INTERNATIONAL



President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov met with Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Serik Akhmetov at the Oqsaroy on December 21.

Greeting the guest, the head of our state noted that cooperation with Kazakhstan has always been a priority one for Uzbekistan. The former is considered in the latter as a reliable, time-tested partner and a close neighbor.

The meeting served as a venue to exchange views on issues concerning trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian interaction of our two nations, as well as on other subjects of shared interest.

Islam Karimov’s official visit to Kazakhstan last September proved timely and desirable, while the fruitful talks with Nursultan Nazarbaev demonstrated the concurrence and similarity of positions and approaches on practically all issues in the contemporary agenda.



ECONOMY



Uzbekistan to complete implementation of 115 projects in 2013

Uzbekistan is planning to complete implementation of 115 projects with total cost of US$3.085 billion in 2013, the resolution of the Uzbek President Islam Karimov said.

Uzbekistan plans to complete construction of 73 projects with total cost of US$1.222 billion and carry out 43 projects on modernization of existing capacities with total cost of US$1.863 billion.

At the same time, some US$1.196 billion will be used to complete approved projects in 2013, the document said.

Uzbekneftegaz is planning to construct six projects with total cost of US$440.5 million in 2013. In particular, the company will complete construction of booster station at Gazli field in Bukhara region and organize production of basic oils in Tashkent region, as well as launch production of heating equipment in Navoi.

Uzbekenergo state joint stock company will launch 18 objects worth US$215.3 million. The company will complete construction of gas turbine facility at Tashkent thermal power station, construction electricity supply projects in south of Uzbekistan and modernize Syrdarya thermal power station.

Uzkimyosanoat will complete construction of the second line of Dehkanabad potash fertilizers plant with the cost of US$254.8 million. The project will allow to raise the plant’s capacities three times to 600,000 tonnes of potash fertilizers a year.



Mobile operators to invest US$74.79m to their network in 2013

According to investment program for 2013, Unitel, which works under Beeline trademark and part of Russian Vimpelcom, is planning to direct US$48 million to development of its GSM network.

Coscom, which works under Ucell trademark and owned by Swedish-Finnish TeliaSonera, will direct US$20 million to technical and technologic development of GSM network.

Uzbektelcom will invest US$6.79 million to development of CDMA-450 mobile network with introduction of EVDO technologies in regions of Uzbekistan. The cost of the project, which will be implemented in 2013-2014, makes up US$18.19 million. China Development Bank will issue loan for US$18.19 million to its implementation.

Uzbekistan Havo Yollari launches new training complex

Uzbekistan Havo Yollari, national airlines of Uzbekistan, opened its new training complex at the Educational-Training Center.

New training complex of Uzbekistan Havo Yollari has modern training equipment for airplanes for A320, Boeing-757/767 and Full-flight simulator of Il-114-100.

The training equipment will allow to hold training for airplane crew in any non-standard situation, including difficult weather and failure of the airplane systems.

SOCIETY



Two new TV channels to be launched in Uzbekistan

Two new television channels - Madaniyat va ma’rifat (Culture and Enlightenment) and Dunyo bo‘ylab (Around the World) – will be launched in Uzbekistan on 31 December 2012.

New TV channels were created in line with the resolution of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov “On expanding number of digital television channels of National television and radio company of Uzbekistan, their full use, filling them with quality content and maintenance” on 30 July 2012.

Main goal of Madaniyat va ma’rifat is to create highly artistic cognitive, scientific-popular and cultural-enlightenment TV programs, directed at raising cultural and educational level of population, form interest among young generation to science and education, etc.

Dunyo bo‘ylab will focus on expanding interest and knowledge of population on history, geography and modern development of the countries of the world, national traditions and cultures of various nations, unique nature, flora and fauna, etc.



Some 143 healthcare objects to be constructed, reconstructed in 2013

About 143 objects in healthcare system of Uzbekistan will be constructed and reconstructed in 2013. In particular, about 42 objects will be new constructions and 101 objects will be reconstructed.

Some 300.3 billion soums will be directed to construction and reconstruction in 2013, of which 43.9 billion soums will be directed to construction and 256.4 billion soums to reconstruction.

According to Health Ministry, some 9.3 billion soums were allocated within investment program for 2009, 79.1 billion soums in 2010 and 136 billion soums in 2011, as well as 256 billion soums in 2012.

As of 1 December 2012, the volume of used investments made up 241.7 billion soums and over 110 medical establishments were constructed and reconstructed.



CULTURE

Exhibition of Pablo Picasso’s ceramic works takes place in Tashkent

State Art Museum of Uzbekistan is hosting exhibition of ceramic works of Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, and stage designer Pablo Picasso.

The exhibition presented twelve ceramic works of Pablo Picasso. The exhibition also includes photo exhibition on life and works of Picasso. State Art Museum of Uzbekistan possesses a collection of unique ceramic works of Picasso.