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President Karimov visits Moscow May 5-7
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On May 5 President Karimov's official visit to the Russian
Federation began. Economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and
Russia is broadening. This was confirmed at the talks during the
visit of the Russian Prime Minister to Uzbekistan in December.
One of the basic conditions of this cooperation is the creation of a
strong legal basis between the two countries. The criteria of
relations between the two countries was noted in the agreement on
basic intergovernmental relations, friendship and cooperation
signed in 1992 between Russia and Uzbekistan. It should be noted
that after achieving independence, trade, economic and political
ties between Uzbekistan and Russia took on a new character. The
extent of trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Russia last year
was $1.6 billion. Russia is one of Uzbekistan's largest trading partners. In
1997 more than 54% of trade with CIS countries involved Russia.
At present there are 350 Uzbek-Russian JVs operating and this
number is constantly increasing. In Russia there are almost 100
Uzbek-Russian JVs. Russian entrepreneurs are very interested in
Uzbekistan's automotive industry. There are ties with many Russian
entrepreneurs in this area. As President Karimov noted, economic
advantage is connected with who performs in what market. In this
sense, the development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and
Russia brings benefit to both sides. There is an effective
inter-governmental commission on economic cooperation between
Uzbekistan and Russia. In this agreement, in the first half of 1998,
contacts between oblasts of Uzbekistan and Russia are to increase,
as is the development of cooperation in energy, industry and
production. In the second half an inter-governmental information
and cultural center will open, and measures for financial
cooperation and the widening of ties between entrepreneurs will
take place. The present visit of President Karimov brings to a new
level cooperation between Uzbekistan and Russia. In Russia there
is a new government. In the dialogue between Uzbekistan and
Russia these new conditions will attract special attention.
On May 7th President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov completed the
state visit to the Russian Federation. There was a confidential talk
of the heads of the two countries in the course of the visit.
Presidents exchanged opinions of the present state of relations
between the states, ways of development of the cooperation, of
issues connected with changes in Central Asia and situation in
Tajikistan and Afghanistan. The broadened talks were held with
the participation of official delegations of the Republic of
Uzbekistan and Russian Federation. The talks resulted in signing
some documents which will serve the subsequent development of
political, economic and cultural contacts between the two
countries. In part, the treaty "On the subsequent cooperation in the
field of joint making up, cycle production and operation deliveries
of the aircrafts IL-76MF and IL-76TF, as well as provision ,of
operation and modernization of aircrafts IL-76, IL-78 and their
modifications". The document was signed by Presidents Islam
Karimov and Boris Yeltsin. Besides Islam Karimov met with
Russia's new Prime Minister Sergey Kirienko. He also
visited the Russian Plehanov Economic Academy. Last year President Karimov
was elected an honorary doctor to the Academy. President Karimov also had a
eeting with Moscow's mayor Yuriy Luzhkov.
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Relations with German companies
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The Uzbek-German contacts are widely developed. Today around
600 German firms and companies are functioning in Uzbekistan,
Forty of them have their offices here. Some of them are
"Deimler-Benz", "Siemens", Alcatel", " Tissen " "Lufthansa " and "Salamander".
At present twenty-five projects have been financed with German credits
worth 800 million Deutsche marks. Activities of "Deutsche Bank"
and "Berliner Bank" are worth-praising in realizing some large
investment projects. Such organizations as the Konrad Adenauer
and Ebert funds, Goethe institute, "Deutsche Welle" TV and Radio
company and Germany-Uzbek friendship society are carrying out
significant arrangements.
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U.S. business leaders in Tashkent
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President Karimov received Eugene Bakly,
president and executive director of Sikorsky Aircraft and Ruth
Harkin, senior vice president of United Technologies on May 4.
"We know the potential of Sikorsky
Aircraft well," said the President. "During our trip to the USA in
1996, we got acquainted with the activity of this company. I think
that your visit opens possibilities for more detailed
acquaintance." During the talks, further development of
cooperation between Uzbekistan and U.S. companies was discussed. This time Ruth Harkin visited Uzbekistan in a new position. Previously she worked as the president of OPIC, Overseas Private Investment Corporation. Mr. Bakly and Mrs. Harkin also met with Prime Minister Utkir Sultanov.
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Indian government delegation visits Uzbekistan
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A delegation headed by the deputy Minister of
Foreign Affairs of India Nareshvar Dail met with Foreign Affairs
Minister A. Kamilov. At the meeting, it was noted that an
important place in the further development of friendly relations
between Uzbekistan and India is occupied by cooperation in
international affairs. Cooperation between the two countries was
discussed.
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Toyota Chairman in Uzbekistan
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A delegation of the Federation of Economic
Organizations of Japan (Keidanren) headed by its chairman and
Toyota Corporation chairman Shoichiro Toioda recently visited
Uzbekistan. Before leaving Uzbekistan. Mr. Toioda said: "I was deeply impressed from my conversation with President Karimov. I highly evaluate
the potential of Uzbekistan and the ongoing reforms.
I am convinced that the results achieved by Uzbekistan and
its neighbors differ from each other significantly. I am impressed
by the culture and national traditions of your people. "It is worth
praising the building of the Asaka motor factory in such a
short period. Unfortunately, I was not able to go to see it. During
my next visit I will certainly go to Asaka." Mr. Toioda said that he
would speak with the Japanese Prime Minister about the stable
conditions in Uzbekistan and the possibilities to undertake large
joint projects.
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Commerce Bank is to open office in Tashkent
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An office of Commerce Bank, one
of the largest in Germany is to open in Tashkent soon. The
representative office will provide consulting services to clients,
provide communications with enterprises, attract clients from
Germany and other countries to finance projects here, and inform
people about the economy here and the changes in the banking and
financial system.
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Presidential decree
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In connection with the 53rd anniversary of victory in World
War Two over the German Fascism, President Islam Karimov issued
a decree on awarding all the living veterans with 1,500 soums ($17).
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