United States Department of State

Turkmenistan United States Department of State

Turkmenistan regularly announces its desire to attract more foreign investment, but tight state control of the economy, the slow pace of economic reform, and a restrictive visa regime have created a difficult foreign investment climate. In January 2013, Turkmenistan created the Agency for Protection from Economic Risks to oversee international investments in Turkmenistan. The Agency is responsible for a comprehensive review of foreign companies wishing to enter Turkmenistan's market that includes assessment of the financial and political risks associated with allowing the company to do business in Turkmenistan. Given the arbitrary nature of this assessment, the agency will likely further increase already arduous bureaucratic procedures.