Turkish businesses welcome to take part in new projects in Turkmenistan - president

ASHGABAT. Oct 26 (Interfax) - Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov has invited Turkish companies to take part in new industrial and social projects in the country, the Turkmenistan State News Agency reported on Thursday.

Speaking at the opening of a Turkish-Turkmen business forum in Ankara, the president revealed plans to implement large-scale projects in various industrial sectors and cultural and social spheres, which require innovative, high-tech engineering ideas and robust technical experience and skill, it said.

"This is why we are inviting Turkish business circles to our country for joint work on such projects, in particular on the concept of the Ashgabat 'smart' city and an industrial cluster which will be built in the city of Arkadag," Berdimuhamedov said.

Energy plays a huge role in bilateral relations, "and here we are talking about sending Turkmen energy resources to Turkey, in particular electricity and natural gas," he said.

"Turkmenistan is guided by the principle of equal consideration of the interests of producers, transit countries and consumers, which is why it is open to cooperation with Turkish partners in this area," Berdimuhamedov said.