The foundation for the Turkmenbashi International Sea Port, which is to be constructed by Gap İnşaat for Turkmenistan, was laid by the Head of State of Turkmenistan Berdimuhamedov and Turkey's Prime Minister Erdoğan.
The $ 1.5 billion project is to be completed over a span of 4 years. The port is set to be the prime logistic point of Europe and Asia.
The foundation for the Turkmenbashi International Sea Port, which is set to be one of the prime logistic points connecting Europe and Asia, was laid yesterday. Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony with the Head of State of Turkmenistan Gurbanguli Berdimuhamedov, shared that: "We see Turkmenistan as the country of our ancestors. We take pride in all of its successes". Prime Minister Erdoğan continued by sharing his hopes for the port project which will be constructed by Gap İnşaat, in the Avaza region on the Hazar shore. He hopes that it will be highly fruitful for both Turkey and Turkmenistan. The project which will lead to the employment of up to 4 thousand workers is going to cost $ 1.5 billion and is planned to be completed in 4 years of time. Erdoğan, who shared that Gap İnşaat has basically constructed the bridges of friendship and brotherhood between the two nations through the various projects it has taken upon itself in Turkmenistan, also thanked Berdimuhamedov for trusting Turkish companies. Prime Minister Erdoğan continued by expressing his belief in the fact that the Turkmenbashi Port will come to boost the economy of the region as well as bring the nations of Turkey and Turkmenistan closer together.
EMPHASIS ON THE SILK ROAD
Erdoğan, who shared that the port project represents a very valuable stop on the newly constructed Silk Road, also expressed that the new investment is going to come to carry great value on the road extending from Asia to Europe. Erdoğan who also drew attention to the Marmaray Project of Istanbul, which is set to open to service on the 29th of October, added by sharing: "The railroads passing through the sub-sea tunnels, which we came to call as the Marmaray, have been completed. Meanwhile, the Kars – Tbilisi – Baku Railway Line, which is the complementary aspect of this project, is continuing with great speed. Once we have completed this complementing aspect, uninterrupted railroad travel will exist between London and Beijing. Consequently, the westernmost point of Europe will become even closer to the easternmost point of Europe. As for Turkey and Turkmenistan, they will be two strategic countries of transit along this travel route".
CALL TO TURKISH COMPANIES
The Head of State of Turkmenistan Gurbanguli Berdimuhamedov, on the other hand, shared that: "Our project aims to reach the big centers of the Asian Pacific region, such as India and China. We will be initiating similar projects in the south as well. We look forward to having Turkish companies in the Avaza tourism region".
4 THOUSAND WORKERS WILL BE EMPLOYED
The Chairman of Gap İnşaat, Ahmet Çalık, who won the port contract from an auction that was attended by a large number of foreign companies, explained the project to the leaders of the two countries. Çalık shared the following information: "We are developing an international and modern complex. The project has been built in accordance with the instructions and designs we received. It has the potential to meet all of the imports and exports of Turkmenistan. It is going to be a huge logistic center between Asia and Europe. Along with the sub sectors, it plans to employ 4 thousand workers. This is going to be a great monument you have granted for Turkmenistan. Thank you for having trust in us".
SIMILAR TO THE PORT OF İZMİR
The Head of State of Turkmenistan, Berdimuhamedov, also shared his belief in the fact that the project goes hand in hand with the long term strategies of the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Berdimuhamedov continued by sharing the following: "The international prominence of Turkey and Turkmenistan has been increasing. Such a large project can only be constructed by those governments that are strong politically and stable economically. Turkey and Turkmenistan exemplify such governments. I believe that this port is going to be the brightest symbol of the liaison between our two countries". Berdimuhamedov also reminded everyone of his official visit to Turkey in 2012, on which he visited the Istanbul Handallı and the Izmir ports, sharing that the city of Turkmenbashi shows similarities with Izmir and that the Turkmenbashi port will in turn be shaped by these similarities.
WE BOUGHT A PROJECT WORTH $ 35 BILLION
Turkey's Prime Minister, Erdoğan, met with the Head of State of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguli Berdimuhamedov, in the Avaza region. The Head of State, Berdimuhamedov, who shared that the trade relations between the two countries is in a very good state, expressed that the volume of trade increased by 23% in the first half of this year, in comparison to the past year. Berdimuhamedov, continued by saying: "Roads, bridges and ports are all acts that are beneficial. Turkey and Turkish companies are all helping us complete these worthy deeds. We thank them". Prime Minister Erdoğan, on the other hand, while in route to Turkmenistan, shared that Turkish companies undertook a total of $ 35 billion in projects in Turkmenistan up to this time.
THE CENTER OF AVAZA TOURISM
The Avaza region is located on the eastern side of the Caspian Sea, approximately 12 km from the city of Turkmenbashi and 20 km from the Turkmenbashi International Airport. The city which is termed as the "Antalya of Turkmenistan" is now being developed towards it becoming a tourism brand on the shores of the Caspian Sea. The tourism investments in the region, which spans 5 thousand hectares, exceeded 7 thousand beds in 27 of its facilities.
