President Berdimuhamedow calls on Qatari investors to invest in Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan’s President, Serdar Berdimuhamedow, has called on Qatari businessmen to invest in his country, saying the conditions are favourable to developing economic capabilities between Qatar and the Central Asian country.
Berdimuhamedow praised the strong relations between Turkmenistan and Qatar, noting that the relations of both countries have seen significant development within the past few years.
“All conditions are available for further development according to the tremendous potential of both countries,” he said during a meeting yesterday in Doha with officials of Qatar Chamber and the Qatar Businessmen Association (QBA).
Berdimuhamedow described Qatar as “a trusted partner to Turkmenistan,” noting that the meeting with Qatari businessmen is an assurance of their interest to enhance co-operation with their counterparts in Turkmenistan.
“There are investment opportunities galore in Turkmenistan in many sectors, including energy, renewable energy, urban development, industry, and agriculture,” he said.
Berdimuhamedow called on Qatari businessmen to invest in Turkmenistan, which is offering many investment opportunities in oil and gas pipelines, transport networks, and in textile industries.
He lauded Qatar for its vast expertise in the financial system, insurance, and stock exchange, stressing the importance of developing long-term partnerships between Turkmen and Qatari businessmen. The president noted that Turkmenistan is ready to provide the appropriate legislative conditions to achieve this target.
Berdimuhamedow also called for the establishment of a Qatari-Turkmen Joint Businessmen Council, affirming the important role of the Turkmen-Qatari Commission which was founded in 2011.
“The commission will convene in Turkmenistan this year and will play an essential role in enhancing cooperation between both countries’ businessmen. The commission will have to look at available opportunities to increase the volume of bilateral trade exchange through the joint implementation of projects, especially in the areas of oil and gas in the Caspian Sea and building petrochemical production plants,” he said.
Qatar Chamber first vice-chairman Mohamed bin Towar al-Kuwari said Qatar and Turkmenistan enjoy close relations in light of mutual visits at the level of leadership, officials, and private sector representatives, as well as the agreements signed between both countries in varied sectors.
“Despite these close relations and the tremendous potential both countries own and their attractive investment climate, trade exchange is still below expectations,” al-Kuwari pointed out.
He ensured the capability of the private sector to develop relations between both countries by establishing new partnerships and commercial alliances between Qatari companies and their counterparts in Turkmenistan.
Al-Kuwari called on Qatari and Turkmenistan companies to enhance their co-operation and benefit from the close relations between both countries and the attractive investment climate in all sectors.
He also encouraged companies in Turkmenistan to invest in Qatar, which offers advanced infrastructure and leading economic legislation, especially with the presence of logistic and free zones which provide a host of incentives for foreign investors in various sectors amid the successful hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and in fulfilling the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Al-Kuwari also assured the chamber’s interest to encourage Qatari businessmen to invest in Turkmenistan, which he described as “an attractive destination for investments.”
QBA board member Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser al-Thani said the last decade witnessed developments in the mutual visits between both countries’ officials, noting that this embodies the mutual interest between both governments to bolster co-operation in a number of fields.
“Qatar and Turkmenistan signed 17 agreements and memoranda of understanding to strengthen co-operation in economic, commercial, cultural, and sports fields,” Sheikh Nawaf noted.
He said QBA is interested to learn about the investment opportunities available in Turkmenistan and the incentives offered by the government so that a joint committee can be formed to study investment projects in the two countries.