Protocols of intention to set up three joint ventures on equal shares had been signed during an Uzbek-Chinese business forum recently held in Tashkent, the report said.

The beginning of the construction of all three companies is scheduled for the first half of 2010. Chine’s Tian Jin Ring-Top Petroleum Manufacture is planning to set up a joint venture to produce equipment used in the oil and gas sector as well as in drilling with the capacity of 50 sets and 110,000 pieces a year. The project costs US$10 million.

Bayhaihuamin would set up joint production of plastic pipelines of a big diameter with the capacity of 8,600 tonnes a year. The project costs US$10 million.

Tianye and the Shorton gas and chemical complex will set up a joint venture to produce drip irrigation systems. The project costs US$5 million dollars. The rated capacity of the equipment will be 2,500 ha of land. The production facilities will be located in the Navoi free economic zone. The project will be implemented using own funds of the Chinese companies and Uzbekneftegaz," the source told the news agency.