INFORMATION DIGEST OF PRESS OF UZBEKISTAN # 125

June 28, 2017

POLITICS
On June 27, a video-conference was held under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in the city of Tashkent

FINANCE
Uzbekistan is about to increase state shares in authorized capitals of commercial banks by a total of $500 million

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Congratulations to the President of Uzbekistan

Message to the President of Pakistan

ISESCO: Temple of the Mysterious

POLITICS

On June 27, a video-conference was held under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in the city of Tashkent
Implementation of export programs in the first half of 2017, the effectiveness of measures taken on realization of domestic products in new foreign markets, further supporting the export activities of small business and private entrepreneurship, expanding the export of agricultural and industrial products, were considered.
The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister and his deputies, State advisors to the President, heads of relevant ministries and departments, economic associations. Heads of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, local khokimiyats, territorial subdivisions of ministries and departments, enterprises, entrepreneurs and farmers, who are involved in export of products, also took part at the event through the video-conference organized in Tashkent and Nukus, the regional centers.
The head of our state emphasized that today one of the most important factors of maintaining and strengthening the trend of sustainable growth in high rates of the economy of Uzbekistan is a steady increase in the export potential of its industries and regions of the country, competitiveness of domestic products in foreign markets. In this connection, he drew attention to activities carried out in the country on comprehensive support of exporting enterprises and export activities of business entities, benefits granted to them by legislative acts and the created preferences.
President of our country Shavkat Mirziyoyev considered the state of affairs in the sphere of exports, in detail.
Disparity of the position of the board chairman of the holding company “Uzbekozikovkatholding” O.Rustamov and the general director of the joint stock company “Uzagroexport” J.Kholmukhamedov was noted.
Deputy Prime Minister U.Rozukulov and Minister of Foreign Trade E.Ganiev was pointed out the shortcomings. Specific instructions for their elimination were given.
The head of our state severely criticized insufficient responsibility, exactingness and initiative of the leaders of “Uzkurilishmateriallari” company, JSC “Uzbekyengilsanoat”, “Uzbekcharmpoyabzali” association. As a result of this, the proper volume of exports of goods and services was not achieved. Leaders were reprimanded. They were assigned specific tasks on urgent elimination of the existing shortcomings in organization of export of products and ensuring tangible dynamic changes in the growth of export volumes.
At the same time, leaders of Tashkent, Djizak and Andijan regions, as well as a number of districts, who allowed slowness in the issue of organizing the export of fruit and vegetable products grown in our country, were severely warned.
In order to ensure systematic work on strengthening and expanding positions of domestic producers in traditional external markets, mastering new foreign markets, the heads of complexes of the Cabinet of Ministers, industries and regions were assigned to develop an export strategy on each sector and region.
Issues of creating a modern infrastructure for effective activity in foreign markets, further enhancing activities of trading houses and logistics centers organized by enterprises and organizations of Uzbekistan in foreign countries, improving activities of embassies of our country on trade and economic cooperation were discussed. Appropriate tasks were scheduled.
Reports, proposals of heads of complexes of the Cabinet of Ministers, ministries and departments, companies and associations, khokimiyats were heard and discussed at the video-conference. Specific instructions were given on further increasing the export potential of our country, expanding the geography and the range of exports.
(Source: UzA)

FINANCE

Uzbekistan is about to increase state shares in authorized capitals of commercial banks by a total of $500 million
The decision was made is pursuance of improvement of the financial stability of the banking system, further maintaining of the level of capitalization of commercial banks, and expansion of their participation in financing investment projects and entrepreneurship.
The funds to increase the state’s share will be allocated by the Reconstruction and Development Fund of Uzbekistan. They will be used to finance or co-finance targeted programs on social and economic development of regions in 2017-2018, and financial support for business entities.
The President entrusted the Central Bank with introducing a mechanism that would sustain commercial banks with loans without security for a period of up to three months in cases of acute shortage of liquidity. They will be issued exclusively to maintain the liquidity of banks and ensure the continuity of payments. The Central Bank will control that the resources were not redirected by commercial banks as loans.
At the same time, the regulator is entitled to introduce a guardianship treatment over a commercial bank that failed to ensure the smooth execution of customer payments after receiving these loans from the Central Bank.
Last year, the aggregate capital of commercial banks increased by 20.2% and amounted to 9.35 trillion soums (currency rates of CB RU from 28.06.2017, 1$= 3958.56 soums). The capital adequacy level of the banking system was almost three times higher than the international standards defined by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, and liquidity was twice as high as the highest indicator estimates.
The total volume of bank deposits in 2016 increased by 25.2%, reaching 44.6 trillion soums. This, in turn, increased the volume of assets by 15.2 trillion soums or 23.3%, which, as of January 1, 2017, exceeded 80.4 trillion soums.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Congratulations to the President of Uzbekistan

To His Excellency
Shavkat Mirziyoyev,
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Dear Mr. President,
On behalf of the American people, Melania and I send our warm greetings to you and the people of Uzbekistan as you celebrate Eid al-Fitr.
Muslims in the United States joined those around the world during the holy month of Ramadan to focus on acts of faith and charity. Here in the United States, Muslims commemorate Eid with families and friends, continuing the tradition of helping neighbors and breaking bread with those from all walks of life.
As we celebrate this holiday together, we are reminded of the importance of mercy, compassion, and goodwill. On this occasion, the United States renews our shared commitment with Uzbekistan to honor these values.
Once again, I wish you and the people of Uzbekistan a blessed holiday. Eid Mubarak.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Trump,
President of the United States of America
(Source: UzA)

Message to the President of Pakistan

To His Excellency
Mr. Mamnoon Hussain,
President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Your Excellency!
With a deep sense of grief, we have received the news of numerous human casualties and injuries as a result of the tragedy in Punjab province of Pakistan.
In these sad moments, we are expressing our deep condolences to You, Your Excellency, and to people of Pakistan. We ask to convey our sincere condolences to families and friends of the deceased and injured.
With deepest sympathy,
Shavkat Mirziyoyev,
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
(Source: UzA)

ISESCO: Temple of the Mysterious
The media reported on the opening of the ISESCO chair at the Tashkent Islamic University. The TIU rector, professor, doctor of economic sciences Ravshan Vakhidovich Abdullayev spoke about the details for the readers of Uzbekistan Today.
Tashkent Islamic University is a state, secular high education institution. It was established on April 7, 1999, by the Decree of the First President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov. The purpose of the university is training highly qualified specialists in the field of religion.
— Dear Ravshan Vakhidovich, a delegation of the Tashkent Islamic University recently visited the ISESCO Headquarters in Morocco’s Rabat. Please tell us about its results.
— The visit was very productive. At the talks with the Director-General of the Islamic Organization for Education, Science and Culture (ISESCO) Dr. Abdulaziz bin Usman at-Tuweijri we agreed on establishing close cooperation. This meeting was preceded by a series of meetings and negotiations at the highest level.
The main event was the 43rd session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), held October 18-19, 2016, in Tashkent, following which the Tashkent Declaration was adopted. The participants of the session highly appreciated the great attention paid by the leadership of Uzbekistan to the preservation and enhancement of the historical scientific and cultural-spiritual heritage and the true values of Islam.
Please clarify which ones…
We are talking about such values as striving for a peaceful and peaceful life, tolerance in interethnic and interreligious relations, a sense of mutual respect and accord. Undoubtedly, these categories are closely intertwined with the development and improvement of the education system, the upbringing of the younger generation in the spirit of striving for the mastery of universal human truths and the heights of modern science.
In this regard, the Tashkent Islamic University worked with the Islamic Organization for Education, Science and Culture (ISESCO) to establish a special department of ISESCO at the university. As a result, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the headquarters of the organization in Rabat on May 24 this year with the participation of ISESCO Director General Dr. Abdulaziz bin Usman al-Tuweijri and the rector of the Tashkent Islamic University Professor Ravshan Abdullayev. According to the signed document, our university became a member of the Federation of Universities of the Islamic World under ISESCO.
Who initiated the signing of such an agreement?
— At the 43rd session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of OIC, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sh. Mirziyoyev put forward an initiative to create a special department of the Islamic Organization for Education, Science and Culture (ISESCO) within the Tashkent Islamic University. It was fully supported by all member countries and the OIC General Secretariat. In the speeches of many participants of the CMFA session, the timeliness and thoughtfulness of the proposal of the leadership of the republic was emphasized, the implementation of which should serve more active cooperation between Uzbekistan, member countries and relevant OIC structures in the study of the historical, cultural and scientific heritage of the great thinkers of the East.
— Was this practice - the opening of a department - adopted within the framework of ISESCO?
— Yes, sure. Currently, within the ISESCO organization around the world there are 18 departments, including universities in Rotterdam (Kingdom of the Netherlands), Granada (Spain), Russian Islamic University, Qatar University, Baku State University.
— What are the tasks facing the ISESCO chair at the Tashkent Islamic University?
— The department will carry out tasks related to comprehensive and scientific study of Islam, culture, historical and national heritage of our country, its traditions and customs, scientific analysis of contemporary religious processes.
The main priorities of the department are the preparation of bachelors and masters in the field of enlightenment Islam, the fight against religious extremism and terrorism, the destructive activity of certain currents of modern Islam. We also plan to produce specialists of museum and archival funds, religious and historical complexes, as well as specialists in the field of Muslim architecture (with knowledge of the Muslim historical, cultural and spiritual heritage of not only Uzbekistan, but all of Central Asia).
— Is there anything planned for the scientific part?
— Conducting research projects and works in cooperation with ISESCO on history, philosophy, culture, law and source study of Islam. We also plan to organize conferences, symposia, exhibitions and other cultural and educational events aimed at enhancing international cooperation in the study and promotion of Islamic culture and civilization.
Along with this, we will continue the practice of establishing and promoting cooperation with relevant departments, research and other structures around the world. This will help to conduct in-depth studies on the role of scientists and thinkers in Central Asia in the history of world civilization and, of course, popularize the true humanistic nature and tolerance of Islam.
Among the tasks of the department are also a systematic study of the problems arising in the Islamic world in the sphere of religion, the use of the scientific heritage of scientists of Central Asia in the fight against religious extremism and terrorism, and also the functions of a center for advanced training for researchers. By the way, the Coordination Council from among the prominent specialists of this branch will be created at the department.
— What disciplines do you plan to introduce?
— Speaking of new disciplines, it is Islamic civilization, scientific (natural and exact sciences), religious and educational and cultural heritage of thinkers in Central Asia, the history of science in the Islamic world, the education system, religious traditions in Muslim countries.
It should also be noted that the ISESCO chair will become a place of practice for employees and workers in the sphere of culture, religious and historical complexes, as well as guides specializing in the history, culture, spirituality of the Islamic world.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

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