Turkmenistan spends $3.3 bln to build Arkadag city, plans to spend another $1.5-$2 bln

ASHGABAT. March 29 (Interfax) - Over $3.3 billion was spent for the construction of the first stage of the Arkadag city, which was given the status of a city of state importance for the first time in Turkmenistan, while the second stage will require about $1.5 billion to $2 billion, Chairman of the State Committee for Construction of the Arkadag city Deryageldi Orazov said.

He said that in accordance with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov's decree, a master plan for the construction of the second stage of the Arkadag city will be drawn up within a month, after which international tenders will be held. "It will cost about 5 billion to 7 billion manat - $1.5 billion to $2 billion," Orazov said.

The new administrative center of the Akhal velayat, named Arkadag (protector) in honor of former Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, will be home to about 70,000 people. It is being built on 950 hectares of land 30 kilometers southwest of the Turkmen capital.

The "smart" residential buildings, buildings of the regional Mayor's Office, healthcare, educational and cultural institutions, the Drama Theater, libraries, museum, the Higher International Equestrian School, the Scientific and Production Center of Horse Breeding and other buildings have been constructed there. The implementation of this mega-project began in 2019.

Arkadag is planned to become the first city in Turkmenistan, where public environmentally friendly electric transport will operate.

In early March 2023, President Berdimuhamedov signed a decree ordering the implementation of the second phase of the construction of the city of Arkadag by 2026.