February 11, 2020 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan – Today, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) officially launched the Future Growth Initiative.  Through this program, USAID will support Turkmen enterprises in creating new jobs, improving skills, and increasing sales and exports in targeted sectors, including information and communications technologies, food processing, carpets, and leather and handicraft goods. USAID will support leading anchor firms and organizations with forward-thinking strategies to achieve their goals through collaborative, cost-shared activities.  

Addressing 30 representatives from these sectors, U.S. Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Matthew S. Klimow stated, “Our aim is not just to create a network here in Turkmenistan or to link Turkmen businesses regionally with Central Asian partners, but to look beyond to the U.S. and other international firms to establish vital partnerships and attract investment.” 

The participants discussed the project’s scope and principles, which focus on applying innovative and digital solutions to attract investment and boost sales and exports in the target sectors. The participants also identified key in-demand workforce skills, which USAIDwill incorporate into training offered to Turkmen youth and women. USAID offered to link entrepreneurs to high-growth markets and discussed its intention to invest in a more business- and worker-friendly policy environment and in institutions to sustain private sector-driven growth.