The 2nd EU-Central Asia Economic Forum took place in Almaty

On 19 May 2023, a high-level plenary session on strengthening trade and economic relations between the European Union and Central Asia was held within the framework of the 2nd EU-Central Asia Economic Forum in Almaty.

The purpose of the High-level Forum is to promote cooperation between EU and Central Asian countries in key areas such as green and digital transition, improving the business environment, as well as trade and connectivity opportunities, taking into account existing EU initiatives and strategies developed by the Governments of Central Asian countries.

Along with Turkmenistan, the current event was attended by Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Alikhan Smailov, Prime Minister of Kyrgyz Republic Mr. Akylbek Zhaparov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan Mr. Kohir Rasulzoda, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Mr. Jamshid Khojayev, Head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Odile Renaud-Basso, Vice President of the European Investment Bank Ms. Teresa Chervinskaya and heads of a number of international financial organizations.

The Turkmen delegation was led by Minister of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan Mr. Serdar Joraev, who took an active part in this event and delivered a keynote speech at the opening of the Forum.

As part of the participation in the forum, head of the Turkmen delegation Mr. Serdar Jorayev also held separate meetings with the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Trade and Economy Mr. Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice-Chancellor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia for Global Affairs Mr. Myart Vollmer and Executive Director of the International Trade Center Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton.

During the meetings with European partners, the sides discussed the present status and prospects of expanding cooperation, in such areas as transport, infrastructure, green energy, agriculture, cooperation in the oil and gas industry, as well as the issues of attracting foreign investment in strategically important sectors of the economy of Turkmenistan.

Following the forum, a joint press Statement was adopted.

A day earlier, on May 18, 2023, a Business Forum was held on the sidelines of the Second EU-Central Asia Economic Forum, where the representatives of the private sector had unique opportunity to exchange opinions with the speakers on facilitating business contacts between the EU and Central Asia.

This event was hosted in partnership with the International Trade Center. At this business meeting, the Turkmen side was represented by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Kazakhstan, representatives of a number of ministries - finance and economy and trade, as well as entrepreneurs.

Upon completion of the meeting, the sides presented their feedback on further interaction with the private sector and efficient ways of cooperation between businesses from both regions.