Speaking during the enlarged meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan on April 5, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov considered the results achieved by the ministries and sectoral departments of the country within the first quarter of the current year. “Since the beginning of the year, the GDP growth has kept stable at the rate of 6.2 percent. As compare to the same period of 2016, the volumes of investments used in various sectors of the national economy have increased. Salary increased up to 9.1 percent. The construction of more than 1.900 large facilities amounted to more than US$ 48 billion is implemented in the country, of them 1.790 facilities are built by local enterprises. “The construction of all industrial and social facilities were completed according to the schedule. Among them are more than 400,000 square metres of apartment houses, railway and highway bridges across the Amu Darya River, health improving and entertainment centres, kindergartens and a number of other social facilities. “In accordance with the adopted programs, the ambitious reforms have been implemented in the systems of science and education and the industrial sphere has been modernized. The market economy has developed, oil and gas deposits have been explored and the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline has been implemented. “Industrial giants on carbamide and ammonia production as well as the gas chemical complex on polyethylene and polypropylene are built. Other crucial projects have been successfully implemented with the use of the most advanced achievements of science and technology. “We consistently pursue the policy aimed at supporting the private sector development and attracting local entrepreneurs in the implementation of reforms in the national economy. “As compare to the same period of 2016, the number of newly established individual and state enterprises increased the first quarter of the current year. In general, the share of the private sector in GDP is 62.3 percent.  “We aim at achieving progress in the production of import-substituting goods and increasing the volumes of export-oriented goods. New power stations allowed increasing electric supplies abroad up to 3.7 percent. “The export volumes of wool and rawhide rose by three times and vegetables – almost by 25 times. Moreover, the implementation of the policy on the production of earlier imported goods resulted in decreasing the volume of goods brought from foreign countries by 5.3 percent”. Focusing on the priorities of development of the country, the President of Turkmenistan underlined the necessity to increase the paces of implementation of the programmes on the production of import-substituting goods and increasing the export volumes of goods produced in Turkmenistan. Addressing the heads of the financial and economic sector, the President underlined the importance of work on the modernization of the industry and reducing expenses, ensuring the stable financial system, investment operation, sustainability and purchasing power of manats. It was emphasized the necessity to increase the export volumes of locally produced goods and enhance the reserve currency funds. “With the aim to support the sustainable development of the national economy, it is required to increase the credit activity of banks. It is also necessary to continue the implementation of the National Programme on the improvement of social and living conditions in villages, settlements, towns in etraps and etrap centers for the period till 2020”, said the President of Turkmenistan. Addressing the heads of the agricultural complex, the Turkmen leader emphasized the significance of agro-industrial reforms, production of high agricultural crops and holding agricultural campaigns at the high organizational level. “We will widely celebrate the Turkmen Horse Day at the end of April. We should thoroughly prepare for the forthcoming festivities and hold the international conference dedicated to this holiday at the high level”, underlined the President. Speaking about the key aspects of work of the fuel and energy sector, the Turkmen leader focused on increasing the export volumes of oil and gas products, construction of the gas chemical complex in gas deposits rich in high-structure ethane. “The combination of such productions will open up the opportunities to produce various polymers. We should intensify the development of gas processing industry to launch the production of ammonia, carbamide and industrial hydrocarbon, increase the volumes of production of liquefied gas that is of great demand on the world markets. “These important production areas will allow to diversify the national economy. In this regard, it is necessary to continue modernizing the fuel and energy complex, build new plants, explore and develop new oil and gas deposits. “The new ore-dressing and processing complex was put into operation recently and we are planning to launch the construction of two more complexes. “Our country is rich in mineral resources. It is necessary to develop and use natural resources and involve the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs in this work, provide benefits to enterprises engaged in development of subsoil assets that will allow increasing the export volumes. “I’m planning to have a meeting with Turkmen entrepreneurs to discuss the tasks set to them”, said the President of Turkmenistan. “A number of cultural events will take place in the country in the nearest future. The opening ceremony of a new big sports complex will be held in Avaza on the World Health Day celebrated on April 7. “We will solemnly celebrate the Turkmen Horse Day, the Victory Day, the Day of Constitution of Turkmenistan and the poetry of Magtymguly Fragi, the Day of Ashgabat, the Day of Workers of Culture and Art, will host the 2017 Asian Games, international conferences and other events. It is necessary to thoroughly prepare for them and hold them at the high organizational level. As before, mass media is in charge for covering the reforms taken place in the country. “The month of sports events, physical culture, health-improving and cultural events is held in our country in April under the motto “Health and Happiness”. We should organize all events at the high level with the participation of all sports schools in the country”. Addressing the heads of the transport and communication complex, the Turkmen leader noted the significance of construction of railway roads, the International sea port in Turkmenbashi, new air harbors. “It is important to complete the works on the modernization of the complex enterprises into stock companies, development of cellular communication and TV, computer technologies and Internet. “Upon completion of the construction of the International sea port in Turkmenbashi, it will be necessary to ensure the implementation of all initiatives in transport sphere as well as to launch the project on creation of intercontinental transport corridors. “It is necessary to perform works on the use of information technologies in these projects, connect to information systems, and transfer to electronic document management in all segments of the transport industry. “It is also necessary to intensify the work on the commissioning of settlements, facilities, in particular, for social purposes, and provide the building complex with construction materials of domestic production. “Specialists of the energy industry should continue modernizing the existing gas turbine power stations and build new ones, lay power transmission lines. In addition, it is necessary to begin construction of high-speed autobahns. “Addressing the speaker of the National Parliament, the President underlined the importance of intensifying the work on improving the legislation and prepare for the next session of the Elders’ Council jointly with the Cabinet of Ministers”. Addressing the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, the President noted that important government-level visits and international conferences were scheduled for the second quarter of this year. In accordance with earlier instructions, it is necessary to continue the preparatory work for the 2017 Asian Games.