The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) plans to expand its investment activities in Turkmenistan, with a focus on supporting the private sector, transport infrastructure and logistics. This was announced by Erik Livny, Head of the EBRD Resident Office in Turkmenistan, in a special interview with Azerbaijan’s Trend news agency.

According to Erik Livny, one of the bank’s priorities is to strengthen cooperation with private enterprises and local financial institutions. In this regard, the EBRD intends to resume direct financing for private companies that earn revenue in foreign currency and focus on exports. This opportunity is also envisaged in the Memorandum of Cooperation signed with the Central Bank of Turkmenistan in July 2026.

The first investment projects are expected to involve companies operating in the processing industry, agriculture, logistics and export-oriented services. The bank is also exploring opportunities to establish cooperation with commercial banks in Turkmenistan in order to expand lending to small and medium-sized enterprises.

The EBRD also attaches particular importance to the development of transport and logistics infrastructure. Priority projects in this area include modernising certain sections of the railway network, increasing the capacity of freight infrastructure and improving logistics operations along the international Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor.

The head of the bank’s resident office in Turkmenistan also noted that there are opportunities to expand cooperation in renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, reducing emissions, water supply and waste management.

As Erik Livny emphasised, the bank’s objective is not limited to making investments using its own funds. The EBRD also aims to act as a partner that helps attract additional international capital and the expertise of experienced professionals to Turkmenistan.

According to him, if the agreements reached are implemented and a portfolio of promising investment projects is established, the bank’s activities in Turkmenistan could be expanded gradually in the coming years.

According to the bank, since beginning its cooperation with Turkmenistan in 1992, the EBRD has financed 87 projects. The total amount of investment allocated to these projects has reached 322 million euros.

It should be recalled that in July 2026, during the visit of EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso to Turkmenistan, the parties signed five memoranda of understanding aimed at developing cooperation. The documents cover areas including banking, energy, environmental protection, transport infrastructure and urban development.