Economy
Turkmenistan and Tajikistan increased mutual trade in 2025
05.03.2026Trade turnover between Turkmenistan and Tajikistan reached US$43.1 million in 2025, which is 17.1% more than in 2024. This was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan following the meeting of the Joint Turkmen-Tajik Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, held on 3–4 March in Dushanbe. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister of Tajikistan Sulaymon Ziyozoda and Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Tanryguly Atahallyev. Representatives of relevant ministries and departments of the two countries participated in the meeting. The parties discussed the current state and prospects of trade and economic cooperation, as well as cooperation in the fields of transport and communications, energy and water resources, industry and construction, agriculture, education, healthcare, civil aviation, culture and youth policy. Following the meeting, both sides expressed their readiness to further expand bilateral cooperation.
Turkmen entrepreneurs are focused on building large-scale facilities
04.03.2026Members of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan intend to invest in several key projects in 2026. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’, citing the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’. In Ashgabat, there are plans to build two-storey shopping centres in the Gurtly district and retail and service complexes in Parahat-7. In the Ak Bugday etrap of the Ahal velayat, construction will begin on an 11-hectare site for a factory producing a wide range of textile products. In the agro-industrial sector, priority is given to the creation of new livestock and poultry farms, the expansion of greenhouses, and the establishment of orchards and vegetable plantations using water-saving technologies. Turkmenistan's socio-economic development programme for 2026 aims to support small and medium-sized businesses, with the private sector's share of GDP projected at 72.9% (excluding the fuel and energy complex). In addition, it is planned to create 5,245 new jobs through the construction and modernisation of production facilities in various industries.
Ashgabat and Kabul aim to strengthen cooperation in the field of quality control
01.03.2026On 27 February, Mergen Gurdov, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, held a meeting with a delegation headed by Mullah Faizullah Tamim, Director General of the Administration of Standards and Quality. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. The parties discussed prospects for expanding cooperation in the field of standardisation, certification and product quality control, and exchanged views on the development of trade and economic ties. The interlocutors emphasised the importance of compliance with quality requirements for increasing mutual trade turnover. The meeting is seen as a step towards further strengthening Turkmen-Afghan cooperation.
EBRD: Turkmenistan will maintain stable economic growth until 2027
01.03.2026Turkmenistan expects stable economic growth to continue until 2027, according to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's report ‘Regional Economic Prospects in the EBRD Regions.’ This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan.’ At the end of 2025, the country's GDP grew by 6.3% year-on-year. Growth was supported by the expansion of transport activities, active trade with neighbouring countries, including a free trade regime with Uzbekistan, as well as the development of the private sector and favourable price conditions for exports. Investments in public infrastructure stimulated construction and overall economic activity, while regulatory measures helped to contain inflation through price mechanisms, import support and credit restrictions.
Turkmenistan and the EU discuss cooperation in the field of ecology and energy
28.02.2026Sapar Palvanov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Belgium, met with Jan Dusik, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Climate Action. This was reported by the IIC. During the meeting, issues of cooperation in the field of ecology and energy were discussed. The parties noted that cooperation with the EU remains a priority of Turkmenistan's foreign policy for 2026, and that the climate agenda serves as the basis for bilateral dialogue. The Turkmen side confirmed its commitment to international obligations, including the Global Methane Pledge and the Paris Agreement, and expressed its readiness to develop cooperation in reducing methane emissions, adapting to climate change and introducing environmental technologies. Particular attention was paid to the potential of solar energy, the development of electricity interconnections and the implementation of the ‘EU for a Green Turkmenistan’ programme. The parties agreed that joint projects create opportunities for sustainable and mutually beneficial cooperation in the long term.
Turkmenistan launches regional project to combat marine litter in the Caspian Sea
26.02.2026The UNDP, together with UNEP, the Secretariat of the Tehran Convention and the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, held a kick-off workshop to launch the regional project ‘Addressing Marine Litter and Marine Plastics – A Systemic Approach in the Caspian Sea’. This was reported by IIC. The event was attended by representatives of government agencies, academia and NGOs. The project was officially launched in Turkmenistan and aims to prevent and reduce pollution of the Caspian Sea, primarily from plastic waste. Participants were presented with the key objectives of the initiative: improving waste management legislation, developing monitoring, preventing pollution and expanding cooperation within the framework of the Tehran Convention. As noted by the UNDP representative, the project provides for a comprehensive approach — from analysing sources of marine litter and updating the regulatory framework to promoting the principles of the circular economy, attracting investment and involving local communities. The initiative is being implemented with financial support from Russia in Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan and is scheduled to run until October 2027. Particular emphasis is placed on reducing land-based sources of pollution and coordinating the actions of the Caspian countries within the framework of existing agreements.
Turkmenistan discusses railway infrastructure modernisation with EIB
25.02.2026A working meeting between the leadership of the Ministry of Rail Transport of Turkmenistan and representatives of the European Investment Bank (EIB) was held in Ashgabat. The parties discussed strategic cooperation and opportunities for financing infrastructure projects, according to IIC. The talks focused on the modernisation of the 522 km ‘Ashgabat-Dashoguz’ railway line. The upgrade will increase the capacity of the transport corridor connecting the south and north of the country and strengthen Turkmenistan's transit potential on international routes. Cooperation with international banks creates new opportunities for modernising the national infrastructure. The implementation of joint projects will ensure the renewal of the material and technical base of the railways and bring the country's transport corridors into line with international safety and efficiency standards.
Expansion of partnership with European Investment Bank discussed in Ashgabat
24.02.2026On 23 February, the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan held a meeting with a delegation led by Edvardas Bumsteinas, Head of the European Investment Bank's Division for Asia, Central Asia and the Pacific, who arrived in the country on a working visit. This was reported by the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. The parties expressed interest in further expanding mutually beneficial cooperation. It was reported that the main purpose of the delegation's two-day visit was to hold final negotiations on the draft Framework Agreement between Turkmenistan and the EIB. It was noted that the relevant ministry had reviewed the document over the past year and this year and submitted its proposals. Confidence was expressed that the final version of the agreement would be agreed during the current visit. Among the priority areas of cooperation with the EIB is the transport sector, in particular the financing of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, the creation of which is intended to increase the interconnectedness of Central Asian and European countries. The progress of the Roadmap for the digitalisation of the corridor within the framework of the SPECA Programme was also noted. Special attention was paid to digital transformation and the development of energy and water management. It was emphasised that, along with the diversification of the fuel and energy complex, Turkmenistan is systematically working to develop environmentally friendly ‘green’ energy. In this regard, broad prospects for the participation of European banks in the implementation of sustainable energy projects were noted. The Turkmen side also emphasised the importance of developing agriculture and the rational use of water resources, including cooperation with the EIB on the construction of irrigation facilities and the introduction of high-tech equipment. It was noted that, with its significant hydrocarbon reserves, the country is interested in projects for their extraction and deep processing. Following the meeting, confidence was expressed in the further effective development of the partnership between Turkmenistan and the European Investment Bank.
Turkmenistan strengthens cooperation with ESCAP in key areas
24.02.2026Turkmenistan and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) discussed prospects for cooperation in the transport and energy sectors. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. Cooperation issues were discussed at a meeting between Turkmenistan's Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and ESCAP Deputy Executive Secretary Shombi Sharp. In addition, the meeting discussed sustainable development issues in the context of implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Earlier, Sharp noted that cooperation between Turkmenistan and ESCAP is entering a new phase of targeted implementation in key areas, including trade, transport and energy connectivity, energy transition and digitalisation.
Turkmenistan presented its energy potential at international forums in London
21.02.2026Representatives of the Turkmen Energy Forum (TEF) took part in International Energy Week and the ‘London Energy Forum’ in London. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The forums brought together global energy companies, financial institutions and technology organisations to discuss market sustainability, investment priorities and the role of energy resources in the context of the global energy transition. Participants presented Turkmenistan's investment opportunities, discussed formats for cooperation with international companies and presented upcoming conferences and exhibitions in Ashgabat. At the events, experts emphasised that the energy transition will go hand in hand with ensuring energy security, and that natural gas remains a key transition fuel due to its low carbon intensity and ability to maintain the stability of energy systems as the share of renewable energy grows. Countries with large gas reserves, including Turkmenistan, are seen as important partners in decarbonisation and energy security, opening up opportunities for long-term cooperation in both traditional supplies and low-carbon projects. Investors are attracted to projects with a transparent implementation structure, reliable partners and developed infrastructure. Projects with technological partnerships, EPC models, accessible sources of financing and effective product marketing mechanisms are of particular interest.
The ‘TürkmenÄlem 52°E’ satellite expands the scope of international communications
21.02.2026The coverage area of Turkmenistan's first national satellite, ‘TürkmenÄlem 52°E’, encompasses Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia, the CIS countries and certain regions of Asia with a population of over 1.2 billion people. This was reported by the Orient news agency. Its launch in 2015 was a key step in the development of the country's telecommunications infrastructure and the expansion of international ties. Turkmenistan actively participates in the work of relevant international organisations in the field of communications. The implementation of these projects contributes to the development of transit routes between Europe and Asia, the growth of network capacity and the strengthening of Turkmenistan's status as an important regional communications hub.
Turkmenistan has increased the volume of transit cargo transportation
21.02.2026Turkmenistan has seen steady growth in transit freight traffic. According to the news website Turkmenportal, last year transit flows passed through routes covering 108 countries, with a total volume exceeding 7 million tonnes. The volume in 2025 increased by 28% compared to 2024. Road transport leads the overall structure of foreign trade and transit transport, accounting for 43%. The share of rail transport was 27%, sea transport 28%, and air transport 2%. The State Customs Service is constantly implementing measures to optimise customs procedures, introduce digital solutions and modernise the infrastructure of checkpoints, which ensures efficient and transparent customs clearance in accordance with international standards.
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