November 19, 2014
Election Campaigning Kicks off in Uzbekistan. 2
Tashkent Hosts Conference on Combating Terrorism and Extremism.. 4
TO the 100th anniversary of the National Poet Zulfi. 5
Series of Events to Pay Tribute to Uzbek Poetess Zulfiya. 5
Weightlifters of Uzbekistan win 8 licenses of Olympic Games. 5
investments
Beacons for Investors
Elaboration of unique mechanisms for drawing foreign investments is underway in Uzbekistan. The country was first in Central Asia to establish special economic zones, which served as a beacon for companies willing to invest in the development of technologies and manufacturing production across the regions of the nation.
The institution of Navoi Free Industrial Economic Zone in 2009, and of special industrial zones Angren and Jizzakh in 2012-2013, was a tangible contributor to endeavors dedicated to boosting the volume of investments in the real sector of the national economy for modernization, technical and technological renovation of industries.
The industrial zones have provided investors with extra and attractive terms and mechanisms for expanding their investment policies, and promoted the evolution of local production of new domestically and internationally competitive types of telecommunication equipment, oil and gas, chemical hardware, automotive and electrical industries, modern building materials, consumer goods, and other high-tech products.
To date, 36 investment projects worth almost $300 million have been implemented in industrial zones. 23 investment schemes for over $123 million are underway in cooperation with foreign companies. The dry figures are grounded on human resources and specific individuals, because the effective use of resources from adjacent territories have entailed new jobs, increased employment and welfare through the development of production of cutting edge export-oriented industrial goods.
Commissioned in the Angren Special Industrial Zone late last year, the Angren Pipe Plant ranks among remarkable cases of successful initiatives. It is not just the most technologically advanced factory that manufactures copper pipes in Uzbekistan, but it is also an export-oriented company. Specialists of the enterprise are currently working out strategies for promoting their products in foreign markets and selecting their potential partners. First outcomes are out there: a Swiss company purchased a pilot batch, and two businesses from Russia and Turkey procured finished goods.
“We are currently negotiating new export contracts,” the company’s sales manager Suhrob Zoidjonov said. “Quality is our special priority, as we work with modern equipment. The pipes undergo inspection and testing at all stages of the manufacturing process, both by means of built-in tools and with laboratory methods. This allows us to produce the highest quality goods in compliance with international standards.”
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
elections to the oliy majlis of the republic of uzbekistan and local Kengashes of people’s deputies
Election Campaigning Kicks off in Uzbekistan
The Republican Press Center for the coverage of elections 2014 has played host to a press conference of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan for local and foreign journalists.
Chairman of the Central Election Commission Mirza-Ulughbek Abdusalomov informed the media representatives that the Commission had gathered for a regular meeting, whereby the CEC members adopted resolutions on the registration of candidates for deputies to the Legislative Chamber of Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis and one on the order of conducting election campaigning.
It was noted at the pres conference that all the political parties have held their congresses and conferences within time frames established by the law, where they announced candidates to run for membership of the lower house of parliament. In accordance with Article 24 of the Law on Elections to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Central Election Commission has accepted applications from leaders of political parties requesting registration of candidates for deputyship and the required document attached to applications.
In order to organize inspection of the documents presented by political parties within the seven-day period established by the law, a workgroup was set up that was composed of members and other officials of the Central Election Commission. In the process of examination of documents of candidates for deputies, issues under consideration were those concerning the nomination of candidates for deputyship by the supreme body of the political party, nomination of one candidate each from one electoral district, as well as the compliance of candidates for lower house membership with the requirements stipulated by the law to them.
It was stressed during the press conference that all the efforts to nominate candidates for deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis by political parties have been undertaken in strict adherence to the requirements of the electoral legislation.
Along with this, under Article 22 of the Law on Elections to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, a special significance was attached to the compliance with the norm of the law that envisages that women should account for at least 30 percent from the total number of candidates nominated from political parties for deputyship. Thus, female candidates make up 31.8 percent of the registered nominees.
In addition, among the candidates for membership of the lower house of parliament, representatives of education sector account for 26.5 percent, 20.2 percent come from the production sphere, economists make up 20.8 percent, the share of lawyers reaches 14.2 percent, while another 10.1 percent goes to healthcare workers. All of them hold higher education and wield extensive life experience. 21.7 percent of nominees for lawmakers hold doctoral degrees. 13.8 percent of the total number of candidates has been elected deputies earlier.
Thus, in line with Article 26 of the Law on Elections to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, registration of candidates for deputies has been complete within time frames established by the law.
Under the requirements of the electoral legislation, lists of candidates registered by the Central Election Commission for membership of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis are to be published in the press with indication of family names, first names, middle names, year of birth, party membership, posts they hold, place of work and residence of every candidate for lawmakers, along with the political party that nominated them.
It was said at the press conference that following the registration of candidates for deputies, an important stage of the electoral process has been launched, namely, the election campaigning, which is conducted on the basis of requirements of electoral legislation.
Organizational-normative mechanisms are created in our country that facilitate effective use of all forms and methods of election campaigning. In accordance with the Law on Elections to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Regulations on the Order of Use of Mass Media by the Candidates for Deputies and Political Parties When Conducting Election Campaigning for Elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, nominees for deputies and political parties are entitled the equal rights to make use of mass media. In order to secure equal conditions in using the mass media for candidates for lawmakers and political parties during the election campaigning, ensure the rights of political parties to announce programs of their prospective activities, the Central Election Commission issued a resolution that defines the alphabetic order of their appearance in mass media.
They will be offered all the necessary conditions for meeting with their electorate. In line with latest amendments introduced to the electoral legislation, assemblies of voters are held by political parties on their own.
It was underscored at the press conference that the creation of equal and extensive opportunities for all candidates for deputyship and political parties for their fair and open electoral struggle will allow for securing a sound competition built on political pluralism.
As it was pointed out, the interest to the forthcoming elections to the Uzbek parliament has been rising worldwide. To date, many officials of international organizations and a number of foreign nations have confirmed their participation in international observer mission. In addition, the Central Election Commission has accredited more than 300 representatives of foreign and local mass media for the coverage of elections.
(Source: UzA)
International cooperation
Tashkent Hosts Conference on Combating Terrorism and Extremism
The second scientific-practical conference on cooperation in combating international terrorism and extremism among the member states and observer states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held in Tashkent on 18 November 2014.
The conference was chaired by Director of the Executive Committee of Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO RATS) Zhang Xinfeng. Representatives of national special services of the member-states and observer-states of the SCO participated in the event.
At the conference, the participants exchanged opinion on situation in the SCO area in connection with the activities of terrorism and extremism organizations, as well as gave their forecasts on their development.
It was underlined that currently international terrorist organizations, operating in various regions of the works, including in Southern-Eastern Asia and Middle East, instability in Iraq and Syria, are real threats to stabile situation in the sphere of fighting terrorism in the SCO area. Special attention was paid to participation of natives of the SCO member states in military actions within anti-governmental forces abroad, including in Middle East, Syria and Afghanistan. It was underlined that threat to security and stability will grow when they will return to their home countries.
The participants exchanged opinion on results of implementation of the agreements, reached at the first conference. The sides agreed that the SCO member states reached significant results in strengthening partnership relations.
It was underlined that the SCO member states should boost interaction of competent bodies of the SCO member-states and observer-states in order to strengthen stability and security in the region, fighting terrorism, separatism, and extremism. They also discussed problems of cooperation and ways of their solution.
Member states and observer states of the SCO affirmed central coordination role of the UN in organization of international efforts on fighting terrorism threats, implementation of Global counter-terrorism strategy of the UN, and speeding up development of Convention on international terrorism.
The participants acknowledged that joint actions, collection and exchange data on international terrorism organizations and its members are efficient tools to combat new threats and challenges.
The sides reached agreement on formalization of cooperation and creation of working mechanism for cooperation between the SCO RATS and competent bodies of the SCO member states and observer states.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
TO the 100th anniversary of the National Poet Zulfi
Series of Events to Pay Tribute to Uzbek Poetess Zulfiya
Uzbekistan will mark the centenary of the eminent Uzbek poetess Zulfiya.
Late Uzbek poetess Zulfiya is credited with making a massive contribution to the development of national literature and culture, boosting the spirituality of the nation, creating lofty artistic works that celebrate love for the motherland and the ideals of humanism, as well as leading multifaceted activities.
A plan of events is currently being worked out in line with a presidential resolution “On celebrations of the 100th anniversary of Uzbek national poetess Zulfiya”.
Action plans include publication of a collection of the poetess’s works in Uzbek titled ‘Saylanma’ as well as sets of poems in English and Karakalpak. Also in the making is the book ‘Zulfiya as Remembered by Her Contemporaries’.
A group of cinematographers will contribute to the celebrations by shooting a documentary about the life and creativity of the outstanding poetess.
The Alisher Navoi Institute of Language and Literature is planning to host a conference that will focus on the importance of Zulfiya’s oeuvre for Uzbek national literature. A gala concert at Turkiston Palace will bring together a host of artists, culture professionals and Zulfiya Award winners and pay tribute to the poetess.
Schools, organizations and communities across the country will host meetings and poetry nights with famous writers, artists and scientists in attendance.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
sport
Weightlifters of Uzbekistan win 8 licenses of Olympic Games
Weightlifters of Uzbekistan claimed eight licenses to Olympic Games, which will be held in Rio De Janeiro (Brazil) in 2016, during World Weightlifting Championship in Almaty (Kazakhstan)
Uzbekistan’s men team won one gold, two silver and one bronze medals. Uzbekistan received five licenses to Olympic Games in 2016.
Uzbekistan’s women team won three licenses to Olympic Games.
Uzbekistan can increase number of licenses to nine if the team improves results at World Weightlifting Championship in the United States in 2015. If the team worsens its results, number of licenses to Olympic Games can fall to seven.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
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