OREANDA-NEWS. September 26, 2011. A delegation of the Asian Development Bank led by Ashok Lahiri, ADB Executive Director is on a visit to Turkmenistan. The guests held the meetings at the Central Bank, the Ministry of Economy and Development, the Ministry of Oil and Gas Industry and Mineral Resources in Ashgabat.

A substantial exchange of views on the prospects and opportunities for bilateral partnerships took place in a businesslike and friendly atmosphere. The issues put on the agenda included intensification of effective collaboration under the Central Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Programme our country joined in the autumn of 2010.

Noting that the international regional financial structure was willingness to strengthen business partnerships with Turkmenistan, the members of the delegation emphasized that it was conditioned particularly by the tremendous economic and resource potential of our country and the favourable investment climate. In this context the guests underscored the significance of the Turkmen leader’s prudent and well thought-out policy that enabled Turkmenistan to demonstrate rapid social and economic development.

The themes discussed during the meetings involved the implementation of ambitious infrastructure projects of regional and international significance in Turkmenistan with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank. In particular, the issues related to technical and financial assistance provided by the Asian Development Bank to such large-scale investment projects as the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline projects initiated by the President of Turkmenistan and the purchase and installation of power supple, telecommunications and signalling systems on one of the sections of the North-South railway corridor and enhancement of electricity exports from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan.

The visit programme includes the talks the ADB delegation are to hold at the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Energy and Industry, the Ministry of Motor Transport and the Turkmenawtoyollary State Concern to discuss the possibilities for collaboration with the Asian Development Bank in new joint projects.