Ashgabat, 24 November 2021: In the framework of the project “Strengthening the Trade Capacity of Turkmenistan” jointly implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan, an online seminar on improving the scientific-research and innovation activities in trade through the implementation of the public-private partnership mechanism, was held.

Organized with the support of the National Research University "Higher School of Economics” of the Russian Federation the seminar aimed at introducing the best international practices applied in the study of trade through the implementation of a public-private partnership mechanism that will contribute to the country's efforts to manage the trade sector and expand its export potential.

The event was organized with participation of the international experts from the National Research University "Higher School of Economics” of the Russian Federation, Mr. Dmitry Vinogradov and Ms. Elena Shadrina, who familiarized participants with the international best practices and recommendations for strengthening the research and innovation component of the trading system through the implementation of a public-private partnership mechanism.

The event gathered the representatives of the line ministries and entities of Turkmenistan, including the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations, Ministry of Finance and Economy, Ministry of Education, State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange, Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan.

“As global markets become more competitive, it is also important to apply scientific and innovative approaches while studying trade and knowledge management to remain competitive in foreign markets,” - noted Mr. Akmyrat Danatarov, UNDP Programme Analyst for Governance, Economic Diversification, and Inclusive Growth outlining the objectives of the seminar. “As we know, over the past couple of decades, public-private partnership mechanisms have been widely used at the international level to help the economies grow, hence making the topic of our discussion today very important to support the country’s efforts for achieving 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

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A joint project between the UNDP and the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan “Strengthening the Trade Capacity of Turkmenistan” was launched in 2019 and aims to contribute to strengthening and building trade capacity of Turkmenistan, expand competitive potential of country’s economy, and based on that engage new sources of economic growth and improvement of welfare of people.