This week, Turkmen greenhouse enterprises are among hundreds of representatives of the horticulture industry from around the globe at the heart of GreenTech Amsterdam – an international exhibition, trade show and convention, the themes of which include vertical and indoor farming, autonomous technology, organic farming, sustainable crop protection, and climate, water and energy efficiency. This business matching trip was organised by the Netherlands Government and the EBRD SME Finance and Development team.

Turkmen delegates in attendance at GreenTech this week are from Yigit, Mizemez, and Nurly Meydan, greenhouse enterprises which have been, for years, successfully growing tomatoes, strawberries, and flowers in the country . The delegates’ objectives while in Netherlands are to improve production processes and efficiency, identify potential new crops and technologies to be introduced to the Turkmen market, expand their business networks, and gain insights into innovative trends in the horticulture industry. Additionally, the business matching trip will stimulate international and inter-regional trade.

In Turkmenistan, the EBRD is supporting the greenhouse sector through local and international advice, finance, and now through business matching opportunities. Earlier this year, the EBRD recognised local greenhouse enterprise Hosh Zaman’s commitment to sustainability with a Gold Award in the Climate Resilience category, for introducing highly efficient technology that allows the company to grow tomato plants without the use of soil and with reduced water consumption, saving the equivalent of 34 Olympic-sized swimming pools worth of water per year. Also last year – owing to EU donor funding to local and international advisory projects in the country – another local greenhouse enterprise, Nurly Meydan successfully passed certification for quality and food safety management and received ISO 9001 and ISO 22000 international certificates. The business matching trip taking place this week in Amsterdam will provide valuable expertise and opportunities for the Turkmen horticulture enterprises Yigit, Mizemez and Nurly Meydan on the international market and provide a glimpse into the future of the global horticulture industry.