The Government of Tajikistan now owns 32,500 shares in the Russian automotive manufacturer, Gorky Automobile Plant (GAZ), according to the State Committee on Investments and State-owned Property Management (GosKomInvest).
Besides, the Tajik Government also owns 1.73 percent of shares in Russia’s Open Joint-Stock Company (OJSC) Saratovneftegeofizika (Saratov oil-and-geophysics), which is engaged in exploring and developing oil, an official source at GosKomInvest told Asia-Plus in an interview.
In Tajikistan itself, the Tajik Government reportedly owns shares in 140 companies, including 136 joint-stock companies and four limited liability companies.
Of those 140 companies, 47 are industrial enterprises, 19 are construction companies and 74 others are companies offering various services.
In 118 joint-stock companies, including Tojikransgaz (national natural-gas distributor), Dushanbe International Airport, Tajik Air (national air carrier) and Tajik Cement (Dushanbe cement plant), the Tajik Government assumes the 100 percent ownership interest.
Besides, the government assumes the 95% ownership interest in OJSC Roghun NBO.
The Gorky Automobile Plant is a Russian automotive manufacturer located in Nizhny Novgorod (a city named Gorky 1932-1990). It is the core subsidiary of GAZ Group Holding, itself part of the Basic Element business group. JSC Russian Machines Corporation is the controlling shareholder in OAO GAZ.
In 2009, Bo Andersson, former Vice-President of General Motors, was appointed President/CEO of GAZ Group. That was a turning point in the company’s development after the crisis period of 2008. Under the leadership of the foreign management the company renewed its model range, established cooperation with the leading international manufacturers and achieved the best financial results in the company’s history.
Maximum annual production capacity at the Gorky Automobile Plant is around 132,000 vehicles. Total investment in equipment and infrastructure amounted to € 300 million. Currently, around 3,000 employees assemble the Volkswagen and ŠKODA models at the GAZ plant in Nizhny Novgorod.
The history of Saratovneftegeofizika began on February 9, 1946 when Saratov branch (SO GSGT) was instituted by order No. 8470/12 of the State Union Geophysical Trust of the People’s Commissariat for Oil Resources of the eastern regions of the former Soviet Union.
“Saratovneftegeofizika” is reportedly a well-balanced company with latest equipment and highly qualified personnel. Many of its staff members have experience of working abroad — in Angola, India, Iraq, Syria, and Algeria.
