Tajikistan’s Atlasi Khujand LLC, which is based in Sughd province, and Uzbekistan’s Kumush-Tola, which is based in Samarkand region, intend to launch a joint venture Samarkand-Sughd-Silk.
A source within the Sughd regional administration says the preparatory work is under way. He refrained from giving further details.
He further noted that since March 18, 2022, entrepreneurs, engaged in producing these types of fabrics, have been exempted from paying most types of taxes. They pay only social taxes and profit tax.
Meanwhile, it is noted that Atlasi Khujand has produced 20,000 meters of “atlas” and “adras” fabrics over the first five months of this year.
"Atlas" is made of silk and "adras" is, as a rule, a mix of silk and cotton. Traditionally, they are handwoven on a narrow loom that makes them relatively expensive, so many people wear atlas print fabrics.
Atlasi Khujand Limited Liability Company (LLC) is the only industrial enterprise in Tajikistan that produces an atlas of natural silk.
The Khujand Atlas factory was established in 1931. In the Soviet era, its fabric was famous in all former Soviet republics. Over time, the company fell into decline and stopped working at full capacity. In 2005, the government put the enterprise up so ale and it was privatized. Azimjon Ghafourov now assumes the 100% ownership interest in Atlasi Khujand.
Over the years of independence, the enterprise has reportedly developed more than 60 varieties of atlas and more than 30 types of adras.
“Atlas” and “adras” are traditional silk and cotton fabrics representing a priceless heritage of the Tajiks along with other examples of folk crafts and arts.
In late September 2018, a festival-competition was held at the Theater of Musical Comedy named after Kamoli Khujandi in Khujand. More than 20 fashion designers took part in the event with 140 samples of products from atlas and adras produced by Atlasi Khujand LLC.
On June 2, 2019, Atlas and Adras Festival initiated by the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies and supported by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan was held at the National Museum in Dushanbe. The event was attended by local SMEs, traditional embroidery centers and individual entrepreneurs engaged in the production of these traditional fabrics. More than 100 artisans and producers from different cities and regions of Tajikistan showcased traditional textile products made using different types of atlas and adras.
