Shayana Farm Pharmaceutical Company Success Story

Today Shayana Farm LLC is a successful, actively developing pharmaceutical company operating in Uzbekistan since 2002. Shayana Farm is the largest drug supplier to Uzbekistan from India. Today, the customer base includes more than 1000 enterprises.

In 2017, the company opened a high-tech factory in Tashkent to produce high-quality drugs. The laboratory at the plant is equipped with the modern high-quality equipment. Specialists from India are often invited here to exchange experience and knowledge with Uzbek colleagues.

For the founder of Shayana Farm LLC, Mr. Tiwari Ashok Kumar, the main thing in business is faith in oneself, hard work and good partners.

– For me, noble and humane goals are important in everything. Once, in 2002, I decided to do pharmaceutical business because it helps people a lot. And, at the same time, it is profitable. In those days, Indian medicine was optimal in price and quality. At first, I looked closely at the features of the markets of different CIS countries and decided to try in Uzbekistan. With local partners we were able to quickly align supplies of Indian medicines, it was beneficial to both parties. The business grew and developed. By the end of 2019, our factory was able to produce products of more than 10 billion soums, their cost is 25% lower than imported products, while our products are of the same quality. The fact is that Indian pharmacists agree that environmental conditions in Uzbekistan allow the production of better drugs than in India.

– Have you achieved your goals?

– Of course. I will even say that the results exceeded my expectations. We started business in Uzbekistan under other conditions, when there were a lot of restrictions and difficulties for foreign entrepreneurs. We survived in the most difficult time. Now, doing business in this country has become much more convenient, and we intend to increase production volumes.

– How do you assess the changes taking place in Uzbekistan?

– Many changes that have occurred in the country in recent years make it easier for entrepreneurs to conduct their business. I mean reforms in the banking sector and in the tax system especially. This opens up more opportunities for the development, in my opinion, of all areas of business.

– What are your future plans for the development of your enterprise?

– In 2020, we plan to develop online sales of high-quality imported drugs throughout Uzbekistan. Now we are preparing storage facilities for this area. This again serves noble purposes – to make the life of the local population more convenient: now a resident of even the most remote areas in Uzbekistan will be able to order the necessary medicine from us online. We will deliver it to the destination.

– In your opinion, how comfortable is it for children to live and develop themselves in Uzbekistan?

– Since I have been living in this country for a long time, my children were born and grow up here. They go to school here. In my opinion, it is very comfortable to live in Uzbekistan: a pleasant climate, mutual respect between people.

Regarding children’s education, my children go to a private American school here. I would say that studying in such private schools is very expensive.

– What is the potential of this country?

– The potential of Uzbekistan is very large, especially with the recent reforms, the country is becoming more attractive in many areas of activity.

– Are there threats or risks for investors?

– In any business there is always a risk. But in Uzbekistan, I would say that the risks are minimized today. The market is open and transparent, and all conditions for the creation and development of a business are created.

– What would you advise to foreign companies interested in opening and organizing their business in Uzbekistan?

– I would advise you today to “seize a good moment” and immediately invest in this country. Now this is a very good time and there are good conditions. This is a rapidly developing country in Central Asia and it is cheaper to create a business here than, for example, in Kazakhstan. At the same time, there is a large market due to the high population growth.

Interviewed by Yulduz Latipaeva.