6 Apr 2020 12:34

Uzbekistan to start producing ventilators

TASHKENT. April 5 (Interfax) - Uzbekistan and partners from Slovakia and Russia plan to begin producing ventilators in May, the press service for the Uzbek Innovative Development Ministry said in a statement.

"The Innovative Development Ministry is transferring technologies for the production of ventilators and anesthesia machines in cooperation with the Chirana company of Slovakia and partners from the Russian Federation," the statement said.

The beginning of production in the region is expected to be launched in May, on the basis of the joint venture Chirana Asia in Tashkent, the statement said. Investment in the project will reach up to $6 million. The capacities of the enterprise have not been reported.

"Such production will take place for the first time in Central Asia; there are plans to both sell the products on the domestic market and export them to neighboring countries," the statement said.

There are also plans to create a service center to repair and service ventilators, the statement said.

According to earlier reports, the first case of coronavirus was registered in Uzbekistan on March 15. The same day, authorities closed all kindergartens, schools, and universities. Entertainment establishments ceased operations, and public catering establishments, stores, and non-food markets were all closed.