ANKARA — Turkish companies' active presence in Turkmenistan is a sign of confidence that Turkmenistan President Berdimuhamedov has for Turkey and Turkish businessmen, Turkey's President Abdullah Gül said on Saturday.

Speaking to a press conference in Ankara before his departure for Turkmenistan to attend the traditional Turkmen Racing Horse Festival, Gül said the projects undertaken by Turkish companies in Turkmenistan had been worth almost $50 billion.

"When Turkmenistan's population is taken into consideration, this appears as a sign of Berdimuhamedov's confidence in Turkey and Turkish businessmen," he said.

Gül said he attached great importance to the relations between the two countries sharing common language, faith, history and culture.