OREANDA-NEWS. September 24, 2009. The first Turkmen-Czech business forum was conducted at the President Hotel in Ashgabat. The organizers of the business meeting were the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and Czechia. The delegation representing the state organisations and business structures led by Premysl Sobotka, President of the Czech Parliament had arrived in the Turkmen capital. Turkmenistan was represented by the leading specialists of the national ministries and departments and the Union of Manufacturers and Entrepreneurs.

As is known, the initiative to conduct the Turkmen-Czech Economic Forum was put forward by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov during the talks with Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Mirek Topolanek in Ashgabat this February.

Opening the business forum Vice Premier of Turkmenistan T. Japarov focused on its importance for strengthening bilateral relations and maintaining the active dialogue between Turkmenistan and the European Union that was consistent with the open door policy pursued by Turkmenistan through expanding traditional partnership.

During the meeting that turned into the businesslike and constructive exchange of views the participants discussed the reports on the current state of partnership and prospects for further joint work. It was noted that 10 Czech enterprises of different forms of ownerships operated in Turkmenistan, 4 investment projects worth over US\\$ 9 million were registered. Two countries increased steadily the volume of trade turnover.

Putting emphasis on ken interest in establishing full-scale cooperation with Turkmenistan, which enjoyed the reputation worldwide as a very promising and dependable partner, the leaders of the Czech delegation focused on the readiness to develop mutually advantageous cooperation in the fuel and energy sector, chemical and construction materials industries, agriculture, consumer goods trade and tourism.

The vectors of further cooperation were the focus the bilateral meetings of the Czech delegations at the leading ministries and departments and the private companies.