Global Voices Online

Turkmenistan: Old-Type Markets To Be Closed

Tuesday, April 8th, 2008 @ 04:11 UTC

by Adil Nurmakov

Countries:: Turkmenistan
Topics:: Business
Languages:: English

Maciula considers reports that open-air market in Ashgabat, the capital city of Turkmenistan, is to be replaced with a modern trade centre by 2010. He also posts some pictures of the current traditional-style market.

Posted by Adil Nurmakov

Print Version

Start the conversation

Recent Links also in Central Asia & Caucasus »

Herron Family News comments on the construction boom in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, but notes that the quality of work leaves much to be desired. Situated in an area of seismic activity, the blog wonders if such an issue can be used by the opposition in the country.

Writing from Azerbaijan, Herron Family News details various meetings that have been held as next week's presidential election draws closer. However, the blog notes, the outcome of the vote is predictable. With the main opposition parties boycotting the election, the incumbent president will be re-elected. The only unanswered question is whether voters will actually bother to go to the polls.

Unzipped comments on the case of Sargis Hatspanian, a French-Armenian veteran of the war with Azerbaijan who came out in support of the radical opposition during February's disputed presidential election. The blog challenges the official line that Hatspanian is an illegal alien in Armenia and questions the legality of his possible deportation from the country.