On June 12 in Tashkent was held the second round of the Uzbek-Mongolian consultation of the foreign ministries.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan said the sides exchanged opinion ion international and regional issues. The side discussed perspectives of developing the Uzbek-Mongolian political interaction, trade-economic cooperation, including in agriculture, environment protection, telecommunication, tourism and others.
The sides agreed to continue political dialogue between the foreign ministries of two states, conduct business forum in Tashkent with the participation of business circles of Mongolia, boost academic and scientific cooperation.
The Mongolian side proposed to hold the third round of consultations between foreign ministries in Ulaanbaatar in the second half of 2011.

On June 17 the World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved a $ 25 million credit to the Republic of Uzbekistan for the Energy Efficiency Facility for Industrial Enterprises Project (UZEEF). The Project’s objective is to improve energy efficiency in industrial enterprises by designing and establishing a financing mechanism for energy saving investments.
The Government of Uzbekistan has declared energy savings and efficiency improvements in industrial enterprises as one of its key economic priorities. Improving energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption in the production process will improve Uzbek industries’ overall competitiveness, free up scarce gas resources for exports and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Two state-owned banks (Asaka Bank and Uzpromstroybank) and a private bank (Hamkorbank) are the financial intermediaries for the Project.

On June 18 it became known that Uzsuvenergo completed trials of small hydro power station (HPS) at Akhangaran water reservoir and completing trials at Andijan HPS-2.
Introduction of Akhangaran HPS and Andijan HPS-2 will complete the first stage of programme on construction of high-pressure hydro power stations at used water reservoirs.
Launch of two facilities of Akhangaran HPS will increase energy potential of Uzbekistan by 66.5 kilowatt-hour a year, while commissioning of Andijan HSP-2 by 171 kilowatt-hour a year.
Currently, Andijan, Tuyamuyun, Tupolang and Urgut hydropower stations are producing electricity from water flow.
In near future, it is planned to commission hydro power station at Gissar water reservoir in Kashkadarya region with the capacity of 80.1 million kilowatt-hour a year.
Hydro power stations are also constructed at irrigation channels and natural waterways. In 2003, the Urgut hydro power station at Dargom channel of Surkhandarya region was launched. Currently, the issues on construction of small hydro power stations at Gulba overfall at Dargom channel in Samarkand region and Ertashsay river in Tashkent region are under consideration.

On June 18, the press service of Uzbekneftegaz reported that management of Uzbekneftegaz held negotiations with partners from China. In particular, the Uzbek company hold talks with China State Energy Resource Bureau Zhan Gobao and delegation of CNPC led by its president Jiang Jiemin.
The sides underlined that development of economic, political relations and level of cooperation between Uzbekistan and China, which will promote to establishment of mutual beneficial partnership in oil and gas industry.
The participants discussed perspectives of existing projects and broadening cooperation within new directions.
Uzbekneftegaz also held meeting with the representatives of China Development Bank to discuss mechanisms of attracting credit lines for implementation of new projects.
The Chinese delegation paid a visit to Uzbekistan within the state visit of the Chinese President Hu Jintao. The sides inked several document.

On June 18 Gazeta.uz reported that GM Uzbekistan, an Uzbek-US carmaker, opened its distribution center in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan.
UzAvtoSanoat recalled that Uzbekistan currently works in Georgia, Armenia, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Azerbaijan.
Inter Asia Trade will represent GM Uzbekistan in Afghan city. Inter Asia Trade head Abduljamil Sherjon received certificate on handing over distribution rights of GM Uzbekistan and SamAvto in Afghanistan. Products of GM Uzbekistan and SamAvto will be traded through the center.
Representative of GM Uzbekistan and SamAvto, heads of administration of Balh province and other participated at the opening ceremony of the distribution center.
Abdusalam Kurbanov, GM Uzbekistan sales department’s head, said the company is ready to offer to Afghan partners wide range of vehicles and agriculture equipment, including Isuzu buses and lorries, MAN trucks, tractors, etc.
Inter Asia Trade Co. Ltd was founded in 2007 and it imports and exports various products, including consumer goods, oil products, construction material, etc. The company also engaged in internal and international transportation, house construction, and others.
The center will realize Nexia and Lacetti, Matiz, Epica and Captiva models, as well as buses and lorries from SamAvto.

On June 19 UzDaily.com reported that a delegation of Italy led by chairman of the Union of 13 provinces and head of Syracuse administration Nikolo Bono held negotiations with the chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan Alisher Shaykhov.
The sides exchanged opinion on current state and perspectives of trade-economic and investment relations between Uzbekistan and Italy, as well as further developing cooperation among small and private businesses, tourism companies and cultural establishments.
Nikolo Bono said that Uzbekistan and Italy has great opportunities for developing relations in many spheres. He said Syracuse hosted Days of Uzbekistan and Italians received information on investment and tourism potential of Uzbekistan, its traditions and customs. He called for developing mutual beneficial partnership in trade, economy, culture and tourism.
The Italian delegation also held talks in some ministries and departments of Uzbekistan.

Sources: www.mfa.uz, www.uzreport.com, www.uzdaily.com
Prepared by Jasur Eshniyazov, expert of CPS