Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Nov. 29 / Trend H. Hasanov /
During a meeting of the Turkmen-Austrian joint commission in Ashgabat, Austrian companies showed interest in purchasing Turkmen textiles, the Turkmen government said on Thursday.
According to the report, 'the importance was noted of a more active promotion of Turkmen production particularly textile goods, to the markets of Austria and other European Union countries to establish direct contacts with Austrian companies interested in wholesale purchases'.
The event was attended by the heads of Turkmen ministries and agencies. The Austrian delegation was headed by Director General of the Department for External Economic Policy and European Integration of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Economy, Family and Youth, Franz Vessig.
Energy, construction, healthcare, medical industry and tourism were identified as the priority areas of partnership at the meeting. It was emphasised that Austrian business circles are also interested in establishing some partnerships in the processing of agricultural and food products.
In particular, the possibilities of Austrian companies' involvement in the implementation of projects on the construction of livestock facilities in Turkmenistan and the supply of equipment for the production of meat and dairy products was considered.
Ashgabat hosted the Turkmen-Austrian business forum which was attended by companies such as WOMA GmbH, Schoeller Bleckmann AG, Unger Stahlbau GmbH, Schrack Seconet AG, Oswelt GmbH, AME Interhational and Landhof.
The Turkmen textile industry is developing on the basis of an increase in the domestic processing of planted cotton. About 1.200.000 tons of raw cotton was harvested this year.
According to the Turkmen development programme until 2020, cotton processing facilities will be introduced in each of the product's planting region of the country. These measures will help to create about 20.000 new jobs.
During the years of independence considerable funds were given to the comprehensive modernisation of the infrastructure sector. Specialised service centres at the Schlafhorst, Truetzschler, Uster companies were opened in Ashgabat.