On June 2 UzA reported that the Seventh annual dialogue of the Asian states with transition economies on economic and social policies was held in Tashkent.
The meeting was organized at the Institute of Forecasting and Macroeconomic Research under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan in cooperation with the German Technical Cooperation Society and the Asian Development Bank.
The main topic of the meeting became global financial-economic crisis, adopted measures and learnt lessons.
Representatives of economic ministries and departments, research institutes from Uzbekistan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Germany and Ireland participated at the forum.
Participants considered issues of impact of economic crisis and rehabilitation from its consequences in industry, financial and social spheres.

On June 4 it became known that Uzbekistan Temir Yollari state joint stock railway company received two electric locomotives, which were made in China. The presentation of electric locomotives was held in the Central Railway Station in Tashkent on 4 June 2010.
Uzbekistan Temir Yollari received electric locomotives within the agreement with Zhuzhou Electrical Locomotive Works. In line with the document, the Chinese company will supply 15 electric locomotives. These two locomotives are first of them. The Chinese company plans to supply other 13 by the end of 2010.
The cost of the project is $ 75.53 million, which is financed due to loan of China for $ 70.11 million and own funds of the Uzbek railway company for $ 5.42 million.
The project speed of the electric locomotives makes up 160 km per hour, which will allow to double passenger turnover at the electrified railway roads of Uzbekistan.
Chinese producer is taking into account requests of Uzbek customers and climate conditions in the country. The company is also using components, produced in Germany, Russia, Czech Republic and others, in production of locomotives for Uzbekistan.
Currently, Uzbekistan has 4,300 km railways and 1,000 were electrified. Share of electric locomotives is 23.5% in total locomotive fleet of Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is planning to increase electrified railroads to 2,000 km and increase passenger and cargo transportation speed to 160 km/h and 120 km/h respectively.

On June 4 UzDaily.com reported that Posco Engineering & Construction (South Korea) and China Road and Bridge Corporation won tender on reconstruction of two parts of Guzar-Bukhara-Nukus-Beinau highway (A-380).
South Korean company will reconstruct 91 km part of highway, while Chinese corporation will repair road with the extension of 41 km. The sides will complete works by the end of 2011.
It is planned to construct three areas of 4-lanes cement concrete pavement with total extension of 91 km within the project.
The project cost is $ 173.5 million. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) allocated a loan to Uzbekistan for $ 75.3 million. The loan was issued in April 2008 under the guarantee of the government. The loan was allocated for 24 years with four-year period. Interest rate is LIBOR plus 0.2%. Uzbekistan will also invest $ 98.2 million to the project.
The loan will be directed at purchasing modern road construction equipment, carrying out construction work and managing project.
A-380 highway with extension of 1,204 km is part of transit corridor, which links Uzbekistan with Afghanistan and Turkmenistan in south and Kazakhstan in north.
As earlier reported, the ADB allocated $ 600 million of multitranche financing facility to construct road, which will link Uzbekistan with neighbouring states. The objectives are to reconstruct over 220 km of the A380 highway, and to provide training support for improved planning, project management, road asset management, and community facilities.
In early May, the ADB and the Government of Uzbekistan inked the agreement on first tranche for $ 115 million within the multitranche financing facility.

On June 7 President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov held negotiations with special representative of the Russian President on development of relations with the Kyrgyz Republic Vladimir Rushaylo.
During the meeting at Oqsaroy redicence, the sides discussed issues of developing situation in the region and cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and other multilateral mechanisms on ensuring regional security and stability, as well as other issues of mutual interest.

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