Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) has declared the city of Tashkent as the world capital of Islamic culture in 2007. The reason for making such an important decision is the place the Republic of Uzbekistan and Tashkent have in the history of Islamic civilization, solicitous and deferential attitude of the President and the nation of Uzbekistan to the rich heritage of Islam.

According to the Economy Ministry of Uzbekistan, the amountof attracted foreign investments to Uzbekistan in 2006 had increased by 20%.

No cases of bird flu among poultry or people have been registered in Uzbekistan, deputy health minister and chief sanitary doctor of Uzbekistan Bahtiyor Niyazmatov told UzA.

The majority of Uzbek citizens polled by the Ijtimoiy Firk public opinion center evaluated the socioeconomic state of the country as good and stable. According to the center?s latest poll, every second surveyed person believes the pace of economic reforms is normal.

Regular session of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan was held on 13 February.

Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan held a session on 12 February to sum up the results of the country?s socioeconomic development in 2006 and outline tasks for 2007. President Islam Karimov participated in the session with a report.

Scientists, writers, artists, representatives of youth and public, as well as diplomats participated in the celebrations of the 566th anniversary of the great poet Alisher Navoi on 9 February in Tashkent.

Uzbekistan Senate committees for budget and economic reforms, and for foreign political issues organized a round table on stimulating exports of the small and medium businesses.

The activities of the Special Olympi?s Uzbekistan organizations were discussed in Tashkent. Representatives of the diplomatic circles and international organizations, as well as women?s committees, sports and educational sectors participated in the discussion.

Coal production in Uzbekistan increased by 4% in 2006 to 3.1 million tons, Uzbekistan Today newspaper reported quoting the State Statistics Committee.

Uzbekistan and Singapore have pledged to develop closer economic ties and strengthen political dialogue between two countries on Thursday, January 25.

In pursuance of the Presidential Resolution dated January 23, 2007 On State Program \"The Year of Social Protection\", and as a part of its efforts to provide social support to the population of the Aral region, Ecosan International Organization will conduct \"The Aral region: partnership for social protection of the population\" International Conference on January 30, 2007 at the National Press Center of Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan intends to attract US$1.3 billion in investments in the oil- and gas-chemical industry of the country in Singapore, President Karimov told media before leaving for a three-day state visit.

SamAuto of Uzbekistan and Japanese Isuzu Motors launched production of Isuzu buses and trucks in Samarkand.

Uzbekistan Airways, national air company, will turn 15 on 28 January. On this day in 1992, President Islam Karimov signed a decree on creation of the O`zbekiston Havo Yo`llari company with a status of the national air carrier.

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a resolution on 23 January 2007 envisaging adoption of the Program on the Year of Social Protection.

O`zkimyosanoat state-joint stock company (Uzbek Chemical Industry) and Japanese Mitsubishi Corporation signed an agreement on joint development of the project of reduction of nitrous oxide (N2?). The agreement envisages further sale of the volumes of reduced emissions in the countries that have signed the Kyoto Protocol, Novosti Uzbekistana weekly reported.

Juan Miranda, Director General of Asian Development Bank\'s Central and West Asia Department, started two-day visit to Uzbekistan on 18 January 2007.

Four largest Dutch companies presented Uzbekistan at the 36th international tourism fair Vacantiebeurs-2007 in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

ITE Uzbekistan, exhibition company, will organize 19 exhibition in Uzbekistan in 2007, the company said in its email to its partners and media.