Today, the capital hotel "Ýyldyz" hosted the business forum «New horizons for connectivity, investment and sustainable development», organised within expansion of many-sided dialogue between Turkmenistan and the European Union.

The given meeting, which brought together heads of profile ministries and sectoral departments of our country as well as representatives of diplomatic missions, international organisations and foreign business circles, served another evidence of high international authority of our country, which successfully realises the policy "open doors» and wide international cooperation under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

In their speeches, representatives of profile structures and heads of diplomatic representatives of countries of the European Union accredited in Turkmenistan focused attention on the necessities of creation of new mechanisms of cooperation, which meet the requirements of the time. In particular, the importance of integration into the global trade space and adaptation of national economy to international standards was marked.

The first session of the forum was devoted to the theme of perfection of business environment to facilitate development of trade and investments between Turkmenistan and EU. In particular, participants of the session discussed the issues concerning improvement of trade and economic relations and the strengthening of legal framework of business and expansion of export possibilities of the private sector in our country.

A special emphasis was made on the issues connected with accession of Turkmenistan to the World Trade Organization (WTO). As was underlined, it will open new possibilities for attraction of foreign investments and high technologies, promoting diversification of industrial sector and increase in manufacture of competitive production.

Speeches of experts of international organisations, which presented the economic analysis of development of the Central Asian region, evoked a great interest at the forum. As was marked, Turkmenistan, showing stable economic growth, confirms the status of the reliable partner on the world scene.

At the second session of the business forum, issues of strengthening of transport-logistical connectivity were considered. As was pointed out, the favourable geographical position of Turkmenistan allows it to represent itself as the major crossroads of transcontinental transport corridors of the East-West and the North-South.

Representatives of customs services and transport associations discussed the issues connected with automation of customs procedures, simplification of trade operations, and also introduction of digital solutions in logistics. In that connection, the importance of integration of transport infrastructure of our country with the global system of transport corridors of Europe was underlined.

Heads of the European financial institutions and development banks in their turn expressed readiness to expand project activity in Turkmenistan, in particular, to support infrastructural initiatives and assist private business to enter the European markets.

The third session was devoted to the vital topic of modernity - transition to "green" economy, use of renewable energy sources and cooperation in the field of reduction of emissions of methane. In this connection, participants of the forum marked an active role of Turkmenistan in introducing advanced energy saving technologies in manufacture and solution of global environmental issues.

Heads of the energy branch as well as representatives of the largest world energy companies discussed the joint work possibilities in the sphere of renewable energy sources. The special attention was given to attraction of innovative solutions of the European Union to decrease the negative influence of industrial sector on the environment.

On the sidelines of the forum, the ceremony of signing bilateral documents aimed at n expansion of contract-legal base of cooperation and realisation of concrete investment projects was held. These agreements will give a powerful impulse to development of Turkmen-European partnership and fill it with new practical maintenance.

Then, the press conference, at which the outcome of the business forum was summed up, was held. Organizers and participants of the press conference expressed their confidence that the reached arrangements will serve prosperity of two regions and will bring a weighty contribution to the general efforts to maintain sustainable development.

On the margins of the forum, meetings of representatives of official bodies and the private sector of our country with the European partners were also held and perspective joint projects were discussed.