"EXPO BUILD 2009" EXHIBITION IN ASHGABAT, 5-7 FEBRUARY

UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000206 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN; EEB PLEASE PASS TO USTDA DAN STEIN COMMERCE FOR HUEPER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EIND EINV ETRD TX TU SUBJECT: "EXPO BUILD 2009" EXHIBITION IN ASHGABAT, 5-7 FEBRUARY 2009 ¶1. (U) Sensitive but Unclassified. Not for public Internet. ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Fifty Turkish firms and companies displayed technology, equipment, expertise and construction products at an exhibition held in Ashgabat from February 5-7. The exhibition received the usual amount of attention from senior Government officials who attended the opening ceremony and later walked the aisles looking at all of the wares. The exposition underscored the tight relationship that some Turkish companies continue to enjoy with the Turkmen Government. All indications point to a happy and long-lived partnership in which Turkish companies give the Turkmen Government what it wants, and the Government is happy with final results. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (U) Last week, Ashgabat hosted the "Expo Build 2009" exhibition of construction materials and decorative items from Turkey. The Meridyen International Exhibition Company and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan organized the specialized exhibition, where companies and firms from different regions of Turkey marketed their construction materials, expertise, the latest construction and educational technologies and other innovations. Members of the Turkmen Government, Parliament and public associations, as well as the diplomatic corps attended the opening ceremony. Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Taganov delivered an opening speech in which he stressed the role of bilateral cooperation in construction and industry. Afterward, senior Turkmen officials from a variety of ministries were seen checking out the exhibits. ¶4. (U) Mr. Tucer Kayalar, the head of the Turkish delegation and Chief of Turkey's Foreign Trade Department, spoke next, highlighting the deepening ties between Turkmenistan and Turkey and the importance of the growing construction business in the region. Nearly 50 Turkish companies were represented, marketing a range of construction technologies and equipment, building materials and tools, electric lighting and decorative elements. In particular, companies displayed marble products, electrical appliances, plumbing materials, paints, wrought iron, gypsum, foam products, concrete materials and related equipment, chemicals, and heating and water systems. ¶5. (U) The exposition illustrated the depth and breadth of current Turkmen-Turkish cooperation in construction here. In recent years, Turkmenistan has become engulfed in construction projects, and the work is in full swing day and night. Hundreds of new buildings and facilities of every type are being built in the capital and throughout Turkmenistan at a breakneck pace. Large-scale construction projects such as the Avaza National Tourist Zone project, which seeks to create a world-class seaside resort on the Caspian Sea coast, are being realized primarily with the help of Turkish partners such as Polimeks, Gap Insaat and Sehil Insaat. Turkish companies have been dominant for the last decade in Turkmenistan. From 2003-2008, according to Turkmen press reporting, Turkish contractors won construction contracts worth $8.2 billion from the Turkmen Government. ¶6. (SBU) COMMENT: Turkish companies have shown keen interest in strengthening long-term business contacts with Turkmenistan, and appear to view it as an exceptionally valued partner for construction work. Turkish companies have also figured out what the Turkmen Government likes, and go out of their way to give the Government more of what it wants. The Turkmen Government, for its part, appears to value the relationship with Turkish companies as well, and seems to be pleased overall with what the companies are delivering. END COMMENT. MILES