INFORMATION DIGEST OF PRESS OF UZBEKISTAN # 73

April 14, 2017

POLITICS
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has arrived in Samarkand region

OFFICIALLY
Uzbekistan sets up investment committee

ECONOMY
A program on the reconstruction of marketplaces and construction of modern shopping centers on their territory by 2019 has been approved in Uzbekistan

In Uzbekistan chemical production collects 480.1b soums in 1st quarter

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Polish companies are likely to establish a manufacture of power equipment in Uzbekistan

POLITICS

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has arrived in Samarkand region
Today President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has arrived in Samarkand region to review creative and beautification works, implementation pace of social-economic reforms in the region, for a dialogue with people.
Samarkand region has an important place in the economic, social and cultural life of our country due to its developed industry and agriculture, rich natural resources, a huge tourist potential.
Tens of types of vehicles are manufactured at the Samarkand automobile plant, JV Man Auto Uzbekistan, equipped in line with the advanced world standards. British-American Tobacco, Sam Antep Gilam, UrgGazKarpet, Amin Invest, Daka Tex, Agromir Samarkand, Sino JSC, Samarkandkimyo JSC, Sharq sanoati concern and other large industrial companies contribute to the development of region’s economy.
19 more joint ventures were founded in 2016, while their total number reached 263. The external trade turnover of the region constituted 1 billion 195 million US dollars. Last year the volume of exports increased by 1,5 times compared to 2015.
These dynamics may also be seen in the social-economic development of Samarkand. In 2016 the gross regional product increased by 8,7 per cent.
Samarkand residents, since ancient times known as skilful masters and enterprising people, achieve large results in the sphere of small business and private entrepreneurship. In 2016, 2838 multi-functional farming units were established, 9079 ha intensive orchards and 1000 ha wineries were planted. 11349 new jobs have been created in this sphere.
33 per cent of vegetables, 38 per cent of fruits, 34 per cent of milk, 27 per cent of meat, produced in the region, is processed by local enterprises. These growth rates are reflected in the increasing quality and level of life of people, appearance of cities and villages of the region.
Tourism is one of the main spheres of the economy of Samarkand region. Systemic works on efficient use of tourist resources, increasing the types and quality of travel services are currently underway in the region. Thanks to opportunities and conditions, created by the state, nowadays over one hundred hotels and over 80 travel firms operate in Samarkand. Their material-technical base is strengthening, the opportunities to provide high-quality services in line with contemporary requirements are widening.
New tourist directions are opened in order to develop environmental, recreational and agricultural tourism, supporting internal tourism.
In his pre-election meetings with the voters, Shavkat Mirziyoyev had laid out large plans and goals on consistent development of the works in this regard, comprehensive development of the region, ensuring the interests of the population. The visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev includes reviewing implementation of these plans and prospective projects.
(Source: UzA)

OFFICIALLY

Uzbekistan sets up investment committee
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the Decree setting up the State Investment Committee with offices in Karakalpakstan, the regions and Tashkent.
The document aims to promote and support investment initiatives, both at home and from abroad.
Under the decree, the investment committee will shape domestic investment policy and attract foreign investment.
The committee’s objectives are as follows:
forming an investment policy, drawing foreign investment, supporting enterprises funded by foreign investors;
proposing laws concerning foreign and domestic investment;
overseeing Uzbekistan’s annual Investment Programmes and regional investment programmes, launching a unified investment proposals to foreign investors;
advising on Uzbekistan’s international investment cooperation;
guiding authorities and businesses in investment activities;
assisting authorities in signing international treaties;
attracting foreign investment (director foreign investment, credits, and financial support) to fund investment projects in social, economic, industrial, and infrastructural areas;
overseeing investment projects and supervising foreign-funded businesses, removing investment obstacles;
optimising realisation of foreign and budgetary investment;
organising international conferences, seminars and forums, both at home and abroad, to raise awareness of Uzbekistan’s investment opportunities;
regulating auction sales for equipment bought for investment projects, analysing bids, advising against bids where necessary, and terminating import agreements after bids are approved;
analysing import contracts (price, technology, etc); and
coordinating all involved and working on investment documents.
(Source: «Business partner.uz» newspaper)

ECONOMY

A program on the reconstruction of marketplaces and construction of modern shopping centers on their territory by 2019 has been approved in Uzbekistan
In the near future, all farmer markets of the country will be optimized. Their territories will be built by state-of-the-art shopping complexes for food and consumer goods trading, which will provide quality customer services.
By the end of 2019, nine three-storey hypermarkets, 28 two-storey supermarkets, 126 one-storey supermarkets and 79 mini-markets will be built on the territory of farmer markets throughout the country in line with all modern trade requirements. The adjacent areas will be allocated for parking.
The construction of three modern three-story hypermarkets in rural farmer markets, 21 two-storey and 116 one-storey supermarkets, as well as 63 mini-markets will be funded by the national Bank of Uzbekistan, and in the follow-up they will be sold out to private owners.
The construction of shopping malls in major cities, beautification of adjacent territories and organization of parking lots will be primarily funded by business entities, as well as by loans of commercial banks for at least five year period at a rate not exceeding the Central Bank’s refinancing rate.
The construction of six modern hypermarkets, 17 supermarkets and 16 mini-markets in the cities of the republic will be carried out by own funds of financially sustainable business entities based on tenders conducted by regional and municipal administrations.
It is also envisaged to revamp agricultural markets and create optimally comfortable conditions there through the construction of temporary lightweight and sectionalized pavilions applying sandwich panels and providing all the engineering communications needed.
The head of state assigned to optimize 59 inefficient and unprofitable farmer markets with their possible extension with up-to-date commercial and production facilities.
As estimated, the implementation of the program will require 746 billion soums (currency rates of CB RU from 14.04.2017, 1$= 3650.74 soums), including 631.5 billion soums of the National Bank of Uzbekistan for Foreign Economic Activity (NBU), 81.5 billion soums of own funds of entrepreneurs, as well as soft loans of other commercial banks.
The construction of 531 up-to-date and compact shopping pavilions of lightweight sectionalized metal structures on territories adjacent to farmer markets will be financed by the NBU.
Experts say that the program would ensure the optimization of the number and territories under farmer markets, the effective use of their areas and infrastructure facilities, the implementation of a unified state strategy in the field of agricultural product trade, create favorable environment for customers, decrease cash turnover through the organization of point-of-sale system, as well as the complete reconstruction of farmer markets across the country by 2020.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

In Uzbekistan chemical production collects 480.1b soums in 1st quarter
Uzkimyosanoat reported an output of 480.1b soums in the first quarter of 2017, with consumer goods totalling 26.6b soums(currency rates of CB RU from 14.04.2017, 1$= 3650.74 soums).
It produced around 220,000 tonnes of mineral fertilisers:
Nitrogen fertilisers (157,050 tonnes);
Phosphorous fertilisers (30,410 tonnes); and
Potassium fertilisers (32,430 tonnes).
The output exceeded forecast by 12%.
Uzkimyosanoat accommodated $45.8m of investments.
The contracts it signed at the 10th International Industrial Trade Fair and the Cooperation Exchange amount to 102.5b soums.
(Source: UzReport.uz)

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Polish companies are likely to establish a manufacture of power equipment in Uzbekistan
A delegation of representatives of Polish companies ELQ-SA and PromacSpZoo with international experience in the field of power plant production visited the Navoi Free Economic Zone.
"During the negotiations, the parties discussed the prospects of further expansion of long-term cooperation with the international energy company ELQ-SA. They highlighted several projects and programs on the establishment of the production of transformer substations and diesel generators that are applied in the industrial and communal sectors," reported the Navoi FEZ press service.
The products are expected to enjoy the demand not just in the domestic market, but also in the CIS, Central Asia and Afghanistan.
Following the meeting, the energy company ELQ-SA and the Navoi FEZ board signed a Memorandum of Intent in implementing joint projects in the energy sector.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

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