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FY 1999: Turkmenistan |
CHAPTER IX: BUSINESS TRAVELVisas
To receive a Turkmen entry visa, U.S. citizens with tourist passports must have a letter of invitation from a person or an organization in Turkmenistan stamped by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Turkmenistan. Usually, the MFA needs ten working days to process a letter of invitation and the fee is $15. Some airlines do not allow passengers to board the plane without a letter of invitation.
An entry visa may be obtained at Turkmenistan Embassies abroad (cost varies depending on the duration of the visit), or at the Ashgabat airport upon arrival. The visa obtained at the Ashgabat airport costs $53 and is given for 10 days. This visa can be extended for any period of time up to one year at the MFA for an additional charge. Below is the Turkmen schedule of fees for single entry:
Duration of Visit Fees for Fees for Single Entry: Multiple Entry: up to 10 days $20 up to 20 days $30 up to 1 month $40 $60 up to 2 months $70 $100 3 months $100 $140 4 months $130 $180 5 months $160 $220 6 months $190 $260 7 months $220 $300 8 months $250 $340 9 months $280 $380 10 months $310 $420 11 months $340 $460 12 months $370 $500
Some Turkmen state and private tourist agencies provide visa support services. Among them are:
State Tourist Corporation "Turkmensiyakhat" Mr. Mukhamed Atagarryev, Head of Department (speaks Russian and Turkmen) 17 Pushkin Street, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 35-47-77, 39-86-91 Fax: [9](9312) 39-67-40
Latif Co., Ltd., a private tourist firm Mr. Djora Samedov, President (speaks Russian and Turkmen) 36A Hudayberdiev Street, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 41-50-77, 41-50-87, 41-91-64 Fax: [9](9312) 41-90-39, 41-91-64 E-mail: latif@cat.glasnet.ru
ITM Firm, a private commercial firm Mrs. Taira Ismailova, Director 14 T. Berdiev Street, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 39-73-57, 39-86-88 Fax: [9](9312) 39-86-88, 51-05-25
Holidays
January 1--New Year's Day January 12--Memorial Day February 19--National Flag Day March 8--International Women's Day March 21--Novruz Bairam May 9--Victory Day May 18--Revival and Unity Day October 6--Remembrance Day October 27-28--Independence Day December 12--Day of Neutrality
Kurban Bairam is a lunar holiday which moves forward every year. In 1998, Kurban Bairam was celebrated April 8-10.
Business Infrastructure
Turkmenistan is largely cash-only economy, although several new hotels and restaurants accept credit cards. Only Vnesheconombank accepts VISA cards for cash advances. Travelers are advised to bring only new, clean dollar bills with them (1990 and newer). Banks frequently do not have small bills for change. Some local banks and many of the larger hotels will exchange dollars. Dollars are accepted at most hotels and restaurants. However, all other merchants are required by law to accept payment only in manat.
Ashgabat is home to about 30 first-class hotels and government guest houses which offer comfortable rooms, conference and meeting facilities, business services, recreational activities, satellite TVs, casinos, and international dining facilities. Four commercial hotels in the center of Ashgabat accept international reservations:
Emperyal Grand Turkmen 7 Gorogly Street Ashgabat Tel: [9](9312) 51-20-50 Fax: [9](9312) 51-20-48
Regal Ak Altyn Plaza Hotel Pobedy Park, Dzerzhinskiy Blvd. Ashgabat Tel: [9](9312) 51-21-81 Fax: [9](9312) 51-21-77
Nissa Hotel Turkmenbashi and Atabaev Streets Ashgabat Tel: [9](9312) 41-66-17, 41-68-75 Fax: n/a
Turkmenistan 19 Bitarap Turkmenistan Street Ashgabat Tel: [9](9312) 35-06-30 Fax: [9](9312) 35-05-33
The Ashgabat Business Center in Berzengi on the outskirts of Ashgabat provides a full range of services and office space. Tel/Fax: [9](9312) 51-85-12.
The Mizan Business Center also located in Berzengi is managed by the Turkish company "Tursen" and can be reached at phone/fax: [9](9312) 51-86-48, 12, 13.
The Emperyal International Business Center located six kilometers away from the downtown area is also one of the modern business facilities in the capital city. An a'la carte restaurant and fast food cafe supplement a range of services provided there. Tel: [9](9312) 35-00-93 or 94, Fax: [9](9312) 35-00-92.
The Transport Center provides office space along with various services. It is located downtown, across from the Teke Bazaar. Tel: [9](9312) 51-01-51, 39-52-69; Fax: [9](9312) 35-54-24.
Regal Ak Altyn Plaza Hotel has a business center with a range of secretarial services. It is located five kilometers from the downtown area. Tel: [9](9312) 51-21-81; Fax: [9](9312) 51-21-75.
The Scientific and Technical Center of the State Tele- communications Company "Turkmentelecom" offers Internet services in Turkmenistan. The services can be ordered through:
Mr. Batyr Karryev, Director 10A Seidi Street, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000; Tel: [9](9312) 39-87-29, 51-19-13 (application submission) 51-09-39 (financial issues) 51-11-79 (technical services) Fax: [9](9312) 51-09-39 E-mail: info@sibnet.tm or fish@sibnet.tm http://www.online.tm
Because of the lack of reliable local transportation, visitors and new arrivals may find it convenient to hire a local driver. These drivers are usually relatively inexpensive. Arrangements can be made at the hotels. Taxis are also available in Ashgabat and are inexpensive.
Long distance direct dialing is possible, but very expensive ($4 per minute). Operator-assisted calls can be made from Turkmenistan to the U.S. The operator usually speaks some English and will be able to put the call through (dial 079). The rate for calls to the U.S. placed through an operator is $3.90 per minute. Currently, the major hotels are charging from $8.00 to $12.00 per minute for telephone calls and from $8.00 to $13 for a fax message.
When the U.S. is on daylight savings time, Turkmenistan is nine hours ahead of the U.S. East Coast and 12 hours ahead of the West Coast. When the U.S. is on standard time, Turkmenistan is 10 hours ahead of the East Coast and 13 hours ahead of the West Coast.
"Guide for Business Representatives" is available for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402; Tel:(202) 512-1800; Fax:(202) 512-2250. Business travelers to Turkmenistan seeking appointments with U.S. Embassy-Ashgabat officials should contact the Commercial Section in advance. The Commercial Section can be reached by telephone at [9](9312) 51-13-06 or by fax at [9](9312) 51-13-05.
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Note* International Copyright, United States Government, 1998 (or other year of first publication). All rights under foreign copyright laws are reserved. All portions of this publication are protected against any type or form of reproduction, communications to the public and the preparation of adaptations, arrangement and alterations outside the United States. U. S. copyright is not asserted under the U.S. Copyright Law, Title 17, United States Code.