Tashkent City Administration, the Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan and Hyatt International (Switzerland) have reached an agreement on cooperation to build a luxury hotel in Tashkent and ensure its operation in accordance with international standards.

A meeting was held with Mark Pierce, Assistant Secretary of South and Central Asia Branch of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan on 12 April 2012.

The Committee for Coordination of Science and Technology Development under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan jointly with the Academy of Sciences, ministries and departments, with participation of leading scientists and specialists of the country identified eight priority areas of science and technology development for 2012-2020.

According to the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan of January 7, 2011 the Institute for Forecasting and Macroeconomic Research carries out quarterly surveys among business entities, which form the basis for calculating the business environment index (BEI).

Uzbekistan Railways to buy 11 freight locomotives from China.

Uzbekistan will create a special industrial zone “Angren” (SIZ Angren) in Tashkent region. President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a decree “On creation of special industrial zone “Angren” on 13 April 2012.

The Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan implements a number of large-scale State programs aimed at strengthening women\'s health, the birth and raising a healthy generation, increasing the medical culture in the family. During 20 years of Independence of our country the child and maternal mortality rates fell three and two times respectively, while the life expectancy for women climbed up to 75 from 67 years.

On visit in our country, High Commissioner on National Minorities of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Knut Vollebaek met with Nasriddin Muhammadiev, director of Uzbekistan’s Interethnic Cultural Center, on April 12.

Scholars of the republic are working under the fourth edition of Red Book of Uzbekistan. It was stated at the press conference held in Tashkent’s National Press Center with participation of leading scholars and expert-ecologists.

A special attention in the Aral Sea region is given to the development of international and domestic tourism, opening up new routes.

A charity project “1000 weddings and 1000 sunnat-toys” has been presented within a roundtable “Protection of family and traditional alues in globalization epoch: experience of Uzbekistan” in New York, Fund Forum said.

The World Bank Board of Directors has approved a $180 million loan for Uzbekistan to introduce modern electricity metering technologies.

Advancement of tourism in Uzbekistan should be provided for by young qualified specialists, as it was stressed at a conference in Tashkent organized to discuss issues related to training tour industry specialists.

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a decree “On additional measures on stimulating attraction of foreign direct investments” on 10 April 2012.

A delegation of Uzbekistan participated at the 11th Fair of International Economic Cooperation in western regions of China (INVEST) and the 16th Trade-Investment Fair of Cooperation between eastern and western regions of China (5-9 April 2012).

Students of the Glier Republican Specialized Music Academic Lyceum have participated in the 7th Glazunov International Contest of Young Violinists, Viola Players and Cellists that took place in Paris, France. The artistic competition resulted with prize places of Uzbek musicians.

Uzbekistan has a huge potential in tourism sphere. The unique historical monuments, places of worship, beautiful nature of the country, unique culture, rich traditions and customs of Uzbek people attract tourists.

Visiting Uzbekistan as part of joint efforts to further the bilateral interaction, a United Kingdom Cabinet member, co-chair of the British Conservative Party Baroness Sayeeda Warsi met with Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, chair of Women’s Committee Elmira Bositkhonova.

Uzbekistan maps out principal areas of development of information and communication technologies for 2012-2014.

Art connoisseurs of Tashkent say they still keep sweet impressions from the recent brilliant staging of Giuseppe Verdi’s Troubadour opera. In the meantime, Alisher Navoi State Academic Grand Theater has another surprise for them. It is a premiere of Giacomo Puccini’s La Boheme opera that has evoked no lesser interest and delighted praise from spectators.