Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Aug.10/ Trend, H. Hasanov /
Representatives of major Turkish business are ready to enhance cooperation with Turkmenistan, including in the sphere of investments, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said at a meeting in Istanbul with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammadov, who arrived in the country on a working visit, national TV channel of Turkmenistan reported on Friday.
The heads of states held bilateral talks "in a narrow format" before.
"Modern Turkmenistan is a dynamically developing country, where large-scale programs are launched and major projects are implemented in all spheres of life, which are strongly supported in Turkey," the Turkish leader said.
He said "subject of sincere pride is the participation of Turkish companies in projects in various industries in Turkmenistan, and in particular in the tourism industry". Gul said "representatives of major business of Turkey are ready to expand cooperation, including in the sphere of investments".
In turn, Berdimuhammadov drew attention to the fact that Turkmenistan will create all conditions for successful business development -national legislation is being improved, investment activity is being stimulated.
"And, of course, rich natural resources and favorable geographical position of the country open up the best opportunities for this," Berdimuhammadov said.
Turkish companies implement more than 1,270 investment projects in Turkmenistan. They include more than 1200 projects worth more than $15 billion and 26 projects worth over two billion euros, 26 projects worth over 56 billion manat and other projects.
According to the Turkish media, in early 2012 the president of the branch network Nata Construction Tourism Trade and Industry Co. Yapı Namik Tanik called his Turkish colleagues to invest in Turkmenistan, stressing that "there are no difficulties with respect to payment of the work undertaken by the government of Turkmenistan".
In particular the Cihan newspaper, recalling the words of a businessman, reported that he denounced the "rumours about the untimely payment" by the Turkmen side.
It was reported that the company successfully constructed 180 bridges in Turkmenistan. The total cost of the project covering the country's five regions is estimated at $287.5 million.