On February 28, 2025, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov received the World Bank Vice President for the Europe and Central Asia Antonella Bassani.

Expressing gratitude to the head of state for the hospitality, the guest emphasized the World Bank’s interest in expanding cooperation with Turkmenistan. It was noted that large-scale measures to improve the country’s national financial and banking system, as well as relevant comprehensive programs, help ensure economic stability and growth. Taking the opportunity, Antonella Bassani conveyed warm greetings to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov from the head of the World Bank.

Having greeted the guest, the President of Turkmenistan thanked her for her kind words and in return addressed his best wishes to the head of the World Bank. The head of state expressed confidence that the meetings during the visit will contribute to the development of bilateral economic cooperation and wished successful work.

During the meeting, it was noted that it is important for Turkmenistan to expand cooperation with foreign partners for economic reforms, in particular by intensifying relations with reputable international financial, banking and credit institutions.

In this regard, the country has been effectively cooperating with the World Bank for many years. The main focus is on the introduction of a digital economy, modernization of the financial system, development of the private sector and ensuring environmental sustainability.

In addition, effective work is underway to develop macroeconomic policy, improve financial markets and expand investment opportunities in the country.

It was noted that Turkmenistan is implementing a number of important projects jointly with the World Bank. The main goal of these projects is to modernize the country’s infrastructure and improve the standard of living of the population.

The parties discussed the current state and prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation, taking into account the strategically advantageous geographical location of Turkmenistan, which is a key factor in the development of the transport and logistics sector. The country attaches great importance to the formation of communication systems for various types of transport. The head of state noted that work is carried out to form regional and international multimodal transport corridors North-South and East-West and confirmed Turkmenistan’s readiness to consider proposals from the World Bank regarding participation in projects to create them.

“In addition, in order to further develop cooperation with the World Bank, we support new and more effective collaboration with our national banks and the private sector. We consider it appropriate to introduce advanced technologies into the economy, to intensify financial, credit and advisory services for the development of small and medium businesses,” the head of state said.

At the end of the meeting, having confirmed Turkmenistan’s readiness to build up mutually beneficial partnership with the World Bank, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov wished Ms. Antonella Bassani success in her work.