The UAE plans to double its trade volume with Turkmenistan in the coming years, said Ahmed Alhay Hamad Khamis Alhameli, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the UAE to Turkmenistan, in an article for the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’ on the occasion of the country’s Independence Day. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The diplomat noted that in 2024, bilateral trade (excluding oil) reached $1.759 billion, an increase of 75% over 2023 levels. At the end of the first nine months of 2025, the UAE became Turkmenistan's third largest trading partner. The Ambassador noted the active development of cooperation, especially in the energy sector, including ADNOC's entry into the Turkmen market. He recalled the signing in May 2024 of a production sharing agreement for the development of gas fields in Caspian Block No. 1 with the participation of XRG, Petronas and Turkmen state structures, as well as the conclusion of a long-term gas supply contract.
The ‘Arkadag Medisina Klasteri Menejment’ company is preparing to export its products to Uzbekistan. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The manufacturer produces four types of baby cereals: rice, rice with banana, rice with honey, and a mixture of seven grains, which is recommended for evening consumption due to its easy digestibility. The company has also mastered the production of an adapted milk formula for children from birth to two years of age. The product does not contain synthetic dyes and is enriched with vitamins and minerals. The line includes four items: for children up to 6 months, 6–12 months, 12–18 months, and 18–24 months. The daily production volume is about two thousand packages of supplementary food for children over six months old. In addition to food, the company manufactures disposable medical products such as shoe covers, masks, caps, sheets and other types of products. The expansion of the production of goods from domestic raw materials contributes to the timely supply of medical institutions in the country. In September, ‘Arkadag Medisina Klasteri Menejment’ baby food was awarded the gold medal ‘Product of the Year’ and a diploma at the ‘World Food Moscow 2025’ International Exhibition.
The Central Bank of Turkmenistan will introduce new and updated polymer banknotes with denominations of 1, 5, 10 and 200 manats into circulation on 1 December. The decision is timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality and the year, which is being held under the motto ‘International Year of Peace and Trust,’ according to the state news agency TDH. According to the source, the polymer format makes the banknotes more resistant to wear and tear and reduces the risk of counterfeiting. Security features and visual signs of authenticity have been enhanced. The design of the 1, 5 and 10 manat banknotes has been largely retained. The emblem of the International Year of Peace and Trust has been added to them. The new 200 manat banknote features an image of the Arkadag Monument on the front and the building of the Arkadag City Council on the back. All banknotes bear the year of issue and the facsimile of the Chairman of the Board of the Central Bank. The new banknotes are legal tender throughout the country. Banknotes issued in 2009, 2012, 2014, 2017 and 2020 remain in circulation.
On 28 November, an exchange trade was held on the foreign market of Turkmenistan, during which Serbian entrepreneurs concluded a deal with the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the press service of the SCRMET. The subject of the agreement was the purchase of dried, unpeeled liquorice roots and rhizomes. According to the results of the trading, one deal was concluded for a total amount of 337,500 manat.
According to data from the State Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan, from January to October 2025, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan exceeded $876.8 million. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The bulk of this was accounted for by Turkmen imports, which amounted to $753.2 million. Uzbek exports to the neighbouring country during the same period reached $111.06 million. Overall, Uzbekistan's foreign trade turnover grew by 21.5% over ten months, reaching $66.5 billion. The opening of the ‘Shavat-Dashoguz’ joint border trade zone on 17 November provided an additional impetus to cooperation.
Trade turnover between Turkmenistan and China amounted to $8.34 billion in January–October 2025, according to AsmanNews. In October, mutual trade reached $708.5 million. Turkmen exports accounted for the bulk of this figure, totalling $7.06 billion over ten months. Imports from China amounted to $1.28 billion. Turkmenistan's key export is natural gas, which is supplied via pipelines.
A delegation from Turkmenistan, led by Minister of Construction and Architecture Abdulla Geldiyev, took part in the ‘Big 5 Global 2025’ International Exhibition and Conference, which was held in Dubai from 24 to 27 November, at the invitation of UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The delegation's participation confirmed the high level of cooperation between the countries and the importance of Turkmenistan as a partner in the field of construction and infrastructure. The forum presented national initiatives to introduce modern technologies and improve the efficiency of the industry. A. Geldiyev spoke at the plenary session on the strategy for sustainable urban development and infrastructure modernisation in Turkmenistan, emphasising the priorities of digitalisation, energy-efficient and innovative solutions. Bilateral meetings with representatives of the UAE and international companies were held as part of the programme, where cooperation in industrial and civil construction, the promotion of environmentally friendly materials, the development of digital infrastructure and BIM platforms, as well as investment projects were discussed. Particular attention was paid to trade and industrial ties, including the supply of Turkmen glass and modern building materials to the markets of the UAE and the Persian Gulf countries. The Turkmen side emphasised the tasks of modernising industries, introducing digital control systems, developing infrastructure and social facilities, and expanding the export potential of the glass industry.
On 26 November, the ‘Halal Expo 2025’ International Exhibition and the 11th World Halal Summit 2025 commenced in Istanbul. Turkmenistan is represented by a national pavilion organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, according to the online news resource TerraNews. The Turkmen delegation includes business representatives who will hold a series of B2B meetings and other business events over four days. The main objectives are to expand partnerships, discuss joint projects and promote national products to foreign markets. Participation in ‘Halal Expo 2025’ provides an opportunity to study trends in the global halal industry, hold negotiations with manufacturers and investors, and assess the prospects for the development of national business.
A delegation from Turkmenistan, led by Mergen Gurdov, Head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, held a meeting in Doha with the leadership of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This was reported by the Orient news agency. The parties discussed the development of trade and economic relations and the intensification of cooperation between the private sectors. The Turkmen side confirmed its intention to strengthen business ties with Qatar, based on the friendly relations between the two countries. The main topic of the negotiations was the acceleration of the implementation of the agreement on the establishment of a Turkmen-Qatari Business Council, designed to promote interaction between the business communities of both countries. Qatari representatives expressed interest in Turkmenistan's investment potential and supported the initiative to develop partnerships between businesses. Members of the Qatari Chamber noted that joint councils help overcome obstacles in the private sector and strengthen economic integration. M. Gurdov invited Qatari businessmen to visit Turkmenistan to familiarise themselves with investment opportunities on the ground.
The national delegation of Turkmenistan, led by Minister of Construction and Architecture Abdulla Geldiyev, has begun work at the ‘Big 5 Global 2025’ international exhibition in Dubai. This was reported by Turkmenportal. Representatives of Turkmenistan participated in the opening ceremony and plenary session of the Global Leaders' Summit. The event brought together representatives of government agencies, international companies and experts from the construction industry. On the first day, the delegation held meetings with UAE officials and a number of international construction and engineering companies. They discussed projects in the field of industrial construction, the introduction of new technologies and the possible implementation of infrastructure initiatives in Turkmenistan. The specialists visited the national pavilions of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and China, where they familiarised themselves with materials, equipment, modular systems and technological solutions for urban and industrial projects. Negotiations were also held with EPC contractors, construction equipment manufacturers and digital platform developers. The exhibition participants noted the CIET 2025 conference and exhibition held in ‘Avaza’ in November and expressed interest in cooperation. The companies received invitations to CIET 2026. Turkmenistan's participation in ‘Big 5 Global 2025’ is aimed at expanding external relations and exchanging experience with global construction and technology companies.
At the opening of the company's office in Ashgabat, Bassem Tadros, Head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) Representative Office, emphasised that relations between Turkmenistan and the UAE are based on trust, respect and a shared vision of energy security. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. Both countries are actively developing political, economic and investment ties, with energy playing a key role in the partnership. B. Tadros noted that Turkmenistan has significant natural gas reserves, a favourable geographical location and a long history in the energy sector. He also stressed that ADNOC's cooperation with Turkmenistan will enable the effective pooling of resources and technical expertise for global growth. The opening of the office is a step towards strengthening cooperation, developing local capacity and supporting the country's further energy development.
The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has opened a representative office in Ashgabat. The ceremony took place at the ‘Arkach’ business centre, according to Turkmenportal. Guvanch Agajanov, Chairman of the State Concern ‘Türkmennebit’, emphasised that the launch of the ADNOC office will be an important step in expanding the partnership. He expressed confidence that joint projects will contribute to the development of fields, increased production and staff training. Bassem Tadros, Director of Asset Management at XRG (a subsidiary of ADNOC), said that the opening of the office reflects the company's long-term plans in Turkmenistan. He noted that relations between the UAE and Turkmenistan are based on trust and cooperation in the energy sector. According to him, Turkmenistan has significant natural gas reserves and a favourable location, which strengthens its role in regional energy security and the development of export routes.