INFORMATION DIGEST OF PRESS OF UZBEKISTAN # 186

September 21, 2017

THE VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT OF UZBEKISTAN TO THE USA
Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev received the Prime Minister of Georgia

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev received the President of the World Bank Group

President of Uzbekistan met with compatriots living in the USA

Uzbekistan – US business forum

INVESTMENTS
Large industrial enterprise, Nukus Polymer LLC, has been commissioned in Nukus

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Visit of delegation of the Russian Federation

THE VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT OF UZBEKISTAN TO THE USA

Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev
On September 20, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with the President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev, in New York.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Bulgaria. On September 13, the Heads of the two states congratulated each other on this date.
During this meeting at the highest level, the current state and prospects for the development of Uzbekistan – Bulgaria relations were discussed. The need to open a new page in cooperation of our countries was noted. Special attention was paid to the mutually beneficial nature of Uzbekistan – Bulgaria cooperation in the political, trade-economic, investment, transport-communication, cultural, humanitarian and other spheres. The proximity of the two countries’ positions on regional and international issues serves as a foundation for the development of bilateral relations.
Bulgaria is one of the reliable partners of Uzbekistan in Europe. There are 14 enterprises with participation of Bulgarian investment in our country. In 2016, the trade turnover amounted to 23 million dollars. At the meeting it was noted that this indicator does not correspond to the available opportunities, that there is a great economic potential for the development of mutual cooperation.
Uzbekistan can supply the Bulgarian market with chemical, textile, cable products, electrical equipment, construction materials, fertilizers, fruits and vegetables. There are opportunities for establishment of joint ventures in the spheres of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, electrical engineering, processing of agricultural products.
Views were exchanged on development of mutually beneficial cooperation in the spheres of transport and communications, tourism, education, culture.
During the negotiations it was decided to hold a regular meeting of the intergovernmental joint commission with the aim of developing specific projects in these sectors.
Rumen Radev noted that Bulgaria appreciates reforms under the leadership of Shavkat Mirziyoyev on development of the country’s economy, efforts on strengthening intergovernmental dialogue in Central Asia.
The President of our country invited the President of Bulgaria to pay a visit to Uzbekistan at a convenient time for him.
The meeting was held in a friendly and constructive spirit.
(Source: UzA)

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev received the Prime Minister of Georgia
On September 20, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received the Prime Minister of Georgia George Kvirikashvili, in New York.
Georgia is an important partner of Uzbekistan in the Caucasus region. The interaction between our countries in trade-economic, investment, transport-communication and cultural-humanitarian spheres is developing consistently. Over the past 8 months of this year, the trade turnover has increased by 20 percent.
Issues of further increasing in volumes and expansion of the range of trade turnover, activation of relations between chambers of commerce and industry, organization of trading houses and conduction of joint exhibitions were discussed at the meeting.
Uzbekistan is interested in exporting cars, textile and electrical products to Georgia, entry into world markets through Georgia. Georgia can purchase fruits and vegetables from our country, organize joint ventures in the sphere of winemaking.
An atmosphere of friendship and mutual respect has been established between our people. In Uzbekistan, citizens of Georgian nationality take an active part in the life of our country. This serves as a solid basis for development of cultural and humanitarian realtions. In May this year, Uzbekistan successfully hosted Days of Georgian Culture and Cinema.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev and George Kvirikashvili emphasized that the potential for increasing cooperation is enormous, and further expansion of cooperation in all areas is in the interests of the two countries and people.
At the meeting, attention was also paid to a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest.
(Source: UzA)

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev received the President of the World Bank Group
On September 20, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with the President of the World Bank Group Jim Yong Kim, in New York.
The Head of our state emphasized that the World Bank is a reliable and strategic partner of Uzbekistan.
Constructive contacts have been established between this bank and the financial institutions of our country. At present, mutual cooperation covers the energy, irrigation and municipal sectors, development of transport and social infrastructure, processing of agricultural products.
27 important projects are included in the joint program of cooperation up to 2020, adopted last year. Their total cost is 4 billion dollars, of which 3 billion dollars are loans from the World Bank.
At the meeting it was noted that the Concept of administrative reform has been adopted in our country, systematic work is being implemented on reduction of participation of the state in the economy and fight against corruption.
It was especially emphasized that, based on the recommendations of the International Monetary Fund, market mechanisms in the monetary sphere have been introduced, various barriers to trade have been removed, further improvement of business environment and investment climate has been observed.
President of our country emphasized that the great experience of the World Bank is of great importance in implementation of these reforms, Uzbekistan is a supporter of further development of cooperation with the bank.
Issues of cooperation in introduction of an effective system of microfinance in our country, modernization of irrigation and drainage, road transport infrastructure, development of the agro-industrial complex and other spheres were discussed.
President of the World Bank noted that measures taken in Uzbekistan on improvement of banking and financial system, further improvement of favorable business environment and the investment climate will serve to development of business.
Concrete proposals on further expansion of mutual cooperation, promising projects in this direction were discussed during the negotiations.
As a result of the meeting, Uzbekistan and the World Bank signed documents on financial and technical cooperation for a total amount of about 500 million dollars.
(Source: UzA)

President of Uzbekistan met with compatriots living in the USA
On September 20, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in New York, met with a group of our compatriots living in the United States of America.
Representatives of Uzbekistan, the sacred land that raised great thinkers and scientists, are also showing the world their deep knowledge and potential today. In particular, many of our compatriots are living in the US and achieving great success in their spheres. Among them are scientists, businessmen, representatives of international and public organizations, students.
The visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the United States, the meeting with our compatriots living in this country gave them great joy.
I am infinitely glad to meet with you today in the United States of America, our dear compatriots, said the Head of our state. I planned to sincerely talk with you during this visit, in advance.
We all are well aware of how difficult it is to find a place far away from our homeland and win a deserved recognition. Achievement of such great success is not given to everyone.
I consider it important to meet today, to get to know you, to hold an open dialogue, to get your opinions and proposals on important tasks facing our country.
The President of our country spoke about the importance of the Strategy of actions on five priority areas of development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2017-2021, the Concept of administrative reform, changes in the judicial and legal, financial spheres, in the field of small business, tourism, medicine.
It was noted that in our country a great work has begun on providing the population with houses, development of science and education, training modern personnel. The essence and significance of the state youth policy of our country, activities of the Union of Youth of Uzbekistan in ensuring the rights and interests of young people were considered.
2017 in Uzbekistan is declared as the Year of dialogue with people and human interests. Listening to people’s demands and suggestions, determination of socio-economic programs on the basis of this became a priority direction of the state policy. The President of our country, wherever he is, holds an open dialogue with people, listens to the opinions and suggestions of ordinary people.
This meeting was also held in the spirit of openness and sincerity. The President of our country inquired about the life and activity of each of our compatriots who attended the meeting.
Our compatriots noted that it is a great honor for them to meet with the President of our country, that they are immensely grateful for such high attention. They expressed their views on development of science, education, technologies, investments and other spheres in our country, strengthening of relations between the institutions of Uzbekistan and the United States.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev urged our compatriots to be involved in large-scale reforms in Uzbekistan, to direct modern knowledge and experience on the way to its development.
I invite all compatriots abroad who wish to contribute to the development of our country, to Uzbekistan, said the Head of our state. I am ready to support them and comprehensively stimulate them.
Seeing your readiness to contribute to the development of our country, I am sincerely glad with all my heart. I am convinced that if we unite and work together in the path of prosperity of our dear Motherland, we will certainly achieve the high milestones we are facing, said the President of our country.
Participants of the meeting emphasized that the reforms implemented by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will serve to further enhancing the welfare of our people. Expressed gratitude for the attention shown by our state to our compatriots living abroad. The compatriots noted that they are ready to contribute to the comprehensive development of our country.
The President of our country wished our compatriots good health, luck and success in their activities.
(Source: UzA)

Uzbekistan – US business forum
On September 20, Uzbekistan – US business forum was held in New York within the framework of the visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the United States.
The event was attended by more than 100 executives of the leading US companies such as General Electric, Honeywell, ExxonMobil, CNH Industrial, John Deere, Coca-Cola, Boeing, Caterpillar, Citi Group, Visa, AGCO, Gilead Sciences and others. It was organized by the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Investments jointly with the American – Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce (AUCC).
Chairman of the American – Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce C. Lamm, first deputy chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan S.Safoyev and chairman of the State Committee on Investments A.Akhmedkhodjayev emphasized that the business forum, unprecedented in its scope and nature, once again confirmed the aspiration of businessmen of the two countries to expand mutually beneficial practical cooperation. The importance of joint efforts of the two sides for bringing Uzbekistan – US economic partnership to a qualitatively new level, ensuring its sustainable development and growth, was noted.
During the panel discussions of the forum, a lively discussion was held on issues of strengthening bilateral economic cooperation, creating a favorable investment climate in the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as implementing joint projects and programs in the field of industry, development of infrastructure, tourism, science and education.
US businessmen praised the ongoing large-scale reforms in Uzbekistan, ensuring the introduction of market mechanisms for currency regulation, strengthening the banking and financial system, reducing the tax burden on business and introducing additional benefits and preferences for investors within the framework of newly created free economic zones in Uzbekistan.
Participants of the business forum discussed specific investment and trade projects of mutual interest, agreed on joint activities for their practical implementation.
As a result of the event, documents for a total amount of 2,6 billion dollars were signed with US companies. They provide for the implementation of promising joint projects in the oil and gas, petrochemical sectors with General Electric and Honeywell corporations, machine building – with CNH Industrial, John Deere and Caterpillar, the electrical engineering industry – with OSI Systems and Lutron, in civil aviation – with Boeing and others. An agreement was also signed on opening a branch of Webster University in the city of Tashkent, which will become the first full-fledged branch of the American higher education institution in the CIS countries.
(Source: UzA)

INVESTMENTS

Large industrial enterprise, Nukus Polymer LLC, has been commissioned in Nukus
During the visit to the Republic of Karakalpakstan on January 20-21, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev assigned to build a polymer plant in the city of Nukus. He emphasized the need to ensure employment through the establishment of import-substituting manufactures.
The Nukus Polymer Company of a total cost of 27.1 billion soums (currency rates of CB RU from 21.09.2017, 1$= 8077 soums) was built to a high standard, and commissioned in short terms.
At the event on this occasion, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan Kahraman Sariev, Deputy Director of the joint venture Uz-Kor Gas Chemical Mr. Sharipov and others noted that the scale of industrial production has been expanding, the quality and volumes of import-substituting products have been increasing as a result of ongoing reforms in Uzbekistan. The progress contributes not just to the growth of the country’s economy, but also to the employment of the population, and improvement of well-being.
Located on almost two hectares, the company processes polyethylene and polypropylene pellets for the production of modern plastic pipes for gas supply and sewerage systems. 138 people will be permanently employed by the end of this year after the enterprise launches the third and fourth lines. They will annually produce 12 types of pipes with a diameter of 16 to 630 millimeters out of 8,000 tons of polyethylene and polypropylene granules.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Visit of delegation of the Russian Federation
Russian delegation headed by Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation N. Patrushev arrived in our country at the invitation of the Uzbek side.
Within the framework of the visit on September 20, 2017 Tashkent hosted the next round of consultations between the Security Councils of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Russian Federation.
During the negotiations, the sides considered the state and prospects of Uzbekistan – Russia cooperation in the security sphere. In particular, the priority areas for the development of cooperation between law enforcement and customs authorities, ministries of emergency situations, as well as military and military-technical cooperation were discussed. Views were exchanged on relevant issues of regional and international security.
Particular attention was paid to issues of ensuring timely implementation of the agreements reached during the state visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the Russian Federation on April 4-5 this year.
Within the framework of the visit of the Russian delegation, it is planned to visit the city of Samarkand to get acquainted with its historical and cultural sights, as well as to pay homage and lay a wreath to the burial place of the First President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.
(Source: UzA)

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