INFORMATION DIGEST OF PRESS OF UZBEKISTAN # 91

May 11, 2017

POLITICS
On upcoming state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to China

President of Uzbekistan received UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

THE STRATEGY OF ACTIONS ON FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF UZBEKISTAN
In Uzbekistan, small business and private entrepreneurship have been contributing to the growth of the gross domestic product, employment, income replenishment and improvement of people’s wellbeing

POLITICS

On upcoming state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to China
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will pay a state visit to China on 11-13 May 2017 at the invitation of President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping.
During the planned meetings with President of the PRC Xi Jinping, Premier of the State Council Li Keqiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Zhang Dejiang and other high-level officials, the current state and prospects of bilateral relations, priority areas of consolidating and steady development of long-term partnership between Uzbekistan and the PRC will be discussed. The parties will also exchange views on regional and international issues.
The agenda of the visit envisages a meeting of the Head of our state with representatives of leading Chinese companies and firms, in which the possibilities of joint realization of mutually beneficial projects in Uzbekistan through attracting modern technologies will be considered.
Following the negotiations at the highest level, the parties will adopt a Joint Declaration, sign several intergovernmental and other documents, aimed at deepening Uzbekistan-China ties in different spheres. Conclusion of a solid package of contracts and agreements between the business circles of the two countries in the trade-economic, investment and finance areas are expected within the visit.
On 14-15 May 2017, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will also take part at the the ‘One Belt, One Road’ international forum in Beijing.
(Source: UzA)

President of Uzbekistan received UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on 10 May.
The Head of our state, greeting the guest, particularly underlined the significance of further developing and reinforcing a constructive and open dialogue between Uzbekistan and the UN, institutions of this authoritative universal international organization, including with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
It was stressed that a comprehensive protection of human rights is a priority in the deep structural reforms, carried out in out country.
Uzbekistan has formed an effective legislative system in ensuring human rights. Along with the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 16 codes and over 400 corresponding legislative acts have been adopted. A parliamentary Ombudsman and the National Human Rights Centre operate in our country, a new non-judicial mechanism of protecting the rights of entrepreneurs- Business Ombudsman has been established.
The recently approved Actions Strategy on further development of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2017-2021, which, in essence, has become a “roadmap” for implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, has a program of concrete measures on improving the construction of a democratic, legal state and a strong civil society.
Besides, our country has joined over 70 international documents on human rights, including ten UN treaties. Today a systemic work on their implementation to the national legislation and practice is being carried out.
The parties exchanged opinions in detail on prospective areas of cooperation.
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein expressed a sincere gratitude to the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for a warm reception, high attention and practical measures on human rights protection in Uzbekistan. He reaffirmed the willingness of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to develop a longterm and systemic bilateral cooperation.
(Source: UzA)

THE STRATEGY OF ACTIONS ON FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF UZBEKISTAN

In Uzbekistan, small business and private entrepreneurship have been contributing to the growth of the gross domestic product, employment, income replenishment and improvement of people’s wellbeing
The products manufactured by entrepreneurs prove key for the domestic market and country’s export capacity.
The development of small economy ranks among key areas of the Actions Strategy, initiated by by the head of state. This work has been increasingly catalyzed in the regions of the republic.
For example, the enterprises specializing in the production of pharmaceutical, electrical products and construction materials in Khorezm were exempt from property and land taxes, as well as the infrastructure development tax and mandatory contributions to the Republican Road Fund.
As of April 1, 2017, more than 11,000 small businesses and private entrepreneurs were registered in the region. Over 700,000 people, or 82.3% of all employed in the economy, are engaged in small businesses.
19 industrial enterprises in the region specialize in food, light industry and other sectors. In 2016, they produced goods for 1.4 trillion soums (currency rates of CB RU from 11.05.2017, 1$= 3765.77 soums), and exported for $5 million.
The analysis shows that 315,000 tons of total exports are transported by rail. In accordance with the decisions of the head of state, Uzbekistan Railways now delivers the products by enterprises registered in the Khorezm region to the state borders at current domestic tariffs. This preference helped to drastically cut the logistics costs of exporting enterprises, entails cost reduction in local products in the external market, and increases their competitiveness. With the full use of this benefit in the future, enterprises intend to deliver 70-80% of exported goods by rail.
There are also eight pharmaceutical companies in the region, which supply packaging for a dozen kinds of medicinal plants. Nearly 81 billion soums of investments in 2017-2018 will empower implementation of 29 projects there, which will envisage laying plantations for the cultivation of 25 types of medicinal plants, and production of export-oriented finished pharmaceutical products.
For example, Khorazm Super Medical limited liability company of Bagat district will establish an annual production of 6 million bottles of iodine, the brilliant green, Valeriana tinctures next year through 300 million soums of investments. The Kordon Khumo private enterprise of Khiva district will launch the production of amoxicillin, ampicillin, azithromycin, cefpodoxime, chloramphenicol, doxycycline, erythromycin through 1.7 billion soums of investments.
375 enterprises in Khorezm region are engaged in the production of burnt bricks, doors and frames, lime, ferro-concrete products, metal gates and gratings, pavers, dry building mixtures, corrugated sheet and sheet metal, varnishes and paints, roofing materials, nonmetallic and other products. In the next two years, it is planned to implement 260 projects and create more than 2,000 new jobs.
Present-day life can hardly be imagined without refrigerators, freezers, vacuum cleaners, television sets, microwave ovens and other household appliances. They enjoy a great demand. The household appliances that are produced in the Khorezm region under the brand ‘Made in Uzbekistan’ are rated popular on the global market.
They are manufacture of local raw materials using modern technologies, and playing a significant role in import substitution. A dozen of enterprises presently produce more than 15 types of products, including freezers, transformers, water filters, LED lamps, and commercial freezing equipment. In 2017-2018, it is planned to implement 19 projects through 25.4 billion soums of investments, and create over 300 new jobs.
The President provided local enterprises with various benefits and preferences. For instance, the currency raised from exports completely remains at the disposal of enterprises to enable them procuring raw materials or production technologies they need.
In short, due to the improvement of the business climate in the country, the demand for modern and competitive products produced in the Khorezm region is growing in the world market. And this allows increasing the volume of exports and contributing to the welfare of the people.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

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