Turkmenistan can provide 3,000 MW electricity to Pakistan, UrduPoint news outlet cites Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan Atajan Movlamov as saying on Tuesday.
The electricity would cost Pakistan almost half of its current energy price and help its industry to achieve better growth, the Ambassador added while giving a presentation to the business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on potential areas of bilateral cooperation between Turkmenistan and Pakistan.
Turkmen Ambassador identified 1840-km Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, 1635-km fibre optic line and power transmission line as potential areas of strong cooperation between Turkmenistan and Pakistan, adding that materialization of these mega project would bring multiple benefits to the economy of Pakistan. He said Turkmenistan will start construction of the TAPI gas pipeline this year up to the Herat province of Afghanistan. The diplomat noted that Turkmenistan could also supply LPG to Pakistan.
Movlamov said that Turkmenistan is expecting a visit of Pakistani business community after the COVID-19 pandemic to explore new avenues of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The Ambassador also emphasized that Turkmenistan considers Gwadar port and Karachi port very important to promote its trade and exports with other countries. He added that Afghanistan provided the shortest trade route to Pakistan for Turkmenistan and establishment of peace in Afghanistan would enable both countries to promote bilateral trade up to their actual potential.
He said Turkmenistan is keen to strengthen its trade ties with Pakistan, adding that Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan should consider signing a transit trade agreement.
Speaking at the event, ICCI President Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan said Pakistan and Turkmenistan should focus on developing strong business linkages between their private sectors to improve bilateral trade.
He added that after the coronavirus, ICCI would consider taking a delegation to Turkmenistan to explore new arease of bilateral cooperation.
During a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan in January, Vice-Premier Shamuhammet Durduliyev reported that the Turkmen section of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) power transmission line will be commissioned this year.
