Turkmenistan expands exports of non-primary and intermediate goods

Expert Trapeznikov noted that the country increased the export of electricity, fertilizers, textiles, petrochemical products, the gasoline of natural gas.

Foreign trade of Turkmenistan for the first 7 months of this year showed good dynamics. Now the country continues to increase exports of locally produced goods, to commission new enterprises in various industries. CentralAsia.news interviewed Valentin Trapeznikov, an observer of Turkmenistan’s economy, to find out how the country managed to expand its export potential.

Valentin, what is the basis of Turkmenistan’s exports?

The basis of exports of Turkmenistan, which possesses one of the world’s largest reserves of hydrocarbon resources — gas and oil, are products of the fuel and energy complex (FEC).

What about the situation with the export potential of other industries?

This year, the volume of exports without fuel and energy resources increased by 8% compared to the previous year. At the same time, the share of this product group in the total export of the country increased from 9,9% to 14,6%.

The highest growth rates of the value of export supplies in comparison to the previous year belong to electricity — more than 2.5 times, fertilizers — 73,4%, sulfur — 43,3%, soap, and detergents — 43%, raw silk — 33,7%, iodine — 27%, finished textiles — 23,1%.

What are the reasons for the expansion of exports of non-primary and intermediate goods?

The significant increase in electricity exports was reached due to the commissioning of new power generating facilities, including a combined steam and gas power plant on the territory of the Mary HPS, which has a significantly higher efficiency compared to existing power facilities.

Construction of new and reconstruction of existing chemical enterprises, including the plants «Marykarbamid», «Garabogazkarbamid», Garlyk mining and processing plant for the production of potash fertilizers, a workshop for the production of sulfuric acid at the Turkmenabat chemical plant and iodine-bromine production, predetermined the growth of exports of fertilizers and iodine… Products of inorganic chemistry and pharmaceuticals are also exported to the foreign market.

The accelerated development of the textile industry makes it possible to increase the export potential in this direction as well. In addition to the above-mentioned finished textiles and raw silk, significant volumes of cotton yarn, fabrics, and wool are supplied to the foreign market too.

What can you tell us about the export of petrochemical products?

Supply of household chemicals made of plastics to the external market increased by 5 times, plastic pipes, rods and fittings — almost 1.5 times, physical volumes of polypropylene export increased by more than 19%. All this is a consequence of the accelerated development of the industrial infrastructure, the leading enterprises such as the gas chemical complex in Kiyanly and the Turkmenbashi complex of oil refineries (TCOR) in the Balkan province.

Moreover, small and medium-sized private enterprises for the production of plastic products, using the products of these complexes as raw materials, are put into operation.

What is the reason for the growth in exports of gasoline of natural gas?

The commissioning of a high-tech enterprise for the production of gasoline of natural gas in the Akhal province in June 2019 made it possible to significantly increase the production of this type of eco-friendly product and its exports. So, in 2020, the physical and cost volumes of exports of gasoline made of natural gas increased by more than 20 times.

What else stimulates the growth of the export potential of Turkmenistan?

Agricultural and food products play an important role in the relevant direction. The export of vegetable products grows at an impressive rate. The supply of vegetables to the foreign market in the analyzed period increased by 1.7 times, and the supply of tomatoes almost doubled. The export of fruit and vegetable juices increased by 2.7-3 times. Bulgarian pepper, melons and other types of vegetables and melons are also exported.

Vegetable oil, confectionery, canned fruits and vegetables are also exported. The export of small volumes of eggs has resumed this year.

Thus, the non-resource and processing sectors of the economy, including enterprises of the electric power industry, oil and gas chemistry, chemical, pharmaceutical, textile and food industries, as well as agricultural and agro-industrial industries, increase their export potential and participate in foreign economic relations of Turkmenistan.

08 10 2020, 08:16
Photo source: CentralAsia.news

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