An enlarged session of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan

On October 2, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov convened an enlarged session of the Cabinet of Ministers to sum up the current year’s nine-month state-of-the-economy results, as well as to consider a number of important issues of public life.

After announcing the agenda of session, which was attended by the representatives of Mejlis of Turkmenistan, khyakims of velayats, and rectors of higher educational institutions, editors of newspapers and magazines, other appropriate chief managers and dignitaries, the leader of nation gave the floor for reports to its participants.

The first speaker, Cabinet Deputy Chairman B. Hojamammedov reported on the state-of-the-economy results for the January-September period of the current year. As the vice-premier informed, the macroeconomic indicators of the reporting period testify to sustainable development of all branches of the national economy.

The GDP growth rate kept remaining at a high level: in the industrial sector -103.5 p c; construction –112.6 p c; transport and communications – 111.9 p c; trade – 112.5 pc; agriculture – 112.3 pc; the service sector – 111.8 pc.

Compared with the year-earlier similar period, the nine-month retail trade turnover increased by 19.2 percent; positive dynamics was also observed in the foreign trade turnover.

During the period under review, the upward trends were recorded in the development of investments at the expense of all financing sources.

Then, Chairman of the State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan A. Mammedov reported on the economic characteristics of the ministries’ and sectoral agencies’ performance.

Thus, for the year’s first nine months, production growth rates made up in percentage term: electric power – 102.5, oil – 106.7, gasoline – 101, kerosene – of 100.2, petroleum bitumen – 122.9, polypropylene – 100.1, mineral fertilizers – twofold increase, cement – 105.5, non-metallic building materials – 123.8, plastic and fiberglass pipes – 103.4, cotton fiber – 101.1, cotton fabrics – 107.5, fish products – 160.6, mineral waters and soft drinks – 112.3, pasta – 112.4, pharmaceutical products – 142.

During the period under review, the growth of agricultural production was fixated. As of now, the plan on planting winter wheat is fulfilled by 69.7 percent; as of October 2, the yield of cotton harvested is 544.9 thousand tons (51.9 percent of the plan). In comparison with the last year’s similar period, the production of sugar beet increased by 58.8 p c, melons –7.1 p c, grapes –1.3 p c, eggs –2.8 p c, meat –1.0 p c, milk –1.1p c. By October 1, compared with the year-earlier similar period, livestock population has increased by 0.7 p c, poultry –1.2 p c.

The indicator for the construction works accomplished in the January-September period of 2015 grew by 14.2 p c; the volume growth rate of freight traffic carried by all types of transport (excluding pipelines) is provided at the level of 101.6 p c and passenger traffic – 102.6 p c. Due to the systematic expansion of the electronic communications services network, the volume of works of the sector grew by 9.1 percent.

The report included also information about the paces of construction of various-purpose facilities.

Next speaker, Minister of Finance M. Muhammedov reported on the nine-month execution of the State Budget of Turkmenistan. The revenue item of the country’s most important financial document made up 105.9 p c and the expenditures – 85.8 p c; the execution of local budget revenues amounted to 101.7 percent, and the expenditures – 81.8 p c.

Salaries, pensions, state benefit payments and student scholarships were fully and timely funded. Within the frame of the report, the information was submitted about implementation of the presidential Resolution on improvement of the Balance Committee’s performance.

Further, the floor was given to Cabinet Deputy Chairman, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R. Meredov who reported on the MFA performance in the context of implementing the Concept of the country’s foreign policy course for 2013-2017. In this regard, he informed about the results of the September working visit of Governmental delegation of Turkmenistan led by President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov to New York City (USA) to participate in the 70th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

Pending the report, the vice-premier, head of MFA informed about the implementation plans of the Program of celebrations and events dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s status of permanent neutrality and to declaring 2015 the Neutrality and Peace Year. The work in this direction keeps going; development of the Celebrations Program is in the progress, including the International high-level conference to be held in Ashgabat in the current year’s December.

The report included also information about preparations for the upcoming visit of the Governmental delegation of Turkmenistan led by President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov to the Republic of Uzbekistan on October 7-8.

Next, Deputy Chairperson of the Cabinet of Ministers M. Yazmuhammedova reported on this year’s nine-month activities of the subordinate structures, the preparations for the festive events – launching of the  construction objects of industrial and socio-cultural significance – dedicated to the upcoming national holiday the country celebrates in October.

The report listed a number of events of international importance, including Days of Culture of Turkmenistan in the foreign states and Days of Culture of friendly countries to be held in Ashgabat.

Pending the subject, the vice-premier reported that a number of activities were scheduled to take place in Mary in the context of the city’s 2015-status of cultural capital of the Turkic World, So, on October 8-10, Mary will host a forum dedicated to the theatrical art of Turkic nations.

Summing-up of the activities organized in the framework of the city’s 2015-status of cultural capital of the Turkic World will be held on November 26-28.

In the course of  session, the President of Turkmenistan signed a Resolution on renaming the National Youth Theatre of Turkmenistan named after Alp Arslan to the National Drama Theatre of Turkmenistan named after Alp Arslan.

Cabinet Deputy Chairman S. Toilyev reported on the nine-month work results in the supervised spheres, including construction progress of the objects ongoing in the sectors and the advancement-favored results achieved in the education and science, health, sports and tourism spheres.

In particular, vice-premier informed about launching in the reporting period of: 25 (12,124-seat total capacity)secondary schools; 15 (2,410-seat total capacity) kindergartens; the State Pedagogical College named after A. Kekilov; Children’s Health and Recreation Center (300-seat) in Lebap velayat; two secondary vocational schools under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Communications and Turkmen State Publishing Service.

During the January-September period, the Ministry of Education prepared and passed for printing 221 titles of textbooks and training aids, of which 131 titles have already been released. All the first-graders of the country were provided with notebooks.

Since the start of the year, Turkmen students participated in international intellectual competitions, where they won 132 medals - 45 gold, 50 silver and 37 bronze medals. On the list of local universities’ students who participated in the international competitions and online contests there are 112 awards: 20 gold, 45 silver and 47 bronze medals, as well as 19 diplomas and 8 certificates.

Development of the national system of health and medical industry was illustrated by the sector’s indicators. In particular, the growth rate of the profit received from the pharmaceutical industry amounted to 142 p c, in the foreign currency – 104 p c.

Upward trends were also observed in advancement of sports and tourism of the country. 77,385 tourists have been served in the January-September period by the travel agencies of Turkmenistan. Over the period under review, the growth rate of total profit received from the financial and operational activities of the tourism complex of the country  was 107.9 p ct, foreign currency earnings - 103 p c.

During the reporting period, 139 national-level competitions in various sport disciplines and 72 mass sport events were conducted. Our competitors have participated in 130 international tournaments abroad, where they won 270 awards: 89 gold, 66 silver, 115 bronze medals.

Cabinet Deputy Chairman B. Hojamuhammedov reported on the nine-month performance of the fuel and energy complex of the country. Compared with the year-earlier similar period, the growth rate of oil and gas condensate production amounted to 106.5 p c, drilling operations – 126.7 p c, finding of capital needs – 142.3 p c.

In the report, the technical-economic indicators were also presented, achieved in the production of the natural and associated gas, hydrocarbon processing, in manufacturing of automobile gasoline, diesel fuel, polypropylene, lubricating oils, liquefied gas, and other petrochemical products. The progress of works was covered on installing gas-meters at the enterprises, institutions and organizations, in the residential sector.

Summarizing the report, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov gave the FEC managers a number of specific instructions on upgrading and diversifying the oil and gas sector, on introducing the innovative, resource-saving technologies, attracting foreign investments to major infrastructure projects.

To improve operation of gas-compressor units of the “Turkmengaz” State Concern, the head of state signed the relevant Resolutions on authorizing the State Concern «Türkmengaz» to make a contract for implementing the complete factory overhaul of the following gas generators outside of Turkmenistan exploited at the gas compressor-plants «Dovletabat-2», «Dovletabat -3» and «Bagtyarlyk», and for completing reconstruction of the cargo-handling liquefied gas terminal in the settlement of Gazjchak and the liquefied gas receipt-storage terminal at the Naip gas field.

Next, Cabinet Deputy Chairman B. Ereshov reported on the activities of the subordinate structures of the industrial sector of the national economy.

Thus, according to the Ministry of Industry of Turkmenistan, over the January-September period of 2015, the production volume has made up 119.3 p c (a 112.1-p c growth rate). In particular, the upward growing parameters were observed in: cement production – 105.2 p c; non-metallic building materials – 129 p c; claydite – 110.7 p c; and reinforced concrete structures – 107.1 p c.

As for the Ministry of Textile Industry of Turkmenistan, over the reporting period, the production plan was fulfilled by109.8 p c (102.1 p c increase), including: cotton yarn – 101.1p c, cotton fabrics – 107.2 p c, apparel and  knitwear – 107.6 percent.

According to the “Turkmenhaly” State Association the plan sated was fulfilled by 109.7 p c (a 108.2 p c increase). During the period under review, the enterprises of the carpet-weaving industry have produced 32,179 square meters of various kinds of carpets and rugs. The growth rate has made up 102 p c.

On the results of the current year’s nine-month period, the production growth rate of the “Turkmenhimiya” State Concern has reached 119.1p c, the total production growth rate has amounted to 210.7 p c, including the production of mineral fertilizers –204.7 p c; technical iodine and technical carbon –100.2 and103.8 p c respectively; sodium sulfate –119.6 p c.

According to the State Fishery Committee of Turkmenistan, the following indicators have been achieved: the volumes of goods produced during the reporting period and the executed works plan were implemented by 100 p c (an increase 190.5 p c), in particular, volume of fishing –203.8 p c, processing and tinning of fish products – 160.6 p c.

The January-September activity outcomes of the transport and communications sector were in the center of the report made by Cabinet Deputy Chairman S. Satlykov.

As vice-premier reported, on the whole, the sector’s plan for the works accomplished and services rendered has made up 118.6 p c (an increase 119.3 p c).

According to the Ministry of Railways, the growth rate on the works accomplished has reached 120 p c. It was also reported that modernization of domestic railways, engineering and technical facilities, including crossings over the railroad tracks is put on a fast track.

As for the Automobile Transport Ministry, the growth rate of the services rendered during the reporting period has amounted to 124.8 p c. This figure in the cargo transportation sector has made up 100.7 p c; in the sphere of passenger handling - 100.9 p c.

Over the January-September period, according to the Ministry of Communications, the growth rate of the works accomplished was 105.4 p c. To meet the demand for Telecom services in the country, 456,000 of phone points have been installed, including 427,000 of cellphone ones, 6,000 of radio telephone numbers and 23,000 of fixed-location phone points. Over the past period, in the framework of the National Rural Development Program, the telephone stations for 6,120 numbers were installed and 1,736 kilometers of communication networks were laid.

As for the “Turkmenhowayollary” State National Service, during the period under review, the growth rate for rendering avia-services has reached 115.6 p c; cargo traffic and passenger handling - 100.1 and100.6 p c respectively. According to the State Marine and River Transport Service, the growth rate for the works accomplished during the reporting period has made up 130 p c.

According to the National Hydrometeorology Committee, construction was completed of the Committee’s administrative building equipped with modern facilities and necessary equipment, including installation of special units for defining the state of atmosphere which in the near-term will promote accuracy and quality of the weather forecasts.

Addressing vice-premier S. Satlykov, the President of Turkmenistan has instructed to analyze the work carried out by the Ministry of Communications in the light of the recently-launched national artificial satellite. The state spent considerable funds for the project. However, despite the half-year period since the satellite’s launching, its potential is unleashed insufficiently. Speaking of it, the head of state pointed to the fact that until now, the satellite does not produce the desired results. In this regard, the head of state demanded to look into the reason of such state of affairs.

For improper execution of official duties and shortcomings in the work, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov made a severe reprimand to the Minister of Communications B. Ovezov, having warned him that failure to improve the situation at the earliest possible space of time would entail his dismissal.

The head of state also pointed to the existing shortcomings in the performance of the institutions answerable to the Ministry of Automobile Transport and expressed dissatisfaction with the work of the Minister M. Aidogdyev, giving him the assignments to remedy the current situation and accelerate the paces of the appropriate works.

Then, Cabinet Deputy Chairman Sh. Durdylyev submitted a report of current year’s nine-month performance of the supervised sectors.

According to the khyakimlik of Ashgabat, the growth rate in the total volume of produced goods, executed works and services rendered amounted to 121.6 p c. The plan on exploiting the assets at the expense of all financing sources was implemented by 128.6 p c.

According to the Ministry of Construction and Architecture, over the January-September period, the growth rate of produced goods, performed works and rendered services amounted to 112 p c; the plan was implemented by 120.9 p c.

According to the Ministry of Energy, the production growth rate has reached 128.3 p c; the plan is made up 137.1p c. The growth rate for electricity production amounted to 102.6 p c; power exports – 109.5 percent; foreign currency earnings - 102.3 p c.

According to the Ministry of Public Utilities the volume growth rate of works performed and services rendered amounted to 112.2 h c; the plan was made up 114.3 p c.

According to the “Turkmenavtoyollary” State Concern the production growth rate has made up 106.5 p c; the plan is implemented by 112 p c.

Summarizing the report, the President of Turkmenistan highlighted the need to accelerate the city’s improvement works ongoing in Ashgabat. In this context, the leader of nation Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has instructed to reconsider the next year’s work plan one more time in order to determine the costs of measures and works and submit the issue-related report for consideration. 

During the meeting, the head of state signed a Resolution on appointing T. Gulmuhammedov as Deputy Minister of Energy of Turkmenistan.

The report on the results of nine-month activities of the trade sector, Cabinet Deputy Chairman, Chief Manager of the Presidential and Cabinet Administration Office P. Taganov backed up with the following indices.

Over the period under review, according to the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations, the growth rate of total turnover amounted to 113 p c, retail – 106 p c, wholesale – 116.4 p c; the growth rate of the investments exploited made up 126 p c.

Over the accounting period, the State Commodities and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan held 185 bids, in the course of which 15,723 contracts were concluded for a total amount of 40,989.5 million manat; import-export contracts -12,683.8 million manat; construction contracts – 22,639.3 million manat; foreign currency earnings rate - 100.2 p c; the manat profit plan is fulfilled by 113.8 p c.

According to Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the growth rate of the services rendered amounted to 115.8 p c; the profit growth rate has reached 126.1 p c; foreign currency earnings –129.7 p c; during the reporting period, 22 exhibitions and 18conferences were held.

As for the Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Union: the industrial production volumes increased by 17.8 p c; agri-products – 4.9 h c; the growth rate of construction works amounted to 101 p c; trade turnover – 123 p c; and in servicing sector - 127.7 p c.

The vice-premier also reported on the program of exhibitions, fairs and conferences to be held in 2016 co-developed by the ministries and agencies. The program includes holding in 2016 of 31 events, 10 exhibitions, three exhibition-fairs with sectoral conferences, as well as 8 conferences and 10 exhibitions; the four of the programmed forums are proposed to be held in Avaza, the others – in Ashgabat.

The Chairperson of Mejlis of Turkmenistan A. Nurberdyeva informed about the current year’s nine-month activities of the National Parliament. As was noted, during this period, three sessions of the National Parliament were conducted, which adopted 72 Laws and 50 Resolutions of Mejlis of Turkmenistan.

The Mejlis of Turkmenistan has prepared a Draft of the improved Constitution that will be submitted for public discussion.

To enhance international collaboration and inter-parliamentary relations, the Mejlis deputies of Turkmenistan participated in 58 international events and training workshops; over 20 business trips to foreign countries were organized. From September 29 to October 3, Turkmen parliamentarians were taking part in the seminars in Denmark and Sweden in the frames of the project on empowering the members of Parliament in the legislation analysis-making issues.

Thirty-two meetings have been conducted with representatives of foreign states and international organizations since the beginning of the year. Cooperation keeps ongoing with the UN agencies, including UNDP, UNICEF, UNHCR, OSCE, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Federation, and other organizations. Mejlis deputies participated in the conferences and meetings focused on the study of international lawmaking experience.

The Chairperson of Mejlis centered on the ongoing work of Mejlis of Turkmenistan on interpreting and explaining the meaning of the global international initiatives announced by President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov in his historic speech at the Summit on the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals held in the framework of the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly. 

The report also included the information about the work carried out by Mejlis of Turkmenistan jointly with velayat khyakimliks on implementing the instructions of the head of state aimed at improving our country’s administrative-territorial system. As was reported, students of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of Turkmenistan were provided with on-job practical training program in the running year.

In the course of the enlarged Cabinet session, the floor was given to the khyakims of velayats to report on the state of affairs in the regions, the measures taken to fasten the seasonal agri-works, as well as on the fulfillment of the tasks specified by the National Rural Development Program.

The reports also covered the information about the implementation progress of the program designed to adequately prepare for the upcoming significant dates in the regions. 

Touching upon a number of organizational issues, the President of Turkmenistan signed the Ukases on relieving O. Amandurdyev of the post of khyakim of Tejen etrap (Akhal velayat) for the shortcomings in the work and in performing his official duties and on appointing K. Rejepov (deputy etrap khyakim) to that position.

In his turn Cabinet Deputy Chairman E. Orazgeldiev reported on the outcomes of the running year’s January-September activity of the sectors answerable to him.

On the whole, the production growth rates, the rates of works accomplished and services rendered made up 103.2 p c.

The indicator recorded in the following ministries and institutions made up in percentage term: the Ministry of Agriculture – 110.9; the Ministry of Water Economy – 110.4; the Ministry of Nature Protection – 111.7; the “Turkmengallaonumleri” State Association – 111.7; the “Turkmenobahyzmat” State Association – 101; the State Food Industry Association – 104.8; the State Livestock Association –110.9; the “Turkmenpagta” State Concern – 94.4; the “Turkmenatlary” State Association – 119.9.

In particular, as compared to last year’s similar period, the production output values of the following domestic products increased by: flour – 7.7 p c; macaroni products – 13.4 p c; bread products – by 16.3 p c; meat products – 4.5 p c; dairy products – 6.5 p c.

The plan for exploited investments was implemented by 122.7 p c.

The Vice-Premier also informed about the seasonal agri-works under way in the country, including the winter wheat sowing and cotton harvesting campaigns.

In the after-report comments, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov demanded to accelerate the ongoing agricultural reforms. As the head of state stressed, along with the total supply of the country’s markets with agricultural products, and building of import-substituting enterprises, not the least significant task for the agroindustrial complex is to promote export of domestic agricultural products in foreign countries.

During the session, the nation’s leader characterized the running year’s January-September outcomes of the country’s socio-economic development, as well as focused attention on the priority issues of Turkmenistan’s foreign and home policy, having defined in this respect a number of the relevant important tasks.

Addressing to the session participants, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has highlighted that despite the shortcomings in the work of leaders of some ministries and sectoral agencies, this year’s nine-month results are positive on the whole.

As the leader of nation emphasized, the foreign policy pursued by the independent Turkmen state, which is based on faithful adherence to the principles of neutrality, peacefulness, good-neighborly relations, and mutuality-based cooperation contribute to enhancing our country’s international prestige, strengthening the role of neutral Turkmenistan in the world as a responsible and reliable partner.

As is known, the UN Sustainable Development Summit was held on September 25 this year, the head of state continued. At the high-level forum, Turkmenistan forwarded a number of important initiatives aimed to integrate the international efforts in this highly topical direction of the Global Agenda. Our country’s proposals were welcomed with understanding and supported by the UN member countries, as well as Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon. That places great responsibility on neutral Turkmenistan, the head of state stressed.

On this basis, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov spoke for the necessity of carrying out the relevant work both at the national and international level to successfully implement the Turkmen state-forwarded initiatives. In this connection, speaking of the significance of the balanced interaction of the country’s ministries and sectoral agencies, the nation’s leader assigned Vice-Premier R. Meredov and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure coordination of all the future activity in this field.

Pending the topic, the head of state has noted that Turkmenistan proposed at one of the upcoming meetings of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to give consideration to the issue of creating a new global mechanism for regulating and coordinating the work on implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.  As the ECOSOC member, our country has accumulated wide experience of cooperation with that important structure of UN.

Having expressed confidence that ECOSOC would render support in the implementation of the within-said initiative of the Turkmen party, the nation’s leader commissioned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan jointly with the relevant ministries to prepare concrete proposals for its motivation and content.

President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov instructed to define the methods and frames of using the work-governing mechanism, as well as to conduct necessary diplomatic consultations within ECOSOC to empower our partners in this area.

Having stressed that today the global community is making enormous joint efforts to combat hunger, ensure food security, improve people’s nutrition, the nation’s leader has highlighted that rendering the cooperation-favored support in this field became another important area of work accomplished by Turkmenistan in the course of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly. In this aspect, in the framework of the anniversary session of the General Assembly, our country put forward an initiative to convene a high-level Food Forum. To successfully implement the initiative, it is our country should be the first to submit concrete proposals concerning the agenda of the Forum, the tasks and issues to be placed on its agenda.

In this connection, the head of state assigned Vice-Premier R. Meredov and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to conduct the talks with Directors of UNDP, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the UN World Food Organizations to develop general approaches to the related organizational issues. It is necessary to make certain that the upcoming Forum has given effective impulse to global cooperation in the field of food supply, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov highlighted. It should ensure preparation of further concrete resolutions at the UN level. Achievement of such results is our key objective. In this is the core of the initiative put forward by Turkmenistan, the nation’s leader said.

Addressing to Vice-Premier E. Orazgeldiev, the head of state noted that the relevant sectoral agencies should be engaged in preparations for the Food Forum. Today, the President of Turkmenistan said, food security is being ensured in our independent country, the composition of food products (which are enriched with health-benefiting substances) offered to the population is being improved. Noting that our country had accumulated good experience in this field, the nation’s leader authorized the relevant institutions to prepare proposals on its basis.

Stressing the need to share Turkmenistan’s positive experience available with our country’s partners, the head of state highlighted that the Turkmen party would continue cooperation in the field of education with the specialized UN agencies, such as UNDP, UNESCO, and UNICEF.

In this connection the head of state assigned Cabinet Deputy Chairman, Minister of Foreign Affairs M. Meredov and the Foreign Ministry, Vice-Premier S. Toilyev and the Ministry of Education in association with the UNESCO National Commission to develop new future-oriented plans and programs of international cooperation in the sphere of education.

Ensuring gender equality and women’s empowerment is one of the top-priority areas of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the UN. Addressing to Chairperson of Mejlis A. Nurberdyeva and Vice-Premier R. Meredov, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov commissioned the national parliament and the Foreign Ministry to give close consideration to the issues within the scope of work carried in our country by the UN, to closely study the outcomes of the recent top-level meeting on the topic.

The head of state also gave an assignment, with broad participation of the relevant institutions’ and public organizations’ leaders to work out new proposals that would be submitted in the future by our country at various international forums, including the next 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly. 

As the nation’s leader emphasized, considerable importance should also be attached to the international cooperation on climate change issues. In this context, it is necessary to thoroughly prepare for the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) to be held in Paris in the running year’s December, and to define key issues to be advanced at the forum.

The President of Turkmenistan commissioned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Foreign Minister R. Meredov, as well as Cabinet Deputy Chairman E. Orazgeldiev to prepare the relevant proposals jointly with other agencies concerned. The work should be activated on advancing the initiative (introduced by our country at the 70th session of the UN General Assembly) to establish the Regional Climate Change Center for Central Asia in cooperation with the Organization, the nation’s leader Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov highlighted.

It is necessary to actively advance the initiative at the international level, the leader of nation said, having stressed that adoption of a concrete resolution on the issue by the UN in 2016 is our main objective. 

Then turning to the issues concerning the domestic policy pursued by Turkmenistan, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has noted that the course towards turning our country into an industrially developed state envisages building of modern industrial infrastructure. The objective of building up large processing plants was set in this connection. This enabled not only to lessen an impact of the ongoing global financial-economic crisis, but also to sustain a high GDP growth rate – 8.3 percent.

Stepping up industrial production has created favorable conditions for maintaining a steadye rate of the national currency – manat, enabled to keep at low level the prices for commodities and services at the domestic market, to increase investments in the social sphere, the nation’s leader continued. Today, in compliance with the National Program of the President of Turkmenistan, substantial funds are being allocated for building new enterprises and renovating the existing ones. As compared to last year’s similar period, the volumes of financial investments increased by 8.2 percent.

The productive work aimed at scaling up energy production through the use of natural gas is being carried out. In accordance with the program for producing import-substituting products, the projects are being developed to broaden production of new types of products.

Successful are the reforms ongoing in the fields of education, health care, and science. Rapid paces of development are being recorded in the construction, industrial and other sectors. We continue to implement both large international and national projects, the head of state said. The successful work on the development of oil-gas fields is in progress as well. Large gas pipelines, sporting facilities, airports, highways and bridges are being constructed at an accelerated pace. Preparations are well under way for the realization of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project, as well as other gas main projects.

Having stressed that different purpose facilities are being built in the country at a fast pace, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov referred to the fact that 68 buildings (with a total budget US $1,500,000 thousand) had been put into operation in the running year’s September alone. Among them are an enterprise for breeding sturgeons, and a large facility in the region – a 507-MW gas-turbine power station. Nearly 10 hotels and holiday resorts in the “Avaza” National Tourist Zone, a complex of buildings in Avaza etrap, 25 secondary schools and 14 kindergartens (2,090 seat total capacity), dwelling houses (with a total area of 114,000 sq. meters) may be included in the extensive list of new objects. Over 2,000 different purpose facilities (over US $50 billion) are currently under construction in Turkmenistan.

The reforms ongoing in agriculture started to be awarding, the head of state said. Despite the dry year, a good grain yield has been produced and harvested. The cotton-harvesting campaign is under way at rapid rates as well. According to senior executives of the agricultural sector, over 1,000,000 tons of “white gold” will have been harvested and delivered to the country’s reserves by the holiday – 24th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence.

Local entrepreneurs are also making considerable contribution to the national economy’s development, the head of state said. They work efficiently in different sectors, realizing extremely complex and large projects, and demonstrating as high degree of proficiency as that of foreign specialists.

Having noted that there is very little time left until the end of 2015, the President of Turkmenistan has accentuated the need to successfully complete this year’s work during the period left. The festive events in honor of the 24th anniversary of the Motherland’s sacred independence and the 20th anniversary of the country’s neutrality should be held at a high state and national level.

Addressing to Vice-Premier B. Hojamammedov, the nation’s leader assigned him to conduct a meeting on the 2016 State Budget of Turkmenistan jointly with Cabinet Deputies Chairman. It is necessary to finalize the preparation of the country’s main financial document and submit it for consideration by Mejlis. In compliance with the Ukase of the President of Turkmenistan, the State Budget should provide for an increase in wages, pensions, public welfare payments, students’ scholarship, as well as a number of other social benefits, the head of state said.

In this context, the nation’s leader drew attention of Chairperson of Mejlis A. Nurberdyeva to the need of giving detailed consideration to and adopting next year’s draft State Budget of Turkmenistan. At the same time, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov stressed that our country’s legislation should be analyzed as soon as possible, and if necessary amended, given the complicated situation in the global economy.

The head of state assigned Vice-Premier R. Meredov to thoroughly prepare for the upcoming visits of foreign delegations to Turkmenistan, as well as to the abroad visits of our country’s government delegation.  It is essential to pay special attention to preparations for the International Conference devoted to the remarkable date – 20th anniversary of the country’s neutrality, and to work out the relevant draft program, the nation’s leader said. At the same time, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov instructed to develop next year’s plan for visits by foreign delegations to our country and visits by Turkmenistan’s government delegation to foreign countries, as well as the schedule for conducting international conferences, and submit them for approval.  

Having focused attention of Vice-Premier E. Orazgeldiev on the fact that the basis for the future abundant harvest is laid in the current year, the head of state has stressed the importance of timely completing the winter wheat sowing campaign, conducting qualitative agrotechnical operations in the fields, and making present-day preparations for the cotton harvest-2016. The President of Turkmenistan also emphasized the need to continue the work aimed at improving the management of agriculture and advancing the land reform. 

Addressing to Cabinet Deputy Chairperson M. Yazmuhammedova, the head of state assigned to make serious preparations and ensure a high organizational level of the celebrations in honor of the 24th anniversary of sacred independence and the 20th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s neutrality, to organize countrywide festive events and performances by masters of art. Thereupon, the nation’s leader noted that our country’s achievements and high targets reached should receive wide media coverage, including in the press and on television. 

In continuation of the topic, the President of Turkmenistan commissioned Vice-Premier P. Taganov to ensure plenty of industrial and food products in the country’s markets and shops.

The head of state instructed Cabinet Deputy Chairman Sh. Durdylyev and the other Vice-Premiers to keep strict control over the works at the construction sites. All the objects included in the running year’s plans, should be completed as scheduled, at a high qualitative level, and timely put into operation. As the nation’s leader highlighted, this is of particular importance for dwelling houses and social purpose facilities.

Vice-Premier S. Satlykov was commissioned by the President of Turkmenistan to ensure unremitting control over the work of transport services during the festivities, as well as to give special consideration to construction of airports, bridges over the Amudarya River and highways.

Then, Addressing to Cabinet Deputy Chairman B. Hojamuhammedov, the head of state emphasized the need to pursuing more efficient development-favored policy in the oil-and-gas industry and geology. Not the least important is an increase of production volumes of the oil- and gas-processing industries.

The President of Turkmenistan also pointed out the necessity of stepping up the paces of work on attracting investments to our country, on taking adequate measures to successfully realize the Programs of the President of Turkmenistan for the independent country’s socio-economic development.

Speaking to Vice-Premier B. Ereshov, the nation’s leader stressed the significance of steady increasing the industrial sector’s potential through active involvement of local businessmen in the sphere. As the head of state specified, the talk is about the diversified development of the competitive innovation-driven industrial sector and the relevant infrastructure. The industrial sector is a key factor of the accelerated development of all industries, particularly the ones producing the import-substitution products, the President of Turkmenistan said.

The nation’s leader focused attention of Cabinet Deputy Chairman S. Toilyev on the necessity of strengthening the material-technical and scientific-methodological base of education, health care, sport and tourism spheres in the light of the program of reforms, as well as keeping the work going aimed at upgrading the within-said branches.

Some other issues of state life were considered at the Cabinet meeting, and the appropriate resolutions were adopted.

 

State News Agency of Turkmenistan (TDH)