Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Feb. 26 / Trend H. Hasanov /
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammadov signed a decree to open a Turkmen consulate in Astrakhan for the further development of bilateral relations between Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation, the official Turkmen source said today.
Turkmenistan is interested in expanding the ferry transportation in the Caspian Sea. According to the experts, the direct rail-ferry service between Russian ports Olya near Astrakhan and Makhachkala - and the port of Turkmenbashi, could increase cargo flows from Turkmenistan to Russia, Georgia, Ukraine and Belarus.
Astrakhan offers power equipment for developing Turkmen energy system, ships and tools for fishing and the construction of extractive platforms for the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea. "Guzhvin shipyard" repairs dry cargo ships from Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan is ready to increase exports of building materials, particularly cement, petroleum and petrochemical products, agricultural and light goods to Astrakhan.
Astrakhan region is a border region of the Russian Federation, which is located at the crossroads of trade routes and transport corridors. The interaction with Turkmenistan could become stronger in the context of adopting the new law of the Russian Federation. According to it, the so-called customs clearance of goods will be implemented at the border intersection.
Turkmen goods transported through the border in Astrakhan will be smoothly distributed throughout the country. The Astrakhan region is interested in Turkmenistan's transit potential to transport Russian goods, particularly, to Central Asia and Afghanistan.