The Turkmen-Chinese Business Forum and Exhibition opened in Ashgabat on 28 April. The events are being held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and will conclude on 30 April, according to the state news agency TDH.

Representatives of over 200 Chinese companies are taking part in the forum. The opening ceremony was attended by the Speaker of the Mejlis, Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, heads of ministries and departments, and heads of diplomatic missions.

Participants heard a congratulatory message from the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, which highlighted the commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in science, technology and innovation.

A key area of the partnership is the fuel and energy sector. This year, Turkmenistan and China are marking the 20th anniversary of their cooperation in the gas sector. Work has recently commenced on drilling wells and constructing a gas processing plant with a capacity of 10 billion cubic metres per year at the ‘Galkynysh’ field – the fourth phase of its development.

More than 70 exhibition stands feature Chinese companies from the oil and gas, transport, telecommunications, agriculture, medicine and education sectors. Exhibits on artificial intelligence, robotics and the development of ‘smart’ cities attracted particular interest from visitors.

Bilateral meetings between the heads of relevant ministries in Turkmenistan and representatives of Chinese businesses took place during the exhibition. A detailed discussion on trade cooperation is scheduled for the second day of the forum.