The transport-communications sector makes a substantial contribution to the country’s dynamic development and national economic growth, - President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said in his congratulatory address to transport and communications workers on the occasion of their professional day officially observed in our country for the first time. Turkmenistan has been heavily investing in building modern railways, roads, air, maritime and river transport infrastructure, and telecommunications systems. Massive efforts are being made to lay a solid foundation and encourage further growth of the sectors, to build new roads of national and regional significance, to open domestic and international routes, and to purchase high-tech powerful vehicles. The transport-communications sector is taking full advantage of the latest technologies and boasts new enterprises with new jobs. Designed to completely renovate the sector’s facilities, the national programs are being successfully implemented in the country. Today, construction of transnational railway corridors is seen as highly instrumental in promoting regional and interregional relations. Turkmenistan’s peace policy and advantageous geographical position help to boost transport cooperation both in the region and globally, - the congratulatory message stated. Now completed and fully operational, the international transport corridors – Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran, Kerki-Imamnazar-Aqina and Serhetabad-Turgundi railways have significantly contributed to strengthening our country’s economic capacity. The railways, built in our country, serve to enhance our transit potential, to bring lasting benefits to other nations and to ensure peace and universal well-being. Effective steps are currently being taken to embrace advanced technologies in the telecommunications sector and to realize large-scale projects aimed to modernize the main fiber optic communications system. Turkmenistan is creating an important information and communication bridge both in the Central Asian region and between the East and West. Our country offers access to present-day modes of communications and makes them affordable to all people. Renovation of the country’s telecommunications system stimulates the development of the diversified national economy. The motor transport sector’s vehicle fleet has undergone considerable modernization. This allows rendering efficient passenger and freight services with newly-launched intercity and city bus routes, extended transport services, improved quality and higher standards. Initiated to build internationally important highways serving as transit corridors, massive projects are now well under implementation, - the message said. New airports (equipped to handle all types of aircraft) have been constructed in every region of the country. Ashgabat International Airport is a large, multi-purpose transport hub, which is unsurpassed in the region for its cutting-edge technologies, facilities, handling capacity and total area. In the last few years huge efforts have been made to improve ground-based infrastructure, to increase the number of international and domestic flights, and to upgrade the fleet of airplanes. The Turkmenbashi International Seaport project is presently approaching an end. It is designed to raise trade-economic cooperation between Asia and Europe to a new level. The maritime gateway of our country, which is a transport corridor between the North and South, the East and West, will give access to world markets and will facilitate the effective use of new geo-economic potential, - the nation’s leader said in his address. The transport-communications system has a key role to play in advancing trade, economic, cultural, and people-to-people relations between countries located along the Silk Route. I am confident that the year themed “Turkmenistan – the Heart of the Silk Route” will see new heights achieved by transport and communications workers, - President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stressed in his congratulatory message.