Uzbekistan - The Times Of Central Asia

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Eurasian Creative Week Held in Uzbekistan

From 22 to 29 June, Uzbekistan hosted the first international World Coaching Championship, as part of the 8th international festival, Eurasian Creative Week. The festival events spanned three cities: Tashkent, Khiva, and Nukus, marking an expansion in scope from previous editions. The festival program commenced in grand fashion at TEAM University in Tashkent with a charity ball hosted by Silk Road Media Ltd. Over a hundred guests from various countries attended, highlighting the festival's role in fostering international connections. The charity ball began with a warm welcome from Andrew Wachtel, Chairman of the Board of Directors of TEAM University, and continued with insights from Marat Akhmedjanov, founder of Silk Road Media Ltd. The event celebrated the festival's 20th anniversary and showcased the charitable projects of the holding. Noteworthy figures such as artist, Alinur Rashidov, and composer, Tolibkhon Shahidi were part of the guest list, demonstrating strong support for promoting creative endeavors in the Eurasian region. The festival also saw the inauguration of the World Coaching Championship, a unique competition organized by Silk Road Media in collaboration with the Elena Bezrukova Center. The championships culminated in an awards ceremony where the winners were recognized for their excellence and innovation in coaching. As the festival unfolded, attendees were immersed in cultural experiences, from poetry lessons to animated video presentations on ecology. The journey through Tashkent, Khiva, and Nukus showcased the artistic talents of the region and underscored the importance of fostering international dialogue and cooperation in the creative industries. Overall, the Eurasian Creative Week served as a testament to the power of art and collaboration in bridging cultural divides and nurturing a sense of unity among diverse communities. Through initiatives like the World Coaching Championship and the immersive exhibitions at the Savitsky Museum, participants were able to exchange ideas, showcase their talents, and celebrate the vibrant heritage of Eurasia.

Uzbekistan Creates Law to Address Excessive Energy Consumption

The law “On saving energy, its rational use and increasing energy efficiency" was approved at the plenary session of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis held in Uzbekistan on July 10. The law defines the tasks and rules for ensuring energy security, saving energy, increasing efficiency, and promoting rational use of resources, such as electric and thermal energy, fuel, and non-traditional energy resources in economic and social sectors. The law also establishes the responsibility for excessive energy resource consumption in Uzbekistan. Energy-saving directions and improvements in energy efficiency apply to the fields of construction and transport, buildings and structures, heat supply and utility companies, agriculture, and water management. According to the senators, the adoption of this law will help further optimize the costs of energy resources and create a legal basis for systematic monitoring of energy consumption efficiency.

Chinese Company to Invest in Uzbekistan’s Coal Mines

The Chinese company Henan intends to invest $400 million in developing coal deposits in Uzbekistan. There are also plans by the Turkish company Bab Energy ve Petrol Urunleri A.S. to establish facilities for the production of enriched kaolin. On July 9th, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received a report on the work and progress of investment projects in the field of geology. According to the provided data, almost 3 million tons of coal have been extracted in the country over the last six months. There are plans for the production of more than 5 million tons of coal in the second half of the year. Overall, coal production is expected to increase by 1.4 million tons this year compared to last year, while imports are expected to decrease significantly. The coal industry is also implementing a number of investment projects. In particular, the Chinese company Henan plans to directly invest 400 million dollars towards the development of the Nishbash deposit. As a result of this project, up to 8 million tons of coal will be mined from underground and 5 million tons of coal per year will be enriched. In addition, there are plans to produce enriched kaolin from the "Apartak-3" deposit in the Tashkent region jointly with the Turkish company Bab Energy ve Petrol Urunleri A.S. As a result of this joint venture, 40 new jobs will be created, and 70 thousand tons of enriched kaolin will be produced per year.

Uzbekistan and Afghanistan Discuss Railroad Projects and Freight Traffic

During a visit to Tashkent by a delegation from Afghanistan, representatives of the Uzbek and Afghan governments discussed reducing fees and duties for cargo carriers. A transit agreement between Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan was also discussed. During the visit, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan extended the contract to reconstruct the Khairaton-Mazar-e-Sharif railroad line for another six months. They also discussed technical studies for the Trans-Afghan railroad project, and scholarships for training Afghan railroaders in Uzbekistan. The reconstruction of the Hairaton-Mazar-e-Sharif railroad started in February this year. In parallel with the work on the branch line, reconstruction works are underway in park "B" of Hairaton station. Uzbekistan's First Deputy Transport Minister, Mamanbiy Omarov, said earlier that freight traffic along the transport corridor between the countries had increased 1.5 times over the past two years. Uzbekistan has provided several privileges for road and rail transportation. Omarov said the Afghan government will soon introduce equal payments for cargoes from Uzbekistan. He emphasized that transit transportation should develop bilaterally and be mutually beneficial.

Energy

Expansion of Japanese Investment in Uzbekistan

On July 9, Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting in Tashkent with a Japanese delegation, including Tadashi Maeda, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), and a representative of the Sojitz Corporation. Agreements were reached on the adoption of a three-year cooperation program with JBIC, as well as a roadmap with Sojitz Corporation for the implementation of potential projects in high-tech sectors of Uzbekistan’s economy. The Uzbek leader noted JBIC’s significant role in the implementation of investment projects in the country, which today includes a portfolio of joint initiatives worth over $3.7 billion in the petrochemical and textile industries, energy, and infrastructure modernization. The president also expressed his deep appreciation of Sojitz’s implementation of projects in the country’s oil and gas sector. The Japanese company confirmed its intention to expand business activities in Uzbekistan, including, based on an agreement signed in 2022, the Syrdarya II IPP project, destined to become one of the largest power generation facilities in Uzbekistan. The Sojitz Corporation also announced its opening of a liaison office in Tashkent through which it aims to strengthen existing business as well as develop new business while striving to address regional needs across Central Asia.

Uzbekistan: Bukhara Administration Denies Relocation of “Eternal Bukhara”

Previously, The Times of Central Asia reported in an article titled "Land Cleared for Tourism next to Old Bukhara; UNESCO Urges Pause" that the construction of "Eternal Bukhara," a tourist facility in the Bukhara region of Uzbekistan, had sparked protests from locals and UNESCO alike. Recently, rumors spread on social media claiming that the "Eternal Bukhara" project is proceeding on the city's outskirts despite public objections. However, the Bukhara city administration has now provided official information to clarify the situation. According to the regional administration, these reports are false. They assert that the construction of the cultural ethnographic park "Eternal Bukhara" is progressing systematically. Most of the old and dilapidated buildings in the area have been dismantled, and the construction site is now 90% ready. Additionally, the Bukhara regional administration have stated that previous dismantling work was completed without affecting the population or surrounding structures, whilst adhering to technical safety regulations. Nearly 70% of the work has reportedly already been completed. The administration also noted that the project documents for "Eternal Bukhara" are being finalized in collaboration with renowned historians, scientists, cultural heritage experts, and international project organizations.