Country report: Turkmenistan

This year Turkmenistan marks the 25th Anniversary of its Independence. For this short period of time our country became the full member of world community which is holding its independent, active and creative international policy. The present achievements were made thanks to the activity of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. From the first days of the presidency he put as the main priority the holding of active international policy directed on following the principal ideas of world peace and humanism. On this direction for the last several years Turkmenistan had put forward global international initiatives, which led to the adoption of several UN Resolutions directed on providing the achievement of peace and sustainable development. Turkmenistan takes part in most important international forums and conferences and is the member of 44 International organizations.

In domestic policy President of Turkmenistan pointed out the increase of welfare of citizens of Turkmenistan. Approximately 70 percent of budget of Turkmenistan is allocated for social sphere. Recognition of this successful policy was noted in reports of world famous financial institutes, such as the World Bank, which gave the status to Turkmenistan as a country with Upper Middle Income.

One of the bright examples of development the international relations between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea is a state visit of President of Turkmenistan to Republic of Korea in 2015. The Head of the Turkmen state also actively participated in the 7th Water Forum, held in Daegu city. As the result of that visit the two sides confirmed their similar approaches and common vision to many international issues and their resolves. In sphere of economy our countries have huge mutual interest to each other. And this was approved by the conclusion of a lot of multibillion dollars agreements. Besides, after the visit the interest of Korean companies to Turkmen market had increased significantly. Presently, some of the famous Korean companies express their willingness to participate in huge Turkmen infrastructure projects. Following the result of that visit only for the period of 2015 our bilateral trade turnover was increased up to 76,1 percent.

Meanwhile, the most important and strategic sectors, mostly interested in International cooperation, are the industrial and infrastructure spheres. Turkmenistan has enormous reserves of natural resources, particularly in oil and gas. At present our country is exporting the gas by using the existing pipelines to Iran, China and Russia. The additional pipelines on the route named TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India), as well as the new additional pipeline branches to China are being constructed at present time, while the possibility of implementing the project to export Turkmen gas to Europe is being discussed. At the same time Turkmenistan accepted the program of diversification of economy, construction of highly technological production facilities with the aim of reorientation of economy from export of raw materials into high value-added products.
It would be pointed out that the world’s largest financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) welcomed the economic diversification strategy of the Government of Turkmenistan that has given all basic sectors a powerful impetus to develop, make positive forecasts for the development prospects of our country that has been maintaining a high rate of economic growth all these years. For that reason Turkmenistan intends to build a lot of factories for processing the national mineral resources, also to implement another manufacture and infrastructure projects. It has to be mentioned that this segment of economy is the most mutual beneficial point for future increasing partnership and cooperation between our two countries. Turkmenistan is interested in Korean experience and high technologies in this regard.

Concerning the humanitarian sphere it was repeatedly expressed on various levels that two countries have mutual deep interest to increase and strengthening of cultural exchange. As is known the Turkmen land is the land of ancient civilizations. There are many historical and cultural heritages at the territory of the modern Turkmenistan.

From ancient times till present days the Turkmen Akhalteke horses, handmade carpets and jewelry are widely known in the world. There are a lot of historical monuments which remains from the ancient times and Silk Road period in Turkmenistan. Some of them are included at the world heritage list of UNESCO. Last year the national epic art of Gorogly, which is an oral performing tradition of Turkmen nation, describing the achievements of the legendary hero named Gorogly was also included in the UNESCO Representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. These works are carried out with the aim of keeping and popularization of cultural heritage in Turkmenistan. It is important to point out that this year is declared as the “Year of honoring the Heritage and transforming the Motherland” in Turkmenistan. On this occasion Turkmenistan is planning to organize the Cultural days of Turkmenistan in Republic of Korea in the nearest future. In the framework of this significant event the Koreans can get more information and knowledge about Turkmen culture, folk music, dance and other national features of the Turkmen nation.