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Turkmenistan's gas-fuelled GDP rises 9.4 per cent in January-June
13 July 2013 - The economy of Turkmenistan, Central Asia's largest producer of natural gas, grew 9.4 per cent in the first six months of 2013, state media quoted the nation's President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov as saying on Saturday. The country is forecast to increase its gross domestic product by 8 per cent this year, according to the International Monetary Fund, citing the growing gas exports in the country, which holds the world's fourth-largest natural gas reserves. In September the country will launch production at Galkynsh, the world's second-largest natural gas deposit. President Berdymukhamedov was also quoted by state media as saying that Turkmenistan could start exporting grain after boosting its wheat crop to 1.6 million tonnes this year from 1.2 million tonnes in 2012. (more)

Reclusive Turkmenistan ups 2030 natural gas target
13 September 2012 - Turkmenistan, holder of the world's fourth-largest natural gas reserves, said it would increase annual output of the fuel to 250 billion cubic metres (bcm) by 2030, upping an earlier target of 230 bcm. The ex-Soviet Central Asian nation, where current potential annual gas output is estimated at just 75 bcm, is hoping to expand its industry massively by tapping unexplored fields and building two new US-backed pipelines. 'According to estimates by international experts, Turkmenistan's natural gas reserves are more than enough to cover in the foreseeable future the needs of China, Russia, Iran, and Europe taken together,' Kakageldy Abdullayev, acting minister of oil and gas, told an energy conference in Ashgabat. (more)

Turkmenistan has second-largest gas field - auditor
11 October 2011 - The Central Asian nation of Turkmenistan is sitting on top of the second-largest natural gas field in the world, according to figures unveiled by an independent British auditor. Turkmenistan currently sells to China, Russia and Iran, but it is determined to eventually also export to Western Europe, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. (more)

Turkmens lend Afghanistan economic support
28 May 2011 - Afghan President Hamid Karzai travelled to neighbouring energy-rich Turkmenistan on Saturday on a trip aimed at drumming up regional support. Talks with Turkmen President Gurbanguli Berdymukhamedov concluded with a tentative agreement to construct a railway linking the two countries and a commitment to speed up implementation of a plan for a natural gas pipeline from Turkmenistan, through Afghanistan and Pakistan, to India. (more)

Turkmenistan to boost gas deliveries to China
2 March 2011 - Energy-hungry China is set to sign an agreement with the Central Asian nation of Turkmenistan later this year to boost its future annual natural gas purchases by 20 billion cubic meters, state newspaper Neutral Turkmenistan reported Wednesday. The deal means Turkmenistan's annual gas sales to China will eventually reach 60 billion cubic meters -- equivalent to more than half China's entire natural gas consumption last year. Turkmen President Gurbanguli Berdymukhamedov is set to visit China later this year to formalize the deal. (more)

Turkmen embassy in Azerbaijan reopens as seven-year rift ends
22 March 2008 - Turkmenistan plans to re-open its embassy in Azerbaijan to end a seven-year diplomatic stand-off between the two gas-rich Caspian nations, Turkmen media reported. Earlier this month Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan settled the gas dispute and agreed to press on with talks on Caspian fields. (more)

Internet cafes tie Turkmenistan to world
18 February 2007 - The first Internet cafes opened to the public in Turkmenistan Friday amid hints of greater openness days after a new President took office. Turkmenistan's first new President since the Soviet era has pledged to make other changes from the path set by the late leader. (more)

Turkmenistan, China agree on gas, pipeline
3 April 2006 - Chinese President Hu Jintao signed agreements today with the visiting President of Turkmenistan for the Central Asian nation to sell China natural gas and to build a pipeline to deliver it. The two governments also signed an agreement for Beijing to provide favourable loans to Turkmenistan, and signed a joint pledge to crack down on terrorism and extremism. (more)