From March 17 to 19, Ashgabat hosted a large-scale Forum and Exhibition of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan (UIE) on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of the establishment of this organization. The event has become a vivid reflection of the impressive achievements of the private sector of the country's economy, which is confidently developing thanks to the comprehensive support of the state and personally the National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
The exhibition clearly demonstrates how entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan make a significant contribution to the implementation of national programs and reforms aimed at the innovative development of the country in the Renaissance era. The exhibits covered the widest range of sectors, from industry and construction to agribusiness and services, reflecting the growing potential of private business.
In turn, the conference within the framework of the Forum allowed discussing topical issues of entrepreneurship development, exploring opportunities for introducing the latest technologies, improving the competitiveness of domestic goods and services. The participants analyzed the evolution of Turkmen business and outlined plans to address priority tasks for the future.
The theme of state support for small and medium-sized enterprises was a red thread running through all the events of the Forum. As President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized in his welcoming address, the Government of Turkmenistan creates all conditions for effective work of entrepreneurs, seeing the private sector as a reliable partner in building a prosperous economy.
Let us analyze in detail what successes the representatives of the business community of Turkmenistan have achieved and what opportunities the state policy of supporting entrepreneurship opens for them.
State and business: hand in hand to prosperity
Analyzing the course and results of the SPPT Forum, one cannot but note that the key factor of successful development of private entrepreneurship in Turkmenistan is comprehensive support from the state.
As emphasized in the address by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the issues of stimulating small and medium-sized businesses are constantly in the focus of attention of the Turkmen leadership. The state purposefully creates the most favorable conditions for the effective activity of entrepreneurs in all spheres of the economy.
Thus, the "Program of socio-economic development of Turkmenistan and investments in 2024" adopted by the government sets among the priorities the formation of a favorable business environment, acceleration of transition to market relations, expansion of the range of entrepreneurship and development of public-private partnership. An ambitious goal has been set to increase the share of the non-governmental sector in the country's non-oil GDP to 71.4%.
To achieve these benchmarks, the government uses a wide arsenal of incentives: from improving legislation and reducing administrative barriers to providing soft loans, equipment leasing, consulting and marketing support to businesses.
A clear example of the scale of this support is the involvement of private construction companies in the implementation of major state projects, such as the development of Ashgabat, the city of Arkadag, and the Avaza sea resort zone. On the one hand, business receives guaranteed orders, on the other hand, it makes a direct contribution to improving the quality of life of the population.
The results of this approach have been impressive. As noted at the Forum, over 16 years, the number of SPPT members has grown significantly, and the geography and diversity of their activities have expanded. In 2023 alone, production volumes in the private sector of agribusiness increased by 11.7%, industry - by 6.7%.
Thus, we can confidently conclude that due to systematic government support, private entrepreneurship in Turkmenistan is not only developing dynamically, but is becoming an increasingly important driver of economic growth, technological modernization and increasing competitiveness of the country. Business and the state in Turkmenistan go hand in hand towards a common goal - prosperity and power of the Fatherland.
From construction to everyday life - private business expands its horizons
The SPPT Forum clearly demonstrated how Turkmen entrepreneurs are actively mastering the production of a wide range of industrial and consumer goods, becoming reliable partners of the state in import substitution and saturation of the domestic market with quality products.
Particularly impressive progress has been made in the building materials industry. Private companies produce dozens of world-class products, from pipes and cables to ceramic tiles, basalt fiber, paints, bricks and dry mixes. Many of these products are exported, testifying to the industry's growing competitiveness.
Entrepreneurs are no less active in increasing the production of household chemicals, perfumes and cosmetics. New brands of detergents and cleaners are appearing, and the range of home and personal care products is expanding.
Similar trends can be traced in the production of furniture and consumer goods. The stands of local furniture giants - Aýbölek, Çigildem, Abraýly mebel, offering stylish solutions for home and office of excellent quality, shone at the exhibition. The volume and variety of clothing, footwear and home textiles produced in the country are growing.
A significant trend is the adoption of innovative, environmentally friendly technologies and materials by entrepreneurs. In particular, the construction industry emphasizes energy efficiency, "smart" systems, modern composites. In the light industry, the key trend is natural fabrics, safe dyes, and ergonomic design.
Analyzing these facts, one can conclude that private business in Turkmenistan not only consistently expands the horizons of its activity, but also sets new quality standards in all segments of the consumer market. Thanks to the state support, entrepreneurs are confidently mastering the production of high-tech, competitive products, laying the foundation for sustainable industrial development of the country for years to come.
Private agribusiness - an engine of food security
The SPPT Forum has convincingly demonstrated that entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan make a significant contribution to strengthening the food independence of the country, actively developing agriculture, food and processing industry.
Eloquent examples of this were presented in the numerous pavilions of the exhibition. Private companies demonstrated their achievements in the production of the widest range of food products - from meat and dairy products and baby food to fruit juices, fish delicacies and confectionery. The geography of exhibitors covered all velayats, testifying to the scale of agribusiness development.
Special attention is paid to the introduction of advanced agricultural technologies and breeding achievements. For example, the exhibition presented the results of cattle breeders' work on the development of new high-yield cattle breeds adapted to local conditions. Plant breeders are successfully mastering intensive methods of horticulture, greenhouse vegetable growing, and increasing the production of environmentally friendly vitamin products.
An important emphasis is placed on the deep processing of agricultural raw materials and the creation of added value. New enterprises are appearing in the country to produce canned fruits and vegetables, canned meat, concentrates and semi-finished products. Flour milling, bakery and confectionery production facilities are being modernized. Significant investments are directed to the construction of modern warehouses, refrigerators, wholesale and distribution centers.
A characteristic feature of private agribusiness development in Turkmenistan is its focus on achieving international quality and safety standards. More and more enterprises are implementing ISO and HACCP management systems and obtaining halal certificates. This opens up new prospects not only for import substitution, but also for increasing agro-food exports.
To summarize, we can confidently say that SPPT members today act as a real driving force in the development of the agro-industrial complex of Turkmenistan. Their efforts, combined with government support, make an invaluable contribution to ensuring the abundance and diversity of products in the domestic market, improving the quality of nutrition of the population, and strengthening food security of the country in the long term.
Turkmen business at the forefront of digital transformation
The SPPT Forum clearly demonstrated that entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan not only keep up with the times, but also actively master the most advanced innovative technologies, becoming real drivers of digital transformation of the country's economy.
Numerous exhibits representing the achievements of the private sector in IT, e-commerce, and high-tech manufacturing were a clear confirmation of this. The pavilion of the Aýdyň gijeler company specializing in the production of modern electronic products - from smartphones and smart-TVs to air conditioners and network equipment - attracted special attention. This example clearly illustrates the fact that Turkmen entrepreneurs are successfully mastering the production of technically complex products capable of competing with foreign analogues.
An equally important trend is the active introduction of digital technologies in the management of business processes, marketing and logistics. Many companies presented their own IT developments, mobile applications, systems for automating accounting and data analysis at the Forum. More and more entrepreneurs are using the opportunities of electronic trading platforms, social networks, and targeted online advertising to promote their goods and services.
A landmark event was the discussion of e-commerce development issues on the margins of the Forum. Speaking at the conference, representatives of the business community emphasized the need to further improve the regulatory framework, infrastructure and mechanisms of online commerce in the country. For its part, the government expressed its readiness to fully support these endeavors, seeing them as a key factor in increasing business activity, especially among young people.
To summarize, it can be stated that the private sector of Turkmenistan is confidently at the forefront of digital transformation, mastering innovative business models and Industry 4.0 technologies. Joining efforts with the state within the framework of the national program "Digital Economy", entrepreneurs are laying a solid foundation for the country's long-term competitiveness in the rapid global technological revolution.
Summarizing the results of the Forum and Exhibition of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan, we can confidently say that this event was a vivid evidence of the impressive success of the private sector of the country's economy, achieved thanks to the comprehensive support and visionary policy of the state led by the National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
The achievements of Turkmen business presented at the show cover the widest range of industries, from industry and agro-industrial complex to innovative technologies and services. The entrepreneurs clearly demonstrated their contribution to import substitution and building up export potential, mastering the production of new types of products, introducing advanced quality and management standards.
It is especially important to emphasize that behind all these successes is a consistent and purposeful policy of the Turkmen leadership to create the most favorable conditions for the development of private initiative. The state not only improves the legislative and institutional framework for SME support, but also implements specific incentive mechanisms - from preferential lending to direct partnership in major infrastructure projects.
The obvious result of this approach has been the dynamic growth of the main indicators of the business sector. As noted at the Forum, over the years of independence, the number of SPPT members has increased manifold, and the sectoral and geographical diversification of their activities has expanded. The share of the private sector in the country's non-oil GDP is steadily growing and is expected to reach 71% in the medium term.
At the same time, the Forum not only summarized the results of the passed path, but also outlined guidelines for further progressive development of private entrepreneurship as a key driver of innovative economy of sovereign Turkmenistan. The focus is on further digitalization, clustering and acceleration of business, increasing its role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and implementing the National Program of Socio-Economic Development of the country until 2052.
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