OREANDA-NEWS. June 17, 2009. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’ address at the ceremony of putting first facilities in Avaza national tourism zone into operation

On the coast of ancient Khazar the grandiose festivities on occasion of putting the first health-improving centres in Avaza national tourism zone into operation took part with the participation of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

This outstanding event marking the birth of the new international tourism centre is of imperishable importance for the wellbeing of the Motherland, happiness and welfare of the Turkmen people.

Addressing the participants and guests of the ceremony Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov congratulated them on the remarkable event. The Turkmen leader said that June 15 was a truly historic day in the national calendar. It would add a golden page to the chronicle of Turkmenistan and symbolized the birth of Avaza – the new international seaside resort with the status of a free economic zone to facilitate development of tourism industry.The Turkmen leader said that two years had passed since this project of an unprecedented scale – a bright symbol of the epoch of New Revival of Turkmenistan, an illustrative example of the fundamental reforms going on in the country that had taken the road of progress and constructive endeavours was launched. Today the wonderful health-improving centres – a visible result of the reforms aimed at laying the firm foundation for economic wellbeing of the Turkmen state, the high standards of living of the Turkmen people had sprung up there. The President noted that shortly after opening the fashionable hotels several tourism facilities would be put into operation in the littoral region.Touching upon the prospects for development of Avaza, which had a special place in Turkmenistan’s strategic plans for the next ten years, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that this project was to accumulate the latest achievements of architectural and engineering thoughts, creative ideas. The firms and companies operating the free economic zone enjoyed significant tax and customs privileges. The President said that by abiding by the open-door policy and creating the favourable investment climate in the country Turkmenistan sought long-term cooperation and emphasized that the essential principles of this cooperation were economic efficiency that allowed receiving mutual benefit and environmental safety of joint projects.

Presenting the concept of development of Avaza national tourism zone the Turkmen leader informed that the total cost of the facilities under construction on the Caspian Sea coast exceeded US\\$ 1.5 billion. Construction of the new airport, highways, gas turbine power station, desalination unit, sewage plants, water distribution networks had got into full swing.

The second stage of development of the tourism zone, which had been expanded up to 5,000 hectares, provided for construction of 10-15 sanatoriums and world-class hotels. Special attention would be given to the establishment of full-scale recreation and entertainment industries – construction of aqua parks, yacht and sports clubs, restaurants, campsites and attractions of all sorts, shopping centres. The 7-km navigation river would cross the territory of the seaside resort. The recreation area, which would host sports competitions in kayaks and canoes, sailing regattas, would spread on both banks of the river.

The seaport would be completely reconstructed and cruise ships, yachts and other vessels would replenish the national fleet. Turkmenbashi town would became one of the largest transit node points on the North-South transnational trunk railway under construction by Turkmenistan, Iran and Kazakhstan and the shortest route between Europe and South Asia. The third project stage provided for creation of Turkmen ‘Las Vegas’ with numerous casinos and entertainment centres.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that thus a new life would come to Turkmenbashi town situated on the shore of the Caspian Sea nearby which a new city with comfortable apartment houses and necessary infrastructure would be built.

The President emphasized that Turkmenistan had the profound potential to develop tourism industry. The age-old history, unique culture of the Turkmen people, diversity of natural landscapes, archeological monuments – all of these attracted numerous tourists to Turkmenistan from all over the world and this interest increased with every passing day. The Caspian region had lots of the landmarks that provide the vast opportunities to implement a variety of projects as well as the potential of international partnership.

The culmination of the event: the President cut the ribbon and entered the spacious hall of the hotel. There everything was ready for the TV Bridge, which would connect Vatanchy Hotel with two construction sites on the seashore.