£-billions in contracts up for grabs in Turkmenistan

The consulate is is keen to provide more support to British companies and Turkish companies working together in third markets such as Turkmenistan.

It joined with the British Embassy in Ashgabat and organisations with an interest in trade between the UK, Turkmenistan and Turkey to hold a seminar where British companies gave presentations about their services in a room full of Turkish construction companies. Other speakers include the British ambassador to Turkmenistan Keith Allan, chair of the Turkey-Turkmenistan Business CouncilSefa Gomdeniz and British consul general Leigh Turner.

British companies with specialist expertise are keen to partner with Turkish companies working in Turkmenistan to the benefit of both sides: the trick is to make sure everyone knows what services are on offer and how best to access them, according Turner. “So it’s no surprise that a huge number of Turkish and British companies attend the seminar. The lively discussions and presentations cover everything from how to find representation and open an office in Ashgabat to the practicalities of sub-contracting.”

Turkmenistan, with the fourth largest reserves of natural gas in the world, is engaged in a series of multi-billion dollar construction projects in the next few years including a $5bn (£3.1bn) Olympic village complex; development of new gas fields in the east of the country; construction of a new east-west gas pipeline; the development of Turkmenbashi seaport; the development of the Avaza tourism economic zone; and the construction of Ashgabat International Airport.

Turkish construction companies are heavily engaged, having completed projects in Turkmenistan worth US$3.5bn in 2011 and US$24bn in the past 15 years.  

“We at the British Consulate General in Istanbul are keen to provide more support to British companies and Turkish companies working together in third markets such as Turkmenistan,” said Turner.

For more information get in touch with Leigh Turner at leigh.turner@fco.gov.uk .  

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