On October 21–22, a two-day training seminar was held at the “Yyldyz” hotel, focusing on Turkmenistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization and its significance for the private sector. The event was organized by the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The seminar was attended by representatives of government agencies, the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan, companies from various economic sectors, as well as international experts. The purpose of the meeting is to inform the business community about the progress of negotiations on WTO accession, the opportunities and challenges associated with membership, and to establish a dialogue between the government and the business sector.

Representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Economy noted that preparations for WTO accession require the active participation of entrepreneurs. According to them, this process can facilitate the modernization of the national trade system and economy, enhance the competitiveness of local companies, expand and diversify exports, and contribute to the country’s long-term, sustainable development.

The ADB delegation was led by Asad Aleem, Regional Head for Regional Cooperation and Integration in the Central and West Asia Department. It also included Julian Clark, a senior specialist in the Regional Cooperation, Integration and Trade Division of the Department of Climate Change and Sustainable Development, and Dorothea Lazaro, a senior regional cooperation specialist in the Central and West Asia Department.

The ADB brought in international experts to participate in the seminar. Ambassador Zhanar Aitzhan shared Kazakhstan’s experience in the process of acceding to the WTO. International trade law experts Paolo Vergano and Fabio Artuso presented key aspects of the topic.

The seminar took the form of a discussion: participants asked questions, shared their viewpoints, and spoke about the challenges facing Turkmen enterprises—including accessing foreign markets, bringing products into compliance with international standards, and preparing for increased competition.

The export potential of domestic companies was discussed separately: participants talked about improving product quality, meeting the requirements of international markets, and strengthening the position of the private sector.

Ministry representatives emphasized that the views of entrepreneurs are important when defining national economic priorities and developing approaches for future negotiations. The meeting concluded that successful preparation for WTO accession requires ongoing cooperation between government authorities and the business community.