Uzbekistan and China launch $11 million battery plant for electric scooters in Kokand FEZ 

A factory for manufacturing batteries for electric scooters has commenced operations in the Kokand Free Economic Zone.

The official opening ceremony of the Hong Gang International joint venture took place on March 22. Attendees included the regional governor, Khayrullo Bozorov, officials from the Uchkoprik district, and Chinese investors involved in the project.

The factory was established with direct investments totaling $11 million and has created approximately 300 jobs. In its initial phase, the plant will produce 250,000 lead-based batteries annually. Meanwhile, the Chinese partners have launched another project in the Kokand FEZ, valued at $60 million.

In spring 2021, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree to bolster the electrical engineering sector. The decree outlined the creation of four private enterprises in the Kokand FEZ to manufacture electric scooters, with a combined annual capacity of 28,000 units. These facilities were slated for launch between 2021 and 2022.

Additionally, in November 2022, discussions took place regarding the establishment of a battery production plant for electric scooters and e-scooters in Bukhara Region, with plans to involve South Korean company AIMS in the project.