Gas pipeline from Turkmenistan unlike the pre-Caspian project (see my previous post) is becoming reality. Here is a bunch of facts to prove it.
The first frame agreement on gas exports to China was signed by former president Sapparmurat Niyazov in April 2006. Just year later, his successor – Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov went to Beijing in […]

May has come and reminded me about the pre-Caspian gas pipeline project. A year ago, on May 12, in Turkmenbashi town a declaration on the pre-Caspian project was signed. The document endorsed by presidents of Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan assumed a construction of the pre-Caspian gas pipeline (to run along the Caspian Sea coastline […]

On 20-25 April, Turkmen energy minister Baimyrat Khodzamuhammedov visited Islamabad where he took part in the 10th meeting of steering committee of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project. Apart from him, the meeting gathered Indian, Pakistani and Afghan officials. Few days later, on April 28th Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov traveled to Kabul (first time in independent […]

Below is the translation of Abdulgamid’s post from Russian blog.
If someone ever has had any doubts that the earlier the territory of Turkmenistan had been inhabited with dinosaurs, then today now these doubts are completely dispelled.Geologists from Kughitang Exploration Company, a division of “TurkmenGeology” State Corporation, found petrified saurian footprints in the Eastern Turkmenistan […]

It looks like the Turkmen government is going to continue economic reforms aimed at bringing Turkmenistan’s economy closer to market economy. Some commentators have even called it the beginning of an economic shock therapy.
On April 14 Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov held a government meeting, which addressed the results of the first quarter of 2008 as […]

Some events suggest that India - so far underestimated - may join the competition for the Turkmen gas. On April 6 Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari visited Ashgabat. As a result of the visit, a joint memorandum concerning energy cooperation was signed. During the talks both parties stressed that there were excellent prospects for […]

The Internet portal Gundogar.org which quotes the Central Asian News website announced on 3 April that Turkmen authorities are planning to build a new huge trade centre near Ashgabat. Construction of the “Altyn Asyr” market (the name of the future centre) is to be finished by 2010. It will cost $152 million and occupy […]

In one of the recent posts I mentioned that the new law on foreign investments in Turkmenistan came into effect. My conclusion was that Berdymukhammedov was planning to carry out economic reforms, intended to bring the Turkmen economy closer to the market model. A few days ago I read the whole act and it […]

The last session of the Turkmen government was focused on economic issues, particularly the development of private enterprise. This is something new for Turkmenistan and may be giving some cause for optimism. So far, the authorities have barely dealt with this issue, instead concentrating on the state entrepreneurship.
During the meeting, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov […]

Below is a translation of Abdulgamid’s post on the Russian blog.
Who is Ahmet Calik actually? A Turkish citizen, who became a citizen of Turkmenistan and was appointed as Deputy Minister of Textile Industry, Adviser to President on Economic Issues and Turkmen Energy Resources International Marketing. He is an active businessman and crafty […]