Session of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan: Outcomes of 2 months, realization of reforms, priority objectives

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held regular video conference working session of the Cabinet of Ministers where outcomes of work of branches of national economy for the last two months and other important subjects of the stat life have been reviewed.

First, the floor was given to Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers G. Mushikov who reported on macroeconomic indicators for January – February 2020, which demonstrate stable growth of branches of national economy.

Comparing with the same period of the last year, the production has been increased by 6 percent in general.

Volume of retail trade in January – February has increased by 19.3 percent comparing with the same period of 2019 while the volume of wholesale trade by 3.8 percent.

The revenue of the State budget has been executed in the volume of 3.2 billion manats while expenditure part by 2.6 billion manats.

Comparing with the same period of 2019, average salary wages at big and medium facilities has been increased by 9.6 percent. Salaries, pensions, state allowances and student scholarships have been paid completely.

Construction of various facilities has been carried out under realization of new edition of National rural programme.

Having listened to the report, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has focused on necessity to organize work of the complex under the Vice-premier’s supervision more productively and to activate digitization of the economy. Speaking of importance of acceleration of the process of connection of the government authorities to digital system, the Head of Turkmenistan ordered to transfer all government services into digital format.

The Vice-premier was requested to hold extended meeting after the session and to outline complex of measures for support of growth rates of the main sections of national economy and to present report on this subject.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers M. Meredov reported on results of work of the spheres under his supervision for the past two months for realization of the Programme of development of oil and gas industry until 2030.

It was reported that oil and gas condensate production plan was executed by 110.2 percent, oil refining by 105.7 percent, gasoline production by 106.1 percent, diesel fuel by 104.9 percent, investment development by 152.5 percent. The growth rate of production of liquefied gas was 119.5 percent, natural and associated gas production – 104.9 percent, export of gas – 102.1 percent.

Summing up the report, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has focused on importance of further improvement of the management system of oil and gas industry based on implementation of standards common in the world practice and modern international systems, having given number of instructions to the Vice-premier on this account.

The Head of the State addressed the Vice-premier with relative assignments on necessary measures for analysis of activity of the state concerns Türkmengaz and Türkmennebit, to find and implement existing reserves for stable growth of production and economic indicators.

It was highlighted that the utmost attention has to be paid to strengthening of production potential and resource base of oil and gas industry, wide implementation of advanced technologies and based on this – increment of volumes of production and processing, production of oil and petrochemical commodities required in the world markets.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Sh. Durdiliyev reported to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on results of activity of construction, industrial and energy complexes, the State Concern Türkmenhimiýa and the capital’s administration for two months of the year.

The growth rate of production and works in construction and industry was 131.3 percent in January – February. The plan has been fulfilled by 122.7 percent.

The work plan of the Ministry of Construction and Architecture was fulfilled by 102.5 percent with the growth rate of 102.6 percent for the period under review.

The Ministry of Industry and Construction Production has fulfilled the production and work plan by 110.5 percent with the growth rate of 109.7 percent.

The Ministry of Energy has executed the production and work plan by 139.7 percent with the growth rate of 124.4 percent.

The plan of production and services of the administration of Ashgabat has been performed by 117.5 percent with the growth rate of 170 percent.

Having listened to the report, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov reminded that number of important events related to opening of numerous facilities including facilities of energy industry is planned this year when Turkmenistan observes the 25th anniversary of its neutrality.

In this context, the Head of the State focused on necessity of soonest completion of construction of big projects, especially the creation of circular energy system inside the country and construction of Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan power line as well as construction of social and industrial facilities planned to be opened on occasion of remarkable date.

The President has also requested to take measures for improvement of efficiency of activity of the State Concern Türkmenhimiýa by active introduction of modern technologies and advanced scientific developments.

Further, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Ch. Gylyjov reported to the President on outcomes of work of trade and textile industries under his supervision as well as private sector for the first two months of 2020.

Total volume of trade by the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations was 8.7 percent for the period under review.

Total volume of production of the Ministry of textile Industry has increased by 11.1 percent comparing for the same period of the last year in January – February.

The same indicators of the State Association Türkmenhaly is equal to 22.6 percent.

For the period under review, the State Commodity and Raw Material Exchange has held 42 trade sessions and has entered into more than 5,000 contracts mostly in export and import operations.

The volumes of services of the Trade and Industrial Chamber have grown by 64.9 percent and the income has increased by 96.7 percent.

The volumes of industrial production of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs in January – February have increased by 11 percent, agricultural production by 2.1 percent.

Having listened to the report, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that expanded processes of modernization are aimed at further enhancement of competiveness of national economy, diversification of industry by involvement of entrepreneurship into realization of industrialization plans of the country.

In this context, importance of maximum use of existing capabilities for expansion of production base of import substitutive and export oriented branches and active involvement of instrument of market economics including by privatization of the state-owned facilities and opening of joint stock ventures have been noted.

At the same time, the Head of the State pointed out necessity of rapid digitization of trade complex, textile industry, which would enhance the efficiency of management and productivity of personnel of these spheres.

The Vice-premier has also given specific assignments for intensification of work of tourism industry, arrangement of its activity following modern tendencies.

Reporting on the results of activity of the branches under his supervision, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers P. Agamyradov noted that steadfast work has been carried out for realization of the Concept of development of the system of digital education, improvement of teaching of foreign languages, development of digital economy in Turkmenistan.

According to relative Resolution of the Head of the State, Innovative and Information Centre has been opened under the Ministry of Education. It was reported that 30 learning manuals and guides have been published.

Having successfully performed at international thematic, project and internet contests, our school students won different medals.

Working plans for this year have been signed between the Ministry of Education, the UN Children Fund and UN Population Fund. The relations between universities are steadily developed. 346 scientific works have been made in priority directions of science and technologies.

Systematic work is carried out in the health protection system for introduction of effective methods of prevention, diagnostics and treatment of diseases. National programme of health nutrition of the population in 2020 – 2025 and Plan of activities for its implementation have been approved.

2020 Work Plans as well as Agreements on Cooperation in 2020 – 2021 between this Ministry and the European Bureau of the World Health Organization have been signed between the Ministry of Health Protection and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan, UNICEF and the UNPF.

The growth of income volume from the State Voluntary Medical Insurance was 115 percent, rendered services – 110 percent, sanatorium services – 109 percent.

14 national competitions and 12 sport and mass events were held in in January – February.

Summing up the report, the Head of the State pointed out necessity of steadfast work for modernization of national systems of science and education. Taking into account industrial facilities, which have been built and planned to be built in the country, transit of the economy to digital system, the requirements in experienced and qualified specialists who know what they are doing is growing. Therefore, universities and institutes of the Academy of Sciences have to take regular measures for improvement of education of teachers.

In this context, the Vice-premier was ordered to carry out targeted work using the best foreign practice and to present relative proposals.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers B. Ovezov reported to the Head of the State about outcomes of activity of ministries and departments of transport and communication sphere for two months of the year. It was also reported about work for procurement of buses Hyundai All New Super Aero City.

The Vice-premier informed that structures under his supervision have executed production plan by 115.5 percent with the growth rate of 118.2 percent for the period under review.

The growth rate of Türkmenawtoulaglary Agency was 123.3 percent, Türkmendemirýollary – 119.6 percent, Türkmenhowaýollary Agency – 116.6 percent, Türkmendeňizderýaýollary – 186.8 percent, Türkmenaragatnaşyk – 110.9 percent.

The plan of road, railway, air and maritime transport in the sphere of cargo and passenger transportation was executed by 113.7 and 100.6 percent respectively.

Having listened to the report, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that despite the fulfilment of production plans for two months, it is necessary to focus on objectives , which require solution. This is about modernization of railroads, construction of airports, introduction of electronic services, establishment of electronic document management system.

Speaking of this, the President ordered to analyse the work in this direction and to take necessary measures for solution of all set objectives.

Having signed the Resolution of procurement of buses Hyundai All New Super Aero City, the President of Turkmenistan sent the document to the Vice-premier by electronic document management system and gave relative assignments on its fulfilment.

Deputy Chairperson of the Cabinet of Ministers B. Abdiyeva reported on results of activity of the spheres under her supervision from the beginning of the year. It was said in the report that different cultural events were held, work for implementation of the Programme of development of cultural sphere of Turkmenistan in 2019 – 2025 was carried out in January – February.

Working trip of specialists of the Ministry of Culture and Academy of sciences have been organized to the velayats in January for study of folklore materials, information about traditions and customs of Turkmen people.

From the beginning of the year, Turkmen State Publishing Service has published 65 types of book production and fulfilled the plan by 110.3 percent.

Highlighting importance of improvement of activity of profile structures and their modernization including by introduction of digital systems, the Head of the state gave specific assignments to the Vice-premier for development of proposals on organization of work in this direction on modern level.

In addition, Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers B. Abdiyeva, P. Agamyradov and B. Ovezov were requested to activate measures for explanation of goals of digitization policy to the population, especially to rural citizens.

In his turn, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers E. Orazgeldiyev reported on outcomes of activity of the branches under his supervision for two months, reforms in agricultural complex and seasonal agricultural works in the regions.

In general, the growth rate of production, works and services in agricultural complex was 117.9 percent comparing with the same period of the last year.

This indicator of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Protection has reached 117.3 percent, the State Water Management Committee – 130.2 percent, the State Association Türkmen atlary – 103.6 percent. The plan of investment development has been executed by 120.2 percent.

The farmers work in the fields under wheat these days. At the same time, the tenants continue preparation to spring sowing of cotton.

It was informed in the report that programme work for planting of trees and expansion of areas of forest zones is carried out in the country for natural protection and provision of ecological wealth.

Draft documents aimed at efficient development of agricultural complex have been presented to the Head of the State for review.

Having focused on importance of acceleration of reforms in agricultural complex, the President gave assignments to the Vice-premier for strict control of relative works on sites.

The Head of the State highlighted that big resources are used for development of agricultural complex. Modern tractors and other agricultural equipment are bought regularly. The farmers are provided with seeds and fertilizers. New settlements and villages are built. In other words, the Government renders comprehensive care of the farmers.

In this context, the President ordered to achieve fundamental changes in this direction and addressed the Vice-premier with instructions for analysis of the situation in agricultural complex, establishment of proper work in this direction, having ordered to present relative report thereafter.

Having signed the Resolutions on nation-wide campaign for tree planting as well as on procurement of spares, lubricating oils and consumables for grain and rice harvesters, ploughing tractors, tyres for trucks and tractors, the President sent the documents to the Vice-premier by electronic document management system and gave relative assignments on their fulfilment.

Continuing the session, Chairperson of the Mejlis G. Mammedova has informed about work made by National Parliament on modernization of legal bases of the state and legal support of reforms expanded in the country.

The President of Turkmenistan highlighted that law-making activity is the main tool of realization of large-scale programmes and is to support the improvement of life level of people, strengthening of civic institutes and assertion of democratic principles in the society.

After, the Head of the State called Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Secretary of the State Security Council Ch. Amanov for report on the situation in the structures under his command.

Having focused on importance of further improvement of activity of military and law enforcement agencies, modernization of their equipment and facility base, the Head of Turkmenistan addressed the Vice-premier, Secretary of the State Security Council with specific assignments.

Having focused attention of the participants of the session on the outcomes of work of the branches of national economy for the past two months, the President stated with delight that these results indicate that our country continue its dynamic development. Indicators of the GDP growth remain unchanged on 6.3 percent level. The growth rate is equal to 3.1 percent in agriculture, 11.1 percent in trade, 10 percent in transport and communication sphere.

The Head of the State noted that at present time, Turkmenistan actively builds numerous facilities to total amount of more than 35 billion US dollars. Most of them are social and living facilities. At the same time, the fact that more than 16 billion US dollars are developed by national construction and installation companies is remarkable.

Taking into account current condition of the global economy, it is important for us to keep achieved rates of growth, Turkmen leader highlighted. Therefore, all Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Minsters, especially the Vice-premiers who are responsible for velayats and hyakims of these velayats have to hold the course of reforms under unremitting control.

At the same time, construction of facilities, especially those which are planned to be opened on occasion of the 25th anniversary of neutrality, fulfilment of the programmes of provision of the population with living and drinking water have to be under permanent control. In other words, all issues related to further improvement of life level of Turkmenistan citizens have to be under control, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said.

Continuing video conference session, the Head of the State noted that nation-wide green campaign would be held in Turkmenistan on March 21 and celebration events on occasion of National Spring Holiday would be held in all velayats and Ashgabat on March 22.

International Women Day will be widely celebrated on Sunday, March 8 in the country. speaking of this, the President of Turkmenistan cordially congratulated all women on coming holiday.

Having signed the Order on conferring of Honoured Title of Turkmenistan Ene mähri, the Head of the State gave instructions for high level of organization of events timed to International Women Holiday to relative officials.

As International Women Holiday falls on Sunday, the Head of the State signed the Order on moving of the day off from March 8 to Monday, March 9 according to existing legislation.

Other current subjects of the state life, on which relative decisions have been made, were reviewed at the session.

Finishing the session of the Cabinet of Ministers, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov wished success in work to all participants.