TURKMENISTAN-GERMANY: POTENTIAL FOR LONG-TERM COOPERATION

On July 10-12, 2017, a representative delegation of Turkmenistan visited the Federal Republic of Germany on a working visit. On July 10, the delegation arrived in Frankfurt am Main, where the first day of the joint business event "Turkmenistan-Germany: Potential for Prospective Cooperation" was held.

On this day, the delegation met with the Chairman of the Parliament of the Federal Land of Hessen, Norbert Cartman. During the meeting, the parties discussed issues of mutually beneficial cooperation.

On July 11, the Turkmen-German business forum was organized, which was held in three sessions: 1) achievements and opportunities of German companies in the field of agriculture; 2) the importance of innovative technologies for organizing the work of state structures; 3). Turkmenistan's opportunities for export and investment. Within the framework of the forum, the exhibition of Turkmen goods as well as the presentation of the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games to be held in Ashgabat later in the year was organized.

More than 90 representatives of state enterprises, organizations, heads of German companies working in such spheres as oil and gas and chemical industry, computer technologies, energy, agriculture and food industry, transport and logistics, banking, insurance, health and education took part in the forum. During the forum more than 50 bilateral meetings between representatives of business structures of the two countries were held.

The forum assessed the economic potential of Turkmenistan, characterized the processes occurring in various sectors, presented the most significant indicators and prospects for their development, analyzed the current state of trade turnover between Turkmenistan and the Federal Republic of Germany, and coordinated measures to further increase its volumes taking into account the interests of the two countries. Particular attention was paid to the innovative component of economic reforms, a favorable investment climate in the country and favorable conditions for the activities of foreign companies, which provides significant opportunities for foreign businessmen.

On July 12, members of the Turkmen delegation visited the production sites of Neufeld, a company specializing in the food industry, software manufacturer SAP SE and the largest chemical concern BASF.

As shown by the meetings and negotiations held with German partners, the priority areas for cooperation remain agriculture, energy, the financial system, the medical industry and pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and health protection. German companies make a significant contribution to the implementation of long-term projects in our country, which clearly demonstrates their interest in developing mutually beneficial cooperation.