Uzbek govt plans to collaborate with CNPC in modernization of oil and gas infrastructure

TASHKENT. Sept 2 (Interfax) - Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) head Dai Houliang to discuss the prospects of a partnership in the modernization of oil and gas infrastructure, the presidential press service reported on Tuesday.

"Plans were discussed to expand the investment portfolio of the partnership with the Chinese company and promote projects to build underground storage facilities for natural gas, modernize infrastructure, implement modern metrology standards and innovative solutions," the press release reads.

The parties said during the meeting that direct investment by CNPC in Uzbekistan had already exceeded $5 billion.

The press service said that Mirziyoyev had also met with the board chairman of China National Building Materials (CNBM), Zhou Yuxian, as part of his business trip to China.

"The parties discussed the company's plans to implement prospective projects aimed at modernizing pumping stations, building wind farms, solar power plants and energy storage systems and localizing production of components for alternative power generation," the statement reads.

They paid particular attention to CNBM's involvement in a program to boost energy efficiency at Uzbekistan's industrial enterprises, the press service said.