As earlier reported, Uzbek leader Islam Karimov approved Investment programme for 2011, which included 112 projects with total investments volume of US$2.913 billion.

According to programme, foreign companies are planning to invest foreign direct investments for US$1.845 billion in 2011 (26 projects in 2011), including US$165.4 million (10 projects) for geological exploration works.

China’s CNPC is planning to invest US$482.3 million to construction of the Uzbek part of gas pipeline Central Asia – China. Other Chinese firm CNODC will direct US$12.7 million to exploration of five oil blocks. The company plans to exploration works by the end of 2011.

Russia’s Lukoil will invest US$827.2 million to implementation of two PSAs in Uzbekistan in 2011. In particular, the company will spend US$601.1 million to development of gas fields in Kandym group in Bukhara region and exploration works in Ustyurt and US$226.1 million to development of fields in Southern Gissar.

Gazprom, Russian gas giant, will invest US$47 million to exploration of Ustyurt region with total investment volume of US$400 million.

According to programme, Petronas (Malaysia) will direct US$80 million of investment into development of fields in Ustyurt and Surkhandarya region within two PSAs.

Korean consortium led by KOGAS will start construction of Usyurt gas-chemical complex with total cost of US$.5 billion. The consortium will invest US$444 million to the project this year.