Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Ülker, which has been producing chocolate and biscuits at its factory in Kazakhstan for 25 years, continues its active expansion in Central Asia. As part of its strategy to strengthen its regional presence, Ülker announced the opening of a new enterprise in Uzbekistan — Pladis Confectionery.

With the launch of a Direct Distribution Center in Tashkent and the establishment of a broad distributor network across the country, Ülker products will become available in thousands of retail outlets and reach millions of consumers in Uzbekistan.

Ülker, a leader in the Turkish food industry, has taken another strategic step to reinforce its market position in Uzbekistan while continuing its successful operations in Kazakhstan.

The creation of Pladis Confectionery and the opening of the Direct Distribution Center will enable efficient distribution of products through dealer networks in 12 major cities across the country, as well as through numerous retail points.

The grand opening of the sales office and warehouse in Tashkent was attended by prominent business and diplomatic representatives, including Suavi Onal, Chief Trade Advisor of the Turkish Embassy in Uzbekistan; Murat Ülker, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pladis and GODIVA; Özgür Kölükfakı, CEO of Ülker; Mario Reis, Head of Global Supply Chain at Pladis; and Yavuz Yurtgüder, Vice President of Pladis for Central Asia.

Özgür Kölükfakı: "We Plan to Deliver 105 Product Types Weekly to 30,000 Retail Points" Ülker CEO Özgür Kölükfakı highlighted that investing in one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing markets holds strategic importance for the company. In his speech, he emphasized:

"Our expansion in Central Asia is based on strong partnerships and flexible strategies tailored to local market characteristics. Uzbekistan is a rapidly developing market with a population of around 38 million people, and strengthening our position here is particularly important for us.

Through the new Direct Distribution Center, we plan to cover more than 30,000 retail points, about 5,000 of which are located in Tashkent and around 25,000 across the regions. In our first year of operations, we intend to ensure regular weekly deliveries of 105 product types to these outlets.

Thanks to consistent economic reforms in recent years, Uzbekistan has become an attractive destination for investment.

We see great potential in maintaining a long-term presence in this market. We are confident that our products will delight Uzbek consumers and contribute to strengthening economic ties between Türkiye and Uzbekistan."