Today, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan hosted the start of the XVIII international exhibition and scientific conference «Türkmentel - 2025» as well as the opening of the international conference and exhibition «"International Transport-Transit Corridors: Interconnectivity and Development - 2025"». These events, which open new prospects for regional and international cooperation and development of business in important strategic sectors, are held for the first time jointly on one platform in the international year of peace and trust.

Representatives of over 80 profile companies of our country and foreign states, including those from Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, the United States of America, Great Britain, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Germany, Finland, France, Russia, China, Switzerland and Japan take part in the forum. Many of them are active participants of the large-scale projects realised in our fatherland to develop the digital network and further strengthen positions of Turkmenistan as an important transport-logistics hub in the region. A number of companies aspire to offer their goods and services for the fast-growing Turkmen market.

... In the morning, music performances of creative groups of the country were organized before the opening of the international forum.

Chairwoman of the Mejlis, deputy-chairmen of the Cabinet, heads and representatives of ministries and sectoral departments, diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in the country, public organisations, higher educational institutions and mass media took part in the solemn ceremony.

The welcoming message of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to participants of the XVIII International exhibition and scientific conference «Türkmentel - 2025» as well as the International conference and exhibition «International transport-transit corridors: interconnectivity and development - 2025» is read out:

As marked in the congratulatory message of the head of the state, in Turkmenistan, which takes a favourable geoeconomic situation, a great significance is given to involvement of the transport-transit potential. A large-scale work is carried out to create a new transport-transit infrastructure in directions of East-West and North-South in this connection. It opens huge possibilities for activization of mutually beneficial regional and international trade and economic relations in the Eurasian space.

We reach big successes in all-round transformation of our country, relying upon world innovative technologies. Improving structure, material and legal basis of the sphere of digital technologies according to requirements of the time, we carry out fundamental scientific and technical researches and realise large-scale projects, - as underlined in the message of Arkadagly Hero Serdar.

Then, guests familiarised with the joint exposition.

As known, according to the Resolution of the head of the state with a view of perfection of activity of the transport-communication complex, ministries of railway transportation, communication, motor transport, public service «Türkmenhowaýollary» and public service of marine and river transport of Turkmenistan were created. The exhibition first of all acquaints with digital reforms carried out in the activity of these structures as well as planned projects implemented today.

Under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noble undertakings of the Hero-Arkadag, which are successfully continued today, a number of national programs aimed at radical modernisation of the material and technical basis of the transport-communication complex, expansion of existing ones and creation of new infrastructure in this sphere are realised. Thanks to the created conditions in the field of transport and communication, a considerable progress is observed. Results of the work carried out in the country for ten months of the current year clearly testify to it. In the specified period the rate of increase of rendered services in the ministry of railway transport reached 106 percent, in the ministry of motor transport - 113,1 percent, public service «Türkmenhowaýollary» - 110,3 percent, public service of marine and river transport - 108,6 percent, ministry of communications - 120 percent.

At the exhibition, stands of given structures widely display modern services given to the population as a result of consecutive perfection of the material and technical basis of the branch.

At present, a successful work is carried out in the national infrastructure of telecommunications to introduce innovations, digital technologies and information-communication technologies answering to the international standards. In the exhibition hall of the Ministry of Communications – an authorised body for transition to digital economy one can see the activity of the uniform portal of the state services. This portal allows receiving and exchanging documents on-line in a short space of time. Types of service, offered the population through the uniform portal of state services are expanded. Citizens can conveniently use them and pay through the Internet by means of smart phone or the computer. On monitors, one can see mobile services, the Internet and postal communications given by establishments and enterprises of the Ministry of Communications.

As known, in October of the current year, the Resolution of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov approved the «Concept of development of digital economy in Turkmenistan for 2026-2028». The primary goals designated in the document comprise introduction of advanced financial technologies, perfection of a network of data transmission, maintenance of information security, strengthening of international cooperation, attraction of investments into systems of artificial intelligence and digital innovations as well as providing access for citizens to modern electronic services, introduction of innovative technologies in national economy, systematic development of «e-government», digital education, science and public health services.

In the framework of the «Concept of development of digital economy for 2019-2025» which is now at the final stage of realisation, a large-scale work was carried out to introduce modern digital solutions and information technology in the infrastructure of official bodies and social system.

A special place is taken in the exposition by the pavilion of Arkadag city. The social infrastructure of the new city erected on the basis of the concept "smart city", is based on digital, information-communication and "green" technologies and represents a synthesis of the best traditions of national architecture and tendencies of modern design. The well-thought city infrastructure completely corresponds to the international norms, including in the field of ecology, provides the comfortable and favourable environment for public life. In the International year of peace and trust, with the blessing of Hero-Arkadag on the occasion of the second anniversary of the opening of the new city, the 5G technology for communication systems and the Internet was introduced there.

Besides it, the activity of the economic society «Aýdyň gijeler», which during its existence has become one of the largest manufacturers in the sphere of electronic industry of the country, takes an important place at the exhibition. The enterprise, stably increasing its manufacture scale, takes an active part in exhibitions organized in our fatherland and offers new production. At the present exhibition, the economic society displays robotics on the basis of artificial intelligence, which speaks Turkmen, electronic devices, cables, payment and SIM-cards as well as cards of medical insurance, automatic cash dispenses.

Within the concept of transition to digital economy, the role of private companies in development of the software, mobile applications, creation of digital services and trading platforms is great. Economic societies «Belet», «Sanly çözgüt-IT meýdança», «Nokat Kompýuter», «Imdat elektronika», private enterprises «Nurly Tolkun», «Türkmen innowasiýa» offer services in introduction of high technologies in various spheres of economy as well as development of software. At the exhibition, services of these enterprises are widely presented. The closed joint-stock company «Tehno Merkez» also presented "smart" devices for metering electricity, gas and water.

The leading world technological companies actively participate in the exhibition as well. Among them the Chinese company "Huawei" and Finnish «Nokia», which take an active part in installation of the modern equipment of systems of cellular and Internet communications in settlements of our country. At stands of companies "SSI" (Monaco) and «Thales» (France) one can see their achievements in the field of satellite communication and prospect, which will open with the launch of the second artificial communication satellite «TürkmenÄlem52оE» into the space in detail. It is necessary to note that in cooperation with these companies in 2015 the first Turkmen artificial satellite was started.

The German company «Europeer Exchange GmbH» acquaints visitors with advanced solutions in the field of network communications; the American companies "Fortinet", «Palo Alto Networks, Inc.» And «Keysight» - in the sphere of information security and cloud technologies; «Wide Network Solutions» (Great Britain) and German «Kontron» - in the sector of telecommunication services. At stands of the company «Integra City» (United Arab Emirates) innovative solutions in the field of creation of the "smart" and safe city environment are displayed and the Chinese companies "Dahua" and «Hikvision» show innovative solutions in the field of security and video surveillance.

The modern transport infrastructure and speed of cargo and volumes of passenger traffic make an essential impact on development of the state. It is especially actual for the land-locked countries as isolation from the world ocean increases time and cost of introduction of innovations. In the given context, it is necessary to point out that the large- scale conference of the United Nations and events organized in its framework in the Avaza national tourist zone in August of the current year became an important international event, which drew attention of the world community to issues of land locked countries and united their efforts. It once again confirmed a key role of road and transport infrastructure in achievement of global sustainable development.

Turkmenistan located on the crossing of transport routes of the Great Silk road, realises large-scale infrastructural projects in this area. Construction of the section of Mary-Turkmenabat highway, which makes up a part of the Ashgabat-Turkmenabat autobahn, is at the final stage. As a result of successful realisation of far-sighted initiatives of Hero-Arkadag, under the wise leadership of Arkadagly Hero Serdar projects of road and transport complex are regularly erected in our country. So, in May of the current year, the International airport of Balkanabat was constructed and put in operation. Recently with the blessing of the head of the state, the opening of the automobile bridge over the gulf of Garabogaz and a stone-laying ceremony of the site of Turkmenbashi-Garabogaz of the Turkmenbashi-Garabogaz-border of Kazakhstan highway took place.

The favourable geographical position of the country also promotes an active participation of local private companies in the transport and logistics sphere. They have gained considerable experience in the field and systematically expand a spectrum of logistic services. At the exhibition, open-end joint-stock company «Türkmenistanyň Ulag-logistika merkezi», logistic companies «Tylla nal», «Bereketli netije», «Dowamly ýol», «At-abraý», «Döwrebap ulag merkezi», «Halkara Türkmen Logistik», «EGE», «Gama», «Meno» display their achievements, prospects and areas of activity.

It is necessary to mark that a number of the world famous companies of transport sphere take part in the present exhibition. Among them is «Zhengzhou Yutong Group Co., Ltd.» - one of the basic partners of our country in supply of city and long-distance passenger buses; company «CRRC Ziyang Co., Ltd.» - the old partner in supply of locomotives for railway branch. The foreign companies «Logenix International» and «GAP CLK Worldwide» also displayed their possibilities in the sphere of logistic services, Chinese company «CAMC Engineering Co., Ltd.» - in the field of development of modern road and transport infrastructure, and German company «Vossloh AG» presented the equipment for strengthening of the railways.

At the stands of Russian airline "Siberia" and Turkish airline «Turkish Airlines» modern services of passenger transportations are widely presented. As a whole, the exhibition became an important business platform, which united leaders of the market of transport-communication complex. It creates favourable conditions for local and foreign businesspersons for search of new possibilities of cooperation and exchange of experience.

In the second half of the day, the opening of the scientific conference «Türkmentel - 2025» as well as the International forum «International transport-transit corridors: interconnectivity and development -2025» took place. At the conference representatives of our country as well as heads of the International Union of Telecommunication (ITU), International Coordinating Council on Trans-Eurasian Transportation (CCTT), Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications (RCC) and Representation of the UNDP in Turkmenistan spoke.

In reports, it was noted that in the Era of Revival of the new epoch of the powerful state a great importance is attached to modernisation of the transport -communication system of the country, expansion of mutually beneficial international partnership. In strengthening the legal framework of transport diplomacy and potential of the transport branch of the state, perfection and realisation of legislation in this area an important role is given to the Program of the President of Turkmenistan on development of transport diplomacy for 2022-2025. According to the given document, including the basic areas of the national transport policy, achievement of variety of strategic targets and adoption of corresponding measures is provided.

In the country, the great attention is given to logistics and development of diversification. As a result of realisation of the transport-communication strategy, Turkmenistan keeps strengthening its positions as an important regional and continental transport-logistics centre.

With participation of our independent neutral fatherland, many events are held in the field of international transit transportations. Turkmenistan carries out functions of the transport-communication centre of the Great Silk road, forming communication and transport-logistic routes of international significance. These projects not only are important for the region of Central Asia, but also are an important part of transit corridors of East-West and North-South and promote economic development of the neighbouring states.

As was marked, Turkmenistan under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov actively develops information-communication technologies and aims at integration into world information field. During the epoch of digitization, which covers of all spheres of life, information-communication technologies make up a basis for creation of "smart" cities, effective manufacture and sustainable economy. In our fatherland, a large-scale work is carried out to develop digital economy, mobile communication, the Internet, mail service, cybersecurity, satellite communication and training of specialists.

It was underlined that the initiatives put forward by the head of the state to strengthen regional coherence find a broad support of the international community.

In 2023 at the proposal of Turkmenistan and with unanimous support of member states of the United Nations, November 26 of each year was declared «World Sustainable Transport Day». In his speech at the plenary meeting of the anniversary session of the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization, which took place in September of the current year, the President of Turkmenistan put forward the initiative of declaration of Decade of the United Nations on sustainable transport for 2026-2035. This step will allow consolidating efforts of the international community for development of transport corridors, increases of their stability and maintenance of access to all countries.

Digital transformation and modernisation of the international transport-transit corridors are important areas of cooperation of our country with international organisations. Introduction of prospects of Interdepartmental system of electronic data exchange in our country together with the United Nations Development Program in this connection were in detail discussed.

Then, the forum proceeded within the sections.

In the section «Digital transformation: sustainable development of economy of Turkmenistan thanks to international cooperation in digitalization of the country" of the scientific conference «Türkmentel - 2025» special attention was given to the successes reached at the expense of introduction of digital technologies. As was marked, now Turkmenistan realises the innovative strategy of development aimed at growth of digital economy, increase of efficiency of the governance and improvement of life of citizens. The introduction of 5G technology in Arkadag city became not only an important stage in modernisation of digital infrastructure of the city, but also a start of its integration all over the country.

Turkmenistan attaches a great significance to artificial intelligence as a driving power of economic growth. In our fatherland pilot projects to introduce artificial intelligence in systems of education, public health services, agriculture and management of traffic are realised. Development of such areas as artificial intelligence, big data (Big Data), block chain and cybersecurity, becomes one of the basic areas of digitalization in the country. In the given context, in creation and modernisation of telecommunications agencies considerable investments are made.

It is necessary to note that a regular work is carried out to provide the population with modern telecommunication service. The special attention is given to training of highly skilled specialists in this area. Foreign participants of the forum in detail informed on lines of activity of their companies and cooperation prospects.

Speakers of the section «International cooperation and investments: a driving force of future transport" of the international conference «International transport-transit corridors: the interconnectivity and development - 2025» devoted their reports to development of railway system. Representatives of foreign companies in detail informed on realised projects in this sphere and prospects of cooperation with our country.

As known, the railway transportation plays an important role in overland cargo transportation. In this connection, development of railways according to requirements of the time is of great importance. Turkmenistan realises important international projects promoting improvement of the corresponding infrastructure of not only our country, but those of the region in this area.

The commissioning of a 177-metre railway bridge of the Serhetabat-Turgundi railway line, the beginning of construction of the optic-fibre communication line of Serhetabat-Herat, called «Arkadagyň ak ýoly», a warehouse complex in the dry port of railway station of Turgundi and the section of Turgundi-Sanabar of the first stage of the Turgundi-Herat railway in September of the past year with participation of Hero-Arkadag on the Turkmen-Afghani border confirms that the work carried out in the country in development of the given sphere, has a continuous character.

The speakers expressed confidence that the present forum will promote the further expansion of international cooperation in the field of sustainable transport and will widely show the importance of Turkmenistan in the international transit transport systems.

Tomorrow, the international conference will continue in the format of profile sessions: «Regional connectivity and economic corridors», «Strengthening of multimodal connectivity of transit corridors: management, digitalization and sustainable development», «Air transport - an integral part of sustainable transport-logistics chain», and also panel session «Innovations and digitalization in logistics».

In the second day of the scientific conference «Türkmentel - 2025», sections «Smart, safe, sovereign development of steady national infrastructure of communication», «Creation of prospering ecosystem of start-ups. Financing of start-ups in emerging markets» and technical session «Development of entrepreneurial potential: incubators, accelerators and education».

Within the second day of the conference, the forum «The role of financial technologies in digital development of Turkmenistan (Financial technical forum)», organizer of which is company «Dialogue Events Ltd» (Great Britain), and «International start-up-forum of Turkmenistan 2025» under the aegis of the UN Development Program in Turkmenistan is planned.

On the final, third day of the forum, a seminar of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) «Digital transformation of governance: from digital registers to artificial intelligence introduction», and the ceremony of announcement of winners of the competition of innovative projects «Digital solution- 2025» and awarding valuable prizes and diplomas are planned.

A great significance is attached to business meetings, in which possibilities for all-round acquaintance with perspective areas of development of information technology and transport-logistics systems, new offers and potential for cooperation are discussed.

As a whole, the joint forum differs with numerous actions, which are especially actual for the youth, which is an active participant of digital community.