The Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) within the framework of the regional project “Trade Facilitation in Central Asia” for 2024-2026. This was reported to Turkmenportal by the regional manager of GIZ.

The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations Begench Gochmollayev, as well as GIZ Director for Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Joachim Fritz and German Ambassador to Turkmenistan Michael U. Bierhoff.

The regional project is implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development in partnership with national ministries, customs authorities, border guards and private sector representatives from Central Asian countries. The project aims to develop regional approaches, especially in the area of digitalization, to facilitate cross-border trade.

Gochmollayev reaffirmed Turkmenistan's commitment to strengthening regional trade co-operation. With the accession of Turkmenistan, the project now covers all five countries in the region, responding to the growing interest in developing ties between Central Asian and European countries.

During the March 11-13 visit, the GIZ delegation discussed with Turkmen agencies and businesses practical steps to implement the Memorandum for 2024. The parties expect that joint initiatives will contribute to the prosperity and growth of cross-border trade in Central Asia.