The issues of further expansion of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Finland became the main topic at the business forum, organized last week in the capital’s “Mizan” Business Center. A meeting, held for the first time with participation of state officials and business communities of the two friendly countries, testified to willingness of the parties to develop constructive dialogue and expand mutually beneficial partnership. In their presentations, the Turkmen party gave the detailed information about achievements, our state’s strategic development plans and considerably increased economic opportunities, which, in a context of the pursued by President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov open door policy, encourage active business partnership with the leading companies and manufacturers of the world, including the Republic of Finland. As was noted, attractiveness of the Turkmen market for foreign investors was caused, first of all, by the progressive dynamics of large-scale reforms ongoing in Turkmenistan on the initiative of the leader of nation, which main goal was to ensure successful socioeconomic growth of the country and improvement of the Turkmen people’s wellbeing. The strategy of accelerated industrialization and modernization of the manufacturing sector, the government support to private business and the favorable climate for successful activity of foreign companies have enhanced the interest of international business community in establishing close partnership, as was obvious from the films about Turkmenistan that were presented to participants in the forum. Speaking at the forum, Director General of the Department for the Russian Federation, Eastern Europe and Central Asia Ms. Terhi Hakala expressed sincere gratitude to President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and the Government of Turkmenistan for assistance in the efficient organization of the first business forum, as well as the extended warm welcome and hospitality. Speaking about the importance of a meeting between members of the state institutions and business circles of the two countries, the guest stressed its significant role in defining the most attractive from the economic expediency point of view areas for application of mutual efforts, including long-term prospects. According to Ms. Terhi Hakala the forum would afford a reliable basis for long-term Turkmen-Finnish cooperation. In his speech, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Finland in Turkmenistan Mr. Niklas Lindqvist gave a brief review of the economic condition in Finland and characterized prospects that were equitable to the interests of both countries and peoples. The diplomat emphasized that the business forum would give a powerful impetus to strengthening of inter-state cooperation. During the forum, its participants spoke in favor of intensification of partnership in trade, economic and energy sectors and in the fields of telecommunications, industries, environmental protection, financial services, science, education, high technologies, etc. It was noted also that the definition of activities in agreed areas would facilitate the work on creation of possibilities for fruitful partnership between business circles of the two countries. The opportunities of establishing close business contacts were discussed also in the course of bilateral meetings held between the guests from the Republic of Finland, representatives of ministries and sectoral departments of Turkmenistan and members of our country’s Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.