INTERNATIONAL



President Islam Karimov received Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the French Republic in the Oqsaroy residence On March 2.

A particular emphasis has been put at the meeting to the priority aspects of interaction in trade-economic area, to the implementation of mutually advantageous hi-tech joint projects with the involvement of leading French corporations, the leaders of which have arrived in Uzbekistan as part of the present delegation.

The two countries are set to attach a considerable significance to cooperation along the French Development Agency that is due to commence its activity in our country in line with the Memorandum on Understanding inked during the current visit.

The meeting also discussed regional security and stability, including the peaceful resolution of the protracted conflict in Afghanistan and the assistance needed in its socio-economic reconstruction.



ECONOMY



Uzbekistan attracted US$ 11.7bln in 2012

Uzbekistan attracted investments for US$11.7 billion in 2012, according to the material of Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade of Uzbekistan (MFERIT). Over 22% of investments or US$2.5 billion were foreign investments, of which 79% were direct.

The publication said that Uzbekistan plans to speed up and expand modernization of industries in 2013. It is planned to implement 370 projects. As Uzbek leader stated 25% of allocated US$13 billion to finance these projects will be foreign investments.

Free industrial zones Navoi and Angren became important projects in attracting investments. Taking into account positive experience, Uzbekistan plans to create free industrial zone Jizzakh. TECHNOLOGY

Uzbekistan Implements Electronic Government System

State Committee of communication, IT technologies of Uzbekistan presented projects of Conception and Comprehensive program of forming “Electronic government” system in Uzbekistan for the period 2013-2017.

With an aim to increase efficiency of implementation of “Electronic government” system it is elaborated standard form of regulations of state services that envisage formalization of inter-agency processes upon rendering state services.

Decree of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and order of Cabinet of Ministers envisages to work out and approve until April 1, 2013, the Conception and Comprehensive program on forming “Electronic government” system, as well as Comprehensive program for the development of National information-communication system in the Republic of Uzbekistan for the period 2013-2017, due to leading experience of the Republic of Korea and other leading foreign countries in the sphere of “Electronic government”.

TOURISM

Parliamentary hearing on tourism

26 February the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis held a hearing on tourism development in Uzbekistan on the initiative of the Milliy tiklanish Democratic Party fraction.

Tourism has become an important source of employment, regional development. Currently 865 tourist organizations operate in the country. Comparing to 2011, last year the number of tourists increased by 17,5%, revenue rose 15%. There are over 4000 architectural and cultural monuments of various epochs and civilizations in Uzbekistan. Many of them are included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.

Deputies addressed unutilized opportunities for further development of tourist services based on their oversight and research studies. Tourist flows are concentrated in Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Insufficient attention is paid to systemic infrastructure development in several prospective regions.

MPs highlighted the need for improving national legislation in tourism, in particular, the Tourism Act, adopted in 1999, which needs quality amendments, taking into account the changes in international and national tourist industries. At present tourist activity is regulated by over 30 legal acts which need systemization and codification.

The meeting recommended working out regional tourism development programs and creating necessary infrastructure, adoption of additional measures on introducing ICT in tourism, to create national online booking systems.

The deputies also underlined the need to improve the national system of tourism professional development, business administration as well as communication skills.

CULTURE

First Uzbek Made 3D Movie Goes to Cinemas from March 1, 2013 National Agency Uzbekkino and Fantasy Production present first 3D movie of on cinemas from March 1, in Tashkent.

Papagandus 3D – Afsonaviy giyoh (Legendary herb) was shot in a style of fantasy. The Movie is about debt of son and fidelity of friend, deeds for love. It is aimed to show the film in Uzbek and Russian languages in all regions of country.

The movies was written and directed by Bakhodir Artikov and Bekzod Rakhimjanov.