INFORMATION DIGEST OF PRESS OF UZBEKISTAN #148

July 31, 2017

POLITICS
Condolences to President of India

OFFICIAL
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree to open the Consulate General of Uzbekistan Russia’s northern capital

Requirement for sale of foreign currency proceeds from exports of goods to be canceled

FINANCE
IMF: Uzbekistan’s Foreign Exchange Reserves “Ample”

NATIONAL AIRCOMPANY «UZBEKISTAN AIRWAYS»
Uzbekistan Airways conducts first non-stop Tashkent-New York-Tashkent flight

BUSINESS CLIMATE
Head of Uzbekistan appoints business ombudsman

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Ambassadors of Uzbekistan to China and Great Britain are appointed

Uzbekistan to build school in Kyrgyzstan

SPORT
Readying for the Asian Youth Championship 2018

POLITICS

Condolences to President of India
The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed sincere condolences to the President of the Republic of India Ram Nath Kovind in connection with the floods, which led to numerous human victims, the destruction of houses and other serious damage to the population in the state of Gujarat of India.
The Head of Uzbekistan in the message conveyed words of sympathy and support to the President and the whole people of India, as well as to the families and relatives of those died.
(Source: Press Service of the MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan)

OFFICIAL

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree to open the Consulate General of Uzbekistan Russia’s northern capital
The decision was made in order to ensure effective protection of the rights and interests of citizens and corporate entities of the Republic of Uzbekistan, provide them with quality consular and legal assistance, as well as monitor the migration flows of citizens.
Currently, Uzbekistan has two diplomatic missions in Russia: the Embassy in Moscow and the Consulate General in Novosibirsk. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also working on the institution of consular offices in Russia’s other cities as Kazan, Rostov-on-Don, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

Requirement for sale of foreign currency proceeds from exports of goods to be canceled
The Presidential Decree dated 28 July approved additional measures to stimulate the domestic enterprises-exporters.
The document was adopted in order to further promote the economic activities of domestic exporters and farmers, increase their production volumes, as well as to further liberalize the foreign exchange market.
The document abolishes the requirement for compulsory sale of 25% of foreign exchange earnings from the export of goods (works, services) by economic entities-exporters.
(Source: UzReport.uz)

FINANCE

IMF: Uzbekistan’s Foreign Exchange Reserves “Ample”
A week-long visit to Uzbekistan provided an opportunity for the mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to discuss the development of the economic situation and the reform plans elaborated by the country’s leadership. Following the talks, the fund’s specialists made a statement.
“The mission especially welcomed the authorities’ plan to frontload reforms of the foreign exchange system. Unifying exchange rates and allowing a market-based allocation of foreign exchange resources would allow the Central Bank of Uzbekistan (CBU) to pivot to a stability-oriented monetary policy capable of effectively controlling inflation. The reform would also promote job creation and growth by increasing external competitiveness, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), and improving the allocation of domestic resources. Given Uzbekistan’s ample foreign exchange reserves, the reform can be implemented from a position of strength.
“The reform of the foreign exchange system would need to be backed up by restructuring state-owned enterprises and state-controlled banks, removing other bottlenecks to international trade and FDI, and streamlining laws, regulations, and practices that unnecessarily raise transaction costs for businesses, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises crucial for promoting job creation.
“The IMF stands ready to provide further technical cooperation and policy advice to support the authorities’ reform plans.”
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

NATIONAL AIRCOMPANY «UZBEKISTAN AIRWAYS»

Uzbekistan Airways conducts first non-stop Tashkent-New York-Tashkent flight
Uzbekistan Havo Yoillari (Uzbekistan Airways) carried out its first non-stop flight on route Tashkent-New York-Tashkent.
On 28 July, a welcoming ceremony of historic flight from New York was held at Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport.
Direct flights on modern aircraft Boeing 787 Dreamliner on route Tashkent – New York – Tashkent are the new epoch in development of the National air company of Uzbekistan, the Uzbek airline said.
Exploitation of Dreamliners on this route allows the passengers of Uzbekistan Airways to fly to New York with high level of comfort and one hour faster. Duration of direct flight on Dreamliner from Tashkent to New York will be equal 12 hours and backwards - 11 hours.
Uzbekistan Havo Yollari began commercial exploitation of Dreamliners in September 2016, the first international flight was performed on 9 September 2016 to Almaty (Kazakhstan). Now flights to Dubai, Delhi, Amristar, Istanbul, Tel-Aviv, Seoul, Frankfurt-am- Main, Moscow, Kuala-Lumpur and Singapore, as well as to New York via Riga are carried out on Dreamliner.
The Uzbek airline said that it is planning to buy four more Boeing 787 Dreamliner airplanes. Boeing and Uzbekistan Havo Yollari already signed an agreement on delivery of planes, which is scheduled for 2019.
(Source: UzDaily.com)

BUSINESS CLIMATE

Head of Uzbekistan appoints business ombudsman
On 28 July 2017, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev appointed the Commissioner for the Protection of Rights and Legal Interests of Entrepreneurship under the President.
Dilmurod Kasimov was appointed to the post of the Commissioner under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for protection of rights and legal interests of business entities in accordance with the presidential decree from 28 July 2017.
Prior to this appointment, Dilmurod Kasimov worked as the first deputy prosecutor of Samarkand region.
Uzbek President established the Institute of the Commissioner for Protection of Rights and Legal Interests of Business Entities in May 2017. The institution will protect the rights and interests of business entities, as well as prevent unjustified interference of state bodies in their activities.
(Source: UzDaily.com)

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Ambassadors of Uzbekistan to China and Great Britain are appointed
Bakhtiyor Saidov, the former First Deputy Chairman - General Manager of the Joint-stock company “Uzbekyengilsanoat”, has been appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the People’s Republic of China.
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On July 28, 2017, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Alisher Shaykhov, previously worked as a Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, left Tashkent for London.
(Source: Press Service of the MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan)

Uzbekistan to build school in Kyrgyzstan
Uzbekistan will build a general school at its own expense for 630 students in Kyrgyzstan.
Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan signed an intergovernmental agreement on the construction of a comprehensive school in Osh (Kyrgyzstan).
The document was signed on 28 July 2017 in Bishkek. Within the framework of the agreement, Uzbekistan will build a general school for 630 pupils at its own expense and donate the object to the Kyrgyz side for free.
The Uzbek Foreign Ministry noted that the project will serve to strengthen friendly and good-neighborly relations between the peoples of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, as well as development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the two countries.
(Source: UzDaily.com)

SPORT

Readying for the Asian Youth Championship 2018
The Uzbekistan national football team has been qualified for the Asian Championship among youth teams under 23, due January 9-27 next year in China.
Our national team on Tuesday in El Ain within the third round of the qualifying stage defeated the UAE with a score of 2: 0 and took first place in Group D with six points.
Opponents acted almost on par with a small advantage of the UAE, but the first account was opened by "white wolves." At the 67th minute of the meeting defender Islomjon Kobilov successfully played on the second floor after a pass from the corner. A minute before the end of regular time, the Uzbek team showed excellent teamwork and scored the second goal, which was created by Javohir Sidikov.
Thus, Uzbekistan was among the 16 teams that will take part in the Asian Championship in 2018.
"Despite the hot weather, my players showed character. I think that today we won thanks to tactics and good strategy. The game took place between two very similar teams, but the most important was our tactics, strategy, defense also played very well. We deserved the victory in this group and are very happy about it, because we went to the playoffs of the tournament. Now we celebrate this victory with all our fans from Uzbekistan," said head coach of the youth team Ravshan Khaidarov.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

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