Tuesday 24 May 2011

Tri-Tech wins $1m natural gas analysis and monitoring project in Uzbekistan

Beijing Satellite Science & Technology Co., Ltd. (BSST), an affiliate of Tri-Tech Holding Inc., has won a public bid to provide analysis and monitoring equipment to the Uzbekistan Branch of China Petroleum Engineering Construction Corporation (CPECC).

The total contract amount for BSST's portion of the project is $1.02 million. Tri-Tech is a premier Chinese company that provides leading turn-key solutions for the water resources, water and wastewater treatment, industrial safety and pollution control markets.

According to the contract, BSST will provide on-site analysis systems and natural gas quality analysis and monitoring equipment to two stations of CPECC's Branch in Uzbekistan.

The equipment includes a chromatographic analyzer, a water dew point analyzer, a hydrocarbon dew point analysis analyzer, a hydrogen sulfide analyzer, a combustible gas alarm apparatus, sound and light alarms, explosion-proof axial fans, explosion-proof air conditioner and other technical equipment.

BSST will provide procurement of all equipment and components, system integration, installation, commissioning, etc. Completion of the project is slated for the end of October 2011.

"Our new project will help CPECC monitor gas conditions during the gas production process to maximize the rate of qualified products and minimize the impact of gas leak on the environment, said President of Tri-Tech Gavin Cheng.

"The project's closed system for on-site analysis is designed for safety at the industrial site. We have also promoted safety by making the project explosion-proof and preventing environment pollution and interference from other site activities. BSST will continue developing safety production process capabilities, enriching product and service lines for domestic and overseas safety and pollution control markets," Cheng said.

Tri-Tech Holding CEO Warren Zhao added: "We are pleased with BSST's first overseas production safety project after affiliating with Tri-Tech. BSST has a strong customer base in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries. We closely track our customers' business opportunities domestically and, as this project demonstrates, internationally."

"We will continue to seek safety and pollution control related business opportunities with our customers in China and abroad. We believe the CPECC project in Uzbekistan provides a strong opportunity to implement our international market development strategy," he noted.

Tri-Tech designs customized sewage treatment and odor control systems for China's municipalities and its larger cities. These systems combine software, information management systems, resource planning and local and distant networking hardware that includes sensors, control systems, programmable logic controllers, supervisory control and data acquisition systems.

The company also designs systems that track natural waterway levels for drought control, monitor groundwater quality and assist the government in managing its water resources. The company is also providing comprehensive solutions in the industrial pollution control market. Tri-Tech owns 23 software copyrights and two technological patents and employs 260 people.

India moved a step closer in quest for oil and gas from Uzbekistan

India moved a step closer in its quest for energy from Central Asia with the signing of pacts to prospect for oil and gas in Uzbekistan.

India has already bagged a share in the Caspian Sea basin portion of Kazakhstan, Central Asia's largest country, and inked a gas pipeline deal with the region's third major repository of hydrocarbons, Turkmenistan.

Following closed door and delegation level talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and visiting Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov, the two sides signed 34 pacts. Many of them involving the private sector on the economic side, especially in IT & telecom, pharma, textiles, leather and chemicals flowed from inter-governmental agreements signed earlier in the day.

The two sides discussed connectivity problems that have stymied better trade ties. With Pakistan unwilling to give transit rights to India and areas of Afghanistan next to it still restive, the two proposed spurs of the Trans-Afghan corridor and the Central Asia –Persian Gulf corridor were examined.

While economics appeared to dominate, the two leaders also exchanged notes on the security situation especially in Af- Pak. Uzbekistan, like India, has old ties with the Afghan Northern Alliance and supports New Delhi's formulation of making a distinction between the good and the bad Taliban.

Tashkent clarified that it had not held talks with the Quetta Shura (bad Taliban in India's lexis) but only with some former field commanders who had no link with this outfit of Taliban leaders.

In Afghanistan, both countries have joined hands in supplying electricity to Kabul – India erected the transmission network and Uzbekistan supplies the power. Tashkent is also constructing a railway line in Afghanistan, its first, that could eventually help it overcome its landlocked limitations.

Dr. Singh and Mr. Karimov condemned terrorism in “all its forms” but stopped short of demanding an end to sanctuaries to terrorists. Uzbekistan had emasculated the dreaded Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) through military action and supported a similar course in neighbouring Tajikistan whose quarter of population is of Uzbek origin. Post-2001, IMU found sanctuary in the Af-Pak region and caused several deadly attacks on security forces of both countries till the killing of its leader Tahir Yuldashev last year.

Significantly, India welcomed the entry into force of the Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia and “was prepared to extend the necessary security assurances.” So far such assurances have been offered by recognised nuclear weapon States. Analysts consider it significant that India made the offer and also that a nuclear weapon-free zone accepted it.

Explaining the quest for hydrocarbons, an official said one of the advantages of Central Asia was that despite having the third highest gas reserves in the world after the Persian Gulf countries and Russia, many parts have not been explored. One such is Uzbekistan's Karakal-Pakistan which is estimated to contain 70 billion cubic meters of gas reserves.

Uzbekistan also offered shale gas technology to India for prospecting in Assam, Rajasthan, Gujarat and some coastal areas.

The two sides touched on the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) of which Uzbekistan is a member and India an observer. Dr. Singh informed about India's readiness to join SCO for maintaining its energy security as also give a fillip to cooperation in transportation, agriculture and education. The SCO has always been very positive about India's contribution in Afghanistan.

South Korean firm to set up textile mill in Uzbekistan

South Korea’s Textile Technologies Group has announced setting up of a modern textile mill to produce yarn, fabric and garments in Yukori Chirchik district of Tashkent region in Uzbekistan.

Textile Technologies will invest US$ 50 million in 2011-12 to set up the textile mill. This amount is in addition to the cost of 683 million sums (1,711 Uzbekistani sums equals one US dollar) payable to the Uzbek Government for acquiring land.

The Uzbekistan Government has already given permission to Textile Technologies Group for setting up of a modern textile mill with a capacity to process up to 8,000 tons of cotton fibre a year.

The investment of US$ 50 million is going to be made in two parts. US$ 30 million will be invested in 2011 itself, while the remaining US$ 20 million will be invested in 2012. This includes funds needed for installation of latest technological equipments sourced from across the world.

By 2013, the new mill is expected to produce 6,000 tons of cotton yarn, 7.5 million sq. m. of finished fabric and 5 million garments a year. Textile Technologies expects to export around 80 percent of this output.

This project is being undertaken as a part of the Uzbekistan Government’s textile industry development programme for 2010-15, under which over 100 projects are to be implemented at a total cost of US$ 1.6 billion to triple the export potential of the Uzbek textile industry.

Thursday 19 May 2011

South Korea enjoys sole presence in Uzbekistan, what others waiting for

South Korea will pursue "country-specific" cooperation programs with Central Asian countries to better secure natural resources and help build industrial infrastructure for the rapidly emerging economies, the government said Tuesday.

The finance ministry said that a comprehensive cooperation package strategy will be followed for large, resource-rich countries such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, with deal-by-deal tie-ups being sought for smaller countries like Tajikistan.

"Cooperation will be tailor-made to meet each country's needs and development levels, with every effort being made to ensure all parties benefit," the ministry said.

It said tie-ups will make full use of overseas assistance funds and local investments with South Korea moving to co-develop natural resources, and build industrial and social infrastructure for the rapidly emerging economies.

Seoul can also help countries lay the foundation for sustainable growth by building a foundation for manufacturing business, setting up information technology industries, and modernizing the agriculture and forestry sectors.

"Central Asia represents the Eurasian heartland and poses tremendous growth potential," the ministry in charge of Seoul's overall economic policy said.

South Korea will seek to expand the exchange of expert personnel, move forward on free trade pacts, and take steps to streamline legal and administrative guidelines to facilitate cooperation, the ministry said.

Uzbekistan launches 2 new South Korean joint ventures

Uzbekistan has launched two new gas-related joint ventures with South Korea, the Uzbekistan Daily news web site UzDaily.com reported on Monday.

The first venture will design and build stations for compressed natural gas, while the other venture will create automobile gas containers.

Korean firms EngineTech, Kwangshin, Korea Gas Corporation (Kogas) and Kolon are part of the venture to create 50 compressed natural gas stations. Uzbekistan plans to install 352 gas compressor stations throughout the country between 2011 and 2014, UzDaily.com reported.

The second venture is expected to produce 120,000 units of the containers on an annual basis. The company is a joint creation between Kogas, South Korea’s Kolon Industries Inc. and Korean firm NK. Uzbek firm Zavod Uzbekkhimmash, which is a subsidiary of state-owned gas firm Uzbekneftegaz, is also a partner in the venture.

The company was established in central Navoi, to take advantage of the country’s free industrial and economic zone (FIEZ) that provides tax incentives for foreign investors.

South Korea invested $21.4 million in the projects, which overall cost $42.8 million to create.

Uzbekistan can offer electricity to Pakistan

Delegation of Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) recently had a meeting with Ambassador of Uzbekistan, Oybek Arif Usmanov.

During the meeting, the ambassador said that Uzbekistan is willing to provide electricity to Pakistan via Peshawar on very reasonable rates, Uzreport.com reported.

This will help Pakistan in seeking access to surplus Central Asian electricity to overcome energy shortages, the report said. Uzbekistan also called on Pakistan to further enhance exchange of business delegation and increased cooperation in sectors like textiles, leather, cotton, pharmaceutical and agriculture.

At the same meeting, head of FPCCI delegation Raza Khan hailed the Uzbek reform process and said that the country should offer electricity on most affordable rates so that the economy can be bailed out without burdening other sectors.

He said that policy makers of both countries should pay emphasis on cargo transportation, transit, telecom, IT and public health engineering sectors.

Tethys Petroleum company talks on progress at Tashkent Conference


Tethys Petroleum Limited ("Tethys" or the "Company" (TSX:TPL)) today provided information on progress at the 15th Uzbekistan International Oil and Gas Conference ("OGU") in Tashkent and in parallel with this signed a contract with the Institute of Geology and Prospecting for Oil and Gas Deposits (the "Institute") of NHC Uzbekneftegaz ("UNG"), the State oil and gas company, to review materials on exploration areas in the Ustyurt region and the Bukhara-Khiva region.
Dr. David Robson, Chief Executive Officer of Tethys, today gave a presentation on the "Doris oil discovery (in Kazakhstan) and the potential of the Ustyurt basin". The Ustyurt basin covers large areas both in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. To date there has not been a commercial oil discovery in the Uzbek portion of the basin though the geology is similar to the area where Tethys has made a commercial oil discovery (Doris) in the Kazakh portion, some 35 km from the border of the two countries. Tethys believes that, by applying the same geological model and techniques used in the discovery of Doris to the Uzbekistan portion of the basin, there is very good potential for finding oil there too.
In conjunction with OGU, Tethys announced it has signed a contract with the Institute to study the potential of two separate prospective areas in Uzbekistan with a view to Tethys applying for suitable projects in these areas. The study will involve the assessment of existing data and the oil and gas bearing prospectivity of the areas on the basis to prepare proposals for the Government of Uzbekistan for further exploration activities. Tethys views both areas as having very good oil and gas potential.
This press release contains "forward-looking information" which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to our operations. Such forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. See our Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2010 for a description of risks and uncertainties relevant to our business, including our exploration and development activities.

India Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership and talks about Afghanistan

Within a week of entering into a strategic partnership with Afghanistan, PM Manmohan Singh on Wednesday exchanged notes with visiting President of Uzbekistan Islam Abduganievich Karimov on the “unstable situation” in Afghanistan.

New Delhi also entered into a “strategic partnership” with Uzbekistan, one of Afghanistan’s neighbours.

An official statement, after the talks between Singh and Karimov, said, “The leaders had a detailed discussion on the continuing unstable situation in Afghanistan and underlined the importance of early establishment of peace and stability in the country. Prime Minister shared his perspectives on Afghanistan, based on his recent visit to Kabul.”

The statement said both sides discussed the challenges emanating from the region, including drug trafficking. A senior South Block official explained that since Uzbekistan is in India’s extended neighbourhood, it has a lot of interest in the situation in Afghanistan. “Both India and Uzbekistan are interested in stability being achieved in Afghanistan,” Ajay Bisaria, joint secretary (Eurasia), said.

Monday 16 May 2011

India and Uzbekistan Sign Action plan on Tourism Cooperation

An Action plan on Tourism cooperation between India and Uzbekistan was signed in New Delhi today in the presence of the First Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Mr. Rustom Azimov and Union Tourism Minister Sh. Subodh Kant Sahai. The action plan was signed by Dr. Lalit K. Panwar, CMD, Indian Tourism Development Cooperation and Mr. Rustam Mirzaev, Chairman of the Uzbektourism

Welcoming the visiting dignitary, Sh. Subodh Kant said that India and Uzbekistan have age old ties and even in the past people used to visit each other country. The Minister said there is huge potential for developing cooperation in the tourism sector. He also stressed the need for cooperation in developing tourism infrastructure in both the countries. Shri Sahai said the institutes of hotel management and food craft institute under the Ministry of Tourism can be utilized by Uzbekistan for human resource development of their tourism requirements. He said road shows and visit by the delegation of Indian tour operators to Uzbekistan will be explored. Sh. Sahai also gave the assurance that his Ministry will explore the possibility of opening a tourism office in Uzbekistan. 

Mr. Rustom Azimov First Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan said that his country looks forward for more cooperation with India in tourism sector. He said India is a very popular country amongst Uzbeks and they look towards India as a growing global power. Mr. Azimov said tourist locations such as Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara are some of the well known destinations in his country which can be of attraction and interest to Indian tourists. He also sought more flight connections between India and his country. Mr. Azimov also invited Sh. Sahai to visit Uzbekistan. 

The action plan envisages Exchange of tourists/media who would highlight the tourism potential of each other’s country, setting up of joint ventures in an effort to promote the business of tourism and travel and establishing of the Representative offices in each other’s country for easy and convenient accessibility of information and updates. It also includes construction and/or utilization of each other tourist facilities, creation of tourism infrastructure to promote tourist friendly destinations, education and re-training of personnel, production of goods, souvenirs, equipment and stock for promotion of tourism wherever the viability exists and organization of advertising and other promotional activity. 

Both the sides will also consider exchange visits of Tour operators and travel media to promote tourism between the two countries. 

An agreement on cooperation in the field of Tourism between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan was signed on 29.7.1993 in New Delhi. In 2005, Uzbek tourism signed a Protocol of Intention for Cooperation in Tourism with ITDC. Indiatourism, Frankfurt has been participating in the Tashkent Fair for promotion for India in Uzbekistan. 

2562, 2756 and 3642 tourists arrived in India from Uzbekistan during the year 2007, 2008 and 2009 respectively. 

Saturday 14 May 2011

Sustainable tree-planting helps to restored degraded land in Uzbekistan

From guardian.co.uk

By Komila Nabiyeva
...

The project is funded by the German ministry of education and research (BMBF) and is being implemented jointly by the Centre for Development Research (ZEF) at Bonn University in Germany, Unesco and the Uzbek ministry of agriculture and water resources. It has been developing sustainable land and water use methods in part by planting trees on degraded, marginal cropland inside the irrigated farming areas.

The project findings could be of use not only for Khorezm, but for similar regions in the irrigated lowlands within Central Asia and the Caucasus drylands. According to local estimates, up to 20% of land in Khorezm is now unsuitable for cropping. Project photographs of a two-hectare research site in Yangibazar district from six years ago show a field apparently covered in snow.

Read more...

Ethnic Koreans in Uzbekistan visit South Korea

A group of 121 ethnic Koreans in Uzbekistan will begin touring South Korea this week to revisit their ancestral roots and bear witness to their modern homeland after being forcibly moved to the Central Asian nation by the Soviet Union during the last century, officials said Thursday.

More than 300,000 ethnic Koreans, known as "Koryoin," reside in Central Asia as a legacy of the mass immigration of Koreans to the region during the declining years of Korea's Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), Yonhap News Agency reported.

Many families initially moved to Siberia, looking for economic opportunities, but were later forcibly moved to Central Asian states under Joseph Stalin's rule of the Soviet Union in the late 1930s.

Hoping that the weeklong trip that begins Friday will allow the visiting group a chance to renew their pride in their ethnic homeland, the foreign ministry in Seoul said its itinerary includes a series of trips to industrial and cultural sites.

Many of the immigrants were born in the 1930s or 1920s, according to a statement released by the ministry. They will meet with several senior government officials while traveling across South Korea, it added.

The trip comes as South Korea and Uzbekistan have been accelerating their economic and political cooperation over the years. Uzbekistan is one of the most resource-rich nations in its region and is looking for joint economic cooperation with nations abroad.

Korea was divided into South and North Korea a few years after its liberation from Japan's decades-long colonial rule during the first half of the 20th century.

NATO Rep visits Uzbekistan

NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai paid a short visit to Uzbekistan on May 11, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry reported.
During the visit, Appathurai held meetings at the Legislative Chamber and Senate of Oliy Majlis in Uzbekistan, the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry.
"The delegations exchanged their opinions on the current state and prospective of developing relations between Uzbekistan and NATO, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest," the report reads.
The meetings noted that Uzbek President Islam Karimov’s visit to Brussels in January and meeting with the NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen gave new impetus to Uzbekistan’s interaction with the alliance.
The sides also expressed their interest in continued development and cooperation within the Individual Partnership Program and the process of planning and analysis of adopted decisions.
Appathurai visited the World Economy and Diplomacy University and held a lecture for the students.

Boxer Barriga gets gold in Uzbekistan, gold medal

Light flyweight Mark Anthony Barriga stunned the Sydney Jackson Memorial Tournament in Tashkent, Uzbekistan by upsetting hometown bet Shahobiddin Zoirov, 4-1, to capture the gold medal. 

The Uzbekistan fighter’s corner had earlier predicted Barriga's downfall since Zoirov had competed for Russia during an earlier world class tournament. 

But the 17-year-old Barriga, fast on his feet and even faster with his fists, silenced them all, running rings around his more seasoned foe and leaving the judges no choice but to concede to the inevitable. 

Mark utterly frustrated him and forced him to commit mistakes," said Ed Picson, the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines executive director. 

Former Asian Games gold medalist Joan Tipon, back after recovering from a shoulder injury that forced him into a sabbatical, settled for the silver medal after dropping a close 3-2 decision to Shohruh Hujabekov of Uzbekistan. 

Tipon, 29, from Bacolod City, led 2-0 after the first round, but lost steam in the next two rounds. The bell quickly rang after the Uzbek picked up his third point. 

“We’re happy with their performance," said Picson. “We know now where we need to step up and make adjustments. That’s the important thing. The medals are bonuses."

Italian textile machinery manufacturers eye Uzbekistan

Following the institutional mission in Uzbekistan, organized by the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT), in October 2010 in partnership with the Italian Trade Commission, an Uzbek delegation comprising Government authorities and textile manufacturers recently visited Italy to meet with ACIMIT's top management. 

This meeting provided an opportunity to sign a memorandum of understanding and cooperation between ACIMIT and the Uzbek Textile Association. The agreement, which benefits from the approval of the Italian Trade Commission, sets up a framework for cooperation between Italy's textile technology providers and Uzbek textile manufacturers. 

"Uzbekistan has a centuries-old tradition in the processing of raw materials," explains Sandro Salmoiraghi, President of ACIMIT, "and it is the world's sixth largest producer of cotton. The country is currently undergoing a strong phase of industrialization, and in recent years its textile industry has begun a profound restructuring process for the transformation of raw materials domestically. Many current projects regard the building of industrial complexes requiring technologically advanced machinery." 

Italian textile machinery exports to Uzbekistan for 2010 amounted to an overall value of 2.4 million euros, with sales focused mostly on knitting machinery (66% of the total), other machinery (17%), spinning machinery (9%) and accessories (8%). 

The attention currently being paid by Italy's textile machinery sector to this market was apparent in the high number of Italian machinery manufacturers eager to meet with the Uzbek delegation over the two-day visit at ACIMIT's headquarters, which led to the signing of various sales agreements. 

"ACIMIT aims to support Italian businesses in emerging markets, including those with real potential such as Uzbekistan," stated Salmoiraghi. "In our encounters with our Uzbek counterparts, we have thus sought to present ourselves with structured offers, for instance with the involvement of the engineering firm Endeco, since the demand for turnkey production installations requires that bids be structured through businesses with specific expertise in this field."

Saturday 30 April 2011

Uzbekistan signs currency swap deal with China

The People's Bank of China has signed a 700-million-yuan ($106 million) currency swap agreement with the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The agreement will last for three years and is extendable by mutual consent, according to a statement posted on the PBOC website.
The swap is aimed at promoting bilateral trade, investment and financial cooperation, it said.
The PBOC said Monday that it had signed a 25-billion-yuan currency swap agreement with the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.
Since the onset of the world financial crisis in late 2008, China has also signed currency swap agreements with the Republic of Korea (ROK), Malaysia, Belarus, Indonesia, Argentina, Iceland and Singapore.
The central bank also signed a similar agreement with Hong Kong's monetary authority.
Analysts said the move would encourage traders to invest in the local currency as part of China's efforts to promote cross-border trade settlements in yuan, China's national currency.

By China Daily

Uzbekistan born Nigerian striker targeted fifteen goals in English Premier League



Nigeria striker Peter Odemwingie has targeted a goal tally of fifteen this season for English Premier League club West Brom.

Odemwingie scored his 11th goal in the league in the 3-2 win over Sunderland at the weekend and has now set his sights on a personal record after equalling the club’s mark set by Robert Earnshaw in the 2004-05 season.

"My target is still to beat my best season of fourteen goals. With six games to go still, it is possible to get to the fifteen mark," Odemwingie said to the BBC.

Even though he is in his first season with the Baggies, Odemwingie, a Uzbekistan-born striker has set himself up for legendary status after equalling Earnshaw’s haul. And his performance this season has generated speculation that Juventus could be after his signature.

West Brom lie in a dangerous position in the league table and Odemwingie hopes he can score more goals to help keep his side in the top flight. 

Thursday 28 April 2011

Uzbekistan-China ties will continue to expand



Uzbekistan and China has witnessed consistent development of trade-economic and investment cooperation. Since first years of its independence, Uzbekistan has been developing relations with China.

The amicable ties based on mutual trust, is expected to evolve in the same spirit for the welfare of the two nations, Uzreport.com reported. Both countries have signed 170 documents covering various spheres of bilateral relations.

It was recalled that during the state visit of President Islam Karimov to China in 2005, an Interstate agreement on partnership relations, friendship and cooperation was signed.

The agreement further enhanced mutual cooperation.
Over the last period, a large number of summits and visits of various delegations have been held. The issue of overcoming the ramifications of the global financial crisis was an important aspects of the interstate cooperation. As a result, Uzbekistan and China are paying special emphasis on expanding trade-economic, investment and financial cooperation.

China is also the leading investor in Uzbekistan and second among Uzbekistan’s trade partners.
Last year the volume of bilateral trade amounted to €2.85 billion. Around 347 Chinese firms have invested in Uzbekistan.

Beeline Uzbekistan new service for corporate clients

Beeline Uzbekistan - a leading mobile operator has launched the Permanent PIN-Code service for its corporate subscribers.

Subscribers are offered a PIN code enabling to access DLD/ILD services using any fixed or mobile telephone across the country.

Calls cost US$0.03 per minute withn the country and US$0.14 to Central Asia and the CIS countries. The rate for calls to Europe is US$0.38 per minute. The activation fee for the service is US$20.

Number of plastic cards in circulation nears 8 million in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is undertaking active measures on the development of the system of cashless settlements. The number of plastic cards currently in circulation has exceeded 7.9 million and the number of ATMs and terminals in trading points comprised 86,100.

These figures were cited at the expanded meeting of the Board of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan to sum up results of banking system activity in the first quarter of 2011 and discuss priority tasks set before the banking system by the President Islam Karimov at the governmental session on 15 April 2011.

Pakistan seeks agreement to boost trade with Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan will soon sign a Trilateral Transit Trade and Transportation Agreement (TTTTA) to ensure smooth trade of goods.

Afghanistan will be given transit fee if it ensures smooth supply of goods, said Mohammad Waheed-ul-Hasan, Pakistan's ambassador in Tashkent in an interview with The News.

During the recent visit of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani to Uzbekistan, Islamabad came up with a proposal for this agreement.

"Under the existing mechanism, the drivers of trucks carrying goods between Pakistan and Uzbekistan brave multiple problems including at various check posts in Afghanistan. If restrictions under the name of scrutiny on the way to Uzbekistan from Pakistan are removed, the trade will flourish."

The ambassador said that under the proposed agreement, these issues would be resolved ensuring the scrutiny of the documents of the drivers of trucks and other supporting staff only at the entry and exit points, not at check posts in Afghanistan.

This will end the delays in the delivery of consignments, he said. To a question, the ambassador said that Pakistan has formally submitted with Uzbekistan the draft for Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) that will initially help increase the trade to $400 million between the two countries.

"We will be the beneficiary of the PTA being a member of the WTO whereas Uzbekistan still needs to be a WTO member."

During the visit of Pakistan's PM to Tashkent, President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov extended a special concession under which 100,000 tons of cotton would be directly provided to Pakistan.

Cotton is always exported from Uzbekistan through third party in Dubai. The direct export to Pakistan will reduce the cost of the cotton that will benefit Pakistani textile mills.

By Uzreport.com

Uzbekistan and China sign agreement for pipeline construction

Asia Trans Gas, a joint venture between Uzbekneftegaz and China National Petroleum Company, has been founded to design, construct and operate the Uzbek section of Turkmenistan–China gas pipeline.

The Chinese and Uzbek governments have signed an agreement on the principles of construction and operation of the third stage of the Turkmenistan–China Pipeline, Energy Delta Institute reported.

The third stage involves a spur pipeline located in Uzbekistan, which will supply the existing 1,800 km Turkmenistan–China Gas Pipeline with an additional 25 Bcm/a of gas. Additional information on the project was not disclosed.

Asia Trans Gas, a joint venture between Uzbekneftegaz and China National Petroleum Company, has been founded to design, construct and operate the Uzbek section of Turkmenistan–China gas pipeline.

The Turkmenistan–China pipeline transports gas from eastern Turkmen fields near the border of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in the west, through central Uzbekistan and southern Kazakhstan, and enters China at Horgos Port in Xinjiang.

By Uzreport.com

EU delegation visits Uzbekistan

UzA, 27 April 2011, 07:52

The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan hosted an international roundtable on “Political and economic development in Uzbekistan and the EU, and prospects of further deepening bilateral partnership and cooperation”. The event was held in the framework of the visit of the European Parliament delegation to the country.

The roundtable was attended by deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate, the Ombudsman, members of the EU delegation and representatives of various ministries and departments of Uzbekistan.

Chairman of the Legislative Chamber Committee for International Affairs and Interparliamentary Relations L.Gulyamov noted the consistent development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the European Union in the economic, social and political spheres, as well as in the parliamentary sphere.

Uzbekistan is working closely with the EU in economic, political and legal areas, in the field of agriculture, energy, transport, education, know-how, standardization and certification, audit, control of drug substances, as well as in the reconstruction of Afghanistan and strengthening regional security and stability.



The European Union pays a particular attention to relations with Uzbekistan. The committee of parliamentary cooperation “Uzbekistan – European Union” was created. Established under the Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU, this committee serves to development of parliamentary relations.

At the regular meetings of the committee held in Tashkent and Brussels issues like relations between Uzbekistan and the European Union, in particular, socioeconomic and financial cooperation, democratization processes, protection of human rights and interests, cooperation in science and technology, education and healthcare, environmental protection and rational use of natural resources are discussed. Along with this, mechanisms of cooperation in the fight against transnational organized crime, illegal drug trafficking, terrorism and religious extremism are considered.

During the round table, Ombudsman S.Rashidova, chairman of the Legislative Chamber Committee for Democratic Institutions, NGOs and Self-Government Bodies A.Saidov, chairman of the Committee for Information and Communication Technologies A.Jurabayev, chairman of the Senate Committee for Foreign Policy Issues S.Safayev and others noted that reforms carried out in Uzbekistan in order to strengthen healthy competition between political parties, improve the activity of civil society and human rights protection have produced notable results.

Members of the European Parliament got acquainted with the ideas and initiatives put forward by President Islam Karimov in his Concept of further deepening democratic reforms and formation of civil society. The concept, in particular, includes priority directions for democratization of state power, improving the legal system, reforming the information sphere, developing electoral law, forming the institutions of civil society and liberalizing market reforms.

“The relations between the European Union and Uzbekistan are developing dynamically,” said the deputy of the European Parliament, head of the delegation Anna Gomez. “At this meeting, we exchanged views on interparliamentary relations, regional security, environmental protection, rational use of water resources, stabilization of situation in the Aral Sea basin, energy, combating illicit trafficking of narcotic substances. The European Union supports efforts and initiatives of Uzbekistan towards important regional and international matters.”

Management Development Institute of Singapore in Tashkent

The Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS), founded in 1956, is Singapore's oldest not-for-profit professional institute for lifelong learning.
MDIS provides well-accredited courses, seminars and management services and opportunities for individuals to develop professionally through academic programmes in Business and Management, Engineering, Information Technology, Life Sciences, Mass Communications, Psychology and Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Management. They are offered in collaboration with highly acclaimed universities in Australia, France, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Its current student enrolment is approximately 13,000, out of which about 5,000 are international students from 69 different countries. MDIS set up it first overseas campus in Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan, built in 2008 at a cost of US$20 million. In the capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, MDIS has set up remarkable campus stretching to 3.8 hectares with channel nearby. Beautiful scenery combined with full wi-fi enabled campus house student accommodation, sports complex with swimming pool, gym, tennis court, football pitch, basketball court, volleyball court.

At MDIS Tashkent, student from Uzbekistan as well as Korea, China, Singapore, Malaysia, India study for degree from highly ranked universities like University of Wales and Southern Cross University.

It was announced on 28 June 2010 that MDIS would be setting up an S$130 million overseas 30-acre (120,000 m2) campus in Iskandar Malaysia which is expected to start work at the end of 2011. The campus is Malaysia is expected to be five times as big as the MDIS Campus in Singapore.

Westminster International University in Tashkent

Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT) is Uzbekistan's first international university. The university is the first in Central Asia to offer a Western education, with UK qualifications. WIUT was established in 2002 in conjunction with the "UMID" Presidential Foundation, the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialised Education and the University of Westminster in the United Kingdom. Since its establishment WIUT is widely recognized as one of the best and most prestigious educational institutions in Uzbekistan.

The objective of establishing WIUT was to provide an international standard of Higher Education in Uzbekistan to enable citizens of Uzbekistan and other countries to obtain an internationally recognised Bachelor education in Business Administration, Business Computing, Economics and Commercial Law, all validated by the University of Westminster. From 2005 WIUT has offered the first Internationally accredited Masters of Arts in International Business and Management as well as a professional qualification for teachers, the Post Graduate Certificate in Special Studies - Teaching and Learning. (Adopted from WIUT official site)

WIUT offers an international teaching team with a dynamic student centered teaching and learning philosophy. All teaching and assessment takes place in English. The first intake of students began their studies in October 2002 and the new university premises were inaugurated in spring 2003. WIUT has now an alumni 400 graduates and has established itself as the premier International University in Central Asia. of The university has been developed and is managed on UK/International principles and practices.

WIUT's graduates continue their career/education in top companies and universities of the world.Prince of Kent (UK) has recently paid a visit to University of Westminster. See picture.


Sunday 24 April 2011

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