Economy
A four-party meeting on the development of the Middle Corridor was held in Ashgabat
11.02.2026On 10 February, a four-party meeting of the Heads of the railway departments of Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Georgia was held in Ashgabat. Turkmenistan was represented by Minister of Rail Transport M. Akmammedov, Azerbaijan by Chairman of ‘Azerbaijan Railways’ CJSC Rovshan Rustamov, Uzbekistan by Zufar Narzullayev, and Georgia by Lasha Abashidze, according to Turkmenportal. During the meeting, they discussed the development of the Middle Corridor, one of the key transit routes in the region, opportunities for expanding cooperation and increasing the competitiveness of transport. Particular attention was paid to the digitalisation of operations to speed up freight transport. Following the negotiations, a Protocol was signed covering digitalisation, the development of freight transport and diagnostics for the Middle Corridor.
Trade turnover between Turkey and Turkmenistan reached $2.2 billion
11.02.2026The 12th Exhibition of Turkish Export Goods has opened in Ashgabat. Turkish Minister of Trade Omer Bolat and Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Nokerguly Atagulyev took part in the ceremony, according to Turkmenportal. Omer Bolat said that trade turnover between Turkey and Turkmenistan reached $2.2 billion in 2025. The target is $5 billion. According to him, despite global economic difficulties, bilateral trade continues to grow. The minister noted that the task of increasing trade volume was set by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and work in this direction is continuing. The Turkish side is represented at the exhibition by 87 stands of companies and exporters' associations. The total exhibition area is 1,396 square metres.
IFT 2026: Ashgabat opens its doors to international business
10.02.2026In spring 2026, Ashgabat will host the International Forum on Investment in the Private Sector ‘Investments in the Future of Turkmenistan’ (IFT 2026), which will take place on 18 March. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The event will be held in the building of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and is being organised jointly with the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs with the support of ‘TMT Consulting Group’. Registration for participants is already open, allowing businesses to prepare presentations in advance and invite foreign partners. The forum reflects the state strategy for developing the private sector and attracting investment. IFT 2026 will bring together capital, expertise and business initiatives, covering industry, agribusiness, livestock, logistics, innovation and private investment projects. Continuing the traditions of IFT 2025, the forum expects active participation from the international community: last year, more than 500 delegates from 25 countries and hundreds of companies gathered, 21 agreements were signed and 187 business meetings were held.
Turkmenistan expands international fibre optic network
10.02.2026Turkmenistan is implementing a programme to modernise its telecommunications infrastructure, which will see the number of international fibre-optic lines increase from eight to eleven by 2028. This was reported by the Orient news agency. The country's Ministry of Communications plans to build a cross-border line to Afghanistan, which will expand transit capabilities and provide access to South Asian markets. At the same time, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan are jointly laying an underwater fibre-optic cable along the bottom of the Caspian Sea and developing land-based trunk lines in western directions. The implementation of these initiatives is expected to significantly increase the capacity of the national network and strengthen Turkmenistan's role as a transit telecommunications hub between the regions of Eurasia.
The 12th Exhibition of Turkish Goods has commenced in Ashgabat
10.02.2026The 12th Exhibition of Turkish Export Goods has opened in Ashgabat, with around 100 companies and business associations taking part. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The grand opening of the event was conducted by the Minister of Trade of the Republic of Turkey, Omer Bolat, who arrived in the capital of Turkmenistan with an official delegation. The exhibition will run from 10 to 12 February. The event provides Turkish manufacturers and exporters with an opportunity to present their products on the Turkmen market, as well as to establish new business contacts. The exhibition features products from a wide range of industries. The organisers invite Turkmen companies to visit the exhibition to familiarise themselves with the range of Turkish brands and consider the prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation. During his visit, Minister O. Bolat will hold a series of negotiations with representatives of Turkmen government agencies and business circles aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and economic ties.
New environmental research programme approved in Turkmenistan
10.02.2026The National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan has approved a programme of scientific and practical research for the period 2026–2030. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The programme covers ecology, forestry and rational nature management. The focus is on the impact of climate change on ecosystems, monitoring of flora in the ‘Altyn Asyr’ lake area and assessment of the condition of pastures important for livestock breeding. A separate block of work is devoted to protecting infrastructure from sand drifts, including the development of methods for stabilising sand along roads and pipelines, primarily in the Balkan velayat. At the same time, the institute will continue its research on biodiversity conservation, pest control and the cultivation of rare plant species to strengthen the country's forest ecosystems.
Turkmenistan expands cooperation with Eswatini in the field of technology and digitalisation
10.02.2026The ‘Aýdyň Gijeler’ business association has reached agreements to supply one million SIM cards and 30,000 aluminium LED lamps to the Kingdom of Eswatini. This was reported by ‘Business Turkmenistan’, citing the ‘Rysgal’ newspaper. During the working visit of the Turkmen delegation, the parties discussed the prospects for strategic cooperation, exchange of experience and implementation of modern technological solutions within the framework of comprehensive projects. Particular attention was paid to the use of national ID passport systems, the digitisation of state registers and ‘Aýdyň Gijeler’s technological solutions in the field of passportisation and identity verification. The discussion confirmed the mutual interest in continuing cooperation and strengthening international partnerships.
Ashgabat and Bucharest expand cooperation in consumer protection
08.02.2026Annamammet Annayev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Romania, held a meeting with Sorin Mierlea, Head of InfoCons, Romania's largest consumer protection organisation. This was reported by IIC. The parties discussed issues related to the labelling of imported goods, mechanisms for protecting intellectual property rights, and measures to ensure transparency in trade processes between Turkmenistan and Romania. During the negotiations, InfoCons representatives proposed the creation of a single information space for citizens of both countries. The project aims to provide Turkmen citizens living in Romania with prompt access to legal protection of their consumer rights. At the same time, for Romanian entrepreneurs and tourists, the platform will become a source of information on the rules and regulations in force in Turkmenistan, which will increase the predictability of business and travel conditions.
The ‘Garabogazkarbamid’ plant has increased its production of urea and ammonia
07.02.2026In January 2026, the ‘Garabogazkarbamid’ plant in the Balkan velayat of Turkmenistan produced 95,000 tonnes of urea, which exceeded the plan by 25,000 tonnes and amounted to 136% of the planned volume. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. Since the beginning of the year, the enterprise has also produced more than 54,000 tonnes of ammonia against a target of 40,000 tonnes, achieving 135% of the target. Most of the production is exported to the UAE, Turkey, Afghanistan, Singapore and European countries. The plant's design capacity allows it to produce up to 1.155 million tonnes of urea and 660,000 tonnes of ammonia annually.
Oil and gas production in Turkmenistan increased in January 2026
07.02.2026On 6 February, Deputy Prime Minister B. Amanov presented the results of the country's oil and gas complex for January 2026 at a regular meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers. According to him, the oil production plan of the State Concern ‘Türkmennebit’ was fulfilled by 107.5%, reports TDH. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, oil refining at plants reached 106.4%, gasoline production – 126.5%, diesel fuel – 104.6%, polypropylene and lubricating oils – 100%, liquefied gas – 122.1%, and natural and associated gas production – 108.3%.
Turkmenistan's GDP growth of 6.3% was the key indicator in January
07.02.2026According to TDH, in January 2026, Turkmenistan's GDP grew by 6.3%, as reported by Deputy Prime Minister H. Geldimyradov at a government meeting on 6 February. The Deputy Prime Minister noted growth in industry of 2%, construction of 6%, transport and communications of 9.3%, trade of 8.2%, agriculture of 2% and services of 8.5%. The volume of production increased by 10%, and retail turnover by 10.1%. The state budget revenue plan was fulfilled by 102.2%, and the expenditure plan by 97.1%. Salaries, pensions, benefits and scholarships were paid on time. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, capital investments in January increased by 21.3% compared to last year. A report was also presented on the implementation of the National Rural Programme and the progress of construction of various facilities.
‘Balkandokma’ expands Turkmenistan's textile export potential
05.02.2026The closed joint-stock company ‘Balkandokma’ in the Gyzylarbat etrap of the Balkan velayat continues to strengthen its position in the textile industry of Turkmenistan, demonstrating stable production indicators. This was reported by IIC. According to the enterprise's economics and planning department, last year 3,877 tonnes of high-quality cotton yarn were produced for both the domestic market and export, which contributes to the replacement of imported goods. The yarn is made from local natural cotton and meets international environmental standards. Modern equipment from leading global manufacturers ensures stable quality and competitiveness of products. The production process is organised along the entire technological chain — from cleaning and sorting raw materials to packaging the finished yarn. Products are delivered by road and rail. The company's team of experienced specialists plans to increase production and expand exports in the new year, contributing to the development of the national textile industry.
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