OREANDA-NEWS. April 20, 2011. The fourth Republican fair of innovative ideas, technologies and projects completed in Tashkent. It resulted in about 400 signed agreements and protocols of intentions to implement promising local projects worth a total of almost UZS 10 billion.

The innovations fair was organized in the framework of the tasks to build innovative economy and modernize production, especially in the real sector, set by President Islam Karimov.

The fair participants included ministries, departments, associations, banks, large enterprises, representatives of small and private businesses, farmers, research institutions of Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, research centers, as well as individual inventors.

About 600 innovative technologies and projects presented at the fair were about intensification and optimization of production, resource saving, use of local raw materials, increasing the quality and competitiveness of domestic products, substituting import and expansion of exports.
These projects are designed for sectors like industry and agriculture, health and pharmaceutics, information technologies, science and education.

Today, 18 large enterprises of Uzbekistan have their own innovation centers, modernization and innovation funds, which have so far funded 242 projects worth UZS 8.55 billion.

Each year, state scientific and technical programs are implemented in many areas of the national economy and the social sector. One of the most effective mechanisms to attract additional investment in science is the innovations fair, where not only the most promising innovations are demonstrated and conditions are created for their acquisition and subsequent use, but also agreements on financing of future scientific developments are concluded.

Of particular interest was the exposition, organized at the fair for the first time in connection with the announcement of the year 2011 as the Year of small business and private entrepreneurship.

It presented development in various areas – from high-tech, based on use of nanomaterials, to easy-to-use facilities for processing raw materials into finished products with high added value.

During the fair, its participants were able to discuss the most topical issues of the formation of the innovative economy in the country at the conferences and round tables.

The fair completed with awarding the winners of seven best project in all presented key areas and industries.