CAREC Institute Director Kabir Jurazoda Delivers Key Speech at the Turkmenistan Investment Forum

On 11 September 2024, Mr. Kabir Jurazoda, Director of the CAREC Institute, delivered a speech during a panel session on Turkmenistan’s Accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), held as part of the Turkmenistan Investment Forum. The session, moderated by Anna Varyanik, Legal Officer at the WTO Secretariat, featured prominent experts and representatives from international organizations, including Xiangchen Zhang, Deputy Secretary-General of the WTO, and Atageldi Hajiyanov, Head of the International Economic Cooperation Division at Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the session, Mr. Jurazoda highlighted the CAREC Institute’s role in supporting Turkmenistan’s WTO accession and its broader efforts to integrate more deeply into the global economy. He emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and trade liberalization in enhancing economic development, particularly through the alignment of trade policies with international standards.

Mr. Jurazoda reaffirmed the CAREC Institute’s commitment to providing evidence-based research, capacity-building programs, and policy guidance to assist Turkmenistan on its path toward WTO membership. He also spoke about the Institute’s ongoing initiatives to promote digital and sustainable trade facilitation in the region, stressing the role of paperless trade measures and national Single Windows in streamlining customs procedures. These efforts, he noted, are crucial for enhancing Turkmenistan’s competitiveness in global trade.

Additionally, Mr. Jurazoda shared key findings from the CAREC Institute’s research on Trade and Transport Connectivity within the region. The report identifies key challenges, such as infrastructure gaps and inefficiencies in border clearance, and offers comprehensive policy recommendations to reduce trade costs and improve regional connectivity. These insights, he stressed, are vital as Turkmenistan continues its progress toward WTO membership.

Mr. Jurazoda concluded by reiterating the CAREC Institute’s unwavering support for Turkmenistan’s WTO accession and its readiness to provide further assistance through technical support and capacity-building initiatives. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with international organizations and regional partners in driving Turkmenistan’s successful integration into the global trading system.

The panel session was one of several key discussions held during the Turkmenistan Investment Forum, which featured a broad range of topics aimed at enhancing the country’s economic development and attracting international investments. The forum provided an important platform for stakeholders to engage in dialogue on regional cooperation, trade facilitation, and economic integration, reinforcing Turkmenistan’s role in the global economy.