On 16 - 21 September 2024, Mr. Psusist Wongsurawat, Minister attached to the Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs, led a delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to visit Turkmenistan to promote bilateral relations and explore business opportunities between Thailand and Turkmenistan.

          The Thai delegation had various bilateral meetings with high-ranking representatives of the Turkmen government agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Relations and the State Frontier Service. Both sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations especially through exchanges of high-level visits, establishment of political consultations, economic cooperation, as well as promotion of people-to-people contacts and engagement between private sectors from both countries.

          Furthermore, the Thai delegation had discussions with high-level executives of Turkmen private entities, including the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Turkmengaz, the national oil and gas company of Turkmenistan, and received briefings on the trade and investment potential of Turkmenistan. Both sides also exchanged views on ways to promote more engagement between the private sectors especially through participation in investment forums and international trade exhibitions.

         The Thai delegation also paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mohd Suhaimi Bin Ahmad Tajuddin, Ambassador of Malaysia to Turkmenistan and had a meeting with the President of Malaysia’s Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS). Malaysia is the only ASEAN member country with a diplomatic mission and investment in Turkmenistan.

          In addition, the Thai delegation was invited to attend the Exhibition of Economic Achievements of Turkmenistan on the 33^rd Anniversary of the Independence of Turkmenistan organized by the Government of Turkmenistan to showcase the country’s success story in economic development.

          Turkmenistan is one of the fastest-growing economies in Central Asia, with a GDP growth of 6.2% in 2023. The country has the world’s fourth largest natural gas reserves. In addition, Turkmenistan has its strategic location in linking Asia and Europe through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).