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

UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000206

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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