Today, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov received Eric Stewart, Executive Director of the Turkmenistan-USA Business Council, and John Reese, Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors of Nicklaus Companies.

Expressing gratitude to the head of state for the time devoted for the meeting, the businessmen took the opportunity to personally congratulate President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on his convincing victory in the elections, wishing him great success in his activities at the highest state post. The guests noted the desire of representatives of American business to comprehensively deepen the constructive dialogue established in recent years with independent neutral Turkmenistan, confidently pursuing a course of full-scale international cooperation in the common interests.

Thanking for congratulations and good wishes, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that the main goal of our country’s foreign economic policy is closer productive business cooperation on an equal basis with all interested partners, including the largest US companies. Turkmenistan, which is currently implementing a strategy of economic diversification by actively attracting the best international experience and advanced technologies, is open to constructive cooperation and welcomes the desire of American business circles to strengthen their positions in the Turkmen market, the head of state said.

During the exchange of views on the state and prospects of bilateral contacts, the President of the country and his guests noted with satisfaction the existence of a solid potential for the further development of interstate dialogue. As noted, this year is marked by the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and the United States. Over the years, a rich experience of joint activities has been accumulated, such companies as John Deere, Case, General Electric, Boeing successfully operate in the Turkmen market in strategically important sectors.

As a result of Turkmenistan’s open door policy, a favorable investment climate and an optimal organizational and legal mechanism for doing business have been created, which help to attract an increasing number of potential foreign partners to work in the promising market of our country. In this context, the guests expressed the intention of the American business community to invest in the development of the Turkmen economy and take an active part in the large-scale projects and programs being implemented.

A separate topic of discussion was the activities of the Turkmenistan-USA Business Council and its role in strengthening interstate economic relations built on a long-term and mutually beneficial basis. In this regard, it was emphasized that the regular business meetings, forums and exhibitions organized by this structure promote the establishment of close contacts between public and private circles of both countries.

Among the priority areas for combining joint efforts were identified trade and economic sphere, fuel and energy sector, transport and communications, agriculture, renewable energy, chemical and food industry, ecology, etc.

During the meeting, it was noted that sport is also considered as a new point of application of mutual interests, the comprehensive development of which is given increased attention in Turkmenistan. Highly appreciating the successes of our country in the field of physical education and sports of the highest achievements, numerous victories of Turkmen athletes in prestigious international competitions, as well as modern sports complexes erected in the capital and in all regions, including the Olympic Village, where the 5^th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games were held in 2017, businessmen expressed the desire of US companies specializing in this field to continue to support the development of such a popular sport as golf in Turkmenistan.

Speaking about the opening prospects of bilateral business cooperation, taking into account the accumulated rich experience of joint work, the head of state confirmed the readiness of the Turkmen side to consider new proposals for further expansion of traditional cooperation.

At the end of the meeting, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the guests expressed confidence in the further successful development of the Turkmen-American partnership, which has received new dynamics and content in recent years.