The events that took place on March 25 – the official opening of several greenhouse complexes across the country – are highly important and meaningful in many ways. First and foremost, they mark a new step towards achieving the country’s food self-sufficiency and supplying the domestic market with high-demand consumer products. Massive efforts to ensure an abundant supply of high-quality, locally-produced food products to consumers at affordable prices are eloquent testimony to the socially-oriented state policy of Turkmenistan.  

Another socially beneficial aspect of the events is creating new jobs. The newly opened greenhouses will provide employment for some 400 people. Entrepreneurs growing vitamin-laden products on their own land, at their expense and with the use of the latest technologies are making a significant contribution to successful import-substituting production and increased export potential. As the head of state noted, imports of vegetables have now dropped significantly, while their exports have received a boost. 16,000 tons of fresh tomatoes were exported to other countries in the first two months of this year.  

The modern facilities were built by local entrepreneurs. This clearly demonstrates that the private sector is playing an ever-increasing role in the national economy. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’s attendance at the opening ceremony of the greenhouse in Kaakhka etrap provides yet another vivid illustration of the considerable attention and support private business initiatives receive from the state. 

It is legal, financial, material and technical assistance from the state that enables to create a stimulating environment for business growth. It is seen as the key driver of the national economy’s innovation-based development. Public-private partnerships in Turkmenistan are unlocking their untapped potential, implementing different projects not only in agriculture, but also in the industrial sector, the development of modern transport infrastructure, and the services sector. 

The events also have great significance in the regional context. As reported earlier, six greenhouses equipped with modern technologies and water-saving irrigation systems were put into operation on the same day in all the five provinces: Kaakhka etrap and Ak Bugdai etrap, Akhal velayat; the city of Turkmenbashi, Balkan velayat; Gerogly etrap, Dashoguz velayat; Charjev etrap, Lebap velayat; and Sakarchaga etrap, Mary velayat. This perfectly fits in with the National Strategy for Regions’ Development, which has been implemented in Turkmenistan in recent years. It is aimed at improving the people’s living standards in the regions, while taking advantage of their natural resources and human capital.     

Enormous state investments were made to realize the National Program for improving social conditions of the population of villages, settlements, etrap towns and etrap centers until 2020, and the implementation of its multifaceted objectives receives constant attention from the President of Turkmenistan. At the meeting held in February to discuss the national economy’s development, the Turkmen leader once again emphasized the strategic importance of the Program whose main aim is to ensure the well-balanced socio-economic development of the regions and to bring higher living standards to the people of Turkmenistan.

Ogulgozel REJEPOVA