Muhammad Mirzo
GENERAL DIRECTOR OF AVESTO GROUP
Economy I Interview I The Investor Tajikistan

_BIOGRAPHY Having more than 25 years of experience in business leadership, he has contributed to the advancement of industrial capacity, private enterprise, and digital initiatives in the Republic of Tajikistan. He is recognized for advancing strategic investments that strengthen Tajikistan’s economy and international competitiveness.
“EVERY PROJECT WE BUILD IN TAJIKISTAN IS DESIGNED NOT JUST TO DELIVER RESULTS TODAY, BUT TO LEAVE BEHIND SKILLS, INDUSTRIES, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.”
AVESTO GROUP’S GUIDING MOTTO IS “WE MAKE INNOVATION OUR TRADITION.” IT IS BOTH STRIKING AND AMBITIOUS. HOW DID THIS PHILOSOPHY COME TO LIFE, AND HOW DOES IT SHAPE YOUR DECISION-MAKING?
For us, this phrase is far more than a marketing slogan. It reflects the approach that has guided our journey from the beginning and will continue to shape our future. Innovation, as we see it, is not a one-off achievement but an ongoing process — a habit, a discipline, a way of thinking. It means embedding a mindset of progress into every part of our work, from the production floor to the boardroom.
In Tajikistan, a country rich in natural resources but operating in a fast-changing world, innovation is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. We cannot rely on past advantages alone. Competing regionally and globally requires adopting the latest technologies, learning from the most advanced practices, and adapting them to our realities.
Tradition, for us, is not the opposite of innovation. It is about preserving the values, skills, and cultural identity that anchor us, even as we evolve. Modernisation should not come at the expense of our heritage — it should strengthen it. This means building industries for the long term, not chasing short-term opportunities, and ensuring that every new solution we adopt becomes part of the company’s fabric. When we say we make innovation our tradition, we mean that progress itself becomes our legacy. Every breakthrough we integrate becomes something we maintain, refine, and pass on, so that the spirit of advancement endures for generations.
At the same time, we view innovation as a direct contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. By fostering decent work, supporting gender equality, enabling clean energy solutions, and strengthening resilient industries, we ensure that Avesto Group’s growth is not only a national success story but also part of a global sustainability effort.
HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN FOCUS AND EXCELLENCE ACROSS SUCH A DIVERSE PORTFOLIO?
The diversity of our portfolio is deliberate and strategic. Each sector we enter serves a national priority, contributes to economic sovereignty, and offers the potential for sustainable growth. We do not diversify for the sake of expansion — we enter fields where our expertise, resources, and partnerships can create lasting value. This approach requires discipline in management, long-term planning, and a deep understanding of how different industries connect to each other and to the national economy.
In transportation engineering, for example, our production lines for buses, electric buses, and trolleybuses are not just about assembling vehicles but about creating an ecosystem of sustainable mobility. This involves training engineers in advanced manufacturing, building after-sales service infrastructure through our City Service division, and introducing environmentally friendly options that reduce emissions in Tajikistan’s cities. Our vision is to help urban areas modernise their fleets in ways that are both efficient and environmentally responsible.
In electronics, we have developed one of the most modern manufacturing facilities in the region, producing household appliances that meet global standards. By working with leading international partners, we have brought cutting-edge processes to Tajikistan and created skilled jobs for the next generation. This industry illustrates our philosophy perfectly: investing in technology, developing human capital, and building capacity for both domestic use and export.
The textile sector is another example, where we operate a full production cycle — from spinning premium cotton yarn using advanced European technology to producing finished garments and high-quality home textiles. This industry alone employs around a thousand people, many of them women, contributing both to economic stability and social progress. When combined with our other operations, Avesto Group now employs more than 5,000 people across Tajikistan, making us not only a driver of industrial growth but also one of the country’s most significant private-sector employers.
HOW DO YOUR PROJECTS CONNECT WITH TAJIKISTAN’S DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES?
We see environmental sustainability and digital transformation as inseparable. Modern, eco-friendly transport systems need intelligent infrastructure to function at their best, and smart city services only have real value when they bring tangible improvements to everyday life. Through our digital services company, NETS, we have evolved from a traditional internet provider into a national systems integrator, deploying advanced fibre-optic networks and building integrated smart city platforms. These platforms combine public transport payment systems, electric vehicle charging points, digital parking solutions, and automated traffic monitoring — reducing congestion, cutting emissions, and making urban life more efficient.
Our green vehicle production — from electric buses to service support — complements these systems. By ensuring that maintenance and parts are available locally, we reduce dependency on imports and create new skilled jobs. This helps Tajikistan meet its environmental goals while upgrading its transport sector. At the same time, digitalisation improves how resources are managed. Data from our smart platforms helps optimise energy use, inform urban planning, and improve public services. This is where innovation delivers measurable, lasting results. It is not about technology for its own sake, but about using technology to make life better for people.
AVESTO GROUP HAS ALSO INVESTED IN FOOD, WATER, AND INDUSTRIAL SOVEREIGNTY. HOW DO THESE INVESTMENTS FIT YOUR LONG-TERM VISION?
We consider these sectors the backbone of economic security. Food, water, and industrial capability are strategic assets that every nation must safeguard. By building these industries, we ensure Tajikistan is more resilient to external shocks and better able to grow independently. In food production, our Marmari brand is part of a fully integrated cluster covering feed production, livestock and poultry farming, and processing. This approach allows us to control quality at every stage and to maintain stability even when global supply chains face disruption. We also operate one of the country’s largest flour mills, producing multiple grades that meet international standards and directly strengthening national food security.
In bottled water, our Siyoma brand showcases Tajikistan’s natural wealth to the world. Drawn from the pristine meltwaters of our mountain glaciers and bottled using advanced French technology, Siyoma serves both domestic and export markets, representing quality and authenticity. It is not only a commercial product but also a statement about the purity of our environment and our ability to meet the highest international standards.
In mining, we have developed granite extraction and processing facilities and established Central Asia’s first emulsion explosives plant, ensuring safer and more precise mining operations. This facility meets domestic needs while also serving regional demand, positioning Tajikistan as a reliable supplier in this critical sector. In chemicals, our production of composite pipes and fertilisers supports both infrastructure and agriculture — two pillars of long-term growth. Each of these industries is part of a larger vision: to diversify the economy, boost exports, and create jobs that build skills for the future.
LOOKING AHEAD, WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR AVESTO GROUP OVER THE NEXT DECADE, AND WHAT ROLE DO YOU SEE IT PLAYING IN TAJIKISTAN’S DEVELOPMENT?
Our vision is to strengthen the foundations we have built and further expand our impact both in Tajikistan and across the wider Central Asian region. We aspire for Avesto Group to be recognised not only as a national leader but as a true regional benchmark for innovation, sustainability, and strategic investment. In the years ahead, we will continue investing in sectors that combine strong commercial opportunity with high national importance, while deepening partnerships that introduce new expertise, advanced technologies, and international best practices into the country.
One of our major priorities is advancing our digital ambitions. A key initiative is the creation of a national-level data centre — a strategic infrastructure project that will provide secure, high-capacity cloud services for public institutions and private enterprises alike. This effort will accelerate Tajikistan’s digital transformation, support innovation across industries, and open new opportunities for growth. At the same time, we will keep strengthening our position in sustainable industries, from renewable energy solutions and green transport to resource-efficient manufacturing, ensuring our growth remains aligned with global sustainability trends.
