On May 24, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov received Executive Director of the Turkmenistan-US Business Council Eric Stewart and Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors of Nicklaus Companies John Reese .
The state information agency TDH reports that businessmen spoke about the intention of American business circles to invest in the development of the Turkmen economy and take part in ongoing projects.
The parties also discussed the work of the Business Council "Turkmenistan-USA". Trade and economic sphere, fuel and energy sector, transport and communications, agriculture, renewable energy, chemical and food industries were named among the priority areas of cooperation.
The publication notes that sport is seen as a new point of mutual interest . In particular, American businessmen expressed their desire to continue to support the development of such a popular sport as golf in Turkmenistan .
“The head of state confirmed the readiness of the Turkmen side to consider new proposals ,” concludes the TDH.
Recall that in autumn 2017, the first golf club in Turkmenistan with an area of 70 hectares was opened in Ashgabat. The project, design and consulting services were provided by the American company Nicklaus design, with the head of which Jack Nicklaus , President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has repeatedly personally met, discussing the possibilities of developing golf in the country.
Jack Nicklaus
During a visit to Turkmenistan in 2016, Nicklaus said he did not know why Berdymukhammedov needed golf, "but he is a very nice person."
“Except for the 2.5 thousand foreigners who live in Ashgabat, this is of no interest to anyone, no one plays golf there ... But the president himself is an athlete, and he wants all residents of Turkmenistan to go in for dressage, ice hockey and golf ...”, - noted American athlete and businessman.
At the same time, it was reported that Berdimuhamedov Sr. intends to build 10 golf courses throughout the country.
After the opening of a course in Ashgabat, state media began to look for the roots of golf in the Turkmen children's game "chilik".
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov called Eric Stewart for the last time, on February 24, and noted that there is a huge potential for mutually beneficial cooperation in the oil and gas sector, renewable energy, chemical and food industries, transport and ecology.
“Turkmenistan is always ready to consider new proposals for further expansion of bilateral cooperation,” the head of state said at the time.
Source: Chronicles of Turkmenistan