The representatives of the ministries and departments, as well as companies working in trade, fuel and energy, banking and finance, education, agriculture, transport, customs, sports, culture, tourism and other spheres participated in the event.

The commission co-chairman from the Uzbek side, minister of foreign economic relations, investments and trade Elyor Ganiyev said the cooperation between the two states was developing consistently in all areas.

The minister of trade and foreign economic relations of Turkmenistan Nokerugli Ataguliyev said his country was interested in further expansion of cooperation with Uzbekistan.

The number of cooperation documents signed between the two states is more than 100. The bilateral relations are developing on the basis of the treaties on friendship, cooperation and mutual help, as well as on friendship, strengthening mutual trust and development of cooperation.

According to the commission, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan comprised US$132.3 million in 2008, which is 38% more than in 2007.

The cooperation in the transport communications sector is developing especially successfully. The volume of cargo transported by Uzbek road transport via Turkmenistan exceeded 22,000 tons last year.

The volume of Turkmen transportations via the Uzbek territory is close to this figure.

The session participants considered issues of attraction of Turkmen companies to privatization in Uzbekistan, creation of new joint ventures and increasing the turnover.