OREANDA-NEWS. December 18, 2009. The agenda of the roundtable that was conducted in Ashgabat focused on the ways to expand economic cooperation to implement the priority projects in Turkmenistan aimed at developing the social sphere, transport infrastructure, industrial production and communications sector. The representatives of the ministries and departments, banks of Turkmenistan and the Coordination Group composed of the Islamic Development Bank, the Saudi Fund for Development, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) took part in the meeting conducted in the conference hall of the President Hotel in Ashgabat.

As it was noted that the forum became a continuation of the 34th Annual Meeting of the IDB Board of Governors, which had been conducted in Ashgabat this June would promote enhancing business contacts with the authoritative international financial structures. A number of the successful joint projects in the health care, education, transport and construction sectors as well as the programmes aimed at promoting the private sector vividly illustrated Turkmenistan’s constructive cooperation with the Islamic Development Bank. The important projects implemented in Turkmenistan with the assistance of the Islamic Development Bank include construction of the North-South transnational trunk railway running across Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran and connecting the transport systems of Europe and Asia providing will be the shortest route to the Persian Gulf ports. As is known, this important project was initiated by the Turkmen leader.

The participants discussed and exchanged views on 15 project proposals submitted by the ministries and departments to the Coordination group for consideration. The representatives of the international investment funds demonstrated keen interest in these projects aimed at developing the important sectors of Turkmen economy such as water and chemical industries, transport and communication infrastructure, agricultural, health care and tourism.

During the bilateral meetings the participants discussed in detail the proposed projects. The relevant documents are expected to be signed upon concluding the roundtable.