On January 30, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov held a regular session of the Cabinet of Ministers to sum up the running year’s one-month state-of-the-economy results, to consider other important issues of state life and a number of draft documents. Turning to the agenda of session, the head of state gave the floor to Cabinet Deputy Chairman A. Gochyev to report on the macroeconomic indicators of the country’s socio-economic development for this year’s January. According to the Vice-Premier, the GDP growth rate has made up 110.1 percent in the period under review. The retail trade turnover has increased by 12.5 percent as compared to the last year’s similar period. In compliance with the 2020 National Development Program, 195 social-purpose objects, 951.3 thousand square meters of dwelling, as well as engineering-communication infrastructure facilities are under construction. The Vice-Premier also informed that in accordance with the relevant Agreement made between Turkmenistan and the International Monetary Fund, the IMF delegation had been on the working visit to our country this month. Highly appraising the macroeconomic indices and successful implementation of the development programs, the economic and financial reforms in Turkmenistan, IMF experts made a positive forecast about the GDP growth rates in our country for the future. It was also highlighted that price indexes of goods and services rendered to the population in 2015-2016 would be maintained at a low level. Thanks to the state support and provision of favorable conditions, the private sector would develop and it would bring positive results as well. In this connection, the public information report prepared by the IMF delegation and indicative of high growth rates of the national economy, as well as further enhancement of Turkmenistan’s international prestige, was submitted for consideration by President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov. The report is planned to be posted on the Internet site of the International Monetary Fund. Addressing to the Cabinet members, the head of state has noted that the International Monetary Fund’s report says that good results are expected concerning the national economy growth. However, it is still necessary to keep the efficient work going on turning our country into the state advanced in industrial development, as well as on diversification of the national economy. Turkmenistan’s economy is in an integral part of the world economy. Accordingly, all positive and negative processes that take place in the world directly influence our country, the leader of nation said, once again having focused attention on the aspect. In view of the economic crisis, caused by a sharp fall in oil and gas prices in the world, we also had to take special measures, the head of state continued. We have slightly raised prices for some products and services and have lowered a little the manat’s exchange rate against the freely convertible foreign currency. Nevertheless, salaries, pensions and welfare payments have been raised in our country, since the start of the running year. It enabled to compensate to some extent the population’s expenditures caused by the increase in prices. Addressing to Cabinet Deputy Chairman A. Gochyev, the President of Turkmenistan assigned to analyze in-depth the situation in the world economy and take adequate measures aimed at preventing negative processes in our country’s economy. The Vice-Premier was instructed to consider the steps to be taken in that area and timely submit relevant proposals. In this context, the nation’s leader has noted that Turkmenistan has sufficient international and domestic reserve funds to prevent our people from any difficulties in years to come and create all necessary conditions for their prosperous and happy lives. However, we should not relax, the head of state said, having emphasized that it is necessary to exercise strict control over the State Budget implementation to ensure successful management of the national economy amid the continuing global economic decline. Adequate measures should be taken to reduce unprovided outlays, as well as excessive expenditures on the administrative bodies. There is a need to work out and adopt the program aimed at stepping up exports of the country-produced products, the leader of nation continued. Necessary work should be carried out on ensuring diversified development of the national economy and efficient steps should be taken to increase the private sector’s share in it. In this context, the head of state has stressed the importance of taking all due measures to ensure local entrepreneurs’ active participation in the national economy development. These measures will make it possible in the near future to create a reliable mechanism for counteracting unstable situations in the global economy and to achieve economic stability in our country. They will enhance confidence of our people in the macroeconomic policy pursued in Turkmenistan and will also enable to support the national currency (the manat) stability within defined limits, the leader of the nation said, summing up the aforesaid. Further, Cabinet Deputy Chairman, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R. Meredov reported on the MFA’s one-month activity in the context of realization of the 2013-2017 State Foreign Policy Conception of the country and fulfillment of the assignments given by the head of state. Among the events that took place during the first month of 2015 is a state visit of President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani to Turkmenistan. Our country’s trade-economic relations and humanitarian-cultural contacts with foreign states are characterized by the progressive dynamics and efficient character. As reported, 25 foreign delegations visited Turkmenistan through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in January. At the same time, 38 delegations of our country were sent to foreign countries. Seven documents, which replenished the legal framework of Turkmenistan’s international relations, have been signed. Along with that, a number of consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and meetings of the bilateral intergovernmental commissions for cooperation have been held. Summarizing the report, the nation’s leader has emphasized the necessity of making the most of the possibilities and potential available for further intensification of mutually advantageous cooperation with all interested foreign partners, given present-day requirements and future prospects. The head of state addressed the Minister of Foreign Affairs a number of concrete commissions on ensuring a high organizational level of the activities planned to be held in our country and beyond in 2015, which had been announced the Neutrality and Peace Year, and in honor of the 20th anniversary of our Motherland’s neutrality. Chairperson of Mejlis of Turkmenistan A. Nurberdyeva centered her report on the work accomplished in January on further improvement of the national legislation and development of international cooperation, including in the frames of strengthening inter-parliamentary relations and creating friendship groups with foreign countries’ parliaments. The Chairperson of Mejlis of Turkmenistan informed that with a glance to the recommendations and commissions given by the head of state at the meeting with parliamentarians, the work was carried out in January on working out a number of draft legislations, including on the notarial system, notarial and real estate activities, the work of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, joint-stock companies, railway transport, and others, as well as on improvement of the current legislation. The Working Commission continued analyzing the proposals made on improvement of the country’s Constitution. The President of Turkmenistan has highlighted the necessity of keeping constant contacts of Mejlis deputies with voters, the public organizations and agencies concerned to tackle the first priority tasks aimed at the country’s further development, improvement of the Turkmen people’s well-being and strengthening of spiritual and moral principles of the Turkmen society. In this context, the head of state focused attention of the parliamentarians on the necessity of improving the national legislation to combat the illicit drug turnover and narcomania, to make punishment of drug dealers more severe. “Drugs, as the phenomenon, can undermine the fundamental basis of human life safety and destroy moral, social, political, economic foundations and the nation’s gene pool”, the President of Turkmenistan emphasized. Reporting on the one-month work outcomes in the spheres he is in charge of, Cabinet Deputy Chairman, Manager of the Presidential and Cabinet Administration Office Sh. Durdylyev informed about the indexes of the investment and building activities in the capital. At present, various-purpose facilities are under construction in Ashgabat, including 226 objects being erected against the order of the capital’s khyakimlik. The complex work is well under way in compliance with the approved list of buildings to be put into operation this year. In the after-report comments, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has stressed that fulfillment of the objectives and tasks assigned is aimed at strengthening the status of Ashgabat as one of the most beautiful and comfortable cities of the world, and the center of regional and global international activities. The head of state has instructed to keep control over not only putting of industrial- and social-purpose objects into operation at the appointed time in the white marble capital, but also ensuring of adherence to the perfect quality of construction, compliance of all operational characteristics with modern requirements. One-month outcomes of the activities in the supervised sectors were in the focus of the report made by Cabinet Deputy Chairman A. Yazmyradov. On the whole, the production growth rates, the rates of works and services accomplished in the agri-industrial complex has made up 100.2 percent. The Vice-Premier also centered on the seasonal agri-works ongoing in the regions, including handling of winter wheat crops and preparations for the upcoming cotton sowing campaign. In the report follow-up comments, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has emphasized the importance of high-quality and timely conducting all the seasonal agri-campaigns, which are an essential condition for the future abundant wheat, cotton and other crops, having given the Vice-Premier specific instructions on ensuring their full compliance with scientifically based agro-technical standards. Having highlighted the fact that more than 92 percent of agricultural products in the country are currently produced by private enterprises, the head of state has commissioned Vice-Premiers A. Yazmyradov and A. Gochyev to prepare relevant proposals on implementing management reforms in the agricultural complex. In his turn, Cabinet Deputy Chairman B. Hojamuhammedov reported on technical-and-economic indicators achieved in the fuel and energy complex in the period under review. In particular, the one-month production growth rates have made up in the percentage term: petroleum and gas condensate – 106.2; natural and associated gas - 107.6; export volumes of ‘blue fuel’- 111.1. As compared to 2014, high production growth rates in petroleum processing and production of a number of petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel fuel, polypropylene, residual fuel oil and liquefied gas have been registered. The drilling activity increased by 35.9 percent. Having noted that the dynamics of the fuel and energy complex’s activity is far from perfect in the context of present-day requirements, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has emphasized that enhancement of the work efficiency of the sectoral ministries and agencies is an extremely important task and assigned Vice-Premier B. Hojamuhammedov to take adequate measures aimed at further improving the oil and gas complex management structure, strengthening its logistics, and training qualified specialists. In her turn, Cabinet Deputy Chairperson M. Yazmuhammedova informed about the running year’s one-month activity of the supervised spheres. To further develop international cultural cooperation, screenings of American films took place in Ashgabat. On January 27, the administrative center of Mary velayat hosted the celebration to mark the announcement of Mary city the cultural capital of the Turkic world in 2015 and give a start to the activities to be held in accordance with the status delegated to the city. Summarizing the report, the head of state has stressed that achievement of the objectives of socio-economic development, ensuring of a high standard of living for citizens and promotion of international cooperation are not possible without the cultural sphere successful development. As the leader of nation emphasized, the new time requires a search for new forms and ways of the work in this important direction, a responsible approach, creative understanding of the grandiose changes ongoing in the country and their comprehensive coverage. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has given the Vice-Premier a number of concrete instructions on improving the activity of the cultural sphere and mass media to raise public awareness about the significance of the great progressive reforms, carried out in our Motherland in the epoch of power and happiness. Further, Cabinet Deputy Chairman S. Toilyev reported on the one-month work results of the structures, he is responsible for. During this period of time, Turkmen schoolchildren have won 8 awards (one gold, two silver and five bronze medals) in the international academic competitions. As for the Ministry of Education, 142 kinds of textbooks and teaching aids (7 of which have been published) are ready for printing. The Vice-Premier informed the head of state about the ongoing preparation for publication of “The Explanatory Dictionary of the Turkmen Language”, compiled on the instruction of the nation’s leader by lexicographers of the Magtymguly Institute of Language and Literature. Before publication, the new dictionary will be submitted for consideration by the Commission composed of competent linguists, scientists and specialists in various fields for prepublication review. On the basis of the manuscripts stored in the National Institute of Manuscripts of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, as well as the materials studied by its employees during foreign trips, four books on our people’s historical, cultural and spiritual heritage have been prepared for publication in the Turkmen language. In the period under report, Turkmen sportsmen took part in five international tournaments, having won 11medals: 2 - gold, 2 - silver and 7 - bronze. The leader of nation has demanded to exercise unremitting control over all the issues, related to realization of planned measures aimed at advancement of such priority directions as healthcare, science, education, sports and tourism, not to reduce the achieved paces of the progressive changes. It is not only infrastructure development, the head of state continued, but also training of young highly-qualified specialists, as well as taking advantage of the opportunities for international cooperation and partnership with such organizations, as the United Nations organizations and its agencies, in particular, the UNESCO. The President of Turkmenistan has also given the relevant leaders a number of specific assignments on ensuring a high organizational level of the activities to be held in honor of the 20th anniversary of the “Saglyk” State Program. The one-month activity of the supervised spheres and fulfillment of the earlier presidential commissions on further upgrading the textile industry’s industrial infrastructure were in the center of the report made by Cabinet Deputy Chairman B. Ereshov. The Vice-Premier also informed about the ongoing work on building up the production of socks (with an annual capacity of 2.5 million pairs of socks) at one of the textile complexes. As reported, the development of the hosiery industry is specified by the objectives aimed at saturating our country’s domestic market with essential commodities, given the sectoral orders. At present, the work on considering proposals of foreign suppliers of high-tech equipment is well under way. The Vice-Premier presented for consideration by the head of state samples of various kinds of hosiery, having informed that the assortment of goods would be selected given our country’s climatic conditions. Summing up the report, the nation’s leader has highlighted the considerable growth rates of the textile industry, whose capacities enable to organize the production of a wide range of high-quality and high-acclaimed goods made of natural raw materials. Having focused on the importance of strengthening the material and technical base of military and law enforcement bodies, providing the personnel with necessary outfit with a glance to our country’s seasonal climatic conditions, the leader of nation gave the Vice-Premier the issue-related commissions. Cabinet Deputy Chairman M. Artykov centered his report on the running year’s one-month work outcomes achieved in the ministries and agencies, he is in charge of. The report also included the information about the current work on phased reconstruction and construction of the new Turkmenbashi-Farap and Ashgabat-Dashoguz national highways, as well as building of the highway bridge -Turkmenabat-Farap. After the report, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has noted that the state creates all necessary conditions for bringing the domestic building industry to a new level, making considerable investments in the large-scale sectoral projects. It is necessary not only to expand industrial capacities, but also to speed up the organizational measures aimed at ensuring a comprehensive approach to a high level of the works carried out by local builders. Speaking of the road infrastructure development, the leader of nation has emphasized that in the modern epoch new highways projects are implemented on a large scale, having given the Vice-Premier a number of commissions on ensuring well-coordinated work of the relevant structures on tackling the tasks on road and the transport infrastructure improvement. Cabinet Deputy Chairman P. Taganov reported on the outcomes of the work accomplished in the spheres, he is responsible for, in the period under review. Further, the Vice-Premier informed about preparations for the Turkmen-Croatian business forum (to be held in Ashgabat on February 5), whose agenda would include the issues of bilateral cooperation in such areas, as the oil-and-gas and power industries, transport, construction, financial-and-banking sector, as well as science, culture and education. Commenting on the report, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has said that in-depth analysis of the state of affairs in the country’s trade sector enables to explore supplementary reserves for keeping up the dynamic paces of its development. Having given a number of instructions, the leader of nation assigned the Vice-Premier to ensure strict control over realization of the adopted plans and measures aimed at the development of modern efficient forms of the trade activity, more active promotion of the country-produced products in foreign markets and expansion of international business ties. In this context, the leader of nation has stressed great importance attached to bilateral business forums and the work of such joint structures, as intergovernmental commissions for trade and economic cooperation. These meetings and activities enable to concretize further steps towards development of fruitful relations, to increase mutual trade turnover and to extend mutually beneficial contacts. In his turn, Cabinet Deputy Chairman S. Satlykov reported on this year’s one-month work outcomes in the sectors of transport and communications, answerable to him. As the Vice-Premier informed, on the whole, the production plan in the transport-communications complex was fulfilled by 105.2 percent; the growth rate made up 110.3 percent. The head of state has highlighted the need to constantly apply new technologies and to exchange experience and innovations with foreign partners, having made special emphasis on the topicality of dynamic development of Turkmenistan’s Sea Fleet by replenishing it with specialized vessels tooled with the latest equipment. At the same time, the nation’s leader concentrated on the importance of ensuring unremitting control over tackling of the issues of improving the quality of passenger and goods transportation services (including all modes of transport). Some other issues of state life were considered at the Cabinet meeting, and the appropriate resolutions were adopted.