The programme exempted enterprises of Uzavtosanoat (Uzbek Car Industry) from payment any custom duties, except registration fees, to imported spare parts and materials till 1 January 2010.

The document said the car production will increase from 140,080 in 2006 to 200,000 in 2008 and 230,000 in 2009. The country plans to produce 170,000 cars in 2007.

UzDaewoo Auto, Uzbek car maker, will produce 20,000 Damas mini-buses in 2008 and 2009 and 67,000 Matiz cars in 2008 and 70,500 Matiz cars in 2009. The Uzbek car maker will manufacture 105,000 Nexia case in 2008 and 2009. Production of Lacetti cars will grow from expected 1,720 in 2007 to 3,000 in 2008 and 23,000 in 2009.

New venture with General Motors (USA), GM Uzbekistan, will produce 5,000 Chevrolet cars in 2008 and 11,500 following year.

UzDaewoo Auto was set up on a parity basis by state-owned Uzbek automaker Uzavtoprom and South Korean automaker Daewoo Motor. The plant was launched in 1996. In May 2005, Uzavtoprom bought Daewoo’s stake for undisclosed sum. In October 2005, UzDaewoo Auto extended a component supply agreement with General Motors until 2010.

In September, General Motors and Uzavtoprom set up a joint venture, GM Uzbekistan, for the assembly of the Captiva, Epica and Tacuma models. The production capacity of the plant is 50,000 cars annually and is expected to be increased in the coming three years. General Motors holds 25% in GM Uzbekistan and may increase its stake to up to 40% in the future.

The programme said the country will export 128,000 cars in 2008 and 136,000 cars in 2009 against 82,537 in 2006 and expected 111,000 in 2007.

--0--