Eric Stewart, Executive Director and Founder of the U.S.–Turkmenistan Business Council (USTBC), wrote the foreword for the Makul Dictionary, recently published in America and made available on Amazon, the world’s largest online marketplace.
In his foreword, Stewart emphasized that for American companies operating in Turkmenistan, this dictionary is a valuable resource for overcoming language barriers and building stronger trade relations. At the same time, for Turkmen companies seeking to enter the U.S. market, it serves as an essential tool for establishing clear communication and creating successful partnerships.
He further noted that open communication is the foundation of trade and investment, and this work will play an important role in expanding long-term cooperation between our two countries.
Dear readers, we are pleased to present the full foreword written by Eric Stewart, Executive Director and Founder of the U.S.–Turkmenistan Business Council, for the Makul Dictionary.
Where is Turkmenistan? While clearly relevant, the more important question is who are the Turkmen? Where do I begin? The Turkmen are some of the most amazing people in the world. They are reserved, generous, hardworking, intellectual, and kind.
Turkmenistan, like the other four Central Asian republics, regained its independence in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union. It borders Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. Most Americans know little to nothing about this amazing country. With only 7 million people living in a place the size of California, they are a model for diplomacy. Turkmenistan is a peaceful nation. Like Switzerland, it maintains a positive neutral status and has excellent relations with the United States, Europe, China, Russia, Iran, Turkey and Afghanistan. The Turkmen long for prosperity and happiness, and desire positive relations with all countries around the world.
While its population is modest compared to the United States, Turkmenistan has consistently made it a priority to have strong ties to America. Many leading American companies are active in Turkmenistan, such as John Deere, Caterpillar, Visa, Palo Alto Networks, Case New Holland, and Boeing. I even had the pleasure of personally traveling to Turkmenistan with world-famous professional golfer Jack Nicklaus, who designed a championship level golf course at the foot of the beautiful Yyldyz Hotel in Ashgabat.
It brings me great pride, excitement, and optimism that Dovran Orazgylyjov has written this dictionary. This book is one more way for our countries to become closer. It will allow us to understand each other literally and figuratively. We still have much to learn from each other. Our countries are more than 6,000 miles away, but books such as this one help bring Americans and Turkmen together as brothers and sisters.
For U.S. companies active in Turkmenistan, this dictionary will be a valuable resource to overcome language barriers and build stronger commercial ties. Likewise, for Turkmen businesses seeking to enter the U.S. market, it will provide the tools to communicate clearly and establish successful partnerships. Clear communication is the foundation of trade and investment, and this book will help expand long-term cooperation between our two countries.
Eric Stewart is the Founder and CEO of multiple leading bilateral business councils and coalitions, including the American-Central European Business Association (ACEBA) and the U.S.-Turkmenistan Business Council (USTBC), among others. He previously served as U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe/Eurasia at the Department of Commerce under President George W. Bush (2001–2006), where he directed trade, commerce, and investment policy for more than 50 countries. For his leadership in strengthening transatlantic economic ties, he was awarded the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary (2006) and the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (2012).
Mr. Stewart is also the Executive Director of the Executive Council on Diplomacy (ECD) and the Center for Baby and Adult Hygiene Products (BAHP). A graduate of Ohio University, he has served on its National Alumni Board of Directors and received the university’s Outstanding Recent Graduate Award in 2002.
Mr. Stewart is often called upon by Members of Congress and the Administration for his views on bilateral and regional economic relations with foreign countries. He regularly is in the media including appearances on FOX News and other television outlets.