DAILY NEWS HERALD #66

PRESIDENT
Programs for the implementation of five initiatives will serve the interests of youth and women

On April 3, 2019, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting on practical implementation of five initiatives, which incorporated comprehensive measures aimed at creating additional conditions for upbringing and educating young people, increasing employment of women.
As previously reported, on March 19 this year, a videoconference meeting was held, at which priorities were identified in this direction. In accordance with them, a draft program of measures has been developed for each initiative.
Proposals included in these programs, mechanisms for their implementation were discussed at the meeting.
In particular, a draft program on the first initiative was developed for the extensive involvement of young people in cultural and art institutions. They envisage the approval of regional roadmaps for the introduction to culture and art of 2 million young people at the age from 14 to 30 in 2019-2020. At the same time, it is planned to organize additional classes in children’s schools of music and art, instrumental, vocal and visual arts clubs, amateur theater groups and children’s ensembles in cultural centers. A list of cultural centers that will be built, reconstructed, overhauled and equipped is also formed.
The Head of the state noted that the draft program does not sufficiently specify the mechanisms for the implementation of measures, does not define precisely the practical tasks of well-known figures assigned to each city and district as creative advisors. Noted the need for organizing a systemic implementation of regional roadmaps, encouraging children in training clubs and classes, including through holding various competitions.
Instructions were given on allocating appropriate funds for the implementation of the specified construction, reconstruction and repair activities, as well as for the provision of cultural centers, children’s schools of music and art with musical instruments.
The draft program of measures developed on the second initiative for attracting young people to physical culture and sports, increasing the capacity of sports facilities envisages the construction of small sports halls using lightweight structures and sandwich panels in the next two years.
The President emphasized that it is necessary to more actively involve the population, in particular the youth, in the sports sections, hold mass sports events.
Regarding the third initiative, a draft program of measures for the effective use of computer technologies and the Internet among the population and youth has been developed. It provides for the organization in 2019-2020 of training centers for digital technologies with free education and provision of about 19 thousand social facilities with high-speed Internet.
At the meeting, instructions were given on improving computer literacy of the population, assisting in realizing the potential of children interested in information technologies, creating software products.
The draft program of measures for improving the spirituality of young people, widely promoting the reading culture is aimed at the implementation of the fourth initiative goals.
Thus, it is planned to deliver 1 million copies of art, historical, scientific and cognitive books to each region. Reconstruction and overhaul of information library centers, opening public libraries on the initiative of entrepreneurs are planned.
A draft program has been prepared on the fifth initiative for the organization of garment and knitwear production in the regions of the country and ensuring women’s employment. It is planned to create such enterprises in 2019-2020 in each district using lightweight structures.
At the meeting, proposals were made on the organization of these enterprises on the basis of accurate calculations, the search for markets and specific buyers of products.
Information of responsible persons was heard on the issues discussed, instructions were given for further development of the draft programs.
(Source: UzA)
INVESTMENTS
President signs decree paving way for privatization of 7 chemical enterprises
Uzbekistan plans to sell controlling stakes in six enterprises that are part of the Uzkimyosanoat (transl. Uz Chemical Industry) JSC to investors, including foreign ones. This is stated in the April 3 presidential decree.
These are: Ferganaazot (future investor shall upgrade the production capacity of ammonia to 660 thousand tons, urea - up to 600 thousand tons, ammonium nitrate - up to 700 thousand tons and nitric acid - up to 530 thousand tons per year), Samarkandkimyo (subject to setting up of ecofriendly production unit), Birinchirezinotehnika Zavodi, Kungrad Soda Plant (with the condition of expanding production capacity from 200 to 450 thousand tons per year) and Dekhkanabad Potash Plant (with the condition of setting up of production of granulated potassiumchloride, potassium sulfate and other potassium salts)
Packages of shares for sale vary from 51% to 100%.
In addition, 70.54% of government shares in the authorized capital of Quqon Superphosphate Plant have been handed over to Singapore’s Indorama at a redemption value at US$ 4.3 million with investment and social commitments to increase the production capacity of superphosphate to 63 thousand tons.
In addition, the document has approved the Chemical Industry Development Program for 2019–2030, providing for the implementation of US$ 12.1 billion worth of 31 investment projectsn, including US$ 1.7 billion of foreign direct investments and loans.
(Source: web-site Tashkenttimes.uz)
CENTRAL ASIA - THE PRIORITY OF FOREIGN POLICY OF UZBEKISTAN
Termez hosts Intergovernmental Commission meeting
The 6th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation was held in Termez under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan Qohir Rasulzoda. It was attended by representatives of ministries and agencies of the two countries.
At the meeting, which was held in an open and constructive spirit, it was emphasized that in recent years, friendship and close cooperation between the two neighboring countries have been developing at a new level.
At the event, the government delegations of the two countries summed up the implementation of the agreements reached during the 5th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission.
In addition, prospects for further development of cooperation in trade-economic, transport-communications, energy, cultural-humanitarian fields and in the field of agriculture and water management were discussed.
An agreement has been signed to strengthen cooperation in these areas.
(Source: UzA)
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan receives newly appointed UNDP Resident Representative
On 3 April, 2019, Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov received the UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan Matilda Dimovska, the press service of the Ministry said.
She handed over a letter from UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner to the Minister on her appointment to Uzbekistan.
The Minister congratulated Matilda Dimovska on her appointment to a responsible post and wished her success.
At the meeting, the current state of relations between Uzbekistan and UNDP, as well as prospects for their development were discussed.
It was noted that the provisions of the adopted Action Strategy on five priority areas of development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2017-2021 comply with the sustainable development goals, which comprise the main principle “People’s interests are above everything else”.
Abdulaziz Kamilov praised the efforts of the UN, including UNDP, aimed at assisting in solving environmental problems. It was noted that the launch of the United Nations Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region became an important event in solving environmental problems in the vast region.
Matilda Dimovska confirmed the desire of the UN to actively participate in the process of socio-economic development of the country and highly appreciated the implementation of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for Uzbekistan for 2016-2020.
(Source: Kun.uz)
Saudi Arabian businesspeople visit Uzbekistan
Delegation led by the Secretary General of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry Saud bin Abdulziz Al Mishari visits Uzbekistan.
The delegation includes representatives of more than 20 companies of Saudi Arabia operating in trade-economic, food, agricultural, textile, construction, energy sectors. Representatives of such companies as Far East, Awad Group, Dhel al-Nakheel, Rabee company, Dollar Construction Est, Acwa Power intend to cooperate with Uzbekistan entrepreneurs in agriculture, light and food industry, tourism, trade, energy. At a business meeting Uzbekistan – Saudi Arabia, held in Tashkent on April 3, their proposals for cooperation were considered.
The meeting was attended by more than 100 representatives of business circles of Uzbekistan operating in Tashkent and regions in agriculture, textile, tourism, food industries. At B2B meetings, a presentation of joint projects submitted by entrepreneurs of the two countries took place.
Projects on creating an agro-tourism base in Uzbekistan with participation of the capital of Saudi Arabian businessmen and establishing cement production of the M 1000 brand are of great interest among the entrepreneurs of the partner country.
During the visit, the delegation of Saudi Arabia will also attend the International Investment Forum in Khorezm region.
(Source: UzA)
PROBLEM OF ARAL SEA AND WATER RESOURCES
Norway contributes US$ 1.1 million to Aral Sea Trust Fund
Norway has contributed 9.5 million NOK, or 1.1 million US dollars, to become the first country to contribute to the United Nations Multi-Trust Trust Fund for Human Security for the Aral Sea region in Uzbekistan. The deal was signed on April 1 between the Government of Norway and the UN Trust Fund Office in New York, the UN Office in Uzbekistan.
The Fund, which was set up under the auspices of the United Nations in 2018, provides a single platform for cooperation at the national and international levels and aims to address the environmental and socio-economic problems of the Aral Sea region, as well as at swift achievement of global sustainable development goals.
The Government of Uzbekistan has pledged 6.5 million dollars to the Trust Fund, of which 2 million dollars have already been transferred.
“The Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea allows the government and partners to work together to develop solutions that focus on people based on facts and the needs of communities, with particular emphasis on capacity building and innovation,” said the UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan Helena Fraser.
“We welcome Norway’s decision for commitment to help solve the problems in the Aral Sea basin. This decision confirms Norway’s determination to promote accelerated sustainable development in Uzbekistan” she said.

(Source: web-site Tashkenttimes.uz)