UZBEKISTAN – JUNE 1-30, 2019 Top News of the period ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Central Bank of Uzbekistan talks on innovations in payment system (Exclusive) 2 Politics and Law ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 B2B e-invoicing to become mandatory from 2020 2 Uzbekistan to hold UN’s FAO conference 3 Uzbekistan, UAE to cooperate in healthcare sector 3 A delegation of Uzbekistan arrives in Brussels 3 Brussels celebrates Uzbekistan Energy Day 4 Uzbekistan, EU hold 15th meeting of Subcommittee on Justice, Internal Affairs, Human Rights and Related Issues 4 Samarkand to host 65th meeting of UNWTO Regional Commission for Europe 4 Economy and Finance ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Wholesale electricity exchange could be set up in Tashkent 5 Uzbekistan intends to build wind power stations with a capacity of 500 MW 5 New projects are designed to solve a strategic task - to unite the 4 largest transport corridors in China, the CIS, Europe and South Asia 6 Implementation of investment projects in energy, chemical industries instructed to be accelerated 7 Investment cooperation prospects are discussed in Brussels 7 Uzbekistan’s economic transformation gets further boost, with US$ 500 million World Bank loan 8 Business 8 Uzbekistan plans to create an innovative medical park 8 Uzbekistan, Turkey to launch joint cluster for production of shoes, leather 9 Samsung talks on introduction of digital technology [for uzbekistan post company] in Uzbekistan 10 Renault could launch [production of] budget cars in Uzbekistan 10 Modern railway station is built in Angren 10 Tourism and Culture ........................................................................................................................................................................... 11 An exhibition dedicated to Uzbekistan to be organized at the Louvre Museum 11 Grandvoyage Tourism Awards: Uzbekistan recognized as the best developing tourist destination 12 Alliance Française’s Representative Office opens in Namangan 12 International airport "Bukhara" is recognized as the best among the CIS countries 13 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 4/03/2019 Uzbekistan, June 1-30, 2019 page 1 of 13 TOP NEWS OF THE PERIOD Central Bank of Uzbekistan talks on innovations in payment system (Exclusive) A project on payments and payment systems that will ensure the solution of tasks related to legal, technical and technological support of payment systems is to be developed in accordance with the resolution of the president of Uzbekistan, Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan B. Zakhidov told Trend in an interview. Zakhidov noted that it is necessary to fulfil the tasks of improving the regulatory issues and regulatory support of payment systems. In his words, another task is to create an interbank system of remote customer identification with the ability to integrate with an interdepartmental integration platform of e- government. Zahidov stated, "Moreover, the further development and widespread use of remote banking services as well as introduction of modern technologies for retail payment systems and online services are also important." Among other major objectives the Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan named ensuring conditions for the smooth operation of banking information systems and resources, and the continuity of functions including functions for interbank information exchange. "At the same time, special attention will be paid to ensuring the smooth functioning of the Interbank Payment System and the Clearing System of Central Bank Settlements alongside expansion of their functionality and transition to the round-the-clock operations," he said. In addition, Zakhidov noted, the presidential decree also provides for the creation of a full-fledged Data Processing Center to ensure the smooth operation of the National Interbank Processing Center, the interbank payment system and the clearing center of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan. Trend News Agency – trend.az POLITICS AND LAW B2B e-invoicing to become mandatory from 2020 The Government issued the Measures to Improve the Use of Electronic Invoices in the Settlements System. In accordance with the resolution, from July 1, 2019, the execution, storage and registration of electronic invoices will be voluntary in Uzbekistan, while from January 1, 2020 it will become mandatory for all businesses. The “New Technologies” scientific information center under the State Tax Committee has been designated as the authorized roaming operator for centralized storage, inter-operator transfer and keeping records of e-invoices. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 4/03/2019 Uzbekistan, June 1-30, 2019 page 2 of 13 The resolution has approved the Regulation on the use of electronic invoices in the settlements system. Tashkent Times - tashkenttimes.uz Uzbekistan to hold UN’s FAO conference The 32-nd regional conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for Europe will be held in Uzbekistan on May 5-7, 2020, Trend reports with reference to the press service of the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan will host this event for the first time. The agreement to hold the conference was reached in Rome on June 23 in the framework of the 41st session of the FAO Conference, where the Minister of Agriculture of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khojaev participates. Uzbekistan became a member of the FAO in 2001. In 2014, a representative office was opened in Tashkent. FAO's strategic goals are to contribute to the fight against hunger, increase the fertility and stability of agriculture, forestry and fish farming, and reduce poverty in rural areas. AzerNews – azernews.az Uzbekistan, UAE to cooperate in healthcare sector Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will cooperate in healthcare sector. Minister of Healthcare of Uzbekistan Alisher Shadmanov and Head of the Office of the Government of the Emirate of Dubai Sultan Khalifa Sultan Belobaid Alsuaidi signed a memorandum of understanding on rendering technical assistance within technical support of medical institutions of Uzbekistan worth US$1 million. This agreement will serve to further improve the quality of medical service and meet the needs of the population in modern high-tech medical care in our country. UzDaily – Uzdaily.com A delegation of Uzbekistan arrives in Brussels On 17 June 2019, a delegation of Uzbekistan led by high-ranking Advisor to the Minister of Innovative Development Karsten Heinz arrived in Brussels. The Uzbek delegation will hold a presentation of the investment potential of the country, organized by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Belgium, together with the European Institute for Asian Studies. About 100 representatives of ministries, agencies, research centers, business people and mass media of the Benelux countries and EU institutions are expected to attend the event. It is planned to hold negotiations at the Brussels Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the European External Action Service, the EU Commission’s Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development, and the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. The delegation will also attend the European Development Days forum on June 18-19. Europe’s leading forum on development since 2006, organized by the European Commission, bring the development community together each year to share ideas and experiences in ways that inspire new partnerships and //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 4/03/2019 Uzbekistan, June 1-30, 2019 page 3 of 13 innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. It is expected to gather more than 8,000 people. UzDaily – Uzdaily.com Brussels celebrates Uzbekistan Energy Day The event is organized by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Belgium jointly with the Brussels Energy Club. Deputy Chairman of the Board of JSC Thermal Power Station F. Shaismatov made a presentation on the process of fundamental reforming the electric power industry conducted in Uzbekistan and creating favorable conditions for attracting foreign investment. Chairman of the Board of JSCB Kapitalbank K. Olimov and consultant of this bank Sh. Ziyaviddinov informed about participation of Uzbekistan banks in investment projects. Participants of the event highly appreciated the results of large-scale reforms implemented in Uzbekistan by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in all spheres of socio-economic life. Uzbekistan National News Agency - uza.uz Uzbekistan, EU hold 15th meeting of Subcommittee on Justice, Internal Affairs, Human Rights and Related Issues The 15th meeting of the Uzbekistan-EU Subcommittee on Justice, Internal Affairs, Human Rights and Related Issues was held on June 24, 2019 in Brussels. The Uzbekistan delegation headed by the Deputy Minister of Justice A.Tashkulova