Turkmenistan to use satellite for benefit of national economy

ASHGABAT, October 3 (Itar-Tass) -- Turkmenistan will use its satellite
for economic needs, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov said.
"We should be ready to use more advanced and modern space
communications for the benefit of the national economy," the president
said at a government meeting on Friday.
He stressed that Turkmenistan's own satellite would boost the
development of communication, Internet and television systems in the
country, facilitate environmental programmes, the exploration of new
hydrocarbon and mineral fields, and a number of other national programmes.
In early September, Berdymukhamedov ordered the government to "draft
proposals regarding a national satellite in Turkmenistan". A month on, the
government has received a large number of offers from foreign companies
and is engaged in consultations with them in order to choose the partner.
Currently, Turkmenistan uses the Russian Yamal satellite operated by
Gazprom Space Systems. It ensures digital national television broadcasts
and relays many of Russian television channels to Turkmenistan.
-0-zak/