During his official visit to Italy on October 25, Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedow took part in the Turkmen-Italian Business Forum, reports TDH.
In his speech, the president outlined Turkmenistan’s strategic priorities: building an industrial society, diversifying the economy, modernizing key sectors such as chemicals, textiles, agro-processing, and construction materials, and developing a modern transport and logistics infrastructure to position the country as a transit hub along East–West and North–South routes.
Berdimuhamedow emphasized the development of Turkmenistan’s gas sector for export markets and the diversification of energy flows, including a western supply route. He invited Italian companies to participate in electricity supply projects to Europe and the modernization of Turkmenistan’s railway network.
The president also highlighted Turkmenistan’s potential role in proposed gas projects with Turkey and Azerbaijan. Historical records show that the countries signed a memorandum on developing the offshore Dostlug/Dostluk field in the Caspian Sea, which could enable the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline (TCGP) through Azerbaijan and Turkey. However, Turkmenistan has not yet fully joined the project, as technical, financial, and political challenges remain.
Finally, Berdimuhamedow proposed creating a Turkmen-Italian Business Council and establishing partnerships between the Italian state export credit agency and Turkmen banks, in line with ongoing reforms in Turkmenistan’s financial sector.
CentralasianLIGHT.org,
October 29, 2025