Results of Turkmenistan’s development for 11 months of 2009 reviewed
On December 4, a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers was conducted to review the progress in developing the sectors of the national economy over period of 11 months of the current year and the important issues of the national policy.
Opening the meeting the President noted that it was aimed at evaluating the work done in January-November of 2009 and defining the optimal approaches to fulfilling the important tasks to further implement the reform programmes and projects launched in the country.
Then the floor was given to Vice Premier T. Japarov, who reported on the major indicators of economic development over the reporting period.
The Vice Premier noted that the macroeconomic indicators steadily increased due to the progressive social and economic policy pursued by the President of Turkmenistan. In the past ten months of 2009 the high rates of GDP growth were achieved (106 percent), primarily due to the growth in such sectors as construction, agriculture, transport, communications, trade and service industries.
For 11 months of 2009 the volume of retail trade increased by 15.7 percent as compared to the same period of the last year. The foreign trade volume in January-October rose 5.7 percent as compared to the same period of the last year.
In January-October the volume of capital investments used from the all sources of financing rose 2.2 times as compared to the same period of 2008.
It was noted that the living standards of citizens of Turkmenistan were steadily improved due to the ongoing reforms. Thus, for ten months the average monthly salary in Turkmenistan rose 11 percent as compared to the same period of 2008.
For 11 months the State budget was implemented 105.1 percent by revenues and 93.9 percent by expenditures. The major articles of expenditure were the social sphere, in which 67.2 percent of the budgetary funds were allocated over the period that vividly illustrated the special concern of the Government for steadily improvement of the standards of life of citizens. The high pace of social and economic development enabled to replenish the Stabilization Fund.
Commenting on the report the Turkmen leader focused on the importance of the measures taken to diversify and develop the national economy as an important factor for a steady growth that enabled to implement successfully the large-scale social programme in the country. In this context the Turkmen leader demanded that the Vice Premiers and the high-ranking officials of the ministries and departments ensure sustainable development of all sectors.
Speaker of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan A. Nurberdyeva reported on the work done in the period to further modernize the national legislation in compliance with the priorities of the state policy and the legal reform initiated by the Turkmen leader. The head of the Turkmen Parliament informed that the deputies were drafting the statutory and legal acts and laws aimed at regulating the national policy in various spheres.
Putting emphasis on the importance of improving the national legislation the President focused on the topicality of this work as an essential condition for the wellbeing and further progress of the country. Touching upon the role of the deputies of the Mejlis in the social and political life of the Turkmen state the President said that the elected representative of the people must be well informed of what was going on in the regions, keep in touch with their electorate, the self-governing bodies and executive authorities at a local level. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that the members of the Parliament must actively contribute to the educational work with youth by concerting efforts with the public organisations – the members of the Galkynysh National Movement. In this regard the President demanded that the relevant high-ranking officials take strict control of these issues.
Vice Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs R. Meredov reported that since the beginning of the year a number of the successful state, official and working visits has been prepared and successfully held a number of public, official and working visits of the President of Turkmenistan to various foreign countries had been prepared and paid this year. The official delegations led by the leaders of the foreign governments and states of the world had visited Turkmenistan. The meetings of the intergovernmental commissions as well as the accession of our country to the international conventions and other important documents had directly contributed to expanding mutually advantageous cooperation at the bilateral and multilateral levels.
The Vice Premier reported on the preparations for the large-scale symposium, which would be held in Ashgabat in the near future, in particular, the international conference on the foreign policy of neutral Turkmenistan and its role in establishing the climate of confidence and mutually advantageous cooperation in the region. The international conference on disarmament in Central Asia and Caspian Sea Basin was scheduled for the first half of 2010. The initiative to hold this forum in Ashgabat had been put forward by President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Reaffirming Turkmenistan’s commitment to the policy of neutrality the President said that the foreign policy strategy based on the principles of peace, mutual respect and equal cooperation met the interests of the Turkmen people as well as the international community contributing to addressing urgent problems of the modern world. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that Turkmenistan would continue to consistently pursue this strategy by being open to constructive collaboration at all levels to achieve global peace, wellbeing and sustainable development.
Chief of the Department of State Protocol and International Relations of the President’s Office B. Myatiev reported on the preparations of the first official visit of the Turkmen leader to Japan which would take place in early December.
Putting emphasis on the significance of the coming Turkmen-Japanese summit aimed at bringing the traditional intergovernmental dialogue up to a new level Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that Turkmenistan attached great importance to enhancing and developing full-scale cooperation with Japan, the relations with which were characterized by mutual understanding, confidence and business constructive partnership. The Turkmen leader said that the experience of the Land of the Rising Sun could be very useful for dynamically developing Turkmenistan. In this context the President instructed the relevant high-ranking officials to thoroughly consider the Japanese partners’ proposals and a possibility of their collaboration in future joint projects in various fields.
Vice Premier M. Yazmuhammedova reported on the work done to implement the state policy in the sphere of culture and art and further improve the work of mass media in the country. The Vice Premier reported on the preparation of the programme of the festivities and cultural events to mark the coming holidays.
Commenting on the report the Turkmen leader said the New Year celebrations that were favourite for adults and children, and in this regard Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that the necessary measures should be taken to make this favourite holiday bright and unforgettable including various festive activities and events, festive decoration of the capital and other towns and villages throughout the country and of course, the beautiful New Year tree on the main square of Ashgabat and instructed the Vice Premiers to ensure the preparations for the celebrations at the proper level. In addition, the interesting TV programmes and concerts should be prepared and the bright fireworks should be arranged on New Year Eve. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov instructed to develop and implement the programme of cultural events and activities for schoolchildren, who would have the winter holidays during the New Year holidays, at the proper level. The President demanded that Vice Premier H. Muhammedov organize festive fairs throughout the country.
Vice Premier B. Hojamuhammedov reported on the results achieved in oil and gas and chemical industries for 11 months of the year. In particular, it was noted that over the reporting period in oil and gas industry production of A-95 petrol increased by 16.8 percent, kerosene – by 13 percent, bitumen – by over 4 percent, polypropylene – by 1.1 percent. In November of 2009 natural gas production increased by 20.7 percent as compared with the last year. In chemical industry production of all types of mineral fertilizers increased by 10.2 percent, technical iodine – by 2.6 percent, polyethylene and fiberglass pipe – by 28.8 percent. The Vice Prime Minister reported on the preparations for the ceremony of opening the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline, which would take place this month.
Commenting on the report and focusing on the positive dynamics of the rates of growth in hydrocarbon production and production of the particular types of oil and chemical products the President put emphasis on the need to steadily increase the production rates in the fuel and energy complex in general. In this regard Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov focused on the exceptional importance of putting Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline into operation noting that the largest energy corridor in the world would be a new export route for Turkmen gas to one of the promising world markets – China.
Vice Premier H. Muhammedov reported on the measures taken to further modernize textile industry, promote trade and service industries.
Noting that textile industry was a priority export-oriented sector of the national economy Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov focused on the need to increase production and broaden a range of high-quality products and actively use modern marketing methods to promote these products in the global market.
Vice Premier D. Orazov reported on the results of the work in the sectors under his supervision and, in particular the progress in construction industry. The Vice Premier reported on the preparations for the International Exhibition and Conference on the Basic Trends in Development of Turkmenistan’s Power Industry, which would be held in Ashgabat in the first half of December.
Touching upon the aspects of the ongoing urban development programme the President emphasized that the major requirement made to project architects and designers included the original architectural look along with reliability in service and function conformity of buildings and facilities. In this regard the President said that a creative approach should be taken to developing every construction project.
Reporting on the progress in developing the sectors under his supervision to achieve the goals of the ongoing reforms in the spheres of education and science and to further modernize health care, tourism and sport Vice Premier H. Saparlyev reported on the results of the International Expert Conference on the Role of Information and Communication Technologies, Science and Planning in Improving the Quality of Education, which had been conducted in Avaza national tourism zone.
Focusing on the importance of developing the national science and education that were the motive force of the progress of the state and society Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highly evaluated the importance of the international forums aimed at mutually beneficial exchange of experiences and enhancing fruitful cooperation with foreign partners.
Focusing on the need to bring up the younger generation to love the Motherland and respect the lofty spiritual and moral values of the nation, the Turkmen leader demanded that H. Saparlyev and the high-ranking officials take strict control of the activities of the relevant agencies as well as implementing the reform programmes launched in these spheres.
Vice Premier M. Akmammedov reported on the results achieved in the agro-industry sector for 11 months of the year and the progress in agriculture, in particular the cotton picking campaign.
Emphasizing that agriculture was a key sector of the national economy the President demanded to take strict control of the issues relating to the implementation of the agricultural reform aimed at bringing it up to a new level to meet modern requirements. Touching upon the current agricultural campaign Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov focused on the need to take the cotton crop without loss and ensure the high quality of agricultural works and compliance with land treatment requirements.
Vice Premier N. Shagulyev reported on the results achieved in the sectors under his supervision, in particular transport, communications and telecommunications and the progress in construction of the North-South railway.
Focusing on the need to further ensure the dynamic development of transport infrastructure in the country the Turkmen leader said put emphasis on the significance of the railway under construction that would to encourage freight traffic on the regional and international routes and serve as the bridge of friendship and fruitful cooperation for the common benefit.