Ankara hosted a meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Turkish media reports.

The meeting at the level of the presidents of countries took place after a 20-year break.

"The meeting at the presidents level took place after a 20-year break, so it is of great importance to us. We held one-on-one meetings with Mirziyoyev, and then negotiations between delegations. These meetings were very productive", Erdogan said.

As the President of Turkey noted, 22 agreements were signed between the countries, 4 more contracts are planned to be signed today in Istanbul.

According to the President of Turkey, from March 16 next year, Turkish Airlines will start regular flights between Istanbul and Samarkand.

In his turn, the President of Uzbekistan said that Turkey is a reliable and important partner for the country on the international arena. "We are ready to mobilize all our forces for the development of broad and long-term cooperation between the countries", Mirziyoyev said.

As for visas for citizens of Turkey, Mirziyoyev informed that a multiple-entry visa for one year to Turkish businessmen will be issued within three days, tourists from Turkey will be granted a visa for one month.

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are set to increase economic and trade relations.

Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan trade turnover amounted to $554 million while the rate of taxes payments by Uzbek entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan increased by 2 billion tenge in January-September 2017 compared to the same period of the last year.

This was stated by the head of the State Revenues Department for regulation of tariffs in the South Kazakhstan region Askar Isakhov, Kazinform reported.

Issues of trade facilitation and coordination of border management within the Shymkent-Tashkent corridor were discussed at a meeting with representatives of customs authorities and the private sector.

"An increase in trade between the two countries is impossible without a reduction in administrative barriers. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have already joined a number of international conventions, including the Convention on Harmonization of Conditions for Conducting Cargo Control at Borders," Isakhov said.

The document, by the way, is aimed at removing barriers in foreign trade, simplifying the movement of goods by reducing the requirements for the implementation of formalities, the number and duration of control measures.

In addition, customs officials of the two countries came to a common opinion on accelerating the crossing of the border by participants of foreign economic activity.

Thus, currently, five customs checkpoints, each with its own functions, operate on the border with Uzbekistan. Kaplanbek and Konysbaev checkpoints, for example, are engaged in the admission of trucks. They are expected to optimize customs clearance.

The development of comprehensive proposals for trade facilitation will be addressed by the “Regional Program of the German Society for International Cooperation GIZ.”

Earlier, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Tashkent Yerik Utembayev proposed to strengthen economic and business ties through creating joint economic zones. Previously, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan signed contracts totaling $1.2 billion following two business forums held in Astana in March and in Tashkent on September 16.

The trade turnover between the two states increased by 35 percent in January-August of the current year. Over 200 companies with Kazakh capital currently operate in Uzbekistan. The volume of trade turnover between the countries amounted to $2 billion in 2016.

Uzbekistan, the world’s sixth-largest cotton producer, aims to further increase incomes to the national economy by exporting this strategic crop.

Uzbekistan has signed contracts for the export of finished textile products and semi-finished products for more than $1 billion following the 13th International Uzbek Cotton and Textile Fair.

Large contracts were signed with companies from Russia, Turkey, South Korea, Singapore, Moldova and other countries.

Representatives of foreign purchasing companies noted the quality and price parameters of Uzbek textile.

At the same time, the process of contracting continues, and more accurate figures for exports will appear later. The same applies to data on cotton fiber contracting.

Last year, Uzbekistan signed contracts for the sale of textile products for 550,000 tons of cotton fiber worth more than $1.32 billion.

In general, the 76th plenary meeting of the International Consultative Committee for Cotton and the XIII International Uzbek Cotton and Textile Fair will last until Friday, when the final figures will be announced.

This year around 1500 specialists from more than 50 countries take part in the events.

Uzbekistan will achieve full processing of cotton fiber in 2021. By 2020, the capacity of local enterprises will ensure the full processing of cotton produced in Uzbekistan, which can lead to a significant decrease in the export supplies of this crop. Only in 2017, the country intends to bring internal processing of cotton fiber to 70 percent.

At the same time, by 2021 the production of textile and clothing and knitted products will increase by 2.2 times compared to 2016, including ready-made fabrics - 2.7 times, knitted fabrics - 3 times, knitted goods – 3.4 times, hosiery – 3.7 times. It is planned to increase the export of products by 2 times.

One of the policy priorities of Uzbekistan, the world’s fifth-largest cotton exporter, is further development of its textile industry. Annually, the country grows about 3.5 million tons of raw cotton, produces 1.1 million tons of cotton fiber.

Uzbekistan takes consistent steps to increase the volume of cotton fiber processing. In particular, it is planned to create 112 modern, high-tech industrial factories, expand, modernize and technologically upgrade 20 operating capacities. All this will increase the export potential of the industry up to $2.5 billion a year and create more than 25,000 jobs.

In the period 2010-2014, the textile industry of Uzbekistan received and spent foreign investments worth $785 million while 147 new textile enterprises with participation of investors from Germany, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, the U.S., Turkey and other countries were commissioned. Export potential of these enterprises amounted to $670 millions.

In a study released today, the Asian Economic Integration Report 2017 (AEIR), ADB examines recent regional integration trends and introduces a new regional integration index. The report also includes a special chapter on how Asia can strengthen financial resilience in an era of financial interconnectedness.

Strong intraregional trade and investment are acting as a buffer for the region against uncertainties in global trade and economic growth, according to the report. In 2016, Asia’s intraregional trade share―measured by value―rose to 57.3% in 2016, a record high, up from an average of 55.9% from 2010 to 2015.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) within Asia rose in absolute value to reach $272 billion in 2016, despite a 6% decline in global FDI flows into the region. This intraregional FDI increased as a share of total FDI to the region from 48% in 2015 to 55% in 2016. Given the role intra-Asian FDI plays in enhancing global and regional value chain development, this is expected to help strengthen the region’s trade growth globally.

Asian economies have continued expanding their global presence, with FDI originating from Asia rising 11% in 2016 to $482 billion, primarily through investment in renewable energy, natural resources, semiconductors, and information technology.

“Asia and the Pacific is leading a recovery in world trade that is helping the region to maintain strong growth momentum amid global economic and trade policy uncertainty,” said Yasuyuki Sawada, ADB’s Chief Economist. “Asia’s continued integration and cooperation will underpin regional economic growth and financial resilience.”

The 2017 AEIR introduces a new composite index, the Asia-Pacific Regional Cooperation and Integration Index. The index measures regional integration across six components, including trade and investment, money and finance, regional value chains, infrastructure and connectivity, movement of people, and institutional and social integration. The index is aimed at helping policymakers better understand and measure the levers for greater regional integration and cooperation.

The report also features a special chapter on how Asia can strengthen financial resilience in an era of financial interconnectedness. It highlights that 20 years after the Asian financial crisis, Asia stands strong, with healthier financial systems, stronger regulations, and better regional financial cooperation mechanisms.

Significant challenges remain, however, with unresolved financial market and system weaknesses. Remaining regulatory policy gaps could also increase the region’s risk exposure and financial vulnerability through excessive leverage and risk-taking.

The report offers several recommendations for countries in the region to strengthen their resilience to future crises, including maintaining sound macroeconomic fundamentals; further strengthening national regulatory and supervisory frameworks and institutional capacities; further developing local currency bond markets; strengthening regional regulatory cooperation, including resolution mechanisms for interconnected regional banks; and reviewing and strengthening existing financial safety nets against potential contagion and spillover effects.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, ADB is celebrating 50 years of development partnership in the region. It is owned by 67 members—48 from the region. In 2016, ADB assistance totaled $31.7 billion, including $14 billion in cofinancing. 

The Programme Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe has handed over video surveillance equipment to the National Guard of the Armed Forces of Kyrgyzstan to enhance the security of the country’s strategic energy facilities.

The facilities being secured are the 450-MW Tash-Kuymr and 800-MW Kurpsai hydroelectric power stations, part of the country’s Naryn hydropower plant cascade.

“The Programme Office continuously supports the National Guard of Kyrgyzstan in its efforts to enhance the security of strategic facilities, which can become a possible target for criminals,” said Valeriu Chiveri, deputy head of the OSCE Programme Office. “Moreover, we closely co-operate on the prevention and effective management of emergency situations.”

The office and National Guard have “conducted various activities over the past few years aimed at strengthening [the] country’s counter-terrorism efforts and protecting critical energy infrastructure,” OSCE said. In July 2015, the OSCE Programme Office and National Guard signed a protocol on strengthening counter-terrorism capacity. Two other large hydropower stations in the country, 240-MW Shamaldysai and 180-MW Uch-Korgon, were equipped with surveillance cameras in 2013 and 2014.

[Native Advertisement]

The most recent transfer of equipment took place within the framework of the OSCE project, “Strengthening National Capacity in Meeting the Politico-Military Commitments and Protecting Critical Energy Infrastructure.”

For more recent news on Kyrgyzstan hydroelectricity, click here.

Other countries, such as Spain and Bolivia, are working on the topic of dam security and safety. 

 CLIMADAPT is a US$ 10 million credit line programme

The EBRD and its partners are awarding the best climate resilience projects financed in Tajikistan through the Climate Resilience Financing Facility CLIMADAPT programme.

Launched in February 2016, CLIMADAPT is a US$ 10 million credit line programme and pilot initiative to facilitate access to climate resilience technologies improving the use of water, energy and land resources in Tajikistan. The credit line is operated through Tajik banks and microfinance institutions for on-lending to final beneficiaries. Partners in the programme include the government of Tajikistan, the Climate Investment Funds and the United Kingdom.

The CLIMADAPT Awards Ceremony in Dushanbe today is recognising some of the best commercial decisions to improve the resilience and competitiveness of Tajik businesses. More than 30 beneficiaries are being awarded at the ceremony for their efforts in promoting climate resilience value chains and for demonstrating the business case for investing in high performance technologies.

Among the winners are men and women who have adopted innovative water- and energy-efficient technologies such as drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting and water storage, solar panels and energy-efficient cold-storage facilities.

Azimhuja Haidarov, local supplier and one of the awardees, said: "Through CLIMADAPT I was able to learn about the benefits of the efficient irrigation systems. Earlier this year I decided to take a loan to expand the irrigation product offerings in my store in order to support the availability of the irrigation equipment in my region. Within a few months sales volumes of those pipes, tubes, and fittings increased substantially and the demand from local farmers is growing. I am grateful for the support I have received from CLIMADAPT and very proud that my investment has been recognised during the award ceremony.”

In addition to the businesses that received financing through the CLIMADAPT credit line, awards and recognition for successful implementation are given to representatives of the programme’s partner banks which have demonstrated compelling examples of championing climate resilience financing and structuring successful investments, often in very remote areas of Tajikistan.

Special awards are given to CLIMADAPT partner organisations in acknowledgement of their outstanding contribution to, and support for, promoting and implementing climate resilience technologies.

Neil McKain, EBRD Director for Central Asia, said: “CLIMADAPT is an example of a very successful partnership established between the EBRD and financial institutions to promote the building of climate resilience through the private sector in Tajikistan. We look forward to further supporting – together with our partners – green activities that contribute to adaptation and the competitiveness of Tajik businesses.”

Ayten Rustamova, EBRD Head of Office in Tajikistan, said: “As of 1 October 2017 we have disbursed almost US$ 6 million to more than 2,250 households, farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises under CLIMADAPT. The programme not only helps Tajik households and businesses to cope with the effects of climate change but also, and more importantly, supports the country’s transition towards a green economy.”

The Climadapt facility was launched by the EBRD together with the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience of the Climate Investment Funds (CIF). Technical assistance within the programme is financed by donor funds from the government of the United Kingdom and from the multi-donor EBRD Early Transition Countries Fund.*

Anne Kuriakose, Senior Social Development Specialist at the Climate Investment Funds, said: “CLIMADAPT is one of the most innovative projects supported by the CIF’s Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience. The EBRD partnership with local banks and microfinance institutions to provide greater access to green technologies is an example of how women and men can be supported effectively to cope with the impacts of climate change. We are delighted to see so many local climate-resilient investments from across Tajikistan being recognized today for their significant impacts.”

To date, the EBRD’s programme of financing facilities has been expanded to 127 partner financial institutions in 25 countries.

In Tajikistan the EBRD has so far invested about €600 million (US$ 700 million equivalent) into various sectors of the economy.  

* The Early Transition Countries Fund is a multi-donor vehicle whose contributors include: Canada, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taipei China and the United Kingdom.

Nazarbayev  also  proposed  during  the  Supreme  Eurasian  Economic  Council  (SEEC)  meeting  a gathering in 2018 to discuss digitisation of member states and noted the importance of the Eurasian Economic Union’s (EAEU) digital agenda.

During the CIS summit, the heads of state and government discussed strengthening cooperation as well as deepening trade and economic ties among member states.Tajikistan presented its agenda for its chairpersonship of the organisation and Turkmenistan shared ideas  to  develop  the  organisation.  The  results  of  the  work  within  the  CIS  

President Nazarbayev stressed the CIS’ role in developing trade and economic relations among the

member states. “Free  trade  in  services  in  the  CIS  will  open  new  opportunities  for  our  businesses  and  bring  our countries’ trade and economic cooperation to a new level. I propose to instruct the Council of Heads of  Government  and  the  Executive  Committee  to  intensify  work  on  the  draft  Agreement  on  FreeTrade in Services and to adopt it in the near future,” Nazarbayev said.

The CIS heads of state signed documents on combating corruption and legalisation of proceeds from crime. They also considered humanitarian measures to expand ties in culture, education, science and tourism. They also adopted a statement supporting family and traditional family values. Nazarbayev attended the SEEC along with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Belarusian leader Alexander  Lukashenko,  Moldova’s  President  Igor  Dodon,  Russian  President  Vladimir  Putin, Kyrgyzstan’s Prime Minister Sapar Isakov and Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) Tigran Sargsyan.

Meeting participants discussed cooperation within the EAEU and heard a report by the EEC. They also  noted  the  EAEU’s  positive  impact  on  the  member  states’  economies  and  the  importance  of enhancing integration processes.The  sides  expressed  confidence  that  the  implementation  of  the  agreements  reached  at  SEEC meetings would enhance cooperation among EAEU countries to a higher level. The specifics of the documents signed at the CIS Summit were decided upon during the Oct. 10 CIS

Council of Foreign Ministers meeting attended by Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov and other CIS foreign ministers,counterparts  to  complete  the  ratification  of  the  Kazakhstan-EU  Enhanced  Partnership  and Cooperation Agreement in the near future, which will open a new page in bilateral relations.

In  the  Greek  Parliament,  the  sides  discussed  the  importance  of  building  up  a  political,  inter-parliamentary and cultural dialogue. During the meeting, Grigorakos stressed that he was closely following positive changes in Kazakhstan and its multinational and multi-confessional society.

In his opinion, “over the past years Kazakhstan has travelled a significant path to modern thinking, sciences  and  innovations.”  Speaking  about  the  Greek  diaspora  living  in  Kazakhstan,  Grigorakosnoted the importance of strengthening friendship and the “living bridge” that unites our countries. In this  context,  the  Greek  parliamentarian  expressed  deep  interest  in  studying  the  experience  of  the work of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan and ethno-cultural centres.

Vassilenko noted the EU visa regime simplification for the citizens of Kazakhstan would facilitate a closer dialogue between the countries. He stressed that Kazakhstan unilaterally introduced visa-free regime  for  citizens  of  Greece  and  all  other  EU  countries  from  Jan.  1,  2017.  According  to  the diplomat,  such  a  step  would  allow  to  increase  cooperation  in  the  field  of  tourism  and  bring significant economic benefits.

Uzbekistan stands for the formation of a full-fledged free trade zone in the CIS area without any exceptions and limitations. 

This was stated by the Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at a meeting of the Council of CIS Heads of State, podrobno.uz reported.

"I would like to note that since the beginning of the year the trade between Uzbekistan and the CIS countries has increased by more than 20 percent. Uzbekistan is also interested in implementing new concrete projects in the trade, investment, innovation and financial spheres with the CIS member countries. We are ready to jointly develop venture projects and industrial zones," he said.

Transport and communications, the development of an effective integrated transport system in the Commonwealth space, the fullest utilization of the region's huge transit potential are strategically important areas, according to Mirziyoyev.

The key aspects of this work, he believes, should be the improvement of administrative procedures and regulations, mutual provision of preferences for transportation and transit of goods.

The Commonwealth countries have great prospects in the sphere of tourism, according to the Uzbek leader.

"In our opinion, the vast opportunities and enormous tourism potential, unfortunately, are still not fully utilized. For a joint analysis of the implementation of the Strategy for the development of cooperation of the CIS member states in the field of tourism for the period up to 2020 and the development of a plan of concrete actions we are ready to host one of the regular sessions of the Commonwealth Tourism Council in Samarkand," he said.

The expansion of applied scientific and technical cooperation and educational exchange will not be left aside, according to Mirziyoyev.

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is a free association of sovereign states formed in 1991 by Russia and 11 other republics that were formerly part of the Soviet Union. The organization coordinates its members’ policies regarding their economies, defense, immigration policies, environmental protection, and law enforcement.

The CIS united Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine. However, in 2008 Georgia withdrew its membership.

---

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz   

This would allow the two countries to achieve success in trade and economic cooperation, according to the chairman of the Tajik Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sharif Said, podrobno.uz reported.

Today, the volumes of bilateral trade between the countries are unsatisfactory, despite the dynamics of growth of these indicators in recent years, he noted.

"To achieve this goal, we could use modern methods such as e-commerce, leasing, the creation of joint innovation productions, and in this way to enter the markets of other countries under the joint brand ‘Tajikistan-Uzbekistan’, using the privileges and preferences of the existing free economic zones," the chairman said at the business forum in Tashkent.

He believes that Uzbek entrepreneurs, using this potential, can significantly increase their share and investment activity in Tajikistan.

"The opportunities for cooperation are large, but they do not meet all the requirements yet, and we must effectively use all resources and opportunities to strengthen trade and economic relations between the business communities of our countries," Said noted.

A business forum of the two countries was held within the framework of the Tajik National Exhibition of Products. Representatives of ministries and companies responsible for such spheres as light industry, power engineering, machine building, metallurgy, automotive industry, transport and logistics, food, chemical industry, construction materials, agriculture and tourism participated in the forum.

Following the event, promising agreements were reached to develop cooperation in the fields of the chemical industry, transport communications, light industry, agriculture, tourism and industrial production.

Currently 24 enterprises with the participation of Tajik capital, including one with one hundred percent foreign investment, operate in Uzbekistan. At the same time, 9 enterprises were created on the territory of Tajikistan with the participation of Uzbek residents.

In the first nine months of the current year, the Uzbek-Tajik trade reached a mark of $178.2 million. The Trade House of Uzbekistan was opened in Dushanbe in June.

In 2016, the trade turnover between the two countries hit $69 million, which is almost 6 times more than in 2015. 

---

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz  

A network of centers for the integrated service of farms, dehkan farms as well as the owners of household land will be established throughout Uzbekistan in the near future.

This decision was recently approved by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The new centers will be created at the district councils of farms, dekhkan farms and landowners, podrobno.uz reported.

Their main tasks include providing consulting services to producers of agricultural products, including consulting in the legal, economic, technological spheres and assistance in drawing up business plans.

In addition, they will engage in intermediary services in the sale of agricultural products in the domestic and foreign markets, the delivery on a contractual basis of necessary material resources, seeds and seedlings, containers, equipment and other means to farmers.

Another important area of their work is providing consulting services to attract bank loans, funds and grants from international and foreign financial organizations. The agrarian’s qualification advancement will not be left aside. The centers will conduct training and practical courses for retraining and advanced training in the sphere of agriculture.

The creation of new cooperative chains among farmers in the production, harvesting, storage, processing, and export of agricultural products is also an important direction of the centers’ operation.

The country's economy depends heavily on agricultural production. Last year the volume of gross agricultural production in Uzbekistan reached 47.4 trillion soums. As of January 1, 2017, the number of operating farms exceeded 132,000 and dekhkan farms - 4.7 million.

In total, 8.2 million tons of grain, 2.9 million tons of potatoes, 11.2 million tons of vegetables, over 3 million tons of fruits and berries, 1.7 million tons of grapes, 2 million tons of melons and 2.9 million tons of raw cotton were produced in the country last year.

Because of the risks associated with a one-crop economy as well as from considerations of food security for the population, Uzbekistan has been trying to diversify its production of other agricultural products, while reducing cotton production.

The Central Asian nation intends to decrease production and public procurement of raw cotton up to 3 million tons by 2020.

Thus, Uzbekistan aims to increase production of grain crops up to 8.5 million tons with the growth rate of 16.4 percent by 2020 due to optimization of lands and introduction of modern agriculture technologies. It is also planned to increase production of potatoes by 35 percent, other vegetables by 30 percent, fruits and grapes 21.5 percent, meat by 26.2 percent, milk by 47.3 percent, eggs by 74.5 percent and fish by 2.5 times.

---

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz