Central Asian investment and digital innovation forums

The Turkmenistan Investment Forum 2026 (TIF 2026) opened in Ashgabat, focusing on international business cooperation across sectors such as energy, petrochemicals, transport, and the digital economy. During the event, Minister of Finance and Economy Mammetguly Astangulov reported macroeconomic stability, noting a GDP of 77.4 billion dollars by the end of 2025 and an investment volume exceeding 12.8 billion dollars last year.

Subsequent discussions at the forum and related regional technology events in Central Asia have expanded to emphasize digital transformation and innovation. In Dushanbe, the TAJ-TECH 2026 International Forum resulted in the Dushanbe Declaration on Innovation and Digital Technologies, which supports the establishment of a Regional Artificial Intelligence Center.

In Ashgabat, the investment dialogue has incorporated fintech, green transformation, and the regulation of virtual assets following the implementation of Turkmenistan’s Law ‘On Virtual Assets’ in early 2026. Additionally, an inaugural Legal Forum on Investment was held to address international arbitration and investment legislation with participation from the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme.