The list, published by BBC Uzbek, shows that his mother owned a number of companies in the country, including shares in the “Korzinka” network.

In the first part of Kun.uz inquiry, Gulnara Karimova’s activities in such large enterprises as Coca-Cola and Quvasoy Cement were discussed.

This time, the extent of Gulnara Karimova’s alleged involvement in the “Korzinka” shopping center network will be clarified.

Islam Karimov Jr.’s letter states that the shares in the “Korzinka” network also belonged to his mother. There is no information that such a claim has been published so far. Therefore Kun.uz interviewed Zafar Khashimov, founder and CEO of the “Korzinka” shopping center network, on this matter.

Do you personally know Gulnara Karimova? If so, what projects have you collaborated on?

I have never known Gulnara Karimova personally. Neither I nor the enterprises I created cooperated with the structures, projects and activities she managed.

I even refrained from attending the many events organized by her. I would like to reiterate, I was always very happy that this person did not know me.

Gulnara Karimova’s son, Islam Karimov Jr. sent a letter saying that a lot of material wealth belonging to this family in Uzbekistan is being misappropriated. Among the properties he mentioned shares in the “Korzinka” retail chain. Could you please tell us if Gulnara Karimova or her son have any connection to this trade network that you currently run?

I was very surprised to read an open letter posted on Instagram by Islam Karimov Jr., in which he stated that his mother had a stake in the company, which is founded by me, which has always been at my disposal, which I have personally been managing for almost 25 years. Because there is no basis in this statement, there is not the slightest truth in his claim. It is unclear to me why he told such lies. Even, at first, I thought it was some kind of mistake or misunderstanding.

If this is intentional, I think the reason for this slander is that the more well-known companies and entrepreneurs on the list, the more sensational and influential the appeal will be.

I am an entrepreneur who loves his job and enjoys it.

Our suppliers are entrepreneurs like us, and our customers are our population. We have never used any privilege in paying taxes or in any other direction. Until recently (until 2018), we were not allocated any land plot directly.

The chain of “Korzinka” shopping centers existed during the heyday of Gulnara Karimova. Was there any proposal from her side to sell the network at your disposal or to give a certain share of it?

I am frequently asked this question. I have never received such a proposal or appeal from her. I don’t know the exact reason, I guess at that time our business wasn’t big enough to catch her attention. In 2014-2015, when her business went bankrupt, there were probably only 12-13 stores in our network. Our company has grown rapidly over the past three or four years.

On top of that, one needs skills and passion to manage retail business. Even if someone takes over the business, it is unlikely they will be able to manage it. If you can’t go into business with skills, it’s not a profit, it’s a loss.

Maybe it’s because she did not have much interest in our business.