As part of the International Trade Centre project “Turkmenistan: Trade Sustainability and Integration”, funded by the European Union, an ITC delegation led by Jean-Sébastien Roure, Head of Trade Policy Unit, is visiting Turkmenistan from 4 to 7 March. The delegation includes ITC employee Darya Karman, as well as international experts Abdelhamid Mamdouh and Gulnaz Ospanova.

One of the components of the ITC project “Turkmenistan: Trade Sustainability and Integration” is to support capacity building for officials and civil servants to participate in the process of accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan.

During the visit, on March 4, the ITC delegation met with representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, where they discussed issues related to the implementation of this project in the area of ​​improving the qualifications of employees and the potential of national ministries and departments to carry out the necessary trade policy reforms and accession to the WTO.

Jean-Sebastien Roure emphasized in his speech that working with the Ministry of Finance and Economy to provide technical support on the path of Turkmenistan's accession to the WTO is one of the critically important components of the project aimed at identifying areas in which expert assistance is important. The ITC representative expressed readiness to strengthen further cooperation and assist in the implementation of the necessary measures for the successful integration of Turkmenistan into world trade. The parties outlined specific steps of interaction that meet the objectives of the country's socio-economic policy.

Also, during the visit, a two-day seminar for representatives of ministries and departments of Turkmenistan on WTO rules on trade in services is being held in Ashgabat on March 5-6. The seminar brought together about 50 participants - representatives of key ministries and departments of the country involved in the process of regulating and implementing the services sector.

In his welcoming speech, the head of the WTO cooperation department of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Ylham Yarashov, emphasized: “Trade in services is no longer a secondary aspect of the global economy, but has become its fundamental element. From telecommunications to tourism, from financial services to transport, the service sector drives innovation, creates jobs and contributes to economic sustainability. For Turkmenistan, with its strategic location and ambitious vision of economic diversification, unlocking the potential of trade in services offers a unique opportunity to increase competitiveness, attract investment and strengthen regional and global partnerships.”

The participants of the seminar had a unique opportunity to gain knowledge from Abdelhamid Mamdouh, former Director of the WTO Department of Trade in Services and Investment, who himself was directly involved in the development of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). Gulnaz Ospanova, former negotiator for Kazakhstan's accession to the WTO on trade in services, now a professor at the Kazakhstan Humanitarian Law University, also shared her knowledge and invaluable experience.

Representatives of ministries and departments got acquainted with the concepts of services and trade in services in the context of the WTO, with the role of trade in services in the modern economy. The main principles and provisions of the GATS were examined in detail. The participants were particularly interested in such topics as the list of specific obligations, as well as the most favored nation (MFN) treatment within the GATS. Special attention was paid to the practice of applying MFN exemptions in various countries.

In addition to the theoretical part, Turkmen specialists showed activity and interest in practical exercises prepared by experts. Thus, the acquired knowledge and skills in drawing up the List of Specific Commitments in Key Industries will become invaluable in the future negotiation process upon accession to the WTO.

Discussion of current issues and practical aspects of the WTO rules on trade in services opens up new opportunities for our country to integrate into the global economy and actively participate in international trade. Without a doubt, the acquired knowledge and skills will be actively applied in the future professional activities of the seminar participants.

ORIENT