President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov was awarded the “Strategic Friendship” insignia by the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEİK). According to the the TDH news agency, the award ceremony took place on October 30 during the head of state’s working visit to Turkey.

During the ceremony, DEİK Chairman Nail Olpak highlighted the significance of the award and congratulated Serdar Berdimuhamedov on receiving the title of Honorary Doctor in International Relations from Hacettepe University. Vice President of the Republic of Turkey Cevdet Yılmaz emphasized the special importance of relations with Turkmenistan and noted the development of economic cooperation between the two countries.

Following the presentation of the award, the President of Turkmenistan thanked the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey and described the insignia as recognition of the strengthening bilateral partnership. The head of state noted the contribution of Turkish companies to the development of Turkmenistan’s economy. Over the 35 years of independence, hundreds of medium-sized and large-scale projects have been implemented in the country with the participation of Turkish businesses, contributing to the development of industry and infrastructure and the creation of jobs.

In his address, the President of Turkmenistan outlined promising areas for cooperation. These include energy, the chemical industry, construction, agriculture, food production, transport and logistics, digital technologies, healthcare, and the health resort sector.

Particular attention was paid to industrial cooperation, the construction of manufacturing facilities, the introduction of modern technologies, the processing of local raw materials, and the export of finished products. The head of state also invited Turkish companies to participate in projects to modernize energy infrastructure, manufacture industrial equipment, and develop transport and logistics facilities.

Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized the need to expand direct contacts between relevant ministries and agencies, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, the Turkmen-Turkish Business Council, and Turkish business organizations.

To improve the effectiveness of the partnership, it was proposed to identify priority projects, prepare feasibility studies, and establish systematic coordination of their implementation. The head of state reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s readiness to expand business ties and implement mutually beneficial projects with foreign investors.