Astrakhan is interested in attracting new shipbuilding orders from Turkmenistan
The Astrakhan region is interested in attracting new shipbuilding orders from Turkmenistan, Governor of the Astrakhan Region of Russia Igor Babushkin said at a recent meeting of the Turkmen-Russian intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation. The meeting was held via videoconference with the participation of the heads of delegations - Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov.
In recent years, oil production platforms have been built at the Astrakhan shipyards for Turkmenistan, and a series of tugboats, bulk carriers and tankers have been repaired. Now Astrakhan shipbuilders are working on a project to build a container ship. In total, projects worth more than $ 750 million were implemented.
Rashid Meredov expressed readiness for a detailed study on issues of cooperation in the field of shipbuilding. “Turkmenistan is an oil producing country, therefore such products will always be in demand,” he said.
The parties also talked about establishing a regular auto-ferry line between the ports of Olya and Turkmenbashi, which will be useful for trade cooperation. Mutual understanding was also reached in the need to organize direct flights between Ashgabat and Astrakhan.
Igor Babushkin noted the region’s readiness to increase mutual trade, including in agricultural products and industrial goods.
“In this regard, I consider it important to return to exploring the possibility of opening the Trading House of Turkmenistan in the Astrakhan Region, as well as a logistics center where goods coming from Turkmenistan to Russia and going in the opposite direction would go through all customs and other necessary procedures,” the governor suggested.
