TURKMENISTAN'S TELECOMMUNICATIONS OFFICIALS SHOW

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 001642 SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB USTDA FOR STEIN E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/29/2018 TAGS: PREL EIND SCUL TINT TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN'S TELECOMMUNICATIONS OFFICIALS SHOW INTEREST IN PROPOSED STUDY TOUR Classified By: Charge Richard Miles for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) contractor and information and communications technology senior sector expert, Diane Landau, discussed a USTDA-sponsored study tour to the United States for Turkmen officials that will take place in the spring for representatives from the Ministry of Communication, Turkmen Telecom, the Supreme Council for Science and Technology, Institute of Transportation and Telecommunications, and the Chamber of Commerce. Turkmen interlocutors showed interest in taking part in the visit. Director of the Ministry of Communications Center for International Accounts and Agreements, Bayramgeldi Ovezov, said that he would probably lead the delegation, and asked for a month in order to decide who would represent the business side of Turkmenistan's telecommunications sector. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) On December 16, U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) contractor and information and communications technology senior sector expert, Diane Landau, discussed a USTDA-sponsored study tour to the United States for Turkmen officials slated for March 7-14 with the Deputy Minister of Communications, Annadovlet Muhamedov. Muhamedov showed interest in the program, asking if the dates of the visit were confirmed and which organizations will be involved. A representative of the International Relations Office of the Ministry requested that USTDA also invite teachers from the Institute of Transportation and Communications. Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Science and Technology, Akjeren Allanurova, and the Council's Head of the Research and International Relations Department, Orazmamed Vasov, also indicated that they supported this program in a meeting on December 17. ¶3. (SBU) Director of the Ministry of Communications Center for International Accounts and Agreements Bayramgeldi Ovezov said in a meeting on December 19 that he would most likely be the head of the March delegation and requested one month to decide who would represent Turkmenistan's telecommunications business. He agreed to Landau's offer to assist with preparation of a presentation that the Turkmen delegation would show to leaders of the U.S. telecommunications sector. He agreed that the telecommunications sector in countries such as Turkey and Georgia are well known in the United States, and that Turkmenistan's should be better known. Ovezov asked specifically to meet with the Internet's registry organization to discuss development of the ".tm" domain, during the delegation's visit to the U.S. ¶4. (SBU) Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Palvan Taganov, said in a meeting on December 16 that he felt that his participation in the study tour would be helpful to Turkmenistan's telecommunications sector. He expressed interest in visiting some trade shows and meetings with counterpart organizations during this trip to the United States. Landau said that she would look into organizing a short (half-day or one-day) separate program for the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, but did not guarantee this. European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Resident Office Head, Neil McKain, recommended in a meeting on December 17 that post actively solicit the support of Deputy Chairman for Transportation and Communications, Nazarguly Shaguliyev, to ensure success of the program. ¶5. (C) COMMENT: Due to a request from the Ministry of Communications, one slot in the delegation will be set aside for an instructor from the Institute of Transportation and Communications. USTDA is inviting a total of seven representatives from the following ministries and agencies to participate in the study tour: Ministry of Communications (2),Turkmen Telecom (2),Supreme Council for Science and ASHGABAT 00001642 002 OF 002 Technology (2),and Chamber of Commerce and Industry (1). All interlocutors supported this visit and felt it would benefit Turkmenistan's telecommunications sector. However, the Cabinet of Ministers must give its seal of approval. McKain was correct to emphasize obtaining support for the program from the highest levels. END COMMENT. MILES