Ashgabat hosted an extended meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, where President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov gave a keynote address, summarizing 2016 and outlining the prospects for 2017.
As has been noted by the Head of state, the country has finished last year with good results. Turkmenistan has followed the principles of neutrality, peace, good neighborliness and mutually beneficial cooperation, progress and milestones set for implementation of the program of large-scale transformation and socio-economic development have been achieved.
President of Turkmenistan noted impressive results of the business sector of the country. Domestic business with the support of the state now effectively operates in various fields, actively participating in international tenders, entrepreneurs, who build new facilities not only in Turkmenistan, but also in Afghanistan, Moldova and Russia, are operating their own bank. Their representative offices have been opened in China and United Arab Emirates.
President has named economic diversification and intensification of industries among the objectives for 2017as a way to further ensure high dynamics of economic growth; and main direction of state policies include social welfare and protection of the rights and interests of citizens.
Turkmen President instructed to develop the Concept of foreign policy for the next 7 years, and a new National Program of socio-economic development. As has been emphasized by the President, it is important to ensure the stability of the economic sector and investment activity, the stability of national currency and its purchasing power, increasing exports and expanding the currency fund reserve.
The main challenges facing the banking sector, as defined by the President of Turkmenistan, include keeping inflation at a level not exceeding specified parameters, providing the economy with necessary volume of funds at the expense of monetary regulation and control of its use.
The Head of State has instructed to further improve the efficiency of performance of healthcare, education and culture sectors, economic activities related to service sector, human resource management, intensify the trainings for Ashgabat V Asian Indoors and Martial Arts Games, which will be held in the country in 2017.
The heads of oil and gas complex have been instructed by President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov to continue to diversify export routes for Turkmen energy resources, to accelerate the implementation of the Natural Gas Pipeline Project Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India and to work on increasing production volumes and exports of liquefied natural gas.
The President of Turkmenistan noted that it is planned to direct 42 billion 700 million manats for realization of large-scale construction program in 2017 at the expense of all sources of funding. The program envisages construction of 873 facilities, including 262 industrial facilities and 611 facilities of social purpose including housing construction. President of Turkmenistan has prioritized industrial and technical direction as priority for investment.
The Head of State has emphasized that this year we should construct new and modernize existing power plants, which will increase the volume of electricity exports and continuously supply domestic consumers.
The Head of State instructed to continue the reform of agricultural sector, setting an objective for 2017 to produce 1.6 million tonns of wheat and 150,000 tons of cotton, increase the volume of production of livestock products, vegetables and melons, grapes, fruits and berries, more widely introducing conservation technologies. As has been highlighted by the President of Turkmenistan, it is necessary to begin a phased transfer of unprofitable farmers associations for rent, by lending land to farmers for a period of 50 years or more.
Turkmen President has urged for wider introduction of conservation technologies, strengthening the responsibility of municipal services for failure to provide water, and for allowing farmland internal reservoir to come to critical conditions.
The head of state instructed for effective use of railways “North-South” and “Turkmenistan-Afghanistan”, he expressed confidence that the imminent commissioning of railroad and automobile bridges across Amu Darya will allow to increase the flow of goods. President of Turkmenistan called for expansion of the park of passenger and cargo vessels, which will allow full use of capacity of International seaport currently under construction in the city of Turkmenbashy. One of the most important construction projects, according to the Turkmen Head of State, is “Ashgabat-Turkmenbashy” high-speed highway.
Turkmen President has instructed to continue the development of mobile communication systems, television, Internet using the Turkmen satellite, to study the issue of launching into orbit of another satellite, which will expand the range of services provided to the population, including Internet, fixed and mobile telephony.
The Head of State called for the intensification of training of personnel for new institutions, schools and kindergartens, noted the need to strengthen material-technical base of academic institutions, research laboratories, which will enhance scientific and technical potential of the country.
Among the important tasks, the Head of the State has named continuation of health sector reform, implementation of large-scale prevention measures within the framework of the State program “Saglyk”, massive involvement of young people in physical culture and sports and training of national staff in foreign professional sports centers to improve professional skills.
For the purpose of further development of international tourism, it is necessary to continue construction of high-end hotels in “Avaza” National Tourist Zone, to develop new tourist routes and assure high-quality service, said the President of Turkmenistan.
The President stressed that in 2017 it is foreseen to construct new cultural centers in rural areas, to strengthen material-technical base of the sphere, called upon to make a special emphasis on improving the quality of information materials and programs broadcasted on TV and radio channels, which should cover the positive changes and promote the country's achievements .
President of Turkmenistan instructed to effectively form modern trade infrastructure, improve the work of the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange, noted that complex business support measures will be implemented.
The Head of State stressed the need to gradually reduce raw material orientation of economic development, focusing on import substitution, strengthening the position of domestic products in the world market, to focus on production of high-quality products in the processing industry, services, transport and communication sectors.
The President instructed to complete construction of a mining complex for production of potassium fertilizers on the basis of Garlyk potassium salts deposit in Koytendag Etrap until 31 March, as well as to increase the production of construction materials, continue work on development of electronics industry and ensure the development of fisheries.
Concluding his speech, the President stressed that Turkmenistan confidently continues on the way of maintaining peace and security, social and economic progress and further enhancement of quality of life.
