President Karimov visits Karakalpakstan - Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex

Source:  http://www.uzdaily.com/articles-id-27551.htm UZDaily

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov paid a visit to Karakalpakstan on 25 April 2014 in relation to the ongoing construction works at the Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex.

“The construction works underway since 2012 have been in progress with accelerated rates. Modern infrastructure facilities are being erected and high-tech hardware and equipment is being installed. Some 6,400 people have been working at the construction site of the complex. More than 3,500 of them are specialists of our country, the majority of them constitutes the younger generation,” the press service of the Uzbek President noted.

The project on construction of Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex envisages constriction of the Surgil gas field, construction of plants for the separation of natural gas, cracking and production of the ready product.

Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex will ensure processing of 4.5 billion cubic meters of gas and produce 3.7 billion tank gas, 387,000 polyethylene and 83,000 tonnes of polypropylene, as well as 102,000 tonnes of pyrolyise petroleum and other products.

The project is designed to serve the gas fields of Surgil and East Berdah. The largest, Surgil, went on-stream two years ago and is currently being expanded by Uzbekneftegaz. Government estimates put its size at some 120 bcm.

Uz-Kor Gas Chemical was founded by Uzbek and Korean companies in May 2008 to develop, finance, construct and exploitation of integrated gas and oil processing project in Ustyurt region of Uzbekistan.

Uzbekneftegaz owns 50% stake in the joint venture, while Uz-Kor Gas Chemical Investment holds 50% share. Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS), Honam Petrochemical and STX Energy are Korean founders of the venture.

The project participants will invest US$1.4 billion and raise an additional US$2.5 billion in loans ect. from financial institutions to implement the project.

Asian Development Bank, leading European and Asian commercial banks like Korean Financial Corporation, Korean Development Bank, ING Bank, Siemens Bank, Credit Suisse, Bayern LB, KfW IPEX, Nordea and Swedish bank SEK, as well as insurance companies are participating in the financing of the project.

Excellent Short Travel Videos on Uzbekistan

Excellent Short Videos on Uzbekistan

1. Explore the heart of the Silk Road Uzbekistan (4:44)

Go to  Uzbekistan Gem of the Silk Road

2. Travel through Uzbekistan in April 2012; Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, the Kyzylkum Desert & Nukus - Florian Witulski (7:38)

3. Magical Uzbekistan - Khiva, Euronews (5:01)

4. Magical Uzbekistan - Bukara, Euronews (5:01)

  5. Euronews Video - Samakand Nov 2013 (both 5:00)  

   

Short Videos about Karakalpakstan

1. From All Points  : 2012 Asrlar Sadosi Festival, Karakalpakstan  by Michal Shapiro (USA)

(29:19)

Go to From All Points

A Bakhshi in Central Asia by Michal Shapiro (USA) (5:05)

Go to A Bakhshi in Central Asia

2.  Postcard from Nukus by Zaunka (Spain) (1:28)

Go to Postcard from Nukus  http://www.zaunka.com/

3. Around Karakalpakstan (5 linked videos - Utube Channel) 

Go to  Around Karakalpakstan

4. Du Karakalpakstan à la Kabardino-Balkarie by Romain Darnieaud (8:59)

Go to http://vimeo.com/94096446

5. Journey of Discovery (0:59)

Uzbekistan Airways starts flights from Tashkent to / from Singapore

Uzbekistan Airways (Uzbekistan Havo Yollari) carried out its first flight Tashkent-Singapore on the 2nd April 2014 with its Boeing-767 service; allowing Uzbekistan to further attract tourists from Singapore and ASEAN and Southwest Pacific countries such as Australia and New Zealand who can generally more easily connect in and out to Central Asia via Singapore rather than KL or Bangkok.

The new Tashkent-Singapore service will open up business and tourism opportunities into the respective regions of both cities. From its Tashkent hub, Uzbekistan Airways provides travellers direct and quick access to Central Asia and the Russian Western Siberian Oblasts through its extensive regional flight network. Likewise, Singapore provides travellers from Central Asia a strategic gateway to Southeast Asia and Southwest Pacific, with over 50 city links and close to 2,000 weekly services.

Uzbekistan is among Central Asia’s most rapidly developing economies. Since 2006, the country’s GDP growth has performed better than those of most other Caucasian and Central Asian nations. With its robust economic growth, the International Air Transport Association has forecast Uzbekistan to be the fastest growing market for all international passenger traffic by 2017.

http://www.azernews.az/region/65787.html

All flights on the route will be operated using a 247-seat, two-class Boeing 767-300 aircraft, with a stop in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesdays and direct flights on Thursdays.

Uzbekistan Airways connects to 21 cities in Europe, U.S., Middle East, Asia, 22 cities of the CIS countries, as well as 11 domestic destinations.

IN ITALIAN:

UZBEKISTAN April 4th 2014 - La Uzbekistan Airways NAC attuerà regolari voli Tashkent - Singapore. Fonte Trend che cita il servizio stampa della società. I voli saranno operati con Boeing - 767 aeromobili di mercoledì (via Kuala Lumpur) e giovedì.

La Compagnia aerea nazionale (NAC) "Uzbekistan Airways " effettua voli verso 21 città in Europa, America, Medio Oriente, Asia e in 22 città di paesi della CSI e 11 destinazioni interne .

Nel 2013, NAC " Uzbekistan Airways " ha compiuto circa 24.600 voli e trasportato 2.677.000 passeggeri (con un incremento rispetto al 2012 del 1,6 per cento).

Uzbekistan Airways International moderna flotta di aeromobili è costituito - Boeing 767-300 (4), 757-200 (5),767-300 - ER(4) , 13 Airbus (3 A-310 e 10 A-320-200), RJ - 85 (3) e aerei cargo Airbus A300- 600F (2).

http://www.agccommunication.eu/inostriservizi-it/informazione-e-formazione/osservatorio-est/russia-e-asia-centrale/7000-volo-uzbekistan

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza Glabra)

Glycyrrhiza Glabra better known as (licorice / liquorice extract) is widely used in the global pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries. Milled root waste remaining after the extract is acquired can also be used in the production of particle board and chipboard.

According to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, more than thirty companies and enterprises with different types of ownership are engaged in procurement and processing of licorice across Uzbekistan. 

Licorice is a plant of ancient origin, steeped in history, and has been medicinally used for more than 4000 years. It is a component of many traditional medical systems. Hippocrates in 400 BC mentioned it as a remedy for ulcers.

Glycyrrhiza is Greek-derived, meaning "sweet root" and Glycyrrhiza glabra means sweet root with hairless seed pods. The dried, peeled or unpeeled underground stems and roots constitute the Licorice.

Licorice is a perennial plant, growing about 1.5 meter high. The wrinkled and woody rootstock is brown outside and yellow inside; sweet-tasting. Leaves are unequally branched, in 4-7 pairs.

Flowers are pale blue, violet, yellowish-white or purplish in colour, arising from the axils of the leaves in racemes or spikes, followed by pods. Pods are smooth and small, resembling a partly-grown peapod, compressed with many seeds.

Licorice extracts and its principal component, glycyrrhizin are extensively use in the manufacture of food, tobacco products, and snuff, and in traditional and herbal medicine.

Licorice extract (block, powder, or liquid) may be applied to cigarette tobacco at levels of about 1-4% to enhance and harmonize the flavour characteristics of smoke, improve moisture-holding characteristics of tobacco, and act as a surface-active agent for ingredient application.

Licorice flavor is found in a wide variety of  candies and it is also found in some soft drinks (eg, root beer) and is in some herbal teas where it provides a sweet aftertaste. Sweet root is said to contain compounds that are roughly 50 times sweeter than sugar.

Licorice is also known throughout the world for its wide variety of medicinal properties. The reason for this can be linked to a certain compound found within the roots of the plant known as Glycyrrhizic Acid. This acid, seen to the right, is said to be capable of treating ulcers and asthma and other aliments however is also known for causing serious health problems if taken in large enough doses. This acid is found in higher concentrations in the fibrous root system which grows closer to the surface rather than the tap root which grows deeper.

Its medicinal usage is extensive. It is used as a demulcent, emollient, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, alterative, diuretic and laxative. It is considered to have antibacterial, anti-hepatotoxic, estrogenic, antifungal, anti-haemorrhoidal, anti-hyperglycaemic, antimalarial, antioxidant, antiulcer properties. All parts the roots, leaves, and rhizomes are used.

In Uzbekistan the infusion of the rootstock used for cough, colds, bronchitis, asthma, hoarseness and dysuria. Powdered roots used as expectorant. Strong decoction also acts as a laxative.

Other afflictions treated:
- Peptic Ulcers: There are mixed results that show licorice taken with antacids can help to treat ulcers.-Canker sores: Gargling dissolved licorice may help with pain relief.

- Eczema: It has been found using a licorice gel with 2% concentration of Glycyrrhizic acid can help relieve itching, swelling, and redness.

- Indigestion: Studies have shown that using an herbal formula known as Iberogast, which also contains the anti-indigestion ingredients peppermint and chamomile, can reduce indigestion.
- Upper Respiratory Infections: Licorice has been found to help with symptoms associated with asthma.

While licorice is capable of treating a multitude of symptoms, precautions must be made when considering to take licorice as an alternative medicine. Most licorice related supplements and medicines contain around 2% Glycyrrhizic acid. It has been found that reaching a daily intake of 100-400mg of Glycyrrhizic acid can cause many serious health problems. When consumed in large quantities, it can cause your body’s potassium levels to fall to the point that some people experience headaches, arrhythmia, a rise in blood pressure, swelling (oedema) and even congestive heart failure as well. Heavy consumption has been associated with increased risk of preterm birth.

Glycyrrhizinates can inhibit 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, the enzyme responsible for inactivating cortisol. High level exposure can produce hypermineralocorticoid-like effects in both animals and humans. At high doses this may produce potentially severe side effects – hypertension, hypokalemia, and fluid retention. Most adverse effects attributed to glycyrrhiza (glycyrrhizic acid). Processing can remove the glycyrrhiza to produce DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) without the metabolic side effects of the unprocessed licorice (liquorice). 

Read more:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/is-licorice-dangerous-124253923/#fb7silRvjVy7DsyE.99

http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/licorice

(Ed: Groundwater contamination from the chemicals that are used in licorice extraction has been a major problem where proper treatment processes have not been utilised)