The foundation stone for a new urea plant has been laid in Guwlymayak, Turkmenbashi (Balkan velayat), according to the news website Turkmenportal.

The plant's design capacity is 1.155 million tonnes of mineral fertilisers per year. The plant is being built by Japanese company ‘Mitsubishi’ in partnership with Turkish company ‘Gap İnşaat’ on behalf of ‘Türkmenhimiýa’ State Concern.

The urea will be exported, reducing dependence on imports. The western region was chosen due to its proximity to raw materials and natural gas production on the Caspian Sea coast.

The construction will create new jobs, which will improve the welfare of the local population.