INFORMATION DIGEST OF PRESS OF UZBEKISTAN # 211

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November 2, 2016

INFORMATION DIGEST OF PRESS OF UZBEKISTAN # 211

economy.. 1

International industrial fair and cooperation exchange kicks off 1

DECEMBER 4 – the Elections of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.. 1

Women’s Participation in Elections Discussed at a National Seminar 1

BUSINESS CLIMATE.. 2

Creation of optimal conditions for development of small business and private entrepreneurship has been underway throughout Uzbekistan. 2

 

 

economy

International industrial fair and cooperation exchange kicks off

The regular X International industrial fair and cooperation exchange has started its work in the capital. Its goal is assisting economic entities and optimizing the production, strengthening and development of intra-industry and inter-sectoral cooperation, wide informing about the products produced in Uzbekistan, searching for partners and concluding contracts between domestic manufacturers on the delivery of products of own production on industrial cooperation and for export.

The event has brought together some 2200 domestic enterprises, companies and organizations operating in such industries as engineering, automotive, electrotechnics, building industry, metallurgy, pharmacy and others.

More than 24 exhibits presented in the exhibition space are located in 4 halls, 2 atria and conference rooms.

In 2015 the International industrial fair and cooperation exchange was attended by more than 1,200 representatives of foreign firms and companies from 55 countries of the world. Contracts for the purchase of goods worth over 11 trillion soums (currency rates of CB RU from 25.10.2016, 1$= 3083.96 soums) were concluded in the framework of it. The amount of export contracts exceeded $8.3 billion.

(Source: UzReport.uz)

DECEMBER 4 – the Elections of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Women’s Participation in Elections Discussed at a National Seminar

On October 24, the Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan jointly with the Central Election Commission organized a nationwide workshop entitled “Participation of women in elections” at the Republican Press Center for covering the presidential elections.

Held in a videoconference format, the seminar was attended by representatives of the Women’s Committee, its regional offices and primary organizations, of the Central Election Commission, the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Independent Institute for Monitoring the Formation of Civil Society, Olima (Scholar Woman) Association of Women Scientists, Oila (Family) Scientific-Practical Center, senior specialists of Mahalla Charity Fund, officials of ministries, other government agencies and higher education institutions, along with consultants of citizens’ assemblies on religious, spiritual and ethical enlightenment, as well as journalists.

At the event, chairperson of the Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan Elmira Basitkhanova and other speakers stressed that the process of building a democratic state and free civil society, modernization of the country, spearheaded under the leadership of the first President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, an electoral system has been established that meets universally recognized democratic standards, provides for basic political rights enshrined in the Constitution of the nation, in particular the right of citizens to elect and be elected, and freedom of expression.

It was emphasized that the current Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, along with more than 80 laws and other regulations secure equal rights and freedoms for all citizens, irrespective of their gender, race, ethnic background, religion, beliefs, identity and social status. In particular, Article 46 of the Basic Law stipulates equality between women and men.

Extensive works are carried out to secure the execution of activities envisaged in the approved by the Central Election Commission on 7 October 2016 Program for the Elevation of Voters’ Legal Culture in the run-up to the presidential elections. The efforts are directed also at the broad explanation of the essence and meaning of the Law on Elections of the President of Uzbekistan, of the amendments and addenda introduced into it in recent years, as well as the rights and freedoms of voters fixed in laws.

It was underscored in particular that the right of citizens to participate in governance is an important principle of a democratic state and robust civil society. The electoral process itself serves to uplift the social activity, legal consciousness and political culture of citizens.

Implementation of comprehensive reforms in the democratization and renovation of society is organically tied to the realization of citizens’ right to vote. This is the reason the awareness of the electorate, particularly women, of every stage of the electoral campaign, enhancement of their legal culture and social activity is essential. This, in turn, ensures complete compliance with the laws on elections and delivers an environment conducive for the free expression of will on the ballot day.

To date, in accordance with the action plan on the organization of outreach events on the theme “Participation of women in elections”, elaborated in the framework of the Program to Elevate the Legal Culture of Voters, outreach works are consistently in progress to improve the electoral and legal culture of women. In addition, national and regional TV and radio channels have been preparing and airing a series of programs and shows on the electoral legislation aimed at improving the socio-political activity of women in the forthcoming elections, while articles on the same topic are published regularly in the national and regional print media.

The seminar participants discussed the role of the Women’s Committee and its primary organizations as well as the commissions for women’s affairs under citizens’ assemblies in the organization of events in the run-up to the upcoming elections, of outreach activities designed to explain the essence and meaning of the Law on Elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the basic tasks of district and precinct electoral commissions, the participation of women in their work. They deliberated on the role of civil society institutions in organizing and conducting the elections.

The occasion also served to consider issues related to the arrangement of roundtable discussions and meetings on the theme “Participation of women in elections” in higher education institutions, teams of organizations, enterprises and offices in regions and districts, among the primary organizations of women’s committees in vocational colleges, academic lyceums and general schools.

It was stressed that the consistent implementation of enlightenment activities aimed at boosting the socio-political activeness of women in the preparations for and conduct of the forthcoming elections is essential in their realization of the importance of their votes for the development of state and society.

The workshop participants received answers to all their questions.

 (Source: Republican Press Center for Covering the Elections of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan)

BUSINESS CLIMATE

Creation of optimal conditions for development of small business and private entrepreneurship has been underway throughout Uzbekistan

Introduction of information and communication technologies in the public procurement system has been playing a special role in this process by creating ultimate advantages for entrepreneurs.

Republican Commodity Exchange has been working effectively in this direction. Small business and private entrepreneurship entities are widely involved in corporate procurement system in electronic form. This allows developing competition, promotes transparency in commodity prices and their optimization.

RCE introduced an electronic system of public procurement in 2011. This creates opportunities for electronic auction trading on reduction of the starting price, effective disbursement of state budget funds, and expanded involvement of small businesses in the fulfillment of government orders.

The e-procurement system is built on trading platforms for public and corporate procurement in the form of e-auction trading, aiming at reducing the initial price. The transition of all stages of public procurement, ranging from the announcement of the acquisition of goods to selection of the supplier, in electronic format, reduces the human impact on the final result.

There is now an opportunity to purchase and sell food, clothing, bedding, furniture, computer equipment and other products through the commodity exchange.

The system of electronic trading exchange has registered more than 25,000 customers and more than 44,000 suppliers. 98.6% of the suppliers are represented by small businesses and private enterprises. Since the beginning of 2016, the volume of public procurement through the RCE has amounted to 400 billion soums, budget savings – 83.7 billion soums (currency rates of CB RU from 25.10.2016, 1$= 3083.96 soums).

Meanwhile, the public procurement system has been constantly steramlined. Specific measures are taken to enhance the openness and competitiveness of public and corporate procurement. The RCE information portal places announcements of mandatory procurements, their schedule, statistics, and other information. It also provides information about agents, guarantors, the list of careless suppliers, average commodity prices.

The Decree of the Interim President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoev ‘On additional measures to ensure the rapid development of business, all-round protection of private property and effective improvement of the business environment’ has placed new challenges for the sector. The document entrusts the relevant agencies with implementation of measures to accelerate the development of information and communication technologies in state agencies, expand the contactless forms of cooperation between businesses and authorities under the introduction of the Electronic Government system. That should expand the boundaries of electronic communication, and create broader opportunities for entrepreneurs.

“The conditions and opportunities for businessmen are essential for our further expansion. Our firm supplies meters and computer hardware. Previously, we sold the goods at shops in the markets. Today, we sell them through electronic trading on the Uzbek Republican Commodity Exchange. Electronic trading is a good opportunity to sell goods to various regions remotely, saving time and money. In general, the promotion of electronic trading creates convenience for small businesses and private enterprises, contributing to their performance, enhancing their role and strengthening positions in the economy of our country,” said the head of the Magnitik Group Suhrob Rasulov.

(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

 

 

 

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