This outstanding event marking the birth of the new international tourism centre is of imperishable importance for the wellbeing of the Motherland, happiness and welfare of the Turkmen people.

Avaza seaside resort where numerous guests of all the regions of the country and foreign countries worldwide gathered was festively decorated. Colourful flags and balloons, millions of flower were everywhere. Wonderful music was heard. The yurts covered with Turkmen carpets and young artists’ bright national costumes added the bright colours of the palette of the nationwide festivities.

The participants of the festivities greeted the Turkmen leader with great enthusiasm and cordiality. These included the Vice Premiers, high-ranking officials of the Mejlis, ministries and departments, public organisations – members of the Galkynysh National Movement. The honorary guests – the heads of the diplomatic missions accredited to Turkmenistan and authoritative international organisations, government and parliamentarian delegations of different countries including Russia, Turkey, Bahrain, top managers of the large oil and gas firms and companies, Turkmen and foreign journalists.

By tradition the high-ranking officials of Balkan Velayat, the elders and mullahs cordially greeted and offered bread and salt the Turkmen leader, young people dressed in the national costumes presented the bouquets of flowers. The wishes of the wellbeing to Turkmenistan, happiness and prosperity to the Turkmen people were expressed. The artists of the littoral region presented a bright concert programme.

Cordially thanking all those present for the heartfelt welcome the President headed to the main entrance of Vatanchy Hotel. This magnificent complex was built by Sehil Company (Turkey) at the request of the Ministry of Defence.

Addressing the participants and guests of the ceremony Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov congratulated them on the remarkable event. The Turkmen leader said that June 15 was a truly historic day in the national calendar. It would add a golden page to the chronicle of Turkmenistan and symbolized the birth of Avaza – the new international seaside resort with the status of a free economic zone to facilitate development of tourism industry.

The Turkmen leader said that two years had passed since this project of an unprecedented scale – a bright symbol of the epoch of New Revival of Turkmenistan, an illustrative example of the fundamental reforms going on in the country that had taken the road of progress and constructive endeavours was launched. Today the wonderful health-improving centres – a visible result of the reforms aimed at laying the firm foundation for economic wellbeing of the Turkmen state, the high standards of living of the Turkmen people had sprung up there. The President noted that shortly after opening the fashionable hotels several tourism facilities would be put into operation in the littoral region.Touching upon the prospects for development of Avaza, which had a special place in Turkmenistan’s strategic plans for the next ten years, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that this project was to accumulate the latest achievements of architectural and engineering thoughts, creative ideas. The firms and companies operating the free economic zone enjoyed significant tax and customs privileges. The President said that by abiding by the open-door policy and creating the favourable investment climate in the country Turkmenistan sought long-term cooperation and emphasized that the essential principles of this cooperation were economic efficiency that allowed receiving mutual benefit and environmental safety of joint projects.Presenting the concept of development of Avaza national tourism zone the Turkmen leader informed that the total cost of the facilities under construction on the Caspian Sea coast exceeded US$ 1.5 billion. Construction of the new airport, highways, gas turbine power station, desalination unit, sewage plants, water distribution networks had got into full swing. The second stage of development of the tourism zone, which had been expanded up to 5,000 hectares, provided for construction of 10-15 sanatoriums and world-class hotels. Special attention would be given to the establishment of full-scale recreation and entertainment industries – construction of aqua parks, yacht and sports clubs, restaurants, campsites and attractions of all sorts, shopping centres. The 7-km navigation river would cross the territory of the seaside resort. The recreation area, which would host sports competitions in kayaks and canoes, sailing regattas, would spread on both banks of the river.The seaport would be completely reconstructed and cruise ships, yachts and other vessels would replenish the national fleet. Turkmenbashi town would became one of the largest transit node points on the North-South transnational trunk railway under construction by Turkmenistan, Iran and Kazakhstan and the shortest route between Europe and South Asia. The third project stage provided for creation of Turkmen ‘Las Vegas’ with numerous casinos and entertainment centres.Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that thus a new life would come to Turkmenbashi town situated on the shore of the Caspian Sea nearby which a new city with comfortable apartment houses and necessary infrastructure would be built.

The President emphasized that Turkmenistan had the profound potential to develop tourism industry. The age-old history, unique culture of the Turkmen people, diversity of natural landscapes, archeological monuments – all of these attracted numerous tourists to Turkmenistan from all over the world and this interest increased with every passing day. The Caspian region had lots of the landmarks that provide the vast opportunities to implement a variety of projects as well as the potential of international partnership. The culmination of the event: the President cut the ribbon and entered the spacious hall of the hotel. There everything was ready for the TV Bridge, which would connect Vatanchy Hotel with two construction sites on the seashore.

Turkmenbashi town, where Carlak four-star hotel would be put into operation was the first to join in the ceremony. The 11-storey white-marble with dark blue windows was built by Asist Company at the request of Turkmendenizderyayollary Department.

Greeting the participants the President started the ceremony of opening the hotel which would be a landmark of the port city on the Caspian Sea. The TV Bridge allowed making a virtual excursion round the hotel and seeing its interior.

Then Khazyna Hotel built by Polimeks Company (Turkey) at the request of the Central Bank of Turkmenistan. The Turkmen leader put the new hotel and health-improving centre – one of the first facilities in Avaza national tourism zone into operation on-air.

Upon concluding the TV Bridge the President made an excursion round Vatanchy Hotel, which had hospitably opened the doors for the first holiday makers on that day.

Then the lift took the President to the 12th storey where the guests could have a beautiful, breathtaking view of the Caspian Sea. The white silhouettes of the ships and seagulls soaring above could be seen on the azure sea surface sparkling in the sun. The cutters ready to take those willing to make a pleasant journey on board were rocking on the waves.

... In the meantime, a bright aqua performance was performed with the participation of foreign guests. Water skiers floated on the waves at a dashing pace demonstrating the brilliant technique in ski jumping. Windsurfers joined them. Synchronized swimmers had prepared a bright show for the Avaza premiere. Then colorful kites appeared in the sky demonstrating some kind of stunt. The bright holiday embraced the entire coast, where music, sound and happy child's laughter were heard everywhere.

Upon concluding the aqua show the President entered the hall where the presentation of the projects of the second stage of development of Avaza national tourism zone took place. The models and boards with the draft designs of future buildings, which allowed imagining how Avaza would look like in several years, were installed in the special room. The draft designs had been prepared by the well-known foreign companies willing to contribute to implementing the Turkmen leader’s initiative to create the world-class seaside resort on the Caspian Sea shore. These included the large business companies from Turkey, Russia, Germany, Great Britain, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates

One could get acquainted with the draft designs of the new facilities in Avaza national tourism zone in the spacious hall. This aqua park of the unique design and decision – large cultural and sports centre with the ‘island of adventures’ and ‘the ship of the desert’ and the fashionable hotel designed as a big sailing vessel and built on an artificial island ... In a word, in the near future Avaza had all requisites to turn into one of the most popular resorts in the region and the world. The general layout on a special table with the size 3x7 metres clearly presented the large-scale panorama of Avaza national tourism zone.

Numerous participants of the remarkable event – the top managers and specialists of the foreign companies greeted the President. They presented the draft designs supplemented with the photographs and video films, which were demonstrated on one big and three small monitors installed in the hall, to Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov – the author of the idea of establishing the first free tourist zone in the country. The projects drafted at the request of the ministries and departments were presented along with the investment projects to the Turkmen leader

The project of Avaza national tourism zone provided architects, designers, engineers and builders with the vast opportunities to apply their talent and fantasy in practice, realize their boldest ideas and plans. That was illustrated by the foreign companies’ proposals on construction of sanatoriums, health-improving centres, cultural and entertainment centres, shopping centres, world-class hotels as well as park areas and the ensembles of fountains on the shores of the Caspian Sea.

Turkish Polimeks a long-term partner of our country was the first to make presentation. The Turkish company presented the project of a hotel complex, which would be designed as the map of Turkmenistan and rise on an artificial island, and other projects developed in the framework of the second stage of construction in Avaza. These included cultural and entertainment centres, hotels, aqua park, motordromes, monument – the symbols of the seaside resort. In compliance with the plans on further development of the tourism zone the company presented the project of a cruise port in Turkmenbashi.

Along with the companies which had collaborated at the first stage of construction numerous new companies had brought their innovations and proposals to Avaza. These included CAR-Holding (Republic of Tatarstan, Russian Federation), which had presented the investment project of Goller Sui spa and health-improving complex. The project provided for construction of a indoor ski centre, which would work all year round. The centre would host sport competitions and tournaments, entertainment shows and adults and children could learn to ski there. The complex would have the skating rink, children's snow slide, fitness centre.

The German companies Goetzpartners AG, Tree AG and Newsports GMBH presented the projects. Tree AG presented the projects on construction of an aqua park, which would be a cultural and entertainment complex with the movie theatre, cultural centre, shopping complex, beach club, spa-centre, aerial tramway and rides ... Admirers of active leisure could visit the sports grounds, ski tracks and golf field. Of course, ‘the island of adventures’ and ‘the ship of the desert’ would be of particular interest to holiday makers. Newsports GMBH presented the projects of a large sports centre for practicing various kinds of sports.

British RMJM and Belgian ENEX presented the joint project on construction of a fashionable high-rise hotel. This building of the original architectural design would become a beacon on the Caspian Sea. Also, the European partners had developed a project on construction of the villas on the seaside. The architectural look of the villas would reflect the national traditions of Turkmen architecture.

Turkish Sehil presented a number of the projects on further development of the international seaside resort. The most fanciful project – a hotel-sailing vessel, which would be built on an artificial island. In addition, the Turkish specialists had drafted the projects on development of road transport infrastructure in Avaza .

A number of the foreign companies presented the proposals on construction of the fashionable hotels meeting the international standards. In particular, Financial Investment Company AAA Public Corporation (Russian Federation) had developed the project of a 12-storey hotel for 450 visitors including shopping and entertainment centres. The company intended to finance this project.

The Turkish companies presented the projects on construction of hotels. For example, Renaissance construction presented the project of a five-star hotel for 500 visitors with the shopping centre. The building designed as a wave would rise in the northern part of the lagoon. Cizgi Company had developed the project of a 12-storey hotel at the request of the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan.

Fountains International Trading LLC presented the project of park zone, which would be adorned with marine and coastal musical fountains. The park zone would have comfortable alleys, restaurants and amphitheatre for holding for cultural activities, including art and music festivals at an international level.

The British companies NOC, LA SAUE and ARUP presented the general layout of Avaza national tourism zone.

Along with the foreign partners the Union of Manufacturers and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan presented the investment project of development of Avaza providing for construction of comfortable one-and two-storey cottages, supermarkets, restaurants, cultural and entertainment centre, sports grounds and swimming pools.

The infrastructure projects included the project of a highway, which would connect Avaza and the international airport in Turkmenbashi town. This highway including such engineering facilities as flyovers would meet the international quality standards.

The port city would be modernized within the next few years. Balkan Velayat Khyakim O. Nyyazlyev presented the project of the new town of Turkmenbashi developed by the specialists of Turkmendovlettaslama Institute of the Ministry of Construction.

The new residential areas with necessary transport, communication and engineering infrastructure, cultural and social facilities would spring up in the territory located to the northwest of the airport. A monument to the forefather of the Turkmen nation – Oguz Khan – the legendary ruler and military leader would be erected in the new town.

Upon thoroughly reviewing the projects of the second stage of development of Avaza national tourism zone the Turkmen leader expressed sincere gratitude to the foreign companies, which participated in the presentation, for the large-scale work done and willingness to actively cooperate with Turkmenistan. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that this grandiose plan would be a new symbol of fruitful partnership and embodiment of the policy of openness, peace, good neighbourliness and constructive ideas pursued by independent neutral Turkmenistan.

During the presentation the President signed the documents related to further development of Avaza.

Then the Turkmen leader awarded the building certificates to a number of the contractors which would construct facilities in Avaza through their own investments. These included CAR-Holding (Republic of Tatarstan, Russian Federation), Financial Investment AAA Public Corporation (Russian Federation) and the Union of Manufacturers and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan.

In conclusion of the presentation the solemn ceremony of presenting the symbolic golden key to Avaza to the President of Turkmenistan was held.