~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kyrgyz News Digest On-Line Weekly (C) Kyrgyz American School April 16-22, 1996
Editors: Bolot Kerimbaev, Edil Baissaloff
` Acknowledgements: see end of message ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CONTENTS
Curious Facts
Conferences
Economy and Business
Politics
Information
CURIOUS FACTS In August, 20 servicemen of the Kyrgyz Army will participate in the Cooperative Osprey drills in North Carolina, US. This decision is a result of the negotiations between the Ministy of Defense of Kyrgyzstan and the delegation of their US colleagues, headed by general John Shihan. ("Peace Makers, Get Ready for Drills!", SK, Apr 20-21, 96, pg.6)
A Dog Show, "Asia-96" was organized by Bishkek Kennel Club last week-end. ("If a dog could speak...", VB, Apr 19, 96, pg.6)
The First Channel of Russian Television is back. It had been available only in the evenings. (VB, Apr 19, 96, pg.7)
CONFERENCES Bishkek hosted the "Regional Stability and Security in the Central Asia" conference. The forum, organized by the International Institute for Strategic Research of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in conjunction with the European Security Centre, gathered representatives from the Presidents', Parliament, and the Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministries. The participants concluded: today the security of the region is primarily endangered by the internal threats. Among other issues discussed were the economic crisis, the deteriorating ecological situation, legal issues, drug contraband, and potential ethnical conflicts. ("Central Asia: Oasis of Security or High Risk Zone", SK, Apr 20-21, 96, pg. 6)
The Nature of University Education conference brought together professionals in the area of higher education. More than 70 scholars presented their ideas in various fields, ranging from natural sciences to philosophy, from trends in higher education to linguistics and literature. The conference was organized by the Kyrgyz American School and IREX. (our info)
The National Committee of the LIFE program held a meeting in Bishkek. It selected six projects for protecting city environments in Bishkek and Osh, such as waste management, "greening", and employment opportunities. ("City Environment", SK, Apr 20-21, 96, pg.2)
ECONOMY and BUSINESS Prime Minister A. Djumagulov visited Osh oblast. He familiarized himself with the situation in agriculture and industry. One of the problems faced by agriculture is a seed shortage; however, this year's yield is expected to exceed the last year's. Tobacco is one of the export items of the Republic: The Prime Minister promised support to tobacco producers. Most factories in Osh oblast are idle, with only a few exceptions. ("Spring Troubles of Premier", SK, Apr 20-21, 96, pg.2)
The last meeting of the Humanitarian Aid Government Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic was held with participation of the National Airlines Company, railway transport and international charity organizations. The transport companies are demanding payments for delivery of the humanitarian aid, for they operate at a loss (btw, in other countries, the aid is distributed by the host country free of charge). Thus, the committee decided to provide for timely delivery of the aid; possibly, it would be done throughlower taxes. The chair of the meeting was Vice-Prime Minister M. Djangaracheva. ("Humanitarian Aid Became a Burden?", SK, Apr 20-21, 96, pg.4)
A World Bank mission is arriving in Bishkek on Sunday, April 28 to analyse implementation of WB financed projects, and to determine priority areas for new projects. Since 1994, the WB has implemented and still implements 18 projects, and has provided 19 grants, or credits. This mission is expected to discuss agriculture, industry, health, and telecommunications. ("The WB Wishes to Know...", SK, Apr 20-21, 96, pg. 4)
The Kyrgyz-Iranian committee for Trade and Economic cooperation, created two years ago, discussed possible cooperation in industry, agriculture, transport, telecommunications, culture, education, science, and tourism. ("On the Way to Each Other", SK, Apr 20-21, 96, pg.4)
On Monday, April 23, the Kyrgyz Stock Exchange starts pilot trading of the state's share of privatized enterprises. The Fund of State Property plans to expand this program if the auction proves successful. ("Who wants the tough share, the state's one?", VB, Apr 19, 96, pg.8)
Farmers of Djalal-Abad oblast received a $165,000 grant from Japan for equipment and fuel. This program, TACIS-3, also has prepared 250 business- projects for Kyrgyzstan's agriculture. ("We'll See How We're Taught to Plow", VB, Apr 19, 96, pg.8)
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development provides $12 million, the World Bank - $15 million, and Germany - $14.3 million for developing small and medium-size businesses in Kyrgyzstan. Formerly, only 10% of business plans received funding. Now, one foreign company assists in preparing international level business plans. ("...How a Small Becomes Big", VB, Apr 19, 96, pg.8)
A Kyrgyz-Greek joint company, Kyzyl-Kia Tobacco Factory, will grow tobacco in Kyrgyzstan and produce cigarettes in Greece. Production is expected to amount to 4 billion cigarettes per year. Greek partners own larger share. ("...How Greek Tobacco Grows", VB, Apr 19, 96, pg.8)
Aichurek (a Bishkek Department store) will open a subsidiary in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The Kyrgyz partners will ship Turkish, Chinese, Iranian, and Indian products to Tashkent; in exchange, Uzbek partners will provide gas. ("Moon Beauty Ready to Conquer Tashkent", VB, Apr 19, 96, pg.2)
POLITICS The General Agreement between the government and the Board of the Labor Unions Federation on socio-economic and labor issues was signed. Efforts will be concentrated on anticrisis activities, reviving of industry, resolving non-payment problems, and increasing standards of living. The Agreement outlines cooperation on employment, labor contracts, and incomes. Efficient mechanisms for timely payment of wages, pensions, stipends, and allowances, will be developed. ("Gov't and Labor Unions Shake Hands", SK, Apr 20-21, 96, pg.2)
INFORMATION Som/USD exchange rate: 11.65..11.72 Price: gasoline (1 liter) 2.6..3.0 Weather: +13..+18, sun
REFERENCES SK=Slovo Kyrgyzstana VB=Vecherniy Bishkek
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Idea: Camilla Sharshekeeva Advisor: John Clark Freenet: Igor Aronov & Jonathan Korn
If you have any questions and comments you are very welcome to send them to my email [email protected] . . . . . . . . . . . .
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