As a result of the visit of the Turkmen delegation to Astrakhan, new investment projects are expected
The delegation of the transport complex of Turkmenistan completed a business visit to the Astrakhan region, an agreement on which was reached earlier in Ashgabat during a meeting with Governor of the region Igor Babushkin.
During the three days of their stay in the region, representatives of the Turkmen Sea and River Routes Agency visited the Flotproekt design bureau, the Caspian Sea and River Transport Institute, ports, the Lotus port special economic zone under construction and the shipbuilding plant of the same name.
– They told and showed the technical and personnel capabilities of the enterprise. We are ready to help in any matters, both in construction and in the training and education of specialists, engineers and workers. We will cooperate, – Dmitry Stepanov, managing director of the Lotos Shipyard organization, said in an interview with journalists.
Here, close cooperation will be established with colleagues from the Turkmen plant "Balkan", including the training of engineering staff. In general, as a result of the visit, this year it is possible to conclude specific contracts, investment projects, and create joint ventures.
On Friday, the Turkmen delegation met with Deputy Prime Minister of the Astrakhan region Denis Afanasyev. He drew attention to the importance of developing existing relations with Turkmenistan in the field of logistics, transport, industrial cooperation, and trade. According to Afanasiev, this cooperation is already bearing fruit, but the parties have much more opportunities to get good results from it.
– Logistics for us is one of the key positions where we can and should develop. We also spoke about the joint development of the North-South corridor. Of course, shipbuilding is our common theme. We have more experience in this area,” said Denis Afanasiev.
– At present, the Caspian region is turning into one of the largest transport and logistics centers in Eurasia. In this context, we believe that the development of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Astrakhan region is very important. At the same time, our relations have a huge potential that has not yet been realized, –said the head of the delegation, deputy head of the agency "Turkmen Sea and River Routes" Seyitguly Baiseyidov.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Natural Resources of the Astrakhan region Mikhail Kabakov noted that while visiting transport infrastructure facilities, shipbuilding and design organizations, the Turkmen colleagues received a number of proposals from the host country.
In particular, it was proposed to consider the option of joint development of the production capacities of the SEPZ. In order to organize a regular auto-ferry service between the Astrakhan port of Olya and the port of Turkmenbashi, it is necessary to work out the issue of attracting road carriers that currently transport goods by trucks through Kazakhstan. In addition, the region is ready to provide consulting assistance and participate in the training of specialists for the transport industry on the basis of local universities.
Foreign trade turnover between the Astrakhan region and Turkmenistan last year amounted to more than 200 million dollars. The opening of a logistics center will help increase it.
– We see great prospects in creating a logistics center in the port economic zone and we will definitely discuss this issue with our transport companies. For us, this is an interesting project that contributes to the formation of additional cargo traffic in the ITC "North-South", which, as it was officially announced, Turkmenistan intends to join, – Seyitguly Baiseyidov said.
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