On February 16 President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov met with president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Haruhiko Kuroda.
At the meeting, H.Kuroda said that the ADB intends to enhance the scope of interaction with the republic in a range of sectors of the economy.
Prospects to consolidate cooperation as well as other subjects of mutual interest were discussed at the occasion.
It should be noted that the ADB has consistently elaborated – together with Uzbek specialists – and implemented a strategy of cooperation with Uzbekistan in various sectors of economy. The 43rd Annual Meeting of ADB, to be called in early May this year in Tashkent, will be the Bank’s first such gathering in the Central Asian region, in acknowledgement by the international community of the model of economic reforms constantly perfected in the republic.
Besides, Uzbekistan is planning to attract 3 million funds of the ADB for realization of priority projects within three years.
Currently, Uzbekistan and ADB are planning to develop and realize 19 priority projects in line with Financial Cooperation Programme, designed for three years. The bank periodically develops and implements strategy and cooperation programme in Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan joined ADB in August 1995 and since that time has received 30 ADB loans totaling newscat="news%" newspage="/news/" number="5" showpages="true".2 billion and technical assistance of million.

On February 19 President of Uzbekistan I.Karimov met with Richard Holbrooke, US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
At the meeting, President I.Karimov expressed the attitude of the country toward further development of Uzbek-American relations on a constructive basis to ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan.
At the talk, R.Holbrooke expressed the interest of US administration in strengthening the mutual cooperation with Uzbekistan to maintain regional security. The US Special Representative stressed the particular importance of the position of Uzbekistan to address the Afghan conflict.
Also, prospects of bilateral cooperation development as well as other topics of mutual interest were discussed at the meeting.
Today, Uzbekistan supplies Afghanistan with energy, soft commodities, builds transportation system and provides aid in different spheres of socioeconomic reconstruction. For example, the volume of Uzbek energy supplied to Afghanistan has increased several times this year. Uzbek specialists construct the Hairaton – Mazari-Sharif railway. Large volumes of humanitarian goods and cargo are delivered to Afghanistan through the territory of Uzbekistan.

On 22 February, in press-service of the national holding company Uzbekneftegaz reported that the management of Uzbekneftegaz met the delegation of Tethys Petroleum (Canada) led by its president David Robson. The sides discussed issues on strengthening of cooperation in long-term perspective.
The companies expressed interest in expanding partnership in exploration works, including at Northern Urtabulak, Western Kruk and Chegarin fields.
Upon completion of negotiations Uzbekneftegaz and Tethys Petroleum signed a Memorandum of Cooperation.
It should be noted that, early January 2010 President of Uzbekistan I.Karimov signed an order that includes instructions to provide support to the oil and gas activities of Tethys Petroleum Limited in Uzbekistan. The Order instructs NHC Uzbekneftegaz to evaluate further expansion of cooperation with Tethys in carrying out exploration works on perspective areas and increasing oil production on existing fields.

According to the State Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan from February 24, number of permanent population of Uzbekistan grew by 467,400 or 1.7% to 28 million as of 1 January 2010.
Natural growth of population in Uzbekistan made up 519,000 and about 214,200 of them fell to rural area, the Uzbek State Statistics Committee said.
Number of births in January-December 2009 comprised 649,700 people and grew by 3,600 or 0.6% year-on-year. Coefficient of birth fell from 23.6% to 23.3% pro mil.
Decrease of birth rate in Syrdarya region (from 24.3 to 22.8 pro mil), Namangan region (from 24.4 to 23 pro mil), Samarkand region (from 25.6 to 24.2 pro mil) and Surkandarya region (from 25.9 to 24.6 pro mil) was observed.
Death rate dropped in all regions of Uzbekistan. The death rate in Tashkent city (from 7.8 to 7.1 pro mil), Andijan region (from 5.1 to 4.6 pro mil), Khorezm region (from 4.8 to 4.3 pro mil) and Karakalpakstan (from 5.4 to 4.9 pro mil) decreased.

During this period on its web-site the State Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan published data on basic indicators of socio-economic development of Uzbekistan in 2009. According to the State Statistics Committee, GDP of Uzbekistan made up 48.097 trillion soums, or grew by 8.1% year-on-year.
The industrial output of the country rose by 9% and made up 28.009 trillion soums. In the reporting period, Uzbekistan produced consumer goods for 8.809 trillion soums.
Agriculture output grew by 5.7% year-on-year to 12.642 trillion soums in the reporting period.
Retail trade turnover of Uzbekistan in 2009 made up 16.448 trillion soums, or increased by 16.6% year-on-year. The volume of paid services, rendered to population of Uzbekistan in January-December 2009, comprised 6.298 trilion soums, which is up 12.9%.
Also, foreign trade turnover of Uzbekistan made up .209 billion in 2009, or increased by 0.1% year-on-year. Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover with the CIS states comprised .006 billion and other states – .203 billion.
At the same time, exports of Uzbekistan made up .771 billion and imports reached .438 billion. The exports volume rose by 2.4% and current trade surplus made up .333 billion.
Percentage of import coverage by export comprised 124.7% compared to 118.4% in the reporting period of 2008.
Russia remained main foreign trade partner of Uzbekistan in 2009. According to the Uzbek State Statistics Committee, the share of Russia in foreign trade turnover of Uzbekistan in 2009 was 21%.
China followed Russia with the share of 9.7%. Switzerland was third largest trade partner with share of 7.9%.
Among largest trade partners of Uzbekistan were also Ukraine (7.2%), Kazakhstan (6.2%), South Korea (5.8%), Afghanistan (3.3%) and Turkey (3.2%).
Foreign trade turnover of Uzbekistan grew by 0.1% year-on-year in 2009 to .21 billion.
Besides, energy resources were the main export item of Uzbekistan in 2009. Share of energy resources in total volume of exports in Uzbekistan grew from 24.7% in 2008 to 34.2% in 2009.
At the same time, share of services in exports decreased from 10.4% in 2008 to 8.8% in 2009, cotton fiber – from 9.3% to 8.6%, ferrous and non-ferrous metals – from 7% to 5%, machinery and equipment – from 7.6% to 2.9%. Share of food stud rose from 4.5% in 208 to 6% in 2009.
Main import items were machinery and equipment, which accounted 56.5% in total imports of Uzbekistan (52.4% in 2008). Uzbekistan also imported chemical products and plastics – 11.1%, food stuff – 9%, ferrous and non-ferrous metals – 6.3% and services 4.4%.

According to reports from February 26 GM Uzbekistan is planning to increase car output by 7.3% year-on-year in 2010 to 220,000 units.
The venture plans to increase export of vehicles by 20% year-on-year to 65,000 units in 2010.
The enterprise plans to achieve its plans due to expanding production of Lacetti model and launch of production of mini-car Chevrolet Spark (Matiz - 300) in 2010.
At the end of 2008, GM Uzbekistan and GM DAT signed a contract on launch of serial production of Chevrolet Spark model in the third quarter of 2010. The project cost is 4.5 million.
The capacity of new line will be 50,000 cars a year, of which 20,000 will be exported. The founders of the venture and Uzavtosanoat will finance it due to own funds.
According to official statistics, GM Uzbekistan increased car output by 5.1% year-on-year in 2009 to 205,011 units.

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