27.07.10 Caspian Focus Industry veteran Yagshygeldy Kakaev takes charge of Turkmen energy sector

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov

Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has appointed Yagshygeldy Kakaev, head of the State Committee for the Management and Utilisation of Hydrocarbons, as acting deputy prime minister in charge of the energy sector. Kakaev replaces Baymurat Khojamukhammedov, the 49-year-old former head of Turkmengas, who took over as deputy PM a year ago.

Kakaev, a veteran of the Turkmen oil industry who has survived a series of management purges by Berdymuhamedov, is highly regarded for his professionalism and his personal integrity.

“He's a very nice guy and I think he could stay in his new position for quite some time,” says an acquaintance. His job as head of the State Agency is due to be taken by Ashirguli Begliyev, now head of the agency's executive committee, who has responsibility for overseeing joint venture projects.

Turkmenistan's minister of oil and natural resources, Bayramgeldi Nedirov, has survived his six-month trial period and has been given the job on a permanent basis. Nedirov, who was made acting minister in January after his predecessor Oraznur Nurmyradov was fired for incompetence, will need to keep his head down to avoid suffering a similar fate.

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