USAID/Pragma Regional Trade Promotion (RTP) has once again been instrumental in securing Regional and International trade deals for a variety of Tajik companies. Three examples from this quarter presented here, amounted to over $50,000 of trade.

DECKING OUT A SALSA RESTAURANT Azim, a long-term client of USAID/Pragma, and an exciting company seeking fresh opportunities to diversify, bought $15,500 of furniture and equipment from a freight forwarder in Dubai for their new Salsa restaurant. The deal, put together by USAID/Pragma, was between Azim and a Dubai based freight forwarder, Sogdiana Trading Company. Dubai is an important hub for Tajik trade and Sogdiana is in fact a Tajik owned company. Identifying this trading partner has been beneficial for Azim and the launch of their new restaurant. As well, it is expected to prove a useful partner for future trade deals for other Tajik BAS clients. KEEPING COOL IN DUSHANBE THIS SUMMER Azim, owners of Eskimo, a new brand of ice cream in Dushanbe featured in this quarters focus success stories, has bought a refrigerated truck to help it keep its product ice cool in the heat of summer. The product quality of Eskimo ice creams relies on it being delivered to the retailer at the correct temperature. With USAID/Pragma’s Trade Advisors assistance, this is now possible thanks to the fully refrigerated truck bought from Mytishenski Priborostroitelni, a Moscow company for $8,500. This deal provides Azim with an indispensable piece of equipment for conducting its ice cream business. KHUJAND PRINTER KEEPS THE COMPETITIVE EDGE Mercury, a print company in Khujand, were put in contact with the Xerox Distributor in Moscow by a USAID/Pragma Trade Advisor, and purchased equipment worth $29,080. This equipment that has helped to give them a strong competitive advantage. Mercury had previously been a major supplier of print services in Khujand, but suffering from a lack of investment in equipment, they inadvertently allowed competitors to gain a stronger foothold in the market. Those positions were reversed with the assistance of USAID/Pragma who put Mercury in touch with Xerox, resulting in a purchase of $29,080 of laser copiers, printers and accessories. The deal has already benefited Mercury who is now firmly re-established as one of the quality print houses in Khujand, beating the competition to new print business for calendars, brochures and business cards.