It has become a tradition for the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan to hold an annual forum in the capital of the country in spring. This time, a specialized exhibition and a conference were dedicated to the 14th anniversary of the foundation of this large public association that brings together over 27 thousand representatives of national private businesses, carrying out large-scale work for development of the private sector of the national economy and supporting entrepreneurial initiatives. The comprehensive development of entrepreneurship in Turkmenistan, increasing the role of the private sector through the modern market mechanisms is one of the priorities of the national socio-economic policy.
The exhibition of achievements of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan has become a mirror reflection of the positive processes taking place in the private sector of the national economy. Building its economy on the principles of market relations, Turkmenistan creates favorable legal, economic, financial and social conditions for the effective and dynamic development of the important segment of the national economy. This is evidenced by the improvement of the legal framework for entrepreneurship, tax system, simplification of export-import operations, the procedure for renting land plots, preferential lending and facilitating the processing of credit, customs and trade transactions for entrepreneurs.
About 200 exhibitors presented their stands at the exhibition, including subdivisions of the UIET, Joint Stock Commercial Bank “Rysgal”, large enterprises and business entities implementing large-scale government projects both in the capital city and the regions. By tradition, the activities of the UIET members specializing in the agro-industrial area, food and processing industry were widely represented.
Contributing to the reform of the agricultural sector, private manufacturers adopt innovative management methods, ensure greater yields of crop through introduction of advanced technologies, development of new irrigated lands, sowing additional crops on these lands, and building greenhouses that allow growing vegetables all year round and make it possible to meet the domestic demand and increase exports. The exhibitors included large agricultural enterprises, production and processing complexes for poultry, livestock and fish farming, processing of vegetables, melons and fruits.
Entrepreneurs produce a wide range of meat and dairy products, baby food, fruit and vegetable concentrates, juices, mayonnaise, ice cream, canned products, fish delicacies and a variety of confectionery. Their international certificates testify to the high quality and environmental safety of the food products by Turkmen private enterprises.
The presentation of the capacities of the UIET members in implementing the 2019–2025 Digital Economy Concept was one of the highlights of the exhibition. It was for the first time that the leading Internet resource of the country, Turkmenportal, took part in the exhibition, presenting its information products and capabilities in IT services, marketing and PR technologies. The exhibition also featured products by other private companies specializing in trade and services, expanding online commerce, creating mobile online applications that increasingly use the resources of popular Internet websites for online sales of manufactured goods.
The private companies’ activities in the construction sector were traditionally presented at the exhibition. Private companies have been implementing large-scale projects as part of the state programs, including those related to upgrading the Ashgabat infrastructure. The UIET members are currently building a number of residential facilities, cottage complexes, park areas, administrative and business districts and large-scale infrastructure facilities in the capital city. The largest state projects entrusted to private companies include the construction of the Ashgabat – Turkmenabat highway, the new administrative center of Akhal province and the Ashgabat City facilities.
As a whole, the exhibition displaying the production capacities of the UIET members presented over 100 new products in various fields of entrepreneurial activity.
The achievements of Turkmen entrepreneurs and new tasks relating to the introduction of innovative technologies, digital system, implementation of measures for development of the private sector as specified in the National Program for the Social and Economic Development of Turkmenistan in 2022–2052 were discussed at the conference held in the office of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan. The forum participants listened to reports on the UIET activities in various areas, discussed progress in fulfilling the largest government orders and investment projects, as well as other topical issues. The conference also adopted decisions relating to management of the UIET activities.
The conference participants were unanimous in their opinion that favorable conditions created by the government for development of the private sector allow Turkmen entrepreneurs to look to the future with confidence, work with inspiration in order to strengthen the economic power of the Motherland and promote the well-being of people.