Recently, Turkmenistan has become more and more established as a major gas hub in the region, whose gas branches go to China, Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Iran.  Our country is working to expand the export geography of its gas routes.  This was stated by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the UAE Serdarmammet Garajayev at the International Forum on Attracting Investments in the Energy Sector of Turkmenistan, held in Dubai on April 26-27.

 The diplomat noted that the energy Silk Road is being formed today.  Central Asia, being at the heart of the Great Silk Road, is playing an increasingly important role in shaping the global energy architecture.

 Central Asia has some of the largest oil and gas reserves in the world.  This naturally determines its special role in ensuring global energy security, the increased interest of the world community in our region and determines its high investment attractiveness, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan said.

 Garajayev also noted the growing influence of the Caspian as an energy and transport corridor.  At present, there is a question of searching for new sources, first of all, gas from the Caspian Sea region.

 Describing bilateral relations with the United Arab Emirates, the ambassador emphasized that this country is a long-standing and major trade and economic partner of Turkmenistan, with which contacts are effectively developing in various directions.

As Garajayev emphasized, the interest of the Emirati business in strengthening its position in the promising Turkmen market is growing, which is due to the investment policy implemented by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the reforms launched in the country and projects aimed at industrialization and diversification of industrial infrastructure based on the introduction of advanced technologies and developments.

 The fuel and energy sector is among the priority areas of bilateral cooperation, the diplomat noted.  Turkmenistan, which has an impressive potential in this area, is one of the exporting states of natural gas.  The gas chemical industry is also developing, and its products are supplied to international markets.  In this regard, our country is ready for productive cooperation with the leading energy companies of the UAE.

 As Garajayev emphasized, the visits of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov to the United Arab Emirates in November 2022, and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in February 2023 gave an additional impetus to the development of bilateral relations.  As a result of high-level meetings and negotiations, a number of agreements were signed aimed at developing cooperation, including in the energy sector.

 Among them are the Agreement between the State Electricity Corporation “Turkmenenergo” and the company “Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company – Masdar” on cooperation in the development of renewable energy projects in Turkmenistan, the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the energy sector between the State Concern “Turkmengaz” and  Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).

 The parties also emphasized the need to implement the provisions of the memorandum aimed at strengthening cooperation between Turkmengaz and ADNOC in studying the prospects for potential energy projects in Turkmenistan, joint development of hydrocarbon resources with subsequent marketing of products, as well as the development of gas transportation infrastructure.  The documents also note the special importance of the supply of Turkmen natural gas to world markets.  To this end, the parties support joint activities and projects in the oil and gas sector, including investment activities, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan noted.