Itochu Corp. of Japan acquired 8% stake in SamAuto, Uzbek producer of small buses and lorries, Uzbek TV reported this week.

The report said Itochu and Uzavtosanoat (Uzbek Car Industry), a company uniting all enterprises of car industry of Uzbekistan, signed a corresponding agreement. The sum of the deal was not disclosed.

It added that the Japanese side will supply over 1,500 Isuzu buses components to assemble them in Uzbekistan. Later, the company will start work in full capacity and produce 4,000 buses.

The sides are also planning to launch production of several types of lorries and expand capacity of the Samarkand-based plant significantly.

Itochu Corp. acts as mediator between SamAuto and Isuzu.