TASHKENT, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Uzbekistan's state-owned company Uzavtosanoat has opened a new plant in the Namangan region to produce bikes and motorbikes in cooperation with China's Lifan Group Co. Ltd, the company said Thursday.

The plant "Norin moto bike" was a result of cooperation between Uzavtosanoat JSC company and Lifan Group Co. Ltd, which will supply the components for the assembly of bicycles, Uzavtosanoat said in a statement.

The plant, located in the Norin district of the Namangan region, is expected to produce 150,000 bikes per year at the initial stages and also plans to produce motorcycles, tricycles, scooters and mopeds in the future.

The launch of the new plant has allowed the employment of more than 150 local people and in the future the number of employees may reach 500, according to the company.

The employees will also do an internship in China before starting to work in the plant.