UZBEKISTAN – JANUARY 1-31, 2020

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4/03/2019 Uzbekistan, January 1-31,

2020 page 1 of 17

UZBEKISTAN – JANUARY 1-31, 2020

TOP NEWS OF THE PERIOD

Uzbekistan to host first Tashkent International Investment Forum

First Tashkent International Investment Forum will be held in March of 2020, Trend reports via Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade.

The event aims to bring together more than 1,500 executives of foreign and domestic companies, investors, exporters and international media.

The main purposes of the event are: opportunity to demonstrate the leading enterprises of Uzbekistan, as well as their sales to foreign investors, which are able to provide modernization and technological upgrading of production.

The event is held by initiative of the president of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

"The global experience shows, that only the state conducting active investment policy reaches stability and competitiveness of the national economy. So it can be stated, that, investment is the driver of the economy, its heart", stressed the head of state.

The forum program includes sessions in several areas: "Openness to business", "Deepening of regional ties" and «Use of technological innovations".

The Forum is organized by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade.

Trend News Agency – trend.az

National mining pool to be created in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan plans to place crypto assets to state-owned companies Mobiuz and Uzbekgidroenergo to attract investors, follows from the draft presidential decree placed on regulation.gov.uz portal.

In particular, for development purposes, it is proposed to create a National mining-pool.

“For the further development of the digital economy and cryptocurrency exchanges of Uzbekistan, it is proposed to regulate the circulation of crypto assets with separate special regulatory legal acts. In addition, all operations with crypto assets, as well as income received from this activity, are not taxed, and foreign exchange transactions with them are not subject to legal norms about currency regulation,”

the report said.

The project provides for creation of the Regulatory sandbox for development of digital technologies of Uzbekistan Blockchain Valley and the National mining-pool of Uzbekistan (Cryptocurrency Mining Pool) to combine the hardware capacities of miners - residents and non-residents of Uzbekistan.

From February 1, it is proposed to make industrial mining a licensed type of activity, and private - to register in the National mining-pool. At the same time, membership in the mining pool for all miners will be mandatory. For them, a privilege is provided for paying for electricity without the use of a raising factor.

For the purposes of a legal experiment, exemption from compliance with legal requirements is allowed for residents of the Regulatory Sandbox. In addition, they are exempted from customs payments (excluding customs duties and VAT) for imported computer equipment and other equipment as part of

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their projects. For foreign citizens, who have concluded an employment contract with a resident of the Regulatory Sandbox, it is not necessary to obtain permission to engage in labor activities in Uzbekistan.

In addition, in accordance with the presidential resolutions PP-3832 dated July 3, 2018 “On measures for the development of the digital economy in the Republic of Uzbekistan” and PP-3926 dated September 2, 2018 “On measures for organizing the activities of crypto exchanges in Republic of Uzbekistan”, transactions of legal entities and individuals related to the circulation of crypto assets, including those carried out by non-residents, are not subject to taxation, and income derived from these operations is not included in the tax base for taxes and other mandatory payments.

kun.uz

First crypto exchange launched in Uzbekistan

On January 20, the South Korean Kobea Group launched the UzNEX crypto exchange in Uzbekistan, the only crypto exchange in Central Asia, UzA said in a statement. The exchange will use the soum, credit cards and US dollars in trading.

The opening ceremony was held at the Korean Cultural Center in Tashkent as part of a conference on blockchain technology. In the ceremony were present CEOs of blockchain companies in South Korea, Japan, Singapore, as well as officials of Uzbek ministries and departments.

“Security experts from the world's leading crypto exchanges will around the clock and continuously monitor the platform, and the Engineering Technology Center will provide specialized solutions based on the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF). In addition, the world-famous company in the field of security of digital assets, BitGo will provide a “hot wallet”, the statement said.

The Kobea Group also plans to open blockchain departments in biggest universities in Uzbekistan.

Tashkent Times – tashkenttimes.uz

POLITICS AND LAW

Senate of Belgium ready to expand inter-parliamentary cooperation with Uzbekistan

On January 23, 2020, Ambassador of Uzbekistan Dilyor Khakimov met with the new President of the Belgian Senate Sabine Laruelle, in Brussels.

At the meeting, the parties discussed the current state of bilateral relations and prospects for expanding them. Issues of strengthening inter-parliamentary dialogue were also considered, the MFA said.

Sabine Laruelle noted that Brussels highly appreciates the nature and content of large-scale reforms carried out at the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, his open policy.

The President of the Senate expressed the hope that during the upcoming visit to Brussels, the head of Uzbekistan will visit the Belgian Senate, which will contribute to the expansion of inter-parliamentary cooperation. In this context, she welcomed the successful holding of parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan on December 22 last year based on universally recognized democratic principles.

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The Belgian side supported the proposal to pay more attention to issues of trade-economic cooperation between the parties, in particular between the regions of Belgium and Uzbekistan, representatives of small and medium-sized businesses.

Also, one of the key areas for the development of relations should be tourism and an increase in the number of Belgian travelers in Uzbekistan. Sabine Laruelle also praised the abolition of the visa regime for citizens of the EU countries.

The Senate President expressed great interest in the efforts of Uzbekistan to overcome the consequences of the Aral Sea tragedy. In this regard, she noted that she would take all necessary measures to achieve Belgium’s involvement in efforts to internationally support the UN Multi-Partnership Trust Fund.

kun.uz

Shavkat Mirziyoyev signs decree creating Tashkent Pharma Park

On January 28, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree creating Tashkent Pharma Park, an

“innovative scientific and production pharmaceutical cluster” in Kibray district of Tashkent province.

The cluster, located on 43.75 hectares (further expansion is possible), reportedly aims to development the Uzbek pharmaceutical industry through the introduction of innovative solutions and high-end technologies, as well as to build specialized educational infrastructure for training qualified personnel based on international programs.

The cluster will host a Pharmaceutical Technical University consisting of research centers and laboratories and a vivarium, a pharmacopeia center, a symposium center with a hotel, dormitories, accommodation facilities for teachers and visiting professors, as well as sports complex, pool and stadium.

In addition, the cluster will include an industrial zone, consisting of production facilities for manufacturing of innovative medicines, medical tools and equipment.

According to the document, a preliminary agreement was reached on attracting long-term soft loans from the Government of the Republic of Korea through the Economic Development and Cooperation Fund (EDCF) to create a university and its infrastructure.

Uzbekistan to introduce a system of reference pricing for medicines

Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree “On additional measures to deepen reforms in the pharmaceutical industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan”.

According to the document, from July 1, 2020 in the country, a phased implementation of the reference pricing system for medicines of domestic and foreign production will begin.

The above system will include:

- a choice of at least 10 reference countries belonging to the group of high, above average or below average per capita incomes;

- submission to the registering authority by the holder of the registration certificate or its authorized representative of the selling price of the manufacturer in the country of origin, reference countries and Uzbekistan, a medicine of the same manufacturer with the same active substance, taking into account the dosage form, number of units in the package, dosage, concentration, volume and packing;

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- registration of maximum prices for each trade name of a medicinal product taking into account the dosage form, number of units in a package, dosage, concentration, volume and packaging, which cannot be delivered to Uzbekistan (for imported medicines) and released by a domestic producer (for domestic medicines).

It should be recalled that the introduction of reference pricing in all countries was associated with numerous disputes between governments, leading players in the pharmaceutical business, representatives of the medical community and organizations uniting patients.

Currently, this approach is used by most EU member states. The system of reference pricing has found wide application in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. However, countries such as the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway have not implemented a reference pricing system.

The World Health Organization (WHO) does not classify reference pricing as a form of price regulation, it is a tool that allows limiting the expenses of reimbursing the medicine costs, since the reference (base) price represents the highest possible level of reimbursement. The reference pricing system is designed to control the amount of government reimbursement costs, and not the pharmaceutical producer prices.

kun.uz

Rules for issuing electronic money approved in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the Law "On Payments and Payment Systems", which approves the rules for issuing and circulating electronic money in Uzbekistan, Trend reports citing Uzbekistan’s regulatory portal SOVAZ.

The law will enter into force on February 3, 2020.

The law states that an electronic wallet includes software of an electronic money system, a microprocessor (chip), a software and hardware tool that stores electronic money and provides access to them. Authentication refers to the authentication of a person by verifying the authenticity of the presented identifier (PIN, login, and more).

Exchange operation - an operation to exchange electronic money issued by one issuer for electronic money issued by another issuer and another.

The bank issues electronic money within the limits of money received from an individual or agent in accordance with the rules and the agreement on the issue, use and redemption.

Accounting of electronic money is carried out by the issuing bank in a special settlement account, which is used only for operations on crediting funds when issuing electronic money, and on writing off funds when repaying electronic money.

The balance in this account is equal to the total amount of liabilities for all issued electronic money.

Upon issuing electronic money, the Bank issues to the owner a receipt or other document (receipt) in hard copy or in electronic form, confirming the fact of sale and acquisition by the owner of electronic money.

The procedure and conditions for the purchase and sale of electronic money, as well as the accounting of funds received by the agent from individuals during the sale of electronic money, are specified in the agreement between the issuer and the agent.

In the electronic money system, payments for transactions are carried out by transferring electronic money from the electronic wallet of one owner to the electronic wallet of another owner in accordance

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with the rules of the electronic money system. Electronic money can be used to purchase goods and services from trade and service enterprises that are customers of the banks participating in the electronic money system.

Electronic wallets of a trade and service company are used only to accept electronic money for goods sold or services rendered for the purpose of further repayment.

Any operation on electronic money must be confirmed, including by check confirming the payment or other document, SMS message, email message to the owner of the electronic wallet.

Electronic money is considered repaid by its issuer from the moment the corresponding amount of money is credited: to the bank account of the owner of electronic money - an individual or the issue of cash to him; to the bank account of the owner of electronic money - an individual entrepreneur or legal entity.

AzerNews – azernews.az

Uzbekistan to establish paulownia plantations

Measures will be taken to establish fast-growing and industrial paulownia trees in the republic.

According to the draft resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers, proposals of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Economy and Industry, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Water Resources, the State Committee for Forestry, the State Committee on Land Resources, Geodesy, Cartography and State Cadaster on the establishment of paulownia plantations in the areas, where there is water scarcity and salinity, as well as in unused reserve areas with underground water depth of 30 meters, may be approved.

Entrepreneurs, who attract direct investments to engage in the production of paulownia on unused reserve fields, are allowed to be allocated land plots without a tender by a decision of the district khokims.

The Ministry of Economy and Industry will study the demand and supply of paulownia in the furniture and construction industry, energy, medicine and landscaping in the republic, and will develop a feasibility study on demand for paulownia raw materials across industries and production of finished products with added value.

kun.uz

Cotton processing enterprises to be privatized

Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the Measures to Implement Tasks Outlined in Uzbekistan’s Agriculture Development Strategy for 2020–2030 Decree.

The strategy, in particular, includes a section “Decreasing the state’s participation in the sector, enhancing its investment attractiveness”:

Starting from March 1, 2020, a system of gradual specialization of the districts will be introduced based on the soil-climatic conditions and market conditions of the lands non-used in the production of raw cotton and cereals;

A draft regulation will be developed to improve the mechanism of crediting and insurance in line with the strategic priorities and needs of the agricultural and food industries.

Proposals for privatization of grain and cotton processing enterprises with state shares in, shall be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers before April 1, 2020.

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ECONOMY AND FINANCE

Uzbekistan to build chemical plant to replace imports of hydrogen peroxide

In order to deeply process gas, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy of and Uzbekistan Hydrogen Peroxide JV LLC launched a new project - the construction of a hydrogen peroxide plant in Uzbekistan, Trend reports citing the press service of Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy.

Uzbekistan Hydrogen Peroxide JV LLC is a manufacturing company specially created jointly with Turkey to implement projects for deep gas processing.

The modern plant will produce 50,000 tons of high-quality products per year, in demand both in the domestic and foreign markets.

İmplementation of the project will ensure complete import substitution of hydrogen peroxide in Uzbekistan and export of some products to the CIS countries and far abroad, as well as create additional jobs.

The product is in demand in medicine, in the textile, pulp and paper and mining industries, in enterprises for wastewater aeration, food processing, waste processing and will meet all the requirements of technical and environmental safety.

The total investment in the project will be $40 million with the implementation in two stages: the first stage is the construction of a plant for the production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2); the second stage is the construction of a plant for the production of sodium percarbonate.

The project will be implemented in Navoi Free Economic Zone and its commissioning is expected in the spring of 2021.

Uzbekistan establishes a new public fund to support bloggers and mass media

In Uzbekistan, Public Fund for Support and Development of National Mass Media started its activity. The new fund aims to promote the development of self-governance mechanisms for the national media community.

“We are pleased to inform you that the National Fund for Support and Development of National Mass Media has been registered by the Justice Ministry of Uzbekistan as a non-governmental non-profit organization. It has officially started its activity,” the Fund’s telegram channel said.

The main purpose of our Public Fund is to help media outlets develop and maintain equal rights in the media market, to promote the rights of journalists and bloggers.

The Public Fund also aims to assist in the development of self-governance mechanisms for the national media community.

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Strengthening the material-technical base of the media, supporting the activities of journalists and bloggers, providing them with legal, organizational, technical and other assistance are priorities of the Public Fund.

“In the future, we will provide more details about the Public Fund and its projects. We hope you will continue to follow us,” the Fund added.

kun.uz

The first three free trade zones to be created in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan will create the first three free trade zones in 2020, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev said during his address to the parliament.

“In Andijan, Termez and Kungrad regions, we envisage the creation of free trade zones and the development of cross-border trade through them,” he said.

The president added that private trading companies should deal with determining the types of products that are in demand, searching for markets and selling them. For this, a package of laws should be developed that streamlines their activities. This applies to trade in both foreign and domestic markets.

“The Cabinet of Ministers is charged with developing a concept for regulating foreign economic activity and adopting relevant acts to ensure the fulfillment of these tasks,” Mirziyoyev said.

UzDaily – Uzdaily.com

Innovative technologies to be widely introduced in the construction industry

On January 7, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting on priority tasks for further accelerating the reform in the construction sector.

The scope of construction and landscaping work in Uzbekistan has been expanding. New housing, large factories, modern infrastructure facilities are being erected. High-quality and timely completion of construction works due to their growing volumes requires skilled builders and designers, sustainable organizations with sufficient resources.

The President criticized the state of affairs in the field, outlined problems and shortcomings.

Thus, there are about 22 thousand construction and contracting organizations in Uzbekistan, most of which do not keep records of the number and professional qualifications of personnel. A negative impact on the timing and quality of work is provided by the fact that all construction works in the regions go through a single customer entity. In international practice, safety, quality and the final result of construction are under strict control, whereas in Uzbekistan all the forces and resources are directed at overseeing the construction process, while quality is granted secondary attention.

The Head of the state identified important measures to eliminate drawbacks and develop the sphere in accordance with modern requirements.

It is imperative, Shavkat Mirziyoyev insisted, to form a healthy competition among construction design institutions, to develop specific criteria for tendering on the basis of foreign experience, as well as to introduce, as an experiment, a corresponding electronic system in the city of Tashkent.

The ministries of construction, finance, justice and other responsible agencies were instructed to devise by July 1 an assessment methodology and rating of the activity of construction enterprises. The ranking

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will be developed in accordance with such criteria as the number and qualifications of personnel, the amount of work performed, the timely payment of taxes and repayment of loans.

The necessity of improving the norms and rules of urban development, the activities of service organizations of a single customer was emphasized.

The President pointed to the low level of introduction of information technology in the field. In particular, the elaboration of projects, examination, issuance of permits, control of construction and contracting works are still carried out on paper. There is no geo-information system that allows investors and entrepreneurs to choose sites for construction.

In this regard, the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry for Development of Information Technologies and Communications were entrusted to develop a roadmap for the full digitalization of the sphere, which will be implemented this year.

It was noted that accidents are occurring due to non-compliance with safety requirements, lack of risk analysis and control. The relevant ministries and agencies have been urged to radically reorganize state control in the construction sphere and strengthen labor protection.

Particular attention at the meeting was paid to personnel issues. The Head of the state stressed that the system of training specialists for the industry hardly meets today’s requirements.

The ministries of labor, construction, as well as higher and secondary special education have been tasked with introducing a classifier for mid-level specialists and worker occupations in the sphere and, on its basis, launching the training of builders in vocational colleges.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev indicated the need for updating educational programs worked out on high technologies and innovative approaches, for training personnel in modern design and working with software, including BIM (Building Information Modeling) technologies.

Responsible executives reported on issues discussed at the meeting, and appropriate measures were identified.

Uzbekistan National News Agency – uza.uz

Modern projects to be introduced into the livestock industry

The State Committee of Veterinary and Livestock Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan held an international conference on “The new period, prospects and problems of animal husbandry in Uzbekistan”.

The event was attended by leading specialists from Germany, Turkey, Israel, Austria, the USA, the Netherlands and Sweden, farm managers specializing in livestock farming, manufacturers and users of feed and agricultural machinery, scientists, representatives of meat and dairy products processing enterprises.

At the conference, industry experts emphasized that in connection with the increase in meat prices in the domestic market, projects have recently been implemented to issue loans for raising cattle and importing them from abroad. Suggestions were made on the processing of lamb and sheep wool, expanding cooperation with German investors in production and export of finished products. In accordance with this, it is planned to create small wool processing enterprises in the regions.

At the conference, foreign experts working in the field of livestock, spoke about their experience.

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It was noted that in recent years the sphere lacked qualified specialists, therefore it is necessary to improve the qualification of young personnel. Issues of raising dairy cattle in modern livestock complexes, the introduction of new milking technologies were discussed.

EBRD looking for expansion in Uzbekistan

Following the second office opening in Andijan city of Uzbekistan, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is indeed looking at further expansion in the East of the country, representative of EBRD told Trend in an interview.

Recently Trend reported that President of EBRD Suma Chakrabarti is to visit Uzbekistan in the first half of 2020 to discuss the expansion of the bank in the country.

The bank is currently considering opening its representative office in Karakalpakstan next year in addition to the existing EBRD office in Tashkent and another one recently opened in Andijan.

"The President of EBRD Suma Chakrabarti visit is not 100 percent confirmed. As for the strategy, the EBRD approved its country strategy for Uzbekistan in 2018, so we’ll be talking about our new priorities in 2023,"

the representative stated.

Furthermore, in November 2019 EBRD and Uzbekistan’s Hamkorbank provided a loan of 540,000 euros under the Risk Sharing Program for Uzbekistan’s Tllo Domor cheese producer with subsequent increase of financing for a total of 2 million euros.

Last year, the EBRD Board of Directors approved a new strategy for Uzbekistan, which defines the bank's priorities for the next five years.

Following the adoption of a new country strategy for Uzbekistan, in 2018 the EBRD signed 12 projects worth almost €400 million, a record level of business for the Bank in the country in a single year.

Significant investments were made in the municipal and power infrastructure sectors, including the rehabilitation of water and wastewater infrastructure in the Fergana Valley, as well as in banking and industry.

This year, the EBRD has already invested almost €250 million into Uzbekistan's economy.

To date, the EBRD has invested €1.3 billion through 70 projects in economy of Uzbekistan. Support of small businesses is particularly important as the country moves to reform its economy and strengthen its private sector.

World Bank ready to participate in modernization of airports in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan’s Minister of Transport Achilbai Ramatov met with a World Bank delegation led by Vice President Cyril Muller, Trend reports citing Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport.

During the meeting, the parties discussed issues of further strengthening long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation between Uzbekistan and the World Bank, as well as the implementation of projects in priority areas of cooperation.

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In particular, the parties discussed mechanisms for implementing projects to improve the country's transport infrastructure, including the construction and reconstruction of airports and roads in cooperation with the World Bank.

Muller noted that the World Bank provided financial support to Uzbekistan, mainly in the field of road construction. The World Bank has expressed its willingness to participate in projects to modernize the infrastructure of airports in Uzbekistan.

Ramatov said that over 40 projects with the participation of the World Bank are being implemented in the country. In addition, he noted that joint work with the World Bank Group on improving civil aviation will continue.

Uzbekistan to hold large-scale aviation forum

Uzbekistan plans to hold a large aviation forum on February 19-20, 2020, Trend reports citing the Uzbek media.

This will be a very important event for the entire aviation industry of Uzbekistan, which is at a new stage in its development.

Many large international airlines will come to Uzbekistan to learn more about the market, airports, and services provided. This will improve logistics, provide additional amenities for passengers, and of course, reduce airfare prices due to the arrival of new carriers, including low-cost airlines.

The Uzbek side hopes that after the event, a number of low-cost airlines and airlines will be interested in flying to Uzbekistan, and operators may also want to take control of the country's air harbors.

From January 1, 2020, a compensation system for airlines operating charter flights was introduced in Uzbekistan. The amount of compensation for each attracted foreign tourist will vary, depending on the season. In the warm season, the payout will be $20, and in the cold (from November 20 to February 20) -

$50.

In addition, from October 1, 2019, the “open skies” mode using the “fifth air freedom” was launched at the airports of Karshi, Nukus and Termez, and the fifth air freedom was used in the air harbor of Bukhara when transporting foreign citizens.

The "open skies" mode allows foreign airlines to carry out international flights to the airport without restrictions on the number of flights. According to the most conservative forecasts, the introduction of such a regime allows increasing passenger traffic by 25-30 percent.

BUSINESS

Starbucks plans to open its shops in Uzbekistan

Khokim of Tashkent Jahongir Artikkhojaev met with the regional representative of Alshaya Group.

During the meeting, the parties discussed issues of bilateral cooperation, in particular, the prospects of opening the world-famous Starbucks coffee shop chain in Tashkent.

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Significant progress was noted in the implementation of joint international projects in Uzbekistan thanks to the country’s socio-economic reforms that contribute to improving the investment climate and enhancing international trade and economic relations.

Nenji Menhotra showed great interest in the project for the construction of 4 and 5 star hotels in Tashkent, and also addressed the issues of urban infrastructure and communication in the context of demographic trends over the next five years. In turn, Jahongir Artikkhojaev introduced the guest to the socio-economic and investment, as well as tourist indicators of Tashkent.

Following the meeting, the foreign side announced the preparation of the necessary documentation with the selection of locations for the project to open a network of Starbucks coffee shops and hotels with a global brand.

Alshaya Group is a leading international retail franchise operator that manages nearly 90 consumer brands in the Middle East and North Africa, Russia, Turkey and Europe, and also owns holdings in real estate, construction, hotels, automotive and general trading.

New state airline to appear in Uzbekistan

A new state-owned airline, Humo Air will be created in Uzbekistan, the Prime Minister Abdullo Aripov said when introducing the Government’s Action Plan. The purpose of its creation is to ensure a competitive environment in air transportation, Ferghana reports.

At the initial stage, Humo Air will operate domestic flights. According to Mr. Aripov, “at tariffs, which will be much cheaper than current ones.”

“This task was specifically set before our government by the distinguished president, and I think that in the current 2020 we will organize and carry it out,” the Prime Minister said.

Such details, as the approximate composition of the future company’s fleet and the costs of its creation are not given.

The Prime Minister also said that the government’s plans include the reconstruction of Samarkand and Termez airports (at the same time it became known that the World Bank will participate in the modernization of airports in Uzbekistan) and the renewal of the aircraft fleet of the existing Uzbekistan Airways.

At present, the national Uzbekistan Airways occupies a leading position in the passenger transportation market (according to Spot.uz, its share is about 75%). In 2018, it transported about 3.1 million passengers, most of them to non-CIS countries and the CIS.

The company has been criticized for its monopoly position in the industry. The authors of the official tourism development concept, developed at the end of 2018, attributed the lack of competition to high airfare and a reduction in the domestic transportation market.

At the end of last year, Uzbekistan Airways was divided into two companies (they transferred the servicing of airports in Uzbekistan to a separate joint-stock company). It was also reported that the carrier intends to introduce low-cost flights.

On February 19 – 20, 2020 Uzbekistan will host one of the largest aviation forums in the world. According to local media reports, the new airline may be officially presented at this event, Azattyk said.

caan.asia

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Two hectares of land plot near Karatepa reservoir in Samarkand put up for auction

Two hectares of land plot near the Karatepa reservoir of the Urgut district, Samarkand region is put up for auction, the State Committee for Tourism Development reports.

According to the committee, this is an opportunity to start a profitable tourism business.

The committee notes that in the area one can build hotels, campsites, yurts, recreational facilities, swimming pools for adults and children, and others.

Additional information about the auction can be obtained on the website www.e-auksion.uz.

kun.uz

Hotel Chorsu put up for auction at purchase price of 1 soum

Hotel Chorsu has been put up for auction with a starting price of 1 soum, the State Assets Management Agency said.

If the auction is deemed not held, repeated tenders should be organized every 15 business days. The hotel has been on offer since September 2019.

According to the requirements, an investor must invest at least $25 million in the creation of a 3-star hotel within two years.

It should be recalled that in 2017, a Turkish entrepreneur and investor Ahmet Demir promised to reconstruct the hotel. In September 2017, the Demir Group bought at zero purchase price the buildings and structures of the former Chorsu hotel and took responsibility to fulfill investment obligations in the amount of at least $33 million. Over time, Tashkent authorities have repeatedly accused the investor and his company of default.

In August 2019, the State Assets Management Agency reported that Ahmet Demir had not fulfilled his investment obligations on the Chorsu hotel. Then the agency stated that on July 2, the inter-district economic court of Tashkent decided to terminate the hotel’s contract “due to failure to fulfill investment obligations”.

kun.uz

Procter & Gamble intends to start production in Uzbekistan

The US Procter & Gamble company is interested in the possibility of starting production in Uzbekistan.

The prospects of the initiative were discussed at a meeting held at Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, Trend reports citing the press service of the ministry.

The company returned to Uzbekistan for product selling in 2017. Currently, 260 people work in the staff of its distribution network.

According to company representatives, Procter & Gamble is currently studying the industrial potential of Uzbekistan and considering the prospects of creating high-tech production facilities in the country. In the operations in the country, the company will follow American standards of quality and environmental friendliness.

The ministry, together with company representatives, will consider this proposal to clarify the format and conditions for possible cooperation, the press service said.

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The Procter & Gamble Company is an American multinational company, one of the leaders in the global consumer goods market. The company's shares are taken into account when calculating the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Procter & Gamble ranks 34th in the Fortune 500 list.

Hyatt Regency Tashkent to be privatized

The Hyatt Regency Tashkent hotel will be privatized through the funds by The Abu Dhabi Uzbek Fund, Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced at the government meeting devoted to the implementation of agreements reached at visits to the United Arab Emirates and Japan.

The Abu Dhabi Uzbek Fund was established with the Government of the UAE and is worth US $ 1 billion.

To date, the Fund has approved financing for SMEs projects, including the construction of a hotel in Samarkand and the privatization of the Hyatt Regency Tashkent hotel.

The 301-room Hyatt Regency Tashkent was completed in 2016 for US$ 205 million.

Business incubators for startups to be created in Tashkent

On January 28, an agreement was signed between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to launch the project “Stimulating a business incubation system in Uzbekistan”.

The project worth 5.5 million USD is aimed at developing, based on Korean experience, a system of providing comprehensive assistance to entrepreneurs in implementation of their business projects.

Within the framework of the project, standard business incubators that provide entrepreneurs with the opportunity to receive practical assistance from qualified specialists in implementation of their business ideas will be created in Tashkent. Here proposals will be developed to improve the normative-legal framework in supporting future entrepreneurs, stimulating their activities, developing an innovative business ecosystem in Uzbekistan.

In the business incubator, special attention will be paid to the development of youth entrepreneurship.

Through the organization of an educational practice in the Republic of Korea, young people, as well as specialists from agencies and organizations involved in the promotion of innovative business, will improve their skills.

TOURISM AND CULTURE

Uzbekistan is the safest country for travel and investment - Pakistani journalist

The editor-in-chief of the Islamabad Post magazine and news agency A. Bhatti, who participated in the parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan as an international observer, published materials on the pages of the monthly Centreline magazine, Dunyo news agency reported.

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The articles are devoted to the results of the parliamentary elections, as well as to the democratic and socio-economic reforms carried out in our country as part of the "Strategy of Action on the Five Priority Directions for the Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2017-2021."

In the article entitled “New Uzbekistan - new opportunities”, the author notes that in recent years Uzbekistan has made progress in all areas. “The development trend in this landlocked country received an additional impetus when President Shavkat Mirziyoyev joined as an active and progressive architect of the “new Uzbekistan”, A. Bhatti emphasizes.

“Public education and medical services are provided free of charge. Therefore, the literacy rate of the country’s population is high,” he states.

A Pakistani journalist praises the fact that the state provides housing for low-income citizens and young families. Today, the number of tourists coming to the republic has increased many times. The state has taken appropriate measures to ensure the safety of foreign tourists, the tourism sector is developing dynamically.

Ansar Bhatti emphasizes that he first participated as an independent journalist in the parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan, where he actively observed election processes and covered the election campaign between political parties, which indicates the evolutionary development of the country’s political system.

Uzbekistan is represented at the tourism fair "Vakantie Salon Antwerp - 2020"

An annual tourism fair “Vakantie Salon Antwerp - 2020”, which is the largest exhibition of Flemish region of Belgium, was held at the Antwerp Expo exhibition center in Antwerp, Dunyo reported.

Representatives of more than 300 tourism organizations and companies, air carriers, the hotel business and entertainment centers from more than 55 countries took part in its work. During the four days of work, it was visited by about 100 thousand people.

Within the framework of the event, the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Belgium together with the tourist company SilkVoyage launched an informative exposition about Uzbekistan, which attracted the interest of many visitors to the exhibition. A stand dedicated to our republic was decorated in a traditional style using handicraft products.

The current fair was the last in the winter season of tourism events in the Flanders region, which served as a good platform for familiarizing participants with the measures taken by the leadership of Uzbekistan to attract a large number of tourists from Europe.

The visitors of the exhibition were provided with detailed information about the tourism potential of Uzbekistan. Video clips showing the rich historical, cultural and architectural heritage of the Uzbek people, unique architectural sights of the republic and folk handicrafts are shown.

It is noted that the climatic features of Uzbekistan provide a huge scope for eco-tourism. Promising species were desert tours, mountain hikes, trips to protected areas and much more.

Of particular interest to the guests was information about the practice of combining travel programs by Uzbek tour operators, in particular, visits to historical and cultural sites and eco-tourist areas. The participants got acquainted with the features of agritourism, which implies living in houses in the countryside, as well as the possibility of organizing mountain tourism and helicopter flights.

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It was emphasized that the main factors of tourist attractiveness of Uzbekistan are peace and harmony prevailing in the country, an atmosphere of calm, tolerance, generosity and hospitality of the people, beautiful nature and plenty of sunny days, ancient history, rich culture, revered customs and traditions, unique architectural monuments .

The Uzbek market was also represented at the fair by such companies as Hobo Reizin, Zuiderhuis, Anders dan Anders, Travel by Excellence, Fox, Verre Reizen van Anwb, SovjetReizin and BeyondBorders, representatives of which highlighted the serious increase in the number of requests for trips to Uzbekistan, including among Belgian and Dutch youth.

During the exhibition, an increase in interest in trips to Uzbekistan was highlighted, which was manifested, in particular, in the choice of the Uzbek direction in relation to other tourist regions previously traditional for Belgians. So, one of the travelers, in an interview with Hobo Reizin CEO Dirk Robberz, made an order for a tour to the republic, although he planned a trip to one of the Latin American countries.

CNN: Uzbekistan is an unmissable gem of Central Asia

The American media company Cable News Network (CNN) has published an article that talks about the tourism potential of Uzbekistan.

CNN is a global leader in the production and broadcast of news items broadcast worldwide.

It is noteworthy that this material is the second CNN publication about Uzbekistan over the past month, devoted to the tourism potential of Uzbekistan, the historical and cultural heritage of the Uzbek people, as well as the ancient architecture of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva.

According to the American channel, in the past, Uzbekistan was the "beating heart of the whole world."

"Being at the center of the Silk Road, attracting traders from China and India to the Mediterranean, Uzbekistan was also a source of knowledge and science, spreading its achievements throughout the continent," says CNN.

“Algebra came from Uzbekistan in the 10th century thanks to Muhammad al-Khwarizmi, medicine and philosophy - thanks to Avicenna. Al-Beruni, a man with amazing talent, wrote treatises on mathematics, anthropology, astrology and geography in the 11th century. Centuries later, Ulugbek, the grandson of Amir Temur, used this wave of knowledge to establish a modern astronomical observatory on a hilltop in Samarkand, ”the American publication emphasizes.

The article pays special attention to the ancient cities of Uzbekistan: “tourists from all over the world come to the Ichan-Kala complex in Khiva - a repository of Uzbek history, noted by UNESCO and filled with impressive architecture - pale sand tombs, distinguished by their simplicity, are located side by side with madrassas and museums. All this is almost like a movie set and, perhaps, the only place in Uzbekistan where everyone can immerse themselves in the caravanserai of the past. "

CNN also introduces its readers to the ruins in Karakalpakstan, noting that "on the plains is a portal to a different era, the glorious Zoroastrian empire, perhaps the world’s first superpower, which stretched from the Indus River to the Balkans in Europe."

According to the media company, modern Nukus has become a cozy city where Igor Savitsky worked to accumulate a large collection of avant-garde paintings.

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In addition, the material mentions that "silk was a rapidly developing part of Margilan (and Uzbek) history, and rolls of shimmering fabric were exported to Russia, Persia, Constantinople, India, Syria, Arabia, Italy and even East African countries."

The Tashkent metro is also in the spotlight of CNN: “it [the metro] is decorated with dense, brutal architecture that rises to the skies. Each underground stop is decorated with exquisitely designed stations - in one of them gray vaulted ceilings are decorated with baroque chandeliers; in the other, the face of Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space; the third is illuminated by extravagant murals made of cotton, ”the publication emphasizes.

The article also writes that Uzbekistan has a huge potential for gastronomic tourism.

“The country’s national dish is pilaf enriched with spices. It can be an everyday dish, but also intended for weddings and special occasions. Fortunately for tourists, it can be found everywhere - from the smallest eateries to the trendiest restaurants,” says CNN.

In conclusion, the publication recommends visiting Uzbekistan in spring or autumn, as well as devoting enough time (three weeks) to enjoy all the beautiful architectural structures and the historical and cultural heritage of the country.