Turkmenistan - The Times Of Central Asia

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Turkmenistan’s Public Sector Employees Pay Up to Care for Mulberry Silkworms, Cotton Fields

To cover the costs of silkworm care and the weeding of cotton, money is being collected from employees of state institutions in the Mary region, according to a report by Radio Azatlyk. According to a verbal order issued by the authorities, 100 manat is being collected from each government employee for the cost of silkworm care - and 30 manat for weeding. Many workers at state institutions are dissatisfied with yet another example of extortion, but say they have no choice but to comply. According to an employee of one local state organizations, if any employee refuses to hand over the money, a report will be written on him or her. Employees who don't agree with the collection of money are accused of opposing public policy, which can lead to their dismissal under various false pretexts. "It is already very difficult to find a job now. Therefore, the majority of public sector workers are forced to agree to submit to the authorities' next levies. If you write a report on one worker, the rest of them immediately agree to any demands," the anonymous government worker said. According to a presidential decree signed in February, Turkmenistan plans to produce 2,100 tons of silkworm cocoons this year. Meanwhile, cotton sowing projects also continue.

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Turkmenistan Ousts Uzbekistan from Tajikistan’s Market for Greenhouse Tomatoes

Turkmenistan has completely overtaken Uzbekistan in the market for greenhouse tomatoes in Tajikistan, according to a report by the EastFruit agricultural news portal. Analysis revealed that Turkmen tomatoes are winning due to competitive pricing and also, their attractive appearance and modern packaging. Despite problems related to the cultivation of tomatoes grown in Tajikistan's greenhouses this season, the price has remained at a record low for this time of the year. The average wholesale price for one kg is currently just $1.46 -- and further price reductions are expected in the near future, notes EastFruit. In Tajikistan, which currently imports the majority of greenhouse tomatoes it consumes, the wholesale price is significantly lower ($1.9 per kg) than in Uzbekistan, which is still the main regional exporter. The EastFruit portal notes that today, greenhouse tomato prices in Central Asian countries are not much lower than in Eastern European countries. It also reports that further development of energy-efficient greenhouse technologies will allow countries with colder climates to remain relatively highly competitive and moreover, local consumers are generally willing to pay more for the fresh taste of greenhouse-grown vegetables.

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USAID Funds Improved Water Management in Turkmenistan

On 2 May the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Committee for Water Resources of Turkmenistan launched a new metering system to measure water flow on the Karakum River near Ashgabat. Financed with a grant from USAID Central Asia’s Regional Water and Vulnerable Environment Activity, the system offers a powerful means by which the country can sustain water availability and build climate resilience. As reported by the U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan, by providing real-time data to the State Committee for Water Resources, the new system will enable a more efficient allocation of water to agriculture, households, and industry. The World Bank has forecast that because of climate change, the volume of water flowing from tributaries of the Amu Darya River into Turkmenistan could drop by 25% in July and August, and consequently could impact supplies of drinking water and water needed to produce wheat and cotton. Within this context, the new metering system will provide the invaluable information about flow rates and water withdrawals on the Karakum River and in turn, allow the government to advise farmers of the precise amount of water needed for crop growth.

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Strapped For Cash: Officials in Turkmenistan Have to Buy Watches With the Berdymukhamedovs’ Faces on Them

In Turkmenistan's Balkan province, heads of government agencies are being forced to buy wristwatches with the current president Serdar Berdymukhamedov and his father, the previous president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov on the face. They cost from 1,500 to 3,000 manats ($430-$860 at the state exchange rate or $75-$150 at the black-market rate), according to a report by Radio Azatlyk. The heads of all departments -- including healthcare, education, law enforcement, transport and communication companies -- at the velayat (regional) and etrap (district) levels are required to buy wristwatches with portraits of the Berdymukhamedovs elder and younger. The heads of higher-level offices were obliged to buy a commemorative watch with double portraits costing 3,000 manats, while the heads of small budgetary organizations will have to shell out 1,500 manats for the watch. According to Azatlyk, several different watches are available. The most expensive one has a portrait of Serdar Berdymukhamedov in a black tie on the left and his father Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, now chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People's Council), in a red tie on the right. The flag of Turkmenistan is placed at the top of the face, and there is a map of the country at the bottom. Other watches have only the portrait of Serdar Berdymukhamedov and a map, while the third watch has him with the flag and map. During the reign of independent Turkmenistan's first leader Saparmurat Niyazov, watches with his portrait were also produced and given as gifts to schoolchildren and employees of state-run and government agencies. A government worker from the town of Turkmenbashi told Azatlyk's correspondent: "We used to see watches with the president's image during Niyazov's time. It is not surprising that Serdar Berdymukhamedov has also started producing gift watches with his portrait on them. Now all that's left is for him to start installing statues to himself all over the country." "We already can't make ends meet because of constant extortions to buy books and [attend] various events," the frustrated worker added.

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Wages in Uzbekistan Continue to Rise in Early 2024

According to the Uzbek Statistics Agency, as of the end of the first quarter of 2024, the average monthly nominal salary in Uzbekistan reached $389. This translates to an increase of almost 20% compared to the same period last year. Average wages are among the highest in the capital of Tashkent ($640) and the Navoi region ($514). Workers in the banking, insurance, credit and professional services spheres earn the most, at $1,043 per month. In the IT sector, Uzbeks earn $925 on average. The lowest wages are traditionally paid to workers in education and healthcare; in the first quarter of 2024, their salaries averaged $269 and $253, respectively. Since 2019, average salaries in Uzbekistan have increased from $183 to $389. For 2023, all Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries saw an increase in average monthly wages. The highest rates of growth were recorded in Armenia and Belarus. Average wages in the CIS countries in 2023 were as follows (based on state statistics): 1. Tajikistan - 2,013.11 somoni ($183) 2. Uzbekistan - 4.5 million som ($360) 3. Turkmenistan - 1,200 manat ($360) 4. Kyrgyzstan - 33,664 som ($376) 5. Azerbaijan - 942 manat ($550) 6. Belarus - 1,991.2 rubles ($616.50) 7. Armenia - 266,990 dram ($660) 8. Russia - 73,709 rubles ($805) 9. Kazakhstan - 393,605 tenge ($874)

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Turkmenistan’s Gas and Türkiye’s Plans to Become a Gas Hub

By Robert M. Cutler A series of ongoing political consultations between Turkmenistan and Türkiye continued on 25–26 April, as a Turkmen delegation led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Gurbanov visited Ankara, hosted by Turkish counterpart Burak Akçapar. Beyond the regular bilateral agenda of political-diplomatic, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian cooperation, the two sides emphasized the implementation of bilateral agreements reached at the third Antalya Diplomatic Forum in early March, particularly the prospects for cooperation in the energy sector. On 1 March 2024, Turkmenistan and Türkiye signed two documents — a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and a letter of intent — aimed at strengthening cooperation in the natural gas sector. In theory, this seems to be a positive development for the two countries as well as for Europe. The two possible routes for Turkmen gas to reach Türkiye and Europe are (1) via the Caspian Sea and Azerbaijan, and (2) through Iran's existing pipeline infrastructure via a gas swap agreement. Neither one is likely to happen soon. The project to export Turkmen gas to Europe through a shore-to-shore high volume pipeline, at 31 billion cubic meters per year (bcm/y) is no longer alive after various parties have failed to realize it over the past quarter-century. It was bruited when it was announced that Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov planned to visit Brussels in late 2023 (which ended up not happening) and definitively killed when the initiative by American company Trans-Caspian Resources (headed by a retired U.S. ambassador to Turkmenistan) failed to persuade Ashgabat to construct short low-volume (8–11 bcm/y) "Platform Option" pipeline in the Caspian Sea. Gas "swaps" and Türkiye’s ambitions The idea of a "Turkish gas hub" arose from Russia's search to depoliticize trade between Gazprom and European firms by facilitating a platform where Gazprom's origination of the gas would be obscured and anonymized. Buyers and sellers could meet through Turkish intermediation. Türkiye, however, seeks to draw advantage by imposing the condition of long-term contracts with Gazprom for gas sales at below-market prices. This would guarantee a role for the Turkish intermediaries and, moreover, ensure for them a profit margin through mandatory service fees. "Swap" operations mean an exchange of gas amongst Turkmenistan, Iran and Azerbaijan; however, this would involve only a few billion cubic meters. Even if all participants agree, several questions still remain: Will swap transactions be profitable, given the price of gas in Europe? Even if Iran agreed to a Turkmen gas swap, would Tehran execute the agreement in good faith? In fact, Tehran would prefer to offer its own gas to Turkish and European markets, rather than transit competitive Turkmen gas through his territory. In addition, the gas that Azerbaijan produces for export already has contracted buyers under long-term agreements. Azerbaijan would be interested in the Turkish gas hub only if it should in future produce surpluses of gas that cannot be sold under long-term contracts. Then, such surpluses could be sold at a gas hub under short-term contracts, assuming that transit and profitability are...