 functioning professional
clubs in the country. The same method of
creating clubs is used by many countries
participating in the Championship,” said
the head coach of the national team
Kamil Adylov. “It has allowed us to use
the championship to prepare athletes for
the other major competitions.”
The best result of the three local clubs,
which participated from Uzbekistan,
was shown by ‘Uzbekistan-1’ Club. It
took second place, losing only to Iranian
club Islamic Azad University of Iran.
Ilhom Fayzullaev
Last week, Uzbekistan hosted an
important international event in the
region - the first qualifying round of
the Central Asian League, FEI World
Cup, during which the traditional
team competition ‘Cup of Nations’
also took place. The competition
ended with the victory of Uzbek
athletes.
but among adults. He and several other
athletes, performing in various age
categories, have traditionally occupied
the top places in the finals of the
Open European Championships, World
Championships and the Asian Cup.
However, in recent years, our
positions on the international arena
became a little weak. This is due to
the fact that the high-speed roller
program has become more popular
and spectacular in the world, and our
athletes are traditionally strong in the
cross. Unfortunately, many competitions
in summer biathlon, including the World
Cup, are exclusively Roller programs.
And I must admit that we are lagging
behind in the preparation of athletes for
the starts in this discipline due to lack
of a track in the country required for
training and competitions.”
What are the development prospects
of Summer Biathlon in Uzbekistan?
“Today the main task is to regain the
lost ground in the world championship.
This year, the ‘Vatanparvar’ organization
has allocated funds for the construction
of a training facility on the sports base in
Chirchik. It will help ensure an adequate
level of training of athletes. Builders
promise to finish the project within a few
months.
Given that not every athlete is able to
successfully switch from cross-country
programs to high speed roller programs,
we are preparing the children in both
directions. For this we are using the
existing facilities.”
Get into a New Stream
[1]
A Successful Start
During the first qualifying stage of
the Central Asian League, FEI World
Cup, riders from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan
and Kyrgyzstan scored points required
to obtain a license for the finals of the
World Cup in 2016. There are still two
phases. In Jumping up to 160 cm Uzbeks
were able to easily compete with their
rivals.
Once again, the good results were
shown by our most experienced rider
Gayrat Nazarov. Over 17 years of
participation in the World Cup he has
won it 9 times. This year in overcoming
130-135 cm obstacles he won two
medals - gold, riding the Soloist, and
a bronze on Lasinos Boy. Gayrat also
showed good results in jumping over 140
cm obstacles, where Soloist was third.
“Three medals in one competition is
a great result and will surely help me get
the scores needed to continue the fight
for a ticket to the World Cup,” Gayrat
Nazarov commented on his performance.
“Not a bad start to the year and I try to
keep it up for the upcoming stages.”
SPRINT REVIEW
Its members have won three gold, two
silver and six bronze medals. Thanks
to the gold medals won by Sadriddin
Saymatov and Ikbol Uzokov, that were
achieved individually in the kumite and
the gold of the women's team in the
team-kumite competitions, our team
was able to rise to the second place in
the standings.
Club ‘Uzbekistan-2’ with two silver
and three bronze medals took the eighth
place and ‘Uzbekistan-3’, which won
only two bronze medals was at the
12th spot. During the Championship
our teams won 3 gold, 4 silver and 11
bronze medals.
The participants of the championship
were unanimous that the Tashkent
meeting will contribute to further
development of club karate on the
whole Asian continent.
Competitions among athletes
over the age of 60 in the four
kinds of national martial arts
were hosted in Jizzakh.
Competitions
were
organized
by
the
Ministry of Culture and
Sports of the Republic of
Uzbekistan jointly with
the Republican center of national sports
and Jizzakh regional administration
within the framework of the Year
of Attention and Care for the Elder
generation.
In the kurash competitions first
places were won by Mashrab Normatov,
Eshpulat Abduvohidov, Chorshanbi
Turaev, Kuldosh Hudoyqulov, and
Abdulla Saidov. In the competitions of
belted kurash first places were given to
Mashrab Normatov, Berdikul Shoimov,
Sotimboy Ergashev, Kuldosh Hudoyqulov
and Bahtiyor Yusufbekov.
The teams of the regions also held
exhibition matches of turon and the
Uzbek martial art.
The best results were achieved by
the teams of Surhandarya, Jizzakh and
Kashkadarya regions.
***
The Asian Championship in
64 cell and 100 cell checkers
is being held in the capital.
Our athletes won 15
gold and silver and 12
bronze medals. Currently
they are competing
in the blitz and rapid
competitions of 64 cell checkers.
***
Last week, our tennis players
played in three international
tournaments, and won a top prize
in one of these tournaments.
Temur Ismoilov has
won Yaroslav Shilya from
Belarus on the courts
of Kazakhstan with the
score 7:6, 6:1.
***
Uzbek athletes have won 8 medals
at the international Greco-Roman
wrestling tournament in Russia.
Ahmad
Mahmudov,
Aram
Vardanyan,
Mirzohid Tursunov and
Jahongir Turdiev won
gold medals in their
relevant weight categories. Kamariddin
Zayniddinov, Mirzabek Rahmatov and
Daler Rahmatov were awarded silver
medals, while Islom Bahromov won a
bronze medal.
***
Vladimir Shmelev, one of our most
experienced athletes also showed great
results. He has two silver medals, which
he won in the competitions to overcome
the 130-135 cm and 140-160 cm
obstacles.
There was no equal to Abdushukur
Sobirjanov in overcoming 140 cm
obstacles.
Our
compatriot
Abdulaziz
The Republican Championship
on Hapkido was hosted in the
‘Jar’ Sports Facility in Tashkent.
Mamatkhonov riding the Fojulia,
competed in Jumping of 140-160 cm
obstacles. He was able to overcome both
experienced and younger athletes.
And at the last team competition
‘Nations Cup’ Azam Tolliboev, Feruz
Abdullayev, Gayrat Nazarov and Umid
Komilov won the main prize as part of
our team. This is the 19th victory in the
history of this prestigious competition.
The
contenders
showed their strengths
in bouts, self-defense
and special technique.
Hayrulla
Hamdamov,
Semen Zabolotniy, Alerksander Hegay
and Davlat Rashidov were awarded the
top prizes in their respective disciplines.
Another Pratfall for FC Pakhtakor
The ‘railroaders’ beat Pakhtakor in the capital city’s derby match
Aleksander Novitskiy
The sixth round of the Championship of
Uzbekistan brought several interesting
results. In the central match the victor and
the runner-up of the last championship
Pakhtakor and Lokomotiv played in a thrilling
match. This is the second meeting of the
teams in the last couple of months, and the
result was really unexpected. Pakhtakor, a
team which plays strong attacking football
even against the strongest teams on the
continental Champions League, could
only score once against Lokomotiv and
conceded two goals to give the victory to the
‘railroaders’.
The capital derby was the last game of the
round. Both teams already knew the results of
their main rivals Bunyodkor, Nasaf, Neftchi
and Almalyk which had a staggering start to the
season and are in contention for the leadership.
To maintain the leadership Pakhtakor needed
to win. The Super Cup meeting between these
teams ended with the victory of the ‘railroaders’
and fans were hoping that Pakhtakor would take
revenge. But this was not destined to happen.
Already on the 13th minute Ruslan Koryan put
Lokomotiv forward. ‘Pakhtakor’ showed a very
slow game by only putting in some crosses to
the opponent’s penalty area. As a result later
Samvel Babayan would comment that the lack
of creativity in the final third did not allow his
players to score more goals.
On the 51st minute Igor Sergeev scored a
penalty for Pakhtakor and made it 1:1. But the
draw lasted for a brief 15 minutes as Ikrom
Alibaev scored a stunner to make it 2:1 and send
Pakhatakor packing, again.
Vadim Abramov was in high spirits
after the match:
“It was a difficult game. As they say, a derby
match is always more challenging. Both teams
wanted to win the match, but we had luck on
our side. We were lucky in some episodes of
the game. This is our first home win against
Pakhtakor,” said the coach.
The match in Bekabad attended
by Bunyodkor was very intense.
Both teams had several chances to
score. In the beginning of the match
the capital team was able to score
through Dostonbek Hamdamov.
The players of Bekabad were able
to score an equalizer through
Dilmurod Karimov, who converted
the penalty making it 1:1.
Bunyodkor was able to overcome their rivals
by using clever substitutions. Sardor Rashidov,
Vohid Shodiev and Artem Filiposyan were able
to bring in a new life to the attacking game of
the guests and made the score 1:2 in favor of
Bunyodkor on the 86th minute through Vohid
Shodiev.
Nevertheless the head coach of Bunyodkor
was not very happy with his team:
“I'm happy with the win, but not with the
game. We made a lot of mistakes and now must
work hard to get them fixed. Today, more than
luck smiled upon Bunyodkor. Metallurg had a
lot of 100% chances which it could not convert.
Frankly, I expected that the opponent will
play on defense. In fact, everything turned out
differently. The hosts attacked a lot and were
always ready to counterattack,” stressed the
head coach of Bunyodkor.
Shurtan at home almost achieved the
impossible as they barely missed out of points
from the game with Nasaf. One of the main
reasons was that Nasaf players had only returned
from Iran after playing their Champions League
match and were clearly fatigued. So the team
took to the field without leading players like
goalkeeper Eldorbek Suyunov and defenders
Maksud Karimov, Hamza Karimov and Erkin
Baidullaev.
The first half was very quiet as both teams
did not rush the proceedings. However in
the second half on the 47th minute Gulom
Gulyamov scored for Nasaf and made it 1:0. The
game was decided by the substitutes as Faruh
Sayfiev leveled the score on the 86th minute
and Ilhom Shomuradov scored the final goal in
additional time, making its 1:2 in favor of Nasaf.
“The win was not easy. I am happy to see
that my players showed real character and came
back into the game after conceding a goal.
The opponents showed a great game and I am
delighted that we won the match,” said the head
coach of Nasaf Ruzikul Berdiev.
Other matches ended with the following
results: Navbahor – Dinamo 2:1, Neftchi –
Sogdiana 4:1, Mashal – Kokand 1912 3:0,
Kyzylkum – Andijan 1:0, Bukhara – Almalyk 0:4.
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Time of issue: 03:30
01.04.2015
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