February10, 2015
Uzbek banks emit 13.45m banking cards. 2
Over 10,100 businesses registered via Internet2
Uzbekistan Airways turns 23. 2
February 9 – the anniversary of Navoi (1441 – 1501)5
FINANCE
Uzbek banks emit 13.45m banking cards
Commercial banks of Uzbekistan as of January 1 2015 issued over 13.449 million banking payment cards, which rose by 21.52% year-on-year.
According to the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, number of installed POS-terminals exceeded 158,790 units in 2014, which rose by 22.45% year-on-year.
Number of ATMs rose from 1,733 units in the end of 2013 to 1,870 units in the end of 2014, the regulator underlined.
The volume of transactions with the banking cards rose by 39.56% year-on-year in 2014 and made up 22.759 trillion soums (currency rates of CB RU from 10.02.2015 1$= 2448.16 soums).
Largest number of banking cards was issues in Tashkent city (2.964 million), Ferghana region (1.306 million), Kashkadarya region (1.179 million) and Samarkand region (1.094 million).
Tashkent city (32,275), Tashkent region (14,131), Ferghana region (13,994), Samarkand region (13,482) and Kashkadarya region (11,579) were leaders on number of installed POS-terminals.
Tashkent city (797), Ferghana region (153) and Samarkand region (127) were leaders on number of installed ATMs in Uzbekistan.
Tashkent city (5.384 trillion soums), Ferghana region (1.985 trillion soums) and Kashkadarya region (1.899 trillion soums) were in Top-3 on the volume of transactions in 2014.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
BUSINESS CLIMATE
Over 10,100 businesses registered via Internet
Over 10,100 business entities were registered in Uzbekistan via Internet in 104, the session of the Central Council of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan said.
The session said that a system of registration of business entities via Internet was launched in Uzbekistan on 1 January 2014.
As of 31 January 2014, over 10,689 applications for registration of business entities were submitted via the system, of which 10,177 were registered.
Largest number of business entities was registered in Khorezm, Ferghana, Tashkent, Namangan and Surkhandarya regions.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
transport
Uzbekistan Airways turns 23
Nowadays, many airlines across the globe have found themselves in a predicament. The crisis has taken its toll on the work of low-cost airlines, while forcing major players to slash ticket prices to lure customers aboard underloaded flights. That said, aircraft giants Boeing and Airbus posted record sales in 2014, having delivered 723 and 629 airliners respectively. Moreover, they have reported orders for 1,432 and 1,456 airplanes, respectively, for the future. The explanation for the disparity is quite simple: the crisis pushes inefficient companies out of the market, thereby presenting unique growth opportunities to other companies. Experts rate Uzbekistan Airlines among the favorites as within a relatively short period the company has managed not just to carve out a niche in a tough and competitive market, but also to outstrip rivals in many respects.
PURSUING ITS OWN PATH
In January 1992, Uzbekistan launched its own airline, which is deemed as a symbol of the country’s independence.
Those days, few people could imagine that some 23 years later the carrier burdened with huge problems in the early 1990s would turn into one of the region’s leaders in terms of freight and passenger traffic, as well as upgrade of aircraft fleet. In the early years the company embraced a mission of establishing direct flights between Uzbek cities and becoming the newly independent republic’s gateway to the world. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan Airways’ fleet was extremely controversial, albeit reliable; the Soviet-made aircraft were extremely inefficient in operation and fell short of international standards.
fateful decision on the transition to new aircraft, unlike many other airlines that emerged in the CIS at the time. That was a big step forward, because it was much easier and cheaper to lease the equipment instead of buying new aircrafts for huge money. Uzbekistan Airways CEO Valeriy Tyan explained the reason of choosing such a vector of development at the traditional year-end press conference in the capital. «A guarantee of flight safety is vital» was the mission the national carrier was entrusted with those early years. The company has successfully fulfilled it.
There are two key safety criteria in today’s aviation world. The first one implies continuous work to maintain good operation of aviation equipment, preparation and training of flight crew, cabin crew training for emergency situations, improvement of airport infrastructure, and provision with flight fuel and lubricants. The second criterion envisages prevention of interference with civil aviation by those who may do harm to civil aviation facilities on the ground, or aircrafts and customers – in the air. The national carrier has been successfully implementing both missions.
The national airline has been gradually upgrading its fleet over the past 23 years. In the last three years alone, it has purchased ten new A320 and four Boeing -767- 300ER airplanes.
Six advanced and comfortable domestically produced IL-114-100 aircraft are successfully operated. In 2016, the company expects two Boeing-787-8 Dreamliner newgeneration aircraft. In 2012, as part of a demonstration tour, one of such crafts of the dream landed at the capital’s airport, once again expressing the desire of the air carrier towards perfection and new horizons. This year the company is also expecting a ‘novice’ – a new Russian multi-purpose helicopter Mi-8 MTV-1.
The national airline’s own repair and maintenance base at Uzbekistan Airways Technics is an integral element of safety. Today it has the cutting-edge equipment and skilled workforce to provide all kinds of line and basic maintenance, and repair of aircrafts of both national and foreign carriers, as confirmed by international certificates.
Uzbekistan Airways is currently implementing a joint project with the Boeing Company to open a new repair center for large aircraft structures made of composite materials. The construction work will be completed in the near future, and the staff is raring to go.
The constant streamlining of the staff training system is another important aspect of the national carrier’s activities. Training is equally a priority as the continuous advanced training of pilots, flight attendants, and experts in terrestrial aviation safety. The fitness complex of the company’s Training Center has cutting-edge simulators for aircraft Boeing-757/767, A320 and a unique fullflight simulator of the domestic Il-114-100. They help flight crews to train in optimally realistic conditions. The ground-based staff is trained to special software designed by the company’s experts. The purchase of another device, full-flight simulator VS-320, is currently under negotiation.
In 2014, the company carried out 23,811 flights, transported more than 2.6 million passengers, and the freight rate exceeded 42,000 tons. The volumes of freight turnover through the Navoi Logistics Center totaled 30,900 tons last year, a 24-percent increase as compared with 2013.
WINGED FREIGHT
Being a unique phenomenon of civil aviation in the CIS space, the national airline has come up with many unprecedented initiatives, including the creation of an international intermodal logistics center in Navoi. In 2008, Uzbekistan contracted Korean Air as a strategic partner for the project. An advanced cargo terminal station for loading and unloading operations, refrigeration and freezers, a heating camera, storage zones for dangerous cargo, perishable foodstuffs and animals were built there in several years. The Center evolved so rapidly that within a short time it established air cargo traffic to Europe, India, China and Southeast Asia. Since its launch, the Center has transported more than 200,000 tons of cargo. The general air transport turnover totalled 126.3 million ton-kilometers, or 8.5-percent growth against 2013.
The success motivated the carrier for further initiatives and steps toward expansion of its market share and occupation of new niches. To this end, in 2013, Uzbekistan Airways and Korean Air prolonged the terms of the previously signed contract for five years. The shift to the engagement of its own air trucks was the next step to take. According to experts, the reconstruction of two passenger Boeings into upto-date cargo aircraft was an important step in terms of the development of a logistics center and intensification of the freight traffic. The veterans of civil aviation have been given a new lease of life. After retooling, their payload reached 53 tons. Besides, they were certified to the fourth level of noise, allowing for takeoffs and landings at airports with night-flight estrictions.
On December 25, 2014, the re-equipped Boeing 767-300VCF performed its first flight on the route Urumqi-Tashkent and carried 48 tons of cargo. In the near future, both cargo aircrafts will be making flights from the Navoi airport to Dubai, Tianjin, Frankfurt, Aktobe, and New Delhi, an average of 13 flights a week.
The expert community commended the progress of Uzbekistan Airways. Last year, the airline joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which announced its intention to apply the experience of Uzbekistan’s civil aviation in flight safety in the CIS, and in enhancement of aviation safety in the region. To do that, IATA is projecting the establishment of its certified training and staff development center in the structure of the NAC Training Center, which would remarkably expand subject areas and make it possible to receive airline staff from neighboring countries.
Last year, Uzbekistan Airways joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The Association announced its intention to adopt the experience of Uzbekistan’s civil aviation in flight safety in the CIS, as well as in enhancement of aviation safety in the region.
NUMBER ONE IN THE SKY, NUMBER ONE ON THE GROUND
An advanced airline is not just about the latest aircraft models, but primarily an advanced terrestrial infrastructure. All the company’s 11 airports have international status. These facilities are driven by their major vehicle – 14,000 of employees, who work daily to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers. The work is always in progress. Late last year, the company completed an ambitious project on the commissioning of two passenger terminals with a capacity of 300 passengers per hour in the Urgench Airport. Each terminal performs its specific function: the first one serves arriving passengers, while the second one takes care of departures. The design used both modern materials and elements of traditional national art, in particular, Khorezm ceramics for decoration of the facade and interior of the buildings. The airport offers a special room where any foreign tourist may consult on visa or other issues without stopping their travel or leisure.
New passenger terminals successfully operate at Tashkent, Bukhara, Navoi, Samarkand and Fergana airports. The major domestic air harbor of Tashkent annually receives and sends over 2.8 million passengers. In order to advance services the capital’s airport, with a capacity of more than 1,300 passengers per hour, commissioned a block for departing passengers, a local flight terminal, and a transit hall that meets international requirements. In the near future, the Namangan airport is expected to launch a new runway following a complete overhaul, which will have no restrictions for aircraft.
The progress of Uzbek airports has been seen in victories at international competitions. Three airports, Bukhara, Samarkand and Urgench, were at the top of various categories of the prestigious competition of Airport Civil Aviation Association ‘The CIS Top Airport’. Bukhara airport is a sixtime winner, Samarkand – a ten-time winner, Urgench – a two-time winner among the airports serving 100,000 to 500,000 passengers a year.
The company’s nearfuture plans include the launch of an international flight reception terminal at Tashkent airport in late 2015 after its reconstruction. In March, the company’s specialists hope to finalize design- and cost-related documents and decide on the general contractor. The terminal’s capacity will make up 300 passengers per hour.
The national airline has been gradually upgrading its fleet over the past 23 years. In the last three years alone, it has purchased ten new A320 and four Boeing -767-300ER planes.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
February 9 – the anniversary of Navoi (1441 – 1501)
The Alisher Navoi National Park of Uzbekistan Hosted an Official Event Dedicated to the 574th Birthday Anniversary of the Great Poet
The spiritual heritage of Alisher Navoi plays a huge role in enhancing the spirituality of our people, especially the younger generations, respect for the native language. In this regard, our country pays great attention to the wide use of the poet’s works in the education of youth as harmoniously developed personalities.
As the tradition goes, the Alisher Navoi National Park of Uzbekistan hosted February 9 an official event dedicated to the 574th birthday anniversary of the great poet.
It was attended by the members of Senate, deputies of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, heads of various ministries and other government agencies, creative unions and social organizations, poets and writers, literary critics, culture and art figures, mahalla activists and the youth.
Chairman of the Writers Union of Uzbekistan M.Ahmedov, the Navoi Studies scholar O.Davlatov, the young poet Sh.Salom and others spoke about an extensive work under the leadership of President Islam Karimov on the study of the rich spiritual heritage of Alisher Navoi, its widespread propaganda all over the world.
On the initiative of the head of our state, 1991 was declared as the Year of Alisher Navoi. Majestic monuments to our great ancestor were erected over the past years in the country and abroad. The complete works of the poet in twenty volumes was published. The creative legacy of Navoi, as a boundless ocean, is being studied by scientists in our country and around the world, and being published a series of scientific papers, monographs and brochures.
The event participants enjoyed the excerpts from the poems of the great poet. Students of the Tashkent Institute of Oriental Studies recited opinions of the representatives of world literature, about the spiritual heritage, creativity and works of the great thinker Alisher Navoi.
The singer (xalq hofizi) of Uzbekistan M.Tojibayev performed songs on the gazelles of Alisher Navoi.
The participants laid flowers to the monument of Navoi.
The official event was attended by the State Adviser to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Kh.Sultanov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan A.Ikramov.
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Later the day, a mushoira (a poetic competition) in honor of Alisher Navoi’s creativity took place at the metropolitan Alley of Poets in Navoi Street. Poets and writers, Zulfiya Prize laureates and students have participated in it.
First Deputy of the Writers Union of Uzbekistan S.Sayyid, Navoi Studies scholar H.Boltaboyev, poetess F.Afruz and others noted that the creativity of Alisher Navoi plays an important role in the education of youth in the spirit of devotion to the Motherland, honesty and diligence.
The events dedicated to the birthday anniversary of the celebrated poet are underway also in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and all the regions of our nation.
(Source: UzA)
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