Jahn International A/S is a well-established Danish trading company which has specialised in the export of quality FMCG items to the Soviet Union and CIS for more than forty years.  Lego, Carlsberg and Stimorol chewing gum are just some of the famous products introduced to this important market by the company founder Poul Jahn.
Poul Jahn, who was recently honoured for services to Danish exports, has always preferred to lead from the field, taking residential status in Moscow after the break-up of the Soviet Union.  In 1994, after losing millions of dollars from his Russian operations when the local credit bank crashed, he made the decision to relocate to Tashkent, Uzbekistan.  For the next two years Poul built up a highly successful import operation there through his sole agency agreements with Carlsberg, Lego, Schweppes, McVities, Ferrero and other prestigious suppliers.
Although successful in his importing activities, Poul had the standing desire to expand his operations to promote local production, in particular through joint ventures, "to put something back into the local economy".  In March 1996 Poul invited me to travel to Tashkent and work with him as his Project Director.  In particular, I was given the task of co-ordinating investigations into the potential for building an international standard brewery in Central Asia, in liaison with Carlsberg and other visiting experts.
From October 1996, the fortunes of Jahn International in Tashkent took a downturn after the government introduced severe restrictions on imports and convertibility.  Even though Jahn International was able to receive one of the few new licences for import, and thus continue operating, margins were so reduced that Poul was forced to restrict his investment support activities.  In closing his projects office, Poul passed a strong recommendation to Giulio Franzinetti, to allow me to continue the investment project work with a new company and employer.
Despite all his operating problems, Poul Jahn still continues to reside and operate in Tashkent (February 2000), illustrating his unswerving belief in the potential of Uzbekistan.

Bell Marketing was the first "trading as" title for Brian Leonard, working on a self-employed basis.  The initial objective was to concentrate on marketing consultancy assignments, for which there were waiting customers at the beginning.  However, as demand for these services diminished, several firms indicated their interest in my working for them as a commission-only representative in the area I knew well - the former Soviet Union.
The list of companies represented by Bell Marketing in the CIS included:

• Camber International Ltd (UK) - Circular Knitting Machinery
  
• Sellers & Co Ltd (UK) - Carpet Finishing Machinery
  
• Wm Tatham Ltd (UK) - Fibre Processing Equipment
  
• Extrusion Systems Ltd (UK) - Synthetic Yarn Extruding Equipment
  
• Heusch GmbH (Germany) - Spirals and Industrial Cutting Knives
  
• Monfort & Reiners (Germany) - Industrial Brushes and Brushing Machines
  
• David Crabtree & Sons Ltd (UK) - Axminster Looms
  
• Roaches International Ltd (UK) - Sample Dyeing Machines
  
• Griffith Textile Machines (UK) - Specialist Machinery