Representatives of key government bodies of Turkmenistan conducted a working visit to Astana from June 1 to 6 to study the experience of the Republic of Kazakhstan in joining the World Trade Organization. The delegation included representatives of the Mejlis, the Cabinet of Ministers, relevant ministries, the Central Bank and the State Customs Service.
The meetings were held within the framework of the International Trade Center project "Turkmenistan: Trade Sustainability and Integration", funded by the European Union. Deputy Director of the Center for Trade Policy Development "QazTrade" Nurlan Kulbatyrov and the center's experts shared with the Turkmen side their rich experience in the step-by-step preparation for WTO membership.
Particular attention was paid to the importance of developing a national trade strategy, adapting foreign economic policy, training personnel and bringing national legislation into line with WTO standards. Kazakhstani experts spoke about the creation of a specialized center "QazTrade", which played a key role in shaping the country's trade policy.
At a meeting with Deputy Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan Zh. Kushukova, Turkmenistan's initiatives to join the WTO were highly appreciated. Head of the Department of Cooperation with the WTO of the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan Y. Yarashov noted the importance of Kazakhstan's experience in preparing the country for membership in the organization.
During the visit, the delegation also visited the “Astana” International Financial Centre, established in 2015 and operating under English common law. The AIFC became one of the first specialized financial centres in the region, facilitating the attraction of foreign investment and the development of capital markets.
The Republic of Kazakhstan became the 162nd member of the WTO on 30 November 2015, and its first trade policy review took place in September 2024.
