The session “Turkmenistan’s approach: exploring the possibilities of a transit hub” was held today, January 30, at the Global Gateway Investor Forum in Brussels. It examined the possibilities of investment in the transport complex of Turkmenistan and the transit potential of the country as a key hub between Europe and Asia.

The dialogue was attended by representatives of the public and private sectors, including representatives of Turkmen Railways, Turkmen Sea and River Transport, the Transport and Logistics Center of Turkmenistan, as well as EU institutions and international companies such as Royal IHC, Cargolux.

Key projects were presented, including the development of the Caspian Sea hub, the optimization of railway transportation, and the introduction of digital technologies to improve the efficiency of transit operations.

In particular, the time it takes container trains to cross the territory of Turkmenistan has now been reduced to three days, said Bekmyrat Ishangulyev, deputy chairman of the Turkmen Railways agency. Special tariff rates agreed with partners are also being introduced, and from January 1, 2024, discounts of 50% are provided for transit transportation through the Akyayla station (for all cargo except aluminum and alumina) and transshipment from/to sea transport to/from railway transport to/from station in the port of Turkmenbashi.

European investors were offered for consideration projects to modernize the railway infrastructure to increase its capacity, update rolling stock, introduce modern systems for automating train control, and create joint logistics centers.

In the field of road transport, such areas for investment as automated control of bus traffic in urban and intercity passenger traffic, a digital system for monitoring the activities of national road carriers, the creation of an information and telecommunications platform that provides opportunities for state regulation and control in the field of road transport and the road transport market are identified as relevant. services, as well as the creation of joint ventures for the collection of vehicles and maintenance services.

Investment projects in the field of shipbuilding are being actively implemented in the maritime transport industry of Turkmenistan. Seyitguly Baiseidov, Deputy Chairman of the Turkmen Sea and River Transport Agency, highlighted several key projects: an oil recovery vessel for the prompt elimination of oil spills during loading and unloading, and receiving oily water from transit ships; a supply vessel for servicing offshore oil and gas platforms; an oil tanker, as demand for transportation of Turkmen oil and petroleum products grows, and a passenger ship, which is also designed to meet the demand for transportation in the expanding system of oil and gas facilities at sea.

Baiseidov invited European companies to visit Turkmenistan to explore local cooperation opportunities and expressed his readiness to consider proposals for partial or full financing of investment projects.

Merdan Bashimov, General Director of the Transport and Logistics Center of Turkmenistan OJSC, proposed a joint feeder service between the Black Sea ports for efficient cargo flow from the Asian region to Europe. He also attracted the attention of potential partners to the modernization projects of one of the main railway terminals of Turkmenistan - Etrek and Serakhs station, which is a connecting link in the field of container transportation.

The largest logistics hub of the entire Central Asian region could become the cargo terminal of Ashgabat Airport, the development of which opens up another direction for European investment.

In addition, air carriers in European countries were encouraged to explore the possibility of making technical and commercial landings at international airports in Turkmenistan, where a full range of services for refueling and servicing various types of aircraft is provided.

It was noted that against the backdrop of the unstable situation in the world, Turkmenistan, as a guarantor of security in all transport directions, assures the reliability of cooperation with all stakeholders in the field of safe transportation and is ready to play a key role in the development of transit communications between Europe and Asia.

Today's session demonstrated great interest on the part of international companies in investing in the transport complex of Turkmenistan.

The Global Gateway Investor Forum was held in Brussels on January 29-30, bringing together governments, financial institutions, and businesses from Europe, Central Asia, as well as the Caucasus and Turkey, and the G7. Its main topic was the transformation of the Trans-Caspian transport corridor into a modern, multimodal, and efficient route connecting Europe and Central Asia in no more than 15 days.

On the sidelines of the forum, members of the Turkmen delegation also held a number of bilateral meetings, including with EU Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank Teresa Chervinskaya, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Bakyt Torobaev and others.