_BIOGRAPHY He studied at Marmara University at the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences and International Relations in Istanbul. Since 1999, he is also the Chairperson of Ipekyolu Uluslararasi Fuarcilik, which organises leading trade shows in Central Asian countries covering different industries during last 25 years.

DEIK IS THE TURKMEN-TURKISH BUSINESS COUNCIL, WHICH PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN STRENGTHENING ECONOMIC TIES BETWEEN BOTH COUNTRIES. IT SERVES AS A KIND OF BRIDGE, FACILITATING BUSINESS AND FOSTERING BILATERAL TRADE RELATIONS.

CAN YOU PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF TURKISH OPERATIONS AND PROJECTS BEING IMPLEMENTED IN TURKMENISTAN?

Since its independence, Turkey has been one of the major economic partners of Turkmenistan. Construction has been a major Turkish presence until recently, with Turkish contractors finalizing more than 1,150 projects worth more than $50 billion. These projects included infrastructure, such as roads, ports in Turkmenbashi, airports in Ashgabat, hotels in Awaza, Ashgabat, and other cities, government buildings, hospitals, schools, and many more. The textile industry, since the very beginning, played an important role and Turkey is also the main importer of these textile products. Agriculture in recent years has become a major area of investment from Turkish companies, especially the greenhouse sector, contributing to Turkmenistan's food security.

Service businesses such as logistics are another strong involvement of Turkish companies. Energy/electricity production is also an increasing sphere of investment in recent years. The retail sector has a strong presence in Turkmenistan; in malls, you can see a lot of Turkish origin, especially fashion stores. It is important to mention that Turkmen-Turkish Joint Stock Commercial Bank, a joint venture of Turkey's public Ziraat Bank and the Turkmenistan government, is the main international bank in the finance sector. We can call Turkish Airlines the second national carrier of Turkmenistan. Within the last 30 years, Turkish investors have helped the development of entrepreneurship and talented human resources in Turkmenistan. A subcontractor working for a Turkish company, now operates as a constructor.

HOW DOES DEIK FACILITATE BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR TURKISH COMPANIES IN TURKMENISTAN?

Political relations between Turkey and Turkmenistan have always been very good. From the very beginning, the Turkish government supported Turkish investors and due to the quality of their works, it resulted in the Turkmenistan government welcoming more Turkish investors. Turkmenistan also plays an important role in the logistics of Turkish and European origin goods to other Central Asian countries, such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

For the past 2 years, both countries were discussing natural gas supply, and recently in Antalya Diplomacy Forum, an agreement was signed. Hopefully, this supply of natural gas to Turkey, and maybe even to Europe, will help the energy security of Turkey and help Turkmenistan to diversify clients by adding Turkey in addition to China, Russia, Iran.

In recent years, Turkmen business people are also investing in Turkey. By the end of 2023, more than 500 companies are operating in Turkey set up by Turkmen nationals. These are mostly in manufacturing like food, construction materials, trading, and service industries. DEIK Turkey – Turkmenistan Business Council, representing the private sector and working closely with the Ministry of Trade, partners with our counterpart Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan. Also closely working with the Turkish Embassy in Ashgabat and Turkmenistan Embassy and Consulate in Ankara and Istanbul. Our main duties are to promote Turkmenistan as an investment and trade destination. We organize roadshows throughout Turkey, business delegations, and business forums. Recently, a business delegation and forum was organized in Ashgabat, with the participation of more than 130 Turkish and a similar number of Turkmen business people coinciding with the official visit of our Deputy President H.E. Cevdet Yılmaz. Another business forum was conducted in Ankara, in 2023, during the official visit of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov with the participation of more than 500 businessmen.

We also encourage Turkish companies to exhibit at events and trade shows in Turkmenistan and also Turkmen companies to exhibit and visit leading trade shows in Turkey. Last year, the 10th edition of the traditional solo Turkish Expo was organized in Ashgabat with 100+ Turkish manufacturers.

Of course, it is not easy to measure the outcome of DEIK Turkey – Turkmenistan Business Council activities' contribution, but we believe it plays an important role together with our Embassy, Commercial office, and other institutions in increasing investment, increasing construction activities, increasing exports from Turkey to Turkmenistan. Hopefully, our bilateral trade volume is increasing every year. Last year Turkish companies got close to $3 billion projects again. So we are happy to be part of these projects in Turkmenistan.