The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the State Committee of Turkmenistan on Statistics (Turkmenstat) convened a roundtable to advance the project aimed at improving transport and trade statistics in Turkmenistan. 

The event, part of a broader initiative launched on February 18, 2024, was designed to address current challenges and refine the data collection process for freight and passenger transport.

The roundtable focused on evaluating the existing statistics and proposing enhancements to better reflect the transport sector’s development. Key aspects discussed included the methodology, questionnaire, and work plan for a comprehensive survey on transportation.

Svetlana Silaeva, an international expert at the event, highlighted the importance of aligning statistical indicators with national standards and improving data accuracy. 

“Statistical indicators of the transport sector should objectively reflect the development of road transport and serve as a reliable basis for management decisions. Regular updates and additional surveys are essential for capturing all segments of the sector,” she noted.

The project aims to elevate the quality of trade and transport statistics by enhancing institutional mechanisms, aligning national legislation with international standards, and refining data accuracy for both passenger and freight traffic. Additionally, it focuses on building Turkmenstat’s capacity to generate high-quality, gender-responsive statistics on international trade and transportation volumes.