The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has concluded a five-day workshop designed to help transport and logistics companies in Turkmenistan improve their management systems and increase their export opportunities, the US Embassy in Ashgabat reported. Turkmenistan has developed numerous large-scale infrastructure projects to improve trade potential but, without good management practices, local transport and logistics companies will not be able to take advantage of improved trade opportunities.
The workshop addressed the key benefits of integrated management systems, which allow companies to combine all of their procedures and processes into one complete framework to reduce the volume of documentation and the costs of service delivery. Participants specifically discussed integrating complex International Standard Organization (ISO) management systems related to quality, environmental management, and occupational health and safety. ISO is an independent, non-governmental, international organization that develops voluntary, consensus-based, market relevant standards to support innovation and provide solutions to global challenges.
A cargo operations manager from a local freight company said, “Thanks to this USAID-supported workshop our company now clearly understands all the benefits of ISO standards in relation to quality, environmental impact and health and safety. We will seriously consider implementation of an integrated management system in the near future.”
USAID’s Competitiveness, Trade and Jobs program in Central Asia is helping countries generate more export-driven growth by supporting a more diverse and competitive private sector and helping firms address impediments to trade, like inefficient management systems.
