Economy
TIF 2026 will showcase investment opportunities in Turkmenistan
07.09.2026The Turkmenistan Investment Forum (TIF) will take place in Ashgabat from 1 to 2 October 2026. The event is being organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, according to the press office of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan. According to the source, the forum will serve as a platform for interaction between foreign investors, international financial organisations and companies interested in entering the Turkmenistan market. During the event, it is planned to present the country’s investment opportunities and discuss ways to further attract foreign direct investment. Particular attention will be paid to the prospects for implementing joint investment projects, including regional initiatives. In addition, forum participants will consider issues relating to the development of Turkmenistan’s export potential and the expansion of business ties between domestic and foreign entrepreneurs and investors. One of the TIF’s key focuses will be the development of cooperation in the field of digitalisation. The forum aims to facilitate the introduction of modern digital solutions and the transition to a digital economy. The event will take place in Ashgabat and will bring together representatives from the business sector, the financial sector and the investment community.
Trades worth $38.5 million were concluded on the Turkmenistan Stock Exchange
06.09.2026At this week’s trading sessions on the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan, transactions totalling over 38,560,000 US dollars were concluded in foreign currency, according to the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. Businesses from the UAE, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Singapore purchased low-sulphur fuel oil, Portland cement, dried unrefined liquorice root, cotton yarn, bleached household gauze, as well as cotton fabrics and calico. Local entrepreneurs purchased construction-grade petroleum bitumen, cotton fibre, raw silk, cotton yarn and fabric for the domestic market, totalling 140,311,100 manats. A total of 22 transactions were concluded on the exchange this week.
Tajikistan is expanding its trade and transport cooperation with Turkmenistan
06.09.2026The development of transport routes through Turkmenistan is opening up opportunities for Tajik goods to reach new markets and is strengthening trade and economic ties between the two countries. This was stated by Vafo Alibek Niyatbekzoda, Tajikistan’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan, in an article for the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’, according to the news website Turkmenportal. According to the diplomat, the volume of rail and road transport through Turkmenistan increased in 2026. He highlighted the country’s geographical location and its transit potential. Economic cooperation is also developing. In March, the 14th meeting of the Joint Inter-governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation took place in Dushanbe. In July, the second meeting of the Tajik-Turkmen Business Council was held.
Trades worth $38.5 million were concluded on the Turkmenistan Stock Exchange
06.09.2026At this week’s trading sessions on the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan, transactions totalling over 38,560,000 US dollars were concluded in foreign currency, according to the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. Businesses from the UAE, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Singapore purchased low-sulphur fuel oil, Portland cement, dried unrefined liquorice root, cotton yarn, bleached household gauze, as well as cotton fabrics and calico. Local entrepreneurs purchased construction-grade petroleum bitumen, cotton fibre, raw silk, cotton yarn and fabric for the domestic market, totalling 140,311,100 manats. A total of 22 transactions were concluded on the exchange this week.
Tajikistan is expanding its trade and transport cooperation with Turkmenistan
06.09.2026The development of transport routes through Turkmenistan is opening up opportunities for Tajik goods to reach new markets and is strengthening trade and economic ties between the two countries. This was stated by Vafo Alibek Niyatbekzoda, Tajikistan’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan, in an article for the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’, according to the news website Turkmenportal. According to the diplomat, the volume of rail and road transport through Turkmenistan increased in 2026. He highlighted the country’s geographical location and its transit potential. Economic cooperation is also developing. In March, the 14th meeting of the Joint Inter-governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation took place in Dushanbe. In July, the second meeting of the Tajik-Turkmen Business Council was held.
Uzbekistan has become one of Turkmenistan’s leading trading partners
06.09.2026According to figures for the first seven months of 2026, Uzbekistan has become one of Turkmenistan’s four largest trading partners in terms of foreign trade turnover. This was announced by the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Hojamyrat Geldimyradov, as reported by Turkmenportal. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, trade between the two countries in January–July totalled nearly US$800 million. This is 18 per cent higher than the figure for the same period in 2025. In 2025, the volume of trade between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan reached US$1.2 billion, having increased by almost 60 per cent over the year. Ravshanbek Alimov, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan, stated that the two sides expect to increase bilateral trade to US$2 billion in the near future. The diplomat also highlighted the development of a strategic partnership and good-neighbourly relations between the two countries.
Malaysia and Turkmenistan discussed preparations for the OGT 2026
06.09.2026The Malaysian Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Mohd Suhaimi Ahmad Tajuddin, held a working meeting with Nazar Atajanov, Director of the Turkmen Energy Forum. The parties discussed preparations for the 31st International Conference and Exhibition ‘Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan – OGT 2026’, as well as organisational matters regarding the participation of Malaysian delegates, according to the online news outlet Asmannews. OGT 2026 will take place in Ashgabat from 21 to 23 October. Representatives of government departments, executives from global energy companies, international financial institutions and industry experts are expected to attend the forum. The agenda includes attracting foreign direct investment into Turkmenistan’s fuel and energy sector, the introduction of environmentally friendly technologies, and issues of global energy security. Malaysia’s participation is seen as an opportunity to expand bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas sector.
Turkmenistan is strengthening the investment potential of its economy
04.09.2026Turkmenistan is expanding its investment cooperation and attracting capital into key sectors of the economy. The priority sectors remain the oil and gas, chemical, processing and textile industries, as well as construction, transport, agriculture, tourism, healthcare, education and digital technologies, according to the TDH news agency. Projects are being implemented in the country to modernise infrastructure and establish import-substituting and export-oriented manufacturing facilities. According to figures announced at an extended meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on 13 February 2026, the volume of capital investment in 2025 rose by 6 per cent. According to the ‘Programme for the Socio-Economic Development of Turkmenistan and Investment in 2026’, approximately 41.2 billion manats have been earmarked for the development of the national economy. Furthermore, Turkmenistan continues to pursue an ‘open-door’ policy, providing foreign investors with state guarantees, tax incentives and other preferential terms. Investment cooperation is developing with China, Russia, the United States of America, the Republic of Turkey, Iran, countries in the Middle East, the Asia-Pacific region and the European Union. One of the key international projects remains the ‘Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India’ (TAPI) gas pipeline. The country is also keen to attract foreign investment and technology into innovative manufacturing, the electricity sector, digital and logistics services, education and skills development. In 2026, Ashgabat hosted the business forum ‘New Horizons for Strengthening Connectivity, Attracting Investment and Sustainable Development’ and the International Investment Forum ‘Investment in the Future of Turkmenistan’ (IFT 2026). The events were dedicated to expanding international investment cooperation, developing public-private partnerships and implementing new projects. On 28 July, during a visit to Turkmenistan by Odile Renaud-Basso, Head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), a package of documents on cooperation between the EBRD and the country’s government departments was signed. The next major event will be the Turkmenistan Investment Forum (TIF-2026), which will take place on 1–2 October in Ashgabat. It is being organised by the Ministry of Finance and Economy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, with the support of Turkmen Congress. The forum is set to discuss the country’s investment appeal, the development of the fuel and energy, industrial and transport and communications sectors, the ‘green’ transition, digital technologies, agribusiness, public-private partnerships and the application of artificial intelligence in the economy. The event is expected to be attended by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), UK Export Finance, government bodies and representatives of domestic and foreign businesses. The source notes that Turkmenistan regards the expansion of investment cooperation as a key prerequisite for economic diversification, the modernisation of production facilities and the implementation of major infrastructure projects.
Turkmenistan is increasing oil production at the ‘Goturdepe’ field
04.09.2026Since the start of the year, the ‘Goturdepenebit’ oil and gas production department of the ‘Nebitgazçykaryş’ trust has produced 717.24 thousand tonnes of crude oil. The target was met at 111.5 per cent, which was the highest figure among the oil and gas production departments of the ‘Türkmennebit’ State Concern, reports the online newspaper Ussatnews. Compared with the same period last year, the rate of production growth stood at 105.4 per cent. The target was exceeded by 74,169 thousand tonnes. Production is taking place at the ‘Goturdepe’ and ‘Northern Goturdepe’ fields. Currently, 670 wells are in steady operation there. Daily oil production at the ‘Goturdepe’ field exceeds 3,400 tonnes. Development of the field began in 1948 with the drilling of the first exploratory well. Commercial production resumed in 1956. The field covers an area of 320 square kilometres. The company carries out technical monitoring of the condition of the wells. According to geologists’ estimates, the field still holds significant hydrocarbon reserves. In terms of production volumes, the ‘Goturdepenebit’ Department ranks second among the group’s oil and gas production departments. Operators, foremen and specialists from workshops 1–6, as well as the oil treatment and pumping workshop, are all contributing to the achievement of production targets. Deputy Head of the Department for General Affairs, Jepbarguly Nepesov, reported that the team intends to end the year with even higher production and economic indicators.
Turkmenistan is continuing its work on establishing joint trade zones within the framework of the ECO
01.09.2026Turkmenistan continues to advance its initiative to create joint trade zones between member states of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO), according to the ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’ news agency. At the end of August 2026, meetings took place in the Iranian province of Golestan between the Secretary-General of the ECO, Asad Majeed Khan, and the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Islamic Republic of Iran. The parties discussed the further implementation of the initiative. It was noted that the creation of the Joint Trade Zone would help to expand trade and cross-border trade, increase transit traffic, attract investment and strengthen regional connectivity. Asad Majeed Khan stated that this project could serve as a model for other border regions of ECO member states and align with the Organisation’s objectives of developing intra-regional trade and economic integration.
Eight trades were concluded on the Turkmenistan Stock Exchange over the course of the week
01.09.2026Eight transactions were recorded over the week on the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan. This was reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. Businesspeople from the UAE, Turkey and Afghanistan purchased cottonseed oil, wheat flour, textiles, cotton fabric, cotton fibre and raw silk for foreign currency, totalling over 7.27 million US dollars. On the domestic market, local businessmen concluded deals to purchase cotton yarn worth more than 8.21 million manats.
The 111th meeting of the CIS Economic Council will take place in Ashgabat
29.08.2026The 111th meeting of the Economic Council of the Commonwealth of Independent States is to be held in Ashgabat this September. Preparations for the event were discussed on 28 August at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan. According to the news agency TDH, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers H. Geldimyradov reported on the current preparatory work. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the meeting in a restricted format is scheduled to consider issues of economic cooperation among CIS countries, the implementation of the Transport Security Strategy for 2026–2030, and the organisation of the next meeting of the Economic Council. In addition, in an expanded format, participants will discuss the activities of the Interstate Council on Standardisation, Metrology and Certification for 2023–2026, as well as draft proposals for a Concept for the Development of Cooperation in the Production of Advanced Materials for High-Tech Industries and a Plan for its implementation. Having heard the report, the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, instructed that appropriate preparations be made for the meeting in Ashgabat.
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