President of Turkmenistan receives Chairperson of the Japanese-Turkmen Committee on Economic Cooperation, Vice Chairman of ITOCHU Corporation, Yoichi Kobayashi. Expressing gratitude for the opportunity of a personal meeting, the guest conveyed warm greetings from Emperor of Japan Naruhito and Prime Minister of Japan Shinzō Abe to the President of Turkmenistan. The distinguished guests reaffirmed the high interest of Japanese business circles in building up cooperation with Turkmenistan. Expressing satisfaction with the constructive nature of the interstate dialogue, the President of Turkmenistan addressed the greetings to the Emperor and the Prime Minister of Japan, emphasizing the long-term efficient work of leading companies from the Land of the Rising Sun in our country. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that Japan was one of the reliable, strategic partners of Turkmenistan, underlining that at present the traditionally friendly bilateral relations had reached a qualitatively new level. According to the President of Turkmenistan, the Turkmen-Japanese cooperation strengthens in all spheres with every passing year, as well as successfully develops in the international arena, where our countries support each other. The meeting participants exchanged views on the prospects for partnership with its impressive diverse potential, given the course taken by Turkmenistan for the industrialization and diversification of the national economy, creation of high-tech industries focused on the production of high-quality competitive goods. In this context, special attention was paid to the work of the Turkmen-Japanese Committee on Economic Cooperation, the next, 13th meeting of which is scheduled for May 23 in Ashgabat. A solid delegation of about 80 people, including the representatives of business structures as well as a number of ministries in Japan arrived in our country to take part in the meeting. The meeting agenda will focus on a wide range of issues of bilateral trade and economic relations, including increase of goods turnover volume, enhancement of direct business contacts, establishment of joint ventures in various fields, and encouragement of investment activity. The possibilities of implementing new large-scale projects, in particular, in the oil and gas and chemical industries, will be considered. In this regard, it was noted that Turkmenistan and Japan have successful experience in this area. There are wide opportunities for cooperation in the transport, communications and logistics sectors, agriculture and other areas. At the same time, great importance is attached to the strengthening the Turkmen-Japanese humanitarian ties, including in the scientific and educational field. Sports and tourism were also specified among the promising areas of partnership. Expressing gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan for providing support to bilateral cooperation and for the high assessment of the activities of Japanese companies in Turkmenistan, Yoichi Kobayashi reaffirmed the aspiration of Japanese business circles for widening cooperation in the Turkmen market and taking part in the implementation of large-scale reformatory programmes in our country. Welcoming the initiative approach of Japanese partners to cooperation, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov wished every success to the upcoming meeting. At the end of the meeting, the President of Turkmenistan and his guest expressed confidence that the Turkmen-Japanese cooperation would actively develop on a long-term mutually beneficial basis. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Turkmenistan Takahiko Katsumata attended the meeting.