Representatives of Turkmenistan’s ministries and government agencies have begun a needs assessment workshop in Ashgabat focused on the World Trade Organization’s Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement (IFDA), Orient.tm reports.
The event was organized by the International Trade Centre (ITC) under the EU-funded project “Turkmenistan: Trade Resilience and Integration.”
IFDA: A New Benchmark for the Green Economy
The IFDA, adopted in February 2024 by more than 120 WTO members, is considered a key international framework for promoting sustainable and high-quality foreign investment. The agreement aims to increase regulatory transparency, improve predictability, and streamline administrative procedures to make investment environments more accessible and reliable.
The seminar was led by Professor Manjiao Chi, an international ITC consultant and Director of the Center for International Economic Law and Policy at Peking University Law School. Under his guidance, about 30 Turkmen experts reviewed existing national policies and identified priority steps required for full alignment with the IFDA’s principles.
Implementing reforms in line with the IFDA is expected to significantly enhance Turkmenistan’s attractiveness to foreign investors, particularly in green and sustainable economy initiatives. This will help strengthen the country’s position in the international arena as it advances its course toward economic diversification and global trade integration.
About the Project: The ITC project “Turkmenistan: Trade Resilience and Integration”, funded by the European Union, aims to promote economic growth and decent work in Turkmenistan by improving the business environment and enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
October 23, 2025