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U.S. supports Turkmen efforts to attract investment in Caspian tourism

Business Materials 8 September 2010 18:24 (UTC +04:00)

Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, September 8 / Trend H. Hasanov /

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) supports the efforts of the Turkmen government to attract foreign investment and develop tourism in the country, the agency said in a press release.

As part of this support, international tourism expert Rodrigo Ortiz was among American attendees of an international conference in the Caspian resort of Avaza where the role of foreign direct investment in special economic zones was discussed.

The event was organized by the newly created "Avaza" special committee, together with the Turkmen Chamber of Commerce.

Ortiz, a specialist in investment promotion and tourism development, said that private sector development is at the forefront in Turkmenistan and serves as a catalyst for economic growth in Turkmenistan in the future.

"We welcome the commitment of Turkmenistan to create incentives for investors, guarantees for legal protection and measures aimed at protecting the east coast of the Caspian Sea. These commitments provide the foundation to help to attract foreign investments," Ortiz said.

More than 200 delegates attended the conference which was an opportunity for international partners to work with colleagues from the Turkmen government to attract additional attention to the development of tourism in the country.

The U.S. State Department financed the participation of tourism consultant Thomas Tate at the conference. During the last 20 years Tate has applied his experience in tourism development in more than 40 countries worldwide, the U.S. Embassy said.

Before starting his career as an international consultant, Tate was head of the Nevada tourism commission for more than ten years.

USAID has provided over $90 million to implement programs to support economic development, the social sector and public initiatives in Turkmenistan since 1992.

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