Below is a translation of Abdulgamid’s post on the Russian blog.

Who is Ahmet Calik actually? A Turkish citizen, who became a citizen of Turkmenistan and was appointed as Deputy Minister of Textile Industry, Adviser to President on Economic Issues and Turkmen Energy Resources International Marketing. He is an active businessman and crafty courtier, who scraped megabuck fortune drawing funds from Turkmen treasury.

He is the one, who built multiply overcharged textile factories and constructed posh multi-storied and yet empty buildings in the capital of Turkmenistan. He can “legally” be referred to as the Chief Turkmen Textileman, Constructor and Leading Specialist of Fuel and Energy Industry. All these titles allowed him to play an important role in Turkmen-Turkish governmental affairs and become a key person in lobbying the Turkish capital in Turkmenistan.

The ordinary Turkmen people attitude to him is quite mixed, or, if to say simply, unfriendly. Using his connections to the top echelons of power Ahmet Calik always was successful in making profit of Turkmenistan. So, despite all changes taking place in the country he continues to run his “fair” business.

There is no a single business, where Calik would not get vast profits, and at all times it is related to the State contracts, governmental grants, benefits and other privileges, which were graciously granted to the numerous Calik’s companies. Essentially, it is not free of charge.

Should there be a freedom of speech in Turkmenistan, then the luxurious renovation in Firuza Residence of Niyazov could produce a scandal even harsher that the one with Mabetex. Officially, there was the tender announced for the residence renovation. However, the winner — a Turkish Company “Sece” — was known well in advance. This company is also linked to Ahmet Calik. They say that the cost of Firuza residence renovation was several times higher than its actual value. What the one wouldn’t do for the best friend, especially if the best friend has supported the translation of “Rukhnama” into Turkish and English?

When the new President came to power it seemed that Calik’s lucky star had set forever. There was information that he was removed from the state “feed box” and even placed under arrest. Nevertheless, Calik, like legendary Phoenix, always rises as well from the ashes, as from any other mess he gets into.

January 24, 2008.
Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, the President of Turkmenistan, received Turkish Chalik Holding CEO Ahmet Chalik, the Turkmen State News Service (TDH) reports.
During the meeting the businessman briefed the head of state on preparations for the construction of Nejmeddin Kubr mosque in Kunyaurgench as well as on the progress of construction of the international head-and-neck medical centre construction in the southern part of the Turkmen capital.
The Turkish company CEO also presented a solar power station project to be built soon as part of the programme to introduce resource-saving and ecology-friendly technologies in Turkmenistan. Having approved the project in general, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov stressed the need for a thorough scientifically-proved project and its full compliance with ecological safety requirements.
Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov invited Ahmet Chalik to draw up proposals for his company’s participation in the programme of development of the petrochemical industry of Turkmenistan.

This story of Calik-The-Treasury-Leech is a spectacular example demonstrating that no significant changes in ways and methods of economy development and regulation have taken place in Turkmenistan. If Calik’s phenomenon still exists, it means that all remains as before. Corruption and protectionism still will be the main obstructions for the serious and respected international companies to come into country, while for Ahmet Calik it is a wonderful opportunity to pick out tens or even hundreds of million dollars from the pockets of Turkmen people.