OREANDA-NEWS. On August 19, 2009 President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov made a working trip to Lebap Velayat to see the progress in the agricultural campaigns and implementation of the large-scale projects of paramount importance for the region as well as the entire country, the Official website turkmenistan.gov.tm reported.

In the morning the President’s plane landed at the airport in Turkmenabat where the cabinet ministers and the local high-ranking officials heartily greeted the Turkmen leader.

The President held a working meeting aboard. Focusing on the urgent aspects of development of Lebap Velayat the President said that for its profound economic, resource and human potential Lebap was in the vanguard of the fundamental reforms launched in the country. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov focused on the need to fulfill the designated tasks that were aimed at enhancing the economic strength of the eastern region and the entire country.

It is known that Lebap plays an important role in implementing the long-term programme on national social and economic development that is vividly illustrated by the large-scale national and regional projects launched in a variety of the fields, in particular the fuel and energy sector, textile and chemical industries, agriculture.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that the fertile land of Lebap was the largest grain-growing region of the country – for diligent labour of farmers the region led in producing grain, cotton, fruit, vegetables and other agricultural products that this land was always rich in. Emphasis was put on development of transport and communication sector that was a priority task due to expansion of international cooperation and realization of the President’s strategy for intensification of social and economic development of rural areas.

In conclusion the President emphasized that the major goal of this working trip to Lebap was to see the progress in implementing the projects and identify the further trends in development of the region. In this regard the Turkmen leader said that the current tasks set to the region demanded a well considered and coordinated approach from the Government and local authorities.

Upon concluding the meeting the heartfelt welcome was extended to the Turkmen leader on the airfield. During the conversation with the elders Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov asked about their life and health, everyday concerns and living conditions of local people. On behalf of the people of Lebap the elders expressed sincere gratitude to the President for the unceasing concern for the happiness and worthy life of people, wished good health and new outstanding accomplishments in his titanic work for the benefit of the believed Motherland.

Then the President went on board of helicopter to have a bird’s eye view of Turkmenabat where dozens of the important industrial, social and economic projects had been launched in recent years.

These included the Turkmenabat-Farab pontoon bridge that played a significant role in fulfilling the plans on realization of the profound transit potential of Turkmenistan as the largest transportation nodal point on the Eurasian geopolitical area.

Noting that the bridge that was built 20 years ago was unable to cope with the increased flow of traffic especially during the winter period Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov focused on the need for reliable communication between the banks of the Amu Darya River and gave instructions to draft the project on construction of the new highway bridge instead of the pontoon bridge.

During the trip the President inspected the progress in seasonal agricultural works and the conditions of living and work of Lebap farmers.

The President’s helicopter landed nearby the cotton plantation cultivated by the farmers of Azatlyk farmers association – the best one in Sayat Etrap.

The family of tenant farmer Agamyrat Annaev, who greeted heartily the Turkmen leader there, contributed to the common cause. During the conversation with the farmers the President asked about their everyday concerns and expectations for this year’s harvest, their plans for the future. Thanking Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for the questions concern A. Annaev said that had been cultivating this land for 10 years and in recent years this work started to bring the real results and higher return. The tenant farmers said that it was made possible due to the fundamental reforms initiated in the agro-industry sector and opening up the vast opportunities for agricultural workers.

Then the Turkmen leader visited the plantation cultivated by a renowned farmer Ereshdurdy Khayitmyradov.

Sharing his plans for the future during the conversation with the Turkmen leader E. Khayitmyradov expressed profound gratitude to Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for the boundless opportunities provided to farmers by the agricultural reforms and the fundamental changes taking place nowadays in all the spheres of the state and society. The E. Khayitmyradov said that Turkmen farmers felt the concern and support of the Government, gained self-confidence and confidence in success of their work. Speaking about it the farmer referred to the personal experience. He had repaired a written-off John Deere combine and used it on his plantations.

Emphasizing that the Government would continue to provide support and direct assistance to the successful farmers associations Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov wished the renowned farmer every success in his noble work and his family – happiness and wellbeing and bade heartfelt farewells to the hospitable hosts.

Then the President flew around Atamurat town situated in the southeast of Lebap Velayat. The President inspected agricultural lands in a number of the regions of Lebap Velayat from the bird’s eye view.

The magnificent view opened up from aboard of the vast construction site – Atamurat-Kerkichi railway bridge that would play an important role in exploring abundant natural resources of the eastern region of the country.

Today construction of the bridge was completion. Focusing on the significance of this strategic facility as an essential factor of successful implementation of the national programmes on national social and economic development the President put emphasis on the need to put it into operation in a timely manner for the paramount importance of this route for Turkmenistan as well as the entire region. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov gave instructions to draft the project on construction of the highway bridge across the Amu Darya River. The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the highway bridge should take place during the ceremony of putting the Atamurat-Kerkichi railway bridge into operation.

Then the President’s helicopter headed fro Dovletli Etrap established recently according to the Resolution f the resident of Turkmenistan two years ago. From aboard the Turkmen leader inspected the construction sites in the etrap. Today over 40 construction projects were launched in this region. Some of them had been completed.

As is known the national programmes on development of the fuel and energy sector were closely interrelated with the eastern region that was rich natural gas. The unprecedented transnational gas pipeline that would supply Turkmen natural gas to China started on the right bank of the Amu Darya River in one of the largest gas fields – Samandepe.

From aboard the Turkmen leader inspected the progress in implementing this grandiose project that was to symbolize the unshakable ties of Turkmen-Chinese friendship.

Then the President’s helicopter headed for the administrative centre of Lebap Velayat – Turkmenabat. Today it is a dynamically developing town where construction of the modern infrastructure is in full swing.

From aboard the Turkmen leader inspected the progress in construction of the cotton spinning factory in the first industrial zone. This project amounted to over US 85 million is implemented by Engin Grup Konsorsium S.A. in collaboration with Turkmen builders.

The factory will be put into operation to mark the national holiday – the 18th anniversary of Turkmenistan independence. Its annual capacity is 17,700 tons of high-quality cotton yarn.

The President’s helicopter landed at the airport in Turkmenabat. There the Turkmen leader held a brief meeting to sum up the working trip. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Focused on the scale of the reforms initiated in the region to enhance its economic strength, employ its unique resource and human potential and, what was more important, to increase the standards of living and people’s welfare. The President said that within the next few months the remarkable events would take place in the region – the strategic facilities of paramount importance for the region and the entire country including Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline and Atamurat-Kerkichi railway bridge would be put into operation and instructed the relevant high-ranking officials to ensure the high level of organisation of these events.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that paramount importance should be attached to the issues related to implementation of the large-scale rural development programme. In this context Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov touched upon the major aspects of development of Dovletli Etrap and demanded that the facilities including schools, kindergartens, hospitals, apartment houses must be put into operation according to schedule.

The Turkmen leader noted that the vast opportunities were provided to increase agricultural output. The designated tasks would be fulfilled through adopting the experience of the best farmers associations and applying scientific innovations and that would allow using advanced technologies in the agro-industry sector.

Expressing belief that diligent and talented labourers of Lebap would cope with these tasks Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov wished them every success in their work and good health.

In the evening the President returned to Ashgabat.