As part of his official visit to Italy, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov participated in the Turkmen-Italian Business Forum on October 25.
In his speech, the head of state first expressed gratitude for the invitation to speak at this important forum. Berdimuhamedov noted that such a representative attendance is seen as evidence of growing interest in Turkmenistan and a desire to expand mutually beneficial cooperation.
President Berdimuhamedov emphasized the guidelines, priorities, and strategic goals for Turkmenistan's development.
First, this is the creation of an industrial society. Our country has embarked on a fundamental transformation of the national economy, reorienting it from a raw materials-based model to an industrial one, introducing high-tech, knowledge-intensive industries, building modern enterprises producing high-added-value products, and creating a closed-loop, green economy with a minimal carbon footprint.
The head of state identified economic diversification—both structural and geographic—as his second goal. This involves creating new industries or radically modernizing traditional ones. Impressive results have been achieved in sectors such as the chemical and textile industries, agricultural processing, construction materials production, and others.
Turkmenistan is actively expanding into new foreign markets and developing cooperation with partners in Europe and Asia. This entails creating a modern transport and logistics infrastructure and transforming the country into a hub for East-West and North-South transport links. This is the third strategic goal, which we are consistently pursuing, noted President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
Regarding the fourth goal, with its colossal hydrocarbon reserves, Turkmenistan has begun developing a full-fledged national industry for natural gas processing and the production of high-quality products aimed at foreign markets.
Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that Italian businesses have been present in Turkmenistan for many years in the oil and gas sector and the hotel industry, and that a number of projects are being implemented in construction and trade. A partnership has been established with the leading Italian oil company Eni, which has been operating in Turkmenistan since 2008. Italian companies actively supply equipment and resources for Turkmenistan's oil and gas sector.
Noting that he views this meeting as an important step toward establishing and strengthening long-term trade, economic, and investment ties between Italy's business community and our country, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov invited representatives of the Italian business community to engage in broad, comprehensive cooperation. Concluding his speech, the Turkmen leader wished the business forum participants productive work.
