‘Heart of Asia’ beats in Bangkok

By Maxmilian Wechsler

REPRESENTATIVES from the Republic of Uzbekistan recently celebrated the country’s 20th anniversary of independence and democratic reforms, as well as its ties with Thailand, with a special photography exhibition called “Uzbekistan, Heart of Central Asia.”

Held at Siam Paragon’s Lifestyle Gallery on September 21, the event was presided over by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and featured 20 photographs, featuring stunning shots of the country’s majestic mountains and broad valleys, taken during her visit to Uzbekistan in 2005. The program also included traditional live performances by Uzbek musicians and dancers.

Saidrakhim S. Ikramov, Consul General of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Thailand, gave the welcoming remarks to an audience of ambassadors and other distinguished foreign and Thai guests.

Mr. Ikramov is well known and highly respected by the diplomatic community and Thai officials in Bangkok because of his dedication to his work. In contrast to some diplomats, who sometimes ignore their colleagues due to political or other reasons, he is eager to join in conversation with any and all at events such as National Day receptions.

When The BigChilli approached Mr. Ikramov during one such reception and requested an interview, he agreed without hesitation.

A conversation with the Consul-General

The interview took place at the Uzbekistan Consulate-General building at Sukhumvit 62, Soi 1, near the Bang Chak Skytrain station.

The consulate is situated in a house inside a spacious compound with a garden. In the reception area is a large Uzbekistan Airways poster displaying a new Boeing 787 Dreamliner ordered by the airline. The meeting room is simple but tastefully furnished and decorated.  

Mr. Ikramov is a no-nonsense, straightforward man who isn’t much interested in talking about himself, preferring to save his breath for proud anecdotes about his country and people, and his ideas on how to strengthen bilateral relations between Thailand and Uzbekistan.

The two countries established relations officially in 1992, and the Consulate-General was opened in 1996. Uzbekistan Airways also has an office in the premises.

“Last year in Taskhent the Thai government opened a Thai Honorary Consulate, with Zafar Ergashe as the Honorary Consul,” said Mr. Ikramov.

“He is a successful businessman with extensive experience in the field of trade and commerce.

“Mr. Ergashe is very busy. His duties include issuing visas. In the past, our citizens had to travel to Moscow to obtain visas from the Thai embassy there. This was a time and money consuming affair. Now it is much easier for Uzbek citizens to come to Thailand.”

He mentioned that there are about 100 Uzbek nationals officially living in Thailand, mostly teachers, students and those who come here for medical treatment. There are only about 10 to 15 Thais living in Uzbekistan.

“When our citizens here have some problems, we work with the Thai authorities to try to help them. We are sad when some get into trouble, but this is normal for every country around the world.”

“During my three years in Thailand, we have accomplished quite a lot in the spheres of cultural, tourism, trade and other spheres of
cooperation between our two countries. For example, last November we co-hosted the First Thailand-Uzbekistan Business Forum with the Thai Chamber of Commerce in association with the Federation of Thai Industries.

“The forum in Bangkok was attended by many business people and officials from both nations, including by Nasridin Najimov, who, at the time, was the Deputy Minister of Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade.’’

The aim of the forum was to provide information to participants about Uzbekistan’s economy and conditions for foreigners to invest, Mr Ikramov said, adding that the Thai-Uzbek Business Association is registered in Thailand.  

During the forum, Uzbek presenters highlighted the existing potential for investment in the textile, pharmaceutical, chemical, electronic and automobile industries, as well as opportunities in the Navoi free industrial-economic zone. The forum also gave Thai and Uzbek businessmen the chance to meet and discuss issues of bilateral cooperation.

Mr. Ikramov said Uzbekistan is a new market for Thailand in both agriculture and industry. “We have Thai businessmen inquiring about the political and economic stability, etc. I would recommend them to invest in the textile industry – we are the 4th largest grower of cotton in the world – and also in food processing, where Thailand has a lot of experience. We have very delicious and sweet fruits which you can’t find anywhere else.”

Also last November, the Office of the Narcotic Control Board organized the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Thailand and Uzbekistan which focused on how the countries could work together to tackle narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, precursor and essential chemicals for producing narcotics.

“This marked a new chapter in narcotics control between the two countries as it is an important instrument to carry out mutual cooperation. The agreement also brings more close bilateral relationships between the two countries.”

Thailand has already extended technical cooperation to Uzbekistan in narcotics law enforcement training and welcomes Uzbek officials for training in narcotics control in Thailand in a program sponsored by the Thailand International Cooperation Agency. It is expected that more cooperative measures will follow from the signing of the MOU.

“Uzbekistan is located in Central Asia, where there is a problem with illicit narcotics trafficking, so this agreement is very important for us.” said Mr. Ikramov. “We share a border with Afghanistan, and we are not far from Pakistan, which is a transit point to Russia, Europe and the United States.”

He stressed that his country also has a good relationship with other Thai law enforcement agencies such as the Royal Thai Police.

Mr. Ikramov said his office has organized two trips to his country for Thai media organizations “to let them know about our culture and tourism.” Several Thai newspapers and magazines already published articles on these and other topics.

“However, we have a problem between our countries and it is not due to politics, trade or cultural differences. Thai people don’t have enough information about Uzbekistan and vice-versa! We have to work on that and I am happy that The BigChilli is interested in publishing a story about my country.”

“In the area of sport,” continued the consul general, “in 2010, with help from our Thai friends, we opened an official branch of an association representing our national sport, a type of wrestling called ‘Kurash.’ ”

According to the website of the International Kurash

Association (http://kurash-ika.org/en/about/regulation/) Kurash is an ancient type of upright jacket grappling which originated in the territory of modern Uzbekistan. The sport is at least three and a half thousand years old and one of the oldest martial arts still in practice.

“In September I met with the Thai Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, H.E. Sompong Sanguanbun. We spoke about future cultural cooperation and we both expressed eagerness to sign an inter-government agreement that has already been approved by the Uzbek government and the previous Thai government. It just needs to be signed. 

“There have been numerous official visits between our two countries and more will take place in the near the future. We are trying to organize a visit of Thai ministers to Uzbekistan and we would also like to invite the Thai prime minister,” Mr. Ikramov announced. 

Mr. Ikramov is keen on increasing tourism between the two countries and he wanted to provide information to the Thai public about visiting Uzbekistan.

“There’s a regular direct flight between our capitals. I would recommend to Thai tourists to visit Khiva, Bukhara and other historical places in Uzbekistan, such as Samarkand and Taskhent.”

When Mr. Ikramov was asked what he likes and doesn’t about Thailand, he answered: “After almost three years being here, I like everything – the people and the country, the hot weather and sea. We don’t have a sea in Uzbekistan.

“I was surprised to find the unemployment rate is so low here. Not even one percent, much lower than in the US or Europe. I say bravo to the Thai government for this achievement. I am also very impressed by the dignity of the Thai people. You can see in Thailand some poor people, but they keep their honor. This is what I like the most.

“However, I would like to quickly see some results in inter-governmental agreements between our two countries. It takes sometimes five or even 10 years before we can sign agreements. I’d like to see it done faster. When meeting with Thai officials, I often tell them I would like to sign all inter-government agreements that might enhance and put forward our political, economic and cultural relationship.”

Mr. Ikramov concluded by expressing his confidence that in the near future his office will be upgraded to embassy status. “In fact, we have already made a request to the Thai side that we would like to see a Thai embassy in Uzbekistan,” the consul general disclosed.