DUSHANBE, February 10, 2011, Asia-Plus - Tajik state unitary enterprise, Zarya Vostoka, based in the northern city of Taboshar, and Russian federal state-run enterprise, Perm Gunpowder Mill, will launch a joint venture, Toboni Sughd, for producing consumer goods, according to Tajik Ministry of Energy ad Industries (MoEI).

According to the preliminary data, the Tajik side will own 51 percent of the shares and the Russian side will assume the 49% ownership in Toboni Sughd, however, negotiations are still going on, the source at a MoEI said.

“Tajik government signed an appropriate decree on launching this joint venture last year,” said the source, “Probably the enterprise will be able to operate according to its intended purpose in defense industry in the future.  Zarya Vostoka has appropriate capacities for this.  This issue has not yet been discussed by the governments of the two countries.”

In the meantime, the Zarya Vostoka director Qayumjon Mahmoudov told Asia-Plus that the joint venture would produce cellulose from cotton as well as paints and varnishes, including reflective paint for traffic signs.  “The Russian government is expected to sign the decree on launching the enterprise this spring.  Then the enterprise’s authorized capital stock will be determined and direct work will start,” Mahmoudov noted.