Its not only the ethnic groups discrimination is in practice in turkmenistan and uzbekistan, its the amount of bribes you are prepared to pay to the highly placed officials to win a purchase contract or win a tender in Turkmenistan's raw materials stock exchange. Even if you give a higher bid , still the birzha chief who happens to be a minister of oil and gas or closely attached to the minister can always find excuses not accept your tender.

Turkmenistan has only Afghnistan and pakistan to rely on natural gas trade to reach the international market and fetch the best price for it. Instead of making an attractive offer to pakistan, they want to sell them gas for about 300 USD delivered to the border of afghanistan -pakistan. while they sell the same gas to China for under 65 USD/kilocubic meter ex.works. China is buying gas from Uzbekistan for 90 USD/kilo cubic meter. The price 65 based on the fact that Uzbekistan would never allow the Turkmen gas to be purchased by china for higher price than their own and uzbekistan will charge as a transit fee for about 25 usd/kilo cub. meter.

So the business practice in Turkmenistan is not only corrupt but even lacks vision.