Ambassador of Turkmenistan called on Mr. Hammad Azhar Minister EAD in his office. The meeting primarily focused on enormous potentials to increase trade and energy exchange between Pakistan and Turkmenistan. Both countries have previously been engaged in trade, industrial and energy related activities. Turkmen businessmen were hosted in Trade Expo 2017 held in Karachi. The minister showed his interest in enhancing the rail-road link between both the countries, which in return will help in providing greater access of Gawadar port to Central Asian countries. Current trade between both the countries stands very low, leaving much room for improvement.
Keeping in view the ongoing TAPI project, Turkmenistan’s ambassador was assured that power ministry is expediting the work on the project. Completion of the project would cut down the cost for LNG substantially, which would further bring down the average price of electricity in Pakistan. It was the desire of Turkmenistan government to increase trade relations to facilitate countries like Pakistan to have direct access to other South and Central Asian countries. However stakeholders need to have more such expos as the one held in Karachi in 2017 to expedite development in the region.
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