BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 23. The global
industry is undergoing a profound structural transformation, driven
by the forces of digitalization, sustainability, and shifting
geopolitical dynamics. Industrial firms are swiftly integrating
technologies such as artificial intelligence, the industrial
Internet of Things, robotics, and big data analytics to enhance
productivity, lower costs, and mitigate the challenges posed by a
shortage of skilled labor. Simultaneously, the sector grapples with
environmental concerns, fragmented global supply chains, and
increasing geopolitical risks.
In recent years, Turkmenistan's industrial sector has
demonstrated consistent growth, a trend attributed to both
government initiatives aimed at developing processing industries
and the strong performance of key specialized enterprises. From
January to November 2025, the sector surpassed its planned targets
by 5.2%. Notably, the Ministry of Industry and Construction
achieved 109.2% of its projected output, while the Ministry of
Energy exceeded expectations with 110.7%. Leveraging its abundant
energy and raw material resources, Turkmenistan continues to build
upon these assets to expand its processing sector.
A particularly significant development within the country's
industrial landscape is the notable increase in the production of
construction materials and textiles. Between January and June 2025,
cement production saw a nearly 50% rise, while the output of rebar
and other metal structures surged by more than 58% compared to the
same period in 2024. Furthermore, cotton yarn production grew by
22.6%, and the output of cotton fabrics increased by 27.3%
year-on-year.
At the same time, the chemical industry remains a key component
of the country’s industrial complex. The largest enterprises under
the state conglomerate Turkmenhimiya exceeded their planned targets
for the period from January through November 2025 by 5%. Japanese
companies play an active role in the development of Turkmenistan’s
chemical sector. For example, the construction of a new urea and
ammonia production complex in the Kiyanly area, valued at more than
$1.3 billion, is being implemented under an agreement between
Turkmenhimiya and the Japanese companies Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries, Ltd., and Mitsubishi Corporation. Another major
Japanese industrial company, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, recently
told Trend
about its active presence in Turkmenistan. A company representative
noted that “We are primarily focused on modernizing industry, but
we aim to use our solutions to expand activities into other sectors
as well.”
In the context of transitioning to zero-waste production, the
country has highlighted an initiative by President Serdar
Berdimuhamedov at the 2024 BRICS summit, where he supported the
concept of a circular economy, aiming to keep materials and
products in the production cycle for as long as possible while
minimizing waste and pollution. The importance of this initiative
was also noted by Hiroyuki Tsubaya, Chairman of the
Japan-Turkmenistan Committee on Economic Cooperation, during his
meeting with Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Japan, Atadurdy Bayramov,
on January 21, 2026, in Tokyo.
In recent years, Turkmenistan has established a comprehensive
legislative framework to regulate its industrial sector. The Law on
State Support for Small and Medium Enterprises, enacted in 2009,
introduced incentives to foster the growth of small and
medium-sized industrial enterprises. In 2010, the Law on the Union
of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan was adopted,
while the 2014 Law on Foreign Economic Activity paved the way for
enterprises to access international markets. Looking ahead to 2026,
key priorities include implementing quality control measures in
construction, advancing building materials and textile production,
expanding the private sector, and boosting export deliveries.
Today, Turkmenistan’s industrial sector is characterized by a
mix of operational production capacities, modernized enterprises,
and new projects aimed at increasing output and enhancing product
quality. Moving forward, the sector's success will hinge on the
ability of enterprises to adapt to evolving global trends,
integrate advanced technologies, improve energy efficiency, and
diversify their product offerings. This will, in turn, strengthen
Turkmenistan's competitiveness in both domestic and international
markets, ensuring the sustainable long-term growth of the
industrial sector.
