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Two new solutions for the oil and gas industry have been patented in Turkmenistan
19.08.2026Two new solutions for the oil and gas industry have been developed and patented in Turkmenistan — a biological method for cleaning soil contaminated with petroleum products and a building material based on gas purification waste. This is reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The first development is a method for the deep remediation and restoration of soil contaminated with petroleum products. It is based on the isolation and cultivation of specialised strains of local degrading microorganisms capable of breaking down heavy hydrocarbons under conditions of summer heat and soil salinity. The method makes it possible to replace costly and environmentally hazardous chemical reagents when remediating the effects of man-made pollution at oil and gas facilities. The second development is a patent for a formulation of organo-mineral sulphur-polymer concrete. The material is produced using surplus technical sulphur, which is a by-product of natural gas purification at fields. Sulphur-polymer concrete can be used in hydraulic engineering, in the construction of irrigation canals, brackish water drainage systems and port facilities – wherever conventional cement concrete rapidly deteriorates under the influence of salts. The use of this material reduces the cost of capital construction and addresses the issue of sulphur waste disposal.
Trade turnover between Turkmenistan and China exceeded $4.8 billion in the first half of the year
18.08.2026Trade turnover between Turkmenistan and China for January–June 2026 amounted to $4,821,969,000, according to the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’. In June 2026, bilateral trade turnover between the two countries reached $890,262,000. Turkmen exports accounted for the bulk of this trade: in the first half of the year, Turkmenistan supplied goods worth $4 billion 44 million 409 thousand to China. Imports from China over the same period totalled $777 million 559 thousand. For the whole of 2025, trade between the countries exceeded $10 billion 46 million 52 thousand.
Turkmenistan and its neighbours on the Caspian Sea: a comparison of resort areas
18.08.2026The resorts on the Caspian Sea are shared amongst the five coastal states – Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. Each country is developing its own resort infrastructure, according to the news website Turkmenportal. In Turkmenistan, the main resort remains the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone near Turkmenbashi. The area features hotels, health resorts and water parks, and the length of its well-maintained beaches reaches around 25 kilometres. The zone is aimed, amongst others, at foreign tourists. In Kazakhstan, holidaymakers are welcomed by Aktau, with its high-class hotels and well-equipped beaches, as well as the Kenderli resort area south of Zhanaozen, with its sandy beaches and warm summer climate. In Russia, resort life on the Caspian Sea is centred in Dagestan – in Makhachkala, Kaspiysk and Derbent. In the Astrakhan Region, tourists are drawn not to beach holidays but to nature-based holidays: fishing and holiday camps in the Volga Delta. In Azerbaijan, the beaches of the Absheron Peninsula – Bilgah, Nardaran and Shuvalan – are popular, as are the resorts further south, in the Lankaran area, where the coastline meets the foothills of the Talysh Mountains. In Iran, the resort area covers the provinces of Mazandaran and Gilan. In Mazandaran, tourists are welcomed by Ramsar and Noshahr, whilst in Gilan it is the port town of Anzali. These regions are renowned for their green landscapes and mild climate. Each of the five Caspian countries is developing its own model of tourism – ranging from large-scale resort areas to eco-tourism and fishing holidays.
The ‘Bagdan’ company is expanding its confectionery production
18.08.2026The ‘Bagdan’ confectionery factory, which has been operating since 2017 in the Ak-Bugday etrap of the Ahal velayat, produces sweets. The production process utilises vacuum-drying technology, which preserves up to 95 per cent of the nutritional benefits of fruit and berries without the use of artificial preservatives, according to the IIC of Turkmenistan. The range includes sweetcorn sticks, nuts and Turkish delight with various fillings. The products are sold throughout the country, and there are around 20 branded retail outlets in Ashgabat. The company plans to expand its exports to CIS countries, Afghanistan and the Middle East.
A rail tour to Kunya-Urgench is to be organised in Turkmenistan
18.08.2026From 28 to 30 August 2026, the magazine ‘Medeniýet we Syýahat’, published by the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan, is organising a tour to the ancient city of Kunya-Urgench. This was reported by the news agency Orient. Participants will travel by rail to the historical monuments of the ancient city and explore its architectural and cultural heritage. The magazine ‘Medeniýet we Syýahat’ also organises domestic tourist itineraries to the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone, UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Koytendag valleys and other destinations. Both rail and road transport are used for these trips.
Turkmenistan and the UAE discussed the development of bilateral relations
18.08.2026On 17 August, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan M. Byashimova held a meeting with Ahmed Alhay Hamad Khamis Alhameli, the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Turkmenistan. This was reported by the press office of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed the state of Turkmen-Emirati cooperation and prospects for its development, as well as the organisation of joint events. Particular attention was paid to cooperation on international and regional forums, the expansion of trade and economic ties, and the development of cultural and humanitarian contacts. During the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their interest in further strengthening friendly relations and developing bilateral partnership.
A meeting took place between the Turkmen Ambassador and Iran’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
18.08.2026On 16 August 2026, I. Gayipov, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Islamic Republic of Iran, met with Mehdi Sobhani, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed the current state and prospects of Turkmen-Iranian cooperation, as well as topical issues of bilateral relations. Particular attention was paid to trade and economic ties and to strengthening the role of the Joint Turkmen-Iranian Inter-governmental Commission on Economic Cooperation. The interlocutors reaffirmed their readiness to develop relations on the basis of good neighbourliness, mutual respect and trust.
New rules on the cross-border movement of animals have been introduced in Turkmenistan
18.08.2026The Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan has approved new regulations governing the import and export of wildlife, their parts and products derived from them, including rare and endangered species. The order has been registered with the Ministry of Justice and has come into force. Its provisions apply to both individuals and legal entities, regardless of their form of ownership, reports the IIC of Turkmenistan. The cross-border movement of animals is permitted for scientific research, participation in international exhibitions, exchanges between zoos and private ownership. The document does not regulate commercial import and export operations. To obtain a special permit, applicants must submit veterinary certificates, documents proving the animal’s origin, and approvals for species listed in the Red Book or protected under the CITES Convention. Applications are processed within 30 days, and the permit is issued for a period of one month. The regulations also set out veterinary and sanitary requirements for the transport and keeping of animals. Checks at border crossing points are carried out by the State Customs Service and the State Veterinary Service of Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan and China are strengthening their cooperation in the energy sector
18.08.2026Ji Shumin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Turkmenistan, paid a working visit to the Turkmen branch of ‘Sinopec Petroleum Technology Corporation’. This was reported by IIC of Turkmenistan. The diplomat familiarised himself with the company’s current operations and spoke highly of its contribution to strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy sector. According to him, the convergence of the strategy to revive the Great Silk Road with the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative creates favourable conditions for the implementation of joint projects. During the meeting, they also discussed issues relating to quality control of the work being carried out and compliance with applicable regulations in the conduct of business activities.
Turkmenistan and Iran discussed cooperation in equestrian sports
18.08.2026On 15 August, a meeting took place in Tehran between I. Gayipov, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Iran, and Mahmoud Heydari, President of the Equestrian Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This was reported by the press office of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed bilateral cooperation in the field of equestrian sports and events held under the motto ‘Independent Neutral Turkmenistan − the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses’. The Iranian counterpart was presented with an invitation to take part in international events dedicated to Ahal-Teke horses, which will take place from 4 to 6 September 2026 in the Netherlands. M. Heydari thanked the Turkmen side for the invitation, noting the importance of promoting Ahal-Teke horses on the world stage and developing equestrian sports. The Iranian side also proposed exploring cooperation between the Aba Annayev International Horse Academy and relevant Iranian institutions, as well as organising joint equestrian competitions in both countries.
The KIDS EXPO 2026 chess festival is to be held in Ashgabat
17.08.2026From 19 to 22 August, Ashgabat will host the international fair ‘KIDS EXPO: Everything for Children’. The highlight of the sports programme will be a major chess festival featuring renowned international guests, according to the Orient news agency. Two grandmasters, both former world junior champions, will be visiting Turkmenistan: Darmen Sadvakasov, First Vice-President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation and Vice-President of the Asian Chess Federation, and Ilaha Kadimova, Women’s Grandmaster and Secretary-General of the Turkic Chess Association and the Azerbaijan Chess Federation. They will conduct training masterclasses for the country’s women’s and junior national teams. The centrepiece of the festival will be the ‘Kids Expo Chess Cup 2026’ international rapid and blitz tournament, which will take place on 19–20 August. Interactive zones will be set up for visitors to the exhibition at the ‘Chess Island’ venue: - a 30-minute crash course in chess; - a simultaneous blindfold chess session led by experienced masters; - quizzes with prizes, games against professionals and a themed photo zone. On 19 August, as part of the business programme, an international round-table discussion will take place with representatives from chess federations in 11 countries. Participants will discuss the experience and prospects of introducing chess into the region’s school curricula. The tournament is organised and supported by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, the Chess Federation of Turkmenistan, the International School Chess Federation (ISCF), the Turkic Chess Association (TCA), the Freedom Asian Chess Initiatives (FACI) programme of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, the Freedom Group of Companies, and TurkmenExpo. The chess festival, held as part of KIDS EXPO 2026, aims to promote chess among children and young people in Turkmenistan and to expand international sporting and educational cooperation.
Ten transactions were concluded on the Turkmenistan Stock Exchange
17.08.2026Ten transactions were concluded over the course of the week on the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal, citing the newspaper ‘Neutral Turkmenistan’. Foreign companies from the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Serbia, Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan purchased, in foreign currency, knitted goods, waffle fabric, cotton yarn, cotton lint, cleaned cotton spinning waste, liquorice root extract, as well as liquorice roots and rhizomes. The total value of the transactions exceeded $2,247,000. On the domestic market, Turkmen entrepreneurs purchased cotton fabric worth 260,000 manats.
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