Turkmenistan spinning new life into its silk industry

Turkmenistan is rising to become a modern nation, and seeing one of its traditional silk industry return to its former glory and spur economic growth. This old business has existed along the old Silk Road for thousands of years.

Exquisite and durable, silk production in Turkmenistan thousands of years ago, came into the country on caravans traveling along the old silk road. Now silk products made here are venturing into overseas markets.

There are different types of cocoons, both domestic and foreign varieties. They select the best cocoons from all over the country, said Ogulnur Repovo, head of sorting of Ashkhabad Filature.

First established in 1928, the Ashkhabad filature is the oldest silk production enterprise in Turkmenistan. This small silk mill has an impressive output. Every year, it consumes 500 tons of cocoon, producing enough silk to make over 2,000 dresses.

The need for silk is very large in Ashkhabad, locals use it to make velvet clothes. This modern factory produces silk for local use as well as for export. Much of the equipment is imported from China.

Turkmenistan is breathing new life into its traditions. Long gowns of velvet adorned with hand-made collars are favored by women here. Silk products are always in demand.

Silk products are very popular in Turkmenistan. Everything is made of real silk. Women here wear this kind of babushka when they are married. It can be draped around shoulders or cover your hair.

China provided two million dollars interest free credit for reconstruction of Ashkhabad Filature that has now eight production lines and five hundred skilled employees working on more modern equipment producing 260 tons of silk yarn annually of finer quality.

The silk production is enough to meet local need, part from that they have even entered foreign markets such as South Korea, Iran, India and Dubai.