Avaza – a bright symbol of epoch of Revival

Interrelated directly with the strategic development programmes for the next ten years, this project of unprecedented scale and significance is ‘the first swallow’ of the reforms initiated by President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the reference point of a landmark approach to employing the huge natural and economic potential of the country including through mutually advantageous and fruitful international cooperation as well. As is known, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov put forward this grandiose initiative at the summit of the leaders of three states – Turkmenistan, Russia and Kazakhstan in Turkmenbashi in May 2007. Having drawn a wide response among international business and political circles as a component of the ongoing fundamental reforms implemented under the leadership of the Turkmen leader it has taken the real shapes today.

The leader of Turkmenistan says that the major goal of the Avaza Project is to comprehensively implement such essential aspects of the state policy as increase of effectiveness and diversification of the national economy, the high life quality and standards of living of the people of Turkmenistan. In this regard the President of Turkmenistan notes that the Caspian region is ‘our Klondike on the seaside’. It is like the magnet attracts world business community. An indisputable fact – with every passing day more leading foreign companies express the willingness to invest in the tourist zone. That is proved by the project presentations and business forums that brought together dozens of well-known foreign companies in the littoral town.

However, it should be noted that along with abundant natural resources and favourable geographic location – on the routes connecting Central Asia, Europe, Caucasus from ancient times, and special climatic conditions conducive to development of health resort and tourism industries the lack of risks for international business plays a significant, even primary, role. In this regard the business circles regard the Turkmen leader’s constructive policy supported by the appropriate national legislation meeting international standards and ongoing progressive reforms in all spheres of life a the guarantees of safety of their investments in the country.

Avaza is a special economic zone with a favourable visa regime for foreign tourists willing to spend holidays on the Caspian seaside, wide range of tax benefits, right to long-term lease of land, which are provided to businessmen who make investments in construction of social and economic facilities, water and gas pipelines, power transmission lines and engineering infrastructure, development of service business, communication and transportation infrastructure including highways and air routes. In addition, equipment and goods imported to national tourist zones in Turkmenistan are partially or fully exempt from customs duties. The Law “On Foreign Investments” and other legislative acts guarantee the benefits including insurance and repatriation of capital to foreign partners. Only one strict requirement is environmental safety of the facilities under construction in Avaza.

The seashore of Khazar is clean water, golden sandy beaches, mild climate. The favorite place of recreation of the people of Turkmenistan is gaining the new status today – the status of an international tourism centre. The Avaza development concept impresses with the scale, diversity of projects and architectural designs including high-rise buildings and cozy two-storey cottages. The ‘parade of the architectural premieres’ will start this year. This summer the world-class health –improving centres – hotels, recreation centres, health-improving centres built by the Turkish construction companies Polimeks, Sehil, Ickale the other foreign companies at the request of the national ministries and departments will open the doors on the Caspian Sea coast.

Blending well with the surrounding landscape the newly built health-improving centers will offer every necessary thing for comfort and recreation: cozy rooms, spacious halls, restaurants and cafes with a broad range of dishes of the Oriental and European cuisines, cafes, banquet and conference halls, movie theatres, aqua parks and fitness rooms, saunas, massages parlors, open-air and covered swimming pools with aquatic side shows, sports and children’s playgrounds. The health-improving centres will be supplied with up-to-date medical equipment and apparatuses. Thus, everyone can recreate and improve health, undergo course of medical rehabilitation based on latest healthcare technologies and wonderful natural factors – fresh air, solar and sea-water baths in Avaza.

Over US$ 1 billion have been invested in the unique project that is coordinated by the Committee for Avaza National Tourism Zone established in October 2008. To support development of tourism industry in the Caspian region the extended transportation, energy, engineering and communication infrastructures are under construction. The 7-kilometer artificial river with running sea water constructed by Turkish Polimeks and Ickale will adorn the tourism zone. Pleasure boats will furrow the river with the bridges thrown across. Restaurants, cafes, sports grounds and footpaths will be constructed on the river banks. All necessary conditions for water sports competitions including rowing on kayaks and canoes and sailing regattas will be created there.

Turkmenbashi town – the sea gateways of Central Asia is modernized. In the near future the architectural look of the resort pearl of the country symbolizing the beginning of the Turkmen land on its western borders will be changed radically. In fact, a new beautiful and modern megalopolis with high-rise comfortable apartment houses, schools and kindergartens, cultural and shopping centres, numerous fountains, parks and squares will be built there. The world-class airport under construction there will be an important transit point on the air routes from Europe to South and Southeastern Asia. The seaport will be modernized and the national fleet will be replenished with motor ships, yachts, pleasure boats.

Khazar State Reserve that occupies the vast area of marine bays, islands and wetlands on the Turkmen coast of the Caspian Sea and inscribed on the special list of the Ramsar Convention plays an important role in the Avaza project. Magnificence and primeval beauty of the unique ecosystem where hundreds thousands of birds including flamingoes, swans, geese, herons, pelicans live, nest and winter – the zest that attracts tourists from all over the world and will bring worldwide fame to Avaza.

Implementation of the large-scale project on creation of Avaza national tourism zone on the Caspian Sea coast will be a symbol of fruitful economic partnership, an embodiment of the policy of peacefulness, good neighbourliness and constructive endeavours pursued by independent neutral Turkmenistan.