OREANDA-NEWS. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held an enlarged meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers during which the economic achievements of different sectors and industries in two months of the current year, the issues relating to various spheres of life of the state and society and the draft of important documents were considered. The high-ranking officials of the ministries, departments and state television, the chancellors of higher educational institutions and editors-in-chief of newspapers and journals were invited to attend the meeting. According to the preliminary macroeconomic data, stable GDP growth was ensured in January 2013 due to achieving the targets in the industrial and construction sectors. In January-February, output growth rate rose to 112.3 percent as compared to the same period of 2012. The growth rate of retail turnover made up 119.6 percent in the two months of the current year.

According to preliminary data, the budget revenues were implemented to 112.7 percent and the budget expenditures – 95.1 percent.

In January-February, 82 foreign delegations visited our country with the support from MFA. 70 Turkmen delegations visited foreign countries during the reporting period. Conferences, meetings and other actions were held jointly with foreign countries and international organisations during the reporting period. It was also reported that 19 international documents were signed in the last two months.

It was noted that tillage work in the framework of preparations for the spring cotton planting campaign was carried out. Agricultural workers were involved in the care of the plantations with winter crops and application of mineral fertilisers, irrigation, weed control and land reclamation activities. The growth was observed in refining of oil and manufcaturing oil products, including lubricating oils, gasoline, polypropylene and liquefied gas as compared to the same period of 2012.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov issued the Decree on the Conferment of the Honorary Title of Turkmenistan “Ene Myahri” and the Order the awarding of monetary gifts to women of Turkmenistan to mark International Women’s Day, the Resolution on the purchase of equipment and samples for measuring instruments for the State Reference Centre of the Main State Turkmenstandartlary Service and the establishment of the State Service of Intellectual Property of the Ministry of Economy and Development. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed the Decree on the Improvement of Education System in Turkmenistan and the Resolution on the Issues relating to General Secondary Education authorizing to transfer to 12-year general secondary education.

The President issued the Resolution on the Approval of the Membership of the State Commissions and the Council of Experts in Culture and Arts and emphasized that their implementation should promote culture and arts and facilitate the creation of highly artistic works aimed at spiritual, moral and aesthetic education of citizens.

The President issued the Resolution on the Construction of Modern Hotels and a Sports Complex in the Avaza National Tourism Zone and gave specific instructions to the high-ranking officials on its enforcement.

Addressing the meeting participants, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that due to the measures taken to achieve the objectives of the President’s Programme, the current year was characterized by steady economic growth. The GDP growth rate came up to 9.2 percent in the two past years. The industrial sector developed rapidly during the reporting period. Industrial growth rate made up 6.9 percent during the reporting period. It rose to 17.7 percent in the construction sector and 14.2 percent in the transport and communications sectors. Other sectors of the national economy rapidly developed. During the reporting period foreign trade turnover grew by 11.4 percent and the rise in salaries made up 10.4 percent.

The Turkmen leader noted that large-scale construction of various facilities, most of which are social and housing facilities, had been launched in the country. Noting that buildings and facilities under construction in Turkmenistan amount to USD 38 billion, the Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized the need to take necessary measures to maintain economic growth. The Turkmen leader noted that the Vice Premiers should properly monitor the work on improvement of the people’s welfare.

During the enlarged government meeting other important issues were considered and the decisions were adopted.