On Monday, March 4, exhibition of Afghan goods opened in the capital of Turkmenistan, accompanied by a business forum for the business communities of both countries. Among the priority areas for the development of multifaceted cooperation, the energy sector has been highlighted. A significant delegation of representatives from Afghan government structures, as well as executives and specialists from over 230 companies and firms interested in mutually beneficial cooperation, arrived in Ashgabat to participate in the events.

Implementing a policy of diversification and modernization of the national economy, Turkmenistan actively strengthens international cooperation with all countries of the world. Special importance is given to strengthening ties with neighboring states, including Afghanistan, with whom we share centuries-old traditions of friendship and historical-cultural unity. Turkmenistan is interested in the political and economic stability of Afghanistan, the prosperity, and unity of the fraternal neighboring people. Our country's unwavering position is expressed in providing real assistance – supplying electricity and liquefied gas at preferential prices, constructing social facilities, and training personnel.

As President Serdar Berdimuhamedov has repeatedly emphasized, the Turkmen state will continue to take concrete steps aimed at the reconstruction of the Afghan economy and social infrastructure. Evidence of this is the initiatives put forward by Turkmenistan at sessions of the UN General Assembly and other major international forums, which have received broad support from the global community.

In particular, the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline is mentioned. The implementation of this large-scale energy project will directly contribute to the development of the Afghan economy, attracting investments, addressing priority social issues, including creating new jobs.

Another significant aspect of Turkmen-Afghan cooperation is in the field of electricity. Alongside the construction of the TAPI pipeline, a power transmission line, Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP), is also being laid. In addition to supplying energy to all infrastructure objects along this route, the future power line will enable the export of electricity to Pakistan and other countries in South Asia transit through Afghanistan.

There is great potential for effective interstate cooperation in the transport and communications sphere, driven by the geographical location of our countries.

Afghanistan's Minister of Industry and Trade, Alhaj Nuruddin Azizi, expressed gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the Hero of Arkadag for supporting Turkmen-Afghan cooperation, as well as for their personal contribution to strengthening peace and stability in the region, enhancing the interaction and friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

As emphasized by the head of the Afghan delegation, the holding of a large-scale exhibition and business forum will give impetus to the development of relations between our countries, contributing to achieving a new level of expanding mutually beneficial partnership and successfully implementing joint projects in the trade and economic sphere.

The exhibition features displays on various thematic directions. It showcases carpets, jewelry, construction materials, household and industrial chemicals, vegetables and fruits, food products, and more. Companies specializing in the oil and gas sector took a prominent place at the exhibition. Among them are «Bakhtar Ethad Petroleum,» «Soha Safa Petroleum,» «Arman Ltd,» «Yousif Ehsan Sharq Petroleum,» «Salaiman Khil Group Ltd,» «Napco DMCC,» «Mehran Wafa,» «Harmoni Energy Ltd,» «Afghan Petrol Group Ltd,» «Khafi Petrolum Ltd,» which presented models and project developments of enterprises, as well as samples of oil and gas processing products.

The exhibition also introduced visitors to the activities of companies operating in the fields of transportation and logistics, Afghan banks.

Within the framework of the exhibition, the Turkmen-Afghan business forum was held in the conference hall of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. A wide range of issues related to the implementation of the trade, economic, export, and investment potential of the two countries were on the agenda.

Participants of the meeting emphasized that such business contacts contribute to the advancement of economic interaction, as evidenced by the increased volume of trade turnover between our countries.

In the speeches of Turkmenistan representatives, the economic growth and achievements of our country, as well as prospective areas of cooperation, were noted. In this context, the high potential of the Turkmen economy, allowing the implementation of large-scale projects in the oil and gas, transportation, construction, chemical, energy, and other sectors, was highlighted.

Participants of the business forum highly appreciated the fact that, based on the positive experience of bilateral relations, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan utilize all available opportunities to enhance cooperation across a wide range of directions.

During the meeting, it was also emphasized that Afghanistan attaches special importance to relations with Turkmenistan, which serve as a exemplary model of good-neighborly interaction and meet the interests of peace, security, and prosperity not only of the two countries but also in a broader dimension.

Emphasizing that the international projects initiated by Ashgabat contribute to establishing peace in the region, the participants of the business forum expressed confidence that the agreements reached today will contribute to the activation of trade and economic relations.

There was also a need expressed to expand cooperation between entrepreneurs of the two countries, to hold joint exhibitions of goods producers, and economic forums.

Detailed discussions of joint projects took place during bilateral meetings between representatives of relevant ministries and agencies, Afghan counterparts, following which the signing of various documents is envisaged.

The exhibition of Afghan goods will run until March 6 inclusive.