Oriented on making people closer

Expanding economic and friendly ties, establishing contacts between business representatives, strengthening partnerships and discussing counter business proposals – with such goals, the participants of the Austrian Economic Mission are preparing for an official visit to Turkmenistan, which is scheduled for late November-early December.

During the visit, the Austrian delegation will hold a business briefing in Ashgabat, presentations and negotiations with representatives of government agencies and the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan. The guests will take part in the meeting of the Austria-Turkmenistan intergovernmental commission and visit Mary, where they will meet with the heads of local companies.

The visit will also mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Austria and Turkmenistan, which will be celebrated on October 16.

An important milestone in the history of bilateral relations was the first official visit of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to Austria in November 2008. At the same time in Vienna, in the Austrian Federal Chamber of Economics - WKO, a business forum was held with the participation of more than 100 Austrian companies.

In October 2011, Austrian President Heinz Fischer paid an official visit to Turkmenistan accompanied by a large delegation. WKO was then represented by its vice-president Richard Schenz.

He is a well-known personality in the Austrian economy, he was the CEO and Chairman of the Board of the oil and gas company OMV, Commissioner for the Capital Market of the Austrian Federal Government and the Ministry of Finance, has a professional title of commercial consultant. He kindly agreed to answer a few questions from ORIENT.

– How important is it for Austrian companies to actively participate in the processes of the rapidly developing Turkmen market?

– The number of business forum participants from the Austrian side during the Turkmen-Austrian negotiations at the government level speaks for itself. This shows that Austria is very interested in cooperation with the Turkmen economy. The coronavirus pandemic has set us back a little, and now that it is more or less over, we will again work intensively to expand our interaction with Turkmenistan.

Austria has much to offer for the Turkmen economy. It's just the right time now. Our country is known, first of all, for its culture, landscape, tourist attractions, but few people know that it is also a highly industrial power. We have many companies that are ready to participate in joint projects in this area, first of all, on the modernization of industry, which Turkmenistan has embarked on.

For example, we can offer the most modern know-how and high technologies in construction, healthcare, we have effective technologies in the field of ecology and alternative energy sources.

Austrian companies are active around the world in the construction of power plants, a number of companies are leading in the field of tourism. And Turkmenistan is quite an interesting destination for European tourists, and there can be very productive collaborations here.

In short, business of Austria is very interested in working in Turkmenistan, which is dynamically integrating into the regional and world economy.

– Before the pandemic, once a year, a meeting of the joint economic commission of Austria and Turkmenistan was held in Vienna or Ashgabat, organized by the WKO and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan. How do you rate the cooperation between the two chambers?

– Our cooperation has always been at a high professional level. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan has provided and continues to provide us with great assistance when we organize economic missions in Turkmenistan and vice versa, when Turkmen companies come to Austria, we also provide them with support and assistance.

But there is a second level, it is political. This is a bilateral intergovernmental commission at the level of the ministries of economy of Austria and Turkmenistan, which also meet once or twice a year in Ashgabat or Vienna to discuss economic issues. This is very important for both parties. In general, organizations that represent the economy, both chambers and ministries of economy as political structures are the key institutions for improving and deepening economic cooperation between our countries.

– What steps are needed, in your opinion, to bring Turkmen customers closer to Austrian companies?

– It is very important that we organize economic missions when Austrian companies come to Turkmenistan to look for suitable partners. This is the first. And secondly, joint commissions inform Austrian businessmen about current trends and promising projects in the Turkmen market. This is how both parties inform each other what they have to offer and what is being offered to them. But most importantly, such missions help to highlight and pave the way from existing prospects to concrete, substantive dialogue and practical interaction.

– You were last in Ashgabat in December 2021 with Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Linhart. You know the country well, what can you say about its people, their mentality?

– I think the Turkmen mentality is very attractive to us, the Austrians, they are very responsive and positive people. I have never had any problems during my trips to Turkmenistan. Turkmens are very hospitable and always help in any way they can. I think, on the one hand, that I am well acquainted with Turkmenistan, since I have been there 5-6 times, but, in fact, I have only seen Ashgabat and its environs. Unfortunately, I do not know the country as a whole, but from what I have heard about Turkmenistan, from my personal acquaintances with wonderful people in this country, where I have always felt very comfortable among friends, I can say that this is an open and sincere people.

– Turkmenistan and Austria are both neutral states. In this regard, the question is: economics and diplomacy – how closely are they related?

– Very connected. Diplomacy establishes contacts, negotiates, such meetings are always important for determining the economic priorities of interaction. On the other hand, the economic interests of states will largely determine their foreign policy both in general and in relation to certain partners. Diplomacy can support business, opening the way for it and promoting its interests abroad, and business, with its versatility and flexibility, can be an effective tool for economic diplomacy.

– You know the projects of the Austrian-Turkmen Society in the field of culture and economy, these are the Vienna Balls in Ashgabat, the Austrian-Turkmen magazine "Galkynysh" and the joint orchestra of the same name, organization and participation in international forums and presentations of Austrian companies in Turkmenistan, work with the media etc. It is a great honor for the Society that you, as a vice president, will join its board, whose members are directors of large Austrian and Turkmen companies. How do you see the future role of the Austrian-Turkmen Society, which celebrated its 14th anniversary in August this year?

– The society performs a very important function in the development of bilateral relations between our countries, the role of a bridge of culture and friendship, an economic bridge. Cultural, creative exchange is indispensable for improving and strengthening human relations, for successful diplomacy. It directly affects the process of integration, development of the creative and innovative potential of cooperation. This is the humanitarian dimension of politics, which is ultimately aimed at the well-being of our countries and peoples. And I wish new great success to the Austrian-Turkmen society, whose mission is to bring together, acquaint and find common ground for a multifaceted dialogue between the two countries.

– Allow me, Mr. Shenz, on behalf of the employees and readers of the Orient website, to thank you for your interview.

Neda BERGER,
President of the Austrian-Turkmen Society,
own correspondent of ORIENT,
accredited in the press service of the Austrian Chancellor