Discusses the legal requirements for selling to the host government, including whether the government has agreed to abide by the WTO Government Procurement Agreement or is a party to a government procurement chapter in a U.S. FTA. Specifies areas where there are opportunities.
Last Published: 7/21/2019

Many governments finance public works projects through borrowing from the multilateral development banks. Please refer to the “Project Financing” Section in “Trade and Project Financing” for more information.
Turkmenistan’s economy is dominated by the state-owned sector. In 2002, the country introduced unified tender rules for all public entities. The rules apply to procurement of goods and services, including construction projects. The tender rules permit closed tenders. In 2014, Turkmenistan adopted the Law on Tenders, which seeks to develop competition among bidders, ensure transparency and effective implementation of tender procedures, and compliance with international standards. Turkmenistan does not have a centralized procurement body, and individual government agencies and state-owned companies conduct their own tenders. Comparable goods are often purchased at different prices by different organizations. Tender processes are not transparent, and falsification of bids and cancellation of tender results can and do occur. Companies with a strong market presence or that are in good standing with the government have a higher chance of being selected. Often the determining factor in awarding contracts is price, not value. Tender winners receive bid approval by the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange.  Most open tenders are announced only in local outlets or for the oil and gas sector at http://www.oilgas.gov.tm/en/. Turkmenistan’s National Program for Socio-Economic Development for the period 2011-2030 and its Oil and Gas Industry Development Program (current-2030) provide a general idea of Turkmenistan’s strategic development plans for specific industries.

Multilateral Development Banks (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Asian Development Bank, World Bank)
The U.S. Commercial Service maintains commercial liaison offices in each of the main multilateral development banks, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Asian Development Bank, and the World Bank. These institutions lend billions of dollars in developing countries on projects aimed at accelerating economic growth and social development by reducing poverty and inequality, improving health and education, and advancing infrastructure development. The commercial liaison offices help American businesses learn how to get involved in bank-funded projects, and advocate on behalf of American bidders. Learn more by contacting the commercial liaison offices to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development extends  loans to private businesses in Turkmenistan.

Web Resources
Commercial Liaison Office to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Commercial Liaison Office to Asian Development Bank
Commercial Liaison Office to the World Bank
 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.


More Information

Turkmenistan Business to Government Legislation