Administrative Barriers to Entrepreneurship in Central Asia
PORTAL NEWS
1. The first Working Paper is developed within the
Central Asian Gateway project! The report on «Regional Integration
and Security in Central Asia: Search for New Interaction Mechanisms for
Analytical Community and Governments during Formulation and Promotion of
Regional Initiatives» research study was based on the work of
multinational group of experts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan
and Uzbekistan. The research was conducted with the purpose of
strengthening capacities of think tanks in Central Asia in policy advice
on regional cooperation issues. Click here to view the report.
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EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
- REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP
1. May 15, 2006. Islam Karimov and Vladimir Putin met in
Sochi. President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov paid working visit to
Russia. Meeting of Presidents of the two countries was held at
Presidential residence “Bocharov ruchey” in Sochi. The sides discussed
the issues on further development of bilateral relations, expansion of
trade-economic cooperation, as well as regional and international issues
of mutual interest. More
information…
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2. May 17-19, 2006. CICMA working group convened in
Almaty. The Special Working Group of the Conference on Interaction
and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICMA) held its regular
session in Almaty. The parties approved draft Agreement on CICMA
Secretariat, which will be signed at its II Summit on June 17, 2006, in
Almaty. This document is one of the mot important instruments for the
Conference’s institutionalization and further development. Draft
Declaration of the II CICMA Summit was discussed as well. More
information…
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3. May 19, 2006. 15th session of EAEC Interstate
Council.The 15th session of the Interstate Council of the Eurasian
Economic Community (EAEC) took place in the Belarus capital of Minsk.
The Council’s session was focused on prospects of further expansion of
trade and economic cooperation between member nations of the Community.
The EAEC members are Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan
and Uzbekistan. More information…
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4. May 19, 2006. Nursultan Nazarbayev, Turkish PM
held talks in Antalya. The visiting Head of the State Nursultan
Nazarbayev met with Prime Minister of Turkey Rejep Tayyip Erdogan in
Antalya. In the course of the talks the parties discussed issues on
further development of bilateral relations and strengthening of trade
and economic collaboration, urgent problems of regional and
international policy. More
information…
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5. May 20, 2006. The "Silk Road of XXI century: role
of oil-and-gas sector in integration of Central Asian countries"
conference was held in Tashkent. During the conference the
representatives of the largest oil-and-gas companies from more than ten
countries, leading experts of the given sphere discussed the issues
concerning the present state of fuel and energy complex, attraction of
foreign investments and transit. More
information…
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6. May 22, 2006. Kazakhstan is ready to become EU
partner in neighbourliness policy. That was stated by Kassymzhomart
Tokayev, Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, at the international conference
"New Economic Co-operation Prospects in Central Asia" in Berlin."
"Presently there is a necessity of bringing co-operation between RK and
the EU to a new level by means of our country's accession to the
neighbourliness policy," - Mr. Tokayev said. More
information...
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7. May 22, 2006. "Central Asia plays one of the
leading roles in the world market." According to participants of the
"Silk Way of the 21st century: Role of oil and gas sector in the
integration of the Central Asian countries" international conference,
which took place in Tashkent, the significance of Central Asia at the
world energy market increases annually. In his speech President of
Lukoil OJSC Vagit Alekperov noted that today Central Asia is one of the
largest supplyers at the world market. More
information...
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8. May 23, 2006. Made in EAEC. Under agreement
signed at the 15th meeting of the Eurasian Economic Community (EAEC)
Interstate Council (May 19, in Minsk) goods manufactured within the area
of the Community will be marked by a common trademark. More
information...
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9. May 23, 2006. Heads of communications authorities
met in Tashkent. The 35th session of Council of heads of
communications of Regional Commonwealth in the field of communications
and information was held in Tashkent. Heads of communications
authorities from the CIS countries, observers from Latvia, Lithuania,
representatives from Deutsche Telekom (Germany), the Estonian
joint-stock company "Estetelecom", and also representatives of the
International Union of Telecommunications, Executive Committee of the
CIS, heads of some domestic and foreign companies participated in the
event. More information...
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10. May 23, 2006. Iran ready for full SCO
membership. The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to become a full
member of the Shanghai Co-operation Organization. Ramin Mehman Parast,
Ambassador of Iran to Kazakhstan, has stated this in Almaty. "When we
are accepted we do not know. There must be a certain procedure," - Mr.
Mehman Parast has stressed, noting that Iran's wish to become the SCO
member is not related to its nuclear programme. More
information...
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11. May 24, 2006. President Islam Karimov received
German official. President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received
chairman of Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations Klaus
Mangold. During the meeting in Oqsaroy residence the sides discussed
issues on further expansion of trade and economic relations between
Uzbekistan and Germany, prospects for cooperation of small and private
businesses. More information...
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12. May 25, 2006. Uzbekistan to join EAEC
international treaties. Uzbekistan will join all documents adopted
within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Community (EAEC) by the
end of 2006 as part of its accession to this regional economic
organization, the EAEC Secretary General Grigory Rapota told in Dushanbe
on May 24. According to him, Uzbekistan should join 80 documents. More
information...
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13. May 25, 2006. Kazakhstan hosted McKinsey's First
Forum. Almaty hosted the McKinsey's First Forum East-West
Conference, organized by the world-known consulting company McKinsey
(Kazakhstan Government's adviser in foundation of Samruk and Kazyna
state holding companies). It was dedicated to discuss potential of
widening regional cooperation in metallurgy and oil and gas industries.
For two days the participants debated key issues on global collaboration
with Russia and China. More
information...
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14. May 26, 2006. 5th session of the Asian
Cooperation Dialogue FMs in Qatar. The 5th session of Foreign
Affairs Ministers of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD)
member-countries was held in Doha, Qatar. The FMs exchanged views on
topic issues of the Asian continent, expansion of cooperation among ACD
participants, and boosting efficiency of the forum. Following results of
the discussion they adopted Doha Declaration. More
information...
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15. May 26, 2006. Uzbek and Iranian businessmen met
in seminar in Tashkent. Business-seminar with participation of
business circles of Uzbekistan and Iran was held within the framework of
the third specialized exhibition of Islamic Republic Iran, which has
opened in Uzexpocenter in Tashkent. The seminar discussed the
development of trade and economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and
Iran. Over hundred Iranian businessmen have got acquainted with economic
and investment potential of Uzbekistan within the seminar. More
information...
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16. May 26, 2006. CSTO, International Migration
Organization widen cooperation. The experts of the CSTO Secretariat
and International Organization for Migration (IOM) held consultations on
elaboration of draft Protocol on Cooperation. The talks were held within
the agreements reached last November by CSTO secretary general Nikolai
Bordyuzha and head of the Moscow office of IOM Mark Getchell.
Cooperation of two organizations is aimed at development of teamwork in
exchanging information on regional and world migration situation, its
growing trends, structural and qualitative changes in migration flows,
forming legal basis and illicit migration counteraction. More
information...
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17. May 26, 2006. CIS Prime Ministers signed 17
documents in Dushanbe. 17 documents have been signed at the summit
of CIS Prime Ministers. The documents have been passed without a
discussion. In particular, it is a decision to carry out a census in CIS
countries before 2010, introduce changes in the rules of defining a
commodity's country of origin, a protocol on changes in the agreement on
co-operation in forestry and forest industry, the agreement on
harmonizing technical regulations, on co-operation in physical culture
and sports, etc. More information...
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18. May 26, 2006. Uzbekistan and Tajikistan join
Asia Cooperation Dialogue. Uzbekistan and Tajikistan joined to Asia
Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) during the organization’s foreign ministers'
summit in Doha, Qatar. A Doha Declaration, issued after a two-day
meeting, said these two countries increase number of ACD member states
to 30. The Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) was inaugurated in June 2002
in Cha-Am, Thailand, where 18 Asian Foreign Ministers met together for
the first time. The ACD is a continent-wide forum, the first of its kind
in Asia. More information...
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19. May 29, 2006. Boris Gryzlov notes significance
of Uzbekistan's accession to EurAsEC. Uzbekistan's accession to the
Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC) is significant and important,
chairman of State Duma of Russia Boris Gryzlov said in Minsk at the
meeting of the President of Belarus with Heads of the parliaments of
EurAsEC. Following Uzbekistan's accession, the Community's population
exceeded 200 million, Gryzlov added. More
information...
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20. May 29, 2006. EurAsEC, SCO and CICMA components
of future Eurasianism, Nursultan Nazarbayev. Eurasianism is the idea
of the XXI century, President Nursultan Nazarbayev has voiced delivering
a lecture in the Gumilyov Eurasian National University in Astana.
“Eurasianism dates back to 19th century but to date it has another
contour. Eurasian integration is a diamond in the crown of integration
processes which claim globalization”, Nursultan Nazarbayev added. More
information...
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21. May 29, 2006. Regional trade in Central Asia
under-developed, says international expert. Mr. Johannes Lynn,
Executive Director of the Wolfensohn Initiative at the Brookings
Institution (Washington) considers that customs and border barriers
impede development of trade in Central Asia. “Inter-regional trade has
not yet entered a higher level,” Mr. Lynn remarked telling a
videoconference held with participation of representatives from civil
societies of Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan
According to him, Central Asian states experts are limited to natural
resources, “while there are potentials for exporting finished products”.
More
information…
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- ECONOMIC REFORMS
1. May 16, 2006. IMF continues supporting of 3-year
economic reforms program in Kyrgyzstan. The International Monetary
Fund (IMF) has considered and approved implementation of the 3 years
program of conducting of economic reforms by Kyrgyzstan. Such decision
means that Kyrgyzstan can receive the second part of the credit - 1,86
million $. The three years program of IMF on assistance to poverty
reduction in Kyrgyzstan was developed in February 2005 and provides
stage-by-stage allocation of loans to the republic totaling 13,6 million
$. More information...
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2. May 17, 2006. Islamic Bank of Development
suggests Kyrgyzstan to introduce Islamic principle of financing in
commercial banks. This was expressed by Head of the Department of
assets and liabilities of the IBD Vasim Ahmed Abdulvahat during the
meeting with the Minister of Economy and Finance Akylbek Japarov. He
noted: “The Islamic principle of financing is obviously possible for
Kyrgyzstan on all directions, we need to study only opportunities of
realization of the pilot project on introduction of the Islamic banking
on the basis of commercial banks of Kyrgyzstan”. More
information...
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3. May 17, 2006. Lukoil to strengthen its position
in Uzbekistan. The Agreement on Allied Relation, signed by President
of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and Russian President Vladimir Putin in
November 2005, has lifted cooperation of two countries on qualitatively
new level, including in economic sphere. The largest Russian company
Lukoil launched "Lukoil Uzbekistan Operating Company" in Tashkent for
development Kandim gas deposits according to Agreement on production
sharing. More information...
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4. May 17, 2006. Tajikistan works out new investment
projects providing access to the Indian Ocean. Specialists from
Tajik Railways have worked out new investment projects providing access
to other countries, Tajik Railways first deputy head Vladimir Sobkalov
said telling the session of member nations of the Organization for
Cooperation of Railways (OSZhD) in Dushanbe. According to him, these
investment projects provide rail accesses to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and
Iran. He noted that implementation of those projects would provide to
the CIS states access to seaports on the Indian Ocean. More
information...
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5. May 18, 2006. Uzbek President decrees On
organization of the activity of Uzbekistan Development Fund.
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a resolution "On measures
on organization of activity of Fund on Reconstruction and Development of
Uzbekistan". Earlier on May, 11 Uzbek President decreed to create Fund
on Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan. More
information...
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6. May 19, 2006. LUKOIL to start commercial gas
production in Uzbekistan. One of the largest oil and gas companies
of Russia LUKOIL JSC intends to start commercial gas production in
Uzbekistan in 2007. President of the company Vagit Alekperov announced
about it at the international conference "Oil and gas – 2006". More
information...
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7. May 22, 2006. Russian aluminum giant starts
preparatory work on construction of Roghun plant in Tajikistan
Russian company “Russkii Aluminii” (Russian Aluminum or RusAl) has set
to preparatory works on the construction of the Roghun hydropower plant
in Tajikistan. RusAl will invest US$50 million in the Roghun project
this year. The investments will go to providing necessary conditions for
training and dwellings of specialists that will be involved in the
construction of the station, as well as for carrying out immediate works
on rehabilitation and construction of infrastructure and purchase of
special construction equipment and machines. More
information...
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8. May 24, 2006. Tajikistan, European Commission to
sign grant agreements for amount of Euro 15.5 million. Tajikistan
and the European Commission intend to sign two grant agreements totaling
Euro 15.5 million this year. The first grant agreement for Euro 8.5
million, negotiations on which are nearing completion, is aimed at
providing food security of the republic. The second grant agreement for
Euro 7 million will be used for serving Tajikistan’s external debt. More
information...
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9. May 26, 2006. The largest foreighn companies are
ready to invest in Kyrgyzstan. The group of businessmen representing
investment bank and the largest investment companies of different
countries of the world (top-100) arrived in Bishkek for learning of
investment climate and opportunities of investing in economy of
Kyrgyzstan. "We want to make business in this part of the world, our
visit to Kyrgyzstan is to confirm it”, Roland Nash, managing director,
the co-chairman of the Equity Product Group and strategist of Renessance
Capital said. More information...
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10. May 26, 2006. Kazakh-German project of Senior
Experten Service presented in Kazakhstan. Presentation of the
project within the framework of the Kazakh-German program on economic
development took place in Petropavlovsk. Senior Experten Service is a
fund, which supports international cooperation. It joins more than 7
thousand experts from different branches of economy. This service works
in 152 countries of the world. More
information...
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11. May 29, 2006. Pakistanis intend to invest in
economy of Kyrgyzstan. Pakistanis are intending to invest in economy
of Kyrgyzstan, president of the kyrgyz-pakistani business forum, the
Pearl Fabrics Corporation president Sheikh Manzar Alam declared at the
meeting with Medetbek Kerimkulov, Head of the Ministry of Industry,
Trade and Tourism. More information...
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12. May 29, 2006. Tajikistan to set up commission
for cooperation with Russian Gazprom. Tajikistan has launched
preparations for setting up a working commission for opening
representative office of joint-stock company “Zarubezhneftgaz” (Russian
overseas oil-and-gas company) – affiliate of Russian energy giant
“Gazprom” – in the republic. The commission comprising representatives
of the ministries of energy, economy and trade, as well as other
government agencies and departments overseeing the sector will deal with
the legal and technical aspects of creating the Tajik-Russian joint
venture in the oil and gas sphere. More
information...
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- CIVIL SOCIETY
1. May 15, 2006. Issues of interaction between NGOs
and the state executive bodies were discussed in Tajik capital The
roundtable meeting organized by the Dushanbe Civil Society Support
Center was held in Dushanbe. The meeting participants were represented
by the Dushanbe-based NGOs and municipal administration. The meeting
focused on the issues related to establishment of efficient cooperation
between non-government organizations and the executive power bodies. More
information...
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2. May 17, 2006. Ombudsmen activity was debated at
international forum in Astana. International conference "Sustainable
development of human rights in conditions of effectively acting
Institute of Ombudsman" took place in the conference hall of Senate of
the Kazakh Parliament in Astana. The roundtable was organized by the
Institute of Human Rights Commissioner, Kazakh Parliament’s Senate, and
Ombudsmen of Spain and Greece under the auspices of European Union (EU).
Functioning models of European ombudsmen were presented at the forum.
Besides, the participants discussed interaction of ombudsmen with
law-enforcement agencies and their role in democratic processes. More
information...
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3. May 17, 2006. Children protection authority
should be created in Kazakhstan - Minister of Education. Byrganym
Aitimova, Minister of Education and Science of RK, supports
establishment of the national authority for protection of the rights of
the child in Kazakhstan. More
information...
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4. May 18-19, 2006. A conference on human
trafficking took place in Astana. The regional conference on
"Central Asian states on human trafficking counteraction-regional
response" was held in Astana. The delegates from Azerbaijan, Belarus,
Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, Canada, Russia, the US, Croatia,
experts of the leading international organizations, and NGOs attended it
along with the Central Asian countries' representatives. The aim of the
event is to strengthen mutual understanding and coordinate activity of
all the interested structures in enhancing security, respect human
rights and law supremacy in the region. More
information...
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5. May 18, 2006. ADB office donates computer
equipment to help disabled people in Uzbekistan. The Asian
Development Bank's office in Uzbekistan is helping a number of
orphanages and institutions for disabled people improve and expand their
services through the donation of much needed computer equipment. ADB's
Uzbekistan Resident Mission (URM) presented the equipment to two
orphanages, one of which is for disabled children, as well as the
Tashkent region Center for Economic and Social Assistance to Disabled
People, School No. 66 for disabled children from poor families, and the
Tashkent Prenatal Care Center. More
information…
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6. May 24, 2006. "Children of the World for
Nuclear-Free Future Movement" to be created in Kazakhstan. The
participants of the "Samal movement – 15 years of activity: success,
present and future" international conference that will be held in
Pavlodar on June 1-3, will adopt a resolution on creation and
establishment of the "Children of the world for nuclear-free future
international peace-making movement" in Kazakhstan. The organizers of
the forum are Nevada-Semipalatinsk international antinuclear movement,
Polygon-August 29 international charity fund and akimat of Pavlodar.
Delegates from regions of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan,
Great Britain, Holland, Japan, representatives of foreign organizations
and NGOs were invited to the forum. More
information…
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- ICT FOR DEVELOPMENT
1. May 24-25, 2006. International
Scientific-Practical Conference «Actual problems of Electronic Digital
Signature Use». Tashkent hosted international scientific-practical
conference "Actual problems of Electronic Digital Signature Use". The
following questions were discussed at the conference: Development of
information and telecommunication infrastructure; Information society
and the advanced directions of its functioning; Tasks and problems of
infrastructure creation; experience and tasks of mutual recognition of
open keys infrastructure. More
information…
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- EDUCATION
1. May 16, 2006. Egyptian delegation visits
Andijan. Secretary General of Arabian Universities Association
doctor Salih Hashim visited Andijan region. This influential
international organization unites 173 universities from 22 Arabian
countries. The purpose of association is to adjust versatile scientific
communications, rendering assistance to strengthening of potential of
higher educational institutions of Arabian world. The purpose of the
visit to get familiarized with higher educational institutions of
Uzbekistan and establishment of scientific contacts. More
information…
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- HEALTH
1. May 15-17, 2006. International conference on
HIV/AIDS prevention in Eastern Europe and Central Asia was held in
Moscow. The conference considered issues related to partnership on
prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. The conference was held under
auspices of the United Nations and gathered some 2,000 officials,
representatives from international organizations and NGOs involved into
the HIV/AIDS prevention issues. More
information…
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2. May 19, 2006. New diagnostic center was opened in
Bukhara. Modern diagnostic center equipped with advanced facilities
has been constructed in Bukhara within the framework of program "The
year of charity of medical workers". President Karimov took part in the
opening ceremony of this medical center. He pointed out that the medical
establishments built in the country have great importance in protection
and strengthening of the population’s health. More
information…
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3. May 19, 2006. The first summit on public health
services was held in Bishkek. Vice prime minister of Kyrgyzstan
Ishengul Boldjurova, representatives of the Health Ministry and the
Finance Ministry, non-governmental organizations, mass media and civil
society took part in its work. Representatives of the five international
donor organizations: the World Bank, Deutsche Bank of Development, the
British, Swedish, Swiss Agency on International Development, which have
made the decision to finance system of public health services of
Kyrgyzstan within the framework of the National program "Manas taalimi”,
also attended the summit. 55 million $ US will be allocated for these
purposes till 2010. In particular, in 2006 the budget of public health
services will get 7,5 million $. More
information…
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- GENDER IN DEVELOPMENT
1. May 22, 2006. Forum of women’s organizations of
Uzbekistan was held. Increasing women’s role in social and economic
life of the country was in the focus of the Forum of women’s
organizations held in Tashkent. The event was organized by the Women’s
Committee and NGO Mehr with the help of National NGOs association and
the Business Women Association "Tadbirkor Ayol". More
information…
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2. May 23, 2006. Representatives of women’s
movements from the three Persian-speaking countries discussed
cooperation issues. The international conference formally titled
“Women’s Movements of Afghanistan, Iran and Tajikistan: Experience and
Prospects of Cooperation” was held at the “Kokhi Vahdat” State Complex
in Dushanbe. Tajik “Female Lawyers’ League” NGO organized the
conference. The conference participants considered issues related to
participation of women in development of small and medium business, as
well as state of women in Afghanistan, Iran and Tajikistan. More
information…
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- SME
1. May 16, 2006. EBRD helps Tajik entrepreneurs
develop their business. Representatives of the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have conducted a survey of
introduction of the small and medium enterprise support program in
Tajikistan. The EBRD mission led by Gabriel Al-Salem, Regional Director
for Central Asia working on the business consultations program, during
its stay in Tajikistan met with Tajik entrepreneurs and specialists
working in the advertising business. More
information…
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- POVERTY REDUCTION
1. May 19, 2006. IMF Representative congratulated
Bakiyev on successful realization of the PRGF program. President
Kurmanbek Bakiyev received Administrator of International Monetary Fund
(IMF), Department of the Countries of Middle East and Central Asia David
Owen. Thomas Moser - new executive director of IMF from the Swiss group
of countries also attended the meeting. Mr.
Owen congratulated President Bakiyev on successful realization of the
PRGF program (Poverty Reduction Growth Facility) in spite of uneasy
internal political situation last year. More
information…
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- ENVIRONMENT
1. May 22, 2006. International conference focuses on
biodiversity in the Aral Sea area. Recent environmental changes require
deep analysis of the situation in the Aral Sea area, which has rich
flora and fauna, participants of an international conference on
protecting biodiversity in the region said. Specialists from Uzbekistan,
Russia, Germany, France and Kazakhstan discussed urgent problems
requiring solution in the area. More
information…
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2. May 27, 2006. Bishkek hosted the Central Asian
European International Forum on Climate Change. The first Central
Asian European Forum on Climate Change (CAEFOCC) took place in Dasmia
center. Participants of the forum, held at the support of the European
Commission under aegis of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism of
Kyrgyzstan, were representatives of more than 10 countries of the
world. More information…
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- DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE
1. May 16, 2006. Round-table on priority directions
of the foreign policy of Uzbekistan took place. Committee on
international affairs and inter-parliament relations of Legislative
Chamber of Oliy Majlis in cooperation with the Committee on defence and
security issues organized a round-table on foreign policy of Uzbekistan.
Representatives of Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations,
Investment and Trade, Institute of Monitoring of Existing
Legislation under the President of Uzbekistan participated in the event.
More
information…
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- OTHER
1. May 25, 2006. Uzbekistan sets up fiscal
intelligence. Department for control over tax and currency crimes
and legalization of proceeds from crime of Uzbekistan General
Prosecutor’s office will be involved in financial intelligence service
due to the President’s Decree. This department will monitor and control
financial flows of individuals and legal persons in order to detect and
suppress legalization of proceeds from crime and terrorism funding,
analyze forms and methods of money-laundering, financial and other
assistance lent to terrorist organizations. More
information...
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2. May 26, 2006. UN consultative meeting was held in
Ashgabat. A consultative meeting on the issues of rendering urgent
assistance in extreme situations and liquidation of aftermath was
held in President Hotel in Ashgabat. UNICEF and the government of
Turkmenistan arranged it. Representatives of a number of Turkmen
ministries and establishments, as well as National Society of Red
Crescent attended the first of its kind meeting. The meeting
participants discussed issues of establishing close cooperation between
Turkmenistan and UN agencies in the area of consolidation of efforts for
better preparedness to face extreme situations posing direct threat to
life and welfare of people. More
information...
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3. May 29, 2006. International scientific forum on
protection of historical-cultural values in Ashgabat. A
three day international scientific conference, "Permanent neutral
Turkmenistan - UNESCO: appraisal of historical-cultural values and
determination of the ways for protecting world heritage property",
wrapped up in the Turkmen capital. Topical problems of preservation of
unique architectural monuments of the ancient Kunya Urgench which has
been recently included in UNESCO World Heritage List were in the focus
of attention of the participants of the international forum sponsored by
Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov.
More
information...
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. The series of informal round tables
focusing on socio-economic development of Uzbekistan and Central
Asia. Editorial Board of Economic Review magazine initiates the
series of informal round tables focusing on various aspects of
socio-economic development of Uzbekistan and Central Asia. The ultimate
goal is to launch a platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas among
representatives of various groups and social strata. In this regard the
Editorial Board invites for participation representatives of government
agencies, private sector, international organizations, NGOs. Timetable
and topics for up-coming round tables this summer can be retrieved from
www.cer.uz, www.darvoza.uz, www.cagatewayuz, www.undp.uz
portals.
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2. June 5-13, 2006. Training "Quality Management
System on ISO 9001. The strategy of enterprise development and
management of QMS processes effectiveness". The training course will
take place in Kuala Lampur (Malaysia). The organizers of training are
the Uzbek-German JV "Global Consulting Network" jointly with German
internationally recognized certified body "TUV NORD Group ". More information...
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3. June 5, 2006. Almaty to host Eurasian Transport
and Logistics Forum. International conference will demonstrate
important role of Kazakhstan as a transport bridge between Asia and
Europe and attract attention of Kazakhstani commercial, state and social
organizations. Organizers of the forum –
the Eurasian transport portal Gruzovoi.com under the auspices of Transport
and Communication Ministry – noted that such conference would help to
estimate tendencies of development of the Eurasian transport and logistics.
More information...
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4. June 6, 2006. Fifth Republican Conference of Mass
Media in Kyrgyz Republic. Fifth republican conference of Mass Media
in Kyrgyz Republic “Reforms in Mass Media” will be held in the “Ak-Keme” hotel.
Over 100 representatives of government, private mass
media, civil society, parliament, political parties and international
organizations are going to participate in this conference. It is planned
to develop a resolution in form of proposal about the amendments to the
legislation of KR on Mass Media and transformation of the National Tele
and Radio Company to Public TV/Radio, on the basis of the results of
this conference. More information...
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5. June 7, 2006. IBM mission to hold a workshop in
Astana . IBM mission for Eastern Europe and Asia will hold a seminar
on Organizations’ efficiency upgrading and optimization of
IT-infrastructure management. Issues concerning creation of the common
information space and assignment of individualized safe access to
information up to employment duties, provision of successful internal
and external interaction, etc., will be discussed there. More information...
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6. June 7-9, 2006. Annual Microfinance
Conference. Conference will be held in Budapest (Hungary). This year
MFC organizes its annual conference jointly with the European
Microfinance Network (EMN). Contact person: Agnieszka Talma -
Information Coordinator of MFC. For more information please write to agnieszkat@mfc.org.pl or visit
http://www.mfc.orgpl
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7. June 7-9, 2006. Almaty will host "Investments
into your business" exhibition. Almaty will welcome the 1st
Kazakhstan international exhibition "Investments into your business",
organized by the Nationwide Union of Employers and Entrepreneurs
Atameken and Astana Expo. It will be the ever first integrated exposure
to reveal all the possibilities for providing small and medium business
widening with resources. More information...
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8. June 7-9, 2006. The first Silk Road Investment
Forum in Xi'an, China. The Silk Road Initiative, the UNDP regional
programme, is organizing the first Silk Road Investment Forum that will
raise awareness about investment opportunities, facilitate business
partnerships, and create public-private sector partnerships for an
improved business environment in the new business frontiers of the Silk
Road region. Registration is free of charge. More information....
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9. June 12-15, 2006. 5th CARK Education Forum to
Achieve the Education for All Goals. The Government of Turkmenistan
will host the Regional Education Forum in Ashgabat. The Forum with a
theme “Moving Forward to Achieve Education for All Goals” will bring
together national policymakers, technical experts and programme planners
in education of the five Central Asian countries to identify, discuss
and debate on priority issues in education in the region. One of the key
issues to be discussed in the Forum is the challenge of monitoring the
progress that each of the country in Central Asia –Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - has made with
regards to their commitment to the Education for All (EFA) Goals. The
discussion will focus on key topics that will contribute to the
achievement of the EFA goals such as reducing disparities, ensuring the
gender equality, and overcoming challenges in early childhood education.
More information....
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10. June 14-15, 2006. SCO businesses to meet in
Shanghai. Constituent session of the Business Council of the
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and Forum of Industrialists and
Entrepreneurs of the SCO member countries will be held in Shanghai,
China. The main task of the session is to discuss development of
trade-economic cooperation within the organization, participation of
businesses in projects within the SCO, adoption of regulation on
Business Council, Secretariat of Business Council and others. The Forum
of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of the SCO will discuss on opening
of potential of the SCO in trade-economic cooperation, stimulation of
development of economic cooperation in the region. The forum will
consider issues on improvement of environment, stimulation of
trade-economic cooperation, expansion of financial interaction.
More information....
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11. July 3-14, 2006. Summer course on Human
Development and the MDGs. UNDP Bratislava Regional Center in
cooperation with Central European University is organizing a summer
course on Human Development and the MDGs. This summer course will be a
policy and practice-based course for approximately 15-20 civil
servants/decision makers as well as graduate students from Central and
Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, as well as interested
graduate students from other regions. Summer course on Human Development
and the MDGs will be held 3-14 July in Budapest. More
information....
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12. July 13-31, 2006. Second international summer
school. The Kyrgyzstan-Turkey Manas University cordially invites
participants to take part in an unforgettable Central Asian cultural and
educational Second International Summer School during the summer of
2006. The purpose of bringing people together for the 19-day event from
different parts of the world is to offer participants an insightful and
educational perspective of Kyrgyzstan's people, culture, tradition,
history, art, literature, geography, and political and economic
institutions. The summer school program will include lectures and
seminars. More information....
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13. July 15-25, 2006. Annual Summer School on
International Law and Human Rights. Bureau for Human Rights and Rule
of Law, OSCE Centre in Dushanbe, Swiss Development Agency (SDC), UNHCR
and NGOs invite you to participate in 6th Annual Summer School on
International Law and Human Rights, which will be held in Varzhob from
July 15 to July 25. The main objective of the summer school is to
contribute to Tajikistan’s democratization process by training a new
generation of students on human rights principles and values with a
special focus on hands-on skills for the protection and promotion of
human rights. University students from all regions of Tajikistan invite
to participating in Summer School. For further information, please write
to bhr_ss2006@mail.ru. Deadline
for submitting applications - June 5, 2006.
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There are more than 3400 events relevant to
socio-economic development of the Central Asian region in the portal's
Calendar. For more events please visit: http://www.cagateway.org/calendar.php.
NEWLY ADDED DOCUMENTS
There are more than 3400 links to analytical documents
relevant to socio-economic development in the
Central Asian countries in the CAG portal's Publications'
database.
1. Regional Economic Outlook: Middle East and
Central Asia. The document is a report providing a broad synopsis
of recent economic developments and prospects in the countries covered
by the IMF's Middle East and Central Asia Department, and highlights the
need for policies to adjust further to a world of high oil prices.
Prepared by IMF. May 2006. See the document…
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2. Central Asian Trade guide. The document
presents site, that describes the procedure for carrying on business in
the Republic of Kazakhstan, and offers some instruments that will be
useful for those who are involved in this or that way in business. The
Guide gives explanations on the key trade and Customs related issues
such as import/export operations, customs valuation, country of origin,
customs clearance and customs control etc. See the document…
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3. Development Outreach Issue on Equity and
Development. The document present a recent issue of the World Bank
Institute’s Development Outreach magazine focuses on the themes of the
World Bank's World Development Report 2006 on Equity and Development,
published in late 2005, which argues that greater equity is a key
ingredient of long-term prosperity. See the document…
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4. Global Civil Society. This document is a
Yearbook about risk. What do climate change, migration, the tsunami of
26 December 2004, the terrorist threat and the fall in the dollar have
in common? Center for Global Civil Society, June 2005. See the document…
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5. Access to financial services: a review of the
issues and public policy objectives. This paper reviews the evidence
on the importance of finance for economic well-being, provides data on
the degree of use of basic financial services by households and firms
across a sample of countries, assesses the desirability of more
universal access, and overviews the macroeconomic, legal, and regulatory
obstacles to access using general evidence and case studies. Prepared by
the World Bank on May 15, 2005. See the document…
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6. Investment Climate database. This site
contains data on the investment climate in 62 countries, based on
surveys of almost 32,000 firms. The surveys provide indicators of firm
productivity and performance. See the document…
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7. World Development Indicators 2006. The document presents an overall analysis of development trends available by the end of 2005, basic statistics, indicators, covering the whole world, including Central Asian countries. Prepared by the World Bank, 2006. See the document…
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8. Main Directions of Local Government Reform in Uzbekistan. The pesented paper devoted to basic directions of public administration reform at the local and regional level in Uzbekistan. Of particular importance is the analysis of the main objectives and functions performed by local public administrative bodies: the characteristics of the structure of local bodies are enumerated; the functions performed by regional khokimiyats management staff are analyzed; and the problems of coordinating the functions among the center. Publishe in 2005.
See the document…
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9. Administrative Barriers to Entrepreneurship in Central Asia. This paper summarizes the results of roundtables, devoted to administrative barriers in ntrepreneurship in Central Asia, held in 2002 that were attended by 110 entrepreneurs from Central Asian countries. Prepared by Center for International Private Sector Enterprise (CIPE). Published in May 2002.
See the document…
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us at one of following addresses: cagateway@cer.uz, cagateway@akipress.org, gateway@asaiplus.tj.
The E-Newsletter is prepared by the Central Asian Gateway
project team. The Central Asian Gateway project is being jointly
implemented by the Center for Economic Research (Uzbekistan), AKIpress
Information Agency (Kyrgyz Republic) and Asia Plus Agency (Tajikistan)
with support from the UNDP Regional Center in Bratislava (Slovakia).
