Off-site Cabinet of Ministers Meeting Held in Balkan Province: New Milestones of Development and Important Decisions

On May 8, an off-site meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers was held under the leadership of President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov. During the meeting, performance indicators of the industrial, agricultural, trade, and cultural-humanitarian sectors of the Balkan province were analyzed, and future tasks were defined. Economic Growth and Industrial Capacity According to the results of the first four months of 2026, the volume of industrial production in Balkan province increased by 6.6%. Key growth indicators include: - Oil refining: 4.4% growth; - Electricity: 4% growth; - Mineral fertilizers: increased 2.1 times; - Vegetable production: increased 1.5 times. Modernization in the Oil and Gas Sector During the meeting, the Head of State signed an important Decree aimed at modernizing the oil and gas industry. According to the document, a new "Kenar" pumping station and a seawater desalination plant with a capacity of 15,000 cubic meters per day will be built for the Turkmenbashy Complex of Oil Refineries (TCOR). International Cooperation and "Awaza" Balkan province, particularly the "Awaza" National Tourist Zone, will become a center for major international events in the fall of 2026. According to the plan: - October 8: Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asian countries and the Republic of Azerbaijan; - October 9: Meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State. Additionally, high-level meetings regarding Caspian Sea ecology and regional water issues are planned. Education and Diplomacy: New Initiatives To further enhance the international prestige of Turkmenistan, a Department of Peace and Neutrality is being established at the Institute of International Relations (IIR). Starting from the 2026-2027 academic year, it is planned to train Masters in this field and cooperate with the UN University for Peace. Transport and Logistics To expand the region's logistical capabilities, the importance of continuing ship construction and repair work at the "Balkan" shipyard and ship repair plant was noted. Specific instructions were given to further increase the transit capacity of the "Turkmenbashy" and "Balkanabat" international airports. At the end of the meeting, the President emphasized the importance of steadily improving the living standards of the region's population and maintaining strict control over the quality of construction of new buildings and facilities.