Uzbeklegprom state joint-stock company is planning to commission 20 new textile enterprises this year. Their total value is estimated at US6 million, Jahon information agency reported quoting Business Partner newspaper.

 Nine enterprises will be put into operation in March 2007, while the rest 11 are due for commissioning in the second half of the year.

 The newspaper underscores that foreign investments account for a greater portion of the funds used to finance the construction of the enterprises.

 Of all the textile factories to come on-stream this year more than half are 100 percent foreign enterprises with the remainder established as joint ventures, according to the newspaper.

 Once they become fully operational the production of yarn will increase by 50,000 tonnes, knitted linen - 18,000 tonnes, cotton fabrics - 5 million linear meters, garments and knitted wear - 7.5 million units and hosiery - 58 million pairs a year. At the same time, some 8,000 new jobs will be created in the sector.

 In 2006 Uzbeklegprom put into service 22 textile factories, whose total value reached US7.5 million. These include 8 enterprises with 100% foreign capital and 14 joint ventures. During 2006-2008 Uzbekistan plans to bring about a modernization and technical re-equipment program in the textile industry for a total of US6.85 million, the newspaper wrote.

 Over the next three years, 66 existing textile enterprises will be modernized. It should be noted that 60 of them are incorporated in Uzbeklegprom. In 2005 the Uzbek Government approved a program for attraction of foreign investments to the textile sector for the period 2005-2008. The total volume of investments stipulated there reaches USnewscat="%" number="50".22 billion. In the first instance, the funds will be used to construct new textile enterprises.

 Uzbeklegprom is presently the largest company in Uzbekistan, which incorporates light-industry enterprises, basically textile factories. Some 120 enterprises of over 300 presently operational in the light industry are associate members of Uzbeklegprom, according to the report by the newspaper.