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The President of Turkmenistan opened the final section of the Ashgabat-Turkmenabat highway

During a working visit to the Lebap velayat, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov attended the ceremonial opening of the Mary-Turkmenabat section of the Ashgabat-Turkmenabat high-speed highway, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan reported. Construction of the 600-kilometer highway began in 2019. The first section, Ashgabat–Tejen, was commissioned in 2021, and the Tejen–Mary section in 2024. The opening of the Mary–Turkmenabad section marks the final stage of this large-scale infrastructure project. Speaking at the ceremony, Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized the historical significance of the new facility. "Since ancient times, an important section of the Great Silk Road, which once connected continents, ran through our country. We are currently making every effort to restore this route in its modern format," he said. The head of state also noted that the highway connecting the Ahal, Mary, and Lebap velayats with Ashgabat will significantly reduce the time it takes to transport passengers and cargo, increase the capacity of the country's transport system, and boost regional development. The new section of the highway includes six traffic lanes—three in each direction. The roadway is 34,5 meters wide. The Category I road surface is constructed using a multi-layer base of high-quality asphalt concrete, synthetic materials, and reinforcing mesh. Along the highway, there are gas stations, parking areas, rest areas, food service stations, and medical and technical support facilities. Traffic safety is ensured by a continuous video surveillance system and several roadside checkpoints. Toll booths are located at the entrance. Representatives of foreign companies involved in the construction attended the opening ceremony. Luis Felipe Duc Villegas, Director of Commercial Marketing for the French company GEA, presented international certificates of conformity confirming the high quality of the video surveillance and fare collection systems (ISO 9001, ISO 27001, ISO 14001, ISO 10012). Dong Guosen, a representative of the Chinese company Shandong Jiangfeng New Material Technology, presented a certificate certifying the compliance of road metal barriers with international safety standards, including ISO 1461 and EN 1317. After cutting the symbolic ribbon, Serdar Berdimuhamedov drove onto the highway, blessing the start of traffic on the new section. The festivities included theatrical performances, a demonstration of Ahal-Teke horses, national wrestling competitions, and traditional games. Following the ceremony, the President departed Turkmenabat for Ashgabat.

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Oct 27 2026
A creative meeting was held at TSU on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the birth of Nurmurat Sarykhanov.

In honor of the 120th anniversary of the birth of Professor Nurmyrat Sarykhanov, a creative meeting entitled "Remembering Yagshy..." was held at Magtymguly Turkmen State University, with the aim of promoting the poet's creativity and about Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, winner of the Magtymguly International Prize Amandurdy Handurdyyev, who played the main character in the eponymous film based on the writer's work "Shukur Bagshi". This was reported on the official website of the university. The meeting was attended by scientists, researchers of the Magtymguly Institute of Language, Literature and National Manuscripts of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, professors, teachers and students of the university. At the meeting, students of the Faculty of Turkmen Language and Literature performed a literary and musical composition based on the story "Shukur Baghsy" by Nurmyrat Sarykhanov. Likewise, there were speeches about the creative mastery of Nurmyrat Sarykhanov, the manuscripts of his works, and the happy memory of Amandurdy Handurdyev, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, winner of the Magtymguly International Prize, who worked as a teacher at the Magtymguly Turkmen State University for many years, who played the main character in the eponymous film based on the work "Shukur Baghsy", was commemorated. During the creative meeting, students of the Faculty of Turkmen Language and Literature presented an artistic reading entitled "Ballad about the Sun." A dutar player from the university's "Voices of Bagtyyarlyk" cultural center performed a wonderful piece from the film "Shukur Baghsy." 

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Oct 23 2026
"Turkmennebit" announced conditions for investors in the development of the Turkmen part of the Caspian Sea

The Turkmennebit State Concern provided information on the conditions for foreign companies to participate in the development of the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea. Batyr Jumayev, Deputy Chairman of the Concern, spoke about this at the 31st International Conference and Exhibition "Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan" (OGT 2026) in Ashgabat. According to him, the development of hydrocarbon resources in the national sector of the Caspian Sea remains one of the priority areas for attracting investment in the country's oil sector. Cooperation with foreign companies in this area is carried out on the basis of the Law of Turkmenistan "On Hydrocarbon Resources". This law guarantees the rights of foreign investors in conducting oil operations and concluding production sharing agreements. The Turkmen part of the Caspian Sea is divided into more than 30 license areas. An interested investor can submit an official application to the Turkmennebit State Concern for one or more areas. After considering the application, if the concern's specialists confirm that the company meets the established requirements, it is invited to participate in direct, non-exclusive negotiations on the selected area. Upon successful completion of the negotiations, the parties conclude a production sharing agreement or another agreement provided for by law. In addition to the production sharing agreement, the law allows for the conclusion of a concession agreement with royalty and tax payment terms, a joint venture agreement, and a risky services agreement. Batyr Jumayev explained that the legislation allows for the harmonization of different types of these agreements, as well as the use of other agreements used in international practice. He highlighted a number of guarantees created for investors. "First of all, this is a simplified preferential tax system, which provides for only one type of tax - profit tax and two or three types of payments for the right to use natural resources," the deputy head of the concern noted. At the same time, investors are exempt from other mandatory payments, fees and duties. Agreements concluded on the supply of imported and exported goods, materials and equipment for the conduct of Petroleum Operations are not required to be registered with the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan. A Contractor shall be exempt from customs duties and fees levied upon the import or export of equipment and materials, including duties related to the amount of extracted hydrocarbons attributable to it. These benefits shall also apply to subcontractors. In addition, the investor may freely dispose of the portion of hydrocarbons attributable to it. In addition, it shall have the right to process oil at oil refineries without additional taxes, licenses and permits. According to Batyr Jumayev, the concern cooperates with Dragon Oil, Petronas and ADNOC under production sharing agreements in the offshore sector. In June 2026, a production sharing agreement for blocks 19 and 20 was signed by the Turkmennebit State Concern, the Malaysian Petronas Carigali (Turkmenistan) Sdn. Bhd. company and the Hazarnebit State Enterprise. In addition, geological exploration work has begun in accordance with the agreement between Petronas Carigali and the Turkmennebit State Concern. Currently, two-dimensional (2D) seismic surveys are being conducted in blocks 11, 12, 13 and 14. According to the speaker, these steps confirm Turkmenistan's commitment to the "open door" policy and the country's attractiveness for investment. In conclusion, Batyr Jumayev said that the Turkmennebit State Concern is always ready to negotiate with international companies "on the basis of equality and mutual benefit."