The first-ever exhibition-fair “Kids Expo: Everything for Children” was held for in the Turkmen capital in the last days of summer. The large-scale international exhibition of children’s goods and services industry was organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan jointly with the “Turkmen Expo” private enterprise. Both Turkmen and numerous foreign companies specialising in production of goods for children accepted the invitation to participate in the exhibition. The geography of participants turned out to be quite wide, including manufacturers from the Russian Federation, the USA, Canada, Germany, Portugal, Italy, the UAE, Turkey, Singapore, China, Bahrain, Great Britain, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
The Expo-Forum participants also included Turkmenistan’s long-standing international partner, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which actively participates in the country’s programs for the protection of motherhood and childhood, comprehensive development of the younger generation, improving the material well-being of families, improving the education and health care systems, and popularizing the principles of a healthy lifestyle.
A lively and festive atmosphere reigned on the spacious ground near the Karakum Hotel on the opening day of the exhibition. Guests of honour were invited to participate in the opening ceremony of the first-ever exhibition-fair of children’s goods, such as members of the Mejlis, government, heads of ministries and departments, heads and representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in Ashgabat.
Those gathered warmly received the welcoming address by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to the forum participants, in which he expressed confidence that the current international exhibition and fair will become a landmark event in the cultural and business life of Turkmenistan, since it is not just an excellent platform for demonstrating the capabilities of businessmen, but also a kind of festive event for parents and their children.
The exhibition lasted for four days, during which Ashgabat residents and guests of the Turkmen capital were able to view an expanded exhibition that focused on various age categories of children, combined with high quality of the products.
The fact of organization of the exhibition with rich expositions was clear evidence of the huge daily multifaceted work of the state aimed at caring for the younger generation of its citizens. In recent years, the country has been effectively implementing targeted programs so that children live in joy and happiness, have a comfortable rest, study, create and grow up educated, erudite, physically strong and well-mannered people. To this end, an optimal state system of family support, protection of motherhood and childhood, upbringing and education of the younger generation has been established and is constantly being improved, starting from legislative support to the implementation of the best world practices in these areas. The harmonious development of the younger generation is one of the important, strategic tasks of the state.
The exhibitors – public and private structures, foreign companies – had the opportunity to present their activities, products and services to a large audience.
Book products, including works by the classics of Turkmen literature aroused great interest of numerous visitors. Among them were poems by the outstanding poet and humanist of the East Magtymguly Fraghi, whose 300th birth anniversary is celebrated this year not only in our country but also around the world.
From the very first day, the stands of Turkmen manufacturers attracted increased interest from visitors. The wide range of their products mirrored the huge potential of the private sector. Members of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan have a great role to play in addressing the tasks on production of high-quality competitive goods that would be in demand both in the country and abroad.
The active turnout of young visitors was a distinctive feature of the current exhibition. They were the primary target audience of a ceremonial show of fashionable and stylish children’s clothing from Turkmenistan’s famous fashion houses. Each costume created by talented designers was unique. They organically combined traditional national motifs and trends of modern world fashion. Several interactive zones were created especially for children, where young citizens could plunge into the atmosphere of creativity and creation under the guidance of experienced tutors.
Young visitors watched performances with participation of magicians, animators, artists who recreated the images of favourite fairy-tale characters, famous cartoon characters, as well as shows of young talents, sports performances and meetings with the stars of Turkmen sports.
Innovative technologies for education of children attracted increased interest from visitors of the exhibition. At the same time, the organizers also covered such an important topic as inclusive education and care for children with special needs. The state provides legal guarantees of protection and provision of legitimate interests to young citizens who happened to be in a difficult life situation by the will of fate, and provides assistance aimed at their adaptation in society and preparation for independent life.
As is known, a special charitable foundation was established in March 2021 for these purposes at the initiative of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, to provide assistance to children in need of care. The funds channelled into the foundation’s accounts are used to provide children with medical and educational services, as well as opportunities for meaningful recreation and for other needs.
The allocation of funds from the charitable fund for various surgeries for children in need of care in medical institutions of the capital and regions of the country, payment of treatment costs and purchase of appropriate medical supplies for young Turkmen citizens who are brought up and educated in orphanages, specialized schools and boarding schools has become systematic.
It is important to note that this exhibition, the largest in the Central Asian region, has become an effective platform for the productive dialogue between national government and business structures and their foreign partners, for active exchange of experiences in using the latest developments in the children’s industry.