Turkmenistan invited to join the Asian infrastructure investment bank
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has officially invited Turkmenistan to become a full member of the organization. The announcement was made in Awaza during the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3), as reported by Trend.
Benefits of AIIB Membership
Joining the AIIB will give Turkmenistan access to one of the world's largest sources of infrastructure financing. Since 2016, the bank's operations have exceeded $60 billion across 35 countries. In Central Asia, the AIIB has been a key investor in transportation, energy, and logistics, with investments reaching approximately $2.8 billion in 2024.
Economic Impact and Future Projects
Membership in the AIIB will allow Turkmenistan to attract long-term investments, influence funding priorities, and participate in joint projects with institutions like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. This will create opportunities to launch large-scale projects, including:
Building high-speed railways
Modernizing highways
Developing solar and wind energy
Economists predict that participation in AIIB programs could secure up to $1.5 billion in annual investments for Turkmenistan. This could lead to a 15–20% increase in non-resource exports by 2030 and strengthen the country's position as a vital transportation and energy hub in the region.
ORIENT
