Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Aug. 7 / Trend H.Hasanov /
Turkmenbashi has received a powerful impetus to the development and in the next decade will be the largest industrial, transport and resort center in the Caspian region, the Turkmen state news reported on Tuesday.
The country's leadership set before the State Service strategic objectives for the modernization of the local seaport and formation of the country's merchant marine fleet.
According to the general plan, until 2020 it's planned to construct the shipbuilding / ship repair yard, build a foundation of rescue services and acquire environmental technology and environmental courts, reconstruct the railway ferry terminal, the existing oil jetties, purchase harbor tugs and reconstruct dry cargo jetty of Aladja port station.
According to experts, a full-scale reconstruction of the sea port in Turkmenbashi will require investments of several billion U.S. dollars, the country is already studying the experience of free economic zones in the UAE, Singapore and Hong Kong. Dozens of foreign companies expressed their desire to take part in the modernization of the marine harbor.
The EBRD, the Japan International Cooperation Agency have already shown interest this project. The IBRD has already signed with the government a memorandum of understanding on the modernization of the port.