On May 12-13, Ashgabat will host the International Forum on Attracting Investments to the Oil and Gas Sector of Turkmenistan.

The meeting, timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's independence, will bring together leading market players, financiers, scientists and experts who will present ideas and analytical conclusions on current trends in the development of the fuel and energy sector and geopolitics.

The Chinese company CNPC, which ranks 3rd in the list of the world's 50 largest oil and gas companies, and 4th in the TOP-500 companies in the world, is the gold sponsor of the event, according to “Nebit-Gaz”.

On July 17, 2007, during the visit of the President of Turkmenistan to China, a Production Sharing Agreement for the “Bagtyyarlyk” contract area and a contract for the purchase and sale of natural gas between the State Concern “Turkmengas” and CNPC were signed. According to these documents, for 35 years the Chinese company will carry out full-scale work on research, development and production of natural gas in the “Bagtyyarlyk” contract area, as well as supply Turkmen natural gas to the PRC.

CNPC also pays great attention to the social component of the partnership, namely, contributes to the development of the sports movement in Turkmenistan, takes part in the provision of professional education to Turkmen youth in higher educational institutions of the PRC, the source notes.