The Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan hosted an official delegation from Turkmenistan as part of an experience-sharing initiative on accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The Turkmen delegation was headed by Ylham Yarashov, Head of the Department for Cooperation with the WTO of the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan. The delegation included representatives from the Cabinet of Ministers, the Central Bank, the Parliament, and relevant ministries and agencies responsible for trade and economic policy.
The purpose of the visit was to study Kazakhstan’s practical experience in joining the WTO, including institutional and legal reforms, the negotiation process on commitments, and the alignment of national legislation with multilateral trade rules.
The program included technical consultations with Kazakh negotiators, government officials, and trade policy experts. The Kazakh side was represented by the Ministry of Trade and Integration, the Center for Trade Policy Development “QazTrade,” as well as leading specialists who directly participated in Kazakhstan’s WTO accession negotiations.
During the meeting with the Turkmen delegation, Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan Zhanel Kushukova commended Turkmenistan’s efforts in this area and expressed readiness for constructive cooperation. She emphasized the importance of WTO membership for economic stability and the expansion of international trade cooperation.
Nurlan Kulbatyrov, Deputy General Director of the Center for Trade Policy Development “QazTrade”, highlighted the growing momentum of intra-regional trade in Central Asia and the importance of strengthening regional cooperation. He paid special attention to trade facilitation measures, which help reduce barriers and increase transparency in regional trade. He also noted Turkmenistan’s strategic geographic position at the crossroads of major transport corridors such as “North–South” and the Middle Corridor, as well as its potential for connecting to Afghanistan and southern routes.
Ylham Yarashov, Head of the Department for Cooperation with the WTO at Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Finance and Economy, expressed appreciation to the Kazakh side for the opportunity to learn from its valuable practical experience. He noted that Kazakhstan had successfully navigated a complex path to integrate into the global trading system, and that this experience serves as a strong foundation for Turkmenistan’s strategic approach toward WTO accession. The discussions also addressed specific challenges Turkmenistan faces and explored solutions based on international best practices.
As part of the visit, the delegation also toured the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), established in 2015. Operating under principles of English common law, the AIFC plays a key role in attracting foreign investment, developing capital markets, adopting international standards, and strengthening Kazakhstan’s financial infrastructure.
The visit of the Turkmen delegation to Astana once again affirmed Kazakhstan’s role as a reliable and active partner in Central Asia, open to cooperation and knowledge exchange. Kazakhstan continues to share its experience in WTO accession and economic reforms. Over the past year, similar delegations from Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan—both in the process of joining the WTO—have also visited Kazakhstan. This growing dialogue enhances regional cohesion and lays a solid foundation for the further development of intra-regional trade.
The Visit within the Framework of the ITC Project “Turkmenistan: Enhancing Trade resilience and Integration” Funded by the European Union