Turkmen–Turkish relations have gained new momentum in recent years, with cooperation between the two countries reaching a broader level. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, interaction in trade, energy, construction, transport, and humanitarian fields has steadily intensified. Today, Turkey is one of Turkmenistan’s key economic partners, and the institutional framework for cooperation is reinforced through the Organization of Turkic States, its Economic Council, as well as multilateral platforms such as ECO and the United Nations.
One of the important steps in this direction will be the 12th Turkish Export Products Exhibition, scheduled to take place in Ashgabat on February 10–12, 2026. The event is organized with the participation of the Turkmen Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Trade of Turkey, and aims to expand direct contacts between the business communities of both countries. As of January 2026, more than 100 Turkish companies had registered to participate — significantly more than the 70+ companies at the 2024 exhibition.
The exhibition covers a wide range of sectors: industrial equipment, construction materials, pharmaceuticals, textiles, food products, household appliances, and chemical goods. This demonstrates Turkey’s intention not only to increase exports but also to strengthen its long-term presence in key sectors of Turkmenistan’s economy.
The exhibition coincides with an official visit to Ashgabat by Turkey’s Minister of Trade, Ömer Bolat. His program includes attending the opening ceremony and holding meetings with the leadership of Turkmenistan’s economic agencies.
At the end of January 2026, Turkey’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Ahmet Demirok, announced Ankara’s intention to simplify customs and logistics procedures in a trilateral format with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. During the minister’s visit, practical mechanisms for implementing this initiative, as well as measures to increase bilateral trade turnover, are expected to be discussed.
These steps are a logical continuation of the active intergovernmental contacts of recent years. In December 2025, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Ashgabat to participate in the International Forum dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality. Following the visit, Erdoğan announced Turkey’s plans to increase bilateral trade from the current $2 billion to $5 billion.
Since Turkmenistan’s independence, Turkish companies have implemented more than 1,000 projects in the country with a total value exceeding $54 billion. Currently, 19 projects worth around $10 billion are underway. The main areas of Turkish investment remain construction, energy, textiles, and infrastructure. According to the Eurasian Development Bank, Turkmenistan accounts for the largest share of Turkey’s total investments in Central Asia. Among major projects is Ankara’s $1.1 billion investment, including the construction of the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan (TAP) power transmission line.
Logistics is a key practical dimension of Turkmen–Turkish cooperation. The Turkmenistan–Azerbaijan–Turkey trilateral route forms an important link in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor (the Middle Corridor). Through the port of Turkmenbashi, cargo is shipped to Baku and then transported via the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway to Turkey and onward to European markets. This route helps diversify transport chains and reduces dependence on alternative directions.
Logistics development is complemented by institutional mechanisms within the Organization of Turkic States, of which Turkmenistan became a full member in 2022. Member states promote initiatives to simplify trade procedures, digitize transit, and create unified logistics solutions, including the e-Permit electronic system. Additional legal support is provided by bilateral agreements between Turkey and Turkmenistan, as well as memorandums on developing the Middle Corridor signed between 2022 and 2025.
In the broader regional context, Turkmen–Turkish cooperation aligns with Ankara’s strategy to expand its economic presence in Central Asia. Key tools for strengthening Turkey’s presence include investment projects, participation of Turkish companies in infrastructure construction, and the development of transport corridors linking the region to European markets. In this system, Turkmenistan stands out as a crucial logistics hub and one of the largest platforms for Turkish business in the region.
Thus, the upcoming Turkish Export Products Exhibition in Ashgabat and the visit of the Minister of Trade are not isolated events but part of a consistent strategy to deepen Turkmen–Turkish economic partnership. Against the backdrop of stable trade turnover, a significant investment portfolio, and active regional transport initiatives, these steps reflect the parties’ intention to transform political agreements into practical economic cooperation.
