OSCE Centre holds workshop on market competition and consumer policy in Turkmenistan
ASHGABAD, 27 June 2008. - Twelve participants from Turkmenistan's government ministries and the private sector took part in an OSCE Centre-supported workshop on market competition and consumer policy that ended today in Ashgabad.
The five-day event was organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabad in co-operation with Turkmenistan's Foreign Ministry. Officials from the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations, the Ministry of Economy and Development, the Ministry of Finance and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry participated.
"We hope that this training course will enable officials to make decisions that further support the implementation of the important reforms being carried out by the Government of Turkmenistan," said Ambassador Ibrahim Djikic, Head of the Centre. "Lowering barriers to entry for the private sector to ensure economic competitiveness and production efficiency, protecting consumers, discouraging monopolies and developing market-friendly regulations are indispensable for a successful transition to a free-market economy."
The workshop featured a combination of case simulations, interactive discussion and instruction. Participants discussed issues related to developing a competitive market, ensuring transparency in industry regulation, developing anti-monopoly policies and drafting commercial agreements in compliance with international standards on promoting fair competition, while safeguarding consumer interests.
The OSCE Centre in Ashgabad will continue to support programmes that promote market economic principles.