On October 30, as part of Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s working visit to the Republic of Türkiye, a ceremony was held to present the President of Turkmenistan with the «Strategic Friendship» badge of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of the Republic of Türkiye (DEİK).

Warmly greeting the participants of the ceremony, which brought together representatives of the two fraternal states, the Chairman of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of the Republic of Türkiye emphasized that presenting the «Strategic Friendship» badge to the President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was a great honor for the Board he leads.

Taking this opportunity, Nail Olpak congratulated the Head of Turkmenistan on being awarded the title of Honorary Doctor of International Relations by Hacettepe University. This high recognition of the President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s merits by the academic and business circles of the Republic of Türkiye is seen as a vivid confirmation of the growing friendship and strategic partnership between the two fraternal states.

In this regard, the Chairman of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of the Republic of Türkiye quoted lines from a poem by Magtymguly Pyragy, the great poet and thinker of the Turkic world:

One tablecloth is spread for the feast,
A lofty destiny is granted to the Motherland.

As was noted, the immutable truth expressed in these lines several centuries ago, namely the value of unity, today embodies the worldview of our fraternal peoples.

The floor was then given to the Vice President of the Republic of Türkiye. Warmly greeting those present, Cevdet Yılmaz stressed that it was a great honor for him to meet, within the framework of the 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States, with business representatives who play a significant role in strengthening the economic partnership between the two fraternal countries.

As was noted, the Republic of Türkiye attaches particular importance to its relations with Turkmenistan, which since the first days of its independence has remained not merely a strategic partner but a friendly and fraternal state.

The Turkmen land possesses enormous natural resources and enjoys an advantageous geographical location. Its people are distinguished by exceptional diligence. All these factors have made it possible to turn Turkmenistan into one of the most dynamically developing economies in the region. Its magnificent cities, including a «smart city», along with developed infrastructure, industrial enterprises and advanced medical institutions, once again demonstrate the rapid pace of its growth.

Such progressive achievements have become possible, above all, thanks to the National Leader of the Turkmen people. In this connection, the Vice President also noted the large-scale noble initiatives of the Hero-Arkadag, which are being successfully and consistently implemented under the far-sighted leadership of the President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

In conclusion, the Vice President of the Republic of Türkiye Cevdet Yılmaz cordially congratulated the Head of Turkmenistan on receiving the «Strategic Friendship» badge established by the Foreign Economic Relations Board of the Republic of Türkiye.

The decision to award the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov the «Strategic Friendship» badge of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye was then announced. The Head of State was presented with the award and the accompanying certificate.

The floor was then given to the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

Thanking the representatives of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye, in particular its Chairman Nail Olpak, for conferring the «Strategic Friendship» badge, Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized that he accepts this high award as a symbol of deep respect and regards it as compelling confirmation of the multifaceted cooperation, constructive business ties and large-scale joint activities of the two countries.

The presentation of the «Strategic Friendship» badge is vivid evidence of the ever-strengthening Turkmen-Turkish economic partnership and its growing substance. Taking this opportunity, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov cordially congratulated the participants of the ceremony and thanked the Foreign Economic Relations Board of the Republic of Türkiye for the high level of organization of such a significant event.

Today’s meeting is very important for reviewing the current state and prospects of bilateral economic cooperation and identifying specific projects. The ceremony is attended not only by businesspeople representing various sectors of the Turkish economy, but also by heads of companies that for many years have made a significant contribution to the implementation of economic and social projects in Turkmenistan, the President Serdar Berdimuhamedov continued.

Relations between the two states are based on a shared history and culture and on the principles of mutual respect and constructive partnership. The priority in this context is, of course, economic cooperation: over the past 35 years of independence, hundreds of medium and large-scale projects have been implemented in Turkmenistan with the participation of Turkish companies. The joint work carried out over these years has made it possible to increase our country’s industrial potential, create modern infrastructure, open new jobs and raise the population’s standard of living.

On the initiative of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan the Hero-Arkadag, large-scale work has been under way since 2012 to industrialize the country and create modern production infrastructure. In particular, it envisages building an industrialized society and shifting from a raw-materials orientation to the production and export of finished goods.

Our state’s long-term goals in this area are set out in the National Strategy for the Industrial Development of Turkmenistan for 2030–2045, adopted on September 23 of this year at a session of the Halk Maslahaty.

A new generation of Turkmen entrepreneurs and industrialists has now emerged in our country, with solid experience in various sectors and strong production and management skills. Members of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs are actively involved in implementing important projects, in particular the construction of industrial enterprises, residential buildings and other social facilities.

«We attach particular importance to expanding direct contacts between Turkish businesspeople and Turkmen entrepreneurs and industrialists. We have considerable opportunities to develop joint industrial cooperation, build production facilities, introduce advanced technologies, process local raw materials and supply finished products to foreign markets», the Head of State said.

Inviting Turkish firms to take part in projects to build and modernize energy infrastructure and to manufacture and service industrial equipment, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed confidence that combining technological expertise, financial resources and production capacity would place the partnership on a long-term footing.

The chemical industry holds significant potential for expanding Turkmen-Turkish cooperation.

The construction and industrial sector also offers great opportunities: it currently relies on high-tech production capacity and shows export-oriented growth.

Agriculture and the food industry are also among the promising areas of cooperation: Turkmenistan is implementing large-scale programs to modernize agro-industrial production, increase crop yields, ensure efficient water use and expand food production.

Transport and logistics is one of the key vectors of Turkmenistan’s economic development and international cooperation. In this regard, Turkish companies in the sector were invited to step up cooperation in developing international freight transport, creating logistics centers, building warehouse and container terminals, servicing vehicles and introducing digital logistics systems.

The role of digital technologies in the development of our economy is also steadily growing.

Healthcare and the medical industry are likewise among the most promising areas of cooperation.

There are also broad opportunities for joint projects in the health resort sector, drawing on Türkiye’s extensive experience.

Emphasizing that all of the above represents only some of the strategic areas and opportunities for cooperation, the President of Turkmenistan noted broad prospects for developing small and medium-sized businesses and import-substituting industries, increasing exports and creating new jobs. In this regard, the Head of State confirmed our country’s readiness to implement mutually beneficial projects with foreign investors, expand business contacts and strengthen long-term cooperation.

«We attach particular importance to ensuring that the proposals voiced at today’s meeting are translated into concrete projects. To this end, we consider it necessary to intensify direct contacts between the relevant ministries and agencies, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, the Turkmen-Turkish Business Council, and Turkish business entities», the Head of State said.

Identifying priority projects in each area, preparing feasibility studies for them and systematically coordinating their implementation will significantly increase the effectiveness of cooperation, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted.

Highly appreciating the interest of the business circles of the Republic of Türkiye in implementing new projects in Turkmenistan, Arkadagly Hero-Serdar wished those present success in expanding the partnership and implementing promising projects.

The President of Turkmenistan then warmly bid farewell to the Chairman of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye and departed.

State News Agency of Turkmenistan