A Turkmen delegation led by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Tangryguly Atahallyyev held meetings with representatives of Royal IHC, Damen Shipyards Group and the leadership of IHE Delft — Institute for Water Education during a working visit to the Netherlands, discussing cooperation opportunities in water resource management, maritime infrastructure and specialist training, the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Belgium reported on Thursday.
The delegation’s visit comes ahead of the World Equestrian Championship and the Akhal-Teke horse beauty contest, scheduled for September 2026 at the Peelbergen Equestrian Complex in Limburg province, the Netherlands. The upcoming competitions will be the first international championship of such scale for Akhal-Teke horses to be held outside Turkmenistan.
During a meeting with representatives of Royal IHC, a Dutch company specializing in maritime technology and dredging, the sides discussed cooperation opportunities in water resource management, the development of waterways and related projects. They also reviewed other areas of mutual interest and highlighted positive experience gained through cooperation in previous years.
In talks with representatives of Damen Shipyards Group, one of the Netherlands’ leading shipbuilding companies, the sides discussed prospects for cooperation in shipbuilding and other areas of mutual interest.
During the meetings, the Turkmen delegation briefed company representatives on preparations for the World Equestrian Championship and the Akhal-Teke horse beauty contest, which will be held in the Netherlands in September 2026. The delegation also presented an initiative to organize a Turkmen-Dutch business forum, with the possibility of holding the event currently under consideration. Representatives of Royal IHC and Damen Shipyards Group were invited to take part in the upcoming events.
At a meeting with the rector of IHE Delft — Institute for Water Education, an international educational institution specializing in training specialists and research in water resource management, the sides discussed the institute’s international experience, prospects for cooperation in training specialists, knowledge exchange and professional contacts. The Turkmen delegation invited institute representatives to visit Turkmenistan to continue dialogue and discuss further areas of cooperation.
