Uzbekistan, Tashkent, April 19 / Trend, D. Azizov /
Carlsberg Uzbek brewery (UzCarlsberg), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Carlsberg Group, has renewed its activity in Uzbekistan, a source in the government circles told Trend on Friday.
According to the report, at present, UzCarlsberg has settled all issues with tax authorities and began supplying beer to the trading network this week.
It was previously reported that the financial and economic activity of the enterprise had been under comprehensive reviewed since mid-2011 with the participation of prosecution and tax bodies.
A number of tax claims were voiced in early 2012. Financial penalties for a total of about 9 billion Soums were imposed.
Moreover, the company was accused of concealing the proceeds from the sale of unregistered products. According to tax authorities, UzCarlsberg produced 16,600 hectoliters of beer from unregistered raw materials and sold this amount illegally between 2008 and 2010.
The enterprise suspended its activity in June 2012 by stopping production and sending employees on unpaid leave.
The Tashkent City Economic Court approved the tax bodies' requirements in August 2012, and rejected the appeal filed by UzCarlsberg in September.
It was previously reported that Baltic Beverages Holding (BBH) and Uzbek Sarbast Plus created "Sarbast Plus" joint venture in 2006.
"Sarbast Plus" joint venture put into operation a brewery worth $54.9 million in Tashkent in July 2007 and a design capacity of 10 million dekaliters of beer a year.
Carlsberg Group acquired BBH's assets in 2008 and became a full owner of all BBH assets, including Sarbast Plus.
The Carlsberg Group bought the share of Uzbek partner Sarbast Plus in July 2009. Currently, the company is fully owned by Carlsberg Group. At present, the investor's total investment volume in the project amounted to over $ 100 million.
UzCarlsberg produced seven brands of beer - four brands of "Sarbast" premium segment beer, "Tuborg Green", three brands of "Baltika" licensed beer as well as the soft drink - "Bread edge" kvass.
According to the official statistics, beer production decreased by 20.6 percent - to 18.44 million dal in Uzbekistan in 2012.
The official exchange rate is 2.054.3 Soums/$1.