TAJIKISTAN
TO RAISE MINIMAL WAGE AND PENSIONS BY 25 PERCENT DUSHANBE,
November 5, Asia-Plus - By President's edict of November
4
from January 1, 2004 a minimal wage and minimal pension
in Tajikistan
will be determined at 7.00 Somoni per month.
Zafar Saidov, presidential press service, told Asia-Plus
that that
edict had been passed for the purpose of enhancing economic
conditions
of the population and strengthening of social security.
"By the
edict, from January 1 of the current year, wages of employees
of
departments and organizations financed from the national
budget,
including wages of servicemen and officers of the law enforcement
agencies, will rise by 25 percent", Zafar Saidov told
Asia-Plus.
According to him, students grants and pensions will also
rise by 25
percent.
According to presidential press secretary, following cancellation
of
privileges on public utilities from January, the government
will add
increases of 15.00 Somoni to pensions of veterans and invalids
of the
Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 and widow of servicemen
that died in
this war. According to Zafar Saidov, the government is to
take
necessary measures to implement the president's edict and
stimulate in
the national budget for 2004 necessary funds for paying
additions to
pensions of veterans and invalids of the Great Patriotic
War of
1941-1945 and widows of servicemen that died in this war.
Besides, the government is to stipulate in the national
budget for
2004 necessary funds in an amount of 20 million Somoni for
paying
compensations to vulnerable families in connection with
rise in prices
of electricity and natural gas, as well as 8 million Somoni
for paying
allowances to vulnerable families having children of school
of age.
TAJIK-KAZAKH
JOINT VENTURE "ANDRASMON" BEING LAUNCHED
DUSHANBE, November 5, Asia-Plus - the Government of Tajikistan
has
endorsed proposal of the Tajik Ministry of Industry to launch
a
Tajik-Kazakh joint limited liability company "Adrasmon",
according to
presidential press service.
Presidential press secretary, Zafar Saidov says the government
has
passed an appropriate resolution for the purpose of drumming
up
foreign investments in the republic's economy and increasing
production capacities, as well as processing of concentrate.
According to him, under the resolution Tajikistan's share
has been
determined as 51 percent and share of Kazakhstan in the
company will
be 49 percent.
Founders of this enterprise are Adrasman Ore Refinery Plant
in
northern Tajikistan and Kazakhstan's Joint Stock Company
(JSC)
"Yuzhpolimetal".
Tajik State Committee for Management of State-owned Property
is to
estimate property, except reserves of the "Big Konimansur"
deposit,
being brought in as a contribution of Tajikistan to the
initial
capitalization of the "Adrasmon" company, Saidov
continued. Issues
related to registration of this joint venture are supposed
to be
solved within the next few days.
ADB
REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE TO OPEN IN TAJIK CAPITAL
DUSHANBE, November 5, Asia-Plus - The Asian Development
Bank (ADB)
President Mr. Tadao Chino will arrive in Tajikistan on November
10 for
inaugurating a permanent representative office of the ADB
in Dushanbe.
As Asia-Plus was told at the ADB office in Dushanbe the
office-opening
ceremony will be attended by Tajik Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov.
On
the same day, the ADP President is scheduled to meet with
Tajik
President Emomali Rahmonov to discuss issues related for
further
expansion of cooperation between Tajikistan and the Asian
Development
Bank,
TAJIKISTAN,
INDIA TO LAUNCH JOINT VENTURE ON PRODUCTION
OF VEGETABLE AND FRUIT OUTPUT IN TAJIK CAPITAL
DUSHANBE, November 5, Asia-Plus - Vice-President of the
India State
Company "Hindustan Machine Tools" Mr. Madvani
Vasanta concluded his
visit to Tajikistan. Mr. Vasanta arrived in Dushanbe on
a working
visit on October 29 to discuss and coordinate with administration
of
the "Dushanbekontraktprom" State Enterprise and
Mayor's Office a
project for reconstruction of Dushanbe-based Bread-backing
Plant # 3
and opening of an enterprise on producing vegetable and
fruit output
on basis of it.
Deputy Director General of the "Dushanbekontraktprom"
Enterprise,
Mansur Akramov told Asia-Plus that the enterprise is supposed
to be
launched in August of 2004. According to him, they have
also
discussed and coordinated issue related to stages of the
construction
works. It is supposed that by February 2004, the plant will
have been
ready for receiving technological equipment from India.
In March-May
of 2004, assembly and installation works will be carried
out and Tajik
specialists will be trained in India. During the first year
of
operation, the enterprise will provide with jobs 84 persons.
The
future enterprise has been designed in India, where they
have already
begun producing technological equipment for processing of
farm produce
(vegetables and fruits) and production of finished output,
according
to Akramov. Akramov says the new enterprise will meet international
standards. "The enterprise will be capable to process
3,500 tons of
vegetable and fruits and produce 3,250 tons of various natural
juices,
tinned fruits, ketchup and sauces", noted Akramov,
"India will also
deliver equipment for packaging foods intended for the Tajik
State Air
Company "Tojikiston", Tajik Railways, hotels and
public catering
system".
The Deputy Director General of the "Dushanbekontraktprom"
Enterprise
also told Asia-Plus that Indian Prime Minister's visit to
Tajikistan
was scheduled for mid-November, and within the framework
of that visit
a model of the new enterprise would be brought to Tajikistan
for
demonstrating to Tajikistan's leadership. "The new
enterprise is
estimated approximately at US$ 800,000 and the Government
of India
will provide this amount to Tajikistan in a form of grant",
Akramov
concluded.
NOVEMBER
6 - DAY OF TAJIKISTAN'S CONSTITUTION
DUSHANBE, November 5, Asia-Plus - Tomorrow, November 6,
Tajikistan is
marking a Day of Constitution. A new Constitution of Tajikistan
was
adopted by referendum on November 6, 1994. According to
the
Constitution, Tajikistan is a social state whose policy
is aimed at
providing conditions for creating democratic, secular, rule-of-law
society.
On the same day of 1994, Emomali Rahmonov was elected the
President of
Tajikistan and on November 6, 1999 he was re-elected again.
As Asia-Plus was told at presidential press service tomorrow,
November
6, will be day off.
Staff members of news agency "Asia-Plus" congratulate
people of
Tajikistan on a Day of Constitution and wish it peace, prosperity
and
well-being!
COUNCIL
OF CIS BORDER SERVICES' HEADS TO DISCUSS BORDER ISSUES
DUSHANBE, November 5, Asia-Plus - A session of council of
CIS border
services heads presided by Colonel-General Vladimir Pronichev,
head of
the Russian Border Service also First Deputy Director of
the Russian
Federal Security Service (FSB) opened today in the Kazakh
city of
Almaty.
Tajikistan is representing at the session by Abdurrahmon
Azimov, Head
of the Border Protection Committee (BPC). As Asia-Plus was
told at
the BPC participants at the session will exchange views
on some issues
related to cooperation between border departments of the
CIS countries
and a procedure of organization of an interaction between
border and
other departments of the CIS countries in rendering assistance
in
settling crisis situations on their borders. The session
will also
consider a concept of a common system of registration of
citizens of
other countries and persons without citizenship entering
the CIS
countries. The source in the BPC stressed that if these
documents are
approved they will be submitted for consideration the CIS
council of
heads of governments.
ISSUES
OF USE OF ANTIPERSONNEL MINES TO BE DISCUSSED BISHKEK
DUSHANBE, November 5, Asia-Plus - Coordinator of the Tajik
Center for
Landmine Problems, Parviz Mavlonqulov will take part at
international
conference formally titled "Antipersonnel mines in
Central Asia:
State, Problems and Ways of Solution" that opened in
the Kyrgyz
capital city of Bishkek today, November 5.
As Asia-Plus was told at the Tajik Center for Landmine Problems
the
conference staged by International Mine Ban Campaign and
Kyrgyzstan's
Committee "Medical Workers for Prevention of Nuclear
War" is aiming to
determine ways seeking solution to this problem. Participants
at the
conference are also discussing humanitarian and social issues
produced
by use of antipersonnel mines in the CIS countries.
The conference participants include representatives from
Armenia,
Australia Azerbaiajan, Belarus, France, Georgia, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, the United States
and
Uzbekistan
UNICEF
CONTINUES SUPPORTING TAJIK HEALTH
MINISTRY IMMUNIZATION EFFORTS
DUSHANBE, November 5, Asia-Plus - UNICEF will hand over
four vehicles
to the Ministry of Health today, November 5, at the grounds
of UNICEF
Office in Dushanbe, a news-release issued by the UNICEF
office in
Dushanbe said.
Mr. Michael Smith, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of
the United Kingdom to Tajikistan, has been invited to the
hand-over
ceremony. Deputy Minister of Health and other health officials
representing the GBAO, Rasht and Khatlon will also attend
the
ceremony.
Procured with financial assistance of the United Kingdom
National
Committee for UNICEF, the vehicles will be used for monitoring
immunization services provided in health facilities throughout
the
country, particularly in remote areas.
The vehicles will be used by health workers in GBAO, Rasht,
Khatlon
and the capital, Dushanbe.
UNICEF plays a major role in the Government's Immunization
Program.
UNICEF's assistance has helped sustain immunization services
and
upgrade the cold chain equipment in the country's health
care
facilities. UNICEF also supported training of health workers
on safe
immunization practices.
Immunization saves millions of children from life-threatening
diseases
such as polio, diphtheria, pertussis, measles and tuberculosis.
In 2002, Tajikistan was declared polio-free. However, measles
remain
a major threat to children's lives.
In 2004, UNICEF will support a mass measles campaign, which
will be
carried out throughout the country.
World
News
ISLAM,
UN CHARTER BASIS OF AFGHAN NEW CONSTITUTION
DUSHANBE, November 5, Asia-Plus - Xinhua -- The draft of
a new
constitution for the post-Taliban Afghanistan is based on
Islam
principles and the United Nations charter, Xinhua quoted
Afghan
Vice-President and Head of the Constitution Commission Nematullah
Shahrani as saying on Tuesday. Speaking at a special press
conference
on the draft constitution, unveiled Monday by President
Hamid Karzai,
Shahrani said that the new constitution was drafted after
the
consideration of Afghan people's views and recommendations.
"We are
respecting the proposals and viewpoints of our people. The
overwhelming majority of Afghans emphasize Islam, which
should be the
basic law of the land to ensure the national unity, social
justice and
democracy in the country," he maintained.
The much-awaited constitutional draft was officially made
public on
Monday by President Karzai at the presence of cabinet members,
diplomats and UN special representative Lakhdar Brahimi.
In the 12-chapter, 160-article document, the country which
was called
"the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan" under the
Taliban rule is
formally renamed as "the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan."
According
to Xinhua, the draft constitution is expected to be approved
by a
constitutional Loya Jirga, or grand assembly, scheduled
for early
December.
RUSSIA
INSISTS ON IMPLEMENTING ROADMAP PEACE PLAN FOR MIDDLE EAST
DUSHANBE, November 5, Asia-Plus - Xinhua -- Russian Foreign
Minister
Igor Ivanov urged Israel Tuesday to implement the "roadmap"
peace plan
for the Middle East, noting it is the only viable peace
plan for the
region, according to news agency Xinhua.
"In collaboration with other interested parties and
also in the
framework of the United Nations, Russia will tenaciously
work for a
comprehensive and equitable Middle East settlement,"
Ivanov told
visiting Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon during their
meeting,
according to a statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Under the settlement, Israel and Palestine "will live
side by side in
peace and security, and all the countries and nations of
the region
will have a chance to develop in stability and a neighborly
spirit,"
he was quoted as saying. Ivanov "emphasized the need
for meeting the
other side halfway in an effort to normalize the situation
and resume
the negotiating process on the basis of the roadmap",
said the
statement.
Sharon arrived in Moscow on Sunday on a three-day working
visit.
Earlier on Tuesday, Sharon held talks with Russian Prime
Minister
Mikhail Kasyanov, during which he said Israel is ready for
"painful
compromises" to realize peace in the region. However,
he ruled out
concessions over the security of the Jewish State and its
people. On
Monday, during the meeting with Russian President Vladimir
Putin in
the Kremlin, Sharon expressed Israel's opposition to a possible
passage of Russia-presented UN resolution approving the
"roadmap"
plan, initiated by Russia, the European Union, the United
Nations and
the United States, Xinhua quoted Russian news agencies as
reporting.
The
information is prepeared and released by Information Agency
"Asia Plus".
Adress: 35/1 Bohtar street, 8 floor, Dushanbe
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Fax: ( 372 ) 21-78-63
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