RFE/RL: Tajik Business Empire Tied To The President Keeps On Running, Despite Being Shut Down

The RFE/RL article “A Tajik Business Empire Tied To The President Keeps On Running, Despite Being Shut Down”, dated 24 December 2019 and written by RFE/RL’s Tajik Service, examines the claimed dissolution of the Faroz conglomerate controlled by President Emomali Rahmon’s son-in-law Shamsullo Sohibov. The report states that three months earlier, on 17 September 2019, Faroz — one of Tajikistan’s most successful business conglomerates — announced it would shut down due to “tough market conditions and dwindling profits” and later said it would sell its 108 businesses and properties, with dozens of firms removing Faroz signs and billboards. According to the report, an RFE/RL Tajik Service investigation indicates Faroz remains active in Tajikistan and the only change has been the removal of signs. The report states that Faroz informed the state Tax Committee on 26 August of its plan to shut down, but RFE/RL obtained copies of two documents signed by President Rahmon after that notification approving land sales to Faroz for new long-term projects: one dated 31 August 2019 approving sale of nearly 14 hectares in Isfara, Maschoh and Panjakent districts for international bus terminals, and another dated 2 November 2019 allowing land purchases in Hisor, Tursunzoda and Shahrinav districts for more bus terminals. According to the report, until at least early December the Tax Committee described Faroz as “operational”. The report states Faroz says it was established in 2008 for sale and export of fuel and by 2019 had 58 separate businesses across transport, construction, banking, metallurgy, tourism, healthcare, media and education, with documents showing 46 Faroz companies continuing to operate, including Commerce Bank of Tajikistan, Dushanbe Brickmaking Plant, First National Insurance Group, Faroz Konch Cement, Tajik Metallurgy Plant, Tajik Vneshtransport and Tajik Naqliyot. The report states that in 2014 the government allocated $40 million to build the Mehrgon bazaar, which mysteriously came under Faroz’s control after the old Shohmansur bazaar was bulldozed. Sources cited: RFE/RL Tajik Service investigation, documents obtained by RFE/RL, Tax Committee, Faroz statements, employees.