Ashgabat, Tehran discus joint economic projects

Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, July 22 / Trend, H.Hasanov /
Ashgabat and Tehran have recently discussed joint economic projects, Altyn Asyr national TV channel reported on Thursday.
In particular, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi arrived in Ashgabat to attend a meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between Turkmenistan and Iran.
At the same time a joint business forum was held in the Turkmen capital, where prospects of cooperation in the energy industry, power industry, water management, transport, communications and trade were discussed.
The business forum was attended by representatives of business circles of the two countries, core ministries, chambers of commerce and industry, Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan.
Iran was represented by head of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce Industries and Mines, and its subdivisions, directors of leading companies in oil and gas, petrochemical sphere, construction industry, engineering, food industry and trade.
"A positive growth of trade turnover between the two countries was stressed," said in the business forum organizers statement.
The Turkmen side stressed "good prospects for increased export of electricity and energy resources, as well as other various export-oriented products to neighboring Iran".
Turkmenistan jointly with Iran has implemented such large projects as the construction of "Dostluk" reservoir, Tejen - Sarakhs - Mashhad railway, interstate pipelines and power lines.
At this stage the implementation is another major project "North-South" is underway, where Kazakhstan also takes part. Laying railway bed, equipment of the nearby territory and organization of maintenance services of new road is conducted by joint rail services of the three states with financial support of the Asian Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank.
In addition, signing ceremony of intergovernmental Ashgabat agreement to form a new international transport and transit corridor Uzbekistan - Turkmenistan - Iran - Oman - Qatar was held in late April.
Turkmenistan and Iran are negotiating to increase energy supplies.