Economy
‘Asia Trend Market’ launches international B2B platform in Turkmenistan
10.03.2026‘Asia Trend Market’ has announced the launch of an international B2B platform in Turkmenistan, which brings together manufacturers and service providers from different countries with foreign buyers. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The initiative aims to simplify the search for products in the digital economy and increase business competitiveness. A key element of the platform is the personal pages of companies, which function as full-fledged websites and are managed through a convenient administrative panel. This format allows entrepreneurs to reduce the costs of creating and maintaining their own Internet resources by using the service's ready-made infrastructure. In addition, the project provides for the promotion of registered companies on social networks and the expansion of their presence in international markets. The developers note that the platform is focused on opening up new trading opportunities in the Asian region and provides businesses of all sizes with the tools to enter the global market.
Major projects are planned for Turkmenistan's oil and gas sector this year
10.03.2026The ‘Socio-Economic Development and Investment Programme of Turkmenistan for 2026’ defines priority projects, including in the oil and gas industry. This was reported by the online newspaper ‘Nebit-Gaz’. In particular, attention will be focused on the construction of the ‘Serhetabat-Herat’ pipeline section as part of the ‘Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India’ (TAPI) gas pipeline, the drilling of production wells at the ‘Galkynysh’ field, as well as the exploration and drilling of deep wells to identify new oil and gas reserves. The programme builds on the achievements of previous development plans and the state budget. Stable growth in macroeconomic indicators is expected, including GDP growth of at least 6.3% in 2026. The implementation of the planned projects should contribute to investment activity, the digitalisation of industries, job creation and an improvement in the standard of living of the population.
Entrepreneurs from seven countries purchased Turkmen products at the exchange
10.03.2026Last week, 24 transactions were registered at the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan. The total value of contracts concluded by Turkmen entrepreneurs for the domestic market amounted to 253 million 664 thousand 200 manats. This was reported by ‘Business Turkmenistan’. According to the source, local businessmen purchased petroleum products, wheat flour, polypropylene and various types of textile products. At the same time, export transactions were concluded on the exchange. Entrepreneurs from Afghanistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates, India, Serbia and Turkey purchased liquefied gas produced by the State Concern ‘Türkmenhimiýa’, petroleum products from the State Concern ‘Türkmennebit’, and polypropylene. In addition, foreign buyers purchased grade B urea produced by ‘Türkmenhimiýa’, Portland cement from the Ministry of Industry and Construction of Turkmenistan, and textile products from Turkmen entrepreneurs. Concentrated liquorice root extract and wheat were also sold for export. The total amount of foreign exchange transactions amounted to 14 million 611 thousand 710 US dollars.
Turkmenistan reports growth in trade and industry
09.03.2026On 6 March, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Nokerguly Atagulyev presented a report on the results of the work of the ministries, departments and business sector under his supervision for January–February of this year. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The turnover of the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations increased by 106.7% compared to the same period last year, and production increased by 100.5%. In the textile industry, production increased to 100.7%, with cotton yarn production at 100%, fabrics at 100.1% and leather goods at 103.7%. The production plan of the ‘Türkmenhaly’ State Association was fulfilled by 104.5%. During the reporting period, the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange held 50 trading sessions, during which 4,876 contracts were registered. The growth rate of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry's activities over two months was 128.1%; during this period, one exhibition and five conferences were organised. According to the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, the growth in agricultural and food production reached 107.5%, and industrial production – 106.3%. After hearing the report, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasised the need to fully utilise the capacity of commercial enterprises, monitor the supply of goods to markets, improve the quality of textile products, and develop the private sector.
In Turkmenistan, the plan for industry and construction has been exceeded in two months
08.03.2026On 6 March, during a government meeting, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Baymyrat Annamammedov presented a report on the work of subordinate departments for January–February 2026. The fulfilment of the production and work plan amounted to 129.7%, according to the state news agency TDH. The figures for the various departments were as follows: Ministry of Construction and Architecture – 105.6%, Ministry of Industry and Construction – 122.3%, Ministry of Energy – 109.4%. For other organisations: Ministry of Road Transport – 108.6%, State Concern ‘Türkmenhimiýa’ — 158%, Ashgabat city administration — 119.4%. After hearing the report, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasised the need for effective development of industrial sectors, strict compliance with construction standards and full utilisation of chemical enterprises.
Turkmenistan participates in new ADB project to modernise border crossing points
08.03.2026Turkmenistan has been included in the list of countries for which the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is considering providing technical support as part of the project ‘Development of New Generation Border Crossing Points for CAREC Countries’. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan.’ Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, China, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are also participating in the project. The total amount of technical assistance is approximately US$1 million, with funding planned from the ADB's Special Fund. The support is aimed at modernising border crossing points using innovative and environmentally sustainable solutions. The CAREC programme provides for the preparation of projects under the BUILD mechanism for small projects along transport corridors. The main objectives of the assistance include developing documentation for three priority points, creating a methodology for implementing projects through BUILD, and training specialists from participating countries in the operation and management of border crossing points. In addition, Turkmenistan will participate in an ADB regional project on transboundary cooperation in the field of water resources and improving the resilience of water management to climate change.
Oil and gas production and processing volumes increased in Turkmenistan
08.03.2026On 6 March, during a government meeting, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Guvanch Agajanov presented a report on efforts to increase production and expand oil and gas exports in January–February of this year. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The State Concern ‘Türkmennebit’ exceeded its oil production plan by 107.3%. The oil refining plan at the oil refinery was fulfilled by 107.1%, petrol production by 122.7%, diesel fuel by 106.4%, lubricating oils – by 102.7%, liquefied gas – by 119.7%, and natural and associated gas production – by 106.7%. After hearing the report, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasised the need for comprehensive measures to increase hydrocarbon production and instructed the Deputy Prime Minister to ensure the effective use of production capacities and the exploration of new reserves.
Turkmenistan summarises economic development results for the first two months of the year
07.03.2026On 6 March, during a government meeting, the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, Hojamyrat Geldimyradov, presented a report on macroeconomic indicators for January–February of this year. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. As noted by the Deputy Prime Minister, GDP growth amounted to 6.3%. In industry, the indicator reached 1.9%, in construction – 6%, in the transport and communications sector – 10.5%, in trade – 8.5%, in agriculture – 2.4%, and in the service sector – 8.4%. Over two months, the volume of production increased by 10.3% compared to the same period last year. Retail turnover also grew by 10.3%, and foreign trade turnover by 0.8%. The revenue side of the state budget was executed at 102.1%, and the expenditure side at 97%. During the reporting period, salaries, pensions, state benefits and student scholarships were paid on time. The volume of investments from all sources of financing increased by 21.3%. The progress of the National Rural Programme and the construction of various facilities in the country were also reported. After hearing the report, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov stressed the need to continue working on economic development, maintain high GDP growth rates, monitor the implementation of production plans by ministries and departments, and ensure the socio-economic development of velayats.
Women's entrepreneurship in Turkmenistan: from carpet weaving to workshops
07.03.2026Turkmen women are increasingly turning traditional folk crafts into entrepreneurial projects. This was reported by Jennet Ovekova, a member of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan and a member of the Committee on Legislation and its Norms, in an interview with the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’, according to Turkmenportal. According to her, changes in the country's economy have given a powerful impetus to the development of crafts. Women are opening workshops for the production of carpets and carpet products, workshops for sewing national clothing and hand embroidery, and are establishing the production of koshma — a thick, felted wool rug, blanket, or mat often used in Central Asia as a floor covering — not only in the capital and large cities, but also in small towns and villages. ‘Turkmen women are actively involved in the craft industry, turning family traditions of carpet weaving, koshma production, national women's clothing and hand embroidery into entrepreneurial projects,’ Ovekova noted. Particular attention is paid to carpet weaving. The art of hand-weaving carpets has been passed down from generation to generation, and in 2019, Turkmen carpet weaving was included in UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The development of women's entrepreneurship is facilitated by state support: women are provided with preferential loans to start a business and the opportunity to use land plots on a long-term basis. According to the deputy, the number of successful women entrepreneurs in Turkmenistan is growing every year.
‘Monforts’ contributes to optimising the work of textile enterprises in Turkmenistan
07.03.2026The German company ‘Monforts’ is working to optimise existing production lines at textile enterprises in Turkmenistan with the aim of increasing their operational efficiency and ensuring long-term stability. This was reported by Thomas Paffgen, the company's sales manager for Southern and Central Europe, according to the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The company has been operating in the Turkmenistan market for many years, supplying equipment and technologies for fabric finishing at full-cycle enterprises, with the support of the German manufacturers' association ‘VDMA’. ‘Monforts’ installs and maintains thermofixing, sanforising and continuous dyeing systems at large state-owned and state-affiliated enterprises. Founded in 1884, ‘Monforts’ is a leading global manufacturer of high-tech equipment for the textile industry.
Turkmenistan is developing the port of Turkmenbashi as a key transport hub in the Caspian Sea region
05.03.2026Turkmenistan continues to develop the Caspian coast as a major logistics hub for Eurasia. On 3 March, a meeting was held in the port of Turkmenbashi with UNDP Permanent Representative Narine Sahakyan to discuss projects on digitalisation and environmental development of the port, according to the Orient news agency. The main focus was on the implementation of the Maritime Single Window (MSW) system and the modernisation of the Terminal Operating System (TOS). These solutions should simplify data exchange between services, speed up ship processing and increase the efficiency of cargo transportation along the Trans-Caspian route. The initiatives are planned to be submitted for consideration by the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan. At the same time, the environmental modernisation of the port continues. It already has ISO-14001 certification and ‘Eco-port’ status, and in the future, it plans to comply with the international ‘Green Port’ standards. The modernisation is already yielding results: in 2025, the port's cargo turnover grew by 15.2%. Turkmenbashi plays an important role in the ‘China-Europe’ and ‘North-South’ transport corridors, connecting the logistics routes of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Uzbekistan. An additional factor in its development has been the creation of its own shipbuilding industry. Two dry cargo ships and a dredger are being built at the ‘Balkan’ shipyard, with plans for three more dry cargo ships and two Ro-Ro ferries. Cooperation with South Korean companies is enabling the introduction of modern technologies and the formation of a national merchant fleet.
Turkmenistan has planned major energy projects for 2026
05.03.2026The construction of the ‘Mary-Mashhad’ 500/400 kV power line is included in the ‘Programme for the Socio-Economic Development of Turkmenistan and Investments in 2026’ and is considered one of the key projects in the energy sector. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’ with reference to the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’. The programme also provides for the transfer of gas turbine units at state power plants in the Ahal, Balkan, Dashoguz and Lebap velayats to synchronous compensation mode. There are plans to build a new power plant and power lines in the Turkmenbashi etrap of the Balkan velayat, as well as to further develop the energy infrastructure of the city of Arkadag. In the oil and gas industry, the priorities for 2026 remain the search for new resources, increasing hydrocarbon reserves and drilling the first phase of production wells at the ‘Galkynysh’ field. One of the main projects will be the implementation of the ‘Serhetabat-Herat’ section, which is part of the TAPI gas pipeline system. In addition, the country plans to complete the construction and commissioning of a number of important transport infrastructure facilities.
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