Speaking to reporters after his meeting with his Uzbek counterpart Abdulaziz Kamilov on Monday, Zarif pointed to the common history between Islamic Republic of Iran and Uzbekistan and stated that historical commonalities between Iran and Uzbekistan will expand and enhance preliminaries of friendship between the two countries to a great extent.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed issues of mutual concerns in the fields of economic, political, and cultural relations, strengthening expansion of bilateral ties between Iran and Uzbekistan and also regional cooperation regarding peace in Afghanistan.

While expressing hope for the expansion of cooperation and interaction between the two countries, Zarif said that Islamic Republic of Iran can provide a transit route for Uzbekistan to access global markets and also open waters.

The two countries of Iran and Uzbekistan enjoy high potentials in different areas, he said, adding, “The age-old historical ties between the two countries can further expand the preliminaries for friendship between the two countries of Iran and Uzbekistan.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met and held talks with his Uzbek counterpart Abdulaziz Kamilov in Tashkent on Monday.

On his first diplomatic tour in [Iranian calendar] year 1400 (started on March 21) to discuss bilateral and regional cooperation in Central Asia, Foreign Minister Zarif met with his Uzbek counterpart Kamilov on Monday morning.

Zarif is also scheduled to travel to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to meet with officials of these countries.

Developing relations with Central Asia, a region of civilizational, historical and cultural commonalities, has always been one of Iran’s top priorities.

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On February 19, the two-day International Conference “Central Asian connectivity: challenges and new opportunities” kicked off in Tashkent.

The conference was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA).

The forum started with a plenary session “New dynamics of regional cooperation in Central Asia – a view from the region”.

Then the conference continued in the format of breakout sessions. Foreign experts from 36 countries, as well as representatives of leading analytical, scientific structures of Uzbekistan will exchange views on regional security issues, cooperation in trade-economic, transport-communications, water-environmental, energy, tourism, cultural-humanitarian spheres.

The event, held within the framework of implementation of the main priority areas of foreign policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan designated by the Head of the state, was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia.

It is attended by over 100 representatives from analytical centers of Afghanistan, the United States, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Iran, Germany, Georgia, India, Israel, Spain, Kazakhstan, Canada, Egypt, China, Korea, Kuwait, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Turkey, Hungary, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Finland, France, Sweden, Japan.

The conference also brought together participants of organizations of the European Union and America, regional structures of the Arctic Advisory Board, as well as the World Bank, the World Trade Organization, the European Investment Bank and other international financial institutions.

The international conference is of great importance in discussing current issues, developing common approaches and defining objectives for the future.

Strengthening cooperation in trade, economy, transport, communications, security, ecology, energy, and tourism was discussed at the international conference. Views were exchanged on cooperation in education and science, current initiatives were considered.

It was emphasized that further deepening of trade-economic cooperation in Central Asia is directly related to the effective implementation of free trade order in the region, simplification of customs and border procedures.

Participants of the conference gave a positive assessment to consultations of the region’s countries, which took place in a confidential atmosphere, and noted that continuation of activities in this direction will serve to further expand cooperation in trade, economy, transport, cultural-humanitarian, and other spheres.

Views were exchanged on the effective use of capabilities of the United Nations Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region, which was initiated by Uzbekistan in mitigating the consequences of the Aral tragedy, establishing peace, restoring the socio-economic infrastructure in Afghanistan.

Special attention was paid to issues of creation of transport-logistics systems that ensure the access of the region’s countries to river ports and international markets, increasing the share of the tourism sector in the economy through the effective use of existing tourism opportunities.

On the first day of the conference, sectional meetings were held on “Trade-economic cooperation”, “Ensuring regional security”, “Ecology and energy, rational use of water”, “Tourism, cultural-humanitarian relations”. Analytical reports of domestic and foreign scientists and experts were heard and discussed.

On February 20, panel sessions were on “International perception of the new dynamics of regional cooperation: promising areas of cooperation between Central Asia and non-regional countries” and “International experience of regional cooperation and possibilities of its use in Central Asia”.

Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov inaugurated the conference where he welcomed the participants and expressed hope the conference would become a successful event for the benefit of the region.

The Uzbek minister in his inaugural speech pointed to the significance of the Central Asian region, adding that it can be a strong bloc like other economic or political blocs like ASEAN or Mercosur. He reiterated that the region could take inspiration from other regional organizations with sticking to the characteristics of the Central Asia. He went on to say that regionalization is more important than globalization in forming the bloc.

Kamilov asserted that scientific research and study are needed in all sectors for the future of the member states. He admitted that such conferences would lead to finding practical solutions for regional cooperation, adding that security and economy are two major issues for the regional cooperation.

But he reiterated that the region needs a strong bloc rather than organization and all the Central Asian states are trying to boost cooperation together as well as their neighboring countries.

He underlined that mutual cooperation between the regional states plus cooperation with neighboring states are very crucial for strengthening the bloc.

Kamilov also pointed to the meeting of leaders of the Central Asian Countries which was held in Samarkand in 2018, adding that it was a major step for the future of the regional cooperation. He went on to say that Tashkent is to host the leaders of the region as well as Afghanistan in April 2019 where the outcomes of the conference will be discussed in the meeting.

“The rapprochement of the countries in the Central Asian region is not against anyone’s interests,” Kamilov noted.

“Investing in regional cooperation contributes to developing Central Asia into a stable and prosperous region, thus making it a reliable and predictable partner,” he added.

Meanwhile in her opening speech, Natalia Gherman, special representative of the UN secretary-general as well as head of the UNRCCA, said that the conference will produce specific recommendations to the presidents of the Central Asian countries, who will gather in Tashkent to discuss common regional issues in April.

Foreign experts from 36 countries and representatives of leading analytical and scientific organizations in Uzbekistan exchanged views on regional security issues, as well as cooperation in trade, economic, transport, communications, environmental, humanitarian and other areas.

The idea for establishing a regional bloc was raised when the Central Asian states gathered in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, to discuss violence and terrorism in Afghanistan.

Uzbekistan played its effective role in Samarkand meeting and paved the way for further meetings and the idea for regional cooperation bloc. Of course UNRCCA was also behind the idea for pushing  security in the Central Asian region.

A comparative examination of the structures for regional cooperation in the Nordic Council, ASEAN, Mercosur and the Visegrád Group leads to a very specific and highly significant conclusion, namely, that institutions matter. The relative weakness and ineffectiveness of Mercosur and the Visegrád group is a direct consequence of their weak institutional structures. ASEAN and the Nordic Council, by contrast, derive their effectiveness from the fact that over more than half a century they have focused serious attention on strengthening their institutional structures.

Central Asia stretches from the Caspian Sea in the west to China in the east and from Afghanistan in the south to Russia in the north. The region consists of the former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. But countries like Afghanistan and China can help the region to accelerate their economies.

The region with over 70m population needs to work on mutual basis first and then collectively. Because of its vast area and land, security is the major issue for the countries.

Uzbekistan as one of the two leading countries of the region has accelerated in establishing the bloc by hosting meetings and conferences. Since Shavkat Mirziyoyev took office as president in Uzbekistan, the country has begun a new era and the policies shifted to interaction with the regional states and the world. Alluring foreign investors for the development in the country was prioritized. To attract foreign investments, the country decided to give incentives for investors and industry in the country is progressing fast.

Recently Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) has assigned a first-time long-term issuer rating to the Government of Uzbekistan at B1.

Uzbekistan, which has already been assigned BB- rating by Fitch and S&P, now holds three major global agencies’ ratings ahead of its debut eurobond issue in London, Britain, this week.

Moody’s B1 rating means that the country is vulnerable, but now it can fulfill its financial obligations.

In addition, Moody’s has also assigned a provisional rating of (P) B1 to the Government of Uzbekistan’s forthcoming medium-term note program and a B1 rating to the planned drawdown from the program.

Moody’s rated Uzbekistan’s economic, fiscal strength and susceptibility to event risk as “moderate,” but noting that the country’s institutional strength was “very low” based on economic growth, demographic trends, implementation of new policy tools that would pave the way for a transition to a market-based economy and other factors.

“The stable outlook reflects Moody’s expectations for balanced risks both over the near and medium term. Upside and downside risks mainly relate to the credit implications of the reforms now under way,” Moody’s said.

Uzbekistan’s reform program could strengthen its credit profile if it leads to a sustained increase in productivity growth and competitiveness and if it improves government and policy effectiveness, according to the rating agency.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Uzbekistan expanded 5.2 percent year-on-year in the first nine months of 2018. GDP Annual Growth Rate in Uzbekistan averaged 7.72 percent from 2006 until 2018, reaching an all-time high of 9.80 percent in the third quarter of 2007 and a record low of 3.60 percent in the first quarter of 2006.

GDP Annual Growth Rate in Uzbekistan is expected to be 5.00 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, it is expected GDP Annual Growth Rate in Uzbekistan to stand at 4.80 in 12 months-time. In the long-term, the Uzbekistan GDP Annual Growth Rate is projected to trend around 5.20 percent in 2020, according to the econometric models.

Meanwhile Uzbekistan granted visa-free entry to citizens of 45 countries to boost tourism, which the government views as vital for economic growth.

The countries benefiting from a 30-day visa waiver that went into force include the majority of European countries including Britain as well as Australia, Canada, Argentina and Chile. The United States is a notable exception.

The country has made tourism a priority to reduce its dependence on commodity exports.

The government is keen to show off the lavish Silk Road heritage of ancient cities such as Bukhara, Khiva and Samarkand.

Earlier, Uzbekistan granted a 30-day visa waiver to Germany while France became the first European Union country to benefit from the measure last year.

Uzbekistan’s tourism committee said last month that annual visitor numbers for 2018 were 5.3 million, double the figure for 2017.

President Mirziyoyev has reversed a number of policies that hampered tourism under his late predecessor Islam Karimov.

Uzbekistan already offers visa-free entry to visitors from Turkey, Israel, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan, in addition to long-standing reciprocal visa-free entry for citizens of most former Soviet countries.

Uzbekistan is working to join the World Trade Organization and it is currently an observer in the body. In case the country completes joining the WTO, it can flourish its economy because of its huge potentials.

The country with almost 33m population has good labor force which can set bright future for its economy.

By: F. Taherpour Asl

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The Minister informed journalists about the upcoming International Conference “Central Asian Connectivity: Challenges and new Opportunities”, which will be held on February 19-20, 2019 in Tashkent.

It is expected that the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will deliver a welcoming speech at the opening ceremony of the conference.

The conference is held within the framework of implementation of the main priorities of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy, determined by the Head of the state.

The conference is organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia.

Over 100 leading experts of analytical centers from Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Germany, Georgia, Denmark, Egypt, Israel, India, Iran, Spain, Italy, Kazakhstan, Canada, China, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Thailand, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Finland, France, Sweden, Japan will attend the conference. They will discuss the current state of regional cooperation and deepening cooperation in security, trade, transport, water use, education and science.

Regional structures – the European Union, the Nordic Council, the Arctic Advisory Board, as well as international financial institutions – the World Bank, the WTO, the European Investment Bank and others will also be present at the event.

By: F. Taherpour Asl

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The event, held at the Palace of Symposiums in Tashkent, was attended by members of the Senate and deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, heads of the Cabinet of Ministers, ministries and departments, representatives of diplomatic corps and representative offices of international organizations. The event was observed by deputies of regional, district and city Councils of People’s Deputies, heads of the state governing bodies and administration, as well as ambassadors of Uzbekistan abroad, via videoconferencing.

A year ago, for the first time in the history of Uzbekistan, the President addressed the Oliy Majlis. Deeply thought-out plans for the current year were outlined, good initiatives were forwarded for creating decent living conditions for people in this guide to action that is aimed at radical improvement of all spheres.

The Head of the state in that Address proposed to name 2018 as the Year of supporting active entrepreneurship, innovative ideas and technologies. This year, which has become the next stage of implementing the Action Strategy on five priority areas of development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2017–2021, tremendous creative work has been carried out to further enhance the wellbeing of the country.

The current Address also analyzes activities implemented in 2018. Plans for the next year and the main directions of domestic and foreign policy of the state are outlined.

It was noted that real incomes of the population increased by 12 percent compared to 2017. Due to tax revenues that exceeded the forecast parameters, the regions received an additional 5.5 trillion UZS. This is 6 times more compared to the last year, and 32 times more than in 2016.

Constant attention was paid by the state to creating conditions for people to be satisfied with their lives. 416 villages acquired a new look within the framework of “Prosperous village” and “Prosperous neighborhood” programs. Consistent implementation of “Every family is an entrepreneur” and “Youth is our future” projects has begun.

The Address also highlights important steps in other spheres of socio-economic life. Specific measures have been identified on creating an open economy, radically improving the business environment and investment climate, reducing the state presence in the economy, improving the living conditions of the population.

At the suggestion of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, 2019 has been declared as the “Year of Active Investments and Social Development” as a logical continuation of activities that begun in 2018 and to raise it to an even higher level.

In general, the execution of each priority task indicated in the Address will open a new page in the history of Uzbekistan, will serve as a solid foundation for achieving new, even higher goals.

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The event was attended by government and public figures, representatives of science and art, head of embassies of foreign countries and representative offices of international organizations.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev congratulated people on this bright holiday and stressed that the deep study and understanding of the Basic Law, the strict observance of its requirements is the sacred duty of each citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

From the first days when Shavkat Mirziyoyev took office as President, constitutional principle – state bodies and officials shall be accountable to the society and the citizens, became the cornerstone of state policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The Head of the state defined the most important criterion of activity governing bodies – to conduct a constant dialogue with people, solve problems concerning them, do everything to meet the needs and requirements of people. All the state governing bodies must to work according to the principle “The people must not serve the Government bodies, rather the Government bodies must serve the people”, urged the head of state.

In the Republic of Uzbekistan over the past two years have been taken important measures to create a reliable system of justice that can ensure justice under any circumstances. The practice of re-considering cases by the courts for many years has been completely discontinued. The powers of lawyers in ensuring the rights and freedoms of citizens have been expanded. Information technologies have been introduced in order to ensure openness and legality, as well as to reduce costs in the judicial-investigative activities.

The Head of the state emphasized the main goal of Constitution is creating decent conditions for the prosperous life of people. He noted that taking into account the views of the public and international experts, the Concept for Improving Tax Policy was adopted, according to which tax rates will be reduced, some duties and payments canceled, which will stimulate the development of entrepreneurship and increase employment.

The President of Uzbekistan outlined a range of upcoming tasks for the full support of entrepreneurship, creation of broad conditions for investors, as well as a decrease in the level of inflation.

“If we want to build a really solid economy in our country, live as richly and safely as people of the developed countries of the world, we, no matter how difficult it is, must implement the mechanisms of a real market economy, and do it not formally, somehow, but deeply thought out. This is the only true way. There is no other alternative. We will resolutely continue the initiated reforms, and they will surely give a positive result”, said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

In his address, the Head of the state also informed about important measures taken on implementation of social rights of citizens, educating and training youth, providing jobs and housing, supporting pensioners.

At the meeting it was noted that in order to live well, it is necessary first of all to work well, not only enjoy the rights and freedoms, but also deeply feel the responsibility.

President also emphasized that strengthening the desire of youth to acquire knowledge, supporting entrepreneurial initiatives, developing cooperation with foreign countries in various areas will continue to be in the center of ongoing reforms in Uzbekistan.

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 An Iranian company is going to import a host of vehicles from Uzbekistan, Uzbek media outlets reported.

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This follows from the Presidential Decree “On additional organizational measures to create favorable conditions for the development of the tourism potential of the Republic of Uzbekistan”.

For legal entities, the main activity of which is the organization of the theme park services, the Decree provides privileges in the form of exemption from the payment of corporate income tax, land tax and property tax, as well as a single tax payment for a period of 3 years from the date of their commissioning of theme parks.

Also by the Decree until January 1, 2022, theme parks, hotels and other accommodation facilities are exempted from customs payments for imported equipment, machinery, raw materials, components and spare parts, construction and other materials, not produced in the Republic of Uzbekistan, for the construction, reconstruction and equipping of theme parks, hotels and other accommodation facilities.

In addition, until January 1, 2022, privileges were also granted to business entities in the sphere of tourism in the form of exemption from payment of customs payments for vehicles of the tourist class imported to the territory of the republic, as well as equipment, mechanisms and spare parts for the construction, roads, ski lifts, funiculars and other similar facilities and structures, as well as balloons, aerostats, ATVs and motor boats according to the lists approved in the established order.

The decree is authorized, on an exceptional basis, to tourist operators registered in the Republic of Karakalpakstan to pay customs fees in the amount of 25 percent of the current rate for imported vehicles of increased cross-country capacity of the engine at least 2.4 liters with installments for 5 years for the organization of extreme tours with assignment to them of separate series of state registration number plates for vehicles and use exclusively on the territory of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

With the aim of accelerating the introduction of information technologies in the field of tourism and the development of E-commerce, the Decree provides for the provision of tax incentives aimed at encouraging the introduction of E-services, including the provision of services for the sale of tourist products and / or online booking of travel services, since 1 January 2018 electronic payments, booking, acquiring and others, as well as specialized Internet sites and portals offering modern types of tourist services.

Taxes also stimulate the creation of access points to the Internet using Wi-Fi technology. The requirement to provide access of the appropriate quality with mandatory identification of users for operators, providers and other economic entities that created in the public places a zone of free wireless Internet access (Wi-Fi). Economic entities established on their territory a zone of free wireless Internet access (Wi-Fi), a tax break designed to purchase equipment and purchase Internet traffic for the deployment of a wireless access area of appropriate quality. Operators, providers and other business entities that created in public places of the zone of free wireless access to the Internet (Wi-Fi) granted the right to install an advertising banner or stretch area of no more than 18 square meters in the territory of such a zone on a non-refundable basis and without obtaining permission from the relevant state authorities in the field.

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The reigning champions will now face China PR in Wednesday’s quarter-finals, while Uzbekistan will regroup ahead of their meeting with Japan.

Playing against Shahrzad Mozafar’s team is never easy, but Uzbekistan’s task was made considerably more difficult by the absence of their two specialist goalkeepers, who were both shown red cards in their previous match against Turkmenistan.

Field player Iradahon Turdalieva stepped into the breach and conceded after just 19 seconds when Tanzilya Zarbieva’s attempted block flew into her own net.

Sara Shirbeigi’s deflected effort doubled the lead a minute later and when Fereshteh Karimi fired in a simply unstoppable free-kick, and it was 3-0 to Iran in the blink of an eye.

That signalled the start of Avaz Maksumov’s utilisation of Maluda Munaraova as a floating goalkeeper whenever Uzbekistan took possession of the ball. The ploy worked insofar as the Iranian goal rush temporarily ceased while the Uzbeks enjoyed far more possession.

Iran added a fourth goal when Fatemeh Etedadi pounced on a loose ball after Turdalieva spilled a shot in the 10th minute, before Uzbekistan created some reasonable scoring chances – and one excellent one for Lyudmila Karachik – late in the first half.

Uzbekistan were made to pay for their extensive use of power plays when Shirbeigi found the empty net after winning possession deep inside her own half four minutes into the second period, and Fatemeh Arzhangi made it 6-0 when she teamed up nicely with Arezoo Sadaghianizadeh a minute later.

Despite the heavy deficit, Uzbekistan showed glimpses of their quality and they were rewarded for a strong spell when Rushaniya Safina turned to drive home a 30th minute goal.

Safina had a great chance to score again moments later, but Iranian goalkeeper Farzaneh Tavasoli produced the crucial intervention when the 25-year-old opted to pass instead of shoot.

The six-goal lead was restored when Shirbeigi once again brilliantly fired into the empty net from long range to complete her hat-trick in the 32nd minute, then extended by Etedadi two minutes later after another loss of possession was punished.

While Iran’s goals were piling up, so too were their fouls. Their sixth for the half gave Maftuna Shoyimova the chance to score from the second penalty spot, which she took in the 38th minute.

Tavasoli saved Shoyimova’s repeat effort after another foul a minute later, before Fereshteh Khosravi’s back post tap in rounded out the scoring at 9-2 in the closing moments.

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