OREANDA-NEWS. On March 27 the Exhibition Centre in Ashkhabad hosts the large-scale international forum called upon to be another step towards development of effective business co-operation. The Exploration, Prospecting and Development of Gas Fields and Mineral Resources International Exhibition organized by the Turkmengaz State Concern, the Turkmenneftegazstroy State Concern, the Turkmengeologiya State Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan was opened on March 27.

The cabinet ministers, the high ranking officials and deputies of the Mejlis, the public organisations, members of the Galkynysh National Movement, the heads of the diplomatic missions accredited to Turkmenistan and the international organisations, the scientists, the journalists and the students of the core institutions of higher education took part in the opening ceremony.

Over 50 companies and enterprises from over 15 countries all over the world and the interested ministries and departments of Turkmenistan, in particular the departments of the national fuel and energy sector arrange their pavilions on the area occupying over 1,500 square metres. Dozens of the units of various machines and equipment are displayed on the open-air exhibition areas. Presenting their achievements and opportunities the foreign specialists demonstrate the willingness and readiness to establish and expand mutually advantageous co-operation with Turkmenistan as a hydrocarbon rich country, which has won the reputation of a world’s energy producer. Ashgabat will host the international conference focused on exploration, prospecting and development of gas fields and mineral resources.

President of Turkmenistan gave a greeting address to the participants of the international exhibition and conference. Noting that Turkmenistan stood for diversification of gas exports to world markets and implemented the comprehensive programme on modernization and development of the fuel and energy infrastructure the Turkmen leader emphasized that in the context of the energy policy pursued by the Turkmen state international co-operation, collaboration with foreign partners in large-scale investment projects acquired special importance. Wishing the participants of the Ashgabat forum successful and fruitful work Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed belief that the business meetings, exchange of views and experience would initiate new co-operation on the mutually advantageous basis.

By representation the current exhibition can be compared with the annual exposition Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan usually held in autumn. This year’s off-schedule exposition initiated by the President of Turkmenistan is held not occasional. In the current period Turkmenistan’s oil and gas industry demonstrates the steady advance and the huge hydrocarbon resources and the favourable investment climate in the country make the Turkmen market especially attractive for foreign partners.

Much of that Turkmen specialists are particularly interested in and can be of great demand in oil and gas industry and geological prospecting is presented in the expositions of the large foreign companies and firms including Gazprom and Stroytransgaz, China National Petroleum Corporation, Frunze Sumy machine-building science-and-production association, Dragon Oil, Komatsu, Mannesman, MAN, Wintershall, Barren Energy and other leaders. It is remarkable that many of the projects, products and technologies offered by these companies have been ‘fastened’ to the specifics of the Turkmen market and meet the Turkmen partners’ requirements. The achievements, resources and potential of Turkmenistan’s oil and gas sector are presented in the pavilions of various branches of the national fuel and energy sector.

Thus, the Turkmen capital again is in the focus of attention of the international oil and gas business community that express profound interest in establishing, maintaining and intensifying the business long-term contacts with independent Turkmenistan. The forum in Ashgabat vividly testifies to steadily increasing international prestige of the Turkmen state as a world’s energy producer.

The Exploration, Prospecting and Development of Gas Fields and Mineral Resources International Exhibition will be closed on March 29.