On August 15, UNDP and the State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan held a round table within the framework of the project on improving trade and transport statistics in Turkmenistan, implemented by UNDP jointly with the State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan.

The purpose of the round table was to discuss the current situation in freight and passenger transport statistics, as well as to develop recommendations for improving these indicators. During the event, the methodology, questionnaire and work plan for conducting a sample survey on the transportation of goods and passengers were presented.

"Statistical indicators of the transport industry should objectively reflect the development of road transport, comply with national accounting and serve as a reliable basis for management decisions. The development of transport services and the requirement of data accuracy necessitate regular audit of reports and additional surveys to cover all segments of the industry, – said international expert Svetlana Silayeva, participant of the round table. "This round table will help national experts involved in the survey to better understand the methodology of the survey, data processing, and ensure the quality of the information collected and the final data."

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The project on improving Trade and Transport statistics in Turkmenistan, signed on February 18, 2024 by UNDP in Turkmenistan and the State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan, is aimed at improving the quality of statistics on both foreign and domestic trade in services. This will be achieved by strengthening institutional mechanisms, bringing national legislation into line with international standards, as well as improving the quality of passenger and freight traffic data.

The project will also focus on strengthening the capacity of the State Statistics Committee to produce high-quality, gender-oriented statistics on international trade in services and improve data on transportation volumes.