USAID
Country Profile: Turkmenistan (2008)
Capital: Ashgabat 
Turkmenistan Map
Population: 5 million (2007) : Turkmen 85%, Uzbek 5%, Russian 4%, other 6% (2003).
GDP(current US$): $26.22 billion (2003)
Population below national poverty line: 30% (2004)
GDP per capita (current US$): $9200 (2007)
GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $9200 (2007)
Religion: Muslim (89%), Eastern Orthodox (9%)
Language: Turkmen (72%), Russian (12%), Uzbek (9%), other (7%)
President: Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow
Ambassador to US: Mered Orazov
National Interest
Turkmenistan is important to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests due to its role in helping the United States in the global war on terrorism; its oil and gas resources and its role as a source and transit route for narcotics and possibly nuclear and other materials. Since his election in 2007, President Berdimuhamedow has sought to improve the health and education systems, ordered unification of the country’s dual currency exchange rate begun decreasing state subsidies for gasoline, signed an agreement to build a pipeline to China and created a special tourism zone on the Caspian Sea.
Overview of USAID's Focus in Turkmenistan
FY08 Total FSA - $5.4 million, USAID Total - $4.34 million
Economic Growth (FY08 $0.89 million, 21%): Through its Economic Reforms to Enhance Competitiveness project, USAID(Bearing Point) assists Turkmenistan in strengthening its fiscal management to create the foundation for a competitive private sector and to stimulate investment in Turkmenistan. By building linkages that connect entrepreneurial farmers to profitable markets, USAID/Winrock promotes transition in Turkmenistan’s agricultural sector. In addition, sustainable farmers’ organizations help producers respond to specific market opportunities and meet the demands of new, high-value markets. The Accounting/CIPA Project (Pragma) supports the Russian language Certified International Professional Accountant (CIPA) program, which builds local capacity for the professional standards of the accounting profession. Through Regional Energy Market Assistance Program (REMAP), USAID assists in the development of Central Asian energy resources within a framework of transparency, good governance and integration with regional markets. USAID funds Junior Achievement (JA) programs which offer economic education programs to middle-school and secondary-school students. JA provides teacher education,distributes teaching materials and organizes events such as Student Company Fairs and Economics Simulation competitions. USAID also supports exchanges within the region and to the US to foster greater understanding of private sector development, microfinance and business education.
Governing Justly and Democratically (FY08 - $1.71 million, 39%): USAID supports the development of civil society at the community level through training, technical assistance and providing access to legal information. This includes co-funding for small-scale community projects to meet local economic development needs and to strengthen the community’s relationships with their local governments. USAID also works with local organizations to expand legal advice to NGOs, the media and other organizations (Counterpart, ABA/CEELI, PACT / International Center for Not-for-Profit Law, Internews). Additionally, USAID’s Community Connections Program offers home-stay practical exchange opportunities in the United States for Turkmenistan’s business, community, and local government leaders to build lasting linkages (World Learning).
Investing in People (FY08- $1.73 million, 40%): USAID works to establish and institutionalize components of health reform in Turkmenistan, with a focus on improving the quality of maternal and child health services. To improve the management of childhood illnesses, USAID trains health care providers and promotes community health in pilot sites. Programs support the implementation of the Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) strategy for tuberculosis (TB) control, including improvement in laboratory quality assurance and advanced laboratory techniques (Project HOPE, CDC). USAID also supports improvements to blood screening in Turkmenistan, to reduce the transmission of HIV and other blood-borne diseases (CDC). The CAPACITY Project (John Snow Inc.) assists the Ministry of Health with its national HIV/AIDS prevention strategy. USAID also supports the government of Turkmenistan’s efforts to combat avian influenza (CDC, Winrock International).
Contact Information
USAID/Central Asia: William Frej, Regional Director (7-327-250-79- 12)
41 Kazibek bi St. Almaty 480100
USAID/CAR Country Program Officer in Ashgabat: Ashley Moretz, (993-12-45-61-30)
USAID/Washington: Bob Wallin (202-712-0141), Central Asia Desk
USAID/CAR website: http://centralasia.usaid.gov
