Turkmenistan, being an active participant in global processes and a supporter of the principles of multilateral diplomacy, demonstrates progressive development of cooperation with the United Nations.
The choice of Turkmenistan as the host of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) is a recognition of its role in regional and international politics, as well as its commitment to sustainable development and partnership.
In addition to traditional areas of cooperation, such as peacekeeping, humanitarian activities and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), there is a noticeable expansion of interaction with the UN in the area of economic development. This includes not only government initiatives, but also the increasingly active involvement of the private sector of Turkmenistan in the implementation of joint projects and programs. It is this aspect – the role of entrepreneurship in the context of cooperation with the UN and the upcoming LLDC conference – that deserves special attention.
In recent years, our country has taken a course towards economic diversification and the development of market relations, which has led to a significant strengthening of the position of the private sector.
Entrepreneurship in Turkmenistan is actively developing, covering various sectors – from agriculture and consumer goods production to services, construction and high technologies. Preferential lending, tax breaks and the creation of a favorable investment climate in the country play a key role in the growth of small and medium-sized businesses.
In addition, such important initiatives are being put forward as promoting entrepreneurial endeavors of citizens, stimulating investment activity, privatizing state property and creating joint-stock companies, implementing scientifically sound economic policies in the context of market relations, which will result in the full provision of the domestic market with domestically produced goods.
Legislation regulating related relations is being improved, and effective budget, tax and banking policies are being implemented. The Program "Revival of a New Era of a Powerful State: National Program for Socio-Economic Development of Turkmenistan in 2022–2052" and the "Program for Socio-Economic Development and Investments of Turkmenistan in 2025" attach great importance to the widespread introduction of public-private partnerships, effective business practices, and the active involvement of entrepreneurs in these activities in a market economy.
The definition of privatization of state property and the transformation of enterprises into joint-stock companies as priority tasks is an effective tool that helps stimulate private investment activity and the widespread use of entrepreneurial potential in all sectors of the economy.
At the initiative of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of the country, the business society " Hil standard » A Laboratory Center for Food Safety Expertise has been established in Turkmenistan, the competence of which has been confirmed by International Accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025:2017. The high quality and environmental safety of food products produced by domestic enterprises is evidenced by the received international ISO and HACCP certificates .
The creation of the “Made in Turkmenistan” brand and the definition of criteria for its assignment significantly increases the responsibility of local manufacturers, as well as the prestige of our state as a manufacturer of products competitive on the international market, and contributes to increasing export potential and attracting investment.
The private sector is becoming the driving force of innovation and facilitating the creation of new jobs, making a significant contribution to the formation of the country's GDP. Domestic entrepreneurs are actively mastering modern technologies, improving the quality of products and services, and entering international markets. This dynamic confirms the ability of national businesses to adapt to changing conditions and realize their potential in the global economy.
The development of the non-governmental sector is inextricably linked to the implementation of national programs and strategies aimed at achieving the SDGs. Entrepreneurs are increasingly integrating the principles of sustainable development into their activities, implementing projects that contribute to improving the environmental situation, social responsibility and economic growth. Thus, the private sector is not only a source of economic prosperity, but also an important partner in achieving the country's long-term development goals.
In line with the times, the country pays special attention to improving the scientific and educational base. Thus, in 2025, marked by the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's acquisition of the status of permanent neutrality and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN, a qualitatively new stage in the history of domestic entrepreneurship was opened, the accelerated development of which remains one of the key factors in the formation of a competitive national economy.
Steadily continuing the balanced strategy of socio-economic development of the country initiated by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Hero-Arkadag, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasizes the need to expand the private sector, which plays an important role in increasing Turkmenistan's export capabilities, creating new industrial production, and strengthening food abundance.
In response to modern challenges and with the aim of strengthening scientific and educational potential, the head of state signed a decree on the establishment of the International University of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. This decision, taken at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on June 27 of this year, was initiated by the Board of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan.
The new higher education institution is designed to provide training, retraining and advanced training for personnel for the entrepreneurial and business sectors. The international university, which will be located in the new building, will begin accepting students for undergraduate programs in the 2025-2026 academic year.
According to the document, the Ministry of Education is instructed to provide assistance in the development and approval of the Charter and structure of the university, as well as in its licensing and state accreditation procedures. Curricula will be developed in accordance with international standards. It is planned to attract foreign teachers and specialists to conduct classes.
The International University of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs will become a key centre for training highly qualified personnel capable of promoting the further development of the private sector of the economy and contributing to the sustainable prosperity of the country.
Within the framework of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, it is planned to organize a Private Sector Forum, which will become a unique platform for strengthening the position of small and medium-sized businesses of Turkmenistan and their integration into global supply chains. Realizing the importance of entrepreneurship for landlocked developing countries, the organizers of the Forum pay special attention to its role in overcoming challenges related to geographical location.
The Conference will feature special sessions and events dedicated to entrepreneurship, investment attraction, development of logistics and transport corridors, and expansion of trade ties. Turkmen entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to present their projects, exchange experiences with colleagues from other countries, and establish new business contacts. This will create favorable conditions for concluding mutually beneficial agreements and implementing joint initiatives.
Particular attention will be paid to digitalization and the introduction of innovative technologies in the private sector. Landlocked developing countries are faced with the need to find new ways to ensure competitiveness, and digital solutions can be one of the key tools in this process. The Turkmen private sector has already demonstrated significant success in this area, and its experience can be useful for other participants of the Conference.
Agzybirlik enterprise are involved in the implementation of plans for the digitalization of state-owned trading enterprises in Ashgabat. tilsimaty ", founded by the "Computer Technology Center" of the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of the country together with leading Chinese companies " Hengsheng Lianhua Investment Management Co. Ltd. and Tongfang Hongkong Limited ". Manufactured under the trademark " Agzybirlik tilsimaty » equipment, including computers with touch screens, receipt printers, barcode printers and scanners, allow you to control the organization of trade in automatic mode.
Turkmen entrepreneurship is not limited to traditional areas of activity. More and more companies are investing in innovative projects that promote sustainable development, including the introduction of energy-efficient technologies, the development of renewable energy sources, the production of environmentally friendly products and the use of resource-saving methods.
For example, in the agricultural sector, farmers are actively using advanced agricultural technologies, drip irrigation systems and organic farming methods, which allows not only to increase crop yields but also to use water resources rationally. In the industrial sector, the number of enterprises implementing environmental management standards and reducing waste volumes is growing.
In addition, Turkmen entrepreneurs actively participate in the implementation of social projects, supporting education, health care and culture. This indicates the formation of socially responsible business in the country, which is aware of its role in the development of society and contributes to the solution of priority tasks.
The successful experience of the Turkmen private sector in the field of innovation and sustainable development can become an example for landlocked developing countries that face similar challenges and strive to achieve the SDGs.
The Conference, organized at the Avaza National Tourist Zone, will provide new opportunities for deepening cooperation between the private sector of Turkmenistan and international organizations, including various UN agencies, financial institutions and donor organizations. Today, there is active interaction within the framework of projects aimed at developing entrepreneurship, export potential and attracting foreign investment.
Thus, through cooperation with UNDP, UNICEF, UNCTAD and other UN structures, Turkmen entrepreneurs gain access to advanced knowledge, technologies and best world practices. This helps to increase the competitiveness of their products and expand opportunities for entering new markets. Programs for the development of women's entrepreneurship, innovative projects, and support for start-ups are a striking example of such interaction.
Participation in international exhibitions, forums and trade missions organized with the support of the UN allows Turkmen companies to establish direct contacts with potential partners and investors from all over the world. This contributes to the diversification of the export nomenclature and an increase in the volume of foreign trade turnover.
Important areas of foreign trade include continuous improvement of trade operations in accordance with international standards, introduction of modern technologies and digital systems into work. This is confirmed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan and the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) in March 2024 within the framework of the regional project "Facilitation of Trade Procedures in Central Asia".
Our country's international business relations have been specified in a number of signed agreements and the establishment of partnerships with global business circles, as well as in the opening of trade missions and trading houses abroad.
The importance of developing international contacts for domestic businessmen is also evidenced by the meetings with foreign colleagues held in 2024 at various venues.
In this regard, it should be noted that during the official visit of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to Malaysia in December 2024, a number of documents were signed, including a Memorandum of Understanding between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia.
In September 2024, during the Investment Forum held in Ashgabat, a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the textile industry was signed between the German company Trutzschler Group SE and the Ministry of Textile Industry of Turkmenistan.
The agenda of the joint business forum of the countries participating in the Central Asia–Japan Dialogue, which took place in the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan in August last year, included key aspects of regional integration, plans for further expansion of multilateral cooperation and support for industrial cooperation projects, as well as the implementation of joint programs in priority areas.
The Representative Forum identified new opportunities for partnership and gave impetus to deepening regional cooperation in the six-party format. Agreements were also reached to strengthen business relations between the Dialogue member countries. Following the joint business forum, a number of documents were signed.
In addition, the International Forum “Investments in the Future of Turkmenistan”, held in March this year as part of the exhibition on the occasion of the 17th anniversary of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, became an important platform for discussing investment opportunities in the country’s private sector, exchanging experiences and developing mutually beneficial public-private partnerships.
Following the Forum, bilateral documents were signed. In particular, Framework Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding between representatives of the private sector of our country and companies from the Russian Federation, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the People's Republic of China.
Presentations of new products and investment projects of private enterprises of Turkmenistan also took place. In this regard, special attention was paid to the economic efficiency of the proposed projects and their compliance with environmental requirements.
Bilateral meetings were held on the sidelines of the International Forum, during which promising areas of cooperation were outlined.
In this context, it should be noted that mutually beneficial cooperation between the private sector of Turkmenistan and international organizations is a key factor for the further development of the national economy and its integration into the global economic system.
The holding of the Private Sector Forum within the framework of the Third UN Conference on LLDCs in Turkmenistan will be an important milestone in the history of entrepreneurship development in the country and will significantly strengthen its position in the international arena. This event will not only generate interest in Turkmen business and its capabilities, but will also become an incentive for the further development of market mechanisms and the attraction of foreign investment.
Thus, the dynamic development of the private sector of the Turkmen state, combined with active cooperation with the United Nations, will create a solid foundation for long-term sustainable growth.
