Djamol Aripov

Agricultural Commodity Trading & International Trade Facilitation

Founded and built international agricultural trading company specializing in US commodity imports to Central Asia markets, with focus on innovative logistics solutions and government-backed financing structures.

US Soybean Meal Import Pioneer:

• Successfully imported US soybean meal to Uzbekistan via multiple logistics corridors
• Container Operations: Executed shipments via Poti, Georgia using 20ft containers
• Iran Transit Route: Pioneered US agricultural product transit through Iskenderun, Turkey → Iran → Uzbekistan corridor

Government Relations & Trade Finance:

• USDA GSM 102 Program: Secured exclusive access to USDA credit guarantee program for Uzbekistan market
• US Government Partnership: Established direct relationships with USDA officials and US Embassy economic teams
• Banking Innovation: Structured GSM 102 financing solutions with 98% US government backing, enabling 9-month payment terms vs. standard immediate payment
• Regulatory Navigation: Successfully managed complex documentation and compliance requirements for US-origin agricultural products

Market Development & Strategy:

• Market Intelligence: Conducted comprehensive analysis of Central Asia agricultural import markets (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan)
• Competitive Positioning: Positioned US quality premium (47% vs 46% protein) against Argentine suppliers
• Volume Scaling: Developed business model scaling from 30,000 MT initial shipments to 100,000 MT annual target
• Consortium Building: Structured multi-party import consortiums to optimize financing and distribution

Logistics & Supply Chain Management:

• Route Optimization: Evaluated and executed shipments via Poti (Georgia) and Iskenderun (Turkey) corridors
• Carrier Relations: Negotiated with MSC, Transgroup, and regional logistics providers for optimal freight rates
• Documentation Expertise: Managed complex international trade documentation including GSM 102 compliance, transit declarations, and multi-country customs procedures
• Risk Management: Implemented comprehensive cargo insurance and transit risk mitigation strategies

Strategic Partnerships:

• Minnesota Soybean Association: Established partnership for market development, technical expertise, and supplier relationships
• Wisconsin Soybean Association: Developed strategic partnership for agricultural trade facilitation and market expansion
• US Suppliers: Developed relationships with major US agricultural exporters (ADM, Bunge, Hansen Mueller, CHS, Delong Company)
• Regional Banking: Structured banking relationships for trade finance across multiple jurisdictions
• Government Networks: Built relationships with US and Central Asian government agencies for trade facilitation

Business Model Innovation:

• Service-Based Revenue: Developed low-risk, high-margin service model generating $20-35/MT without inventory exposure
• Financial Engineering: Structured GSM 102-backed transactions reducing financing costs from local rates (20%+) to USDA guaranteed rates (0.285%)
• Market Diversification: Created platform expandable to multiple agricultural commodities and regional markets
• Scalable Operations: Built systems capable of handling $50M+ annual transaction volumes

Strategic Impact:

• Market Access: Opened new supply channels for US agricultural exports to Central Asia
• Cost Optimization: Reduced import costs for regional buyers through innovative logistics and financing
• Regional Hub Development: Positioned Uzbekistan as distribution center for broader Central Asia market
• Industry Leadership: Established reputation as primary facilitator for US agricultural imports in region
• International commodity trading and logistics optimization
• Government relations and regulatory compliance management
• Trade finance structuring and risk management
• Multi-jurisdictional business development and partnership building
• Complex transaction coordination and stakeholder management

• Managed budgets, financial planning, and forecasting to optimize profitability for the country operations.
• Established strong relationships with key industry players for business growth and expansion.
• Increased market share by developing and implementing effective sales strategies.
• Gathered information on competitor activities and market trends to enhance strategic decision-making.
• Developed strategic partnerships to expand product offerings and enter new markets.
• Secured consistent stock supply by providing accurate sales forecasts and managing shipments appropriately.
• Negotiated contracts with suppliers to secure favorable terms that benefited the company''s bottom line.
• Built relationships with customers and community to establish long-term business growth.
• Increased sales volume and expanded product line to new retailers, warehouse clubs and natural food chains.

Representing ETG in Uzbekistan

• Formed strategic partnerships and connected with potential clients to drive business development. Over 200 active clients list among them poultries, crushes, feed mills, flour mills, distributors and more.
• Leveraged professional networks and industry knowledge to strengthen client relationships. Knowledge in poultry, crushing, feed milling, flour milling, agricultural areas. Build relations with engineers and technicians within related areas.
• Oversaw supply chain functions to verify inventory levels and budget adherence of clients in Uzbekistan. Keeping track of main clients purchases, storage and manufacturing volumes.
• Resolved conflicts and negotiated mutually beneficial agreements between parties. Uzbekistan is a challenging market, however, I have an understanding of the market and players since I have been in this market since 2013. Advised clients and ETG on payment methods, customs and legal issues.
• Remained current on industry trends to better understand customer needs, product effectiveness and sales tactics. I've been active with fairs, exhibitions, build strong relationships with associations and Ministry of Agriculture. Stayed in touch with Government Relation's personas.
• Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment. As reforms hit Uzbekistan various new regulation introduced daily. Stayed up to date with new customs, tax and banking laws.

Trading

• Negotiated and arranged transport of goods with shipping or freight companies. Resolved payments and customs issues related to Uzbekistan e.g. double invoice.
• Developed toll milling project in Uzbekistan, successfully working with Jomboy Oil crushing facility
• Found ways to import goods and sell in US dollars in local market -73rd and 74th customs regimes allow imports and storing on territory of Uzbekistan as foreign company
• Proposed new business opportunities - SBM and SBS sales and distribution. Exercised purchasing, logistics, costing and observed potential market.
• Exercised calculations, logistics costs, routes, regulations for many other business opportunities within Uzbekistan e.g. fertilizer exports and petroleum and metals imports.
• Facilitated trading of SBO, SBM, Wheat, Corn, SBM and SF from Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan. Volume of trading for 2 year around 5 million dollars, taking into account limited capacity of ETG.
• Established relations with Uzbekistan Commodity Exchange and representatives in Kazakhstan. Many clients require working through UzEx for rail subsidy purposes, became familiar with mechanisms and contract terms.
• Up to date with market data and analysis. I read Platts Daily Grains, Fryer's Black Sea Report, ProZerno Reports, IKAR reports, also ETG's reports.

Sales and Supply Chain

• Improved sales channels and distribution of Dani Nan flour in Almaty, Shymkent and Taldykorgan
• Oversaw daily administrative operations, including Sales, Management and Procurement.
• Drove team revenue totals by bringing in over $5 million in sales.
• Scheduled and organized inventory management of various packaged flour, worth over $1 million.
• Improved supply chain to reduce materials costs and optimize distribution.
• Engaged with customers to effectively build rapport and lasting relationships.

Sourcing and Supply Chain

• Procurement and shipping 200 thousand tons of high grade wheat
• Identified and targeted critical procurement issues, saving over $100.000 in first year.
• Solved diverse supply chain problems involving numerous sources, logistics and scheduling factors.
• Wrote standard operating procedures for department.

Project Management

• Construction of 50.000 ton grain facility by Cimbria and Symaga in Jaltyr, Nur-Sultan
• Managed all phases of $6,5 million project from procurement to commission.
• Provided management for 10+ internal personnel, contractors and vendors.
• Reduced expenditures by effectively negotiating vendor and service contracts to drive savings.

Exports Management and Market Penetration

• Dani Nan is most premium and desired brand within Uzbek inventories, as result 70% of total production goes to Uzbek market.
• Created brand awareness and customer loyalty through quality management and pricing strategy for Uzbek market.
• Build customer centricity via constant analysis of customer base and product use cases.
• Oversaw daily administrative operations as orders management, client relationship management, payments, contracts and inventory inspections within Uzbekistan.

• Worked with soft commodity vendors particularly flour, seed oils and sugar to avoid potential problems with orders and deliveries.
• Assembled specifications to obtain competitive bids for soft commodities.
• Identified, researched and assessed quality of potential vendors.
• Evaluated proposals from up to 50 vendors to determine most favorable option.
• Verified deliveries and resolved discrepancies between order and shipment.
• Arranged for payment and maintained records of bids, orders and financial transactions.
• Prepared contracts and related documentation according to strict standards.
• Arranged sales between buyers and sellers, acting as representative for both party.

• Acquired outlook on regulations established by International Chamber of Commerce.
• Performed detailed analysis of uniform customs and practices for documentary credits.
• Intecoterms 2000 delivery terms and conditions were captured.