World | Renaming a market is a symbol of reforms in Uzbekistan



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  Last year, on a December night, a crane brought construction workers to the richly decorated arch summit at the entrance to the largest market of wholesale of Uzbekistan. . In the night, they changed the huge letters of his name, but that was more than a simple name change. </p>
<p>  The transformation of the Abu Sahih market into Tashkent Road of Silk is an important step in President Shakvat Mirjiev's efforts to reform. the largest Asian nation in Central Asia </p>
<p>  Since taking office on December 14, 2016, Mirjiev has acted with caution. But the reform of Abu Sahih is a message that the changes began in one of the most isolated countries in the world – rich in gold, natural gas and oil deposits – </p>
<p>  After 27 years of reign, the autocrat Islam Karimov has left Uzbekistan in stagnation, and its consumer market of 32 million people – quite underdeveloped. When he died in September 2016, his family still controlled lucrative business badets. </p>
<p>  But when the workers changed Abu Sahiy's name on December 21, Karimov's youngest daughter was already released from her property. the market, said two sources knowledgeable. Lola Karimova-Tiliaeva and her husband, Timur Tilyayev, have never told the public who owns the market and who controls the related logistics companies. </p>
<p>  But a government-related financier and a market-based entrepreneur confirmed to Reuters that up until the end of last year, both spouses were owners of Abu Sahih. For Karimova-Tiliaeva, 40, the denial of the lucrative market meant the loss of a valuable badet that would allow her to live a hectic life abroad with her husband and two children. </p>
<p>  For the Uzbek holding with the change of ownership a virtual monopoly on the market. This opens up the entire consumer goods sector in Uzbekistan because [19609004] <strong>  almost all imported consumer goods are de facto crossing this market. "It was very difficult to put anything before, everything happened either through the intermediary of Abu Sahiyah, or through some crazy contraband channels," said a man of 39, anonymous business dealing with international trade. "Now things are easier." Many people from Tashkent and surrounding areas have started to travel to Kazakhstan to buy something from banana to household appliances, cell phones and computers. "</p>
<p>  Mirjiev, sixty years old, officially announced the changes in a speech on January 5th. He did not name the new owners by name, but said the Abu Sahiy market is running out of tax revenue every month. For 15 days after the reorganization, the auction paid $ 35 billion ($ 4.2 million) to the Treasury. Previously, it only imported $ 5 billion a month, he said. </p>
<p>  For Mirziev, conversions have another meaning. Karimova-Tiliaeva resigned as Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan to UNESCO and as President of the Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation of Uzbekistan </p>
<p>  She left the Karimov family in Uzbekistan </p>
<p>  Her older sister, Gulnara Karimova, has not appeared in public for several years and the prosecution stated that she was in custody and that she was doing so. subject of investigation for crimes whose nature is not specified. In 2015, the business woman, who also recorded pop songs, was found guilty of blackmail and embezzlement </p>
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<div clbad=  The renaming of a market is a symbol of reforms in Uzbekistan

The presidency and the government have not answered Reuters questions about the ownership of the market. The agency did not contact Karimova-Tiliaeva and her husband for comments. US Attorney General Marc Raymond said: "As far as I know, all your questions have already been answered so that my clients have nothing more to add."

Although the state media avoided criticizing Karimov and his family, social networks have already shown some critical attitude on the part of people encouraged by the apparent loss of the dynasty's influence

The vibrant Tashkent silk street is famous for its consumer lanes with pavilions and stands everything is sold – From the food to the telephone

The "elite perfumes" represent toys cheap plastic from China or Turkey.

Some buyers buy at retail. Others are wholesalers who negotiate prices, buy large quantities and hire someone to help them with a trolley to load them onto their trucks on the outside. These changes, such as commodity exchanges, are exactly what foreign companies are looking for when they invest in predominantly Muslim Uzbekistan.

It shares borders with Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan. its position: although it does not directly bind either Russia or China, it is a potential springboard for them

"The government really wants foreign companies to come to Uzbekistan because … that's what it's all about. "Also applies to everyone and there is equal start," said the director and the IMF Middle East and Central Asia Juha Kahkonen Ministry.

Mirziev – a former prime minister who was also a provisional head of state before being elected president – hailed Karimov, but he did not excluded the possibility, after becoming a successor, to make reforms. He has inherited a stagnant economy, a closed political system and a repressive apparatus of security forces accused in the West of human rights violations – which is denied by the government. 39; Uzbekistan.

Some investors worry that radical Islam is rooted in the country. In the 1990s, the state collided with armed Islamists and the poor area of ​​the Fergana Valley continued to be a favorable environment for recruiting members of radical groups

. the country does not give much information. Reforms in the political and security spheres have been slow, though longtime head of office Rusty Inotokov resigned in January to show Mirziev that he needed to strengthen his power.

In May, the president met with his American counterpart Donald Trump. create hopes for improving relations with the United States, which had its military base in Uzbekistan while its soldiers were not forced to leave it in 2005.

The will to reform in Uzbekistan has his limits.

In May, a senior official said that Tashkent was ready to enact the state's air carrier but that he would retain complete control of his gold mines and his profitable oil company

. allow citizens and businesses to buy and sell currencies without restrictions at market prices

In 2017, Uzbekistan was the ninth country in the world with about 100 tons of gold. Mining was also 56.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas, according to official data. Oil production is 806,000 tons but Uzbekistan remains a net importer of oil and requires investment in its infrastructure

Nearly half of the first quarter's investment flows are in the oil sector where the Russian company Lukoil stopped in April project to find a gas refinery worth 3.4 billion dollars

It was less encouraging for foreign investors to announce the announcement by Uzbekistan that the US automaker and long-time partner General Motors wants to sell 1 The company has not given any explanation, but earlier this year, Mirjiev criticized the factory for not creating jobs, although for decades he has enjoyed tax and other benefits. A local spokesman cited a May statement from the state-owned motor company indicating that the Uzbek state was planning to buy General Motors.

For now, the money comes mainly from institutions like the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. 19659004] However, according to official figures, exports increased by 59 percent annually in the first quarter of this year, while imports also increased by 45 percent

However, foreign direct investment fell by 29 percent to the level of $ 575 million for the same period. The reason is not clear, but economists say that Mirzievsky has more accurate information in Uzbekistan. / BTA

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