Bouygues Bâtiment International, a Bouygues Construction subsidiary, has been awarded a 270 million euro contract to build a luxury hotel complex in Turkmenistan's capital, Ashgabat.

The five-star hotel – one of the biggest in Central Asia – will target business people attracted by the country's economic potential. With a surface area of 95,000 sq. metres, it will comprise more than 300 rooms, including 12 presidential suites and serviced apartments spread over 17 floors, as well as a conference centre, a shopping centre, three restaurants, a spa and several swimming pools.

The works, due to commence shortly, will last 19 months and involve nearly 2,000 workers at peak periods. The hotel will be inaugurated in December 2009 at the summit of heads of state of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), an alliance of former republics of the Soviet Union, to be held in Ashgabat. Turkmenistan became an associate member of the CIS in 2005.

Bouygues Bâtiment International has been present in Turkmenistan for nearly 15 years. It has handed over several prestigious projects, including the Kiptchak mosque (the biggest in Central Asia), a theatre, sports complexes and ministries.

Bouygues Construction generated sales of 50 million euros in Turkmenistan in 2007. This figure is expected to be higher in 2008 following the award of several major contracts.