BOUYGUES BUILDS UP ASHGABAT.

Turkmen President Saparmurat Niazov yesterday signed two contracts, amounting to US$150 million, with the French construction giant Bouygues. The contracts envisage the construction of both a Supreme Court palace and a main building for the Defense Ministry in Ashgabat. During the last few years, Bouygues built the presidential palace in Ashgabat, as well as the country’s largest mosque, which is situated near the capital. The same company is currently completing the Ashgabat Palace of Congresses. These three projects cost a total of US$185 million. Company president Martin Bouygues offered yesterday in Ashgabat to launch housing projects. (Russian agencies, June 22)–VS

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