Ashgabat:Turkmenistan's transport and communications sector experienced a notable increase in the volume of completed work and services by 13.6% from January to October 2026, with the most substantial growth observed in air transport and communications. This performance was reported by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Batyr Annayev, during a government meeting led by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
According to Trend News Agency, the growth rate for completed work and services showed a decline of 5.5 percentage points compared to the same period in 2024. Freight transportation plans were fulfilled by 108.5%, whereas passenger transportation plans achieved 101.9%. This marks a 7.9 percentage point improvement in freight plan fulfillment from 2025, although passenger transportation decreased by 3.1 percentage points.
The State Service Trkmenhowaýollary led with an 18.3% growth in services, followed by the Ministry of Communications at 15.1%, and the Ministry of Automobile Transport at 14.9%. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Railway Transport reported a growth of 7.4%, and the State Service for Maritime and River Transport recorded a 1.4% increase. Notably, railway transport improved its growth rate by 1.4 percentage points year-on-year and 4.6 points compared to 2024, while automobile transport saw increases of 1.8 and 4.9 percentage points, respectively.
Air transport recorded an 8-percentage-point year-on-year improvement, though it remained 36.2 percentage points below the 2024 level. Conversely, maritime and river transport declined by 7.2 percentage points year-on-year, and communications services slowed by 4.9 percentage points, despite being 0.5 points above the 2024 level.
President Berdimuhamedov emphasized the need to modernize the sector's infrastructure and enhance digital systems to boost passenger and freight transportation. Turkmenistan, strategically located on the Caspian Sea's eastern coast, serves as a vital node in Central Asia's transport routes, linking with South Caucasus and beyond. The country is pivotal in the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, connecting Central Asia with Europe, as noted by the OECD.
The Turkmenbashi International Seaport plays a crucial role in these transport routes, facilitating Central Asian cargo movement. Turkmenistan's ongoing infrastructure investments, including railway and highway expansions, aim to enhance its role as a regional transport hub, improving connections between ports, railways, and road networks. These efforts were highlighted in a World Bank assessment of the Trans-Caspian corridor, underscoring the potential for expanded trade and connectivity between Asia and Europe.
Source Trend News Agency