WT/MIN(22)/ST/36  
12 June 2022 
(22-4472) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  Original: English  
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR MUHAMMETGELDI SERDAROV  
MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMY  
TURKMENISTAN  
(Speaking as an Observer)  
In the context of the globalization of the world economy, the most important sphere of economic 
development is trade, through which the international division of labor and international cooperation 
in the field of production develops. Participation in the international multilateral trade system allows 
expansion of cooperation based on the set of rules for international trade, and taking into account 
mutual trust and transparency.  
 
In February 2022, the WTO General Council approved the application submitted by my country and 
made a decision to grant Turkmenistan the status of an acceding country in accordance with 
Article  XII of the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the WTO. In addition, a Working Group on 
Turkmenistan's accession to the WTO has been establish ed. 
 
We are ready, as soon as possible, to start working with members of the Working Group and start 
the negotiation with WTO member states on trade regimes.  
 
On behalf of the Government of Turkmenistan, I would like to sincerely thank the Director -General  
and the WTO Secretariat, as well as the delegations of the WTO member States for considering and 
accepting the application of Turkmenistan for membership in the Organization.  
 
As an acceding State, we would like to assure that Turkmenistan will make every  effort to implement 
the necessary requirements and obligations for the completion of a membership application process 
in the WTO.  
 
I would like to say a few words about the economy of Turkmenistan. Economic growth in 2021 
amounted to 6.2% and following th e results of the 4 month -period of this year, the growth rate 
remained at the same level. The volume of GDP is growing steadily, and by the end of 2021 it 
reached 50.0 billion US dollars. GDP per capita in 2021 amounted to over 8 thousand US dollars.  
 
The foreign trade turnover of the country is over 33% of GDP, in which exports of products prevail.  
 
The country is carrying out a large -scale diversification of its economy, with a focus on processing 
industries and the creation of finished products that meet international standards.  
 
At the beginning of this year, our country adopted a new long -term National Program for the 
socio-economic development of Turkmenistan for 2022 -2052 - the Revival of a new era of a 
sovereign State. An important direction of e conomic development for the next thirty years remains 
the support of sustainable energy. A modern energy industry has been created in the country that 
includes mining and processing enterprises with high added value, whose products are exported to 
various countries of the world.  
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  Until 2030, we will continue to increase the level of industrialization of the national economy, deepen 
the implementation of institutional reforms, the digital economy and digital technologies, actively 
develop the market economy and small and medium -sized businesses, and create a favorable 
business environment.  
 
I would also like to note that a full -fledged agricultural production chain has been created in our 
country in recent years. We produce wheat, cotton, vegetables and fruit s in sufficient quantities. 
The production of vegetable oils has been established. We have a developed sphere of the meat and 
dairy industry and other types of food complexes.  
 
Turkmenistan supports the process of fairness, trust and transparency in trade,  and intends to 
actively continue the work on the improvement of its trade policy and the conditions for cooperation 
in this area with all States.  
 
Once again, let me sincerely thank you all and wish you all good health and success for the 
development of t he multilateral trading system.  
 
__________