_BIOGRAPHY She is the President and founder of MHB SAS, an investment-consulting firm established in 2000, based in Paris, and specializing in Eastern Europe and CIS countries. An ENA graduate, she has extensive experience in economic transition management, privatization, and mergers in Eastern countries and CIS. She has advised French cabinet ministers and President Chirac’s administration.

THE CCFT HAS ACTED AND PLEDGES TO CONTINUE ACTING AS AN HONEST BROKER FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF BILATERAL TURKMEN-FRENCH RELATIONS IN THE SPHERE OF ECONOMY AND FINANCE.

CAN YOU PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE INITIATIVES ORGANIZED BY THE CCFT?

Thanks to newly established links, the CCFT and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan organized the first day of Turkmenistan in Paris in July 2014. Under the high patronage of both countries’ cabinet ministers in charge of external trade relations, this event greatly contributed to revealing the economic potential of this partner country.

CCFT has participated in a series of bilateral as well as international economic events in Turkmenistan, as well. In the intergovernmental sphere, in April 2019, CCFT organized a delegation of French enterprises in Ashgabat accompanying the visit of the then Secretary of State in charge of external trade relations. In several other instances, CCFT has facilitated contacts between high-ranking representatives of Turkmenistan and their counterparts in our national assemblies.

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IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE THE MOST PROMISING SECTORS IN TURKMENISTAN AND HOW CCFT IS SUPPORTING FRENCH COMPANIES TO INVEST IN THE COUNTRY?

Energy, particularly renewable energy, methane emissions reduction, and green hydrogen, constitute real challenges which French enterprises may address. The control and preservation of water offers strong prospects. As for incentives and support mechanisms available to French potential investors in Turkmenistan, they have not yet reached the maximum level.

CCFT has proposed to help secure links in the banking sector and facilitate Turkmenistan's accession to the WTO as part of its integration into the global trade system. Our priorities lie in opening the economy. Given the current drive of the Turkmenistan government towards further - albeit gradual - opening of the economic and financial environments, CCFT is ready to mobilize actors and work with Turkmen authorities.

The enhancement and conservation of water flow projects are high on our priority list. Turkmen authorities are currently considering technologies presented by a subsidiary of a French group. Likewise, the diversification of highly priced mineral resources and their local transformation offer interesting prospects for the Turkmen industry. Both projects will bolster the Turkmen economy while strengthening French-Turkmen business ties. As a main approach, the CCFT believes in a pragmatic, well-targeted strategy in its relationship with the Turkmen authorities.

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HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CURRENT STATE OF BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN FRANCE AND TURKMENISTAN?

French-Turkmen relations are deeply rooted in mutual recognition and respect. France was among the very first countries to establish formal diplomatic relations with Turkmenistan in 1992, shortly after Turkmenistan regained its independence. In 1993, President François Mitterrand welcomed President Saparmourat Niazov in Paris, and in 1994, he was the first Western head of State to visit the country. In 1995, France supported the United Nations recognition of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality. All these actions have contributed to establishing a friendly relationship founded on mutual respect. French companies quickly followed suit when Turkmenistan launched a major program to modernize its infrastructure and industries, which facilitated the development of strong ties with their local partners.

Some of the most important buildings in Ashgabat, the snow-white capital city, are the work of construction giants such as Bouygues and Vinci. Turkmen civil air control and satellite telecommunications are also provided by Thales group. It is only natural that the CCFT was established in December 2012, responding to the initiatives of other countries and to a shared desire of the Turkmen government and French enterprises to strengthen ties.

Originally envisioned as a purely French association, the Chamber soon established a cooperation agreement with the Chamber of Trade and Industry of Turkmenistan. We are gradually restoring our economic relations to their optimal level, as it was pre-COVID-19 pandemic.