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Country Commercial Guides for FY 2000: TurkmenistanReport prepared by U.S. Embassy Ashgabat, Released July 1999 Note* |
Chapter IX: Business Travel
Visas
To receive a Turkmen entry visa, U.S. citizens with tourist passports must have a letter of invitation from a person or an organization in Turkmenistan stamped by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Turkmenistan. Usually, the MFA needs ten working days to process a letter of invitation and the fee is USD 20 and USD 30 for urgent requests.
An entry visa may be obtained at Turkmenistan Embassies abroad (cost varies depending on the duration of the visit), or at the Ashgabat airport upon arrival. The visa obtained at the Ashgabat airport costs $53 and is given for 10 days. This visa can be extended for any period of time up to one year at the MFA for an additional charge. Below is the Turkmen schedule of fees for single entry:
Duration of Visit Fees for Single Entry Fees for Multiple Entry up to 10 days $20 up to 20 days $30 up to 1 month $40 $60 2 months $70 $100 3 months $100 $140 4 months $130 $180 5 months $160 $220 6 months $190 $260 7 months $220 $300 8 months $250 $340 9 months $280 $380 10 months $310 $420 11 months $340 $460 12 months $370 $500 Some Turkmen state and private tourist agencies provide visa support services. Among them are:
State Tourist Corporation "Turkmensiyakhat"
Mr. Mukhamed Atagarryev, Head of Department (speaks Russian and Turkmen)
17 Pushkin Street, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000
Tel:(993)(12) 35-47-77, 39-86-91, Fax:(993)(12)
39-67-40Latif Co., Ltd., a private tourist firm
Mr. Djora Samedov, President (speaks Russian and Turkmen)
36A Hudayberdiev Street, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000
Tel:(993)(12) 41-50-77, 41-50-87, 41-91-64
Fax:(993)(12) 41-90-39, 41-91-64
E-mail: latif@cat.glasnet.ru
ITM Firm, a private commercial firm
Mrs. Taira Ismailova, Director
14 T. Berdiev Street, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000
Tel:(993)(12) 39-73-57, 39-86-88
Fax:(993)(12) 39-86-88, 51-05-25In June 1999, Turkmenistan has introduced exit visa requirement for Turkmen citizens traveling to CIS countries and entry visa requirement for citizens of CIS countries visiting Turkmenistan. Letters of invitation are required for both Turkmen and CIS citizens.
Holidays
January 1 New Year's Day January 12 Memorial Day February 19 National Flag Day March 8 International Women's Day March 21 Novruz Bairam May 9 Victory Day May 18 Revival and Unity Day October 6 Remembrance Day October 27-28 Independence Day December 12 Day of NeutralityKurban Bairam is a lunar holiday which moves forward every year. In 1999, Kurban Bairam was celebrated March 27-30.Business Infrastructure
Turkmenistan is largely a cash-only economy, although several new hotels and restaurants accept credit cards. Only Vnesheconombank accepts VISA cards for cash advances, subject to a service charge. Travelers are advised to bring only new, clean dollar bills with them (1990 and newer). Banks frequently do not have small bills for change. Some local banks and many of the larger hotels will exchange dollars. Dollars are accepted at most hotels and restaurants. However, all other merchants are required by law to accept payment in manat.
Ashgabat is home to numerous first-class hotels and government guest houses offering comfortable rooms, conference and meeting facilities, restaurants, business services, recreational activities, and satellite TV. Four hotels including the Grand Turkmen hotel, the Ak Altyn hotel, the Nissa hotel, and the Turkmenistan hotel accept international reservations. In July 1999 Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Inc., a U.S. company, signed a 10-year management contract with the State Turkmensiyahat Company, to operate two hotels in Ashgabat, the Grand Turkmen Hotel and the Ak Altyn Plaza Hotel. Below are addresses of the hotels located downtown Ashgabat:
Sheraton Grand Turkmen
7 Gorogly Street
Ashgabat
Tel: (993)(12) 51-20-50
Fax: (993)(12) 51-20-48Ak Altyn Plaza Hotel
Pobedy Park, Dzerzhinskiy Blvd.
Ashgabat
Tel: (993)(12) 51-21-81
Fax: (993)(12) 51-21-77Nissa Hotel
Turkmenbashi and Atabaev Streets
Ashgabat
Tel:(993)(12) 41-66-17, 41-68-75
Fax: n/aTurkmenistan
19 Neutral Turkmenistan Street
Ashgabat
Tel:(993)(12) 35-06-30
Fax:(993)(12) 35-05-33The Ashgabat Business Center in Berzengi on the outskirts of Ashgabat provides a full range of services and office space. Tel/Fax: (993)(12) 51-85-12.
The Mizan Business Center also located in Berzengi is managed by the Turkish company "Tursen" and can be reached at phone/fax:(993)(12) 51-86-48, 12, 13.
The Emperyal International Business Center located six kilometers from the downtown area is another modern business facilities in the capital city. A restaurant and fast food cafe supplement a range of services provided there. Tel: (993)(12) 35-00-93 or 94, Fax: (993)(12) 35-00-92.
The Transport Center provides office space along with various services. It is located downtown, across from the Teke Bazaar. Tel:(993)(12) 51-01-51, 39-52-69; Fax:(993)(12) 35-54-24.
The Ak Altyn Plaza Hotel has a business center with a range of secretarial services. It is located five kilometers from the downtown area. Tel:(993)(12) 51-21-81; Fax:(993)(12) 51-21-75.
The Khalifa Business Center, a brand new modern building located six kilometers from downtown, also provides a full range of services. Tel:(993)(12)35-01-23, Fax:(993)(12)35-01-14.
The State Turkmentelecom Company offers Internet services in Turkmenistan. The services can be ordered through:
Mr. Batyr Karryev, Director
10A Seidi Street, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000;
Tel:(993)(12) 39-87-29
51-19-13 (application submission)
51-09-39 (financial issues)
51-11-79 (technical services)
Fax:(993)(12) 51-09-39
E-mail: info@sibnet.tm or fish@sibnet.tm
http://www.online.tm/Because of the lack of reliable local transportation, visitors and new arrivals may find it convenient to hire a local driver. These drivers are usually relatively inexpensive. Arrangements can be made at the hotels. Taxis are also available in Ashgabat and are inexpensive.
Long distance direct dialing is possible, but expensive. Operator-assisted calls can be made from Turkmenistan to the U.S. The operator usually speaks some English and will be able to put the call through (dial 079). The rate for calls to the U.S. placed through an operator is $3.90 per minute. Currently, the major hotels are charging from $8 to $12 per minute for telephone calls and from $8 to $13 for a fax message.
When the U.S. is on daylight savings time, Turkmenistan is nine hours ahead of the U.S. East Coast and 12 hours ahead of the West Coast. When the U.S. is on standard time, Turkmenistan is 10 hours ahead of the East Coast and 13 hours ahead of the West Coast.
Business travelers to Turkmenistan seeking appointments with U.S. Embassy-Ashgabat officials should contact the Commercial Section in advance. The Commercial Section can be reached by telephone at (993)(12) 51-13-06 or by fax at (993)(12) 51-13-05.
Work Week
Turkmenistan observes a Monday to Friday workweek, 9 to 6, with one hour for lunch, but many government officials and businesses regularly work on Saturday.
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[end of document] Note* International Copyright, United States Government, 1998 (or other year of first publication). All rights under foreign copyright laws are reserved. All portions of this publication are protected against any type or form of reproduction, communications to the public and the preparation of adaptations, arrangement and alterations outside the United States. U. S. copyright is not asserted under the U.S. Copyright Law, Title17, United States Code.
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