Economy
Turkmenistan expands transport services by modernising locomotives
24.12.2025The Ministry of Rail Transport of Turkmenistan has signed a contract with the Chinese company ‘CRRC Ziyang Co., Ltd.’ through the joint-stock company ‘Demirýollary’ for the overhaul of locomotives with the aim of increasing passenger and freight traffic, according to the online news resource TerraNews. Under the agreement, 20 freight locomotives (40 units) are to be overhauled. Eleven locomotives have already been put into operation, which has made it possible to increase train speeds, reduce downtime at stations and increase the length and weight of trains. The modernised locomotives are equipped with modern systems that meet safety requirements and ensure efficient freight transport.
Turkmenistan increases container transport along the North-South corridor
24.12.2025The Ministry of Rail Transport of Turkmenistan is increasing freight traffic on the North-South international corridor and expanding transit and international routes. This was reported by TerraNews. Work is underway to improve the quality of rail services and create competitive tariff conditions for carriers. Container transport is actively used on the North-South, Lapis Lazuli and East-West corridors. In January–November 2025, 19,000 container shipments were completed, including 9,250 transits, 5,650 export and 4,100 import shipments. This is 9,405 containers more than in the same period in 2024. Following the negotiations on international multimodal routes Russia–Kazakhstan–Turkmenistan–Iran, Turkmenistan–Azerbaijan–Georgia–Turkey–Europe, as well as routes through Uzbekistan, 63 container trains were transported during the reporting period.
Turkish manufacturers will present their products at an exhibition in Ashgabat
24.12.2025An exhibition of export goods from the Republic of Turkey will be held in Ashgabat from 10 to 12 February 2026. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The exhibition will feature construction technologies and equipment, doors and windows, heating and air conditioning systems, heat and sound insulation materials, roofing, facade coatings, electrical and lighting equipment, tools, plumbing and ceramics. In addition, the exhibition will cover agricultural and packaging products, cosmetics and chemical goods, milling equipment, food products and equipment for the food industry, furniture, home textiles, accessories and equipment for hotels, according to the Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Board. The previous exhibition of this kind was held in Ashgabat from 4 to 6 December 2024.
Trade turnover between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan exceeded $1 billion in 11 months
23.12.2025In January–November 2025, trade turnover between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan reached US$1.064 billion. This is US$33 million more than in the same period last year, according to AsmanNews. Over 11 months, Turkmenistan supplied goods worth $926.2 million to the Uzbek market. The country ranked 8th in terms of the volume of imports to Uzbekistan. Imports of goods and services from Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan amounted to $138.2 million. This figure increased by $27.8 million year-on-year. Earlier it was reported that in January-October, trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $876.8 million. In November, the volume of mutual trade increased by $187.6 million.
Turkmenistan joins ADB regional platform for ‘green’ investments
17.12.2025Turkmenistan has joined the Asian Development Bank's regional initiative to establish a Natural Materials Market Development Platform aimed at attracting private investment in nature-based solutions to reduce carbon emissions. This was reported by the online publication Business Turkmenistan. The project will be implemented with the support of a $1.5 million grant from the Special Technical Assistance Fund. More than 40 countries are participating in the initiative, including states in Central Asia and the South Caucasus. The platform provides for the assessment of ecosystems, the launch of pilot projects and the formation of a partnership model for the development of the natural materials market and the expansion of ‘green’ investments.
Turkmen vegetables will be delivered to Kazakhstan via ‘green corridors’
17.12.2025At a meeting of the Kazakh government, instructions were given to open ‘green corridors’ at the border as soon as possible to speed up deliveries of vegetables from Turkmenistan. This was reported by the Orient news agency. The measure is intended to curb price increases in winter, primarily for cucumbers and tomatoes, through simplified customs and border procedures. The decision was the result of negotiations between Astana and Ashgabat, which began in November 2025, when the parties discussed the potential for agro-industrial cooperation and plans to increase trade turnover to $1 billion. Turkmen tomatoes are already among the key export items to Kazakhstan. For producers in Turkmenistan, this means a consistent market, lower logistics costs and an incentive to expand greenhouse production, while for Kazakhstan it means more affordable vegetable prices in winter.
Turkmenistan and Estonia: digital transformation of economic statistics
17.12.2025From 9 to 12 December, a delegation from Turkmenistan visited Estonia to study advanced digital solutions in the field of state statistics and economic management. This was reported by the Orient news agency. The visit, organised by UNDP and the State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan, was aimed at creating a modern digital system for analysing the national economy. Representatives of the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank and the State Statistics Committee familiarised themselves with Estonia's experience of implementing the System of National Accounts as a tool for accurate, transparent and efficient management of economic processes. Particular attention was paid to the X-Road platform, which ensures secure automated data exchange between agencies and increases the reliability of statistics. The transition to international standards (SNA 2008) will enable Turkmenistan to improve the quality of economic analysis, strengthen investor confidence and form a sustainable basis for long-term socio-economic development.
Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan aim to deepen economic cooperation
17.12.2025Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan are discussing deepening cooperation in light industry and agriculture, with an emphasis on forming closer economic ties. This was reported by the Orient news agency. As noted by Danil Ibrayev, member of the Presidium of the EAEU Business Council and President of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Kyrgyzstan, the possibility of supplying Turkmen textile raw materials for processing at Kyrgyz enterprises with subsequent sale of products within the country and abroad is currently being considered. In addition, the parties intend to expand mutual supplies of agricultural products: Turkmenistan exports tomatoes to Kyrgyzstan, while Kyrgyzstan exports potatoes. Negotiations on these issues have been ongoing for about a year and are aimed at creating an integrated regional value chain and strengthening trade and economic partnership.
Turkish companies are implementing 19 projects worth $10 billion in Turkmenistan
15.12.2025According to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, following his visit to Ashgabat and participation in the International Forum on Peace and Trust, timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the country's neutrality, 19 projects involving Turkish companies worth approximately US$10 billion are being implemented in Turkmenistan. This was reported by the online publication Business Turkmenistan. Recep Tayyip Erdogan noted that since independence, Turkish businesses have invested approximately US$55 billion in Turkmenistan. The Turkish President emphasised that the country is an important destination for Turkey's major infrastructure and investment projects. The Turkish President also announced plans to increase bilateral trade turnover to $5 billion, noting the potential for further expansion of cooperation. In 2024, trade between the countries amounted to $2.17 billion.
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan: new prospects for cooperation
11.12.2025Economic cooperation between Ashgabat and Tashkent has reached a new level: bilateral relations have moved from one-off projects and declarations to systematic industrial cooperation, trade expansion, and consistent investment ties. This was reported by the Orient news agency. This course is supported by regular inter-governmental dialogue and concrete infrastructure decisions. The institutionalisation of cooperation was confirmed by the meeting of the Joint Inter-governmental Commission in July 2025, which confirmed the priorities for the development of key economic sectors. The basis for consistent growth is the legal framework: agreements on long-term trade and economic cooperation, investment protection and the avoidance of double taxation create transparent conditions for business and encourage private sector participation. The effectiveness of this framework is reflected in the growth of trade turnover: from $209 million in 2016 to $1.148 billion in 2024. Turkmenistan supplies fuel, chemical products and lubricants, while imports from Uzbekistan in January-October 2025 grew by 23.7%, including finished products, services and machinery. The ‘Shavat-Dashoguz’ border trade zone speeds up deliveries, reduces transaction costs and turns the region into a business and logistics centre. In 2024, freight traffic reached 1.11 million tonnes, with transit growing by almost 40%. Industrial and transport cooperation is becoming an independent direction: 200 enterprises with Turkmen capital operate in Uzbekistan. Further prospects include the development of industrial clusters, logistics centres, agro-industrial projects and new investment mechanisms. The partnership is forming a sustainable regional model that strengthens economic security and the role of countries in trade and transit chains.
Ashgabat to showcase economic achievements on the 30th anniversary of neutrality
09.12.2025An exhibition of Turkmenistan's economic achievements will be held in Ashgabat from 11 to 12 December, timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the country's permanent Neutrality. This was reported by IIC Turkmenistan with reference to the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry will showcase the opportunities offered by national industries, which will contribute to the development of entrepreneurship and the expansion of international cooperation. Specialists from ministries and departments, members of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan, as well as foreign companies have been invited to participate.
Turkmenistan and the UAE discussed expanding ties in the oil and gas industry
05.12.2025Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates discussed prospects for deepening cooperation in the oil and gas sector. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The topic of expanding cooperation was central to the meeting between the State Minister of Turkmenistan, Chairman of the State Concern ‘Türkmengaz’ Maksat Babayev, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the UAE to Turkmenistan Ahmed Alhay Hamad Khamis Alhameli. Although diplomatic relations between the countries were established in 1995, practical energy partnership developed in the early 2000s. It was then that ‘Dragon Oil’ began operating in Turkmenistan under a production sharing agreement. In addition, the State Concern ‘Türkmennebit’ and ‘Dragon Oil (Turkmenistan) Ltd.’ extended the production sharing agreement, with the contract now valid until 1 May 2035.
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