Strengthening of international cooperation in transport and communication sector is one of the main aspects of the policy of Turkmenistan.In modern realities, transport communications are the main segments of the world economy making direct effect on the stability and balance of international economic relations.
This was proven by International Forum “The Great Silk Road: Toward New Levels of Development”, which was held in Avaza national tourist zone in May of this year.High level meeting gathered together the representative of several foreign countries and competent organizations as well as big companies specialized in transport and logistics.
Speaking to the participants of the forum, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov focused on the phenomenon of the Silk Road, which opens colossal opportunities for development and progress of dozens of countries and hundreds of millions of people.
Having confirmed the willingness of our country to close cooperation with the UN specialized countries, especially with the UN European Economic Commission, the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and pacific, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov made number of specific proposals related to further development of international transport infrastructure.
It was mentioned that Turkmenistan entirely supports the initiative of the International Motor Transport Union on the formation of modal highway for Central Asia with the entry to turkey and is willing to support the implementation of the project.
The Head of the State has also urged to activate the discussion of various aspects of construction of Afghanistan Turkmenistan Azerbaijan Georgia Turkey transport corridor under the UNECE and ESCAP.
At the same time, our country is willing to be an active partner and participant of the TRACEKA programme as the formation of western transport corridor from Central Asia plays great role in the context of the implementation of the goals for restoration of the Silk Road and connection of two world economic poles of Eurasia on fundamentally new criteria.
These initiatives of the President of Turkmenistan have been highly appreciated by the International Federation of Transport Associations (FIATA) and other competent organizations, which expressed the interest in joint works and exchange of practice in this direction, which has big perspectives.
In this relation, it is worth reminding that our country was the place for big forums on this subject.It includes International high-level conference under the UN aegis and the first Global Sustainable Transport Conference in Ashgabat in September 2014 and November 2016.
Ashgabat Declaration and Ashgabat Statement, which were adopted by the outcomes of the conferences, became important contribution to the consolidation of the efforts for establishment and optimization of productive cooperation in strategic transport sector.
The above-mentioned forum in Avaza was logical continuation of global dialog.Relative Declaration has been adopted by the outcomes of the forum, which reflected the desire of the participants to give new impulse to interstate and interregional relations, expansion of constructive cooperation in creation of modern world transport system meeting the interests of common prosperity and wellbeing taking into account long-term perspective.
It is remarkable that high level meeting has been forestalled by the opening of Turkmenbashy International Seaport. New port complex, which was built on Caspian Coast, has strategic importance for international cargo transport system providing the entry to Black Sea and Mediterranean, Europe, Middle East, South Asia and Pacific countries by optimal routes.
Continuing the review, we would like to mention that 9th annual session of the CAREC Federation of Carrier and Forwarder Associations has been held in Ashgabat in September.
Delegations of profile ministries and departments of China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan as well as representatives of the Asian Development Bank, the World Custom Organization, the UN European Economic Commission, big logistic companies, experts and observers took part in the forum.
The agenda included the subjects of further cooperation in logistic sphere, optimization of custom procedures, tariffs, etc. The reporters noted positive input of Turkmenistan to the formation of new architecture of international relations based on balanced sustainable development, where important role is given to the improvement and diversification of combined transport systems with innovative logistic infrastructure.
Being full member of international cargo system, Turkmenistan provides reliable transport and transit communication on its territory.Head of the State Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov pays special attention to the strengthening of equipment and facilities base of all modes of transport.
New airports, railroads, highways and bridges connecting Turkmenistan with neighbouring states are built, maritime fleet, aviation and railway transport are regularly supplemented with new fleet.
The potential of the country in logistics of transit flows impresses taking into account the opening of transnational railroads Kazakhstan Turkmenistan Iran, Kerky Ymamnazar (Turkmenistan) Akina (Afghanistan), which is the first section of Asian International transport corridor, railway and automobile bridge across Amudarya River, super modern airports in Ashgabat, Turkmenbashy and other cities.
2018, which is held under slogan “Turkmenistan the Heart of the Great Silk Road” was marked with big projects in transport sphere.In addition to the International Seaport built on Caspian Sea, Serhetabat Turgundy railroad, which connected Afghanistan to transport and logistic system of Turkmenistan and to international communication network, airport in the administration centre of Lebap velayat have been put into operation.
Dynamic growth of national economy, high investment activity, construction of numerous industrial facilities including in oil and gas, chemical, power, textile and other branches open wide prospects for international cooperation in cargo transportation.
It has been visually demonstrated at international conference конференция "HEAVY CASPIAN: TURKMENISTAN" in Avaza National tourist zone.Transport and logistic forum was organized by the request of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov by the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of the country and Turkmenistan Logistic Association with the Heavy World Company, which is one of the world leaders in heavy and over-sized cargo transportation.
Another national transport and freight forwarding company Yük ulag merkezi, which specializes in over-size cargo transportation and having significant experience in cooperation with profile companies of the CIS, Baltic and Arabian Gulf counties companies, was the general sponsor of the forum.
Having gathered more than hundred representatives of national and international associations, transport, logistic, freight forwarding, trade and consulting companies of Turkmenistan, Russia, Austria, Belgium, the Republic of Korea, Turkey, Iran, Luxemburg, Poland, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, Estonia and other countries, the forum allowed outlining new directions and formats of productive cooperation between local businessmen and their foreign colleagues.
The programme was opened with the presentation of Turkmenbashy International Seaport in interactive format. Having made virtual visit to sea harbour, the businessmen have seen technical provision, organization of loading and offloading operations, transport and freight forwarding services directly. Thereafter, they were able to ask the questions to the management of the port.
The potential of transport infrastructure of Turkmenistan, shipment of over-sized and heavy cargoes to Caspian region by different modes of transport, transit to other Central Asia states across the territory of our country were the main subjects of the conference.
Establishment of active dialog between profile ministries and departments of railway and motor transport, Türkmenhowaýollary Service, the State Service of Maritime and River Transport as well as between potential customers, especially in oil and gas sector, chemical industry and other branches, with private structures involved in transportation, was the main goal of the forum.
International Conference with Transport Ministers of the Agreement on Transit and Transport Cooperation (The Agreement on Lapis Lazuli route) between Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Afghanistan was another important step toward the development of cooperation in transport sphere.
The forum, which was held in Avaza National tourist zone in November, has attracted the attention of foreign mass media, which noted colossal importance of multi modal transport and transit corridor Lapis Lazuli as well as growing potential of transport infrastructure of our country, which restore the Silk Road in new format.
“Importance of the Silk Road: Present and Future Development” was the subject of International ministerial conference organized in Ashgabat by the Government of Turkmenistan in cooperation with the UNESCO before the International Neutrality Day.
Different aspects of the mission of the Silk Road, its modern role in support of cultural dialog, implementation of the Sustainable development goals outlined in the UN Agenda 2030 have been highlighted in details at the conference.
In addition to cultural and humanitarian subjects, it was discussed about the restoration of the routes of the Silk Road in different countries, construction of railways, transport and transit corridors, establishment of sea routes and trade networks.
Information market providing information products and communication service is to be the main sector of modern economy of Turkmenistan. In this context, XI International exhibition and Scientific Conference of telecommunications, telemetric and information technologies Turkmentel 2018 organized by the Ministry of Communication and the Trade and Industrial Chamber of the country is worth to be mentioned.
Number of the participants of this annual forum is growing every year, which is provided by keen interest to our country that actively integrates to the world economic space and by beneficial opportunities of cooperation.
This is indicated by the participation of the delegations from more than two dozens of countries represented by foreign state profile structures, leading companies, producers of high technology equipment, developers of advanced technologies and services, big international communication and programme software operators.
Large-scale expositions of the Ministry of Communication, mobile operator Altyn Asyr, departments of Turkmen Postal Service presented at the exhibition have demonstrated the range of services in network and mobile communication, data transfer based on telecommunication networks, provision of quality broadcasting of TV and radio programmes as well as fast postal services in the country and abroad.
Profile enterprises of transport sphere, which successful activity and efficient operation of airlines, railway and motor routes is provided by sensitive radio navigation systems, monitoring and meteorological equipment, took an active part in international review.
The programme of the conference included the subjects of expansion of international cooperation and attraction of foreign investments, technologies and projects to communication sector of Turkmenistan, development of information and telecommunication networks in provision of reliable and quality services to the clients.
The subjects of condition, perspectives and forecast of development of modern systems of telecommunication and informational provision have been reviewed during plenary session.