Today, Ashgabat hosted the Turkmen-Austrian Business Forum, which brought together representatives of the state institutions and business communities of the two countries. The event was organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and the Federal Economic Chamber of the Republic of Austria.

At the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on November 18, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, having heard the information of the relevant leaders on the preparations for the business forum, noted that Turkmenistan attaches great importance to strengthening traditionally friendly relations with Austria, the progressive dynamics of which confirms the parties’ focus on a multi-area long-term partnership. Indicators of the high level of interstate dialogue include productive trade and economic relations, where clear evidence is provided by many years of close contacts with the largest representatives of the Austrian business, who are showing keen interest in expanding their positions in the Turkmen market.

In this context, the head of state, emphasizing the important role of the Joint Turkmen-Austrian Commission as an effective mechanism in development of cooperation, expressed confidence that the upcoming business forum in Ashgabat would also be high on the agenda of joint work and give a new impetus to fruitful cooperation.

A delegation composed of the heads and representatives of state institutions and companies of Austria specializing in the field of mechanical engineering, education, digital system and electronic software arrived in the Turkmen capital to participate in the current meeting.

For the Turkmen part, representatives of a number of sectoral ministries and departments, as well as members of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs participated in the business forum.

The meeting agenda included discussion of promising areas of mutually beneficial partnership between sectoral departments and business communities of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Austria in view of the existing large trade and economic capacities of both countries, in particular, in the industrial, energy, agricultural and transport sectors.

The forum participants emphasized that thanks to the successful implementation of the progressive reforms launched by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, all conditions have been created for the effective operation of foreign companies in Turkmenistan, which is an encouraging incentive for expanding cooperation.

During the meeting, ways were analyzed to bring relations to a new level in various areas of the economy and investment, in the field of high technologies, and in terms of the opportunities for increasing trade turnover, and specific plans for joint work were outlined.

The Austrian participants highlighted the great importance of the forum in the context of the progressive development of bilateral cooperation and stressed the ever-growing interest of the world community in Turkmenistan, which consistently implements the policy of peacekeeping and creation.

Speakers for the Turkmen part, introducing foreign colleagues to a favorable macroeconomic situation, an attractive investment climate, and urgent objectives for development of entrepreneurship, informed them about the scale of the ongoing transformations aimed at further successful integration of Turkmenistan into the world economic system, and opening up great opportunities for expanding international partnerships.

As part of the forum, which was held in a businesslike and constructive manner, meetings were held between representatives of ministries and departments, private companies and entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Austria, during which documents were signed, new contacts were established, and prospects for cooperation were discussed.

Agreements of intent were signed between the Confectionery Enterprise “Balam” and the Company “Akras Flavors GmbH”, as well as between the trading supermarket chain of Turkmenistan “Halk market” and the Austrian-Turkish Society.

Thus, the holding of such meetings contributes to the development of common approaches to the formation of a single platform for further effective partnership. Discussion of upcoming objectives will continue on November 30 during the 11th meeting of the Joint Turkmen-Austrian Commission.