Yesterday, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov has held a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, at which the outcome of development of sectors of national economy for the first quarter of the current year was summed up, reports of Deputy-Chairmen of the Cabinet and khyakims of regions were heard, their activities were assessed and priority goals of socio-economic development of Turkmenistan for the upcoming period were outlined.
Having announced the agenda, the head of the state congratulated the gathered with approval of the new staff of the Government of the country and wished heads, who enter the Cabinet of Ministers great successes in their work for further progress of our sovereign fatherland, wellbeing and happy life of our people.
Further, in the meeting A.Yazmyradov and A.Begliyev were appointed relatively advisers on agricultural, oil and gas issues to the President of Turkmenistan.
Having signed the relevant documents, the head of the state first gave the floor to Deputy-Chairman of the Cabinet M.Muhammedov, who reported on macroeconomic indices for January-March months of 2022.
In accordance with the final data of all ministries and sectoral departments as a whole the volume of goods manufactured as compared with the same period of the past year, was higher by 11,1 per cent.
For January-March period of the current year, the index of retail trade turnover as compared to the same period of 2021 increased by 10,4 per cent.
As a result of the foreign economic policy realized into the life, based on principles of mutual beneficial and wide international cooperation, the volume of foreign trade as compared to the same period of the past year, grew by 40,9 per cent at the expense of rise of export and import.
The rates of salaries by large and medium size enterprises of the country as compared to the related period of 2021, grew by 10, 4 per cent. Salaries, wages, pensions, state benefits and scholarships of students were financed timely.
Further, Chairman of the State Statistics Committee D.Amanmuhammedov reported on economic indices of ministries and sectoral departments for January-March period of 2022, according to which, as compared to the same period of 2021, a steady growth in sectors of economy is observed.
Stable indices, which were ensured by volumes of cargo and passenger transportation by all modes of transport in the transport and communications sector were maintained. The volume of communications services provided increased by 7, 7 percent.
The head of the State Statistics Committee also informed on the preparation and organization work carried out with a view of successful conduction of nationwide population and housing census in December of the current year under the motto “Population Census-2022: Unity, happiness and bright future“.
Further minister of finance and economy M.Serdarov spoke and reported on fulfilment of the state and local budgets as well as the outcome of work carried out from the beginning of the year 2022 with a view of successful solution of priority goals set before the given departments.
As was reported, revenues of the main financial plan for the accounting period were fulfilled by 105, 5 percent, expenditures by 97, 6 per cent.
The revenues of the local budget was fulfilled by 100, 9 per cent, expenditures by 98, 3 per cent.
In the first quarter, 26 meetings of balance commissions, including 19 regional ones were held.
The volume of investment aimed at development of national economy at the expense of all sources of financing, for the designated period made up 3,9 billion manats or in relation to GDP -14,6 per cent.
Fulfilment of the Investment program from the beginning of the year reached 10, 9 per cent. 41, 7 per cent of realized investment was directed to construction of industrial complexes, 58, 3 per cent to construction of social and cultural projects.
Further, Deputy-Chairman of the Cabinet Sh.Abdrahmanov reported on the results of work carried out for January-March for realization of the program of development of oil and gas industry of Turkmenistan for the period until 2030.
For the first quarter, the oil processing plan was fulfilled by 110, 7 per cent, petrol production – 121, 3 per cent, diesel fuel – 118, 6 per cent, lubricants – 107, 2 per cent, polypropylene – 124, 4 per cent. As compared to the relevant period of the past year, the growth of production of natural and accompanying gas made up 102, 5 per cent, liquefied gas – 107, 4 per cent, export of “blue fuel” – 103, 4 per cent.
It was also reported on technical and economic indices reached in the oil and gas condensate production. In particular, the plan for production by “Türkmennebit” State Concern was fulfilled by 100, 9 per cent.
Expressing his dissatisfaction with the activity of the Deputy-Chairman and heads of the complex under his supervision, the President of the country commissioned him to analyse quickly the given situation and take necessary measures for elimination of existing shortcomings.
The head of the state gave the Deputy-Chairman a severe reprimand for the shortcomings made in the first quarter of the current year, commissioned him to eliminate them within the shortest period and signed the relevant decree.
Deputy-Chairman of the Cabinet Ch.Gylyjov reported on the outcome of work in ministries and departments of trade and textile complexes under his supervision as well as the private sector for January-March months of the current year.
By the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations, as compared to the same period of the past year, the growth pace of trade turnover made up 103,6 per cent, production – 107,4 per cent.
By enterprises of the Ministry of Textile Industry as compared to the same period of the past year, the volume of goods produced, including cotton yarn and fabrics was relatively equal to 133,8 and 125,2 per cent, garments and knitted goods – 119,8 per cent, leather goods – 109,1 per cent.
Fulfilment of the production plan for carpet products at enterprises of “Türkmenhaly” State Corporation made up 120, 7 per cent.
For the accounting period, the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange carried out 73 trade sessions, at which 8 thousand 620 contracts were registered.
The growth rate of work carried out by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry for January-March, made up 104, 3 per cent. Four exhibitions were held in the period under review.
By the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs the growth of volume of production of agricultural and foodstuffs for three months of the year reached 164, 5 per cent, industrial goods – 108, 1 per cent.
Deputy-Chairman of the Cabinet Ch. Purchekov reported on the outcome of work at construction, industrial and energy complexes, “Türkmenhimiýa” State Concern and capital administration for the first quarter of 2022.
So, for this period the production plan and work in the construction and industrial sector was fulfilled by 159, 7 per cent.
By the Ministry of Construction and Architecture for January and March period of this year the work plan was implemented by 112, 6 per cent.
The Ministry of Industry and Construction Production fulfilled its production and work plan by 167, 5 per cent.
For the period from the beginning of the year, by the Ministry of Energy the production and work plan was fulfilled by 135,4 per cent.
The growth rate of generation of power energy made up 116, 4 per cent and its export – 138, 7 per cent.
For the period under accounting, “Türkmenhimiýa” State Concern fulfilled its production and services plan by 189, 9 percent.
By the khyakimlik of Ashgabat, the work and services plan for three months of the current year reached 122, 8 percent.
Deputy-Chairman of the Cabinet S.Toylyev who spoke then, reported on the work carried out in the first quarter of the current year in the spheres of education, science, health care and sports in the light of plans outlined in the state programs.
In the reporting period improvement of educational activities continued. Advanced methods are widely introduced in the education process. Various textbooks and manuals were published. An efficient work on development of digital education for ensuring the quality of education, which should meet world standards, is carried out.
The Centre for Access to Information equipped with modern technologies was commissioned into operation in the National Institute of Education.
Meetings on the digital system with representatives of international organizations as well as online educational and methodological conferences on education with partner higher educational institutions were held.
The training of sportsmen for the Summer Asian Games, 31st World University Games, world and Asian championships and other large international tournaments also continued from the beginning of the year.
Deputy-Chairwoman of the Cabinet M.Mammedova reported on the outcome of work carried out in the sphere under her supervision for three months of the current year.
For the accounting period, on the occasion of declaration of the motto of the year 2022 –“The epoch of people with Arkadag“, conferences, creative meetings, exhibitions and explanatory and propaganda actions were organized.
Within the framework of international cooperation various online events, including online seminars and conferences, webinars and exhibitions with participation of Turkmen specialists were also held.
For the reporting period, the Turkmen state publishing service published newspapers and magazines in the electronic format from the beginning of the year.
The State News Agency on a regular basis provided the mass media and electronic editions with official news.
Further, Deputy-Chairman of the Cabinet, minister of foreign affairs R.Meredov made a report on the outcome of activity of MFA in the first quarter of the current year.
A special significance is given for high-level visits and meetings. So, in February, the working visit of the government delegation of Turkmenistan to the People’s Republic of China took place.
It was also noted that on April 1–4, 2022, the state visit of the President of the Republic of India to Turkmenistan took place. By the outcome of the bilateral talks carried out in Ashgabat, agreements for further development of traditionally friendly Turkmen-Indian relations in the political, diplomatic, trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres, strengthening of constructive cooperation at the regional and global levels were reached.
As the Deputy-Chairman, head of MFA informed, the preparation for upcoming important international events in the country in 2022 is carried on. Among them is the trilateral meeting of President of Turkmenistan, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Turkey, 6th Summit of heads of Caspian states, First Inter-parliamentary forum of Central Asia states and the Russian Federation.
279 online meetings of different characters were held. With a view of improvement of a legal basis of international relations of neutral Turkmenistan 19 documents were signed in the course of the year.
At the regular meeting of the General Council of the World Trade Organization held in Geneva on February 23, (Swiss Confederation) Turkmenistan was granted the status of an acceding country ("active observer") to the WTO.
Election of Turkmenistan to membership of the United Nations Commission on International Trade for 2022-2028 on March 15 was also a significant event.
M.Chakyev, director general of the Transport and Communications Agency of the Cabinet of Ministers reported on the activities of subordinate institutions for three months of the current year.
For the accounting period by the given complex, the growth rate index of work and provided services made up 113, 3 percent. The growth rate for January-March according to the Türkmendemirýollary agency was 116.8 percent, for the transportation of transit goods by rail – 121.4 percent.
According to the Turkmenawtoulaglary agency, the growth rate for the implementation of services amounted to 138.6 percent.
The growth rate for the Türkmenhowaýollary agency is 109 percent, the Türkmendeñizderýaýollary agency – 105.4 percent, the Türkmenaragatnaşyk agency – 107.7 percent.
In view of the termination of air traffic and the reduction of cargo flows, issues arise with the fulfillment of production tasks by agencies, the head of state stated, instructing the head of the agency, together with Deputy Prime Minister M.Muhammedov, to discuss possible situations that may develop before the end of this year.
Deputy Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Milli Gengesh K.Babaev informed about the comprehensive work carried out over the three months of this year to improve the country’s legislation.
Based on the tasks set out in the speech of the head of state at the inauguration, the working groups established in the Halk Maslakhaty and the Mejlis consider issues in the field of improving the country’s legislation.
Chairwoman of the Mejlis of Milli Gengesh G.Mammedova informed about the work carried out by the Mejlis in three months to improve the country’s legislation, in the context of the main priorities of socially oriented state policy, based on the priorities set for the Mejlis of Milli Gengesh.
A number of legal documents have been adopted and the preparation of draft laws regulating the activities of various industries is continuing, measures are being determined to improve the effectiveness of actions in this direction. Based on the proposals received from ministries and industry departments, legal acts requiring amendments and additions are analyzed.
Activities are carried out to develop international and inter-parliamentary relations. Since the beginning of the year, 5 meetings have been held, including two on the digital system. Mejlis deputies took part in 28 conferences with international structures on improving legislative work and ensuring the implementation of state programs, 22 of which were organized online.
On March 28-29, the delegation of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan paid a working visit to the city of Almaty (Republic of Kazakhstan), where it took part in events on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly.
Further, reports of the heads of regional administrations were heard at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers.
Khyakim of the Akhal velayat Ya.Gurbanov reported on the socio-economic indicators achieved in January-March.
It was reported on the state of affairs in the agricultural complex of the region, where vegetation irrigation, fertilizing with mineral fertilizers, weed control and pest control on wheat fields with an area of 195 thousand hectares are currently being carried out.
Then, the results of the first quarter of the year, including the implementation in the western region of the plan for the development of investments in the framework of the implementation of the Program of the President of Turkmenistan for socio-economic development of the country for 2019-2025 and the National Rural Program, were reported by the khyakim of the Balkan velayat T.Atakhallyev.
As part of the report, khyakim reported on the ongoing preparations for the celebrations and cultural program, taking into account that the National Holiday of the Turkmen Horse will be held in the Balkan velayat.
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov asked about the preparations for the commissioning of a new healthcare complex built in the city of Turkmenbashi of the Balkan velayat.
Having reported on the full completion of the construction of a 400-bed multi-specialty hospital and preparations for its opening ceremony, khyakim presented a cultural program prepared for this occasion.
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov ordered to ensure comprehensive preparation and high organizational level of all planned celebrations in honor of the National Holiday of the Turkmen Horse.
Further, the khyakim of Dashoguz velayat N.Nazarmyradov reported on the indicators achieved in the northern region during the period under review. In accordance with the Program of the President of Turkmenistan on socio-economic development of the country for 2019-2025 and the National Rural Program, taking into account the planned schedule, construction of industrial and socio-cultural facilities is continuing, the commissioning of which is scheduled for this year.
This year, 140 thousand hectares of land are planned to be sown with cotton in the region. At present, the necessary measures are being taken to complete the sowing campaign on time. At the same time, the care of spring potatoes, onions and other vegetable crops continues.
Khyakim of the Lebap velayat Sh.Amangeldiev reported on the work carried out in the eastern region in January-March of the current year.
A separate topic of the report was the implementation of measures provided for in the Program of the President of Turkmenistan for socio-economic development of the country for 2019-2025 and in the National Rural Program, within the framework of which the construction of socio-cultural facilities, water, gas and energy supply systems, communications and roads is carried out.
In addition, these days everything requisite is being done in the region to comply with the established cotton sowing schedule. The care of spring potatoes and other vegetable crops is carried out.
Then the floor was given to the khyakim of Mary velayat D.Annaberdiev, who reported on the results of the work carried out in the first quarter of this year.
Turning to the issues of agriculture, khyakim reported that vegetation irrigation, fertilization with mineral fertilizers, as well as weed control by spraying appropriate reagents are continuing in wheat fields.
Along with this, spring potatoes and onions are being cared for, and other vegetable crops are being planted.
In turn, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers E.Orazgeldiev reported on the results of the activities of the supervised industries for January-March of this year, on the progress of reforms in agriculture and seasonal agricultural campaigns conducted in the velayats.
In general, in the agro-industrial complex, the growth rate of production volumes, work performed and services compared to the same period last year amounted to 108 percent, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection – 108.3 percent, the State Committee of Water Management – 105 percent, the Turkmen Atlary State Association – 103.6 percent.
The Deputy Prime Minister also reported on the indicators for the production of food products in the country. In particular, it was reported that the implementation of the plan for growing vegetables amounted to 137.9 percent, fruit and berry products – 113.9 percent, bread and bakery products – 103.2 percent, meat products – 101.2 percent, milk and dairy products – 100.4 percent.
The plan for the development of investments was fulfilled by 116.9 percent. Capital investments were mainly directed to the construction of agricultural facilities provided for construction within the framework of state programs.
Addressing Deputy Prime Minister E.Orazgeldiev, the khyakims of the velayats and the heads of the agricultural complex, the President of Turkmenistan expressed dissatisfaction with the level of work carried out in this area, pointing out, in particular, that, despite repeated instructions, the land cadaster has not yet been prepared, appropriate measures are not being taken in the field of water supply of acreage, and focused on the tasks facing them.
The head of state reprimanded Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers E.Orazgeldiev for the shortcomings in the work and emphasized that the results of the work of the khyakims will be considered based on the results of the grain harvest.
Two important campaigns are approaching – wheat and cotton harvesting, which need to be prepared in the best way, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said, ordering to expand the area for planting, cultivation of vegetables and melons, including potatoes and other crops, increasing agricultural production, reducing its imports.
Touching upon the topic of increasing labor productivity in the agro-industrial complex and achieving its further stable development, the head of Turkmenistan pointed out that it is necessary to accelerate the process of introducing a digital management system into the agro-industrial complex.
It was also instructed to implement practical steps to develop animal husbandry and increase the number of livestock in the velayats, as well as to ensure an appropriate organizational level of the cattle campaign.
Summer is coming – the hottest time of the year, the head of state continued, ordering in this regard, in order to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, together with other relevant services, to take measures to combat the inhabitants of the desert – rodents and insects that can be carriers and carriers of infections.
Then, addressing the participants of the meeting, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that the results of the work done in the first quarter of this year demonstrate the consistent development of our state in accordance with the adopted programs. Since the beginning of the year, gross domestic product growth has been stable at 6.2 percent, and wages have been increased by 10 percent.
The construction of large industrial and social facilities continues in the country, including new settlements, residential buildings, entertainment and wellness centers, schools, kindergartens and a number of others.
According to the adopted plans, reforms are also being carried out in the system of science and education. The production segment is being modernized, a market economy is being formed.
Oil and gas fields are being developed. Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan power transmission and communication lines are being laid, as well as the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline. In addition, preparations are underway for the implementation of other international projects.
The head of state also noted that the strategy of supporting the development of the private sector and the broad involvement of entrepreneurs in the implementation of reforms in our economy is being implemented.
The improvement of the political system of the sovereign Turkmen state is also continuing, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said, highlighting the need to take effective measures aimed at implementing the Program of Socio-Economic Development of Turkmenistan in 2022-2052.
Addressing Deputy Prime Minister M.Mukhammedov and other Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, the head of Turkmenistan ordered to analyze all sectoral programs adopted in different years and, in order to improve them, to consider and prepare proposals within a month to bring them into line with the Program of Socio-Economic Development of Turkmenistan in 2022-2052.
Among the priorities of the upcoming work, proper preparation for the events planned on the occasion of the main significant dates – the anniversary of the Constitution, holidays, independence and neutrality were named.
We will continue the policy aimed at digitalization, the creation of import-substituting production, increasing the volume of exports of domestic products, attracting investments, increasing the income of funds in foreign currency, the head of state noted.
Reforms should also be carried out to improve public administration, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said, emphasizing the need to minimize unforeseen and managerial expenses, strictly controlling the execution of the State Budget.
At the same time, the importance of widespread introduction of market methods into the monetary and financial systems, taking effective measures to diversify the economy, increasing the share of the private sector and ensuring its active role in the country’s economy was noted.
At the meeting of the Government, other important issues of public life were also considered, and appropriate decisions were taken.
Concluding the Cabinet meeting, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov wished the participants sound health, family well-being and great success in their work for the sake of further prosperity of the sovereign Motherland.
The State Customs Service of Turkmenistan.
