DUSHANBE, April 22, 20154, Asia-Plus – The fifth meeting of the Tajik-Turkmen intergovernmental commission for trade and economic cooperation took place in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan on April 21.

Co-chaired by Turkmen Minister of Finance Dovletgeldi Sadykov and Tajik Minister of Energy and Water Resources Usmonali Usmonzoda, the meeting reportedly discussed issues related to implementation of agreements reached between the two countries and prospects of further expansion of bilateral economic cooperation between Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

Turkmen news website Turkmenistan.ru reports that special attention was given to measures to diversify trade and economic ties and increase export / import operations between the two countries.

The sides, in particular, noted that a joint organization of exhibitions and fairs, meetings of representatives of business communities of the two countries and regular exchange of economic information would promote further expansion of trade and economic cooperation between Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

The sides reportedly outlined sectors like energy, industry, agriculture, health, sports, education, science and tourism, as areas of which could drive the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

A special attention was given to energy and infrastructure development cooperation, including construction of rail link connecting Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan, Turkmenistan.ru noted.

The next sixth meeting of the Tajik-Turkmen intergovernmental commission for trade and economic cooperation will take place in Dushanbe in the first half-year of 2015.