Information about the partnership
Partner country since 2008
Participants in the programme to date: 376 executives
Political partner for the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy: Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan’s economy is undergoing a period of transition and stabilisation. The country is working on diversifying its economy and becoming less dependent on the export of raw materials. Turkmenistan’s economic development offers German companies a wide range of opportunities for cooperation in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, natural gas, oil and the service sector. The Partnering in Business with Germany programme facilitates the initiation of business between Turkmen and German companies interested in entering the Turkmen market through targeted B2B contacts.
Focus Areas and Cooperation Potentials of Turkmenistan
Natural gas continues to be Turkmenistan’s main source of income. Opening up new export markets for natural gas thus remains a priority for the country. In terms of its economic output, Turkmenistan is spending a lot of money on projects in infrastructure, healthcare and agriculture. German companies are much sought-after partners across all sectors of the economy. Turkmenistan’s focus on green technologies, smart cities, smart farming and mitigating the impact of climate change – in particular the lack of water – make it an attractive business partner. In addition, there is potential for cooperation and exports in manufacturing (textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food), communications, high-tech and construction and logistics.
Business in Turkmenistan – Opportunities for German Companies
The country, located on the Caspian Sea, is undergoing a process of increased openness and integration into international transport corridors, a development that is proving to be beneficial for the economy of Turkmenistan. The transport and logistics sector is developing dynamically: the expansion of the country’s rail network has already begun, as has the digitalisation of the transport infrastructure to create a link between Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia. These infrastructure and industrial projects offer numerous business opportunities, including for German companies.
The German economy is well-regarded in Turkmenistan as a reliable partner, supplying high-quality and sustainable products. Trade relations with Germany are particularly active in the fields of energy technology and mechanical engineering, but there is also high demand in the agriculture, water management, medicine and logistics sectors, which opens up a wide range of opportunities for German companies. The promotion of cooperation is facilitated by bilateral agreements. German direct investment is primarily focused on the expansion of infrastructure and energy production.
Turkmenistan is placing a stronger emphasis on sustainability and green technologies in its projects. There is notable potential for collaboration between German and Turkmen companies in areas such as renewable energies, smart farming and smart cities. The most significant imported goods include machinery, vehicles and chemical products, while exports include natural gas, cotton and petroleum products.
Industry Focus and Participant Profiles
Partnering in Business with Germany is open to managers from all sectors. The largest group of managers taking part in the programme work in agriculture, the food industry, construction, the energy sector and the circular economy. Going forward, companies working in healthcare will also take part.
News
Successful development of expertise for cooperation with German companies: Partnering in Business with Germany (PG) in Turkmenistan
Almost 50 former PG participants from the agricultural, textile, healthcare, logistics and transport sectors took part in the networking event in Ashgabat on 30 April.
Sustainable energy: Thomas Preuhs Holding in dialogue with Central Asian managers
The spotlight during the exchange at the Preuhs Campus was on technologies aimed at utilizing renewable energies in building energy supply and fostering corporate sustainability, engaging managers from Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.
German-Turkmenian cooperation with green issues in focus
As part of the anniversary celebrations of the Manager Training Programme, which has been renamed Partnering in Business with Germany as a result of the further development of the Programme and its successful relaunch, Germany and Turkmenistan agreed to continue their cooperation in the successful foreign trade promotion instrument in the Joint Declaration.
15 Years of Successful Cooperation with Turkmenistan
“The Manager Training Programme is an excellent example of German-Turkmen cooperation”, stressed Michael U. Bierhoff, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Turkmenistan, in his speech on 4 May during the celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Manager Training Programme in Turkmenistan.
Innovation through Tradition
Shasenem Garlyyeva is a businesswoman through and through. With her two firms, she promotes business relations between Turkmenistan and Germany and contributes to bringing the cultures of the two countries closer together. She brings handmade home textiles made of camel hair into German living rooms. And in her own bakery, she will soon be delighting her fellow citizens with genuine German “Baumkuchen” layer cakes.
