Head of Türkmensenagat Reprimanded for Insufficient Cement Production Volumes

The President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow reprimands chairman of Türkmensenagat state agency Rovshen Ovezov. Work of the cement industry in the country is part of the agency’s responsibility. In summer, there was a shortage of cement in retail outlets in the internal market, affecting retail, and the construction of infrastructure facilities nationwide.

The President announced the reprimand during a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan on November 15. Berdimuhamedow also noted that while the republic’s industrial and communication complex is based on the most advanced technologies, some of the subordinate ministries and departments are not able to cope with the intended tasks.
Despite the fact that Türkmensenagat production volume this year was 8.6% above estimates, the head of state pointed out the importance of timely provision of infrastructure facilities with construction materials, such as cement.

“Industries should operate productively and generate revenue for the state. It is necessary to develop industry through attracting entrepreneurs and investors”, the President of Turkmenistan believes.

Rovshen Ovezov was appointed head of Türkmensenagat at the end of January 2019, when the new Ministry of Industry and Communication of Turkmenistan was formed. The independent ministry of industry that existed until then was rebranded into an agency and reformed into a state joint-stock company. Then Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov called for an increase in cement production in the republic.

In June it became known that in the construction markets of Ashgabat, as well as at the Ashgabatgurlushyk production association experience a shortage of cement.

Lebap cement plant of the Turkish Polimeks group (the largest plant in the country) reports monthly on the export of its products to neighboring Uzbekistan. For nine months, the company produced 651.3 thousand tons of cement worth 86.5 million manat (24.7 million US dollars). In July, the Lebap plant reported that the share of exports was 45% of production. By mid-autumn, the share dropped to 34%.