‘Turkish contractors increasing presence in Turkmen market’

Speaking to a group of Turkish business representatives in the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat on Wednesday, Çağlayan said Turkey hopes to increase its construction business volume in Turkmenistan to $2.5 billion by the end of this year, from $1.5 billion currently. Noting that there are 538 Turkish construction firms operating in Turkmenistan, the minister said the size of projects carried out and finished by these firms has reached $17.5 billion so far. Çağlayan said before investing in a country Turkish entrepreneurs should seek support from advisors who will visit that country in advance to conduct preliminary market research and provide necessary information on potential business opportunities.

Mentioning a Turkmen project to create a tourism hub in Avaza, on the east side of the Caspian Sea, Çağlayan said they believed Turkish construction firms will play a prominent role in this project, adding that the country bears huge potential in the tourism field. During his visit to the Mediterranean tourism resort of Antalya, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov had expressed interest in cooperating with Turkish firms on the Avaza project. Turkish President Abdullah Gül, who accompanied the Turkmen official, also said Turkish business circles are ready to contribute to similar projects in Turkmenistan, sharing their experience and expertise with their Turkmen counterparts.

Later Wednesday Çağlayan attended a Turkish Exports Products Fair in Ashgabat. He was accompanied by the Turkmen vice president, Hojamuhammet Muhammedow, at the fair, which opened its doors for the first time in the Turkmen capital this week. Turkish export companies from the cosmetics, food, furniture and plastics sectors are participating in the fair, which is due to end on Sept. 4. Sanko, Hakan Plastik, Çukurova Makina, Assan Panel and Irak Plastik are among the 67 Turkish firms who have booths at the fair.

Prior to his departure for Ashgabat on Wednesday, Çağlayan met with Uighur Autonomous Region Governor Nur Bekri in the regional Chinese capital, Urumqi. Discussing opportunities to improve trade between Turkey and the area with the governor, the minister said the government has decided to encourage Turkish entrepreneurs to enter the Uighur market. “The region's economy has a bright future with its vast natural resources, including oil, natural gas and coal, and Turkey expects to share in this promising market. We believe the region will become much more integrated with the global markets than present with the arrival of new foreign investment.”