The Business Information Service for the Newly Independent States (BISNIS) has created the Search for Partners program to help U.S. companies find investment opportunities in the expanding markets of the Newly Independent States (NIS) of the former Soviet Union. The opportunities are provided solely as an informational service and do not represent an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Verification of these leads is the responsibility of the reader.

Index of Investment Opportunities:
1. Armenia - Apparel
2. Armenia - Construction Materials
3. Armenia - Food Processing
4. Armenia - Food Processing
5. Belarus - Medical Equipment
6. Georgia - Aviation
7. Georgia - Furniture
8. Kazakhstan - Customs Services
9. Kyrgyzstan - Construction
10. Kyrgyzstan - Electronics
11. Nizhny Novgorod, Russia - Automotive
12. Nizhny Novgorod, Russia - Car Services/Dealership
13. Novosibirsk, Russia - Construction/Construction Materials
14. Novosibirsk, Russia - Food Products
15. Sakhalin, Russia - Beverage Production/Bottling
16. Sakhalin, Russia - Cosmetics
17. Sakhalin, Russia - Tourism
18. Vladivostok, Russia - Tourism
19. Turkmenistan - Consumer Goods
20. Turkmenistan - Gas Processing

*** ARMENIA ***

1. Industry: Apparel
Company: Sisakan
Sisakan was founded in 1987 and privatized in 1995. Currently, it is an 80 percent state owned closed joint stock company. Sisakan specializes in the production of mens, womens and childrens clothing. It employs 150 people and operates in 161,376 sq. ft. of production space. Sisakan's production facilities are equipped with Italian and Japanese machinery.

Sisakan seeks a joint venture with a U.S. firm which can supply raw materials and place orders for clothing. Sisakan will contribute its qualified labor force, its production space, and its equipment.
Contact: Benjamin Hakobjanyan, Executive Director
Charents St. 16, Sisakan
Armenia, 378010
Tel: 374750-24-68
Fax: 37439-06-181
E-mail: sbc@sisian.armenia.su
Source: BISNIS Representative, Armenia

2. Industry: Construction Materials
Company: Vostink
Vostink was founded in 1968 and privatized in 1994. It specializes in the production of construction materials, including reinforced concrete, marble, basalt, and travertine slabs. The company employs 66 people and owns 107,584 sq. ft. of production space and 538,000 sq. ft. of onyx, basalt, and travertine mines. The company's production capacity is worth US$15 million, while its profits totaled $120,000 in 1996. Vostink sells its products in Armenia.

Vostink seeks a joint venture with a U.S. firm to produce high quality slabs from various stones. It is seeking an American partner to supply new technology and equipment, while Vostink will contribute its qualified workforce, production space, and mines. The products will be marketed in Armenia and other CIS countries.
Contact: Petros Ter-Petrosyan, President
Mher Ohanyan, Executive Director
Vostink JSC
Artsakh St. 16, Sisian
Armenia 378010
Tel: 374-750-2432/2421/4259
E-mail: sbc@sisian.armenia.su
Source: BISNIS Representative, Armenia

3. Industry: Food Processing
Company: Karashen Cheese Dairy
Karashen Cheese Dairy was privatized in 1996. The company produces various types of cheese and butter. The dairy employs five people and operates in 16,138 sq. ft. of production space. Its annual production volumes amount to 50-100 tons of cheese, while the dairy has a capacity to process 8,000 tons of milk. The company's customer base is in Armenia.

The Karashen Dairy seeks U.S. investment to upgrade its facilities and to expand its distribution base to other CIS countries. It is seeking an American partner to supply modern technology and packaging equipment, while the dairy will provide the production space, raw materials, and a qualified labor force.
Contact: Serop Galstyan, President
Karashen Village, Sjunik Province
Armenia, 377830
Tel: 37491-2-21-22
Fax: 37491-2-30-43
Source: BISNIS Representative, Armenia

4. Industry: Food Processing
Company: Sjunik-95, Ltd.
Sjunik-95 Ltd. is a family business founded in 1996. The company specializes in food processing and retail/wholesale trade. The company has 12 employees. Sjunik-95 owns 2,152 sq. ft. of production space and 15 acres of arable land. The company holds a 10-year lease for an additional 12.3 acres of land. Armenia is the company's main market.

Sjunik-95 seeks a joint venture with a U.S. food processing company to produce sugar. It is seeking an American partner to supply modern equipment, while Sjunik-95 will utilize its production space, land, raw materials and labor force. The company plans to expand its customer base to include other CIS countries.
Contact: John Adamyan, President
Sjunik-95, Ltd.
Ankakhutyan St. 2, Goris
Armenia, 377830
Tel: 37491-2-62-32/2-67-57
Fax: 37491-2-30-43
Source: BISNIS Representative, Armenia

*** BELARUS ***

5. Industry: Medical Equipment
Company: Prommedinvest Medical Association
The public company Prommedinvest Medical Association was established in 1996. The company specializes in the production and distribution of pharmaceuticals. Prommedinvest Medical Association holds all the appropriate licenses, and has the land and financial resources to produce physiological solutions packed in plastic bags. This product is in high demand in Belarus.

Currently, the company seeks a U.S. medical equipment supplier to produce and package various medical solutions, including glucose and physiological solutions. The company can offer flexible payment terms, including a letter of credit.
Contact: Alexander V. Shakutin, Director
Skoriny St. 6
Minsk, Belarus 220012
Tel: 375-172-68-47-74
Fax: 375-172-68-55-42
Source: BISNIS Representative, Belarus

*** GEORGIA ***

6. Industry: Aviation
Company: Tbilisi Aviation Factory
The Tbilisi Aviation Factory is a state-owned factory, established in 1941. It employs several thousand workers, and occupies 63 hectares of land, including an airfield of 102.7 hectares. The factory is located along the Transcaucasus Highway, eight kilometers away from Tbilisi airport and 400 kilometers east of the Port of Poti. Working at 5-10 percent of its capacity, the Tbilisi Aviation Factory produces SU-25 and SU-25T fighters. In addition, the plant plans to manufacture small 6-seat YAK-58 multi-purpose aircraft. The YAK-58 has short take-off and landing capabilities (610 and 600 meters respectfully), a take-off mass of 2,080 kilograms, a speed of 300 kilometers/per hour, a flying altitude of 4,000 meters; and a range of 1,000 kilometers. The plane is equipped with a 450 horsepower engine. The YAK was presented at the Moscow air show in 1995.

The factory also manufactures bicycles, trucks, and consumer goods. The factory is equipped with Russian, Czech, Polish, Italian, U.S., and German equipment. The factory operates workshops for aluminum and plastics casting and metal processing. It has railway access, a water supply, storage facilities, boilers, and electric generators. The Tbilisi Aviation Factory imports most of its raw materials and components from the CIS countries. Imported items include aluminum, plastic and painting materials, electronic equipment, and aircraft parts.

The Tbilisi Aviation Factory seeks a U.S. partner to (1) develop a medium and small-sized aircraft from imported materials and components; (2) develop repair services for foreign aircraft; (3) assemble and manufacture selected devices and aircraft parts for export; (4) produce electric, mechanical, and other consumer goods.
Contact: Avtandil Khoperia, Director General
Bogdan Khmelnitski St. 181
Tbilisi, Georgia
Tel: 99532-964-369/717-013
Fax: 99532-982-551
Source: BISNIS Representative, Georgia

7. Industry: Furniture
Company: Kutaisi Furniture Detail.
The company was founded as a division of the Kutaisi Furniture Corporation "Iveria." In 1988, the company became a separate entity with charter capital worth US$356,135. Currently, the company occupies 4.04 hectares of land and employs 105 people. The company specializes in furniture manufacturing. In 1994, the company added additional production premises and expanded its operations to include oil and fruit juice production.

The enterprise has the capacity to process 70 cubic meters of wood per day. The timber workshop is equipped with a rotor-saw and can cut 5 cubic meters per hour. The wood processing workshop's capacity is 4 cubic meters per hour. The company utilizes both mechanical and thermal wood processing technologies. A complete operation cycle from timber processing to furniture assembling can be done within the existing production facilities

The Kutaisi Furniture Detail seeks a U.S. investor to increase its production capacity and to expand its customer base.
Contact: Murman Kuprashvili, Director General
April St. 9
Kutaisi, Georgia
Telephone: 995231-635-84/666-79
Fax: 995329-337-59 (Attn: David Chantladze, U.S. Embassy Commercial Assistant)
E-mail: chantladzd@tbiliwpoa.us-state.gov
Source: BISNIS Representative, Georgia

*** KAZAKHSTAN ***

8. Industry: Customs Services
Company: Terminal
Terminal was established in 1992 and was the first Kazakhstani company to offer a full range of customs services. The firm holds a customs committee license and operates through its branches located in all the regional centers of Kazakhstan. The company operates bonded warehouses, equipped with modern machinery. In cooperation with the leading international carriers and freight forwarding companies, Terminal offers door to door delivery and full customs support.

Currently, Terminal employs 240 people. The company occupies 1,575 square meters of land. Its annual sales total US$3.5 million. The services it offers include: documentation support, consultations on customs regulations, logistical support, freight forwarding and warehousing, customs clearance, processing of dispatched oil products from terminals and refineries, and certification of imported goods. Terminal has participated in several large oil projects, including a bilateral Kazakhstan-Iran oil project. Presently, Terminal is an exclusive operator and customs broker at the Atyrau and Shymkent oil refineries, whose joint annual exports total over 10 million tons of refined product. Terminal is also involved in the reconstruction of the Aktau Sea Port. The company's business partners include large oil companies (Kazakhoil) and international transportation companies (Sea Land, Nippon Express, and Kuhne&Nagel). Chevron, Mobil, SGS, LG, and Coca-Cola are among the company's clients.

Terminal is interested in becoming a customs broker and/or a shipping agent for large U.S. exporters.
Contact: Ms. Lubov Mamedova, Foreign Relations Department Head
Manassa St. 22b
Almaty 48000b, Kazakhstan
Tel: 7-3272-42-67-16/42-74-66
Fax: 7-3272-42-67-16/42-52-83
E-mail: tfl@terminal.almaty.kz

U.S. Embassy Commercial Service Contact:
Nataliya Antonenko, BISNIS Representative
Seyfullin St. 531, 3rd floor
Almaty 480083, Kazakhstan
Tel: 7-3272-63-36-03
Fax: 7-327-581-1576
E-mail: oalmaty@doc.gov
Source: BISNIS Representative, Kazakhstan

*** KYRGYSTAN ***

9. Industry: Construction
Company: The Joint Kyrgyz-Irish Construction Company "Bishkek-eridan-stroy llc"
Bishkek-eridan-stroy llc was established by the Dublin City Trust Ltd., a Commercial and Industrial Company, and several private investors in 1997. The firm is a spin-off of a former state construction company, Kyrgyzrestoration. The company's annual sales total US$1.1 million. The company is involved in various construction projects, including the reconstruction of existing buildings for further conversion into hotels, the construction of residential apartments, private houses, business centers, and buildings for banks and embassies. The company employs 320 people and operates a machinery depot, carpentry shop, lathe shop, metal-working shop, and garage. The company's assets are valued at US$746,000.

Currently, the company seeks a joint venture with an American supplier of construction materials, technologies, bathroom and plumbing equipment, and furniture. A business plan is available upon request.
Contact: Rinat Zainutdinov, General Director
3 Orozbekov St.
Bishkek 720040, Kyrgyzstan
Tel: 996-3312-222-792/220-768
Fax: 996-3312-226-434
E-mail: eridan@imfiko.bishkek.su
Source: BISNIS Representative, Kyrgyzstan

10. Industry: Electronics
Company: Ainur Plant
The Ainur Plant was established in 1969 and privatized in 1994. Presently, the company employs 453 people. Thirty-nine percent of the company is owned by the State Property Fund, while 61 percent is owned by the employees. Its annual sales total US$174,000. The company's production output amounted to 135,400 connectors and 10,000 transformers in 1996. The company's connector products comply with international standards for connectors used for printed circuit boards (PCB). Ainur produces 950 kinds of transformers in the range of 1 volt to 350 volts for 50 hz and 400 hz. Currently, 90 percent of all transformers are manufactured for the defense industry. Ainur's manufacturing capabilities and production equipment include metal working machines, plastic injection molding machines, and two galvanic machines for plating gold, silver, zinc, cadmium and nickel.

The company imports a large portion of raw materials duty-free under the Russian-Kazakhstani-Kyrgyzstani governmental agreement. Eighty-five percent of Ainur's products are exported to Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Turkey.

The company plans to install a production line for telephone connectors. The projected annual production volume is 770,000 units with annual sales of US$2.2 million. The amount of investment required for the project is US$370,000. The company seeks a joint-venture with a U.S. supplier of modern equipment and technology. Ainur will contribute skilled personnel, its plant, and equipment. A business plan is available upon request.
Contact: Mr. Viacheslav Mashchenko, Chairman
1-b Kamchatskaya St.
Bishkek 720650, Kyrgyzstan
Tel: 996-3312-43-2705
Tel/Fax: 996-3312-43-0459

U.S. Embassy Commercial Section Contact:
Irina Mukambayeva, BISNIS Representative
66, Erkindik Blvd.
Bishkek 720002, Kyrgyzstan
Fax: 996-3312-22-3551
E-mail: mukambi@bishkwpoa.us-state.gov
Source: BISNIS Representative, Kyrgyzstan

*** NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA ***

11. Industry: Automotive
Company: Pavlovo Bus Company (PAZ)
Pavlovo Bus Company (PAZ) is located 75 km southwest of Nizhny Novgorod. Established in 1935, PAZ has 9,000 employees. The company was privatized in 1992. PAZ owns 66.4 hectares of land, including production facilities with 131,573 sq. m. of space and warehouses with 77,409 sq. m. of space. The company manufactures buses, which are sold primarily in Russia and the CIS, with a small portion exported to the Middle East and Africa. In addition, PAZ has established business relationships with several German companies. The company's production volume totals 8,000 to 11,000 buses per year.

PAZ is interested in a joint venture with an American company to manufacture new models of buses utilizing American technology. PAZ will provide its production facilities, power, and qualified workforce for the joint venture. A business plan is available in English. PAZ can present audited financial statements for 1997.
Contact: Victor Sergeyevich Kostromin, General Director
Vasily Dmitriyevich Starkov, Deputy General Manager
Ul. Suvorova 1
Pavlovo, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast
Russia 606130
Tel: 7-83171-6-81-14
Fax: 7-83171-6-03-18
Source: BISNIS Representative, Nizhny Novgorod ABC

12. Industry: Car Services/Dealership
Company: RADAR
RADAR was founded in 1991 and privatized in 1994. Currently, it employs 100 people. RADAR leases 190,000 sq. m. of manufacturing, retail, warehouse, and office space. The company has branches in Nizhny Novgorod, Kstovo, Arzamas (Nizhny Novgorod Region), Bataisk (Rostov Region), and Severodvinsk (Archangelsk Region). The company is an authorized dealer of the Gorky Automobile Plant (GAZ) and Yaroslavl Lacquer and Paint Company. RADAR operates several car service centers and a retail store chain. The annual sales of the company amount to US$3.5 million.

RADAR seeks to become a dealer for U.S. car manufacturers in Nizhny Novgorod and other Russian cities. The company is negotiating a joint project with a large Russian bank to finance car purchases by its Russian customers. A business plan is available in Russian upon request. RADAR has audited financial statements for 1997.
Contact: Yury Petrovich Gantar, General Director
Alexander Mikhailovich Tsvetkov, Sales and Marketing Manager
Minina St. 20/3
Nizhny Novgorod, Russia 603000
Tel: 7-8312-31-78-66/31-78-67
Fax: 7-8312-34-04-51
E-mail: postmaster@radar.nnov.ru
Source: BISNIS Representative, Nizhny Novgorod ABC

*** NOVOSIBIRSK, RUSSIA ***

13. Industry: Construction/Construction Materials
Company: Orbi
Established in 1993, Orbi specializes in construction and the retail/wholesale of construction materials, including finishing materials, tiles, and bathroom equipment and fixtures. Orbi's annual sales total US$2 million. Currently, the company employs 250 people. The company has extensive international business experience with GMAT Enterprises (USA), Sadon (Italy), and Pilch (Poland). The company owns a 1,000 sq.m. centrally located office building, 2 retail stores, and rents office spaces in 33 stores throughout the city.

Orbi seeks a U.S. partner to work jointly on construction projects. One potential project is the construction of an office building for the German Consulate in Novosibirsk. The American partner would supply modern technologies and/or capital investment. In addition, Orbi is interested in distributing U.S. construction/finishing materials. The company offers flexible payment terms, including prepayment.
Contact: Alexander G. Skvortsov, Director
Gorky St. 39
Novosibirsk, Russia
Tel: 7-3832-103-906
Fax: 7-3832-239-438
E-mail: orbi@sibnet.ru
Source: BISNIS Representative, Novosibirsk

14. Industry: Food Products
Company: Koltso -X
Established in 1996, Koltso-X specializes in retailing food products. The company's annual sales are more than US$14,000,000, and it employs 103 people. The company operates three supermarkets and has warehousing facilities with 1,000 sq.m. of space

The company seeks a U.S. supplier for foodstuffs and packaging equipment.
Contact: Elena N. Olennikova, Financial Director
Lomonosov St., 59
Novosibirsk, Russia
Tel: 3832-248-874
Fax: 3832-248-874
Source: BISNIS Representative, Novosibirsk

*** SAKHALIN, RUSSIA ***

15. Industry: Beverage Production/Bottling
Company: International Center Lada, Ltd.
International Center Lada, Ltd. is a private company with annual turnover of over US$1 million. The company provides hotel, transportation, and trade services. Lada operates a restaurant and a bar, and participates in several construction projects. The company was established in 1990 and currently employs 72 people. Lada is planning to expand its business to include the production of alcohol-free beverages and bottling of spring water from its own well (150 meters depth).

The company is interested in the following cooperation with an American company: (1) a joint-stock company to bottle drinking water; (2) the purchase of PVC bottle manufacturing equipment (1 line), equipment for drinking water bottling (6000 liters per day) and raw materials for PVC bottles (4,000 bottles per day). In addition, the company seeks a commercial loan of US$200,000 and offers its property as collateral.
Contact: Mr. Victor Dolgikh
154 Komsomolskaya Str.
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk 693000, Russia
Tel: 7-4242-31898
Fax: 7-4242-31837
Source: BISNIS Representative, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk ABC

16. Industry: Cosmetics
Company: Milana-Ross
Milana-Ross owns a beauty parlor, and specializes in cosmetic services and perfume distribution.

Currently, the company seeks a U.S. supplier of medical and decorative cosmetics. Milana-Ross is interested in becoming a distributor of American cosmetics in the Sakhalin region.
Contact: Ms. Ludmila S. Pavlukova, Director
Komsomolskaya St. 159
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk 693000, Russia
Tel: 7-4242-33739/39419
Source: BISNIS Representative, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk ABC

17. Industry: Tourism
Company: Antour
Antour was established in 1995. The company specializes in tour operations. Antour organizes special trips, including amateur bear watching, bird hunting, amateur fishing (salmon), inflatable rafting, and catamaran rafting. The company also organizes winter trips.
The company's annual sales total US$86,000.

Currently, Antour seeks U.S. travel agencies to organize tours to Sakhalin Island, which would feature picturesque waterfalls and the National Sea Park.
Contact: Gennady A. Krasovski, Director
Lenin St. 6, Aniva
Sakhalin 694030, Russia
Tel: 7-42441-52358/51160
Source: BISNIS Representative, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk ABC

*** VLADIVOSTOK, RUSSIA ***

18. Industry: Tourism
Company: City Fire Protection Center
Established in 1994, The City Fire Protection Center is a 25 percent state-owned private company. The Center supplies and maintains fire-fighting and fire-prevention equipment, and provides fire-fighting training. The Center employs 16 people. The company's annual turnover amounts to US$100,000. Recently, the Center began a diversification program and is interested in developing ecotourism in the Ussuriisk taiga, where the company rents 3,000 hectares of land. The Center has developed a special program for hunters.

The Center seeks a U.S. partner to jointly organize tours.
Contact: Leonid Muratov, Vice-President
Nakhimovskaya Street, 1/A
Nakhodka 692900, Russia
Tel: 7-42366-258-92
Fax: 7-42366-419-63
Source: BISNIS Representative, VLADIVOSTOK

*** TURKMENISTAN ***

19. Industry: Consumer Goods
Company: Kichi-Ata
Kichi-Ata was established in 1991 as a private company. The company specializes in the distribution of consumer goods and food products. Kichi-Ata's business partners include Turkish, Iranian, Russian, and Georgian firms. The company's annual turnover ranges from US$50,000 to US$150,000. The firm employs 14 people and owns 200 sq. m. of office space, 200 sq. m. of retail space, and 1,000 sq. m. of warehouse space.

Kichi-Ata seeks a U.S. supplier of a modular complex (450-5,000 sq.m.) for a wholesale trading center in Ashgabat. In addition, the company seeks to become a distributor of U.S. consumer goods in Turkmenistan.
Contact: Kakabay Atayev, Director General
Sovetskih Pogranichnikov St. 98/1, Suite 2
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000
Tel: 99312-24-06-81/44-96-70
Fax: 99312-44-96-70
Source: U.S. Commercial Service Rep., U.S. Embassy, Turkmenistan

20. Industry: Gas Processing
Company: Alitat
Alitat was established in 1992. The firm specializes in producing sport clothing and sports equipment. In addition, the company offers a variety of representational services for foreign companies in Turkmenistan, including document support for accreditation, government contacts, market research, and marketing.

Presently, Alitat is involved in a feasibility study for the production of high octane fuel from Turkmen gas. The company seeks a U.S. investor to complete this project.
Contact: George Guseynov, Director General
Elena Stepanova, Deputy Director
Khudayberdiyeva Street 31a, Suite 38
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000
Tel/Fax: 99312-24-61-40
Tel: 99312-46-18-08
Source: U.S. Commercial Service Rep., U.S. Embassy, Turkmenistan

This report is provided courtesy of the Business Information Service for the Newly Independent States (BISNIS)