Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Aug. 12 / Trend H.Hasanov /
Turkmen President Gurbangulu Berdimuhammedov demanded the acceleration of a tender to find a foreign contractor to rebuild the Turkmenbashi port.
Experts say the port's complete reconstruction will require billion of dollars in investments.
Turkmenistan's priorities include building new marine terminals with multipurpose berths and a warehouse for processing and storing goods in transit.
Berdimuhammedov raised the issue at a recent governmental meeting, and addressed his request to Turkmen State Sea And River Transport Service Chairman Meylis Mutdikov.
Sea transportation is becoming increasingly important in Turkmen foreign economic relations. The volume of cargo processed by Caspian port berths is steadily increasing. Industrial, agricultural and automotive equipment, metal products, and timber and mineral fertilizers are imported via the ports. Polypropylene, coke and other petroleum products are exported via the waterway.
Berdimuhammedov stressed that it is vital to "carefully consider all of the offers submitted by foreign companies on a competitive basis to select the contractor."
Dozens of foreign companies have voiced an interest in taking part in the modernization of the Turkmen ports. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Japanese Agency for International Cooperation have also showed an interest in the project.
The project includes building a container terminal, a bulk and general cargo terminal with digital order processing, a building complex, a passenger facility with a bus station, and a control tower.