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Dear distinguished members of APRACA!

Dear partners and donors of APRACA!

On June 17th 2010, the 17th General Assembly of APRACA was held in Tashkent, capital city of the Republic of Uzbekistan. This event was momentous. Firstly, it took place in the Republic of Uzbekistan, one of the Central Asian Republics, soon to celebrate its 19th anniversary of independence, which has a specific culture of conducting agriculture and its financing. Guests and delegates of the General Assembly were convinced of that despite the short period of their stay in Uzbekistan.

Secondly, according to the Regulations of APRACA and the decision of the General Assembly, the chairmanship of APRACA during 2010-2012 will be performed by Agrobank of Uzbekistan. Allow me as the Chairman of Agrobank to express to all of you once more my deepest gratitude and appreciation for your trust in Agrobank and myself.

During its 33 years of existence, APRACA has transformed from small regional community of agricultural banks to a powerful organization linking, on a voluntary basis, banks, financial institutions, and other organizations involved in programs of rural and agricultural finance, and implementing policies in the vital sphere of the economy. In geographical terms APRACA has long been operating outside of the Asia-Pacific region.

During this time, APRACA and its members have steadily and gradually worked on the implementation of its functions and tasks formulated in the Regulations of the association: assistance in rural and agricultural development, poverty alleviation and eradication, employment and gender equality, rural financial empowerment and the development and improvement of financing and agricultural lending.

APRACA has become an effective instrument of education, exchange and transfer of experiences, skills and qualifications, technologies and know-how in the area of agricultural rural financing. Activities of APRACA in these aspects have received recognition and positive acclaim, not only from member countries of APRACA but also from the international community.

In taking the position of the Chairman of APRACA, I fully understand the responsibilities which lay on me. The new management of APRACA, in the name of the new Chairman and the new Secretary General Mr. Won Sik Noh has not only to strengthen the existing status of APRACA, but also to raise it to a new level, which will adequately respond to several challenges in the ever-changing international situation and environment. By preserving and developing the existing channels of activities, it is required to promote the innovative component of activities of APRACA, strengthen and develop existing links with related regional associations and attract new donors and sponsors.

The tasks that we set for the future, will not be accomplished without the contribution and support of each and every member of APRACA. During my term I will lean on the valuable experience of members of APRACA, on their advice and recommendations.