National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov spoke at the Turkmen-Korean business forum. The text of the speech is provided by TDH.

“Dear President of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Yoon Seok Yeol!

Dear guests!

Dear forum participants!

Today we are hosting a Turkmen-Korean business forum, and taking this opportunity, I express my gratitude to the President of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Yun Seok Yeol, for his participation in it and for his special attention to building up the bilateral dialogue.

It should be noted that the forum brought together Turkmen and Korean businessmen, as well as representatives of leading companies.

As is known, over the past time, cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea has significantly intensified. Such positive dynamics are inherent in political-diplomatic, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian ties, which have reached a higher level and received new content. To date, 105 documents relating to various areas have been signed between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea, of which 26 are interstate and intergovernmental, 79 are interdepartmental. In recent years, bilateral trade and economic partnership, which is constructive, has also strengthened significantly. There are 13 enterprises registered in our country with capital participation from the Republic of Korea.
Currently, there are 14 investment projects in Turkmenistan with the participation of Korean companies, the amount of which exceeds 11 billion US dollars, including:

1. Construction of a plant for purifying gas from sulfur at the Galkynyş field.
2. Construction of a gas chemical complex for the production of polyethylene and polypropylene in Gyyanly.
3. Modernization of the Turkmenbashy oil processing complex.
4. Purchase of 1 thousand 630 units of buses and 300 units of Hyundai taxi cars.
At the same time, at the Balkan shipbuilding and ship repair plant with the participation of Koryo Shipbuilding Industry Technology Co., Ltd. Construction of two cargo ships continues.

Dear forum participants!

Relations between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea are unique; fruitful interaction continues through the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Korean Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation, as well as the Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group “Republic of Korea-Turkmenistan”, which have been working successfully for many years. Similar dynamics are observed on the sidelines of the Central Asia–Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum, where the most important decisions were made in various fields. Active contacts are carried out not only in a bilateral format, but also within the framework of international structures, including the United Nations.

In this context, mention should be made of the 9th meeting of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Korean Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation, which was held on June 3, 2024 in a video conference format. Then the parties focused on joint work in the following areas:

– cooperation in the fields of trade and investment, the chemical and oil and gas industries, shipbuilding, in the fields of transport and logistics, healthcare and the pharmaceutical industry, culture and education;
– establishing a constructive partnership between entrepreneurs and businessmen of the two countries;
– holding the Turkmen-Korean business forum in Ashgabat on June 11 this year, in which we are currently participating.

Dear friends!

As is known, a Memorandum of Understanding was proposed for signing between the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Government of Turkmenistan on the formation of a framework in the field of promoting trade and investment, which includes energy and industry, trade and investment, green and digital economy.

The parties emphasized the importance of consistent constructive cooperation between the two countries in the field of energy and in this regard noted that the development of the IV stage of the Galkynyş gas field will have a significant impact on the development of the gas industry of Turkmenistan. A Framework Agreement between the State Concern Türkmengas and Hyundai Engineering Co., Ltd. Has also been prepared for signing within the framework of the state visit of the President of the Republic of Korea. Based on this, they signed a Framework Agreement on cooperation at the IV stage of the Galkynyş gas field for the design, construction “with the condition of construction with full readiness” of wells, commercial gas treatment facilities with a production capacity of 10 billion cubic meters per year and its acquisition.

During the meeting, the Turkmen side also focused on bringing the polymer plant in Gyyanly to full production capacity. Based on the results of the Agreement on conducting a comprehensive technical audit at the polymer plant in Gyyanly, signed between the State Concern Türkmenhimiýa and Hyundai Engineering Co., Ltd., interest was expressed in implementing a project to increase its production capacity. In this context, a Cooperation Agreement was signed between the State Concern Türkmenhimiýa and the Korean company Hyundai Engineering Co., Ltd. On the implementation of the necessary measures for the successful commissioning and stable operation of the polymer plant in Gyyanly.

Dear forum participants!

In order to expand interaction between the business circles of the two countries, it is planned to organize business forums, exhibitions and trade fairs, as well as joint events, in particular, international conferences in both Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea.

We will also continue financial partnership for the implementation of upcoming projects with the participation of the Export-Import Bank, the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation, the State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs of Turkmenistan and Korean companies.

Dear friends!

Agreements were also reached on other key areas of bilateral cooperation, in particular, in the field of deepening cooperation between the Scientific and Clinical Center of Oncology, the Emergency Ambulance Center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan and Chilgok Hospital at Kyungpook National University of the Republic of Korea.

Among the important points of joint efforts are the organization of cultural events with the participation of cultural figures and artists of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea – Culture Days, festivals, concerts and exhibitions, as well as the exchange of experience in using the capabilities of the latest technologies in this area.

I would like to note that in recent years in Turkmenistan, the interest of young people in learning the Korean language has increased. A clear example of this is the teaching of the Korean language and the opening of specialized departments in higher educational institutions of our country. The Korean Educational Center named after King Sejong also operates successfully in Ashgabat. We will make every effort to bring our peoples closer together, strengthening bilateral cultural and humanitarian ties.

Dear conference participants!

I am confident that the results of this forum will give a significant impetus to the development of Turkmen-Korean relations!

In conclusion, I once again express my gratitude to the President of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Yoon Seok Yeol, and the Korean delegation.”