On March 27, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov convened a regular session of the Cabinet of Ministers to consider the priorities of further development of national economy’s sectors and other pressing issues of the state policy, as well as some draft documents. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet A. Gochyev was the first to make the report on the state of affairs in the sector under his supervision, as well as performance of commissions given earlier by the President of Turkmenistan on improving the work of financial and banking establishments. As was reported, the complex measures had been taken to ensure the coordinated activity of the relevant structural departments carried out to ensure the national economy’s progressive growth and achievement of the high macroeconomic indicators. Upon hearing the report, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov emphasized an important role of the financial and economic system in successful developing all national economy’s sectors and fulfilling the potential of private sector. The head of state stressed that the use of all possibilities should be made to ensure the effectiveness of economic reforms ongoing in our country. Chairwoman of Mejlis of Turkmenistan A. Nurberdyeva informed about the parliament’s activity on drafting the legislative acts to regulate the large-scale social and economic reform processes in the country. The report also included the information about activities of Mejlis deputies and the work carried out by parliament members among the population, including on explanation of the provisions of new legislative documents. Emphasizing the importance of study and introduction of the advanced world experience into the domestic law-enforcement practice, the head of state focused on the development of inter-parliamentary relations and bringing the national legislation into line with the international norms. Speaking about the role and position of Mejlis deputies in the country’s socio-political life, the leader of nation laid stress on the need for maintaining constant relations between parliament and its structures and the electorate, public organizations and concerned departments in both preparing the new draft laws and rendering assistance in solving the vital social issues. Then, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet A. Yazmyradov reported on the course of spring agricultural works in the country. As was noted, on March 27, with participation of honorary elders, experienced farmers, scientists, machine operators and other specialists the start was given to sowing cotton in Akhal, Lebap and Mary velayats and planting fruits and vegetables in Balkan velayat. At the same time, the crop-growers of relevant velayats had been looking after winter grain, performing vegetative irrigation of wheat fields, applying mineral fertilizers and taking the weed control measures with the use of special chemicals. The vice-premier also reported on preparation for the forthcoming Holiday «Water Drop - Gold Grain». Within the framework of celebrations planned for April 2-5, the International Conference «Topical Issues of Rational and Efficient Use of Water Resources and Careful Preservation of the Environment» would be held in Ashgabat. A familiarization trip to the «Altyn Asyr» Turkmen Lake would be organized for participants in the forum. Besides that, a regular session of the Interstate Hydroeconomic Coordinating Commission would be convened in the capital with participation of the water industry authorities and experts of Central Asian countries. Commenting on the report, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov demanded to take all the measures to ensure proper and organized sowing of cotton, vegetables, watermelons, melons and gourds according to schedule. Emphasizing that the future crop yields depend on skill, diligence and efficient work of farmers, the head of state gave the vice-premier a number of relevant commissions. The President of Turkmenistan emphasized the particular importance of the Holiday «Water Drop - Gold Grain», celebrated in our country annually on the first Sunday of April. The leader of nation said that the holiday embodied ancient traditions of the Turkmen people who have been regarding water as the invaluable wealth throughout their thousand-year-old history. The head of state demanded to accord special priority to widespread adoption of the modern water saving technologies in the country, study and practical application of the advanced world experience and innovative scientific and technical achievements to save water resources. Deputy Chairwoman of the Cabinet M. Yazmuhammedova reported on the state of affairs in the sphere she is in charge of, as well as carrying out the commission given earlier by the leader of nation on formation of the electronic library system in the country. As was reported, there were 230 libraries under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture, including 76 central libraries, which would be interconnected by an electronic bibliographic database of printed products available in the library stocks. It would create conditions for books exchanges between libraries and arranging the work in them at new level, as well as improving the reader servicing quality and efficiency. Further, the vice-premier reported on the Program of Activities planned for April, as well as the preparations for the festive events to be held on the occasion of the forthcoming national holidays - «Water Drop - Gold Grain» and the Turkmen Horse Holiday. Focusing on active introduction of the modern technologies into cultural processes, in particular, creating the electronic library system, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov signed the relevant document and drew attention to the integrated approach to cultural and social work, comprising popularization of the national heritage and traditions and adoption of the best world experience and modern organizational methods. Speaking about the importance of the forthcoming holidays, the head of state noted that they were of great patriotic and educational value. Therefore, the festivities on these significant occasions should be held everywhere at high level. Their eventful content should reveal the main ideas of each of these wonderful holidays, the leader of nation said, addressing relevant commissions to the vice-premier. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet B. Hojamuhammedov reported on the state of affairs in structural departments of the fuel and energy complex, as well as performance of the earlier presidential commissions on accelerating the work rates in the sector. The vice-premier also informed about a recently held in Kabul (Afghanistan) regular session of the Steering Committee for the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India Transnational Gas Pipeline, in the course of which the priority goals of implementing the grandiose project were defined. The report included the information about the preparations for a fifth session of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Korean Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation to be held in Seoul (the Republic of Korea) on April 10. Summarizing the report, the leader of nation directed attention of the session attendees to the priority tasks following from creating the diverse energy resources transportation system from Turkmenistan to the world markets, as well as implementation progress of the Turkmenistan’s international initiatives on forming the new global energy safety architecture. As the head of state noted, in that context a special role was assigned to carrying out the large-scale Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India transnational gas pipeline project. The new pipeline was expected to promote further economic growth of all countries-parties to the TAPI project and, most importantly, strengthening of peace, stability and security in the region, the President of Turkmenistan said, addressing the vice-premier a number of concrete instructions about stepping up the project. Noting a significant role of the Joint Intergovernmental Commissions, the President of Turkmenistan emphasized that they had proved to be the effective mechanism in intensification of partnership built on mutually advantageous and long-term basis. Making a number of comments and offers on the issues on the agenda of a forthcoming Turkmen-Korean Commission’s session, the head of state gave the vice-premier a number of relevant commissions. Further, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet B. Ereshov reported on the state of affairs in the industrial sector and the measures taken to fulfill the earlier presidential commissions, as well as to enhance the raw material resources utilization efficiency and coordinate the industrial, technological and supply processes. The vice-premier also informed about the ongoing large-scale work, carried out to improve the activity of institutions he is in charge of, introduce the world practice into sectoral enterprises and increase the export capacity. Focusing on the top priority tasks of the industrial development strategy, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov stressed the importance of successive expansion of production capacities in the domestic industry. The progressive forms and methods of economic management should be adopted actively, the leader of nation noted, instructing the vice-premier to keep the related issues under the strict control. Then Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet P. Taganov reported on the activity of trade complex he is in charge of, as well as the ongoing work carried out on the President’s instructions to expand trade and economic cooperation with the foreign countries, increase exports of Turkmen goods, represent Turkmenistan at the largest international exhibitions, congresses and business forums and coordinate other business activities. The information given by the vice-premier covered the steps taken to develop international cooperation in the spheres of trade and services, expand the production and export capacities of structural departments of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan, as well as other issues relating to fulfillment of the assigned tasks. Speaking about the importance of trade and economic sectors, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov stressed the need for the most responsible approach to the issues of bringing the work of the Chamber of Trade and Industry of Turkmenistan and the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange into line with the modern requirements, encouragement of business people’s activities and their contribution to the country’s manufacturing facilities. Then Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet S. Toylyev reported on the ongoing work in the sectors under his supervision. The report included the information about preparation for the international conference on the Asian Games-2017 and a role of Turkmenistan in the development of sports for peace and progress, to be held in Ashgabat on April 2-4. As was reported, it was expected that the executives of Asian Federations of sports included in the 5th Asian Games Program, National Sports Centers, as well as experts, participants in the second stage of Sports Media Forum, representatives of foreign companies and local and foreign mass media members would attend the large conference. The vice-premier also reported on preparation for the Youth Conference of Turkmenistan to be held on March 28 under the title «Happy youth advances on the right path of the Arkadag». Representatives of the country’s younger generation and the heads of ministries and sectoral departments engaged in implementation of the state youth policy, as well as representatives of the spheres of science, education, health services, culture, sports and tourism, social organizations and mass media will participate in the forum. The issues of implementing the above-mentioned state program and the tasks set before the country’s youth in the prosperous epoch of powerful state would be placed on the conference agenda, during which young Turkmen students, military personnel, farmers, scientists, specialists and other participants would make presentations. Summing up the report, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov focused on the International Conference on the Asian Games -2017, emphasizing that the V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games would become a milestone in our country’s history. The leader of nation said that, taking into account the above-stated, all-out efforts should be made in order to organize and hold these important sporting events and all other relevant activities at high level. As the leader of nation stressed, the forthcoming sports media forum in the Turkmen capital was intended to promote wide popularization of our country’s achievements in the development of sports and intensification of international cooperation in this important sphere acting as the determining factor in strengthening of peace and positive partnership in the world. Speaking about it, the President of Turkmenistan addressed the vice-premier a number of concrete instructions to ensure the high organizational level of the conference and all other events scheduled within its framework. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet, Manager of the Presidential and Cabinet Administration Office Sh. Durdylyev reported on the outcome of the tender for construction projects within the framework of the 15th Ashgabat city planning phase that had been held by the ministries and sectoral departments. The tender resulted in selecting a number of companies, which had presented their proposals on the projects for construction of the modern residential houses, kindergartens, comprehensive schools and shopping centers, as well as restoration of the motorways and improvement of the areas adjacent to social and cultural-purpose buildings. The report covered the information about the implementation progress of the Work Plan to be fulfilled in etraps of the country’s capital city in 2015. At present, reconstruction of the capital’s motorways is under way. At the same time, the activities are in progress on the complex modernization of different infrastructural facilities and engineering and power supply networks. The head of state said that during consideration of the construction companies’ proposals such important factors, as aesthetic and ecological aspects, as well as functionality of future buildings should be taken into account. Commissioning the vice-premier to submit the tender winners’ projects for consideration of the relevant Inter-Sectoral Committee, the leader of nation demanded to keep the quality of works at the capital’s construction sites and the projects delivery terms under the strict control. Further, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet S. Satlykov reported on the course of activities in the spheres under his supervision. The vice-premier also informed about the steps taken to establish the Closed Joint Stock Corporation «Merchant Marine» and submitted the relevant document for consideration of the leader of nation. The vice-premier’s report also covered the ongoing work on organization of the activity of domestic transport and communication sectors in compliance with the modern requirements. Focusing on the issues of wide introduction of the modern methods and technologies into the Turkmen merchant marine management taking into consideration the modern time realities, which is the integral factor for further improvement of the state institutions’ activities, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov signed the relevant Resolution. Further, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet M. Artykov made the report on the ongoing work on preparing the uniform state motorways register, as well as the rules of numbering them with digital characters. The document would contain necessary data about location, name, category and length of motorways, as well as their technical features. Drawing attention to the priority goals of the program being implemented in the road building sphere, the leader of nation emphasized the importance of work quality assurance in modernization of existing and construction of new roads. In that connection, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov to take the complex and well-considered approach to the issue in point and gave a number of instructions on ensuring the well-coordinated work of relevant departments on fulfillment of the road and transport infrastructure modernization tasks. Summing up a session, the head of state noted that the first quarter of current year was coming to the end. The socioeconomic development results for the first three months of current year would be considered in the course of upcoming enlarged Cabinet session on April 3, which is to be attended by the heads of ministries and sectoral departments, the khyakims of velayats, cities and etraps, the rectors of higher educational establishments, the editors of newspapers and magazines and the TV and radio authorities. Noting that the vice-premiers and separate officials would deliver the reports at a next Cabinet session, the leader of nation instructed them to be duly prepared. A number of other important issues of state life were considered at a Cabinet session, with regard to which the appropriate decisions were made.