5th International Cotton Fair took place in Tashkent on October 14-15, 2009. 515 representatives of about 300 companies from 34 countries of the world have participated in the event.

Diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (IRA) were established in October 1992.

Developing a deeply thought-out legal basis for the activity of the Free Industrial Economic Zone (FIEZ) “Navoi” allowed to quickly and efficiently start its creation. In the beginning, when the work had just begun, some skeptics asserted that the creation of the FIEZ would prolong for years and the effect, which is expected by the country, is a matter of remote prospective. The first half of the year has passed, and now one can speak about the first results.

History of Tashkent goes 2200 years back. During this period the city grew from a small ancient settlement up to one of the largest cities of Central Asia.

This year Uzbekistan will hold elections to Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and regional, district and municipal Councils (Kengashs) of people’s deputies.

Uzbekistan took place on July 17 this year in Tashkent, which has summed up the outcomes of social and economic development of the country during the first half of this year and elaborated the additional measures on overcoming the consequences of the global economic crisis, ensuring implementation of the most important priorities of sustainable development of economy in 2009 defined by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov at the session of the Government on February 13 this year.

On May 27-29 this year on the invitation of the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov paid an official visit to Brazil.

On May 22 this year the city of Tashkent hosted the International scientific-practical conference “The global financial-economic crisis, ways and measures to overcome it in the conditions of Uzbekistan”. Over 350 statesmen and public figures, businessmen, scholars and experts from 60 countries of the world, the representatives of 30 international organizations and financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, United Nations and its structures participated at the conference. President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov sent a welcoming address to the participants of this high-profile international forum.

From May 7 to May 9, 2009 President of the World Water Council Mr. Loïc Fauchon visited Uzbekistan.

The territories, which are located on the basins of the great rivers of Central Asia – Amudarya and Syrdarya – which from of old have been named as an Interfluve, for centuries were supplied with their waters. These most important arteries have shaped the sole hydrological system of the region.

USAID funded Project HOPE trains nurses in counseling TB patients on the importance of completing their treatment. Sticking with the treatment saves lives and reduces the prevalence of multi drug resistant TB, which is more likely to occur in patients whose TB was not fully cured.

International Finance Corporation (IFC), member of the World Bank Group, presented a survey \\\"Business Environment in Uzbekistan as Seen by Small and Medium Enterprises\\\" in Tashkent on 16 April. The survey evaluates conditions for business activity and recommends measures on further its improvement in Uzbekistan.

The book by President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov “The global financial-economic crisis, ways and measures to overcome it in the conditions of Uzbekistan”, which was published in Tashkent in March this year, has drawn a wide response of the foreign political, economic, business and public circles, as well as the mass media.

On April 15 this year the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan held its session, according to the report by Uzbekistan National News Agency.

Uzbekistan should solve use of water and energy resources in Central Asia based on mutual understanding, constructive dialogue and consensus among the countries of the region, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan said on a statement on 13 April.

The “Catalogue of Investment Opportunities in Uzbekistan: 2009” is a part of the investment promotion publication series designed to equip potential investors with start-up information on specific projects currently available in Uzbekistan. The Catalogue is presented in the form of company profiles, classified by sector of economy, representing three major types: companies, state shares to be privatized, companies whose shares are traded on the secondary market and greenfield investment projects. It is the second edition of the Catalogue prepared within UNDP Project “Support to External Economic Policy“.

The Independent Uzbekistan’s own way of development and progress is based on the centuries-old customs and values, traditions, peculiarities inherent in the Uzbek people. In this, a special attention is accorded to making the young generation perfect, upbringing it to be comprehensively mature personalities, as much as allowing it to gain education, which meets the latest requirements of knowledge.