THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN
 
The geographical position: The Republic of Uzbekistan is located in the interfluve area of the Amoudarya and Syrdarya rivers.
      
The area: 447,400 square meters.
      
The population: 26,700,000 residents.
      
The capital: Tashkent (approx. 2,100,000 residents).
      
The administrative territorial division: The city of Tashkent, the republic of Karakalpakstan, 12 regions.   
      
The official language: The Uzbek language.  The Russian language is used as the language of international communications, though it has no official status.
      
The National Holiday: The Day of Independence (September 1).
      
The State Structure: Uzbekistan is a sovereign democratic republic.  The state is headed by President I.A. Karimov (reelected President for another term of seven years as of December 2007). 
      
The Legislative Authority: Olii Majlis, a bicameral parliament.    The upper chamber named the Senate is chaired by I. Sabirov, and the Legislative Chamber is chaired by E. Halilov. 
      
The Executive Authority: The Cabinet of Ministers serves as the supreme executive body.  Sh. Mirziyeev serves as the prime minister.
      
Political Parties: The Republic has four political parties, including the Liberal Democratic party, the People’s Democratic party, the Democratic party (named Millii tiklanish), the Social Democratic party (named Adolat).        
          
The National Economy: In 2007, the GDP was up by 9.5%; industrial output was up by 12.1%; agricultural output was up by 6.1%.  The state budget surplus reached 1.0% of the GDP.  The share of industrial output within the GDP reached 25% (vs. 14.2% in 2000); the share of the services industry exceeded 43%; whereas the share of the agricultural output went down to 22%; small business enterprises produced 46% of the total output. 

In 2007, 3,650,000 tons of raw cotton and 6,250,000 tons of grain were harvested in Uzbekistan.  Farms produce 94% of the total agricultural output.        
          
Export and Import Operations: Uzbekistan maintains foreign trade relations with 130 countries.  Its exportation has gone up substantially.  In 2007, its exportation went up by 41% vs. the 2006 exportation figures, whereas the share of the finished commodities reached 38%.  The trade balance surplus is USD 3,500,000,000.  The total investments account for USD 4,300,000,000. 

The principal business partners of Uzbekistan include Russia, South Korea, Turkey, Kazakhstan, UK, and Iran.
      
The Monetary Unit: Sum.
      
Russia/Uzbekistan Relationship    

Diplomatic relations were established between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Uzbekistan on March 20, 1992.  On June 16, 2004, the Treaty of Strategic Partnership was executed between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Uzbekistan in Tashkent. On November 14, 2005, the Treaty of Allied Relations was executed between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Uzbekistan.   Regular and intensive contacts are maintained by the heads of the two states.