Tashkent, Uzbekistan, MAY 27 — According to the results of January-April 2020, the foreign trade turnover (FTT) of Uzbekistan reached US$10.82 billion, which, compared with the same period of last year, decreased by US$1.3 billion.

Of the total FTT, exports reached US$4.41 billion (a decrease of 10.6% compared to January-April 2019 was recorded), while imports reached US$6.4 billion (a decrease of 10.8%) A passive balance of foreign trade turnover in the amount of US$1.99 billion was registered.

Uzbekistan has trade relations with more than 150 countries of the world. The largest volume of its foreign trade turnover among them was recorded with the Russian Federation (16.7%), China (16.6%), Kazakhstan (8.3%), the Republic of Korea (7.4%), Turkey (5.6%), Kyrgyzstan (2.0%) and Germany (2.0%).

Significant changes have been achieved in the structure of exports as a result of increased production of products that replaced imported goods and diversification of industrial production.

In addition, there is a strengthening of relations with neighboring countries, and a lot of work is being done to develop relations in the socio-economic, commercial, industrial and cultural spheres with these countries.

In particular, there have been significant changes in the FTT in recent years with neighboring countries, such as Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The presence of an active foreign trade balance with Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan can be considered as a positive result in the country’s foreign trade.

The largest volume of the FTT with other states (except for neighboring countries) falls on Russia, China, the Republic of Korea and Turkey.

Among the 20 major partner countries in foreign economic activity, there is also an active foreign trade balance with six countries, in particular with Afghanistan (US$213.7 million), Kyrgyzstan (US$138.8 million), Tajikistan (US$93.7 million), Turkey (US$42.8 million), France (US$23.6 million) and Iran (US$8.0 million). With the remaining 14 countries, a passive balance of foreign trade is maintained.

One third of the FTT volume falls on the CIS countries and, in recent years, there is a tendency to increase this indicator. This, in turn, indicates the expansion of foreign economic relations with the CIS countries.

As a result of measures taken by the government of the republic to strengthen cooperation with the CIS countries and comprehensive support for foreign trade, the share of foreign trade of the CIS countries, compared to the same period of 2018, increased by 3.1% and their share in foreign trade, according to the results of January-April 2020, made up 35.1%.

The volume of foreign trade turnover of other states in January-April 2020 decreased (a decrease of 10.5%) and made up 64.9% of the total foreign trade turnover.

In January-April of the current year, the total number of exporting entities made up 3 651 units and this ensured that the volume of exports, excluding special exports, reached up to US$2.86 billion (a decrease of 22.9% compared to the same period of 2019).

In the export structure, 83.0% is occupied by goods, which mainly account for industrial goods (17.1%), mineral fuels, lubricating oils and similar materials (8.0%), food products and live animals (6.2%).

There is a difference in the direction of export of goods and services between the CIS countries and other foreign countries. So, 27.5% of exports to the CIS countries primarily accounted for services, followed by industrial goods, various finished products, as well as mineral fuel, lubricating oils and similar materials.

During the reporting period, the export of beverages, tobacco, non-food raw materials (except fuel), machinery and transport equipment, various finished products, as well as animal and vegetable oil to the CIS countries increased at the fastest pace, the decline was primarily noted in the export of mineral fuels, food and chemicals.

An analysis of the structure of exported goods and services in January-April 2020, sent to other countries, showed that, compared with January-April 2019, the volume of exports of machinery and transport equipment, raw materials of non-food, mineral fuels, lubricants and similar materials, as well as services declined.

Over the past three years, the volume of exports to the CIS countries has increased and their share in its total volume has increased from 24.2% to 30.2%. Accordingly, the share of the total exports of other foreign countries decreased from 75.8% to 69.8%.

Compared with January-April 2018-2019, our main partners in the export of goods and services in foreign trade in January-April 2020 were such countries as the Russian Federation (11.9% of total exports), China (11, 6%), Turkey (7.3%), Kazakhstan (5.3%), Afghanistan (4.9%), Kyrgyzstan (4.1%) and Tajikistan (2.8%). Their share in total exports reached 47.8%.

In January-April 2020, compared to the same period, among the seven major partner countries for the export of goods and services, China went down one position, losing its leading position in the share of exports to the Russian Federation. The geography of partner countries for the export of goods and services, compared with the same period of 2019, increased from 135 to 140 countries.

The largest volume of exported goods among major partner countries accounted for mineral fuel, lubricating oil and similar materials, industrial goods, and various finished products.

According to the results of January-April 2020, the volume of export of services made up US$749.3 million, or 17.0% of its total volume and decreased by 22.8% compared to the same period of 2019. Over the past three years, the share of services in total exports has increased due to growth. In the export of services, the largest share falls on transport services (61.6%) and travel (tourism) (27.1%).

The volume of exports of fruits and vegetables in physical terms made up more than 362.6 thousand tons and, in value terms, exceeded US$185.4 million (the rate of decline compared to the same period of 2019 was 19.1% and 42 ,4 %).

Of these, 308.8 thousand tons of vegetables were exported in the amount of US$121.0 million, as well as 26.8 thousand tons of fruits and berries in the amount of US$34.2 million (the rate of decline in value terms, compared with the same period of 2019, respectively, made up 31.9% and 43.0%).

The main export markets for fruits and vegetables are Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan.

Due to the fact that the government pays considerable attention to the development of agriculture and horticulture, the quality and volume of exported goods are increasing from year to year. So, in January-April 2020, the share of fruits and vegetables in total exports made up 4.2%.

The largest volume in value terms of export of fruits and vegetables falls on Kazakhstan (25.4% of the total volume of fruits and vegetables), which exceeds the volume of exports to the Russian Federation by 1.2 times.

The increase in textile exports can directly be seen as the result of reforms to produce finished products and create value added instead of raw cotton production. For example, according to the results of January-April 2020, textile products were exported in the amount of US$527.7 million, which accounted for 11.9% of the total export volume and, compared to January-April 2019, it increased by 2.5%.

In the structure of textile exports, the main share is cotton yarn (51.3%), as well as finished knitwear and garments (25.6%). In January-April 2020, more than 326 types of textile products were exported to 52 countries.

As a result of practical work to diversify the textile industry of the republic and stimulate the export of finished products, our country’s potential in this area is growing.

The largest share of textile exports falls on the Russian Federation (US$210.9 million – 40.0%), China (US$101.4 million – 19.2%) and Turkey (US$66.6 million – 12.6%).

During the reporting period, imports made up US$6.4 billion (a decrease in the growth rate compared to January-April 2019 was 10.8%).

The main share in its structure is occupied by machinery and transport equipment (36.3%), industrial goods (16.5%), as well as chemicals and similar products (13.3%).

An analysis of the dynamics of imports of goods and services also showed that in January-April 2020, compared with the same period of 2019, the volume of imports of goods decreased by US$632.6 million and made up US$5 884.6 million, and imports of services reached US$521.7 million.

The largest share of imports of mineral fuels, lubricating oils and similar materials (95.8%), animal and vegetable oil, fats and wax (84.9%), as well as non-food raw materials, except for fuel (80.1%) falls on countries CIS, while in other foreign countries the largest share falls on machinery and transport equipment (86.7%), chemicals and similar products (74.6%).

An analysis of the structure of imported goods and services in January-April 2020 also showed that, compared with January-April 2019, the share of imports of non-food raw materials increased from 4.6% to 5.2%, and the share of machinery and transport equipment, industrial of goods decreased from 38.6% to 36.3%, from 17.5% to 16.5%, respectively.

An analysis of service imports also showed that in January-April 2020, compared to the same period of 2018, the share in total imports decreased from 11.6% to 8.1%.

The decrease in food imports is due to sugar, sugar and honey products (by 31.8%), cereals and products from them (by 3.6%).

There is also a decrease in imports of manufactured goods, products from non-metallic minerals (by 30.4%), products from corks and wood (except furniture) (by 25.3%).

In dynamics, a stable ratio of the share of imports with the CIS countries and other foreign countries remains, which, within, is the ratio of 38.4:61.6.

At the end of the reporting period, China kept the first place among the major partner countries for imports with share of imports in the total volume of 20.1% and the Russian Federation, which, with a share of 19.9 %, is in second place.

Compared to the same period of 2019, the top six import partner countries have not changed.

In general, in January-April 2020, goods and services from 128 countries were imported to the Republic of Uzbekistan

Seven major partner countries (China, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Korea, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Germany and Lithuania) in the total volume of imports have a share of 72.0%, which amounts to US$4.61 billion.

As the investment climate in the country improves and as a result of reforms implemented in this area, growth in imports of machinery and transport equipment is natural. So, taking into account large volumes of investments from China, Korea, Russia, Germany and Turkey, a high share of these countries in the volume of imports of these products remains.

The volume of imports of services in January-April 2020 made up US$521.7 million, or 8.1% of its total volume, and decreased by 21.2% compared to the same period of 2019. The main share in the import of services is travel (tourism – 64.3%) and transport services (16.0%).

According to the results of January-April 2020, the volume of imports of building materials in its total volume made up 5.1% and reached US$328.0 million.

The main share in its structure is wood and products from it (49.0%), glass and products from it (5.8%), cement (7.1%), as well as asbestos (1.8%).

In general, the volume of imports of building materials in January-April 2020, compared with 2019, decreased (a decrease of 20.1%).

The increase in imports of construction materials, compared to previous years, is directly related to large-scale reforms in the field of landscaping, in particular, housing construction, reconstruction and improvement of settlements.

The WTO partnership with the above countries can be regarded as the result of visits by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan over the past three years to 15 countries, in particular, visits and bilateral mutually beneficial agreements signed there with partner countries.

Tashkent, Uzbekistan , MAY 27  — The U.S. Government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has committed US$2 million dollars to protect migrants in Central Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic. This support will be delivered through the ongoing USAID-funded Safe Migration in Central Asia project, implemented by Winrock International, and includes support to migrants from Uzbekistan.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a humanitarian and financial crisis for millions of migrants in Central Asia, many of whom have been stranded in transit and destination countries across Central Asia.

The loss of jobs and remittances has left families without adequate resources and legal protections. Migrants also lack information about how to protect themselves from the virus, as well as the resources to do so.

Through the Safe Migration in Central Asia project, USAID will deliver much-needed assistance including informational resources; referrals to essential services; alternative livelihoods support; and skills training to help migrants navigate the difficult situation they are facing. The project will also ensure that migrants’ rights are protected through access to legal and psychological support.

The Safe Migration in Central Asia project supports five Central Asian republics with evidence-based practices and cross-border connections to strengthen the mutual accountability and effectiveness of governments, NGOs, and the private sector to prevent trafficking-in-persons (TIP), protect survivors, and promote safe migration.

USAID is working to better understand the unique challenges experienced by migrants and their families throughout Asia, which have been exacerbated during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Migrants can be negatively impacted by policies meant to protect the general population, experience limited access to systems of support, and may have to rely on dwindling natural resources for survival. As in Central Asia, investments are being made across the region to decrease vulnerabilities and strengthen systems for all.

Ali Sukhanver

Even senior Indian security officials are admitting that at present the Border incidents are at their highest since 2015. The basic purpose of the recent talks in the last days of this May was not to settle down the deep rooted conflicting issues between the two countries but to ‘lower down the temperature’ between the nuclear-armed neighbors. The most interesting fact pointed out by the officials is that ‘neither army was willing to compromise’

The recent talks between the Indian and Chinese military hi-ups have ended after adding more tension to the situation. Experts say that things are heading towards a serious break down in relations between the two countries. Even senior Indian security officials are admitting that at present the Border incidents are at their highest since 2015. The basic purpose of the recent talks in the last days of this May was not to settle down the deep rooted conflicting issues between the two countries but to ‘lower down the temperature’ between the nuclear-armed neighbors. The most interesting fact pointed out by the officials is that ‘neither army was willing to compromise’.

At present the basic reason of this rising tension rather the bone of contention is that India is working on construction plan of a road at the Pangong Tso which would connect the disputed border between the two countries. Pangong Tso also known as the Pangong Lake is an endorheic lake in the Himalayas. An endorheic means a basin-like shape limited drainage water reservoir which normally retains water but does not allows outflow to other external bodies of water, such as rivers or oceans. Instead it converges into lakes or swamps, permanent or seasonal. At its broadest point the width of the Pangong Tso Lake is about 5 Km and this 134 km long lake travels from India to the Tibetan Autonomous Region, China. On construction of this connecting road, China has serious reservations as this road may prove a security threat to China. In the first week of this May, the Chinese and Indian troops had serious clashes on the banks of the lake leaving dozens of soldiers injured. Most of the injured ones were from the Indian Army. Once again on 9^th of May the two armies had another serious clash close to the site of the Doklam standoff.

Doklam is a narrow plateau lying in the tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan. According to China, Doklam is a disputed territory between China and Bhutan. China considers the presence of Indian troops in that area is as a transgression. On the other hand India claims that it acts in the area on behalf of Bhutan, with which it has a ‘special relationship’. The situation of conflict and confrontation between the two countries at Doklam is not new, even three years back in 2017; the situation became tense in the same way when the military troops of the two countries engaged in a warlike scenario.

Doklam is not the only point of confrontation between China and India; Siliguri Corridor is also one of the points of conflict. This is a narrow passage close to an isolated plateau in the mighty Himalayan region. It is the place where three countries India, Bhutan and China converge. This passage connects India’s northeast states with the rest of the country. Commonly this corridor is known as ‘Chicken’s Neck’ where the word ‘Chicken’ refers to India. Encroachments and illegal advancements by the Indian troops in this area have always been a strong reason of conflict and dispute between the two countries. Keeping the neighboring countries engaged in a state of war has become a routine matter for India. From Pakistan to Nepal, none of the neighboring countries is having safe and friendly relations with India.

Recently the government of Nepal has also expressed its resentment on Indian activities inside its territory. This resentment was specifically with reference to the Kalapani Territory. According to the details in the second week of this May the Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a strategically crucial link road which connects Dharchula in the Indian state of Uttarakhand to the Lipulekh pass near the Line of Actual Control. The southern side of the pass is called Kalapani territory and Nepal claims this territory as its integral part. The Government of Nepal has warned the Government of India to refrain from carrying out any activity inside the territory of Nepal. The people of Nepal are also taking this ‘inauguration’ as a serious intrusion and invasion to their country. On 9^th of May several people gathered outside the Indian embassy in Kathmandu and protested against the construction of this road-link. They were holding placards and raising slogans against Indian hegemonic designs. According to different news agencies, people in a large number joined the protest despite a nationwide coronavirus lockdown.

Creating a warlike scenario is never a wise desire particularly in the days when the whole world is in a state of war with the pandemic of Covid-19. In shape of Corona, we all are facing a stronger rather merciless enemy. We are left with just two options; either to destroy this brutal enemy or let it destroy all of us. So in the larger interest of the world and for the sake of our survival, we will have to behave intelligently. Indian stubbornness, if not controlled, may lead to a new war in the region which would directly or indirectly affect the peace of the whole South Asia.

Syed Shakil Gillani

A large number of tourists from different countries of the world visit every year Turkey to see the historical places, background and explore opportunities for business and trade as they are always fascinated by the beauty of different cities of Turkey as well. In a very short span of time YunusEmre Turkish Cultural Centre contributed lot of and arranged mega cultural activities based on Turkish Art, Turga, Puppet show, Sufi Night etc including Celebrations of national day of Turkey and Commemoration of Martyred of the July 15^th and many others particularly painting in a local school before the fall of Corona virus in Pakistan.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan desired to watch next drama serial based on Theosophy and Sufism of Turkish Dervesh (Theosophist) namely YunusEmre  as the Turkish drama “Ertughral Ghazi” is being telecast by PTV, receiving high appreciation, in future joint venture between PTV, PBC and TRT can also be paved the way for production mutually in the field of Radio Broadcasting as well. More than 4 Million people have watched uptill, while the number of viewers on PTV Home and YouTube channel increasing and this was the top trend on Twitter for five consecutive hours that day. Turkish plays have been performed in Pakistan with Urdu translation and dubbing, but this is the unique popularity of “Ertughral Ghazi”. Government of Pakistan must plan to establish Pakistani Cultural Center in Turkey to promote Urdu language and introduce our culture as the Turkey is the only country who always Euphonically pleaded for Pakistan everywhere in the world weather it is the forum of UNO or OIC and also presented the case of Kashmir loudly to support the cause on humanitarian, social and moral grounds.

This drama can be trend setter in Pakistan to promote Turkish language and increasing rapidly a large number of students turn to learn Turkish at the National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad (NUML), Government College University Lahore (GCU), University of The Punjab (PU) and YunusEmre Turkish Cultural Centre Lahore(TCCL). The first YunusEmre Turkish Cultural Centre was established here at Lahore/Pakistan in January, 2017 under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Government of Turkey to introduce Turkish Culture, tradition and rights also to break the language barrier between two brotherly countries Turkey and Pakistan, to understand each other closely. The role of YunusEmre Turkish Cultural Centre is really integral and un-avoidable between two brave and egoistic countries to strengthen each other among the sophisticated communities of the world to accelerate the peace and harmony with moral, trade and value able support.

YunusEmre Institutes are offering their professional services more than 58 countries in the world to promote Turkish language, culture and heritage specially focusing on teaching, tourism and artistic activities. A large number of tourists from different countries of the world visit every year Turkey to see the historical places, background and explore opportunities for business and trade as they are always fascinated by the beauty of different cities of Turkey as well. In a very short span of time YunusEmre Turkish Cultural Centre contributed lot of and arranged mega cultural activities based on Turkish Art, Turga, Puppet show, Sufi Night etc including Celebrations of national day of Turkey and Commemoration of Martyred of the July 15^th and many others particularly painting in a local school before the fall of Corona virus in Pakistan. Pertinent to mention the dedicated and devotional services of the President of YunusEmre Institute Prof DrŞerefAteş and efforts of UlaşErtaş, Director YEE are tremendous.

The writer is broadcast journalist & can be accessed at [email protected]

Kabul: (dna A probe team led by Iran’s deputy Foreign Minister Mohsin Baharwand on Tuesday met with Haneef Atmar, Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister, and the two sides discussed issues around the investigation of the border incident, the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. On May 22, the Afghan Foreign Ministry said that talks between Afghan border commissioners and Iran concerning last month’s alleged drowning of Afghan migrants by the Iranian border police ended without results on Friday.
“Mr. Mohsin Baharwand expressed his deep sorrow over the incident and condemned the incident in the strongest possible terms,” said MoFA.
According to the statement, the Iranian delegation said that such an act was not acceptable to the people and government of Iran and that Iran is ready to investigate the case together with the Afghan probe team to maintain justice.
At the end of April, over 50 Afghan migrants were trying to cross the border when they were “tortured and drowned” by Iranian guards, according to eyewitnesses.
On May 8, Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani tasked a 10-member team to probe reports of the drowning of dozens of Afghan migrants by Iranian border security forces earlier this week.