The international investment forum “Arkadag – “smart” city” took place literally the next day after the grand opening of the first stage of the new city.

 The forum, held on June 30 in the conference hall of the Markav Hotel, brought together delegates from around the world, as well as representatives of leading international and regional organizations, financial institutions, and major foreign companies.  From the Turkmen side, the heads of ministries and sectoral departments, banks, specialized institutions, the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs took part in its work.

 As emphasized in the welcoming Address of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to the participants of the forum, its holding will make it possible to intensify the attraction of investments in increasing the potential of the sectors of the national economy, the socio-economic and industrial development of the city of Arkadag, as well as to accelerate the implementation of the “smart city” concept.

 During the plenary sessions, issues related to the prospects for sustainable development and new technologies in cities, investment opportunities in Turkmenistan, digital infrastructure and digital innovative technologies of smart cities were considered.

 The video shown during the forum clearly demonstrated the export potential of the leading industries, providing information on business opportunities in the promising Turkmen market.

 As noted in the reports, Turkmenistan supplies natural gas, oil products, gas and petrochemical products, electricity and mineral fertilizers, building materials, chemical and food products to various countries. The increase in exports is stimulated by the widespread introduction of innovative technologies and the digital system in all areas, which increases the productivity and competitiveness of domestic products.

It was also emphasized that one of the key areas of diversification of the national economy is the creation of new processing industries. Possessing colossal hydrocarbon reserves, Turkmenistan is gradually creating new, highly efficient industrial complexes for gas processing.  In recent years, plants for the production of gasoline from natural gas, the production of high-quality polyethylene and polypropylene products, processing chemical facilities for the production of ammonia and carbamide, and other facilities have been put into operation.

 Due to the modernization of traditional industries, the dynamics of key indicators in such areas as energy, the textile industry, agricultural processing, production of building materials and a number of others is increasing annually.

 Great attention is also paid to the diversification of energy flows from Turkmenistan, the construction of main pipelines.  The most important for regional significance is the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline.  A fiber-optic communication line is also being laid along the same route, as well as a power transmission line Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan.

 As the forum participants noted, the policy of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov is aimed at reforming the national economy and expanding cooperation with strategic partners, including the promotion of effective digital and green solutions at all levels. At the same time, interest was stated in attracting large capital, advanced technologies, and supplying modern machinery and equipment that meets international standards.

 The forum also included business negotiations and the signing of a number of documents, including contracts on export-import operations, cooperation in the service sector and others.

 The exhibition, launched during the forum, allowed its participants to get an idea of the huge achievements in various areas of the national economy.

 At the end of the event, its participants adopted a thank-you Address to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, in which they expressed gratitude for the comprehensive support of cooperation in the implementation of innovative projects, for creating favorable conditions for investment activities.