Enlarged session of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan

On October 21, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov convened the enlarged session of the Cabinet of Ministers, to which representatives of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, velayat khyakims, the heads of ministries, state agencies and media, as well as ambassadors of Turkmenistan abroad and rectors of higher educational institutions have been invited.

The issues related to summing up the work done in sectors of the national economy for the first nine months of this year, and the identification of priorities for the near future were placed on the agenda. Addressing the assembled leaders and government members, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov reminded that large-scale actions are always taken in the country on the eve of big holidays to grant pardons to convicted persons who have sincerely regretted what they have done, and are ready to begin an honest life.

The floor thereupon was given to Ya.Berdiev, Secretary of the State Security Council, Minister of Defense of Turkmenistan, Chairman of the Commission for preparing proposals on Issues of citizenship and pardons under the President of Turkmenistan who submitted for consideration by the Head of the State a draft Decree on pardoning convicted persons on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Independence.

Stressing the importance of continuing the noble traditions of the ancestors, to the applause of those present President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov signed the Decree on pardon, in accordance with which 1523 citizen are released from prisons during the days of celebrating the country’s glorious jubilee - the 25th anniversary of sacred Independence.

In this regard, the Supreme Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan instructed Ya.Berdiev to take all necessary measures to ensure that all pardoned are released from prisons so that to come home and join their families as soon as possible.

Addressing the khyakims of velayats, etraps and cities, as well as other authorities, the nation’s Leader pointed out the need to take care of the persons pardoned and released from prisons are employed.

Coming to the issues on the meeting agenda, the President gave the floor to Cabinet Deputy Chairman B.Hojamammedov to report on the development dynamics of the national economy for the first nine months of 2016, as well as on drafting the State Budget of Turkmenistan for 2017.

As was informed, as a result of the progressive policy carried out under the leadership of the Head of the State high performance indicators had been observed in all sectors. Thus, during the period under review the GDP growth rate increased by 6.2 percent, including 1.3 percent in the industrial sector, 4.5 percent in construction, 10.1 percent in transport and communications, 15.2 percent in trade, 11.2 percent in agriculture and 9.7 percent in services.

The average monthly salary in enterprises of the country increased by 9.5 percent compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. During the reporting period the volume of assimilated investments from all funding sources amounted to 39.6 billion manats with a growth rate of 4.6 percent compared with the same period of 2015.

In accordance with the main trends in development of the industry in velayats of the country 205 building projects have been delivered by now, and 115 facilities are under construction. The commissioning of planned facilities will contribute to creating new jobs and abundance of goods in the domestic market.

The vice-premier’s report included the information on preparation of the State Budget for the coming year. As was reported, the draft main financial plan of the country had been prepared taking into account the data and calculations provided by the khyakimliks of Ashgabat city and velayats, ministries and sectoral departments agreed with the Cabinet Deputy Chairpersons.
In addition to this document, the draft of Main Directions of Socio-Economic Development and the Investment Program for 2017 had been prepared.

Chairwoman of the State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan A.Oraeva reported on the sectoral economic indicators for the first nine months of the current year.

As was reported, in comparison with the similar period of 2015 the production growth rate of electricity totaled 5.7 percent, petroleum bitumen 7.2 percent, mineral fertilizers 8.2 percent, knitted fabrics 4.1 percent, confectionery 10.9 percent, fruits, vegetables and canned products 18.6 percent, flour 1.8 percent, breadstuffs 1.7 percent, cereals 38.5 percent.

On the whole, the volume of output produced in the industrial sector amounted to 44.5 billion manats, where the share of private sector was 52.6 percent.

Cargo transportation services provided by all modes of transport (with no account taken of pipelines), including motor transport increased in relation to the corresponding period of 2015 by 5.2 percent. The passenger traffic growth rate during the reporting period amounted to 1.9 percent, including motor transport - 1.7 percent, railway - 2.6 percent and air - 2.8 percent. The amount of income derived from core activities in the communications sector increased by 4.5 per cent.

The information was given also on the progress of activities set out in the State Program for the production of import-substituting goods in Turkmenistan and increasing exports of products made in our country.

The next speaker, Minister of Finance M.Muhammedov reported on the execution of the State Budget of Turkmenistan in January-September 2016, the revenue of which had been executed in the amount of 10.7 billion manats, and its expenditure had amounted to 11.9 billion manats. Over this period 79.3 percent of the budgetary funds were allotted to finance the social sphere. During the period under review the execution of the local budget’s revenue and expenditure amounted to 5.7 billion manats and 5.4 billion manats, respectively.

Chairman of Board of the Central Bank of Turkmenistan M.Annadurdyev reported on the activities of institutions under his supervision on the implementation of the banking system improvement programs.

The report also included the information on the implementation of the plan for foreign currency receipts on accounts of ministries and sectoral departments for exports of goods and providing services over the first nine months of the running year. As was reported, this rate was 106.9 percent.

Reporting on the measures taken in order to expand the range of banking services, the head of Central Bank informed that currently the work was under way to introduce modern computer technologies, in particular, the automated collection and accounting systems for various payments received from the population. In particular, the Internet Banking (remote banking services) will provide a free access to the accounts and transactions at any time and from any computer or phone.

Summing up the report, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov noted that the presented proposals are of great importance for the modernization of the country’s banking system, and expanding the scope of services.

Focusing on the need to complete the work on drafting the State Budget for the next year, and submit it to the Mejlis of Turkmenistan for consideration, the Turkmen Leader instructed to provide for an increase in next year’s wages, pensions and benefits, scholarships and students grants, as well as a number of other social benefits in the main financial document, in accordance with the Decree of the President of Turkmenistan. In this context, the Head of the State instructed B.Hojamammedov and other vice-premiers to work on this issue together with the heads of ministries and agencies they are in charge of.

Cabinet Deputy Chairman Ya.Kakaev reported on the work results in sectors under his supervision for the past 9 months of year.
The information was provided on outcome indicators in the fields of extracting oil and gas condensate, natural and associated gas, as well as in the areas of processing hydrocarbon raw materials, production of motor gasoline, diesel fuel, polypropylene, lubricants and other petroleum products and liquefied gas, exports of natural gas to foreign countries, and well-drilling. As was informed, enterprises of the oil and gas industry fulfilled the investments assimilation plan 104.6 percent.

The vice-premier reported on the construction progress of the Turkmen section of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, the construction of which is carried out at a fast pace.

Having heard the report, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov gave the vice-premier and leaders of the fuel and energy complex a number of specific instructions regarding the increase of effectiveness of works on development of the oil and gas industry and geology.

Cabinet Deputy Chairman B.Ereshov reported on the work results for the first nine months of 2016 for sectors he is in charge of.
The Ministry of textile industry completed the plan 108 percent, and the overall increase level reached 0.7 percent.

The State Association “Turkmenhaly” executed the current year’s January-September products output plan 104.3 percent, and achieved the production growth rate of 4.4 percent.

Enterprises of the State Concern “Turkmenhimiya” for the period under review fulfilled the plan 112 percent with the production growth rate of 16.4 percent. As for the production of mineral fertilizers and sodium sulfate the growth rates are 8.2 and 190.7 percent, respectively.

Enterprises of the State Fishery Committee fulfilled the production plan 108.1 percent, having considerably increased the growth rate in relation to the corresponding last year period by 41.1 percent.

Having heard the report, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov emphasized the importance of intensifying the work on the industrial development of the country. The Head of the State gave the vice-premier and leaders of industrial complex the relevant commissions, having demanded to ensure that all the set goals are met timely.

Cabinet Deputy Chairman S.Satlykov reported on the work done in supervised areas in January-September of the current year. The Ministry of Railway Transport executed the plan 115 percent. This indicator in passenger traffic amounted to 101 per cent. As was reported, the active upgrading of internal railways, engineering and technical facilities are well underway, including footpaths across railways, a heightened pace. The construction of the international railway Atamyrat-Ymamnazar-Akina is carried out at the accelerated pace. The report also included the information on the purchase of 750 freight cars.

As for the Ministry of Road Transport, the growth rate during the first nine months in terms of providing services was 100.5 percent, including in freight and passenger traffic 102.4 and 101.6 percent, respectively. During the reporting period, in order to strengthen material and technical base of this sector, 30 new routes were opened for the carriage of passengers, including 3 intra-urban, 4 interurban, and 23 suburban.

In January-September, as for the Ministry of Communications the works accomplishment growth rate was 111 percent. During this period, in order to meet the demand for communications services, 372 thousand phone points, including 330 thousand cellular and 42 thousand fixed-line telephone points had been installed in the country. At the same time, the plan was executed 190 percent.

During the period under review, in the framework of the National Rural Development Program, telephone exchanges for 67 thousand 984 numbers were installed in 64 settlements, and 2 thousand 506 kilometers of communication networks were laid. According to the vive-premier, the services of “Altyn Asyr” Closed Joint Stock Company are used by about 5 million 162 thousand persons.

At the State National Service “Türkmenhowaýollary” air services growth rate for the past nine months reached 122 percent. This indicator for freight and passenger transportation amounted to 100 and 102.8 percent, respectively. The information was also provided that during the reporting period the International Airport was commissioned in Ashgabat.

At the State Service of Marine and River Transport the growth rate of works carried out in January-September amounted to 101.5 percent. This indicator in the cargo freight sector amounted to 100.1 percent, and in passenger traffic was 132 percent.

Addressing vice-premier S.Satlykov and leaders of transport and communications sector, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov said that many activities had been planned for the coming holidays. In this regard, the Head of the State pointed out the necessity to keep under strict control the work of transportation agencies.

Then the floor was given to Cabinet Deputy Chairman, Manager of the President’s Administration and the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Sh.Durdylyev who reported on the results of activities in sectors under his supervision over the first nine months of the running year, as well as on a large amount of work ongoing under the Turkmen capital city planning and landscaping program.

As was reported, during the period under review, the Ashgabat city Khyakimlik fulfilled the works and services plan 105.2 percent. The growth rate amounted to 116.6 percent in comparison with the similar period of the previous year.

The Ministry of Construction and Architecture closed the reporting period in terms of works and services with the index 118.4 percent, having reached the growth rate of 104.1 percent for the first nine months of the current year.

Structural units of the Ministry of Energy index overfulfilled the plan, having reached the indicator of 123 percent. The total volume of output, works and services amounted to more than 813 million 892 thousand manats with the growth rate of 111.8 percent compared to the same period of last year. In total, the electricity production and exports growth rate amounted to 105.87 and 118.3 percent, respectively.

Total production, works and services volume for the Ministry of Public Utilities amounted to 111 percent, while the growth rate of 110.5 percent was registered.

The State Concern “Turkmenavtoyollary” executed the production, works and services plan 103 percent. The growth rate reached 103.3 percent compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.

Summing up the report, the President instructed Sh.Durdylyev and the relevant Cabinet Deputy Chairpersons, as well as leaders of the domestic construction complex to go on with keeping under strict control the works at all building sites, and ensure that all projects are delivered according to schedule and meet high quality standards.

Cabinet Deputy Chairman B.Atdaev reported on the results of activities of the trade complex over the past nine months of this year.

Thus, in January-September of the running year, compared to the same period last year, the total trade turnover in the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations grew by 5.4 percent, and the profit was received in the amount of 450 million manats. Enterprises of the Ministry had assimilated 135.6 million manats investments.

The State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange over the first nine months conducted 184 trade auctions, during which 11 thousand 819 contracts to the sum of 18 billion 251.4 million manats were registered. The cost of exports and imports transactions amounted to more than 10.4 billion manats, and construction contracts to more than 4.4 billion manats. Over the reporting period investments to the amount of over 36.8 million manats had been assimilated, which is higher in comparison with the same period of previous year by 86.1 percent.

At the Chamber of Commerce and Industry the increase in performed services in January-September was 14.2 percent. During the period under review 20 exhibitions and 21 conferences were held.

The Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs produced industrial goods to the sum of 469.1 million manats, and its volume increased by 41.7 percent, including agricultural and food products to the amount of 668.9 million manats with 31.1 percent growth. Building and assembly works had been carried out to the amount of 4 billion 594.2 million manats, and the volume of trade turnover amounted to 8 billion 100.9 million manats. The services provided amounted to 663.1 million manats.

President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov instructed B.Atdaev and the leaders of the trade complex to ensure the abundance of high quality food products and industrial goods in the shops and markets of the country during holidays.

Cabinet Deputy Chairwoman G.Mammedova reported on the activities of institutions under her supervision for the first nine months of the running year.

As was informed, since the beginning of year the events had been held at a high organizational level on the nationwide occasions and opening of social and cultural facilities. Work is under way on preparing for the worthy celebration of Independence anniversary.

The report included the events of international importance, including Culture Days of Turkmenistan in foreign countries and Culture Days of friendly countries held in Ashgabat. They had contributed to the worldwide popularization of the richest cultural traditions of the Turkmen people and achievements of our Homeland in the new historical epoch.

Having heard the report, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov gave the vice-premier, the leaders of cultural and mass media spheres specific instructions on preparation and holding at a high organizational level of the celebrations and events in honor of the 25th anniversary of sacred independence and 21st anniversary of neutrality.

Cabinet Deputy Chairman S.Toylyev was next to report on the performance outcomes in areas under his supervision for the first nine months of year, including the results characterizing the development dynamics of the education, science, healthcare and sports systems.

As was reported, during the reporting period 155 titles of textbooks and manuals were published for comprehensive schools, higher and secondary special educational institutions.

Schoolchildren and students took an active part in international competitions, having won 77 prizes (16 gold, 20 silver and 41 bronze medals), and 23 prizes (5 gold, 6 silver, 12 bronze medals), respectively, as well as in Internet competitions, where they were awarded 184 and 141 prizes and the relevant diplomas. Seventeen prizes and 11 diplomas were taken by students of secondary special educational institutions who participated in the Intellectual Internet Competitions.

The capital hosted a final round of the song and music show «Garaşsyzlygyň merjen däneleri» held among young talents, which is annually announced as a part of the competition for the prize of the President of Turkmenistan «Türkmeniň Altyn asyry». The Ministry of Education in association with the Central Council of the Youth Organization named after Mahtumkuli held a creative festival titled «Talyp joşguny-2016».

Competitions in various sports were organized between ministries and departments in the framework of the VI National Sports Contest “Turkmenistan - the country of high inspiration and health”. The information was given that the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs prepared an instruction manual “Asian Games-2017” in English, and the State Medical University developed a manual for the Turkmen-Russian-English dictionary for volunteers to take part in the upcoming V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.

Reporting on the work results in the national healthcare system, the vice-premier informed that the rate of funds received from the State voluntary Medical Insurance amounted to 102 percent. The growth rate from selling products and rendering services and producing pharmaceuticals was 112 and 107 percent, respectively.

Reporting on the state of affairs in the field of sports, the Cabinet Deputy Chairman informed that 145 domestic competitions and 80 mass sporting events were held. Turkmen athletes took part in 111 international competitions, having won 490 prizes (173 gold, 147 silver and 170 bronze medals), which are 220 awards more than were taken in the same period of last year.
Summarizing the report, the Head of the State, addressed the vice-premier, as well as the leaders of science, education, healthcare and sports spheres, having instructed them to take measures in accordance with the planned reform programs to ensure further all-round strengthening of material-technical and methodological framework of all sectoral structures, and improving their performances.

Cabinet Deputy Chairman, Foreign Minister R.Meredov reported on activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Concept over the past nine months to implement the Foreign Policy Concept of the country for 2013-2017.

As was emphasized, independent neutral Turkmenistan successfully develops constructive cooperation both in bilateral and multilateral formats. This was quite obvious from this year’s official and working visits of the Head of the State to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Federal Republic of Germany.

The high interest of foreign partners in cooperation with our country is obvious from regular bilateral meetings at different levels. Thus, in January-September Turkmenistan was visited on the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by 325 foreign delegations. At the same time, 736 Turkmen delegations were sent to foreign states. During the accounting period 144 events were held in our country and abroad such as conferences, seminars, meetings, etc., and 79 international documents were signed.
It was also pointed out that to date Turkmenistan had established diplomatic relations with 142 states.

Having heard the report, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov gave the vice-premier, Foreign Minister a number of specific instructions, having demanded to develop and submit for approval the relevant programs, as well as the International Forums Procedure.

Mejlis Chairwoman A.Nurberdyeva informed on activity of the national parliament for the first nine months of the running year.

As was reported, during this period four sessions of the national parliament were held, at which 64 laws and 72 resolutions of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan were adopted, and 6 international treaties were approved. Work is continued to prepare draft laws intended to improve the regulation of activities aimed at rapid development of all sectors of the national economy, strengthening and expanding democratic principles in society, protection of the human rights and freedoms.

In order to step up the international partnerships and inter-parliamentary relations, Mejlis deputies took part in 42 international events. For the purpose of studying the experience in the field of lawmaking 28 business trips to foreign countries had been organized. Since the beginning of year 46 meetings with representatives of reputable organizations had been organized.

Having heard the report, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov focused on the preparation of the State Budget for the next year, stressing the importance of its detailed consideration and adoption by the deputies.

During the meeting the nation’s Leader gave the floor to the khyakims of velayats.

Khyakim of Akhal velayat E.Orazgeldiev was the first to report on the work done during the period under review and the state of affairs in the agricultural sector of the supervised region.

In particular, the report was given that 120 thousand hectares of land were sown to cotton this year, from which abundant crop was harvested.

Reporting on the results of socio-economic development of the western region for the first nine months of the current year, Balkan velayat Khyakim D.Durdyev informed that retail turnover increased by 16.6 percent.

Khyakim of Dashoguz velayat O.Gurbannazarov reported on the outcomes of work done in January-September 2016, as well as the fulfillment of the plans for the main socio-economic development directions in the region. In particular, the good news was reported that the northern region’s cotton growers had delivered to the state bin of the homeland more than 230 thousand tons of cotton, having successfully fulfilled their contractual obligation.

Next speaker, Khyakim of Lebap velayat Ch.Charlyev reported on the work results for 9 months, emphasizing that the cotton growers of the region had achieved an exciting labor success on the eve of the 25th anniversary of sacred Independence. Reporting that the farmers of Lebap fulfilled their obligations, having delivered to the state bin of the homeland more than 300 thousand tons of cotton, the region’s governor informed that gathering of the remaining harvest is in progress the velayat’s fields.
Mary velayat Khyakim B.Annagurbanov reported on the work results done in January-September, as well as activities ongoing in the agricultural sector of the region he is in charge of.

Reporting the good news that cotton growers of Mary had adequately fulfilled their contractual obligations, having delivered to the state bin of the homeland more than 313 thousand tons of cotton.

Reporting in his turn on the outcome of activities in supervised sectors for the first nine months of year, Cabinet Deputy Chairman R.Bazarov noted that, on the whole, the production, works and services growth rate in the AGC reached 104 percent.

At the same time, the indicator amounted to 105.9 percent for the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, 14 percent for the State Committee on Environment Protection and Land Resources, 100.5 percent for the State Food Industry Association, and 125.5 percent for the State Association “Turkmen Atlary”.

Reporting on the progress of seasonal agricultural works, the vice-premier informed that the farmers had successfully fulfilled their cotton harvesting contractual obligations, gathering more than 1 million 50 tons. The winter wheat sowing campaign was completed in the country.

Addressing the Cabinet Deputy Chairman, the khyakims of velayats, the leaders of agricultural complex, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov focused on the fact that the agricultural reforms had been carried out slowly. In this regard the President of Turkmenistan gave the vice-premier a number of specific instructions on the preparation, maintenance and repair of agricultural machinery.

At the same time, the work must be continued to improve the agriculture management system, as well as to implement the land reform, the Leader of nation said.

Then President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov addressed the participants in the enlarged session of the Cabinet of Ministers with the keynote speech.

As the Head of the State emphasized, that day they had summed up the work results for the first 9 months of this year which marks the big celebrations on the occasion of the glorious quarter-century anniversary of sacred independence of the country.

Then President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov signed the Decree on decorating with orders and medals of the Turkmen nationals, who have worked hard to contribute to the formation and rapid development of the homeland. Among the awardees are first President of Turkmenistan Niyazov and other officials, as well as citizens of the country, the Head of State said.

Addressing the Mejlis Chairwoman and the Cabinet Deputy Chairpersons, the President of Turkmenistan instructed them to present the state awards in solemn atmosphere.

State News Agency of Turkmenistan (TDH)