The answer is at the British Consulate General in Istanbul, where the British Embassy in Ashgabat, the Consulate General and organisations with an interest in trade between the UK, Turkmenistan and Turkey have gathered to show what they can do and to clinch business deals.
Turkmenistan, with the fourth largest reserves of natural gas in the world, is engaged in a series of multi-billion dollar construction projects in the next few years including a $5billion Olympic village complex; development of new gas fields in the east of the country; construction of a new east-west gas pipeline; the development of Turkmenbashi seaport; the development of the Avaza tourism economic zone; and the construction of Ashgabat International Airport.
Turkish construction companies are heavily engaged, having completed projects in Turkmenistan worth $3.5bn in 2011 and $24bn in the past 15 years.
British companies with specialist expertise are keen to partner with Turkish companies working in Turkmenistan to the benefit of both sides: the trick is to make sure everyone knows what services are on offer and how best to access them. So it’s no surprise that a huge number of Turkish and British companies attend the seminar. The lively discussions and presentations cover everything from how to find representation and open an office in Ashgabat to the practicalities of sub-contracting.
We at the British Consulate General in Istanbul are keen to provide more support to British companies and Turkish companies working together in third markets such as Turkmenistan. For more information get in touch with Sayed Shah, the Head of the UK Trade and Investment team in Istanbul at sayed.shah@fco.gov.uk; in Ashgabat, Ambassador Keith Allen at keith.allan@fco.gov.uk; or contact me direct. We are keen to hear from you.