OREANDA-NEWS. February 15, 2008. The Textile Industry of Turkmenistan and the Art of Carpet Weaving International Exhibition was opened at the Exhibition Centre in Ashgabat. The forum is organized by the Ministry of Textile Industry of Turkmenistan, the Turkmenhaly State Joint Stock Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan. Over 60 foreign firms and companies – the leading manufactures and exporters of textile equipment and chemical products present their products and innovations at the large-scale exposition. These include Turkmenistan’s long-term and potential partners willing to operate on the Turkmen market. The well-known companies including Jum Shui and Hong Kong Brighton Trading Ltd (PRC), Bezema, Rieter and Huntsman (Switzerland), Textima (Germany), Van de Wiele (Belgium), Sigma Center (Turkey), Russian Textile Alliance and NPF ORT (Russian Federation) arranged their pavilions in the Exhibition Centre.

The cabinet ministers of Turkmenistan, the high-ranking officials of the Mejlis, the national ministries and departments, the members of the public organisations, the heads of the diplomatic missions accredited to Turkmenistan, the foreign businessmen and numerous guests took part in the ceremony of opening the international exhibition. The Turkmen leader’s greeting address to the participants was presented at the ceremony. In his address President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed belief that the exhibition and scientific conference arranged within its framework would promote establishing active business contacts and developing wide international co-operation.

In Turkmenistan paramount importance is attached to development of textile industry – one of the youngest and very promising sectors of Turkmen economy. The solid investments are made in the projects on further modernization and expansion of the industrial infrastructure that is proved by the recent resolutions of the President of Turkmenistan on construction of the cotton spinning factories in the cotton growing regions of the country.

The large-scale presentation of the enterprises and organisations of the Ministry of Textile Industry of Turkmenistan is Turkmenistan’s ‘business card’. The large-scale enterprises including the jeans complex and textile complex, the Gypjak textile complex, the Geokdepe textile complex, Bayramali textile complex maintain the reputation of the manufactures of high-quality products, which are of great demand on world market. Nowadays, cotton yarn, fabric and textile goods produced at the textile enterprises throughout Turkmenistan compete with the world-renowned blends. Nowadays, the trademark “Made in Turkmenistan” is known well in over 30 countries worldwide including the United States, Canada, Great Britain, France, Germany and Switzerland.

The wonderful samples of Turkmen carpets presented in various thematic sections are of particular interest to the specialists and visitors of the exhibition. The large-scale exposition of hundreds of the hand-made carpets from all over the country is very popular among the guests. The samples of national women’s gold and silver jewelry and the works of the national applied and decorative arts attach the special colours to the exhibition.

The colorfully designed thematic section Turkmen Carpets Worldwide vividly testifies to the profound popularity and demand the carpets created by Turkmen craftswomen enjoy all over the world. Nowadays, Turkmen carpets with the Turkmenhaly trademark represent our country at the large-scale trade fairs in Germany, the United States, Russia and other countries worldwide. They adorn the museum expositions and numerous private collections in different continents.

The bright fashion show presented by the Fashion House of the Ministry of Textile Industry of Turkmenistan followed the official opening ceremony. The leading Turkmen designers prepared the fashion collection made according to the best traditions and following the modern fashion trends.

In the afternoon the scientific conference on the Turkmen art of carpet weaving was held within the framework of the exhibition in the conference hall of the Exhibition Centre. The forum brought together the well-known historians and scientists, experts, businessmen and collectors from Russia, Germany, Turkey, Pakistan, Iran and other countries.

As a prologue to the active dialogue the video film made by the Turkmenhaly State Joint Stock Corporation about the history and traditions of Turkmen carpet weaving was presented to the participants.

Turkmen carpets – science and world outlook, the craft of Turkmen carpet weaving worldwide, the colours in the art of Turkmen carpet weaving, antiquity in the Turkmen carpet patterns, the history of the Turkmen carpet patterns, etc were the themes of the reports presented at the conference as a declaration of deep respect and reverence for the Turkmen art of carpet weaving.

Summing up the forum the participants were unanimous that the unique art – a priceless contribution of the Turkmen people to the treasure of world culture should be studied and preserved for the future generations and called for developing close international co-operation in this field.

The organizers prepared the programme of the cultural events including the performances of the best artistic groups of Turkmenistan, the excursions around Ashgabat, the visits to the leading textile enterprises and the museum of Turkmen Carpet for the participants of the international forum.