The cost of the project is US$3.16 million. The project initiators are ZTE (H.K.) Limited and Peng Sheng LLC. They created joint venture Pengzhong Xingsheng on a parity basis to implement the project.

The capacity of the plant is 100,000 applications a year. It is expected that 10% of product will be imported and the localization level will make up 30%.

The production capacities will be placed at Peng Sheng LLC in Syrdarya region, which specializes in production of construction and leather-footwear products. This is the first project, implemented in special industrial zone Jizzakh.

The line of smartphones consists of three models GRAND-Х, GRAND-V and GRAND-M, which have good characteristics and affordable price. The mobile phones work under Android operation system.

These models equipped with Dual Core, 1 GHz processor, 512 MB RAM and 2 GB ROM. The handsets have two slots for SIM cards and deliver high quality HD-video, support automatic face and smile recognition, panorama shots and graphic solutions for 3D Games.

Besides, the smartphone deliver great sound with MP3 Player with Dolby Pro acoustic system. The users can install apps for communication at social networks such as Facebook, Odnoklassniki.ru, Twitter and others.

Governor of Syrdarya region Oybek Ashurmatov said that participation of one of the largest producers of mobile phones in the world, ZTE Corporation, in production of mobile phones and other electronic devices at the special industrial zone Jizzakh shows that Uzbekistan created all conditions for work of foreign investors. He said that the project will allow supply consumers with modern equipment and high quality of services under UZTE brand.

Zhang Renjun, Senior Vice-President of ZTE corporation, said that the Chinese company is happy to participate at the project and bring advanced experience of investments and technologies of world level into Uzbekistan. He expressed his assurance that UZTE will become recognizable and beloved as ZTE brand in China and worldwide.

“We will take into account demands of our customers in Uzbekistan and offer wide-range of mobile devices of high quality on affordable prices,” he said. In future, the enterprise will export its products to other Central Asian states, he added.

Zhang Renjun said that sales of UZTE mobile handsets will kick off in July 2013 and they will be realized through dealers’ network and mobile operators of Uzbekistan. The estimated cost of the handsets is US$50-US$150. The warranty for products is a year.

Liu Xiao Dong, director general of Pengzhong Xingsheng stated that the company will launch production of other models of the mobile phones. He stated that the company will study demands of the market and manufacture those models, which will be demanded among consumers.

As earlier reported, President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a decree for creation of new special industrial zone Jizzakh on 18 March 2013.

The zone was created in line with a memorandum of understanding on implementation of project on creation of Uzbek-Chinese industrial park in Uzbekistan. It was created to form favourable conditions for attracting foreign and local investments to creation of high technologic industrial capacities, production of competitive products with high added price, complex and effective use production and resource potential of Jizzakh and Syrdarya regions.

The special zone was created for 30 years with possibility of extension. The decree set tax and customs preferences for enterprises, operating in the zone. The enterprises, located in the zone, will be exempted from payment of income tax, property tax, tax for accomplishment and social infrastructure, single tax, and mandatory payments to Road Fund.

They will be also exempted from payment of customs duties for imported materials, equipment and spare parts, which are not produced in Uzbekistan.

The preferences will be provided from three to seven years based on the volume of investments. The investors will be get these preferences for three years, if they invest US$300,000, five years – for investments from US$3 to US$10 million and seven years – for investments for above US$10 million.

This is the third special zone in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan also created free industrial-economic zone and Angren special industrial zone.