Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASHGABAT1255
2008-09-23 03:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: PAKISTANI DCM SEES MUCH ROOM FOR
how-toVZCZCXRO8972 PP RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHPW RUEHROV DE RUEHAH #1255 2670351 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 230351Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1597 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 4327 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2139 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 2004 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 2575 RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 001255
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN AND INR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PK TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: PAKISTANI DCM SEES MUCH ROOM FOR
IMPROVEMENT WITH THE BUSINESS CLIMATE
REF: ASHGABAT 1229
Classified By: Charge Sylvia Reed Curran for 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 001255
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN AND INR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PK TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: PAKISTANI DCM SEES MUCH ROOM FOR
IMPROVEMENT WITH THE BUSINESS CLIMATE
REF: ASHGABAT 1229
Classified By: Charge Sylvia Reed Curran for 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) A Pakistani diplomat told Emboff in a recent
conversation that Turkmenistan, with its poor investment
climate, is doing itself a real disservice. In a
conversation with Emboff on September 18, Deputy Head of
Mission Ali Araim said that he hoped that the government of
Turkmenistan will come to realize that the country has much
to gain from creating a legal environment that would allow
foreign companies to invest more easily here. He said that
there are only about 70-80 Pakistani nationals residing in
Turkmenistan, most of whom are employed by foreign companies
or international organizations. Most businesspeople are wary
of trying to engage in commerce, he said. A number of
Pakistani entrepreneurs have investigated the possibility of
starting businesses here, but were put off by the red tape.
In the end, they gave up. A different investment climate
would undoubtedly attract many more Pakistani entrepreneurs.
2. (C) Dr. Araim said Pakistan works closely with the
government of Turkmenistan as co-members of the Economic
Cooperation Organization (ECO) promoting economic, technical
and cultural activities. In addition, they most frequently
collaborate on issues of counter narcotics and security. He
noted the security forces' apparent lack of training as
evidenced in the recent armed confrontation in the Ashgabat
neighborhood of Khitrovka (reftel)
3. (C) On a personal note, Dr. Araim lamented the
difficulties even most foreign diplomats face trying to order
anything via internet, as there are no credit cards issued in
Turkmenistan, no international courier services, and problems
with customs if one tries to receive packages by mail.
4. (C) COMMENT: Endemic corruption, a difficult visa regime,
and mounds of red tape make it hard for foreign businesses to
work here. Until it improves the climate for foreign
businesses, Turkmenistan is doing itself a real disservice.
END COMMENT.
CURRAN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN AND INR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PK TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: PAKISTANI DCM SEES MUCH ROOM FOR
IMPROVEMENT WITH THE BUSINESS CLIMATE
REF: ASHGABAT 1229
Classified By: Charge Sylvia Reed Curran for 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) A Pakistani diplomat told Emboff in a recent
conversation that Turkmenistan, with its poor investment
climate, is doing itself a real disservice. In a
conversation with Emboff on September 18, Deputy Head of
Mission Ali Araim said that he hoped that the government of
Turkmenistan will come to realize that the country has much
to gain from creating a legal environment that would allow
foreign companies to invest more easily here. He said that
there are only about 70-80 Pakistani nationals residing in
Turkmenistan, most of whom are employed by foreign companies
or international organizations. Most businesspeople are wary
of trying to engage in commerce, he said. A number of
Pakistani entrepreneurs have investigated the possibility of
starting businesses here, but were put off by the red tape.
In the end, they gave up. A different investment climate
would undoubtedly attract many more Pakistani entrepreneurs.
2. (C) Dr. Araim said Pakistan works closely with the
government of Turkmenistan as co-members of the Economic
Cooperation Organization (ECO) promoting economic, technical
and cultural activities. In addition, they most frequently
collaborate on issues of counter narcotics and security. He
noted the security forces' apparent lack of training as
evidenced in the recent armed confrontation in the Ashgabat
neighborhood of Khitrovka (reftel)
3. (C) On a personal note, Dr. Araim lamented the
difficulties even most foreign diplomats face trying to order
anything via internet, as there are no credit cards issued in
Turkmenistan, no international courier services, and problems
with customs if one tries to receive packages by mail.
4. (C) COMMENT: Endemic corruption, a difficult visa regime,
and mounds of red tape make it hard for foreign businesses to
work here. Until it improves the climate for foreign
businesses, Turkmenistan is doing itself a real disservice.
END COMMENT.
CURRAN