KHUJAND, June 1, Asia-Plus -- A Tajik-U.S. Joint Venture “Obi Zulol” producing soft drinks has begun supplying mineral water to Afghanistan for U.S. servicemen deployed there, the “Obi Zulol” sales director Saidkhon Umarov said.  

According to him, the first bulk of water produced by their enterprise was supplied to Afghanistan for the NATO-led International Security Assistance (ISAF) in April this year.  

“It was not so easy to conclude this contract,” said Mr. Umarov, “During 1? years their experts checked technological qualities of our soft drinks and we managed to supply the first bulk of our product to Afghanistan only in April this year.”  “And now we concluded a contract with the U.S. enterprise “Supreme Food Service” on supply of 13.5 million liters of water till the end of this year.”  

Mr. Umarov says producer supplies water to Afghanistan by itself.  “Heavy trucks “KAMAZ” transport water via the Salang pass to Kabul ,” the “Obi Zulol” sales director said.  

According to him, they had previously supplied their product to Kazakhstan , Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan as well.  “Unfortunately, for objective and subjective reasons, supplies to these countries have temporarily been suspended,” Umarov said.