Representatives of Eximbanka attended the meeting of the Turkmen-Slovak Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, which took place 17. and on June 18 in Ashgabat, a series of working meetings with representatives of Turkmen state institutions and the financial sector. The discussions focused on specific projects, opportunities for Slovak companies to participate in planned investments, and practical steps that would facilitate the implementation of business deals between Slovak and Turkmen partners.
Eximbanka CEO Rastislav Podhorec and Deputy CEO Igor Barát held talks with representatives of the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, and the leadership of the Turkmen Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The meetings focused primarily on areas where Slovak companies can successfully offer their technologies, equipment, and specialized solutions.
During the talks, Eximbanka representatives also raised the issue of several specific business deals that Slovak companies are currently negotiating with potential Turkmen partners. If these deals are successfully concluded, they could amount to a total of approximately 100 million euros. Eximbanka is prepared to provide financing or export credit insurance for such projects.
Meetings with representatives of several Turkmen financial institutions—both state-owned and private—were also a significant part of the program. Both sides discussed opportunities for cooperation in financing and insuring commercial transactions, which could create favorable conditions for the implementation of larger projects between Slovak and Turkmen partners.
“We did not come to Ashgabat to discuss hypothetical possibilities, but rather specific business opportunities that Slovak companies are already working on with their Turkmen partners. Negotiations with local financial institutions were also a very important topic. If we succeed in creating a functional framework for cooperation in trade financing and insurance, Slovak companies will gain a significantly stronger position when implementing larger projects in Turkmenistan,” said Rastislav Podhorec, CEO of Eximbanka.
The talks also built on our previous activities in the Central Asian region. In October 2024, Eximbanka organized an Export Club dedicated to the countries of the region, which was also attended by representatives of diplomatic missions, including representatives from Turkmenistan. The event provided an opportunity for Slovak businesspeople to hold talks with representatives of Central Asian countries and to identify areas where economic cooperation could be further developed.
Turkmenistan is among the countries with the largest natural gas reserves in the world, and its economy is largely based on the energy sector. In recent years, it has also been investing in the modernization of its industry, transportation and logistics infrastructure, water management, and healthcare. It is precisely in these areas that business opportunities are already emerging for Slovak companies operating in the energy sector, mechanical engineering, technology manufacturing, medical technology, or the supply of equipment for infrastructure projects.