On 9 April, 202 President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov inspected the construction sites built by Bouygues Batiment International, including the government stand, the complex of Khalk Maslakhaty administrative buildings, “Arkadag” hotel, the Congress centre as well as Turkmenbashi and Senegat bank buildings.
The head of state also inspected the aforementioned construction sites on 20 April during a bike ride.
At the same time, correspondents of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” report that as of today the works have been suspended on the majority of these construction sites.
Journalists of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” spotted a few workers at the construction site of “Halk Maslahatynyň Diwany” Palace (the Khalk Maslakhaty administrative buildings). There are no construction workers at other sites, such as the office buildings of “Turkmenbashi” and “Senegat” banks and the government stand.
According to one version, the reason behind the suspended works was the closing of the borders, which resulted in the halting of construction materials supply. It has been previously reported that in February 2020 Turkmenistan purchased a large batch of cement in Turkey.
At the same time observers note that the construction works had been halted in the majority of construction-in-progress before the quarantine was imposed in many countries.
According to some construction workers, they have been on paid leave for over a month.As soon as construction materials are supplied, they will be called in to work.
He also reported that the executives of the company refused to follow the requirement of the Central Bank to pay salaries in manats at the official rate.Pay checks for March were paid in dollars.
Let us recall that at the Cabinet session held on 3 April 2020, Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov ordered to reduce the number of construction objects due to the economic slump and falling revenues and build only the most essential facilities.
In October 2016, during the celebrations of the 25th anniversary of Independence Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov met with the CEO of France-based Bouygues Martin Bouygues. The sides discussed further potential cooperation in the construction area.
In September 2017 Martin Bouygues again paid a visit to Turkmenistan to meet President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov and present some new projects for consideration.
In January 2018 Berdymukhammedov approved the design of some construction projects which will be carried out by Bouygues, inducing Khalk Maslakhaty administrative buildings, “Arkadag” hotel, the Congress centre, as well as Turkmenbashi and Senegat bank buildings.
In February 2018 it became known that the construction of banks was scheduled to be completed in September 2019. As of today their construction has not been finalized.
In July 2019, after a regular inspection by the President, state-run media outlets reported that the construction of government stands are scheduled to be completed in August 2020.