Uzbekistan-U. S. Economic Relations Problems and Perspectives
Uzbekistan-U.
S. Economic Relations: Problems and Perspectives
An
Independent Study by Mamurjon Rahimov,
Economics
Department, the University
Foreword
A lot of foreign and international companies and
organizations have long been reluctant to rely on Uzbek statistical data. In
fact, right before the brake-up of the Soviet Union, there was a large
investigation by authorities from Moscow about notorious statistics
manipulation by Uzbeks in cotton production and delivery to Russian textile
factories. Millions of rubles (Soviet currency) changed hands, echelons of
EMPTY trains traveled all the way to Moscow, large amounts of bribes were paid
to special interest groups, mafia was involved - and at the end the cotton in
the statistics was never produced. Therefore it was labeled "Pahta
Ishi" (i.e. Cotton Conspiracy). The main investigator, Mr. Gdlian died in
an airplane crush - reportedly set up after the roots of the case led him back
to Moscow.
Therefore, I did insert some key data, and proceeded on
to "paint" a big picture of the situation. Besides simple statistics
such as population size, inflation, unemployment, and many other key statistics
have been extensively manipulated. I myself started working for the largest new
economic sector of Uzbekistan - automotive industry in 1. As an insider I
learnt grave violations in simple economic statistics such as: Cars produced in
Uzbekistan were shipped out of the country, and their dollar amount was
immediately written down as AUTOMOTIVE EXPORTS - regardless they were never
sold. I was told by a witness who traveled to Russia, main market for Uzbek
cars, that thousands (!) of cars shipped there in 1997 were rotting in storage
places - under snow and rain! Is that exports? Main website for info on
Uzbekistan,.gov.uz has economic data up to 2001. Most other sources make
their own estimates. Therefore I did not concentrate on statistics and went on
to highlight major issues.
Summary
Uzbekistan is a key US ally in
the Central Asian region in the international war against terrorismа
Introduction
The United States and
Uzbekistan have maintained close relations since Uzbekistan gained its
independence in 1991, cooperating in a large array of areas, such as defense
and security, designing measures against illegal narcotics trafficking,
liberalization of trade, promotion of democracy in the region, and, more
recently, combating international terrorism.
Uzbekistan- U. S. economic relations can not be viewed separately from
all of the above, since Uzbekistan is a new country and requires strong
international support in facilitation of development in almost every field.
Uzbekistan at
the time of gaining independence
At the time of gaining its
independence from the former USSR, UzbekistanТs economy was in shambles and
ill-prepared for an independent functioning.
The fact that this independence was gained by default and/or inertia
partially contributed on the lack of preparedness of the economy. For decades until this break-up, UzbekistanТs
economy was, just like that of any other Уlittle-brotherФ republicsТ (i.e.
except Russia, the Уbig brotherУ), geared towards working like a small wheel in
the Soviet mega-economy. Mainly,
Uzbekistan was a producer of cotton for the textile industry of the former
USSR. Besides that, Uzbekistan supplied
other raw materials such as silk, wool, produce; and natural gas. Instead of building on its existing
strengths, which was the recommendation of various think tanks and foreign
advisors, Uzbekistan chose to remain a raw-material supplier as before, and
ventured into new fields such as automotive manufacturing.
Shortly after independence, Uzbekistan imposed a strict
control over hard currency convertibility (mainly dollar), and since then
economists and lay-people alike accused hard currency inconvertibility as the
main cause of UzbekistanТs economic problems.
However, time showed that this was not so true: Uzbekistan eventually
removed its restrictions on hard currency exchange, but most problems did not
go away.
The U. S. Department of State
says the following about the factors that hinder the growth of UzbekistanТs
economy:
Although it is difficult to make an accurate estimate of economic growth
in Uzbekistan--because of the unreliable nature of government statistics, which
often serve political rather than economic ends--economic growth is far below
potential due to:
Population
Statistics and GDP per Capita
Uzbekistan has not conducted a
population census since 1989. Although
there was a very intensive migration during post-Soviet years, for instance
many Russians and other ethnicities left the country, UzbekistanТs population
size is still only estimated, and in most cases it is believed to be
underestimated. According to the opinion
of some economists of Uzbekistan, consistent underestimation of UzbekistanТs
population mainly serves one purpose: to exaggerate GDP per capita. It is well known that GDP per capita is an
important economic indicator for any countryТs economy. Since population comes in the denominator of
this indicator, the smaller population - the higher the GDP per capita.
Uzbek Government might have
used this tactic to exaggerate its economic growth achievements, and to attract
more foreign investors.
What are the
factors that make Uzbekistan an attractive partner in Central Asia?
After the break-up of the
Soviet Union, five independent republics appeared on the map of Central Asia:
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Various countries have been actively trying
to establish themselves in this region, and this competition in regional
hegemony was called the Great Game. The United States has joined the race quite
early. So what attracts the USA in
Uzbekistan?а These factors probably are:
abundance of natural resources, large consumer base and labor resources, and
strategic location. Uzbekistan is the
most populous country in Central Asia. It has over 25 million people, concentrated
in the south and east of the country,
Table 1. Selected Economic Indicators for UzbekistanТs
Economy:
1995-2001
|
1995
|
1996
|
1997
|
1998
|
1
|
2
|
2001
|
Nominal
GDP (bln soum)
|
303
|
559
|
977
|
1359
|
2129
|
3256
|
4868
|
GDP
perа
()((1
capita
|
-
|
24.3
|
41.5
|
58.9
|
86.8
|
128.0
|
150.1
|
Sector
Shares in GDP (%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Agriculture
|
32
|
26
|
32
|
31
|
34
|
34
|
35
|
Manufacturing
|
20
|
21
|
18
|
17
|
17
|
16
|
16
|
Services
|
48
|
53
|
50
|
52
|
49
|
50
|
49
|
Source: Ministry of
Macroeconomics and Statistics
Table 2. TOTAL
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT (mln US $)
(as compared to
other countries in the region)
Countries
|
1996
|
1997
|
1998
|
1
|
2
|
2001
|
2002
|
Kazakhstan
|
1,674
|
2,107
|
1,233
|
1,852
|
2,781
|
4,557
|
4,106
|
Kyrgyzstan
|
153
|
86
|
136
|
109
|
90
|
90
|
116
|
Tajikistan
|
18
|
94
|
164
|
275
|
323
|
354
|
434
|
Turkmenistan
|
108
|
108
|
62
|
89
|
131
|
150
|
100
|
Uzbekistan
|
90
|
167
|
25
|
20
|
25
|
64
|
81
|
Source: ECO, 2004.
Neighboring Kazakhstan, mainly
due to huge oil reserves plus more liberal approach to transition to market
economy - got almost 10 times more FDI.
Uzbekistan
Trade and Investment Patterns
Table 3. UzbekistanТs Major Trading Partners: 2 and
2001
Country Ranking (2001)
|
Trade
Turnover
(million
U$)
2
|
2001
|
% ofа
2
|
Total trade turnover
|
Russia
|
1010.4
|
1129.8
|
16.3
|
17.6
|
Korea
|
393.8
|
485.3
|
6.3
|
7.6
|
Ukraine
|
331.9
|
372.7
|
5.3
|
5.8
|
Kazakhstan
|
316.4
|
312.9
|
5.1
|
4.9
|
USA
|
307.7
|
293
|
5.0
|
4.6
|
Great
Britain
|
295
|
285.3
|
4.7
|
4.5
|
Germany
|
292
|
283.4
|
4.7
|
4.4
|
Uzbekistan has been able to
retain some of the most important trading partners from the former bloc:
Russia, Kazakhstan, andа Ukraine have
been traditionally major trading partners for Uzbekistan. At the same time, it
was successful in establishing trading relations with the some of the most
developed countries of the world. South
Korea, the largest investor in Uzbek economy, has been able to accomplish this
mainly through now-bankrupt Korean giant УDAEWOOФ - the joint venture with
Uzbek government, represented by Uzavtosanoat, УUz-DAEWOO Auto Co.Ф has been
producing passenger cars since 1996.
South Korea has invested in Uzbek economy over 1 billion dollars
(Minmacroeconomstat, 2004) - the lionСs share of which is attributed to
DAEWOO. In 2001, American auto corporation
GM purchased DAEWOO, and this indirectly has placed the US one step closer to
Uzbekistan (Lee, 2001). Even though GM
did not purchase the manufacturing plant of DAEWOO in Asaka, Uzbekistan, it has
been partnering with Uzbekistan through sales of parts.
Key Macroeconomic Indicators
(Percent)
Table 4.
|
1995
|
1996
|
1997
|
1998
|
1
|
2
|
2001
|
Gross Domestic Investment/GDP
|
|
15.1
|
18.9
|
10.2
|
11.8
|
15.9
|
20.2
|
Gross Domestic Saving/GDP
|
|
7.9
|
14.9
|
9.9
|
10.5
|
16.5
|
-
|
Inflation Rate
|
|
64.3
|
27.6
|
26.1
|
26.0
|
28.0
|
26.6
|
Growth in Money Supply (M2)
|
|
113.7
|
36.0
|
28.0
|
31.5
|
17.1
|
16.4
|
Unemployment Ratea
|
|
0.4
|
0.4
|
0.5
|
0.5
|
0.5
|
-
|
Fiscal Balance/GDP
|
|
-7.4
|
-2.2
|
-3.4
|
-2.2
|
-1.0
|
-1.0
|
Source:а Asian Development Bank:а Asian Development Outlook 2002.
a:а
Economic Growth
(percent)
Table 5.
|
Average 92-96a
|
1996
|
1997
|
1998
|
1
|
2
|
2001
|
GDP
|
-3.4
|
1.6
|
5.2
|
4.4
|
4.4
|
4.0
|
4.5
|
alue Added in Agriculture
|
-1.8b
|
-7.3
|
5.8
|
4.1
|
5.9
|
-
|
4.5
|
alue Added in Industry
|
-2.6b
|
6.0
|
6.5
|
5.8
|
6.1
|
5.8
|
8.1
|
alue Added in Services
|
-
|
9.9
|
21.3
|
9.5
|
12.6
|
13.0
|
14.2
|
Source:а Asian Development Bank:а Asian Development Outlook 2002.
a:а Growth figures prior to 1996 are taken from
IMF: Uzbekistan:а Recent Economic
Developments 1998
b:а Average pertains to 1993-96
The External Sector
Table 6.
|
1996
|
1997
|
1998
|
1
|
2
|
2001
|
Merchandise Exports (Million US$)
|
3534 (1.7)
|
3695 (4.5)
|
3048 (-17.5)
|
2 (-8.9)
|
2816 (1.4)
|
2381a (-15.4)
|
Merchandise Imports (Million US$)
|
4240 (31.0)
|
3768 (-11.2)
|
2937 (-22.0)
|
2586 (-11.9)
|
2440 (-5.7)
|
2370a (-2.9)
|
Balance of Trade (Million US$) (x)
|
-706
|
-73
|
|
191
|
376
|
11
|
Current Account Balance (Million US$)
|
-979
|
-585
|
-94
|
-164
|
184
|
-58
|
Exports/GDP (%)a
|
24.9
|
23.9
|
28.2
|
18.7
|
23.7
|
20.7
|
Imports/GDP (%)a
|
23.2
|
28.7
|
26.2
|
18.6
|
21.4
|
20.6
|
Current Account Balance/GDP (%)
|
-7.2
|
-4.0
|
-0.6
|
-1.3
|
0.8
|
-0.5
|
Foreign Direct Investment (Million US$)
|
55
|
286
|
140
|
121
|
100
|
-
|
External Debt Outstanding (Million US$)
|
4163
|
4665
|
3467
|
4237
|
9
|
4600
|
External Debt/GDP (%) (x)
|
16.8b
|
18.7b
|
23.7
|
26.4
|
35.1
|
39.7
|
Official Exchange Rate (Soum/US$)
|
40.1
|
66.2
|
94.5
|
124.6
|
236.6
|
422.9
|
Source:а Asian Development Bank:а Asian Development Outlook 2002.
a: Ministry
of Macroeconomics and Statistics
b:а Economic Cooperation Organization:а Annual Economic Report 2
Figures in
bracket are growth rates.
Trends in Foreign Trade
Table 7
|
1996
|
1997
|
1998
|
1
|
2
|
2001
|
Merchandise Exports (Million US$)
|
3534 (1.7)
|
3695 (4.5)
|
3048 (-17.5)
|
2 (-8.9)
|
2816 (1.4)
|
2381a (-15.4)
|
Merchandise Imports (Million US$)
|
4240 (31.0)
|
3768 (-11.2)
|
2937 (-22.0)
|
2586 (-11.9)
|
2440 (-5.7)
|
2370a (-2.9)
|
Exports/GDP (%)a
|
24.9
|
23.9
|
28.2
|
18.7
|
23.7
|
20.7
|
Imports/GDP (%)a
|
23.2
|
28.7
|
26.2
|
18.6
|
21.4
|
|
Source:а Asian Development Bank:а Asian Development Outlook 2002.
a: Ministry
of Macroeconomics and Statistics
Figures in
bracket are growth rates.
Major Exports (2001)
Table 8
Commodity
|
alue (Millions US$)
|
Share in Total (Percent)
|
Cotton Fiber
|
793.4
|
24.3
|
Fuels and Energy
|
322.9
|
9.9
|
Non-Ferrous Metals
|
201.3
|
6.2
|
Food Products
|
124.9
|
3.8
|
Services
|
461.3
|
14.1
|
Sub-Total
|
1903.8
|
58.3
|
Total Exports
|
3264.9
|
100
|
Source:а Ministry of Macroeconomics and Statistics
Destination of Exports
Table 9
|
2
|
|
2001
|
|
|
alue (Million US$)
|
Share (Percent)
|
alue (Million US$)
|
Share (Percent)
|
Total Exports
|
3264.7
|
100
|
3264.9
|
100
|
FSU countries
|
1172.2
|
35.9
|
7.0
|
34.2
|
Russia
|
545.5
|
16.7
|
526.2
|
16.1
|
Kazakhstan
|
100.8
|
3.1
|
118.0
|
3.6
|
Turkmenistan
|
175.4
|
5.4
|
138.3
|
4.2
|
Tajikistan
|
100.9
|
3.1
|
85.8
|
2.6
|
Ukraine
|
153.5
|
4.7
|
149.8
|
4.6
|
Kyrghizstan
|
50.9
|
1.6
|
76.4
|
2.3
|
Other
|
45.2
|
1.3
|
22.5
|
0.8
|
Non-FSU Countries
|
2092.5
|
64.1
|
2147.8
|
65.8
|
Switzerland
|
272.3
|
8.3
|
200.7
|
6.1
|
Korea
|
106.4
|
3.3
|
137.1
|
4.2
|
Turkey
|
99.4
|
3.0
|
81.4
|
2.5
|
China
|
22.4
|
0.7
|
14.9
|
0.5
|
Germany
|
36.5
|
1.1
|
38.6
|
1.2
|
Great Britain
|
236.1
|
7.2
|
205.5
|
6.3
|
Netherlands
|
84.6
|
2.6
|
75.4
|
2.3
|
The USA
|
51.2
|
1.6
|
91.0
|
2.8
|
Italy
|
70.8
|
2.2
|
49.4
|
1.5
|
Other non-FSU countries
|
2.8
|
34.1
|
1253.8
|
38.4
|
Source: Ministry of Macroeconomics and Statistics
Uzbekistan-
U. S. Economic Relations
Main export and import items
between Uzbekistan and the USA (2001)
Table 10
Major
Imports (mln U$)
|
Grain
(17.7)
|
Meat and
by-products (5.3)
|
Machinery
and equipment (82.3)
|
Transport
equipment (6.5)
|
Major
Exports (mln U$)
|
Cotton
fiber
(36.8)
|
Services
(17)
|
Non-ferrous
metals (0.1)
|
Food products (0.3)
|
The United States recognized UzbekistanТsа
In the first two years of Uzbekistan's independence, the
United States provided roughly US$17 million in humanitarian assistance
andUS$13 million in technical assistance. For a time, continued human rights
violations in Uzbekistan led to significant restrictions in the bilateral
relationship, and Uzbekistan received significantly less United States
assistance than many of the other former Soviet republics. Because Uzbekistan
was slow to adopt fundamental economic reforms, nonhumanitarian United States
assistance was largely restricted to programs that support the building of
democratic institutions and market reform. By the end of 1995, however, United
States-Uzbekistan relations were improving, and significantly more bilateral
economic activity was expected in 1996 (U.S. Department of State, 2004).
Major Issues
in Uzbekistan- U. S. Economic Relations
Aral Sea
Crisis
The former Soviet Union, in an effort to become
self-sufficient in cotton, diverted tributaries of the Aral Sea, Amu Daria and
Sir Daria, for massive irrigation of cotton fields throughout then-Uzbek SSR.
The result has been environmental devastation: since 1960, the sea level has
dropped 50%. Residents of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are paying the price, as
winds whip tons of contaminated dust from the dry seabed into the air, leading
to respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, and some of the highest rates of
tuberculosis in the former Soviet Union.
Besides health problems, Aral Sea disaster has made hundreds of acres of
agricultural land unfit for use. If the
issue shall not be resolved in the nearest future, the Aral Sea disasterТs
impact on Uzbek economy will be devastating.
The USA could have
extended long-term, substantial credit lines for Uzbekistan to implement major
projects to solve the Aral Seaа
How does the
current situation in Afghanistan affect UzbekistanТs economy
Fight Against
Terrorism: Soft Ways
Militant Islamic groups, such as Islamic Movement of
Uzbekistan (IMU), have been causing problems in Uzbekistan long before the USA
faced Taliban of Afghanistan. In fact,
removal of Taliban regime had been a blowing impact towards IMU as well, since
they lost many fighters and training centers in Afghanistan. Besides the current military presence in the
South of Uzbekistan, namely in Khanabad Military Base of Karshi region, the United
States has been actively using and teaching УsoftФ ways of combating terrorism,
such as economic development in the region.
Ferghana Valley of Uzbekistan has been the most volatile region in the
entire Central Asia. Below is an excerpt
from Beth Jones, Beth Jones, Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian
Affairs:
In Central
Asia, poor economic and social conditions are contributing to the appeal of
extremist Islam in the volatile Ferghana Valley. We seek to head off conflict
by improving infrastructure, creating employment opportunities, and helping
develop and strengthen civil society. We are creating jobs through marketing
assistance and establishing credit for agricultural processors. We are
maintaining a high level of student and professional exchanges.
Therefore the US presence in Uzbekistan, both military
and economic can be seen as a positive factor in UzbekistanТs economic
development. On the other hand, the USAТs
presence in the region did not prevent Afghanistan from becoming number one
producer of narcotics (UN Press Release AFG/269 SOC/NAR/917 ), and notably a
major portion of this dreadful crop passes through Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan take pride for being at the
crossroads of the ancient Great Silk Road that until the discovery of seaways,
connected the East with the West. In
reality, the ancient Great Silk Road has turned into an undercover Great
Narcotics Road. Truckloads of narcotics
are passing through Uzbekistan into other former Soviet republics and on to Europe.
Below is a brief statistics on
Afghan Narcotics Production:
Table 11. Fact Sheet -
Afghanistan Opium Survey 2004
|
2004
|
ariation
On 2003
|
2003
|
Net opium poppy cultivation
|
131, ha
|
+ 64%
|
80, ha
|
% of agricultural land
|
2.9%
|
|
1.6%
|
number of provinces
affected
|
32 (all)
|
|
28
|
Average opium yield
|
32 kg/ha
|
|
45 kg/ha
|
Production of opium
|
4,200 mt
|
+17%
|
3,600 mt
|
% of world opium
production
|
87%
|
|
76%
|
Households cultivating opium
|
356,
|
+ 35%
|
264,
|
People cultivating opium
|
2.3 million
|
|
1.7 million
|
% of total population
(23 million)
|
10%
|
|
7%
|
Average farm price of fresh opium
|
$92/kg
|
- 67%
|
$283
|
Afghan export value of opium
|
$2.8 billion
|
+ 22%
|
$2.3 billion
|
% of 2003 GDP ($ 4.6
billion)
|
~60%
|
|
50%
|
- gross profits of Afghan
traffickers
|
$2.2 billion
|
+69%
|
$1.3 billion
|
- farm value of opium
production
|
$0.6 billion
|
- 41%
|
$1.02 billion
|
Yearly income to opium families
|
$1,700
|
- 56%
|
$3,900
|
Per capita income to opium families
|
$ 260
|
- 56%
|
$600
|
AfghanistanТs GDP per capita
|
n.a.
|
n.a.
|
US$207
|
Gross income from opium per ha.
|
$4,600
|
- 64%
|
$12,700
|
Gross income from wheat per ha.
|
$390
|
- 17%
|
$470
|
Source: .un.org/ UN Press Release AFG/269
SOC/NAR/917
The figures are appalling. If we add to that the words of Mr. Costa that
УЕ drug developments in Afghanistan contradict trends in the rest of the world.
Drug production is decreasing on every continent,Ф - then we can realize how
horrible the situation is. Firstly,
Uzbekistan is a major drug-trafficking route for the Afghan narcotics
industry. Second, large portion of
Afghan narcotics settles in Uzbekistan and causes numerous social and economic
problems.
It is well-known that corruption is widespread in
Uzbekistan, and that comes handy for drug traffickers. Therefore, the USA has to commit some serious
assistance in strengthening customs control at Uzbek-Afghan border - but to the
date the USA did not get involved in this matter.
U.S. Assistance to Uzbekistan - Fiscal Year 2004 (U.S. Department of State, 2004)
Since
the independence was gained in 1991, UzbekistanТs government has been
overwhelmed with myriad of issues that it has to deal. This is explained by the fact that the
government structure of Uzbekistan had been designed by the Soviet Headquarters
in Moscow mainly as an executive body, with little or none authority for
on-site problem solving. Although
UzbekistanТs government built itself many new offices, and re-named most of its
former governing bodies, much of the government structure and its main
executives remain the same. The fact
that the U.S. financial assistance to Uzbekistan comes to predetermined fields
makes it more effective.
Another
positive thing is that according to Section 568(a) of the FY 04 Foreign
Operations Appropriations Act requires the Secretary of State to determine that
Uzbekistan is making Уsubstantial and continuingФ progress in meeting its
commitments towards improving respect to human rights, ensuring free and fair
elections (all the elections and referendums of Uzbekistan since the
Independence had been criticized by international observers as unfair),
multi-party system (Uzbek political life is still УownedФ by PeopleТs
Democratic Party, former Communist party of Uzbekistan, headed by the President
Karimov), freedom of speech and independence of media. For instance, in July 13, 2004 U.S.
Department of State threatened to suspend its financial aid to Uzbekistan due
to its poor record (Press Statement # 2004/766 of U.S. Department of State).
Below is the information from the U.S. Department of
State on how this aid is distributed among various programs.
The Uzbekistan assistance program focuses on micro-credit
and agribusiness development, health and education reform, democracy, human
rights, and community development. Security, nonproliferation, and law
enforcement programs address narcotics smuggling, improved treatment of
suspects and detainees, trafficking in persons and weapons, and the
proliferation of nuclear and biological materials and expertise. The Secretary
of StateТs decision not to make the determination required for assistance to
the central Government of Uzbekistan by section 568(a) of the Fiscal Year 2004
Foreign Operations Assistance Act affected a range of security assistance
programs, including but not limited to Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and
International Military Education and Training (IMET) programs using FY 2004
funding.
The estimated $50.6 million budgeted by all U.S. Government
agencies for assistance programs in Uzbekistan in Fiscal Year 2004 is allocated
roughly as follows based on information available as of the date of this fact
sheet:
Democracy
Programs
|
$15.7
million
|
Economic
and Social Reform
|
$21.2
million
|
Security
& Law Enforcement
|
$10.7
million
|
Humanitarian
Assistance
|
$2.0
million
|
Cross
Sectoral Initiatives
|
$1.0
million
|
Democracy
programs in Uzbekistan focus on strengthening the institutions
of civil society, supporting human rights, and addressing the problem of
torture. Civil society centers provide training, grants, and technical
assistance to indigenous non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The program
supports human rights through training, grants, resource centers throughout the
country, and a growing dialogue between officials of the Government of
Uzbekistan and human rights defenders. Funding also supports a judicial reform
program, a human rights law clinic, several legal assistance centers, training
for legal professionals, and development of law school curricula.
U.S. Government
assistance seeks to improve citizen participation and transparency through
community development, housing associations, and civic advocacy. Community
development programs mobilize stakeholders to improve social conditions through
small-scale infrastructure projects such as rehabilitating schools or
irrigation canals. Print and broadcast media programs seek to strengthen
independent media outlets. Anti-trafficking in persons programs are carried out
in close cooperation with the Government of Uzbekistan and focus on public
awareness, law enforcement education, identification and protection of victims,
and prosecution of perpetrators.
Training and exchange programs reach out to the next
generation of Uzbek leaders and give them first-hand experience with the
day-to-day functioning of a market-based, democratic system. Last year, the
U.S. Government sent over 475 Uzbek citizens to the U.S. on academic and
professional exchange programs. Since 1993, the U.S. Government has funded the
travel of over 2,900 Uzbek citizens to the U.S. on these programs. The U.S.
Government also promotes access to information through programs like the
Internet Access and Training Program.
In an effort to counteract the deterioration of the basic
education system, a new program trains teachers in interactive teaching
methods and in integrating critical thinking and learning techniques into
curricula and teaching materials. Other program goals include increasing parent
and community involvement, strengthening school administration, and improving
school infrastructure.
The U.S. Government is developing models of primary health
care that emphasize essential care to families at the community level. Infectious
disease programs are fighting the spread of Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and
hepatitis B. A maternal-child health program works to improve pre- and
post-natal health care for mothers and newborns. A drug prevention program
targets vulnerable groups with information and counseling on the dangers of
drug use and abuse.
Market reform
The U.S. Government also provided a grant to the National
Bank of Uzbekistan that funded a U.S. consultant who helped in the preparation
of projects to be financed under a $50 million U.S. Export-Import Bank credit
line for Uzbek SMEs. Under this credit line, Uzbek SMEs will be able to access
U.S. equipment and technology to assist them in their development efforts.
Using FY 2004 funding, security and nonproliferation assistance
continues to focus on supporting military reform, improving UzbekistanТs
counter-proliferation capabilities, promoting regional cooperation, and
improving border security to help stop the flow of illegal narcotics, weapons
of mass destruction (WMD), and other illicit items through Uzbekistan. Our
Export Control and Related Border Security Assistance (EXBS) program continues
to work with Uzbek export control officials, customs, and border guard to
improve their prevention capabilities against weapons proliferation and other
illicit trafficking. The U.S. also provides nonproliferation
assistance for Uzbekistan, including funding to secure biological pathogens and
to conduct joint research and disease surveillance activities with biological
and chemical scientists. The U.S. funds science centers and bio-chem redirect,
and bioindustry initiative programs and works through the multilateral Science
and Technology Center in Ukraine to engage scientists in transparent, sustainable,
cooperative civilian research projects. The U.S. also provides nonproliferation
assistance to the Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF). The
Department of Energy is helping to secure nuclear materials.
Law enforcement assistance programs seek to strengthen counter-narcotics capabilities, help
reform and restructure the ProsecutorТs Office and law enforcement agencies,
and introduce Western methods and standards for the conduct of criminal
investigations and prosecutions. U.S. Government funding promotes proper
treatment of prisoners through prison service training and seeks to prevent the
use of torture in the course of police investigations. Initial assistance to
the Uzbek border guards and customs services has been provided to begin
interdicting narcotics trafficking across the Uzbek/Afghan border.
Humanitarian programs are shipping approximately $10
million in privately donated medicines, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and
supplies, emergency shelter items, school equipment and supplies, food, and
clothing to the most needy individuals, families, and institutions.
Uzbek - US economic relations could be considered to be on a very basic
level. The relations are far from
Win/Win situation, and probably Lose/Win at best. A lot of issues are still waiting to be
seriously addressed.
References:
Uzbek Ministry of
Macroeconomics and Statistics
U.S. Department of State. 12
March 2002. УU.S., Uzbekistan Sign
Nonproliferation Implementation AgreementФ.
.usinfo.org. Retrieved:
11/30/2004.
Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) site at .ecosecretariat.org
Library of Congress, Country Studies site at домен сайта скрыт/a>
Lee, Jonathan. 9/27/2001. УGeneral Motors acquires Daewoo Motor in a
$400M dealФ.babsonfreepress.com. Retrieved: 11/30/04.
Daene C. McKinney and Akmal
Kh. Karimov, УAmu Darya River Water Allocation ModelФа
Online References:
.un.org
.state.gov
.findarticles.com
.babsonfreepress.com
.usinfo.org
.ecosecretariat.org
домен сайта скрыт/a>
.gov.uz