Turkmenistan is stepping up efforts to strengthen its integration into international and regional economic ties. Regional initiatives are playing an important role in this process, including the GIZ project “Trade Facilitation in Central Asia/Capacity Development for the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor.”
In an interview with NeutralTurkmenistan, project manager Judith Blank explained how the initiative has been tailored to the specific strategic priorities of Turkmenistan’s economy.
The regional trade facilitation project has been implemented since 2024 under a Memorandum of Understanding between the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan, with financial support from the German Government through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The project’s main objective is to make cross-border trade in Central Asia more efficient through common regional approaches, modern digital solutions and the development of international transport routes. Particular attention is being paid to reducing administrative procedures, speeding up the movement of goods across borders and introducing international standards.
In November 2025, a programme to develop the capacity and connectivity of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor was launched under a trilateral agreement between the European Union, Germany and France. The new “Capacity Development for the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor” programme is being implemented by GIZ together with Expertise France, with co-financing from the European Union.
Project partners in Turkmenistan
The Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations is the project’s main partner in Turkmenistan.
Key partners also include the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan, the Plant Quarantine Service under the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as relevant ministries and agencies in the transport sector.
Consultations are also under way with the State Agency for Maritime and River Transport of Turkmenistan and the Turkmenbashi International Seaport.
Implementing the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement standards
This year, an Interagency Working Group on Trade Facilitation was established in Turkmenistan, following advisory and technical support provided to the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations.
The group was established in line with Article 23.2 of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, which calls for the creation of national committees on trade facilitation.
The introduction of international approaches to expedited cargo clearance and the use of artificial intelligence are among the key areas of cooperation with the State Customs Service.
Representatives of customs authorities from Central Asian countries, including Turkmenistan, regularly take part in online training sessions on the organization of expedited shipments. At regional conferences held in September 2025 and June 2026, Turkmen customs specialists presented their experience in the digitalization of customs operations.
National ePhyto system
The project is supporting the Plant Quarantine Service in introducing the international ePhyto system for electronic phytosanitary certificates. Software for Turkmenistan’s national ePhyto system is currently being developed.
The first tests of the system are planned for the second half of 2026.
At the same time, Turkmenistan continues work towards accession to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).
Turkmen transport companies actively involved in the project
The project is making a significant contribution to strengthening the professional capacity of private transport and logistics companies in Turkmenistan by supporting the participation of Turkmen specialists in various training programmes and forums.
Examples include the participation of Turkmen women in the first conference of the international Women in Transport network in January 2025; a visit by Turkmen customs officials and logistics specialists to Germany in August 2025 to study modern approaches to warehouse infrastructure and multimodal transportation; and a training programme for representatives of the Türkmen Logistika Association in November 2025 aimed at strengthening professional capacity and improving the quality of logistics services.
Turkmenistan’s transit potential within the Trans-Caspian Corridor
The development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor is one of the priorities of the new regional programme, “Trade Facilitation in Central Asia/Capacity Development for the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor.”
In March 2026, representatives of GIZ and Expertise France visited the Turkmenbashi International Seaport to identify areas for cooperation. The objective is to make more effective use of Turkmenistan’s transit potential as part of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor.
To achieve this, the project and the Turkmen side have outlined several specific areas for joint work: reviewing and improving the legal framework, developing human resources, advancing digitalization and supporting public-private partnership projects.
These efforts are expected to improve the efficiency of multimodal transport, reduce administrative barriers, speed up cargo clearance and make the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor more attractive to international carriers.
Overall, the programme is aimed at creating a modern and interconnected transport and logistics system across Central Asia. For Turkmenistan, this means strengthening its role as an important transit hub between Europe and Asia, expanding digital trade tools, introducing international standards and deepening cooperation with regional and European partners. ///nCa, 21 August 2026