Editorial
Turkmenistan is a country to take notice of for the next 20 years, as it is going to be a state that is increasing connections by trading its energy-rich hydrocarbon resources with the outside world hence playing the role of creating a peaceful and stable region for our
future generations. The country is currently having production of 80 bcm of gas per year and proven reserves for 32 trillion cubic meters.
The latest official report available from the International Monetary Fund(IMF) on the macroeconomic data of Turkmenistan highlights economic growth of approximately 10 percent both in 2013 and 2014. A progression, according to observers, that is due, above all, to the hydrocarbons sector and to significant public and foreign investments, which, in recent years, are a feature of this sector.
However, one needs to understand that how this goal of peace and development in the region will be achieved by Turkmenistan and what are the initiatives that the country is taking to make this happen. Turkmenistan is utilizing its wealth of extraction of hydrocarbons through pipelines, electricity generation, and building communication infrastructure with the neighboring states, facing the dearth of energy resources and
looking for ways to meet the growing demands of energy requirements. Turkmenistan’s neighborhood is marred with the complexity of terrorism and an entrenched web of conflicts of various natures and intensities.
The country is not only outreaching to the neighboring states for providing opportunities for getting high valued resources in order to make the factories and mills work smoothly.
These energy pipelines, electricity transmission lines, rails, and roads will create new jobs and hence peace and prosperity in the region facing a dearth of development.
Several projects are underway including the construction of unconventional links between the states and the use of effective and correct energy diplomacy with the states has made Turkmenistan a nucleus for the international and world energy web. Four major energy transmitting routes, one to Russia and Europe, the second one to Iran, a third one, the most important, to China(three transmission lines for the economic giant) are underway,
and the fourth route is the famous TAPI.
The country is working on the domestic pipeline for East-West which will connect Turkmen gas fields to facilitate its energy exports. As one scholar puts it Turkmenistan has given
new meaning to the mantra “happiness is multiple pipelines” but the country is generous enough to share the happiness with the people of the region too, hence creating lasting impacts on livelihoods.
Regarding constructing communications lines, IranTurkmenistan-Kazakhstan railroad, Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan the rail line, and various other projects like these are under consideration to make Turkmenistan reach out to the largest consumer markets and improve its economic outreach. If the dream of Turkmenistan to become the nucleus
of the energy sector will be true then it will convert into a gateway for peace, prosperity, and development for not only its own citizens but across the region.
Turkmenistan and Pakistan together joined CAREC (Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation) in 2010 while last year Turkmenistan also joined Basic Multilateral
Agreement on International Transport for Development of the Europe-the Caucasus-Asia Corridor. Joining these two forums is meant to boost the country’s integration with
intercontinental transport corridors.
The country is a link between Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and SouthEastern Europe, Asia, and beyond. Turkmenistan is at crossroads for a great many interests related to gas and, it can be said, without the risk of distortion, the new energy Silk Road goes through Ashgabat.
