President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov is on a working trip to the Balkan Velayat. During the visit the Turkmen leader visited the construction sites in the Avaza national tourism zone – a world class resort created on the ecologically pure coast of the Caspian Sea.

In the morning the President’s plane landed in the airport of Turkmenbashi town. The local high-ranking officials, elders and clergy greeted the Turkmen leader at the airport.

Greeting the participants of the meeting the President talked with the elders about the everyday concerns, expectations and plans of the people of the Balkan Velayat. On behalf of the local people the elders thanked Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for the active and effective support and assistance in developing the region, the concern for the people. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov replied that the worthy living conditions and welfare of the Turkmen people was a priority of the national policy as set forth in the 2008-2020 National Programme on improvement of the social and living conditions in rural areas and the 2008-2012 Conception on Social and Economic Development of the Balkan Velayat approved by the Special Resolution of the President of Turkmenistan. In the nearest future the development conceptions would be designed for each region that would enable to bring national economy up to a higher level and considerably improve the quality of life in Turkmenistan.

The national development programmes assigned a crucial role to the Caspian region. The resource potential of unique reserves and diversity, favourable geographical location, favourable climatic and natural conditions for developing tourism and recreation industry, industrial infrastructure – these and other peculiarities of Balkan allowed receiving the return on heavy investments quite promptly. Newly-established Esenguly Etrap became a stepping stone of the large-scale reform process. The reforms that had come to this remote part of Turkmenistan aroused the incredible public and labour enthusiasm in the western region.

The Avaza National Project closely interrelated with the strategic plans of Turkmenistan’s development for the next ten years was of paramount significance for the littoral region as well as the country. The project of the unprecedented scale and paramount significance became a reference point of a landmark approach to implementation of Turkmenistan’s profound resource and economic potential through a heavy influx of foreign investment in recreation and tourism industry and the social and economic spheres.

There was very requisite for the largest spa and tourist resort created in Avaza on the Caspian Sea coast to become a new symbol of fruitful international partnership, embodiment of the policy of peaceableness, good neighbourliness and creation pursued by independent neutral Turkmenistan. Today Avaza – a special free market zone with the preferred visa, customs and tax treatment.

There the world-class health-improving centres – hotels, sanatoriums, holiday hotels, sanatoriums offering comfort and recreation to children and adults would open the doors for the first visitors in the nearest future. The facilities built by the large foreign companies on the seashore would meet the international quality and environmental standards.

The first construction site the Turkmen leader visited in Avaza was a 12-storey health-improving centre constructed by Turkish Polimeks at the request of the Central Bank of Turkmenistan. The health-improving and recreation centre would be supplied with diagnostic equipment produced by the world’s manufacturers.

Addressing those present Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that Turkmenistan made the unalterable requirements of high quality and strict observance of the period of construction to its partners. The Turkmen leader demanded that the national traditions should be presented in the architectural look and design of the facilities and buildings under construction in Avaza. The works created by the Turkmen painters and craftsmen that would help the guests to discover the rich culture and ancient traditions of the Turkmen nation should adorn the interior of the future buildings.

The Turkish designers presented the construction projects to be implemented in Avaza to the Turkmen leader. The Turkish company intended investing in one of the projects. The undeniable fact – more and more companies showed keen interest in collaborating with Turkmenistan in realizing the grandiose initiative put forward by the Turkmen leader and expressed willingness to invest in the Avaza National Project.

Then the Turkmen leader visited the constructions sites of two 12-storey health-improving centres built by the Sehil Company (Turkey) at the request of the Turkmenenergogurlushyk State Concern and the military and law enforcement agencies of Turkmenistan.

Then Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visited the construction site of the first and largest construction site in Avaza – the artificial navigable river. The project was implemented by the Turkish construction firms Ickale Insaat Ltd. Sirketi and Polimeks Insaat Taahut we Sanayi Tijaret A.S. at the request of the Turkmenbashi oil refineries.

Then the Turkmen leader visited the constructions site of a 12-storey hotel built by the Ickale Insaat Ltd. Sirketi at the request of the Turkmenneftegazstroy State Concern. The newly-built hotel situated nearby the Serdar hotel was preparing to welcome the first guests.

Then the Turkmen leader visited the constructions site of a highway – a traffic artery built in the tourist zone. The divisions of the Turkmenawtoyollary State Concern were engaged in building the network of modern highways, which would connect the resort, airport and town.