USAID supports Turkmen Youth to Participate in an International Economics Simulation Contest

PAS No 236
April 16, 2009

Turkmen Participants of 2009 Hewlett Packard Global Business Challenge

Ashgabat, April 16, 2009 – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is sponsoring 15 alumni and students of Junior Achievement Program from Turkmenistan who will participate in the international economics and management competition “Hewlett-Packard Global Business Challenge”.   This is the first time that Turkmen students are participating in this competition, which takes place February through May 2009. 

USAID Country Representative Ashley Moretz emphasized that “Participation in this Junior Achievement's competition will enable Turkmen youth to showcase their skills and knowledge to successfully operate businesses in the market environment,” during an event on April 14 when first round results were released.  Selection of finalists is based on two rounds of competition assignments over the Internet.  The top 8 teams will meet in Brazil to compete in the final competition in August 2009.

During the course of the challenge, 300 teams representing 30 countries are divided into 43 groups.  They use cutting-edge technology to compete in managing virtual companies in an environment reflecting the real business world.  Youth from Turkmenistan are competing in groups with their peers from the United States, Peru, Canada, Mexico, Denmark, Moldova, and China.  First round results have ranked Turkmen youth 3rd to 5th in their groups, which are considered excellent results for first-time participants.

This program is one of the many activities made possible by the American people through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Turkmenistan. Since 1993, the American people through USAID have provided more than $80 million in programs that support Turkmenistan’s economic growth, social sector, and community initiatives.

Turkmen Participants of 2009 Hewlett Packard Global Business Challenge