Today, the International Exhibition and Fair “Kids Expo: Everything for Children”, held for the first time in our country, began its work in the capital.
Numerous domestic and foreign companies from the Russian Federation, the USA, Canada, Germany, Portugal, Italy, the UAE, Turkiye, Singapore, China, Bahrain, Great Britain, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, working in the field of children’s goods and services, presented their products at the large-scale show organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan together with the Turkmen Expo IP.
Consistently and successfully implementing the Sustainable Development Goals proclaimed by the United Nations, our country actively interacts with other states and leading international structures. It is no coincidence that the participants of the expo-forum include Turkmenistan’s long-standing partner, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which has been actively involved in the country’s programs for the protection of motherhood and childhood, the comprehensive development of the younger generation, improving the material well-being of families, improving the education and health systems, and popularizing the principles of a healthy lifestyle.
A lively festive atmosphere reigned from early morning on the spacious open area behind the fashionable Garagum Hotel, with special notes added by the fiery song and music performances of children’s creative groups that followed one another.
Distinguished guests were invited to participate in the opening ceremony of the first exhibition-fair of children’s goods, held on the eve of the Day of Knowledge and Student Youth, including the Chairman of the Mejlis, members of the Government, heads of ministries and departments of Turkmenistan, heads and representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in our country, public associations and the media.
The audience listened with enthusiasm to the welcoming address of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, which emphasized that in independent neutral Turkmenistan – the land of a happy childhood, where the most cherished desires come true and grandiose goals are achieved, children – the charming flowers of our lives – are surrounded by great care from the state. Modern preschool, school education institutions, physical education, health and entertainment centers are being built throughout the country, thereby creating a favorable social environment that allows them to gain fundamental knowledge, broaden their horizons and form the best moral traits in children.
Expressing confidence that the colorful expositions will arouse interest among international partners, investors and representatives of the specialized industry from different countries, the head of state emphasized in his message that the current international exhibition and fair will become a landmark event in the cultural and business life of Turkmenistan, since it is not just an excellent platform for demonstrating the capabilities of businessmen, but also a kind of festive event for parents and their children.
It should be noted that “Kids Expo: Everything for Children”, held in accordance with the “List of exhibitions, fairs, conferences and festivals planned to be held by ministries and departments in 2024” approved by the President of Turkmenistan, has become one of the highlights of the year “The Fount of the Wisdom of Magtymguly Fragi”.
Over the course of four days, Ashgabat residents and guests of the Turkmen capital will be able to get acquainted with an expanded exposition, composed in many different thematic areas. At the same time, visitors will be pleased not only with the wide range of high-quality goods presented, but also with their focus on children of various age categories, starting from birth.
A large selection of products for newborns – clothes, dishes, formula for feeding babies, diapers, hygiene products and much more – impressed primarily young parents, who were interested in the best new products from famous domestic and world manufacturers.
Taking into account the mentality of the Turkmen people, where the traditions of having many children have always been held in high esteem, the organizers placed special emphasis on the colorful decoration of the pavilions, which brought the youngest visitors into indescribable delight. The stands with all kinds of toys, board games and educational aids were especially crowded.
Thanks to the far-sighted initiatives of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Hero-Arkadag, successfully continued by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, in recent years the country has been effectively implementing target programs so that children live in joy and happiness, relax in comfort, study, create and grow up educated, erudite, physically strong and well-mannered people.
For these purposes, an optimal state system of family support, protection of motherhood and childhood, upbringing and education of the younger generation has been formed, starting from legislative support to the introduction of the best world practices in these areas.
Independent neutral Turkmenistan can rightfully be called a country of happy childhood. It is enough to mention the modern children’s health centers located in the picturesque, lush green place of Gokdere and on the Caspian coast in the Avaza National Tourist Zone. The same health resorts, where the most comfortable conditions for living, rest and interesting leisure of children are created, are built in all velayats. During the summer holiday season, many interesting events, meetings, cultural and sports events, intellectual and creative competitions are organized for children here.
Ensuring a prosperous life for children, creating all the conditions for personal development and self-realization – this is what the efforts of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov are aimed at, dictated primarily by the highest responsibility for the fate of the Homeland, the people, and its future. After all, it is in childhood that fundamental personal qualities, moral guidelines and values, love for the Homeland, respect for the original national traditions, following the covenants and high ideals of ancestors are laid.
Harmonious development of the younger generation is one of the important, strategic tasks of the Revival era of a new epoch of a powerful state. It is no coincidence that separate sections of the exhibition are devoted to child psychology and development, the role of creativity, music and art in the lives of children. The healthy, prosperous living environment created in our country promotes the full physical and spiritual development of children, the development of their abilities and multifaceted talents. All educational programs, successfully implemented educational reforms, huge government investments in education, healthcare, sports development and the creation of related infrastructure are aimed at this.
Today, even preschool institutions in Turkmenistan have created all the conditions for the comprehensive development of pupils, their comfortable rest and meaningful leisure. Well-equipped creative studios and gyms, classes of initial computer literacy and language laboratories for studying foreign languages have become the modern standard of kindergartens.
Innovative technologies in children’s education aroused the expected increased interest of visitors to the exhibition. At the same time, the organizers did not ignore such an important topic as inclusive education and care for children with special needs.
Following the high humane principles of the Turkmen people, much attention in the country is also paid to supporting orphans and children deprived of parental care. The state provides legal guarantees for the protection and provision of legitimate interests to young compatriots who find themselves in a difficult life situation by the will of fate, and provides assistance aimed at their adaptation in society and preparation for independent life.
As is known, for these purposes, on the initiative of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero-Arkadag, in March 2021, a special Charitable Foundation was created to provide assistance to children in need of care, which, according to the Resolution of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, was named after Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Funds received into the accounts of the Foundation are used to provide children with paid medical and educational services, afford them opportunities for a good rest, as well as for other needs.
Thus, the allocation of funds from the Charitable Foundation for various operations for children in need of care in medical institutions of the capital and regions of the Homeland, to pay for treatment expenses and purchase appropriate medical supplies for young Turkmen citizens who are brought up and educated in orphanages, specialized schools and boarding schools has become systematic.
On the eve of the new school year, the school goods pavilion will undoubtedly be especially popular, where you can not only look at, but also buy at an affordable price all the things needed for school – from stationery, teaching materials and manuals to high-quality children’s furniture.
As at the exhibitions and fairs, which, according to a long-standing tradition, are annually opened in the last month of summer in all corners of the country, here one can choose clothes, shoes, bags-backpacks, notebooks, etc. – in a word, completely prepare a child for school.
The exhibitors of the current exhibition – state and private structures, foreign companies – have a good opportunity to familiarize a large target audience with their activities, manufactured products and provided services. The book products, including works by classics of Turkmen literature, among them the poems of the outstanding poet and humanist of the East Magtymguly Fragi, whose 300th anniversary is celebrated this year not only in our country but also throughout the world, aroused the increased interest of numerous visitors.
A special place at the exhibition is given to the works of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, as well as President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. These works serve as a key to understanding the spiritual and moral values and traditions of the Turkmen people, including in the education of the younger generation.
Among the participants of the exhibition-fair are famous educational centers of the country: Göreldeli, Iş nokady, Gujurly, Netijeli binýat and others, offering the population a wide range of educational services according to specially developed programs.
Much attention within the framework of the exhibition is given to innovative products and technologies in the field of children’s goods and services. Within the framework of “Kids Expo: Everything for Children” presentations of innovative developments from well-known companies specializing in this area are planned, which will facilitate familiarization with new products in this area and exchange of experience.
On the very first day, the stands of domestic manufacturers were of great interest to visitors. The wide range of products they produce became a mirror image of the existing enormous potential of the private sector.
Having taken a course on the formation of a competitive national economy and deepening of market relations, Turkmenistan in every possible way stimulates entrepreneurial activity and activity of business circles of the country, creating optimal legal, economic, financial and social conditions for the harmonious and effective development of business, support of private initiative.
These measures are carried out in line with the consistently implemented State Program for the Support of Small and Medium-Sized Entrepreneurship for 2018-2024, aimed at ensuring high rates of economic growth and social progress by activating entrepreneurial activity in Turkmenistan. Members of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan play a major role in solving the tasks set for the production of high-quality competitive goods that are in demand both in the country and abroad.
In recent years, the state has been taking consistent steps to import substitution and actively promote products of the “Made in Turkmenistan” brand to foreign markets.
Products of the domestic food industry – baby food, fruit juices, drinks, confectionery products, distinguished by excellent taste and quality, are popular and in high consumer demand.
It should be noted that the presented goods of local manufacturers are packed and designed in accordance with the environmental and aesthetic requirements of accepted international standards.
Among the exhibitors are the largest trading platforms and online stores specializing in the sale of various goods for children.
Also, a fair of craftsmen is taking place at the site of the international exhibition, where hand-made products are presented that convey the spirit of the original national art of the Turkmen people.
However, the uniqueness of the current exhibition was determined, of course, by the most active participation of young visitors, who became the main characters of today’s celebration.
It was to them that the ceremonial show of fashionable and stylish children’s clothing from famous fashion houses in our country was addressed. Each costume, created by talented domestic designers, was unique, organically combining traditional national motifs and trends of modern world fashion.
Several interactive zones were created especially for children, where, within the framework of the exhibition, young Turkmen people will be able to literally completely dissolve in the atmosphere of creativity and creation under the sensitive guidance of experienced mentors.
It is referred, first of all, to creative activities in various areas of children’s creativity, as well as numerous master classes, including modeling, painting, ceramics, etc.
For young visitors to the “magic world of childhood” all kinds of performances are planned with the participation of magicians, animators, artists who recreated the images of favorite fairy-tale characters, famous cartoon characters, as well as a talent show of young talents, sports performances and meetings with the stars of Turkmen sports.
The upcoming events will not only give their young participants a lot of unforgettable impressions and joyful emotions, but also increase the feeling of love and gratitude to the Homeland, surrounding them with immeasurable care and creating all the conditions for the education of a physically strong, erudite and comprehensively developed young generation, behind which is the future of the country and its people. Well, the best gift for the organizers will be the smiles and trills of laughter of happy children.
It is expected that on the final day of the exhibition-fair, an auction sale of children’s drawings and toys made by children will be held.
It remains to add that the current largest exhibition in the Central Asian region will not only afford an opportunity for Ashgabat residents and guests of the Turkmen capital to familiarize themselves with a variety of products for the younger generation, but will also become an effective platform for a productive dialogue between domestic government and business structures with their foreign partners, an active exchange of experience in using the latest developments in the field of children’s industry.
The business meetings stipulated at the site of the first International Exhibition-Fair “Kids Expo: Everything for Children” clearly illustrate that Turkmenistan is always open to everything new and advanced, building strong, trusting relationships with all interested countries of the world on the principles of trust, mutual respect and a common desire for a better future.
The exhibition will carry the work to completion on August 22, and its participants will be awarded the appropriate diplomas.
