Minister of Finance and Economy Presents Turkmenistan’s Macroeconomic Indicators at TIF 2026
At the plenary session of the Turkmenistan Investment Forum (TIF 2026)—which brought together over 750 delegates and more than 300 international guests from approximately 40 countries in Ashgabat—Turkmenistan’s Minister of Finance and Economy, Mammetguly Astanagulov, presented a comprehensive report on the country’s macroeconomic achievements, fundamental indicators, and key investment priorities. The Minister emphasized that amidst a transforming global economy and the restructuring of supply chains, the country is demonstrating strong resilience by establishing a competitive industrial and innovation-driven development model.
The macroeconomic data presented at the forum clearly illustrate the dynamics of the national economy: over the past five years, Turkmenistan’s gross domestic product has grown 1.5-fold, reaching $77.4 billion by the end of 2025, with a stable annual growth rate of 6.3%.
An effective combination of tax and credit instruments has made it possible to maintain low inflation, which stood at 3.2% in 2025 and 3.6% for the first half of the current year. Last year, capital investment in the economy exceeded $12.8 billion, while exports reached $11.2 billion.
The Minister highlighted the state's prudent debt policy: the country has no domestic debt, and external debt amounted to just 3.0% of GDP at the end of 2025. Meanwhile, Turkmenistan’s foreign trade turnover grew by nearly 11% in 2025, maintaining a strong upward trend into the current period.
Outlining key areas of the investment strategy, the head of the Ministry of Finance identified the industrial sector as the foundation of the national economy, accounting for over 30% of GDP. Strategic areas for cooperation include modernizing the fuel and energy complex, developing the super-giant Galkynysh gas field, accelerating construction of the TAPI gas pipeline section along the Serhetabat–Herat route, and upgrading facilities at the Turkmenbashi and Seydi oil refineries.
In the electric power sector, the focus is shifting toward renewable energy sources: a hybrid wind-solar power plant is scheduled to launch in the Gyzylarbat District before the end of the year, while a high-capacity combined-cycle power plant is currently under construction in the Turkmenbashi District.
A specific section of the address focused on digital transformation and the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies as drivers of economic growth. The country is actively investing in smart energy systems, digital management, blockchain technology for cargo tracking, and fintech, as well as satellite monitoring and "smart farming" within the agro-industrial complex.
Given Turkmenistan's geographic location, the development of the North-South and East-West international transport corridors serves as a key magnet for investment. The Minister highlighted major infrastructure projects, including the commissioning of the Mary–Turkmenabat section of the 600-kilometer Ashgabat–Turkmenabat highway, the active construction of the Turkmenbashi–Garabogaz–Kazakhstan border route, and the planned reconstruction of the Ashgabat–Dashoguz highway.
In concluding his report, Mammetguly Astanakulov assured the international business community of full state protection for their capital, the existence of a solid legal and regulatory framework, and a readiness to implement new joint projects.
