Uzbekistan is one of the top ten vodka markets in the world and one of the fastest growing importers of Russian vodka, said Russian Standard, announcing its launch in the country on 28 April.

“Demand for high quality premium vodka continues to increase in Uzbekistan, and we are pleased to partner with a leading company like Altash Invest, which we are sure will deliver success in Uzbekistan,” said Mykola Kuzemko, export director of Russian Standard.

Umid Mirzaakhmedov, general director of Altash Invest, added: “We expect positive results for Russian Standard thanks to several factors: the increase of spirits consumption in Uzbekistan, the trend of Uzbek consumers ’trading up’ to higher quality and more prestigious brands, the increasing spending power of Uzbek consumers and the overall development of Uzbekistan’s market structures.”

Uzbekistan’s gross domestic product is expected to grow by around 7% in 2009, despite the economic downturn, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Russian Standard, founded just over ten years ago and based in St Petersburg, claims to be the number one premium vodka brand in Russia and also exports to more than 60 countries across Europe, the Americas and Asia.