Economy
Rich natural gas reserves discovered at the ‘Atabay’ field in Turkmenistan
23.01.2026Specialists from the ‘Lebapnebitgazgözleg’ expedition have discovered significant reserves of natural gas in a new well at the ‘Atabay’ field in the Central Karakum Desert. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal, citing the newspaper ‘Turkmenistan’. Research on the 1,200-metre ‘Atabay-1’ exploration well has shown the potential for producing up to 284,000 cubic metres of sulphur-free gas per day. Natural gas has been discovered in eight of the nine layers of the well, and development is planned to begin in the near future. Additional exploration and prospecting work are also planned at the field this year.
Turkmenistan considers building power lines to the border with Kazakhstan
22.01.2026Turkmenistan is exploring the possibility of laying a high-voltage power line to the border with Kazakhstan in order to export electricity and help maintain the energy balance of the neighbouring state, according to the news website Turkmenportal. This was announced by Turkmenistan's Deputy Minister of Energy Nurmammet Nurmammedov, speaking at the SPECA Economic Forum in Ashgabat. According to him, Ashgabat is ready to support Kazakhstan's energy system and is considering the construction of a power line to the border, provided that the necessary intergovernmental agreements are reached. N. Nurmammedov noted that Turkmenistan aims to establish a sustainable and secure energy centre in the region. Currently, the country provides consistent electricity supplies to Afghanistan via five routes and also exports electricity to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan on the basis of long-term contracts.
Trade turnover between Turkmenistan and China exceeded $10 billion in 2025
22.01.2026In 2025, trade turnover between Turkmenistan and China reached $10.046 billion, according to the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’, citing China's General Administration of Customs. In December of the same year, mutual trade amounted to $879.9 million. The bulk of trade turnover was accounted for by Turkmen exports. From January to December, Turkmenistan supplied goods worth $8.446 billion to China, while imports of Chinese goods to Turkmenistan amounted to about $1.599 billion. Separately, China imported natural gas worth $8.41 billion from Turkmenistan in 2025.
The ‘Nebitdagnebit’ oil and gas department demonstrates high performance
21.01.2026The ‘Nebitdagnebit’ oil and gas department in the Balkan velayat demonstrated strong economic results in 2025. Total oil production exceeded 668,654 tonnes. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal, citing the newspaper ‘Turkmenistan’. At the same time, about 43,664 tonnes of ‘black gold’ were produced in excess of the plan, which allowed oil workers to fulfil the annual target by 106.99%. In January 2026, the ‘Nebitdagnebit’ department, together with foreign partners and service enterprises of the ‘Türkmennebit’ State Concern, continues large-scale work on the industrial development of underground productive formations.
‘Kawasaki’ is ready to invest in the modernisation of Turkmenistan's industry
21.01.2026The Japanese company ‘Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ is ready to participate in infrastructure projects in Turkmenistan. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The company considers the country's investment climate to be favourable and intends to support the modernisation of industry by applying international experience and technology. ‘Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ has already implemented major projects in Turkmenistan, including the construction of a gas chemical plant in the Ahal velayat, the world's first plant to produce petrol from natural gas. The above-mentioned plant processes 1.8 billion cubic metres of gas per year, producing 600,000 tonnes of ECO-93 petrol, 12,000 tonnes of diesel fuel and 115,000 tonnes of liquefied gas.
China increases imports of Turkmen gas to record levels
21.01.2026In 2025, China imported natural gas worth $8.41 billion. Turkmenistan remains the main supplier, with gas going to China and Uzbekistan. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. Approximately 40 billion cubic metres are supplied annually via the three lines of the ‘Turkmenistan-China’ gas pipeline, and the launch of the fourth line, D, will increase the volume to 65 billion cubic metres. At the beginning of the year, CNPC began commercial development of the fourth phase of the ‘Galkynysh’ gas field with a design capacity of 10 billion cubic metres per year. Trade turnover between the countries from January to November 2025 reached $9.164 billion.
LED lamp production is developing in Turkmenistan
20.01.2026The private company ‘Rysgally nesip’ in Balkan velayat is contributing to the import substitution policy by establishing the production of LED lamps under the ‘Çyrag’ brand. The products have already gained popularity in the domestic market as an alternative to foreign counterparts, according to the IIC of Turkmenistan. The company uses Turkish technology and produces ten types of LED lamps with a power range from 6 to 50 watts. The lamps are adapted to the climatic conditions of Turkmenistan and voltage fluctuations, which increases their reliability and service life. Production is carried out by a team of 40 specialists, with an annual output of 400,000 units. The company plans to expand its product range and increase capacity, confirming the private sector's readiness to supply the domestic market with energy-efficient products manufactured in the country.
Turkmenistan signs new export contracts at ‘Heimtextil 2026’
20.01.2026The Turkmen delegation signed a number of export agreements on textile supplies with foreign partners during the ‘Heimtextil 2026’ international exhibition, which took place from 13 to 16 January at the Messe Frankfurt exhibition centre in Frankfurt am Main. This was reported by ‘Business Turkmenistan’. According to the source, the agreements were reached during negotiations led by Minister of Textile Industry Nurmuhammet Orazgeldiyev with foreign companies and potential buyers. The national stand of Turkmenistan presented products made from natural cotton by domestic manufacturers. The exhibition demonstrated the high quality of Turkmen products, their competitiveness and modern design. ‘Heimtextil’ is one of the world's largest exhibitions in the field of home and contract textiles, bringing together manufacturers, designers, suppliers and buyers. This year, more than 3,000 exhibitors from 65 countries took part, presenting products ranging from decorative textiles to specialised solutions for the hotel sector.
Turkmenistan moves towards WTO accession: roadmap under development
19.01.2026Experts from the International Trade Centre have prepared a Roadmap for Turkmenistan to simplify trade procedures in preparation for accession to the WTO, according to Dmitry Shlapachenko, UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, as reported by the news website Turkmenportal. He noted that over 50 employees of national ministries had been trained in WTO rules and agreements, and a delegation of 10 government officials had studied Kazakhstan's experience in the process of joining the organization. An analysis of national legislation for compliance with WTO requirements is also continuing, and the country's regulatory framework for investment promotion is being assessed.
The ‘Hazarly’ gas field strengthens Turkmenistan's energy potential
19.01.2026The ‘Türkmengeologiýa’ State Corporation strengthens Turkmenistan's economy and energy independence. The industrial gas flow from exploration well No. 2 at the ‘Hazarly’ field was an important step in increasing reserves and confirmed the high potential of the Mary velayat fields, according to the news website Asmannews. After measurements and laboratory analysis of the gas, preparations will begin to connect the well to the unified gas transportation system. The new flow will support domestic consumption and key export destinations, primarily the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline and, in the future, the TAPI route. The successes are linked to the modernisation of the ‘Marynebitgazgözleg’ expedition and the introduction of modern technologies, including high-powered digitally controlled drilling rigs capable of operating at depths of up to 7,000 metres. ‘Türkmengeologiýa’s plans for the future are focused on increasing gas reserves and digitising geological exploration, which is in line with the country's energy strategy.
Turkmenistan discussed the textile market with companies from Turkey and Switzerland
19.01.2026Representatives of the Ministry of Textile Industry of Turkmenistan discussed the current state and prospects of the global spinning market with the Turkish company ‘Burteks Tekstil’ and the Swiss company ‘Rieter’. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The meeting took place during the ‘Heimtextil 2026’ exhibition, held in Frankfurt from 13 to 16 January. ‘Rieter’ supplies equipment and systems for yarn production, including the processing of natural and synthetic fibres, used in factories around the world. ‘Burteks Tekstil’ specialises in the production and supply of textile products with an emphasis on quality and modern technology.
The ‘Guwlyduz’ enterprise produced 97,000 tonnes of salt in 2025
17.01.2026On the shores of the Caspian Sea, in the village of Guwlymayak, lies the ‘Guwlyduz’ enterprise, the largest and oldest salt producer in Turkmenistan. In 2025, production exceeded 97,000 tonnes, which was 102.2% of the plan, according to the Orient news agency. The ‘Guwly’ deposit is one of the largest in the world. Here, salt is formed naturally: seawater evaporates in the estuaries under the sun and wind, leaving pure crystals. Due to this, the salt does not require deep chemical purification and retains microelements that are useful for both food and industry. In 2025, 97,053 tonnes of salt were produced: 86,270 tonnes of coarse industrial salt and 23,000 tonnes of packaged food-grade salt, which is supplied throughout the country. Production is carried out in compliance with environmental standards, preserving the natural balance of the region. ‘Guwlyduz’ products are used not only in cooking. Pure salt is in demand in the textile industry, medicine, balneotherapy and the oil and gas sector. The entire extraction process requires almost no electricity — the main ‘worker’ is the sun, which turns seawater into crystals that are collected by special harvesters.
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