zbekistan called a snap tender to buy 12,500 tonnes of white sugar for nearby shipment, traders said on Thursday. They said Uzbekistan re-tendered after one company failed to deliver on a previous tender because a letter of credit had not been opened in time and prices had meanwhile risen by some $40 a tonne. In May Uzbekistan bought four 12,5000 tonnes cargoes of white sugar at between $272 and $282 a tonne, delivered at frontier (DAF) from June onwards.

he National bank for foreign economic activity's ranking has improved its rating among World Banks League Table. In the July issue of The Banker, a list of the top 1000 banks was issued. The National bank was rated 429th, an improvement of 34 positions over last year, when it was listed at 463. This confirms its reputation as a dynamic, reliable and powerful financial institution, and being one of the top tier of 500 Banks in the world.

he Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan has issued a new decree (dated July 13, 2000) increasing the limit to sell USD to the population through the exchange offices of the authorized banks. Now, with proper documentation (passport and entry visa), one can buy cash foreign currency up to 500 dollars. The previous limit was only US$ 300. The decree also clearly extends the authority to the Central Bank of Uzbekistan freely set the exchange rates (for exchange offices) in accordance with the demands in domestic currency market. These rates than effectively applied by Authrosied Commercial Banks (Asaka, NBU, UzPSB and UJB). The decree takes an effect starting July 15, 2000.

he poison found in the hen-coop, by Shuhrat Roziyev of the Internal Affairs Ministry's press centre. Officers of the Denov District internal affairs department in Surkhandarya Region [in extreme south] have found that a resident of Navoiy Street Irik Sultonov and a resident of Pushkin Street, both in the same District, Polat Sadriddinov, had been cooperating in their crimes and keeping a large amount of heroin, which they had taken from Tajik nationals, in the hen-coop of the house they had been renting. The deadly poison, found wrapped in 47 adhesive bags, hidden among various old items, weighed 27.968 kg. Currently, criminal investigations have been launched into the case.

he president of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, received the special adviser to the U.S. Secretary of State on the newly-independent states [the CIS], Stephen Sestanovich, in the Oqsaroy residence. It should be noted that President Karimov's two visits to the USA were of great importance in developing bilateral economic, trade and cultural relations between the two countries. The meeting discussed issues connected with further developing bilateral relations. The sides exchanged views on other issuesof interst to both sides.

The delegation headed by Stephen Sestanovich visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well. During the talks, which were held in a sincere atmosphere, the main attention was focused on issues of developing mutually advantageous cooperation between the two countries and on regional security. Uzbekistan's minister of foreign affairs, Abdulaziz Komilov, said that the development of mutually advantageous relations between our countries was of great importance for both states.

The guests from America also paid a visit to Uzbekistan's Ministry of Defence the same day. Uzbek Defence Minister Yuriy Agzamov and the deputy US secretary of defence, Edward Warner, had a meeting there. The meeting noted that military cooperation between Uzbekistan and America had become more active, and that projects that have been implemented jointly were a practical contribution by the two countries towards reinforcing peace and stability in Central Asia. The sides discusses issues connected with the development of military cooperation between the two countries in the future.

After that Stephen Sestanovich and other members of the delegation were received by the Uzbek minister of finance, Rustam Azimov. The meeting discussed the significance of monetary credit and investment policy and measures for the liberalization of the currency system. The sides also discussed issues of developing and reinforcing economic partnership between our states and expanding the number of joint investment projects.

he Central Bank of Uzbekistan published a list of banks authorized to accept savings from the population.

National bank for Foreign Economic Activity

People's Bank

Asaka bank

Zamin Bank

Uzjilsberbank (Housing Savings Bank)

Uzpromstroybank (Industrial and Construction bank)

Pakhta Bank

Galla Bank

Turon Bank

Tadbirkor Bank

Savdogar Bank

Aloka Bank

Trust Bank

Ipak Yuli Bank

Avia Bank

Andijan Bank

UzDaewoo Bank

UT Bank (Uzbek-Turkish Bank)

ABN AMRO Bank

Uzprivat Bank

Parvina Bank

Alp Jamol Bank

Turkiston Bank

HIF Bank (Privatization Investment Fund's Bank)

Olim Bank

Istiqlol Bank

Uktam Bank

Adilet Bank

Karvon Bank

Biznes Bank

Branch bank of the Central Asian Bank for Cooperation and Development in Tashkent

zbekistan's farmers fear that they may lose a large part of the country's planned 4 million ton cotton harvest because drought has reduced the amount of water available for irrigation, "Nezavisimaya gazeta" wrote on 8 July. The situation is reported to be the worst in 50 years. Cotton is one of Uzbekistan's major exports. "Such weather conditions were last reported in Uzbekistan in 1951", the paper states.

he U.S. Agriculture Department said Tuesday it has authorised Uzbekistan to purchase $10 million of U.S. wheat. The USDA said purchase authorisation provides for about 35,000 tonnes of wheat, grade U.S. No.2 or better. Unclassed wheat and mixed wheat are excluded. The USDA said it would finance 100 percent of the balance of the costs for ocean transportation to designated discharge ports and any other reasonable transportation costs. The contracting period is July 18 through Sept. 30, and the delivery period is July 18 through Dec. 31, the USDA said.

zbekistan on Wednesday defended its protectionist economic policies of past years, saying they had ensured stability in crisis times and provided the base for future reforms and full currency convertibility. The mineral-rich state said it would continue to undertake steps aimed at gradually dismantling capital controls and uniting the two exchange rates used for its sum currency.

"In 2000, Uzbekistan will undertake a series of measures, which have been worked out in keeping with recommendations from the International Monetary Fund on the currency market," the Finance Ministry and Central Bank said in a joint statement.

"These measures will allow us to fully unify exchange rates and achieve convertibility of the balance of payments accounts," the statement said. It did not give a timetable for the changes.

Western economists say the capital controls introduced in 1996, led to a rise in foreign debt, discouraged investment and caused substantial capital flight every year. President Islam Karimov has promised key reforms this year and the country effectively devalued the official exchange rate in May, bringing it closer to the black market rate. It recently opened exchange booths allowing dollars to trade more freely.

The IMF has urged Uzbekistan to act faster and says international lenders could put together a package of up to $700 million to cushion the effects of the changes. But it says the money can be given only after full convertibility is introduced. But the government favours a gradual approach to change, fearing that sudden reforms could trigger a spike in inflation in the country of 24 million. "Uzbekistan is implementing the policy of gradual reforms, leading to sustainable macro-economic stability, structural reforms and reliable social protection of the population during the transition period," the statement said.

meeting devoted to preparations for the eighth anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence was held at the Oqsaroy [presidential] residence on 10th July. It was attended by state advisors to the president, members of the government, heads of media agencies and members of the intelligentsia. President Islam Karimov chaired the meeting.

At the same time, President Islam Karimov expressed his discontent with the current state of the campaign for holding the independence holiday. Mere formalism dominates in most events. That is why the main topic at the meeting was how to prevent the belittling of paramount national ideas by empty words, slogans, and television and radio broadcasts and articles which lack analysis during the preparations for this, our greatest and dearest holidary.

We should now get rid of formalism and find ways of advocating which will penetrate the people's hearts, and especially young people's hearts, the head of state said.

Our people gained their independence by a difficult path. We achieved it through holy blood shed by true sons of our nation over many centuries of difficult struggle. Our people never bowed their heads before foreign aggressors.

In his speech, the head of state stressed that the work undertaken to mark the holiday should not stop after 1st September [Uzbek Independence Day], but conducted regularly. By analysing the campaign work, the president of our country drew participants' special attention to the following areas.

Above all, we should remember that independence is not a gift given to our country by someone. We should further explain that our people achieved it thanks to the lives and activities of their great freedom-loving sons. There is no doubt that independence is a great blessing. We all should be worthy of it and protect it as the apple of our eye.

he Central Asian peacemaking battalion will have a drill in Kazakhstan in September under the NATO Partnership for Peace Program, Adviser to the U.S. Secretary of State for New Independent States Steven Sestanovich said in Astana on Tuesday. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan formed the peacemaking battalion in 1997 to settle possible conflicts in the region. The battalion had a drill back then.

This year's drill will train the interaction of Kazakh military units with servicemen from other countries in localization of possible armed conflicts and measures on terrorism. The drill is financed by the United States.

ineteen year-old chess player from Uzbekistan Rustam Qosimjonov is ranked 13th in the world according to a recent classification published by the World Chess Federation. With 2690 points, Qosimjonov is just nine points behind 12-ranked Anatoliy Karpov. Garry Kasparov leads the list with 2849 points. Another grand-master from Uzbekistan Alexander Nenashev is ranked 41st with 2642 points. Go here for Top 100 Men's list.

zbekistan have switched their Davis Cup World Group play-off against the Netherlands to the grass courts of the local Start stadium this weekend. The choice of surface is a clear attempt to put pressure on the Dutch who, with the exception of former Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek, are not always comfortable on grass.

Dutch skipper Michiel Schappers has the luxury of choosing from all his top players - Krajicek, currently 25th in the world, Sjeng Schalken, Jan Siemerink and Paul Haarhuis. The hosts will be led by Oleg Ogorodov, whose ranking has fluctuated 100 and 200 in the two previous years. The second singles player Vadim Kutsenko, currently 159th in the world, while Dmitry Tomashevich and Dmitry Mazur are also in the squad.

he Ozbekiston Pochtasi [Post of Uzbekistan] joint-stock company and DHL international company signed a cooperation agreement. DHL carries out 40 per cent of so called express air deliveries. The volume of cargo deliveries in the last three years increaed eight fold. DHL's agent in Uzbekistan is Uzaviatrans [Uzbek aviation transport] foreign trade firm, which coordinates the all the work and renders a qualitative service to customers. At present, a project is being drawn up according to which the DHL company will serve the whole republic.

The sides think that this event is the start of forward-looking cooperation. By the way, the DHL company which operates on the whole territory of the CIS has signed a such an agreement only with Uzbekistan.

oreign Minister of Bangladesh Abdus Samad Azad is expected to pay a five-day official visit to Uzbekistan from July 16. Additional Foreign Secretary Sharjil Hasan will accompany him during the visit. Sharjil Hasan was appointed first Bangladesh Ambassador to Uzbekistan when Dhaka opened its mission in Tashkent in mid 90's.

The visit will help further strengthen the friendship between the two fraternal countries, the sources added. During the trip, Azad will hold official talks with his Uzbek counterpart Abdul Aziz Kamlovi on bilateral matters as well as regional and international issues of common concern. The two Foreign Ministers particularly will discuss matters relating to expansion of trade and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Ready-made garments, medicines and tea from Bangladesh have good markets in Uzbekistan and other central Asian countries. There's a scope for Bangladesh to import quality cotton from Uzbekistan to enrich its textile industries. The two OIC countries are linked with direct air service and cultural cooperation.

ccording to BISNIS, US Department of Commerce Information Service, Uzbektourism will be announcing shortly new projects for foreign investors and hotel management companies. There are three types of projects: hotels for sale; 2) hotels for reconstruction and upgrade of services; 3) construction of new hotels.

Currently, there are only four international hotels operating in Uzbekistan. Five-star hotel Intercontinental owned by the ministry of foreign economic relations. Recently built five-star Tashkent Sheraton international hotel owned by Tashkent city mayor's office; three-star hotel Le Meridien owned by Bakri group (indonesia) and four-star hotel Shodlik palace owned by Uzbektourism.

Hotel sales projects: currently, all projects belong to the National Tourism Company Uzbektourism. Uzbektourism will announce a tender for either 100% sale or a partial sale or a Joint Management, i.e. Joint Ffinancing. Two of the three hotels, which were announced for sale, were built by indian construction company tata, according modern hotel standards.

The location of new Bukhoro u and Afrosiyob is very attractive for tourists, in Bukhara and Samarqand respectively. Both cities are historic centers and therefore a major attraction for foreign tourists. With improved management, these two hotels could become very successful operations. The third hotel, "Chorsu" in Tashkent and was built in 80's, it is in need of considerable upgrading. It will take more than increased quality management and services, but a serious renovation, if not reconstruction. Detals on Hotel Chorsu are as follows: Hotel chorsu is a 23-story building located in the old part of the tashkent city. It's been operating since 1982. The hotel is 6461,6 square meters. It offers 493 rooms, 950 beds. They have catering facilities in the hotel, two restaurants, one for 450 seats and another 140 seats, one bar and buffets.

Reconstruction projects are mainly for hotels that were built according to soviet type standards. All of the aforementioned hotels are currently in poor condition. Management provided by Uzbektourism is also not up to adequate standards. The list under this category includes the following hotels:

1) Hotel Bukhara in Bukhara, a 12-story building located next to the new bukhoho hotel. It was built in the soviet period according to soviet standards. The hotel offers 22 single rooms, 138 singles with two beds and 7 double rooms. The hotel also offers catering facilities, which consists of a restaurant, seating capacity 350, one café (150 seats) and a bar (capacity of 50 seats).

2) Hotel Shakhrisyabz in kashkadarya region, a two-story building. The hotel offers 23 single rooms, 34 double rooms, 3 suits and 4 deluxe rooms. A total of 64 rooms. There are catering services available at the hotel, one-restaurant seats 100; two bars (15 seats each).

3) Hotel Samarqand in Samarqand, an 11-story building operating since 1970. The total area of the hotel is 11,350 square meters, with 184 rooms (176 singles and 8 doubles). A 250 seat-resturant, café (100 seats), bar (60 seats), banquet hall (60 seats) and laundry services.

4) Hotel Oltin Vodiy in andijan, fergana valley has been functioning since 1976. Built to soviet standards, the hotel is a 5-story building with 87 rooms; 44 singles, 35 doubles, 4 suites and 4 deluxe. There is a restaurant (252 seats), café (60 seats) and one bar (40 seats).

Construction of small and medium sized three star hotels is on the short-term plan of the Government. Given conditions in uzbekistan, large 5 star hotels can not operate up to their full potential, mainly due to extremely high rates. Small and comfortable hotels with reasonable pricing and flexible services are going to be the wave of the future for the upcoming decade.

1) Uzbektourism has started a construction of the resort hotel in charvak resort zone in the mountainous area (80 km from tashkent) and a golf course between 2000-2003 is scheduled. The project needs usd 100 million. Uzbektrousim is looking for joint financing. The new hotel will receive and provide services for 53,000 tourists annually, who visit Uzbekistan.

2) Uzbektourism is planning to construct a new 3 star hotel for 60-80 beds in andijan; fergana valley slated for 2000-2003. The project requries usd 12 million in investments. Uzbektourism is looking for financing partners. The hotel will have a target market of 25,000 tourists annually.

3) Uzbektourism is also planning to construct 2 - 3 star hotels for 50-60 beds in tashkent again slated for 2000-2003. This project seeks 20 million in investments

zbekistan and Kazakhstan have agreed to maintain a visa-free regime for travels between the two countries, Kazakh Khabar TV reported on 7th July. An agreement to this effect was signed by Kazakh Foreign Affairs Minister Yerlan Idrisov and his Uzbek counterpart Abdulaziz Komilov in Astana earlier the same day.

The agreement, which regulates mutual trips by citizens of the two countries, is to ensure order and security on the border and to combat drug trafficking, smuggling and illegal immigration, the report said.

"The question is now about regulating the procedure for crossing the [Kazakh-Uzbek] border so that negative elements who are engaged in drugs trafficking, contraband and illegal immigration and so on and so forth cannot slip through," Kazakh Foreign Affairs Minister Yerlan Idrisov told the television.

"The document we signed is in a way a forced measure and may be only temporary. And it is prompted exclusively by the need to ensure our mutual security and enforce order on the border," Uzbek Foreign Affairs Minister Abdulaziz Komilov added.

Under the agreement, Uzbek and Kazakh nationals will only need their identity documents to cross the border and those who live in border areas will cross the border without documents through special lists kept at checkpoints, the television said. The agreement will come into force after ratification by the countries' parliaments, the television said in conclusion.

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rench Defence Minister Alain Richard, who is in Uzbekistan on an official visit, described military-technical cooperation with Uzbekistan as dynamic. The two sides agreed to exchange information, to analyse strategic directions in their cooperation and provide assistance in the military-technical sphere, the minister.

"Relations with Uzbekistan will be long," Richard added. Richard held talks with Uzbek President Islam Karimov as well.

After the talks Karimov said that military cooperation will be an important step towards further development of relations between Uzbekistan and France. Presidential press secretary Azamat Ziye told Itar-Tass that the Uzbek president and the French minister exchanged views on security and stability in Central Asia and further development of military contacts between Uzbekistan and France. Uzbekistan and France signed an agreement on the creation of the joint commission on military-technical cooperation and defence technologies.

The agreement was signed by Uzbek Defence Minister Yuri Agzamov and his French counterpart Alain Richard as part of the French minister's visit to Tashkent, the Defence Ministry told Itar-Tass on Saturday. The defence ministries of the two countries agreed to develop cooperation and exchange experience on the reform of armed forces, the training of servicemen and other fields. Karimov said the agreement of the creation of the Uzbek- French commission on military-technical cooperation and defence technologies will enhance cooperation between the defence ministries of the two countries.

ATO Secretary-General George Robertson ends his visit to Uzbekistan on Thursday. During the two-day stay, he visited Samarkand and Bukhara and held talks with Prime Minister Utkir Sultanov and Defence Minister Yuri Akzamov. The NATO secretary-general described his talks in Uzbekistan as successful.

Some people think that because of its long distance Central Asia has no serious importance for NATO like the Alliance's partners in Central and Eastern Europe, Robertson said. The goal of the NATO secretary-general's visit is to prove that this is wrong, he added.

During his visit to Uzbekistan, the high-ranking guest didn't, however, meet President Islam Karimov. Why? In the front page there is a questionnaire on this. Please give us your answer.