Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, June 29 /Tre4nd A.Hasanov/
Turkmenistan considers Turkey as a sincere friend and reliable partner in the solution of many pressing issues of regional and international policy and emphasises the development of traditionally friendly bilateral relations, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov said at a meeting with Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Chaglayan on Friday, the Turkmen government said.
A senior representative of Ankara congratulated Berdimuhamedov on his birthday, celebrated on June 29, and conveyed on behalf of the President of the Republic of Turkey Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan "cordial greetings to the Turkmen leader and wishes for good health and success in large scale public activities aimed at augmenting Turkmenistan's achievements and steady rise in living standards.
The parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen and comprehensively expand the fruitful cooperation, expressing confidence that the agreements reached at the summit and intergovernmental levels, as well as business forums and meetings and exhibitions held on a regular basis, will continue to serve to strengthen international dialogue built on the foundation of a long standing friendship and fruitful cooperation.
Berdymuhamedov held a number of meetings with Turkish businessmen on the eve of the meeting, local media reported. In particular, the chairman of the board of directors of the NATA Holding Namyk Tanyk assured the Turkmen leader that the holding company will make every effort to ensure the success of long term cooperation.
The possibility of enhancing bilateral cooperation through the participation of NATA Holding in major investment projects in construction, transport and communication sector was discussed during the meeting.
Head of Polimeks Tabandzhu Erol told of the willingness of the company to use its expertise and capabilities in order to successfully solve all the tasks. Berdymuhamedov instructed it to provide a high quality of work at all construction objects.
Chairman of the board of governors of the group of companies Chalyk Holding Ahmet Calik noted "an extremely promising Turkmen market".
He said the country's favourable investment climate determines the growing interest of international business in Turkmenistan, where major programmes aimed at modernisation of the national economy, formation of a powerful industrial infrastructure and further improvement of the social sphere are implemented.
Berdymuhamedov also met with the head of the Engine Group Engin Kale in Ashgabat. The company has implemented a number of major joint projects in the modernisation of production infrastructure textile industry, performing contractor of cotton spinning and textile factories and complexes.
A meeting with the chairman of the Renaissance Holding Group of Companies Herman Ylydzhak and president of Renaissance Constriction Hussein Avni Akvardar was held. They expressed readiness to provide all the experience and potential to the Turkmen partners.
There is a positive dynamic of bilateral trade between Turkmenistan and Turkey, which increased by 25 per cent in 2011 compared to 2010. Turkmenistan exports, mainly textile products, energy, chemical and agricultural industries.
Metal and metal products, household goods, hardware, building materials, electrical, chemical and light industry, food, vehicles and medicines are imported from Turkey.
Turkish companies implement more than 1270 investment projects in Turkmenistan, 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.
Ankara has expressed interest in the delivery of Caspian energy to Europe through the Caspian Sea and Turkey. Ashgabat also wants to involve Turkish companies in the construction of the Caspian Sea resort Avaza.