INFORMATION DIGEST OF PRESS OF UZBEKISTAN # 46

March 6, 2017

POLITICS
Shavkat Mirziyoyev receives Asian Development Bank President

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev departed for Turkmenistan with a state visit

INVESTMENTS
Uzbekistan has approved a Program of Localization of Finished Products, Components and Materials for 2017-2019

THE STRATEGY OF ACTIONS ON FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF UZBEKISTAN
A presentation of the Development Strategy Center and an opening ceremony of media platform NAEMM MEDIA HALL have taken place in Tashkent as part of a grand media event

FACT
Information not Confirmed

SPORT
Members of the national team of Uzbekistan in taekwondo (WTF) have uccessfully performed at the international tournament Fujairah Open-2017 in the city of Fujairah, UAE

POLITICS

Shavkat Mirziyoyev receives Asian Development Bank President
On 3 March President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received President of the Asian Development Bank Takehiko Nakao.
The Head of state, greeting the guest, has stressed with satisfaction that mutually dynamically strengthening beneficial partnership between Uzbekistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in implementation of priority programs and projects aimed at modernizing sectors of the economy and infrastructure
Currently bilateral cooperation portfolio includes 59 projects worth more than 14 billion US dollars, in which the bank’s contribution equals 6 billion US dollars.
The major completed and ongoing projects with the ADB participation include construction of modern combined-cycle plants at Talimarjan and Takhiatash thermal power plants, modernization of high-voltage electric lines, implementation of automated power control and accounting systems, construction of houses on standard design in rural areas, reconstruction of water supply and sewerage systems in different regions of the country, restoration of the Amu-Bukhara irrigation canal system, electrification of "Marakand-Karshi" railway line, support of small business projects and many others.
The parties discussed issues of further developing and increasing the efficiency of practical cooperation in the framework of joint cooperation program for 2017-2019.
The significance of priority projects were underscored, which are aimed at improving the living standards of the population, especially in rural areas, support for businesses, modernization of the agricultural sector, development of road and transport infrastructure, renewable energy, implementation of energy efficient technologies and others.
The ADB President expressed his sincere gratitude to the head of our state for the warm welcome and support in the issues related to strengthening bilateral partnership and reaffirmed willingness of the Asian Development Bank to develop a full-scale cooperation with Uzbekistan.
Following the meetings of the ADB delegation in the ministries and agencies of Uzbekistan, agreements on implementation of 4 projects in the field of supporting small businesses, horticulture, development of water supply system and road infrastructure with funding from the bank for 573 million US dollars have been signed.
During the visit to Uzbekistan, Takehiko Nakao also visited Samarkand, Bukhara and Tashkent regions, where he familiarized with the implementation results of investment projects with the participation of the Asian Development Bank.
(Source: UzA)

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev departed for Turkmenistan with a state visit
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev departed for Ashgabat with a state visit at the invitation of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on 6 March.
During the visit, the Heads of state will discuss a wide array of issues of the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan relations, exchange views on critical problems on the regional and international agenda, representing a shared interest.
Following the negotiations at the highest level, a joint Declaration of the Heads of state, a treaty on strategic partnership as well as several bilateral documents, aimed at further development of cooperation in various spheres are expected to be signed.
(Source: UzA)

INVESTMENTS

Uzbekistan has approved a Program of Localization of Finished Products, Components and Materials for 2017-2019
The document envisages some interesting proposals and innovations. For example, as of 1 January 2017, proposals on inclusion of localization projects and program adjustments can also be submitted in the electronic form through the software complex ‘Automated system of development and consideration of localization passports’ under the official website of the Ministry of Economy.
New initiatives and elongated projects must now comply with certain criteria.
For example, the localization level must be not less than 36% of the products in the first year, at least 45% - in the second year, and at least 50% in the third year after inclusion. Separate indexes - 36%, 40% and 45% respectively, have been established for engineering and metalworking products.
There is another important point: the share of exports of localized products in net revenues from their sales must be at least 20% in the second year, and at least 30% in the third. In this case, the criteria do not apply to the projects in subventional regions and cities, which provide at least 36% of the localization level.
The organizations that were included in the approved list of localization projects are exempt for three years from customs duties for imported engineering equipment, spare parts and components that are not produced in the country. In addition, they will be exempt from income tax for legal entities, single tax payment for the products manufactured under the projects of localization, and property tax in terms of fixed assets used for the production of localized products.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

THE STRATEGY OF ACTIONS ON FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF UZBEKISTAN

A presentation of the Development Strategy Center and an opening ceremony of media platform NAEMM MEDIA HALL have taken place in Tashkent as part of a grand media event
The event was organized by the Development Strategy Center and the National Association of Electronic Mass Media of Uzbekistan (NAEMM) in collaboration with the Representative Office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Central Asia. It brought together over 200 people - members of the Senate and the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis, heads and members of accredited diplomatic corps and international organizations, representatives of journalistic, expert and business communities, government and public organizations. It was attended by 65 journalists of nongovernmental television and radio stations, 15 online editions, four governmental media agencies, and about 15 printed editions.
The presentation kicked off with a demonstration of a documentary film on the Action Strategy in five priority areas. It highlighted all the important milestones prior to the program document. The first footage carried the viewers to early December, when, during the election of the President of Uzbekistan, the nation made a conscious choice that determined the future of the country for the years to come. The movie impressively showed the work of the Press Club: Elections.uz-2016, which brought together representatives of foreign and national media industry as the first multimedia platform in Uzbekistan.
The declaration of 2017 as a Year of Dialogue with the People and Human Interests by the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was the next important step. It was followed by the discussion of draft Strategy, initiated by the leader of Uzbekistan, at NAEMM Media Week, which was a kind of a follow-up of the press club on election coverage. Finally, the documentary showed the process of approval of the Action Strategy for Five Priority Areas of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2017-2021.
What a relevant and impressive video chronicle of landmark events!
As noted at the opening of the media event, the Development Strategy Center was initiated by several public and governmental organizations for the effective implementation of the Action Strategy, as well as the national program the Year of Dialogue with the People and Human Interests. The establishment of the Center was approved by the Head of the State.
The Center’s Executive Director Akmal Burkhonov introduced the guests in its goals and objectives. They come to consolidation of synergies on effective organization of expert and public debates, a comprehensive study and implementation of measures envisaged by the Action Strategy, as well as the active involvement of representatives of civil society institutions, experts and scholars to democratization and modernization processes in Uzbekistan.
The Center will deal with information and analytical support of the Action Strategy, study of foreign experience, assessments of international organizations and experts on the measures taken within the framework of the document, as well as organization of their broad expert and public discussion.
The Center will also come up with reasoned proposals for the effective implementation of the Action Strategy, including the preparation of draft laws, regulations and other acts stipulated by the national program, building cooperation with international organizations, research, information-analytical and educational institutions.
Its functions will include assistance in drafting annual programs for the Action Strategy, implementation of a system-based public monitoring of the progress of its implementation and its broad coverage, public opinion and proposals study, and development of proposals on them.
The Center is funded by technical assistance funds of ministries and agencies for studies and analyzes, grants of international and domestic organizations that are allocated to NGOs, and other sources.
The staff of the Coordinating Council has been approved to assist the Center. It will ensure the effective interaction with state bodies and fullly support the fulfillment of the objectives.
Akmal Burhonov emphasized that despite the small staff of the Center – a dozen of people, each of its founders will be directly involved in the fulfillment of common tasks.
The presentation of the new media platform - NAEMM MEDIA HALL - on the basis of the Zarafshan Concert Hall, took place as part of the event. NAEMM Board Chairman Firdavs Abdukhalikov noted that it was created for the media coverage of the progress under the Year of Dialogue with the People and Human Interests. It will be a venue of open dialogues between the government and society through briefings, press conferences, talk shows. It is also planned to use it as a shooter of TV festivals, meetings, conferences, competitions, social TV rallies, children’s talk shows and other media content in various formats, jointly with the partners. Firdavs Abdukhalikov pointed out to the importance to not just report on the Action Strategy and its implementation, but bring it to everyone’s heart, conscience, to motivate people to become a part of its implementation.
Given the positive experience of media platforms on the construction of an open dialogue between the state and society, the Development Strategy Center and NAEMM signed an agreement on the coverage and organization of regular public discussions on the implementation of the Action Strategy, approved legislative and regulatory acts, as well as public and political events in the country.
Then the floor was given to leaders and representatives of interdepartmental commissions on the implementation of the Action Strategy, who briefed om each of the five areas.
The discussion of the unique document in the history of independent republic was built on the mechanisms that ensure the genuine will of the people, and was held at an unprecedented activity of the general public, representatives of ministries and departments, international organizations and foreign experts.
“The strategy of the further development of Uzbekistan has marked an important stage in the life of our country,” underlined the Deputy Chairman of the Senate of Oliy Majlis Svetlana Artykova. “The document, which sets exact boundaries and important priorities of further enhancement of democratic reforms and accelerated development of the country, each mission is inseparably linked with the life of the people, who live on this land and confidently look into the future. I would like to note that the Action Strategy envisages the conceptual objectives of socio-political, socio-economic, cultural and humanitarian development of the country, put forward by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev during his meetings with the general public, the business community, government officials and communication with the people.”
She noted that the implementation of the Action Strategy in five stages, including the annual approval of certain state program in accordance with the declared title of the year, would enhance its practical effectiveness. For instance, the national program the Year of Dialogue with the People and Human Interests is focused on the improvement of the state and public construction.
First of all, it comes to strengthening the role of Parliament and political parties to dramatically raise the quality of lawmaking with the ultimate goal to create the best conditions for the people. The functions of the structures that work directly with the population and ensure people’s interests will be further streamlined.
It is important that the Parliament of Uzbekistan was building its work with an eye to the requirements of the time, the will of the people, modern standards and pro-action. As of 2017, the Strategy envisaged the appointment of Executive Secretary of political party factions in the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis, thereby strengthening the capacity of each political party in defending its policy in the lower house of parliament. This should contribute to the effectiveness of a common position on the faction, and coordinate the performance of its members.
This year, both chambers of the Oliy Majlis will establish structural units that will enforce information, analytical and research work, thereby contributing to the better quality of legislative and monitoring performance, and development of laws upon in-depth analysis.
“The Strategy is advantageous for innovative approaches,” said Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Alisher Shaykhov, “as well as for prospects of economic development. It is very important that it envisages the involvement of everyone not only in its discussion, but in its implementation.
The document envisages the provision of reliable protection of private property, removal of all barriers, provision of freedom for the development of private entrepreneurship and small businesses, strict suppression of unlawful interference of state bodies in business.
For example, the Action Strategy provides for reducing the cost of connecting businesses to engineering and communication networks, and unification of corresponding legal and regulatory acts. That would create another convenience for our businesses and entrepreneurs.
The policy document requires an objective assessment of the work done, analysis of the progress made, and building the working process in line with the requirements of the time and in accordance with the priorities of the country’s development and people’s welfare. Organization of a system-based, detailed and in-depth discussion of the Action Strategy with the involvement of the general public, business community, executives and experts of state bodies would make the process of achieving high goals effective.
"The achievement of these goals is the key mission of the Development Strategy Center, and CCI as its founder,” said Alisher Shaykhov.
The Action Strategy focuses on the rule of law, Deputy Minister of Justice Nodir Jurayev emphasized in his speech.
Many of its provisions have already been triggered. Raise of people’s awareness of new legislation, provision of its execution, raise of the legal culture of the population with the focus on the youth are regarded as relevant. The recent Presidential resolution on the radical improvement of the legislative act distribution system is seen as an essential guide to expansion of the scale of work in this direction.
The Resolution has triggered a new mechanism for dissemination of legal information, clearly defined the powers of the Ministry of Justice in the process, and objectives on the improvement of the national legislation framework.
The Strategy also aims at ensuring the genuine independence of the judiciary, increasing the authority of the court, and democratization of the judicial system.
As part of implementation of abovementioned objectives, the President has recently adopted a decree on radical streamlining of the structure and effectiveness of the judicial system in Uzbekistan, which has marked a transition of the related state policy to a drastically new level.
A Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan was established in accordance with the decree in order to radically change the system of candidate selection and appointment of judges, raising the status and powers of the body in charge for the formation of highly qualified judge corps.
Being a part of the judicial community it is charged to ensure compliance with the constitutional principle of independence of the judiciary. It is responsible for the formation of the judge corps on the basis of open and transparent competitive selection of candidates from among the most qualified experts, prevention of violation of integrity of judges and interference in their activities, dialogue with the public.
Implementation of these measures would enhance justice in the courts, protection of the rights of citizens that are protected by law, ensure social justice and the rule of law.
On a final note, the participants expressed their views and suggestions through a ‘free microphone’, and experts answered numerous questions of the media at a press conference.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

FACT

Information not Confirmed
Various foreign media disseminated the information allegedly about the spreading the disease of domestic cattle murrain in Yangi Hayot village of Ahangaran district in Tashkent region. According to the inspection of a group of experts, the reliability of this fact was not confirmed. An epizootic situation in the country is favorable.
A group veterinarians headed by the Deputy Chief of the General Veterinary Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture S. Okkiyev, with the participation of emergency workers, the chairman of the Yangi Hayot mahalla citizens’ assembly studied the epizootic situation on the spot.
During the farmstead inspection by veterinary experts the clinical signs murrain disease were not detected among villagers’ cattle and small cattle. Appropriate samples were taken for laboratory testing.
During the conversation with the residents feeding livestock, the facts of their murrain disease and mortality especially from it were not confirmed.
In 2016, the General Veterinary Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture purchased 4.5 million doses of FMD vaccine. That was enough to vaccinate the entire cattle population contained in the farms located in the border, the so-called buffer zones.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

SPORT

Members of the national team of Uzbekistan in taekwondo (WTF) have uccessfully performed at the international tournament Fujairah Open-2017 in the city of Fujairah, UAE
The competition was attended by about 550 athletes from around the world.
In competitions of cadets representatives of our country Amirbek Turaev, Azizbek Rahmonberdiev, Daniil Kim defeated all rivals and secured gold medals, and Javohir Holmurodov earned a silver medal.
In competitions among juniors, our athlete Zuhra Ochilova took the second step of the podium. Islom Yuldoshev, Dinora Mukhtorova and Feruza Sodikova attained bronze medals in their weight categories.
In the competition among adults, held in a bitter struggle, Nikita Rafalovich, Shuhrat Salayev, Nigora Tursunkulova won silver awards, Valentin Khegai, Maxim Rafalovich, Temur Urolov, Maftuna Ergasheva, Svetlana Osipova were named bronze medalists.
In total, the Uzbek team broght three gold, five silver and eight bronze medals from the international tournament Fujairah Open-2017.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

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