Turkmen president, EBRD vice president discuss cooperation prospects
ASHGABAT. March 15 (Interfax) - Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Vice President Mark Bowman discussed cooperation in the energy sector, transport, agriculture and small businesses at a meeting on Thursday, the government's Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper said on Friday.
Bowman said that European partners are interested in expanding cooperation with Turkmenistan. Measures to update Turkmenistan's national financial and banking system and comprehensive programs in various sectors make it possible to ensure economic stability and maintain the rapid pace of development, he said.
Berdimuhamedov, in turn, said that Turkmenistan attaches great importance to strengthening and enhancing mutually beneficial international cooperation, including with authoritative financial institutions and banks.
Cooperation between Turkmenistan and the EBRD has been efficient, the parties said, adding that new promising avenues are emerging for their partnership, including in the energy sector, according to the newspaper.
Turkmenistan is taking steps to introduce environmentally friendly technologies into its industry and to develop green energy, opening up wide opportunities for the EBRD's participation in sustainable energy projects under way in Turkmenistan, it said.
Turkmenistan's advantageous geographical location is a key factor for developing the transport and logistics network, as efforts are in progress to create North-South and East-West multi-vector transport corridors of regional and international significance, the newspaper said.
Berdimuhamedov and Bowman also discussed international routes along the Caspian Sea, noting the presence of considerable potential for boosting the capacity of the Turkmenbashi International Seaport, which is an important element of the routes connecting Europe and Asia.
In this context, the Turkmen president reaffirmed his country's readiness to consider EBRD proposals regarding participation in creating transport and transit corridors.
The parties also discussed cooperation in agriculture. In particular, Turkmenistan has been making all-out efforts to develop its agricultural sector, including by introducing water-saving technologies. The Turkmen authorities support national agencies' interaction with the EBRD in building irrigation facilities and using high-tech equipment for that.
Another issue on the meeting's agenda dealt with steps to intensify cooperation between Turkmenistan's banks and private sector with the EBRD, including as part of loans to small and medium-sized enterprises and offering advisory services to them.