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FY 1999: Turkmenistan |
CHAPTER X: APPENDICESAppendix A: Country Data
Population Source of Data: State Statistic Committee of Turkmenistan; Census data is based on a January 1995 census and data of January 1, 1998. Population: 4,686,800 Urban: 2,063,400 Rural: 2,623,400 Ahal Velayat: 699,700 including the city of Ashgabat: 543,300 Lebap Velayat: 971,200 including the city of Chardjou: 185,500 Dashkhowuz Velayat: 1,001,900 including the city of Dashkhowuz: 150,900 Balkan Velayat: 386,800 including the city of Nebitdag: 87,600 Mary Velayat: 1,078,700 including the city of Mary: 101,200 According to the Census data of 1995, Ethnic Breakdown (100 ethnic communities) is as follows:
Turkmens 77% Uzbeks 9.2% Russians 6.7% Kazaks 2.0% Armenians 0.8% Azeris 0.8% Tatars 0.8% Baluchis 0.8% Ukrainians 0.5%
Other groups include Belorussians, Germans, Jews, Georgians, Moldovans, Uighurs, and Koreans.
Population Growth Rate According to the Turkmenistan's statistics, in 1997, the total population growth consisted of 121,700 people or 2.6%.
Religions Sunni Islam (Hanafi) and Russian Orthodoxy are the principal religions in Turkmenistan that have been officially registered by the GOTX. Smaller communities of Lutherans, Baptists, and Baha'is also exist, although a December 1996 amendment to the "Law of Turkmenistan on Religious Organizations" limiting registration to organizations that can prove 500 or more adult adherents in each city or locality has made their legal status ambiguous.
There are 223 Moslem mosques (9 in Ashgabat) and 9 Orthodox churches (3 in Ashgabat) operating in Turkmenistan. One Lutheran and three Baptists churches also exist but are not eligible to fully operate without state registration.
Government System Turkmenistan is a one-party state dominated by the President and his closest advisors within the Cabinet of Ministers. There is no office of Vice President or Prime Minister. A single chamber parliament (Mejlis) approves all legislation. The supreme lawmaking body is the Halk Maslahaty (People's Council) which approves treaties and constitutional amendments.
The country is divided into five regions (velayats) governed by Hakims (governors) appointed by the President. Ashgabat City is governed separately from the surrounding Ahal Velayat. The Hakims (mayors) of the cities are also appointed by the President. Velayats are further divided into etraps, villages, and towns.
Languages Turkmen is the official language of Turkmenistan; however, Russian is widely used in government and business. The government has declared that English is to be taught widely, but as yet a very limited number of people in Turkmenistan speak English. For those who seek interpreter services, local free lance interpreters can be arranged via the Commercial Section of the U.S. Embassy-Ashgabat.
Work Week Turkmenistan observes a Monday to Friday work week, 9 to 6, with one hour for lunch, but many government officials and businesses regularly work on Saturday.
Appendix B: Domestic Economy
1997 statistics are based on Turkmen Government statistics. Since the Turkmen Government has not yet adopted statistical methods commonly employed in the West and by international financial institutions, many of these statistics can be misleading.
1997 1998(est)
GDP (billion $$) 2.0(x) GDP Growth Rate (%%) -14.2(#) Government spending as a percentage of GDP n/a Inflation (%%) 21.5 20 Unemployment (%%) n/a(+) Foreign exchange reserves (billions of $$) 1.2 1.0 Average exchange rate for $1 5,300(!) 5,350(!) Debt service ratio n/a U.S. economic/military assistance (millions of $$) 4.7
(x) Official government statistics shows GDP equal to 10.6 trillion manats or $2 billion. This figure does not include natural gas production.
(#) According to Turkmenvnesheconombank's report on economic development of Turkmenistan, GDP Growth Rate is assessed in two ways: (1) based on GDP estimated at current prices (growth rate is 0.3%) and (2) based on GDP estimated at comparable prices toward 1996 GDP which includes gas production figures; the 1997 GDP consisted 85.8% of the 1996 GDP or -14.2%.
(+) The Government does not maintain unemployment statistics.
(!) The commercial exchange rate of 5,300 manats against the dollar has been stable since 1996 while there was an official exchange rate of 4,165 manats used by state enterprises for their commercial transactions with foreign partners. Beginning April 1998, the single unified foreign exchange rate was established. The rate is set up through a weekly Interbank Currency Exchange auctions.
Appendix C: Trade
1997 (in Millions of USD)
Total Country Exports 751,4 Total Country Imports 1,227,7 U.S. Exports 88,0 U.S. Imports 0,8
According to the National Institute of Statistics and Prognoses, in 1997, Turkmenistan imported from the U.S. such goods as food products, wheat, coal and technical oils, petroleum products, medicine and pharmaceutical products, building materials, lubricants, chemicals, vehicles and spare parts, rubber, consumer goods, paper and cardboard, tubes, cables, cords, industrial and agricultural equipment and spare parts, aircraft and spare parts, telecommunications equipment, iron items, garments, perfume, leather and other items. Products exported to the U.S. companies from Turkmenistan included petroleum products, plants, and seeds.
Appendix D: Investment Statistics
No complete and reliable 1998 statistics on direct foreign investment are available. See some investment statistics in the Investment Climate Statement.
Appendix E: U.S. and Country Contacts
U.S. Government Contacts:
Ambassador Michael Cotter
Mr. David J. Whiddon Political/Economic Officer
Vacancy Commercial/Cultural Representative
Ms. Irina Begjanova Commercial Assistant
Mr. Murl Baker U.S. AID Representative
U.S. Embassy 9 Pushkin Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 51-13-06 or 35-00-45 Fax: [9](9312) 51-13-05
Mrs. Ann Conway, Director U.S. Peace Corps 31A Myati Kosaev Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 35-59-14, 35-04-50 Fax: [9](9312) 51-12-08
Kathleen Morenski Turkmenistan Desk Officer U.S. Department of State Washington, D.C. 20520 Tel: (202) 647-6831 Fax: (202) 647-3506
U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service Trade Assistance and Promotion Office Tel: (202) 720-7420
Joan Morgan Turkmenistan Desk Officer BISNIS U.S. Department of Commerce 14th and Constitution, NW Washington, D.C. 20230 Tel: (202) 482-4655 Fax: (202) 482-2293
TPCC Trade Information Center 1-800-USA-TRADE
Selected U.S. Government Grantees and Contractors
Hagler Bailly Consulting Firm Ministry of Oil and Gas 11 Neutral Turkmenistan Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel/Fax: [9](9312) 35-43-05, 39-30-85
Booz Allen and Hamilton Ministry of Economics and Finance Room 118 4 Nurberdy Pomma Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 51-17-47, 51-19-31 Fax: [9](9312) 51-04-97, 51-11-62
Counterpart Consortium Roselie Vasquez 26 Akademik Petrov Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 35-71-20 Fax: [9](9312) 35-71-25
Eurasia Foundation Dmitry Shevkun 20A Komsomolskaya Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 39-36-95 Fax: [9](9312) 39-06-13
Winrock International Joe Dale 16 Kurban Durdy Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel/Fax: [9](9312) 51-04-22
Central Asian-American Enterprise Fund Arun Hsu 2 Pushkin Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 35-28-75, 35-74-45 Fax: [9](9312) 39-01-52
International Organizations
EBRD Jaap Sprey 95 Azadi Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel/Fax: [9](9312) 35-47-00 or 51-22-63
World Bank Guljakhan Kurbanova 40 Atabaev Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 41-97-35, 35-04-77 Fax: [9](9312) 41-31-56
TICA (Turkish International Cooperation Agency) Ferhat Kuchuk Oglu 17 Neutral Turkmenistan Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 51-03-64, 51-12-36 Fax: [9](9312) 51-16-39
IMF Jon Craig 17 Neutral Turkmenistan Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel/Fax: [9](9312) 35-16-61
EU-TACIS Boris Smolin 97 Kemine Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 51-21-17 Fax: [9](9312) 51-17-21
Turkmenistan Contacts in the U.S.:
Embassy of Turkmenistan Ambassador Halil Ugur Susan Hall, Public Affairs Advisor 2207 Massachusetts Ave. Washington, D.C. 20008 Tel: (202) 588-1500 Fax: (202) 588-0697
Turkmen-American Business Cooperation Council Mr. Marty Miller, Chairman Mr. Steve Lamb, Deputy Chairman 2207 Massachusetts Ave. Washington, D.C. 20008 Tel: (202) 588-1500 Fax: (202) 588-0697
Government of Turkmenistan
Saparmurad Niyazov President Presidential Palace 24 Karl Marx Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel/Fax: [9](9312) 35-45-34, 35-43-88
Rejep Saparov Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers (Trade and Business Development, Public Services, Light Industry) Offices of the Presidency 24 Karl Marx Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: (993)912) 35-59-15 Fax: [9](9312) 35-12-51 Telex: 116201 MEKAN
Batyr Sarjaev Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers (Oil and Gas Sector and Mineral Resources Development) Offices of the Presidency 24 Karl Marx Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 35-65-61 Fax: [9](9312) 35-51-12 or 35-30-96
Rejepbay Arazov Executive Director Competent Body under the President (oil and gas contract negotiation and licensing) 53 Pushkin Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 35-02-30 Fax: [9](9312) 35-04-15
Vacancy Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers (Agriculture, Food Processing, Agricultural Construction, Bread Production, Fruit and Vegetable Production, Cotton Production and Irrigation) Cabinet of Ministers 17 Neutral Turkmenistan Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel/Fax: [9](9312) 35-11-34
Saparmurat Nuriyev Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers (Energy and Industry, Construction) and Minister of Energy and Industry Ministry of Energy and Industry 6 Nurberdy Pomma Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 51-08-82 Fax: [9](9312) 39-06-82
Ilaman Shikhiev Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers (Economy and Administrative Affairs) Cabinet of Ministers 17 Neutral Turkmenistan Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 35-36-04 Fax: [9](9312) 35-12-51
Boris Shikhmuradov Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers (Foreign Affairs) and Minister for Foreign Affairs Cabinet of Ministers 17 Neutral Turkmenistan Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 35-49-18 Fax: [9](9312) 35-12-51
Yolly Gurbanmuradov Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers (Banking and Foreign Exchange), Chairman of Vnesheconombank and Director of the State Agency for Foreign Investment 22 Zhitnikov Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel/Fax: [9](9312) 51-10-70
Hudaykuli Halikov Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers (Transportation and Telecommunications) 17 Neutral Turkmenistan Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 35-00-40 Fax: [9](9312) 35-12-51
Toily Kurbanov Minister of Foreign Economic Relations 92 Kemine Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 39-75-11 Fax: [9](9312) 39-75-24
Ishankuli Kulmuradov,Chairman State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange (CRME) 111 Makhtumkuli Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 35-43-21 Fax: [9](9312) 51-03-04
Arslan Nepesov, Chairman Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan 17 Karryev Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 35-41-74, 35-45-94, 35-55-94 Fax: [9](9312) 35-53-81 E-mail: ccitm@cat.glasnet.ru
Banks:
Central Bank (National Bank of Turkmenistan) Hudayberdy Orazov, Chairman 24 Neutral Turkmenistan Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 35-61-31 Fax: [9](9312) 51-03-10 or 51-08-12
Vnesheconombank Yolly Gurbanmuradov, Chairman 22 Zhitnikova Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 35-60-43 Fax: [9](9312) 39-79-82 or 51-00-70
Cooperative Commercial Daykhancenterbank Charygelgy Baygeldiev, Chairman 62 Atabaev Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 41-98-73, 41-98-84 Fax: [9](9312) 39-15-42
Turkmenbank Seitbay Kandymov, Chairman 10A Gorgoly Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 51-07-21, 51-07-05 Fax: [9](9312) 51-02-46
Senagat Bank Geldymurad Chapaev, Chairman 42 Turkmenbashi Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel/Fax: [9](9312) 51-05-71
Investbank Chairman Amanmurad Pajaev 54 Annadurdyev Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 51-23-06, 51-24-50 Fax: [9](9312) 51-24-52, 51-24-32
Savings Bank of Turkmenistan Begench Baymuhammedov, Chairman 86 Makhtumkuli Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 35-46-71 or 39-42-98 Fax: [9](9312) 35-40-04
Gaz Bank Rejepmurad Uvdiev, Chairman 16 Ostrovsky Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744020 Tel: [9](9312) 51-09-18 or 51-23-56 Fax: [9](9312) 51-09-18
Turkmen-Turkish Bank Fahri Verdi, Chairman 111/2 Makhtumkuli Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: (993)912) 51-04-38, 39-76-32 Fax: [9](9312) 51-11-23, 51-04-92
Russian-Turkmen Bank "Rossiysky Kredit" Batyr Bayriev, Chairman 73 Makhtumkuli Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 35-02-22, 35-03-08 Fax: [9](9312) 35-03-09
National Bank of Pakistan Abdul Alim Usmani, Manager Emperyal Grand Turkmen Hotel 7 Gerogly Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel/Fax: [9](9312) 35-04-65
No U.S. banks operate in Turkmenistan.
Press Contacts:
Turkmen Press Agency Lyudmila Glazovskaya, Director Neutral Turkmenistan Street #24 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 35-12-21 Fax: [9](9312) 51-02-34
Newspapers:
"Neutral Turkmenistan" Russian Language, circulation 40,000 Atabaev Street #24 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 39-42-76, 35-22-14 or 39-42-76 Fax: [9](9312) 35-40-10
"Nesil" Turkmen Language, circulation 52,731 Atabaev Street #24 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 35-22-54 or 46-70-91
"Ashgabat" Russian Language, circulation 29,686 Atabaev Street #24 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 46-84-44
"Ashgabat Ashgamy" Turkmen Language, circulation 70,000 Atabaev Street #24 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan Tel: [9](9312) 46-68-95
"Turkmenistan" Turkmen Language, circulation 70,000 Atabaev Street #20 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 35-51-24
"Vatan" Turkmen Language, circulation 95,429 Atabaev Street #20 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 35-43-10 or 46-87-31
Magazines:
"Diyar" Turkmen Language, circulation 6,411 Atabaev Street #20 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744004 Tel: [9](9312) 35-53-97
"Financial News" Russian and English Language Atabaev Street #20 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744004 Tel: [9](9312) 39-42-76, 35-25-47, or 39-14-84
Regional Newspapers:
"Balkanskiye Vesti" Russian and Turkmen Languages, circulation 7,000 Pl. Pobeda #2 Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan 745005 Tel: (993)(243) 7-54-43
"Mariyskaya Pravda" Russian and Turkmen Language, circulation 25,500 Makhtumkuly Street #35 Mary, Turkmenistan 754000 Tel: (993)(522) 5-74-18
"Lebapskaya Pravda" Russian and Turkmen Language, circulation 26,437 Prospect Niyazova #44 Chardjou, Turkmenistan 746100 Tel: (993)(422) 2-37-41
"Dashhowuzskaya Pravda" Russian and Turkmen Language, circulation 15,000 Karl Marx Street #8 Dashkhowuz, Turkmenistan 746300 Tel: (993)(322) 2-48-96
Appendix F: Trade Event Schedule for 1998-1999
1. Trade Show of Syrian Consumer Goods Date: September 24 - October 5, 1998 Organized by: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan (CCI) 17 Karryev Street, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 35-41-74, 35-45-94 Fax: [9](9312) 35-53-81 City: Ashgabat
2. The Fourth Trade Show of Entrepreneurship of Turkmenistan Date: October 9-10, 1998 Organized by: CCI City: Ashgabat
3. Business Forum with the participation of businessmen from the United Arab Emirates Date: November 2-3, 1998 Organized by: CCI City: Ashgabat
4. Trade Show of Pipe Manufacturers from Russia Date: December 16-17, 1998 Organized by: CCI City: Ashgabat
5. The Fourth International Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference Date: March 10-12, 1999 Organized by: International Trade&Exhibitions (JV) Ltd. Byron House, 112A Shirland Road London, W9 2EQ, UK Tel: 44 (171) 306-0033 Fax: 44 (171) 306-0358 and CCI City: Ashgabat
6. International Trade Show "Ashgabat-99" (food, textile, telecommunications, medicine and other sectors) Date: April 12-15, 1999 Organized by: Negus Expo Firm Molostovykh Street, 2-1-4 Moscow, Russia 11578 Tel: (095) 286-4925 Fax: (095) 286-5025 or 300-4771 and CCI City: Ashgabat
For further information please contact the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan:
Margarita Akiniyazova (English Speaker) Trade Show Coordinator 17 Batyr Karryev Street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 Tel: [9](9312) 35-41-74, 35-45-94 Fax: [9](9312) 35-53-81 E-mail: ccitm@cat.glasnet.ru
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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.