LAHORE: Turkmenistan wants to speed up work on the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, says the country’s ambassador to Pakistan.

“My country gives great importance to having better relations with Pakistan and wants to speed up work on the TAPI gas pipeline project,” ambassador Atadjan Movlamov said at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). The ambassadors of Nepal and Azerbaijan were also present.

Mr Movalmov said a logistics centre has been established for transit trade in Turkmenistan but one route cannot meet the requirements, so access to the ports of Karachi and Gwadar is very important.

Ambassador of Nepal Tapas Adhikari said Nepal sees Pakistan as a preferred partner and is keen to expand trade relations.

“The Nepal Chamber has also inked a memorandum of understanding with the LCCI to help increase bilateral trade,” he added.

“I’ll bring a delegation of Nepali businessmen to Pakistan soon,” he added.

Ambassador of Azerbaijan Khazar Farhadov praised the LCCI for playing a key role in maintaining good economic relations between the two countries. “We want to further improve the trade relations with Pakistan,” he added.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2022