OREANDA-NEWS. May 03, 2011.  President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov chaired a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, at which the drafts of a number of important documents, the priority goals of further sustained economic development and other significant issues of the domestic and foreign policies of the state were considered. After presenting the agenda, the President gave the floor to the meeting participants.

Vice Premier T. Japarov reported on the expected results of socio-economic development in January-April of the current year.

It was noted that the preliminary results achieved in the reporting period of the 2011 year testified to the high macroeconomic indicators as an outcome of the large-scale socio-economic reforms implemented in the country under the leadership of the President of Turkmenistan to foster development of all sectors of national economy and improve people’s welfare. So, in January-March the GDP grew to 114.4 percent.

In the reporting period, the volume of foreign trade increased by 48.5 percent as compared to the same period of 2010.

The budget revenues are expected to grow to 110.5 percent, the expenditures to 93.8 percent. The plan on all kinds of taxation was fulfilled.

The volume of investment from all sources of financing is to increase by 25.6 percent in January-March of this year.

The Vice Premier reported on the measures taken to fulfil the Turkmen leader’s instructions to regulate the rates of rental payment at the Altyn Asyr bazaar. The Vice Premier reported on the work done to select the company, which would conduct engineering supervision of the construction of the Bereket-Etrek railway line.

Commenting on the report, the Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that enhancement of the economic strength of the country and improvement of people’s welfare was a key priority of the policy of the Turkmen state. Focusing on the need to take consistent measures to maintain the high pace of socio-economic development, the President demanded that the analysis of the results achieved be conducted on a monthly basis in all sectors of the national economy, and the specific tasks be set on the basis of the analysis results.

Touching upon the draft Resolution on “the Procedures for approval and endorsement of the staff list of enterprises, institutions and organisations of Turkmenistan”, the Turkmen leader focused on the importance of it to ensure sustainable and stable development of the national economy. Touching upon the Resolution “On the Regulation of Rental Payment for Stores and Sales Outlets at the Altyn Ayr Bazaar”, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that to ensure an abundance of goods in the markets of the country at affordable prices would guarantee the prosperity of the state and the welfare of citizens. In this context, the Turkmen leader emphasized that the measures set forth in this document would facilitate fulfilling the tasks to ensure an abundance of goods on markets and reducing the prices. Proper management of the work of the bazaar, which is to become a model of high standards, would have a positive impact on the work of all markets all over the country, continued the Turkmen leader and signed the Resolution.

Chairperson of the Mejlis A. Nurberdyeva informed the President of Turkmenistan on the work done by the Parliament to update further the national legislation, promote the legal reform initiated by the Turkmen leader in the context of the state policy priorities.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that the supreme lawmaking body was to play an essential role of an effective political instrument for developing a jural, democratic society and promoting a market economy. All this required bringing the national legislation in line with universally recognized norms of international law.

Focusing on the need to implement the measures aimed at deepening democratic reforms in the epoch of new Revival, laying the legal foundations for the domestic and foreign policies of Turkmenistan, the President noted that an integrated approach should be taken to drafting laws that must be aimed at improving people’s welfare and their content should meet the requirements of the modern epoch.

Then the floor was given to Vice Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs R. Meredov, who reported on the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs aimed at promoting the foreign policy strategy of the Turkmen state. The Vice Premier reported on the outcomes of the meeting of Foreign Ministers of Turkmenistan, Iran, the Kingdom of Oman, Qatar and Uzbekistan, at which the Agreement on the transnational transport and transit corridor had been discussed.

The Ashgabat summit resulted in harmonising the text of the document and signing the Agreement between the Governments of the participating countries on the transnational transport and transit corridor, which would connect countries of Middle East and Central Asia.

The Vice Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs reported that the session of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) had been held on April 28-29. at his session the decision to elect Turkmenistan as a member of the UN Commission on Population and Development, the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the Executive Committee of the Programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees had been adopted vivid evidence for the growing international prestige of the Turkmen state and its national leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, whose constructive initiatives found wide support from the world community, including the European Union.

It was noted that the constructive initiatives on enhancement of peace, security and expansion of international cooperation had drawn a wide response in the international community that illustrated once gain the high prestige of our country.

Commenting on the report, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that development of diversified transport infrastructure in the region was to facilitate implementing the profound economic potential of our and other countries, strengthening peace, stability and security, global sustainable socio-economic development. The Turkmen leader said that it would give a powerful impetus to successful integration of countries of Middle East and Central Asia in global processes that ensured influx of investment, promote effective cooperation and transcontinental economic contacts as well as be an important step to implement the tremendous potential of our country as an important crossroads on trade routes of the Eurasian continent.

An essential role in fostering international partnership for peace and progress for all nations was assigned to cooperation within the UN, continued the President, and the election of our country as a member of the UN commissions was new evidence for high evaluation of our peacekeeping policy, based on the status of neutrality and aspiration for mutually advantageous cooperation with all nations. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that Turkmenistan would continue to actively contribute to addressing urgent problems through developing a fruitful dialogue with the UN and its agencies.

Vice Premier, Executive Office of the President’s Office H. Muhammedov reported on the fulfilment of the Turkmen leader’s instructions and the progress of construction of important facilities of the sectors under his supervision that was carried on in the capital and other region of the country.

Commenting on the report, the Turkmen leader focused on the need to ensure the high quality and compliance with standards for facilities under construction and demanded that rigorous control be kept of this work.

Then the floor was given to Vice Premier D. Orazov, who reported on the work done in the sectors under his supervision, in particular the construction, industrial and power sectors.

Commenting on the report, the President focused on the importance of modernisation of the construction sector, power industry and machine building for further sustainable development of the country and instructed the relevant high-ranking officials to pay particular attention to the progress of construction of important facilities and ensure the compliance with the quality requirements and construction schedule.

Touching upon the activities of the Ministry of Building Materials Industry, the President noted that the work of the Ministry on the implementation of the large-scale urban development programme launched throughout the country did not meet modern requirements and committed errors. Expressing dissatisfaction at these facts, the President severely reprimanded Minister of Building Materials Industry Ya. Sh. Hammadov for the failure to perform his official duties and manage the activity of enterprises and institutions in a proper manner. The Turkmen leader noted that if the shortfalls were not eliminated, Minister of Building Materials Industry of Turkmenistan Ya. Sh. Hommadov would be released from his post.

Vice Premier M. Yazmuhammedova reported on the preparations for the celebrations in honour of the national holidays, which would take place this May, and presented the draft Resolution "On the Issues of the Chief National Museum of Turkmenistan”.

Commenting on the report, the President noted that the next month was rich in the significant dates and events of profound historical and socio-political significance. These include the Victory Day, the Constitution Day and the Day of Revival, Unity and Magtymguly’s Poetry celebrated on the same day, the Turkmen Carpet Day, the ceremonies of putting important facilities into operation and major international forums. Each of these events, said President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, should present the traditions and culture of the Turkmen people and showcase Turkmenistan’s achievements in the epoch of new Revival. The scope and emotional upheaval of the festivities to be held in the year of the glorious 20th anniversary of independence, must correspond to the significance and scale of this significant event that added a new chapter in the chronicle of Turkmenistan’s achievements on the path to great goals of the epoch of new Revival, emphasized the national leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

The Turkmen leader said that following the tradition, the Victory Day would be celebrated widely and solemnly, and the celebrations in honour of war veterans would be held. The spiritual principles underlying the consciousness and culture of our people including the respect for the older generation, reverence for their martial exploits and labour achievements must be maintained in the society and became the school of upbringing of youth, said the President.

Signing the Resolution “On the Issues of the Main National Museum of Turkmenistan”, the Turkmen leader underscored the importance of paying particular attention to preservation of our national heritage that must be enriched on a regular basis in the name of the lofty aspirations of the Turkmen people in the epoch of new Revival and instructed the Vice Premier to ensure management of the work of the leading museums in the country in a proper manner.

Vice Premier B. Hojamuhammedov reported on the work carried out in the oil and gas and chemical industries. The Vice Premier presented the draft document on the issuance of the permission for Turkmenbashi oil refineries to conduct necessary manufacturing operations and planned thorough repair.

Focusing on the importance of speeding up development of hydrocarbon deposits and dynamically increasing oil and gas production, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that the state allocated substantial investment from its own funds as well as foreign sources for these purpose. Putting emphasis on the large scale of the work carried out under the programme of commercial development of oil and gas fields, the President noted that they enhanced the economic strength of Turkmenistan in the epoch of new Revival and expand the opportunities for energy exports.

Signing the document, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov focused on the issues related to comprehensive modernization of the oil refining industry. Putting emphasis on the need to equip it with advanced technologies and cost-effective equipment that should contribute to increasing production of high quality petrochemical products, the Turkmen leader gave the instructions to the relevant high-ranking officials.

Vice Premier M. Akmammedov reported on the progress of seasonal agricultural campaigns, reimbursement of the expenses incurred through the benefits provided to contractual commodity producers from the special account of the Ministry of Agriculture, the financing the expenses of specialized associations producing elite seeds and the draft Resolution “On Rice Production in Turkmenistan in 2011”. It was noted that the state provided profound support to farmers and cattle breeders so that they could carry out the activity effectively aimed at creating an abundance of food products in the county that had resulted in achieving great progress in this sector.

Touching upon the issues related to the cotton sowing campaign, the President focused on the need to observe strictly farming requirements that would ensure timely and proper completion of these works and emphasized that the Government would continue to create the favourable conditions for Turkmen farmers. Approving the draft Resolutions, the Turkmen leader signed the relevant documents and gave the specific instructions on the implementation.

Touching upon the work carried out in the stock raising sector, the President instructed M. Akmammedov to organize the work aimed at increasing the labour productivity in this sector and increasing the livestock in a proper manner and gave specific instructions to the relevant high-ranking officials.

Vice Premier G. Mezilov reported on the progress work carried on in the sectors under his supervision. In particular, the Vice Premier reported on the progress in drafting the Resolution “On the approval of the procedures on recognition of diplomas received by citizens of Turkmenistan at higher and vocational educational institutions in foreign countries” and the preparations for the international conference on the Role of Innovative Technologies in the Implementation of the Education Reform of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Modern Teaching Methods.

The President approved the Resolution “On the approval of the procedures on recognition of diplomas received by citizens of Turkmenistan at higher and vocational educational institutions in foreign countries” and focused on the growing demand in modern knowledge and high-qualified specialists putting emphasis on the need to involve actively young specialists, who had received education in foreign countries, so that they could realise their abilities for the benefit of the Motherland.

Touching upon the issues related to the international conference on the role of innovative technologies in the implementation of the education and scientific reforms in Turkmenistan, the President focused on the importance of promoting international scientific contacts and exchange of experience and achievements in these spheres. The Turkmen leader emphasized that the ultimate goal and essence of the strategy pursued by our state in the education sector was to build up the intellectual potential of the society and bring up a well educated younger generation who had broad outlook and mature world view and sought to enhance fame of the beloved Motherland with their selfless labour, true patriots of the native land.

Vice Premier N. Shagulyev reported on the work carried out in the transport and communication sectors. In particular, the Vice Premier reported on the work carried out to obtain the loans of the Asian Development Bank to finance the construction of the North-South transnational railway and the measures taken to purchase state-of-the-art machines and equipment for the Turkmenhowayollary State National Service.

Focusing on the international significance of the North-South transnational railway, under construction, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that it would be a critical link of the multifunctional transnational transport corridor on the Eurasian continent.

The Turkmen leader said that the Agreement between the Governments of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Qatar and Oman on the transnational transport and transit corridor, which had been signed recently in Ashgabat, was a new practical step to enhance Turkmenistan’s reputation of being an important transport hub in the Asian region. Diversification of transport infrastructure would have profound political significance for it would contribute to strengthening peace, stability and security, sustainable development of the Asian region along with enhancement of the economic potential, said the President of Turkmenistan.

In this context Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov focused on the need for dynamic modernisation of all transport enterprises in the country. Noting that the consistent steps were taken to facilitate integration of civil aviation of Turkmenistan in the global system of air services, the Turkmen leader demanded that rigorous control be kept of the issues related to application of new high-tech systems, flight safety and improvement of the quality of passenger service.

Vice Premier O. Gurbannazarov reported on the work carried on in the sectors in the sectors under his supervision and the measures taken to ensure an abundance of goods on the markets throughout the country.

Focusing on the critical role assigned to commodity producers and, in particular, producers of food products, the national leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that the Government would continue to take efforts to encourage and support the private sector that in its turn would help to create an abundance of food products and broaden a range of products on the markets throughout the country.

Signing the documents, the Turkmen leader put emphasis on the Resolution “On the issues of the Elders’ Council” focusing on the importance of enhancing the role of this unique social institutions. “We highly respect the opinion of the older generation and discuss the most important issues of life of the state with the elders, who have the profound experience, and follow their advice and recommendations.” The Turkmen leader said that this institution of democracy should play an essential role in elaborating important decisions at the state level and demanded that the administrative and organisational issues of the activity of the Elders’ Council should be addressed in a proper and timely manner.

Upon concluding the meeting, the Turkmen leader wished every success in fulfilling the assigned tasks to the meeting participants.