The Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan, a public institution supporting small and medium-sized businesses and developing the private sector of the national economy, celebrated its 17th anniversary.
On March 18th, an international forum, “Investments in the Future of Turkmenistan,” was held at the Yıldız Hotel in Ashgabat to mark this occasion. The forum convened prominent investors, entrepreneurs, and representatives from financial institutions and government agencies to discuss economic development opportunities, reflecting a growing interest in Turkmenistan’s investment potential. This event underscored Turkmenistan’s role in the global economy and attracted attention from international financial institutions and experts.
The forum hosted representatives from numerous countries, including Russia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, France, Turkey, Germany, Kazakhstan, China, Great Britain, Estonia, the United States, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Afghanistan, the Netherlands, Belarus, and Saudi Arabia, alongside international organizations and financial institutions.
Participants explored priority projects in industry, transport, agriculture, and information technology, examined support measures for private entrepreneurship, and established contacts with international and local investors. Expert consultations on best practices for business and investment in the region were also conducted, and Turkmen businesses presented their projects to foreign partners.
The IFT 2025 International Forum featured sections on: Developments in Turkmenistan’s private sector: achievements and opportunities; Support for small and medium-sized businesses: international and national experiences; Circular economy: the role of the private sector in developing Turkmenistan’s industrial, construction, transport, and tourism sectors; and Achievements and program directions for private sector innovation in agriculture. Plenary sessions included speeches by Narine Sahakyan (UNDP), Adem Kula (Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry), John McGregor (OSCE Ashgabat Center), Aidar Kazybayev (Samruk-Kazyna and Turkmen-Kazakh Business Council), Vladimir Anishchenko (SoftClub), Artur Andrisyak (Asian Development Bank), Mangal Azgarkhil (MTS Mangal Transport & Shipping GmbH), Anatoly Nikulin (M&P Holding), Peter Sachs (John Deere), and Tang Zhiwei (China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Corporation Limited). These speakers emphasized the importance of capital investments in strengthening economic cooperation.
Turkmenistan welcomes foreign investment on favorable bilateral terms. Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan, P. Yagshyev, discussed the state’s investment policy, legislative framework, and regulatory mechanisms. Turkmenistan has 67 agreements in force with partner countries: 28 on Mutual Encouragement and Protection of Investments and 39 on the Elimination of Double Taxation.
Turkmenistan is open to attracting foreign investment on mutually beneficial terms, creating opportunities for investment cooperation and expanding economic development through favorable conditions for national and foreign investors.
