Business & Economics:
TURKMENISTAN: UAE EYES INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
1/07/09

A delegation from the United Arab Emirates is aiming to boost bilateral trade and investment ties during a visit to Turkmenistan.

According to the Emirates News Agency, the UAE is keen to explore investment opportunities across a range of sectors, especially tourism. UAE entities are interested in "passing their model in real estate and tourism development to Turkmenistan," the news agency quoted Sultan Bin-Sa'id al-Mansuri, the UAE's economic minister, as saying on January 7.

The sultan and other delegation members met with Turkmenistan's Deputy Prime Minister for Energy and Construction, Derya Orazov. Following the discussions, al-Mansuri said that the Turkmen government "is planning to put out more bids in various regions of the country, and is willing to forge constructive cooperation with UAE investment firms."

UAE representatives expressed particular interest in investing in the Avaza national tourism zone, a $1-billion project that aims to create a Dubai-style luxury tourism resort. A number of international firms including Itera, Bouygues and Kazmunaigaz are already building hotels, or have secured plots in the zone.