UZBEKISTAN Uzbekistan, the heart of the Silk Road Interview with Mr. Jahangir M. Usmanov Read our exclusive interview Mr. Jahangir M. Usmanov, President Contact: Joint-Stock Society of Open Type Amir Temur str., C-4 700017, Tashkent - Uzbekistan Tel: + 998 712 34-64-76 Fax:  + 998 712 137-63-93 Email: air@ardus.com.uz  ardus@ishonch.uz The Joint Stock Society of Open Type ARDUS  is  one of the largest in the Republic of Uzbekistan, and it has begun its activity on May 12th , 1995. The  capital share of ARDUS is mainly formed of foreign investments, which are directed towards  financing construction, commissioning of large trading objects, development of wholesale and retail trade, and also to development of household services to the population. The number of staff working for  ARDUS is around  360. Characteristics of Financial and Economic Activity of "ARDUS" Joint-Stock Company for 1995-1999 (in thousands soums) see table The main activities of ARDUS are the retail and wholesale trade, and the development of a network of supermarkets, café and restaurants. ARDUS has created and constantly improved its network of supermarkets which are serving several areas of Tashkent with industrial and retail goods, including essential commodities. In ARDUS supermarkets the modern trade equipment which is produced by the leading foreign companies is also available. In ARDUS supermarkets there are more than 2500 items of food products and more than 2000 items of industrial goods, and these goods are delivered by the highly developed countries of Europe, USA and Australia.   Consequently, ARDUS finalized import contracts on a consignment base with the total amount  of about $ 53 millions, for delivery of food and consumer goods for  the population of the Republic of Uzbekistan through its  supermarkets. The main objects of  «ARDUS» are the following - three Supermarkets with the general area of about 3000 sq.m.,  which are located in Tashkent in the following addresses: "Ardus1" - Amir Temur street, "Ardus2" - Matbuotchilar street, 17 "Ardus3" - Chilanzarskaya street, 88 - elite men's shop with the area of 100 sq.m. - jewelry  shop with the area of 100 sq.m. - cafe with the area of 300 sq.m. - warehouse premises with the area of about 1500 sq.m on the ground plot  with the area of about 7000 sq.m. Moreover, ARDUS purchased control package of the shares of Joint Stock Society «Zarafshan». For realization of this plan of investments in Zarafshan, there were invested about $ 4 millions, or more than 300 millions Uzbek Soums, for the construction and the commissioning of various premises in the building of the former restaurant «Zarafshan» where the huge complex has been created. This complex includes a supermarket, a bank office, an elite men's shop, jewelry shop, restaurants and cafe, a concert hall, a billiard club, a beauty salon, cafe "«Ardus FM Burger", and also a hall of game machines, where it is possible to spend a wonderful time by playing fascinating games. Furthermore, a department for producing macaroni and ravioli has been recently created, which is realized all over Tashkent City including the ARDUS supermarkets. One of the main activities of ARDUS is the organization of various shows and entertaining programs in the Concert Hall of Zarafshan which can host almost 450 spectators at one time. The shows are organized according to our own experiences with the foreign industry of entertainments, and we accomplish this task using a principle of association of the restaurant with the theatre. The design of the large hall with cosy little tables located on terraces with muffled light helps to relax, and creates an atmosphere of easiness.  The stars of Uzbek pop-music act with great success in our theatre, and various programs such as fashion shows and beauty contests  are organized in the Concert Hall Zarafshan. With great success there are also concerts of foreign interpretors such as  Irina Allegrova, Natasha Korolyova, cabaret-duet "Academy", ballet "Todes", Alexandr Buynov, Laima Vaikule, Marina Khlebnikova, Anita Tsoy, and the gipsy theatre "Romen". Moreover, we also display the most popular movies with the help of modern stereo systems and DVD equipment. The Joint Stock Society of Open Type ARDUS renders sponsor's support to many organizations, and among them are the following: the chamber orchestra "Young talents of Uzbekistan", Federation of Uzbekistan "Kekushinkai" and football team "Pakhtakor". Parameters 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Growth in comparison with 1998 8 Average quantity of staff 159,00 386,00 455,00 467,00 474,00 101% 10 Productivity of labour 425,82 1 152,55 1 929,20 1 865,54 3 111,11 167% 12 Taxes 3 104,70 15 477,50 50 274,00 66 316,96 105 881,00 160% 13 Total assets 50 000,00 173 709,80 173 709,80 324 730,00 324 730,00 100% 14 Charity 80,10 468,80 771,30 1 156,00 3 604,00 312% 15 Household services 2 789,90 5 973,70 7 783,60 7 781,00 100%   Read on   © World INvestment NEws, 2001. This is the electronic edition of the special country report on Uzbekistan published in Forbes Global Magazine. August 6th, 2001 Issue. Developed by AgeniaE.Tv