April 7, 2015
elections OF THE PRESIDENT of the republic of uzbekistan.. 2
Elections 2015: Strong Sense of Responsibility for the Future of Homeland. 2
Meeting of the Central Election Commission. 8
Congratulatory Letters to Islam Karimov on His Election as President of the Republic of Uzbekistan 9
Uzbek Trucks Come to the Fore. 10
Uzavtosanoat: 897 units of mounted and trailed machinery produced in 2014. 11
International cooperation.. 12
On the Way to the World Cup. 12
elections OF THE PRESIDENT of the republic of uzbekistan
Elections 2015: Strong Sense of Responsibility for the Future of Homeland
President Islam Karimov won by a landslide in the presidential election in Uzbekistan on March 29: more than 17.1 million, or 90.39% of eligible voters, made their choice in favor of the incumbent.
Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Uzbekistan Mirzo-Ulugbek Abdusalomov unveiled the results at a press conference for local and international journalists. The preliminary results of the presidential elections were announced on March 30 in Tashkent.
As noted at the briefing, the elections were held openly and publicly, in full compliance with the national electoral legislation and universally recognized democratic principles of international law.
Well aware of the fact that their decision would predetermine the further development of the country, the Uzbek citizens have demonstrated a high political activeness and a sense of responsibility for the fate of their homeland and its future, Abdusalomov emphasized.
The turnout totaled 18,942,000 citizens, representing 91.08% of the total number of registered voters. In accordance with the Law ‘On Elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan’, this suggests that the presidential elections came off. No violations of election laws have been registered.
All presidential candidates held a scaled election campaign, aiming at introducing the voters and the public to the provisions of their election programs and their approach to addressing various issues of socio-political and socio-economic development of the country. All four candidates and political parties that nominated them were provided with equal conditions, including the use of the media.
Each candidate and his political party used 900 minutes of airtime on O’zbekiston and Yoshlar channels, as well as 180 minutes on regional TV and radio channels. Campaign articles were published in Halk So’zi, Narodnoe Slovo, and Pravda Vostoka newspapers that allocated ten pages per each presidential hopeful, and regional editions allocated five pages for each. They also campaigned on the pages of editions of their political parties, and in online outlets.
External advertising, including the outdoor, have been effectively used in the election campaign. 829 banners of each candidate were placed throughout Uzbekistan. Their campaign ads were regularly demonstrated on sizeable electronic monitors.
Candidates and their representatives met with voters in all constituencies. Precinct election commissions provided equal conditions for arranging such meetings at the local level, prevented the domination of agitation for a particular candidate. The CEC accurately monitored this process in all regions of the country. As a result, the voters had a chance to study the election programs of the presidential candidates and give a conscious vote on March 29.
At all stages of the election campaign the CEC attached primary importance to ensuring openness and transparency. The process of preparation and holding of elections was covered by over 430 representatives of domestic and foreign media accredited by the CEC, and some 550 representatives accredited by district election commissions. The National Press Center for the Coverage of Presidential Elections, and similar press centers under precinct election commissions provided all related information and data. They regularly held press conferences, briefings, and seminars.
As noted at the press conference, the presidential elections were attended by nearly 300 observers, including five international organizations – the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Association of World Election Bodies, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and representatives of 43 states.
The procedure of voting and counting of votes was also observed by over 35,000 representatives of the four political parties that nominated candidates for the presidency, as well as the media. The polling stations provided all conditions for their effective work.
According to the preliminary results of the presidential elections in Uzbekistan, over 17,122,000 people cast their votes for Islam Karimov, or 90.39% of the total number of voters. More than 582,000, or 3.08% of citizens, voted for Akmal Saidov, more than 552,000, or 2.92%, for Hotamjon Ketmonov, and 389,000, or 2.05%, voted for Narimon Umarov.
Currently, the CEC is reviewing protocols and other documents provided by precinct election commissions. In accordance with the Law ‘On Elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan’ all of them, as well as documents of separate precinct election commissions, if necessary, will be carefully reviewed by the CEC once again. Only after this procedure will the Central Election Commission be able to take a final decision on the election results.
Under the national electoral legislation the results of presidential elections in Uzbekistan will be published in the press by the CEC within 10 days after the election, that is, by April 8, 2015.
As unanimously recognized by all the participants of presidential elections, including the voters, organizers, and international observers, the voting took place in active, enthusiastic and festive atmosphere. On March 29, early at 6 a.m. over 9,000 polling stations opened across the country to the sounds of the national anthem, and the voting began.
At polling station №338 in Yashnaobod district of Tashkent, Uzbekistan Today reporters could see the well-organized conduct of the important political event. The information about the electoral law, the rights and responsibilities of voters was open to general use. Secret voting booths and ballot boxes were installed in specially designated places. Mother and child room and a medical room were appropriately equipped. The voting at the place of residence of the people who were not able to come to the polling station on the election day, was well-organized too.
Voters came in the morning to the polling station №407 in Tashkent in elated mood. Once people received the ballots, they went to secret voting booths and made their choices.
AleksandraVarentsova, a labor veteran who turns 93 this year, was one of the first to vote. Given her age, members of the precinct election commission offered her to vote at home, but she flatly refused and came to the polling station with her husband to fulfill their civic duty.
“Today, the elections in Uzbekistan are free and voluntary, while before gaining independence, they organized sales of scarce goods in order to attract people to the polling stations,” shares her impressions Aleksandra Varentsova. “Today I have voted for the bright future of our country.”
“Our polling station has registered 1,579 voters residing in the first block of the Chilanzar District,” says the chair of the precinct election commission Nailya Valieva. “Most of them have voted early in the morning, and veterans and elders were most active at that.”
To prevent queues the station was equipped with four booths, including one for the people with disabilities, stationary and mobile ballot boxes. A group of commission members organized voting with the mobile ballot box at the place of residence for certain voters who were not able to come to the polling station for health or other reasons. Sophia Vanja, who turns 100 this year, used this opportunity, as well as Malika Jurayeva, who voted for the first time in her life. The girl said it was the most memorable day in her life.
Polling stations were organized in some hospitals too, for instance, in the 7th municipal hospital of Tashkent. It thoroughly prepared for the elections. Yet before the voting day, members of the precinct election commission briefed the patients on the amendments to the electoral law, and candidates’ platforms. So on the election day, the patients exercised their constitutional right and cast their votes for candidates.
Voting at polling station №145 in Tashkent was recognized successful. About a thousand contract privates, sergeants, officers and members of their families, as well as conscripts fulfilled their civic duty there.
Private Babur Palvannazarov of one of Tashkent units ranked among the first to vote.
Elections are an important political event in the life of our country,” Palvannazarov said. “I regard participation in this process as a great honor and, at the same time, a huge responsibility. I have carefully studied the electoral programs of the presidential candidates, and I consciously voted for the candidate that I believe is best suited to run our country.”
From the early morning all 589 polling stations in Karakalpakstan were full of voters. The voting lists included 1,160,000 voters, of which 6,700 boys and girls voted for the first time, and 30 voters have stepped a 100-year milestone.
708 polling stations in Surkhandarya region created all the conditions for expressing the free will of citizens. Thousands of young men and women were very enthusiastic about the first voting in their lives.
“It is my first election, so it is just an unforgettable day for me,” a student of Termez Vocational College of Industry and Transport, Azim Bozorov, said. “I hope I have made my humble contribution to the development of our country for the years to come.”
The voting was well-organized also at all 463 stations in Jizzakh region. Elderly people were traditionally the first to cast a vote. An 80-year-old Rashid Zolov said: “There are many interesting initiatives in the election programs of each candidate. Some of them regard the war and labor veterans, pensioners, since 2015 was declared the Year of Attention and Care for the Senior Generation in Uzbekistan,” said the elder. “It encourages us to be active, and contribute to the upbringing of the youth.”
At 8 p.m. the polls were closed. Members of stations started counting the votes with the participation of international and national observers and the media. They reported the results to the CEC, as it was monitoring the electoral process.
OBSERVER MISSIONS OF CIS, SCO, OIC, A-WEB and OSCE ODIHR, participating in the presidential elections, held a press conference in Tashkent on March 30 to present preliminary results of their work to journalists.
The preliminary results of the observer mission of the Commonwealth of Independent States were announced by the head of the mission, Chairman of the Executive Committee – CIS Executive Secretary Sergey Lebedev.
Represented by 72 observers of eight CIS states, the mission started working in Uzbekistan on March 12. It included parliamentarians, members of the Central Electoral Commission, diplomats, experts and senior officials of the CIS Executive Committee with considerable experience in monitoring the electoral process in the Commonwealth. Mission members monitored the election process in all 14 constituencies, as well as at 712 polling stations. On the election day, they were present from the opening of the polling stations until the counting of votes.
As emphasized at the press conference, the mission representatives were provided with the opportunity to freely monitor the whole process from the first days of stay on the Uzbek land. They met with the heads of departments, district and precinct election commissions, and other organizations. They visited all regions and monitored the course of the electoral process.
Sergey Lebedev pointed out to the positive changes in legislation, as well as in the electoral process. He said that Uzbekistan has taken into account the recommendations of the CIS Observation Mission and other international organizations, thus having further democratized its electoral legislation, which now fully complies with generally accepted international electoral standards.
He also mentioned a good organization of preparations for the elections and the voting process. All election commissions were allocated comfortable spaces in schools, cultural centers, and administrative buildings.
CIS observers recorded a high voter turnout that suggests high responsibility of the Uzbek people for the future of their country.
As noted at the press conference, the level of competence and professionalism of the members of the precinct election commissions have significantly increased. The home-based voting was organized well. The national experience of systematic training of election officials is highly commendable, said the CIS observers. Regular international workshops and conferences address pressing issues, which consequently gives way to the real steps on streamlining the electoral law and law-enforcement practice.
The election campaign was distinguished by the equality of the presidential candidates in using the media, organizing meetings with voters, as well as by honest and civilized debate. The candidates sought to convince their voters of the benefits of their election program, refraining from harsh criticism of opponents, said Sergey Lebedev. The mission identified no violations that would question the legitimacy of the elections.
At the final press conference of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) observer mission, its head Ali Abolhassani commended the preparation and conduct of this major political event in Uzbekistan.
This was the fourth election that involved the OIC observer mission. Divided into four groups on the election day, the delegates visited 40 polling stations in Tashkent and Tashkent region.
They were impressed by the high voter turnout from the early morning, suggesting people’s responsibility and belonging to the country’s future.
The voting process was well-organized, which is attributable to the members of election commissions that have demonstrated good level of preparation, knowledge of electoral legislation and practical skills.
“We are convinced that your country has provided all the opportunities for an expression of free and active will of the citizens that have ensured a high level of presidential elections, in a spirit of openness and transparency,” said Ali Abolhassani.
The OIC observer mission did not register any violations of election laws.
In conclusion, the head of the OIC observer mission expressed hope for further strengthening of ties between Uzbekistan and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
At the final press conference of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) observer mission, its head Dmitry Mezentsev noted that the mission monitored the preparation and conduct of presidential elections at the invitation of the Central Election Commission. It included representatives of SCO member states.
The mission members met with the executives of the Central Election Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and administration of the Samarkand region. They were provided with the detailed information on the election campaign, the course of preparation and holding of presidential elections, visited polling stations in Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand and Tashkent region. They received complete information about the registered presidential candidates and their electoral programs.
The events under the election campaign fully complied with the electoral legislation of Uzbekistan. Presidential candidates were given equal access to the media.
On March 28-29, 2015, the mission members visited 97 polling stations in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Chirchik, in Zangiota and Kibray districts of the Tashkent region. They mentioned the high activness of citizens in the voting process, and strict compliance of the work of precinct election commissions with the requirements of the electoral legislation.
The SCO mission members reported on the presence of observers of political parties, which have nominated their candidates for presidency of Uzbekistan at polling stations.
The mission stated that the presidential election was held in line with the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan and country’s international obligations, openly and democratically. No violations of electoral legislation were observed.
At the final press conference of the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) observer mission in Tashkent, its head, the A-WEB Planning Director Lee Chung-hee said that the mission arrived at the invitation of the CEC and monitored the process of voting. On March 29, representatives of the mission visited seven polling stations and observed the vote and counting of votes.
“The election was open, and voters – very active,” emphasizes Lee Chung-hee. “The counting of votes at the polling stations was open and honest as well. I am impressed with the medical facilities in the polling stations, and particularly children’s rooms, so that children were under the supervision while the adults were voting.”
The Head of A-WEB mission also noted that its observers visited historical sites of Samarkand and Tashkent, closer acquainted themselves with the rich cultural and national heritage of the country. He also expressed confidence that the cooperation between the A-WEB and Uzbekistan, its member-state, will keep expanding.
The head of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights observer mission Caetana de Zulueta spoke about the preliminary findings and conclusions at a press conference.
She noted that the OSCE ODIHR observers arrived in Uzbekistan at the invitation of the authorities and, in accordance with its mandate, launched a limited observation mission for the presidential elections.
The observers assessed the compliance of elections with OSCE commitments, other international standards of democratic elections and the national legislation.
The mission included long-term observers, and had no short-term observers. Limited in staff, the mission did not conduct a comprehensive and systematic observation on the election day, though visited several polling stations.
The observers presented an analysis of progress made by Uzbekistan with regard to OSCE ODIHR recommendations after previous elections. They highlighted certain issues of streamlined electoral legislation of Uzbekistan, its compliance during the electoral process.
The final ODIHR assessment will depend on the remaining stages of the electoral process, including the summing up and announcement of the results, as well as consideration of complaints and applications submitted after the election.
***
The elections have clearly demonstrated the commitment of the Uzbek people to democracy, significantly enhanced level of political activity, desire to contribute to the state governance. They will be of great importance for the further prosperity of the Motherland, bolstering its credibility in the international arena, the growth of the level and quality of life.
***
Views of international observers
Experience deserves close examination
Irnerio Seminatore, Founder and Director, European Institute of International Relations (Belgium):
During my visit, I can see clearly how hard the country is focusing on building up its capacity, and the tremendous achievements in the modernization and democratization process of the country.
The first thing I focus my attention on as an observer is the legislative framework regulating the electoral system. It is one of the major and essential steps made by your country on its way to a strong civil society. I can see how carefully legislative mechanisms have been developed. At a meeting at the Central Election Commission of Uzbekistan I was introduced to new legal documents, acts, and legislative amendments to the past year’s portfolio. I can say that a lot has been done in this aspect. I would also like to say that I was impressed with the performance of the members of election commissions.
It would be right to mention the increased level of civic engagement. Having embarked on its own way of development, including civil society, Uzbekistan has already achieved an impressive progress. Strong capacity and civic engagement was obvious in the electoral process. We could see that with our own eyes. I would like to mention a rather high turnout on the election day. I was impressed by the accuracy of the commissions’ performance.
Commissions Represented by Authoritative People
Zenonas Vaigauskas, Chairman, Central Election Commission of Lithuania:
I am primarily impressed by high quality of organization of operation of election commissions at all levels, the professional competence of polling stations’ staff, and their performance on the preparation of electoral lists and raising public awareness.
I found it interesting that local election commissions were represented by authoritative people of local self-government bodies, as well as by many women.
The elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan were distinguished by openness and transparency, as envisaged by equal rights and opportunities provided for each candidate in terms of funding their election programs, speeches in the press and on television, publications, promotional materials, meetings with voters and other forms of campaigning. The principles of fairness and transparency of elections were secured by observers of international organizations and foreign countries. The experience of elections in Uzbekistan is worth of close study.
Objective Reality
Lidia Yermoshina, Chairperson, Central Commission of the Republic of Belarus for Elections and National Referenda:
I would like to congratulate my colleagues from the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the successful conduct of elections. It was impressive for me to sign a report, which stated no complaints on the process of registration of candidates, campaigning, voting neither to the CEC, nor to the prosecutor, or the Supreme Court. I would like to point out to the opportunities provided for the candidates to build their election campaigns. For example, 15 hours of airtime for each candidate are a fairly large-scale platform for the campaign. I would like to note that the assessment of the election applies only to the electoral process, but it reflects the objective reality of the elections in Uzbekistan.
Democracy in Dynamics
Dimitrios Bakolas, President of European Profiles SA, Chairman of the Greece – Uzbekistan Friendship Society:
Today, I can see that the initiatives, which were launched at the dawn of independence and later on during the parliamentary reforms in 2002-2004, have been successfully implemented, and keep moving forward.
The decentralization of power, which all states face eventually, has also touched Uzbekistan. It is one of the main indicators of the growing democratisation of the country, so, I believe, the constitutional and legislative reforms in Uzbekistan over the past two years have demonstrated this process in its dynamics. The fact of four candidates from all political parties proves the gradual democratization of the country, suggesting that the people have an alternative.
During my visit to Uzbekistan as an observer, I have noticed how enthusiastic the people are, and how extensively and well the campaigning was organized. Figures are the best way to show that: an unprecedented turnout, voting results, the number of early voters and voice of the youth are the major indicators of civic engagement of the Uzbek people.
Toward Sustainable Development
Eko Sri Margianti, Chancellor, Gundarma University (Indonesia):
We visited several stations on the eve of the election and on the very election day. We could see a well-organized and democracy-based electoral system in Uzbekistan, which was designed to serve people’s interests. I was impressed by the voter turnout. This fact deserves to be highly commended, like the progress of Uzbekistan in general. The fact of annual growth of the gross domestic product of Uzbekistan by more than 8% is definitely worth of high appreciation.
This is an unconditional result of ongoing consecutive reforms on sustainable economic development and rise of people’s welfare. As a representative of science, I would like to point out to the sequence of ongoing educational reforms in Uzbekistan. It is manifested in the full coverage of secondary school graduates with specialized secondary vocational education. The branches of prestigious foreign universities suggest a high level of the education system in your country.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
Meeting of the Central Election Commission
On April 6, 2015, a meeting of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan was held, which reviewed the results of the election of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, took place on 29 March 2015.
Chairman of CEC Mirza-Ulugbek Abdusalomov noted that the elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan have great historical significance for the future of Uzbekistan, consistently develop on the way of building a democratic law-governed state and a strong civil society. The elections have demonstrated a high level of legal culture and political activity of citizens, who through own participation in the vote once more expressed support for the course of reforms carried out in the country.
The Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the basis of protocols received from the district election commissions determined that on March 29, 2015 from 20,798,052 voters included in the list of voters 18 942 349 took part in the vote, representing 91.08 per cent of the total number of voters.
As the results of the elections for Islam Karimov nominated from the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businessmen – Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan voted 17 122 597 voters or 90.39 percent of the total number of voters participated in the vote, for Akmal Saidov Kholmatovich, nominated from the Democratic Party of Uzbekistan “Milly Tiklanish” – 582 688 or 3.08 percent of voters, for Ketmonov Hotamjon Abdurakhmanovich, nominated from the People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan – 552 309 or 2.92 percent of voters, for Umarov Narimon Madjitovich, nominated from the Social Democratic Party “Adolat” – 389 24 or 2.05 percent of voters.
In accordance with Articles 90, 117 of the Constitution, Articles 14, 35, 36 of the Law “On Elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, Articles 5 and 9 of the Law “On the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan decided to declare Islam Karimov Abduganievich elected President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
During the meeting it was noted that the elections were held in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, laws “On guarantees of electoral rights of citizens” and “On the Election of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan” in ensuring the rights of citizens to freedom of expression and adhering for the principles of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot.
Evidence of democracy and transparency of the election campaign was the participation of 299 observers from 43 countries from America, Europe, Asia and Africa, as well as five international organizations – the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Association of world electoral bodies and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. In the monitoring of the election process was also attended by more than 35,000 observers from political parties.
A huge role in ensuring the openness and transparency of elections played media. The presidential election was covered approximately 600 domestic and 180 foreign media, about 180 foreign and domestic internet publications. Republican press center and regional press centers on covering the election of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan with the participation over 980 domestic and foreign journalists held more than 70 press conferences, briefings and online briefings devoted to important phases of the election campaign. Over 12750 articles and information materials have posted in foreign and national media, television and radio programs related to the preparation and conduct of elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
(Source: Press Service of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan )
POLICY
Congratulatory Letters to Islam Karimov on His Election as President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Letters with sincere congratulations and warm wishes to Islam Karimov on his election as President of the Republic of Uzbekistan during the vote that took place on 29 March 2015 have been continuing to come from heads of state and government, chiefs of international organizations and notable public figures in foreign nations. In his note, President of the United States of America Barack Obama, in particular, writes:
His Excellency Islam Karimov,
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Dear Mr. President!
As you begin your next term in office, I wish you and the people of Uzbekistan peace and prosperity. The United States and Uzbekistan share many common interests, which have contributed to our robust and continually evolving relationship, and we have also faced common threats. Working together, our bilateral relationship can continue to expand, and our partnership can grow for the benefit of both our peoples. In a world of many threats, long-term stability and security cannot be achieved without democratic and accountable governance, including respect for basic rights and freedoms. I look forward to working with you on these important issues during the course of your new term in office. On behalf of the American people, I extend warm greetings to the people of Uzbekistan and fond wishes for Uzbekistan’s peace and prosperity. Sincerely,
Barack Obama,
President of the United States of America
* * *
Congratulatory letters also have come from:
John Kerry, Secretary of State of the United States of America
Milos Zeman, President of the Czech Republic
Abdel Fattah El Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt
Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Prayuth Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand
Georgiy Margvelashvili, President of Georgia
Serzh Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia
Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization
Valentina Matvienko, Chairperson of the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation
Urban Rusnak, Secretary General of the Energy Charter
Safokhon Jalolkhon Tura Marghiloniy and other compatriots living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ravil Gainutdin, Chairman of the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Council of Mufties of Russia
Vikenty, Metropolitan of Tashkent and Uzbekistan, Head of Central Asia Metropolitan District
Hartley Booth, Chairman of the British-Uzbek Society
Professor Siddharth Saxena, Chair of the Cambridge Central Asia Forum
Oleg Deripaska, President of the RUSAL
Congratulatory letters continue to come.
(Source: Press-service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan)
economy
Uzbek Trucks Come to the Fore
Today, the automobile industry of Uzbekistan is largely associated with GM Uzbekistan, the cars of which are seen even in exotic countries like Brazil or Australia. Meanwhile, the joint venture MAN Auto-Uzbekistan has been tangibly contributing to the promotion of the industry’s image. Different kinds of trucks, cranes and other special machinery have been working in the majority of construction sites not just in Uzbekistan, but also in many other CIS countries.
Experts say that the production and sale of commercial vehicles has been getting complicated with the years. A purchaser is ready to change his car quite often, following the fashion, while trucks and specialized vehicles have been rather expensive, and their operation is designed for several years ahead. In this context, quality and optimal focus on specific needs of each certain client comes to the fore, because, unlike common consumers, the business is not ready to overpay for additional options.
The issue of establishment of manufactures of up-to-date machinery in Uzbekistan was particularly pointed in the mid-1990s. The developing country needed a modern commercial transport that would serve hundreds of construction sites in all regions, and enlarge the fleet of logistics centers and road utilities. It turned out very expensive to permanently import such vehicles from abroad, so the government embarked on active search for a strategic foreign partner who would be able to build a modern manufacture of such vehicles in a short time.
After careful selection, Uzbekistan concluded agreements with the world-renowned German MAN, and established JV MAN Auto-Uzbekistan in 2009. It specialized in the manufacture and sale of commercial truck vehicles in Uzbekistan and the CIS.
Initially, Uzbek and German specialists faced a tough challenge. They had to build a modern industrial production from scratch. Therefore, they decided on the phased implementation of the project. At the first stage, the truck assembly was established in the Samarkand Automobile Plant. A specialized dealership and service center was opened in 2011. Outfitted with modern equipment and skilled staff, the center provided a full range of vehicle maintenance services.
The growing demand for commercial vehicles in the region, as well as the existing industrial potential of Uzbekistan, necessitated the expansion of the joint venture and establishment of its own production facilities. The venture has outgrown the Samarkand automobile plant, so a new assembly plant for MAN vehicles was opened near Samarkand in July 2012. The design capacity of the assembly line was five thousand trucks a year. The designers provided the possibility of establishment of the second assembly line with an increase in production capacity up to ten thousand items per year.
The third phase of the project envisaged the establishment of the mounted and trailed equipment plant that specialized in the assembly and manufacture of tipper bodies and trailers, container trucks, transporters, tent and isothermal semi-trailers and other heavy machinery. The plant carries out a full cycle of metalworking of sheet and profile metal-roll, welding, painting, assembly of mounted and trailed equipment with subsequent testing.
The company has recently embarked on the new phase of its development: MAN Truck & Bus AG, partnered by Uzavtosanoat Company, will implement the project on the establishment of the manufacture of cabs for heavy vehicles. The feasibility study of the project will be developed by the end of June 2015. It is already known that production of cabs will be based on unique technologies and know-how.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
Uzavtosanoat: 897 units of mounted and trailed machinery produced in 2014
Today it is difficult to overestimate the value of freight transport for the economy of Uzbekistan, which maintains stable and high growth rates. Freight transportation is an important factor in the development of the economy and ensuring its foreign economic relations. Therefore, the state pays special attention to this area of automotive industry.
A successful example is the Uzbek-German JV «JV MAN Auto-Uzbekistan», which began production of modern and reliable MAN trucks with capacity from 15 to 50 tonnes. In 2011 inSamarkand, a new «UzAuto Trailer» factory was built, which became the final “touch” in the creation in Uzbekistan complex for the production and maintenance of heavy vehicles MAN.
LLC «UzAuto Trailer» is one of the most advanced, in terms of technology, businesses in Central Asia, staffed with the latest equipment of leading world manufacturers, such as «Messer», «Mechanic Taucha» (Germany), «HRC AG» (Switzerland), «Ermaksan» (Turkey), «Stierli-Bieger» (Sweden), «PENTAMAC»(Italy),«Froius»(Austria) and others.
The main task of the new company is the manufacture of mounted and trailed equipment bodies and semi-trailers, container ships, car carriers, awning semi-trailers and other products.
Design decisions inherent in technology, in line with international requirements and standards, as confirmed by such foreign companies as «ROLFO» (Italy), «SFK TRAILER», «SAF Holland», «Kogel», Schmitz (Germany) and others.
According to “Uzavtosanoat”, the project capacity of the plant is designed for 3,000 units: 2,000 units are semi-trailers and 1,000 are mounted machinery. In addition, it is planed to manufacture a wide range of automotive equipment for various sectors of the economy of the republic, including tippers, semi-trailers, containers, tents, isothermal semi-trailers and vans.
The concept of the production of heavy trucks and special equipment in a single complex operating at the enterprise, lies in the fact that the end user is supplied complete with a ready technique where the chassis and tractors will be made on the areas of «JV MAN Auto-Uzbekistan», and add-on chassis and trailers on the territories of LLC «UzAuto Trailer». This distribution allows responding to market needs more flexibly, reducing foreign exchange expenditure on imports of machinery.
Today, the total production area of the company occupies 27 thousand sq. m. It employs highly qualified personnel who were trained abroad. 311 jobs with the possibility of further increase to 580 are created.
LLC «UzAuto Trailer» has its own design and technology bureau, consisting of highly qualified local and foreign designers and engineers engaged in the development and modernization of construction of mounted machines and semitrailers, followed by their introduction into production. In addition, the Design Office has been designing custom tooling in the engineering field.
To date, the company mastered production of six types of tipper bodies, board, isothermal vans and tent trailers, as well as on the basis of a license agreement with the company «ROLFO» (Italy) jointly implemented the production of refrigerated and isothermal semi-trailes branded «ROLFO UzAuto Trailer». In addition, work is continuing on the expansion of the production and development of new products, such as containers and tankers, as well as localized component parts for MAN trucks and ISUZU.
(Source: UzReport.uz)
International cooperation
Joint Projects
In 2015, jointly with international financial institutions, Uzbekistan will implement 110 projects on environmental protection, totaling $250 million.
The projects envisage re-equipment of enterprises, including cotton processing plants, in compliance with the environmental standards and regulations.
In addition, it is planned to implement a range of measures to raise the industry’s capacity and bring the annual fish production to 47,300 tons. To do this, specialists will build hatcheries and stock the natural water basins in the areas close to natural water bodies. It is expected that these measures will entail the establishment of fish processing factories, create new jobs, and meet the demand and needs of the population in food.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
sport
On the Way to the World Cup
Three kinds of martial arts are positioned as Uzbek nationals in the world today. Next to Kurash are the Uzbek jang sanati and Turon, which was recently presented at the festival of martial arts in Bratislava.
Turon is considered a contemporary of independence, as it was established in 1993 by a team led by the master of sports Bahodir Saidov. The basis of this type of martial arts is the skill of the soldiers from the times of Amir Temur and their followers.
“Our group of theorists, sports organizers and athletes has a question: if Japan has given the world more than ten kinds of martial arts, why can’t we promote our own sports traditions?” says president of the Federation of Turon of Uzbekistan, Bakhtiyor Hidoyatov. “So, frankly speaking, that’s how Turon was created. This beautiful sport has several directions. One of the most popular is the Mashq. It has got some elements of gymnastics with its own types of exercises. The Turon fight, which uses a technical and tactical arsenal of punches and kicks, painful and suffocating submissions is the most popular type of sports among the youth. There are also competitions in decathlon, in which athletes perform exercises and duels.”
“The best thing about Turon is that it’s a unique complex of sports exercises that promote a healthy and beautiful physique, improve efficiency, resistance to aging, the development of intelligence, moral and volitional qualities, self-management skills, logical thinking and the improvement of a person’s memory,” says Bakhtiyor Hidoyatov.
In recent years, Turon has been rapidly gaining popularity in the country and abroad. Athletes and coaches are being trained at eight colleges of the Olympic reserve of Uzbekistan, various sections have opened in most youth sports schools. About ten national competitions are being held annually. At the initiative of the federation of the country, an international one was created in 2010, which is meant to promote the sport throughout the world. There are sports organizations which act to develop this sport in many countries around the world. Germany, Russia, Slovenia and the United States are the countries where Turon has been most successful in terms of development.
The Festival of Martial Arts in Bratislava was the first international event in which the Federation of Turon of Uzbekistan took part this year. There are plans to hold the first World Cup. It will be the first event of the International Union of Turon, which was established by the representatives of 10 countries developing Turon, and is currently registered in Vilnius.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
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