On the 15th of April of this year, a seminar organized by the OSCE was held in Ashgabat on the creation of a business ombudsman institution and the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of business entities. The event was attended by representatives of the Mejlis, the Office of the Ombudsman, the Institute of State, Law and Democracy, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan, as well as relevant ministries and higher educational institutions.

The seminar presented the history, international experience and prospects for the development of the business ombudsman institution, which operates in many OSCE participating States, which considers respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including economic ones, as a key component of its comprehensive concept of security.

The international expert shared information with the seminar participants about institutional reforms and improving the institution of the business ombudsman, and also gave practical examples on the digitalization of the system for protecting the rights of entrepreneurs. The participants exchanged views on the role of the business ombudsman in the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, paying special attention to supporting women's entrepreneurship.