DUSHANBE, September 13, Asia-Plus - Construction of Tajik-Turkish joint textiles plant “Bursel Dushanbe Textile” has not yet started, while a ceremony of an official commencement of the construction of the plant was held in Dushanbe in March already.

“Under an agreement between Tajikistan’s Government and Turkey’s Bursel Holding that was reached during President Rahmonov’s visit to Turkey in January this year the plant is supposed to be finished in 18 months after the beginning of the construction,” a source said, “The construction of the plant officially commenced on March 20, 2006; in other words, the plant should be finished and put into operation in September 2007.” 

According to the source, senior representatives from Tajikistan’s Ministry of Industry are supposed to negotiate this issue during a meeting with Mr. Burhan Enushtekin, the president of “Bursel Holding” in the near future.  

“Bursel Dushanbe Textile” is supposed to be capable to process 8,025 tons of cotton into manufactured goods a year.  Some 90 percent of the plant’s output will be exported to other countries, mainly to the United States, European countries and the Russian Federation.  Overall export potentials are expected to be US$50 million.  

Turkey’s Bursel Holding intends to invest some US$75 million in the construction of this plant.  Tajikistan will assume the 50% ownership interest in the plant due to providing cotton fiber.  

The plant is supposed to create some 4,500 new jobs for residents of Dushanbe, primarily women.  Six-month training on how to operate the plant’s high technology equipment will be conducted for them.  

ABOUT: Bursel, carrying out business activities since 1989, has first been engaged in marketing of plastic and petrol-chemical raw materials and in transportation services.  Extending its field of activities in a short period of time, Bursel started investments in Uzbekistan and within 10 years the company has established, modernized and started to operate 9 small and medium sized textile and ready-wear garment plants to process the Uzbek cotton.  In 1993, Bursel Tekstil Sanayi ve Dis Tic. A.S. also involved in ready-wear garment store management in Turkey.  Following these small and medium sized factories, Bursel, with the purpose of realizing larger industrial facilities, has developed strong relations with Mitsubishi Corporation, Uzbek Yengil Sanoat and Uzbek Sado Associations as a result of which two integrated cotton yarn and textile plants were established and started production in Uzbekistan.