NEWS
TRANSPORT AND TRANSIT PROSPECTS OF TURKMENISTAN
The Global International Conference dedicated to the development of transport and transit corridors to strengthen regional and interregional ties has just ended in the capital of Turkmenistan. More than 400 representatives of public and private companies from various countries of the region and the world took part in the work of the Ashgabat forum.
One of those who represented Turkmenistan at the forum was the Acting Head of the Department of Economic Relations of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country, laureate of the Youth Prize of Turkmenistan Perkhat Ovezmuradovich Charyev. In this regard, the editors of the "Golden Age" asked him to share his impressions of the conference and answer a few questions.
- Perhat Ovezmuralovich, for starters, a few words about the goals and objectives of the forum.
- I would like to say right away that many experts, analysts of logistics companies, as well as specialists of transport structures, with whom I had to communicate during the days of the forum, were not at all surprised that the conference was being held in Turkmenistan. In recent years, most of them have become accustomed to the fact that it is our country that becomes the initiator of transport and logistics initiatives not only in the region, but also in the world. Many experts are well aware that Turkmenistan is the initiator of many initiatives and resolutions in the transport sector, adopted and approved by the UN General Assembly. In addition, Turkmenistan regularly provides its facilities for holding various kinds of symposiums, conferences, congresses, turning into an effective platform for making important decisions in the logistics sector. And the last conference just confirmed this judgment, playing a significant role in the revival of several promising interstate joint developments and regional transport projects suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Actually, this was the main goal of the conference, as its very name “International transport and transit corridors: interconnectedness and development” spoke about.
- What, in your opinion, as an analyst and economist, made the greatest impression on the conference participants?
- The forum itself, so to speak, was held in two stages. The first day was filled with presentations by experts and specialists from various countries, from which one could learn a lot of new and interesting things, especially on developments in the information component of the logistics sector. For example, the experience of neighboring republics in creating information platforms for the use of their materials by commercial and transport companies deserves special attention. Businessmen, using the possibilities of such information resources, can greatly facilitate the activities of their companies and firms, while saving their money and resources.
However, many experts of the region in the transport sector were impressed by the second day of the forum, when they were given the opportunity to get acquainted with the capabilities of the seaport of Turkmenbashi, as well as the recently commissioned sections of the new autobahn and the transport infrastructure facilities of Ashgabat and the country's velayats that were put into operation.
The international seaport of Turkmenbashi made an indelible impression on the experts. From some experts I had to hear literally the following: "This multimodal logo park brings Turkmenistan to a leading position in the logistics system of the region." Such an assessment could not but rejoice, evoked a feeling of pride for the country and once again testified to the pragmatism and political and economic alignment of the actions laid down in the Caspian diplomacy by Arkadag and confidently continued by the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
- Perhat Ovezmuralovich, what did you personally take away from participation in the conference?
- This, of course, is an exchange of experience. My working notebook has been replenished with additional information about the possibilities of both transport state institutions in the region and private transport and logistics companies. I also hope that the established personal contacts with many specialists in the region will eventually be useful in solving the promising tasks in the field of transport diplomacy facing our institute.
- According to the forecasts of international experts in the near future, the demand for transport services to maintain transit flows in the region will only increase. How do you see further actions of Turkmenistan in this direction?
- In the context of an increase in the foreign trade turnover of Turkmenistan, the growth of export-import transportation of goods, the further development of a modern logistics system in Turkmenistan, strengthening our position in the global global logistics system is of paramount importance.
The introduction of an efficient logistics system for international transportation of goods will reduce transportation costs, which will increase the competitiveness of the goods of Turkmenistan, as well as the countries of the Central Asian region in foreign markets, which will serve as a significant factor in their socio-economic development.
Being in the center of important transport routes of the Eurasian continent, in reality, Turkmenistan has every reason to implement logistics projects with the member countries of the Economic Cooperation Organization - Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and many other countries. Of course, it is important to follow the course of diplomatic activity in this important direction for Turkmenistan.
- And at the end of the conversation a little about myself.
- My biography is small. Immediately after graduating from the Institute of International Relations, I stayed to work as a teacher in my native alma mater, where I have been working for more than ten years. In 2014, he became the laureate of the Youth Prize of Turkmenistan, and four years later - the winner of the competition of scientific works held by the Academy of Sciences and the Central Council of the Magtymguly Youth Organization. I consider it my main goal to train worthy highly qualified personnel for solving state problems, including in the transport and logistics sector. That's probably all.
- On behalf of the editors of Golden Age, let me wish you further success in your work.