KHUJAND, October 13, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- The Khujand-based limited liability company, Sano, manufacturing jeans, tries to get its product onto the Russian market.

The Sano director Tolib Mahmadjonov told Asia-Plus on Monday that his enterprise has produced several test consignments of jeans for the Russian company Tavrika.  “Our partner is currently checking quality of our product and studying demand for it in Russia,” Mahmadjonov said, noting that they had manufactured 16,000 US dollars worth of 2,000 jean trousers for the Russian company. 

“The enterprise is currently experiencing a fierce competition,” said the director, “In 2002, the enterprise was leased to closed joint-stock company (CJSC)” K-3, founded by San Marino’s Ponte&Mellini, for 15 years; however, the contract was dissolved on March 20, 2008 because of lack of purchasers.  Therefore, Sano has stood idle since April 2007.”  

“The world market of jeans products is now divided between giant companies, including Chinese producers; production price of Chinese product is 20 percent cheaper then ours,” Mahmadjonov said.

According to him, only one line has been operational at Sano since last March and only 60 people currently work with the enterprise, while Sano’s rated capacity is 1,200 trousers per day and more than 200 people could work with it.