Today, Turkmenistan is firmly establishing itself in the region as a major transport, communications and logistics hub with modern infrastructure. The transport and communications complex, which includes the agencies «Türkmendemirýollary», «Türkmenhowaýollary», «Türkmendeňizderýaýollary», «Türkmenawtoulaglary» and «Türkmenaragatnaşyk», is an important sector of the national economy.
New airports equipped with the most modern equipment have been built and put into operation in the country. Among them are the international airport of the capital with a capacity of up to 1,600 passengers per hour, international air harbours in the cities of Turkmenabat and Kerki in the Lebap velayat. An important event in the development of domestic civil aviation was the laying of the foundation of a new international airport in the city of Jebel in the Balkan velayat with the participation of the head of state. Large-scale projects for the comprehensive modernisation and development of marine and river transport infrastructure have been implemented, the number of cargo and passenger transportation has increased, the development of ports and port facilities continues, state control over safety and navigation at sea has been improved, large-scale work has been carried out to protect the environment of the Caspian Sea and strengthen the legislative framework of the industry.
Work has been carried out at a high level to provide mobile communications to all settlements in the country. As a result of the increase in Internet flows coming from outside, prices for Internet services are gradually decreasing, and favorable tariffs are offered. Today, the number of Internet users in our country has exceeded three million people.
Construction of new interstate fiber-optic data transmission lines is underway, including between the village of Garabogaz in the Balkan velayat and the settlement of Teymir baba in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Etrek in the Balkan velayat and Kummet-Kovus (Islamic Republic of Iran).
Achievements in the country's transport and communications complex are also noted in the activities of the «Türkmenawtoulaglary» agency. Modern roads have been put into operation, and high-speed highways are being actively built. The construction of a 600-kilometer highway will significantly increase the capacity of the country's road system. The railway system, which is an important component of the country's national economy, is developing at an accelerated pace.
All these positive aspects and indicators were announced at the last extended meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, where the results of work for 2024 were summed up. It was noted that during the reporting period, the growth rate of work performed and services rendered by the complex amounted to 118.8 percent. During the period under review, the growth rate of services rendered by the «Türkmendemirýollary» agency was 104.1 percent, «Türkmenawtoulaglary» agency - 114.5 percent, «Türkmenhowaýollary» agency - 140 percent, «Türkmendeňizderýaýollary» agency - 128 percent, «Türkmenaragatnaşyk» agency - 116.2 percent. The growth of cargo transportation by road, rail, air, sea and river transport reached 102.8 percent, and passenger transportation - 104.2 percent. A report was also presented on the measures taken to address the challenges arising from the «Concept for the Development of the Digital Economy in Turkmenistan for 2019-2025».
Following the review of the industry's work, it was emphasized that it is necessary to continue to take practical steps to reconstruct the country's existing airports, consistently modernise the aircraft fleet, and continue work to open international flights to new destinations and expand cargo transportation routes.
In addition, instructions were given to fully utilise the potential of the international seaport of Turkmenbashy, the shipbuilding and ship repair yard «Balkan». The need was noted for proper work to increase the volume of passenger and cargo transportation, expand the routes of transit and international cargo communications, consistently develop all types of services in the field of transport and communications, and widely introduce a digital system in the industry. The importance of increasing the capacity of the country's railway system, strengthening its material and technical base, replenishing the fleet of motor transport enterprises, and improving the culture of public service was also emphasised.
Today, Turkmenistan, consistently implementing its foreign policy course, is actively reviving its historical role as a connecting bridge between Europe and Asia and is becoming the most important major transit and logistics centre in the region.
