In 2011, the project on organization of production of ceramic tiles will be started at Moderna Ceramic Industries, an Uzbek-Chinese joint venture. The capacity of the venture, located in Ferghana, will make up 1 million square meters a year. The projected cost is US$3.7 million. Uzstroymaterialli (Uzbek Construction Materials) will invest US$1.2 million, commercial banks will allocate US$0.5 million, while foreign investments – US$1.975 million. Foreign investor is China’s V&B Chemical Co Ltd. plans to launch enterprise in the second quarter of 2012.

A project with Russian investment company Invest Realty was including to the list of investment projects, which are under development. The project on organization of ceramic tiles production at Prime Ceramics will be realized in 2011-2012. The project capacity is 2.75 million square meters of ceramic tiles a year. The projected cost is US$16.8 million. Uzstroymaterialli will direct US$0.8 million and commercial banks – US$12.8 million. Russian company will invest US$3.2 million to the project. The construction of plant will be launched in the third quarter of 2011 in Samarkand region.

In 2011, Iranian EMG will continue construction of the ceramic tile production plant with the cost of US$24 million. The project was ordered by Uzstroymaterialli. The plant will produce 3 million square meters of ceramic tiles a year. Italian SACMI supplies equipment to the plant. The project is financed due to investments of Iranian company.

South Korea’s IS DONGSEO plans to construct plant with the capacity of 3.5 million square meters of ceramic tiles a year. The plant will be located at Navoi free industrial and economic zone. The Korean company will finance the project due to own resources and attracted foreign investments.

According to Uzstroymaterialli, annual demand of construction market of Uzbekistan in ceramic tiles is at least 5 million square meters. At the same time, the demand is growing regularly. Uzbekistan consumed 14 million square meters ceramic tiles in last five years, of which 90-95% was imported. Forecasted demand for ceramic tiles in 2011-2015 makes up about 8-10 million square meters.

Three largest ceramic tile producers of Uzbekistan Tashkent Construction Materials Plant produced over 270,000 square meters, Minokor – 70,000 square meters in 2010. Agrokeramika did not operate due to poor financial situation and untimely repayment of loans.