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From October 20 to 21, a delegation from Turkmenistan led by Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmed Gurbanov visited Baghdad, the capital of the Republic of Iraq.
According to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry, bilateral consultations were held between the foreign ministries of both countries. The sides exchanged views on enhancing political, diplomatic, trade, economic, and cultural-humanitarian cooperation, as well as on key issues of the bilateral agenda.
Special attention was given to the upcoming International Conference dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality, scheduled to be held in Ashgabat in December.
Discussions also focused on expanding the legal framework of cooperation, the importance of creating parliamentary friendship groups, and developing inter-parliamentary ties. Both sides reaffirmed that their relations are based on mutual respect, equality, and trust.
During the visit, Ahmed Gurbanov also held talks with Abdul Razzaq Al-Zuhairi, President of the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce. They discussed the prospects for expanding trade and economic cooperation and emphasized the importance of building direct contacts between business circles of both countries. The sides highlighted the value of active participation by Turkmen and Iraqi delegations in international economic forums, exhibitions, and business events held in both nations.
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From Market Stall to Manufacturing Powerhouse: The Success Story of “Ak Gaýa”
The story of Ak Gaýa is a shining example of perseverance, ambition, and the ability to grow with time. What began as a small trading venture at a local market has evolved into one of Turkmenistan’s leading manufacturers of construction materials.
It all started in 1994, when brothers Annamyrat and Shamyrat Apowow registered the private enterprise Ak Gaýa to trade construction mixtures at the Bedew market. At first, they had no shop — all sales were made directly from their vehicle.
Thanks to their determination and hard work, business began to flourish. In 1997, they rented a store space at the same market, and by 2002, having purchased the premises, started importing products directly from Turkey.
By 2005, their retail network expanded to three stores — two at the Altyn Asyr market and one at Bedew.
A new milestone came in 2015, when the brothers decided to launch their own production. The company was re-registered as a Limited Liability Company. It obtained 25 hectares of land in the Balkan region for the construction of a plant producing building mixtures and gypsum boards. The construction was carried out using internal funds by the affiliated company Ak Ýaýla.
At the same time, Ak Gaýa leased 2.12 hectares of land in the industrial zone of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan in Ahal region for stores and warehouses, and 300 hectares in the Bereket farming association for livestock breeding and fodder cultivation.
From 2016, Ak Gaýa expanded its retail operations, offering a wide range of construction and household products. Between 2018 and 2020, the company continued building its production complex, purchased state-of-the-art equipment with the help of local bank financing, and gradually launched production of dry construction mixes and gypsum boards.
In 2018, Ak Gaýa registered its own trademark for plaster and putty — “Ak Alçi”, now recognized as a symbol of reliability and quality.
On December 8, 2020, a grand opening ceremony was held in the Balkan region for Ak Gaýa’s new factory producing gypsum boards and dry mixtures. The plant’s production capacity reaches 4 million square meters of gypsum board and 5,000 tons of dry mixtures per year. Equipped with modern technology from Spain, Turkey, and China, the factory ensures compliance with industrial, environmental, and fire safety standards.
Today, Ak Gaýa LLC is not only a major industrial producer but also operates the largest DIY retail network in Turkmenistan, offering over 11,000 product types across multiple categories.
From humble beginnings at a local market to the establishment of a high-tech manufacturing plant, Ak Gaýa’s journey is an inspiring story of Turkmen entrepreneurship — built on hard work, vision, and self-belief.
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