The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Turkic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TTCI) organized the First Turkic Agro-Forum on 4 July 2022 in Tashkent. The Forum was held within the framework of the 1st Meeting of Ministers of Agriculture and aimed at creating a single discussion platform on key issues of agricultural cooperation in the Turkic region and promoting the interaction of business circles in expanding trade in agriculture among the OTS Member and Observer States.
The Forum was attended by Secretary General of the OTS, H.E. Baghdad Amreyev, Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, H.E. Jamshid Khodjaev, Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Inam Karimov, Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, H.E. Yerbol Karashukeev, Minister of Agriculture of the Kyrgyz Republic, H.E. Askarbek Dzhanybekov, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye, H.E. Vahit Kirişci and Deputy State Secretary for International Relations, Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary, Mr. Oszkár Ökrös. More than 300 officials of the competent ministries, representatives of international and regional organizations and leading companies in the field of agriculture from member and observer countries took part in the Forum.
In his opening speech at the Forum, Secretary General Baghdad H.E. Amreyev welcomed the participants and noted that the Turkic Agro-Forum would contribute to expanding economic ties in the agro-industrial complex, increasing trade and encouraging investments among the member and observer countries. He stated that the OTS is committed to further enable such platforms for identifying the private sector needs, to encourage them and support their bright ideas and business proposals with all possible means. The Secretary General also briefed the participants about activities of the Organization towards boosting economic and trade relations in the Turkic region, such as the establishment of TCCI and Turkic Investment Fund aimed at supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and facilitating the implementation of various joint investment projects. He also touched upon the ongoing efforts for creating the necessary legal framework for encouraging the trade between Turkic countries, including Trade Facilitation Strategy Paper, Agreement on Simplified Customs Corridor, Partnership Agreement on Digital Trade and Agreement on Combined Transport. Baghdad Amreyev reiterated that the Organization would continue to put all efforts to encourage and support the business activities in the Turkic region in close cooperation with all stakeholders.
Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Inam Karimov gave detailed information on the reforms and achievements of Azerbaijan in the sector of agriculture. Mentioning the agricultural potential of the Turkic region, he emphasized the necessity of joint actions for consolidating ties among the OTS members in this matter.
Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, H.E. Yerbol Karashukeev, briefed the audience on the current efforts toward creating a favorable investment climate in agribusiness and improving the mechanisms for subsidizing the agro-industrial complex. Expressing readiness for further cementing partnerships in the agro-industrial sector, he pointed out that consolidating joint efforts in this domain would ensure not only food security but also social and political stability in the Turkic region.
Minister of Agriculture of the Kyrgyz Republic, H.E. Askarbek Dzhanybekov underlined that the agricultural sector plays a key role in the economy of Kyrgyzstan and invited investors and businessmen from Turkic countries to create joint ventures in the agro-industrial complex of the Kyrgyz Republic. Emphasizing the importance of the free movement of agricultural goods and investments in the agrarian sector, Minister Dzhanybekov proposed to create a single market for the standardization and certification of agricultural products, to exchange the best achievements in the selection of seed crops and livestock breeding, as well as to expand contacts in the field of science and education.
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye, H.E. Vahit Kirişci stated that convening such agro-forums regularly with the active involvement of the private sector would not only increase investment and trade opportunities in Turkic countries but also strengthen partnership potentials for their access to the third markets. Emphasizing the experience of Türkiye in the most advanced agriculture areas, including agricultural machinery, biotechnology, seed production and greenhouse cultivation, he expressed their readiness to share best practices in these spheres with the other member and observer countries.
Deputy State Secretary for International Relations, Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary, Mr. Oszkár Ökrös underlined that the expansion of the relations with the OTS member states is a strategic priority for the Government of Hungary which is proved by the growing number of professional ties and our regular high-level meetings, as well as by trade statistics. He stated that the Hungarian side would stay open to continuing the existing cooperation, as well as jointly exploiting the new opportunities in the priority areas, including seed production, animal husbandry, aquaculture, agricultural machine building, and food processing.
Following the opening ceremony, the Forum continued with the thematic sessions with speeches and presentations of investment proposals in the agricultural sector, company projects and opportunities to expand cooperation with business structures. In addition, B2B meetings and bilateral negotiations served as a suitable venue for communication and establishing new contacts among the participants of the Forum.
