SESSION OF THE CABINET OF MINISTERS OF TURKMENISTAN

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held regular session of the Cabinet of Ministers where the digitization of national economy, development of educational system and progress of agricultural reforms have been reviewed. 

Having opened the session of the Cabinet of Ministers and announced the agenda, the resident of Turkmenistan gave floor to Chairperson of the Mejlis G. Mammedova who informed about the work for further improvement of national legislation and subjects to be reviewed at the next session of the Parliament. 

The Law on State Budget of Turkmenistan in 2019 as well as number of bills, which are aimed at the improvement of existing legislation in certain spheres and at dynamic promotion of social and economic reforms in the country in general, are brought out for discussion at the session of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan of the sixth convocation on December 1. 

Having focused on the main subject of the agenda of coming session of the Mejlis, the Head of the State noted the importance of comprehensive discussion of the State Budget for 2019, having highlighted that this main financial document, which is put forward for creation of efficient system of the state funds, has to be aimed at efficient development of the investments to national economy, promotion of the reforms in social and other spheres of the country and at further improvement of the wealth of the population. 

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Foreign Minister R. Meredov reported on the preparation to the UNESCO International Conference “The Silk Road: Present and Future Development” in Ashgabat on December 6 – 7. 

In this regard, constructive character of cooperation between Turkmenistan and this competent organization specialized in humanitarian and cultural sphere has been noted. As is known, such historical and cultural monuments of our country as Ancient Merv, Kunyaurgench and Ancient Nisa have been included to the UNESCO World Heritage List, ‘kushtepdy’ sing and dance art and the Epic of Gyorogly to the Representative List of Intangible Heritage. 

Targeted work is carried out for inclusion of the Koytendag ecosystem and the Badhyz State Reserve to the World Heritage List and Turkmen carpet art and ahalteke horse breeding art to the Representative List of Intangible Heritage. 

The agenda of the Conference, which is be held together with the UNESCO under the declaration of the slogan of this year “Turkmenistan – the Heart of the Great Silk Road”, will include wide spectrum of subjects of activation of multidimensional cooperation between the countries located along the legendary historical route. It is planned to adopt the Ashgabat declaration by its outcomes. Fifth session of the UNESCO Coordination Committee for inclusion of the Silk Road nomination to the World Heritage List as well as the meeting of the specialists will take place before the Forum. Numerous representatives of foreign countries will participate in these events. 

In addition, it is planned to have the exhibition of the works of the winner of the photo contest “The Silk Road by the eyes of the youth” organized by the UNESCO, exposition of decorative and applied art articles, printing production, museum values of Turkmenistan as well as books and photo material prepared by number of foreign state embassies. 

Cultural programme including the visit to Alp Arslan National Drama Theatre, which will show “Gyorogly and Agayunus” plays on December 6, and Magtumguly National Music and Drama Theatre, which will have the concert of joint Turkmen – Austrian symphonic orchestra “Galkynysh”, is planned for our guests. 

Having noted that development of efficient cooperation with competent international structures, especially with the UN and its specialized structures, is one of priority vectors of foreign course of neutral Turkmenistan, the President stated with delight steadfast dynamics of the partnership with the UNESCO involving wide spectrum of directions. 

Having ordered to provide high organizational level of the Conference and the session of the UNESCO Coordination Committee, the President highlighted that Turkmenistan makes significant contribution to the study of the Silk Road as unique phenomenon in the world history. 

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers B. Abdiyeva reported on the preparation to celebration events and activities on occasion of remarkable dates of national calendar, opening ceremonies of social and cultural facilities timed to these events planned in December. 

Big programme of various cultural events including those dedicated to International Neutrality Day and New Year celebration include the concerts of the art masters, theatre performances, thematic exhibitions and contests, scientific conferences and sport competitions. 

International Conference “The Silk Road: Present and Future Development” and events dedicated to the 10th anniversary of Austrian – Turkmen Society have been mentioned among international forums. 

Opening ceremonies of number of social and cultural facilities are planned in Bagtiyarlyk etrap of Ashgabat as well as in Kaahka, Gyokdepe and Baherden etrap of Ahal velayat, Serdar etrap of Balkan Velayat, Balkanabat, Kunyaurgench etrap of Dashogus velayat and in administrative centre of Lebap Velayat. 

New Year celebration marathon starts from traditional switching of the lights at the main Christmas tree of the country, which will decorate the square in front of Alem Cultural and Entertainment Centre from where the celebrations will be expanded all over the country. The final of art contest between young popular singers “Star of the Year” will be one of bright events of the last week of the year. 

The main events with take place on December 31 on the square in front of the Alem Cultural and Entertainment Centre where celebration show with the participation of art and cultural masters of Turkmenistan, popular singers and folk bands, the main characters of these days -Ayaz Baba and Garapamuk, will be held. Big sport competitions are also planned in December. 

Having listened to the report, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov gave certain instruction to the Vice-premier on high organizational level of all celebration events on occasion of International Neutrality Day. 

The Head of the State also ordered to provide high organizational level of international events and forums, which are to improve the relations of Turkmenistan with foreign countries. 

Having focused on the preparation to New Year celebration, the Head of the State highlighted the importance of responsible approach to all organization issues starting from the decoration to the content of the programmes. 

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers G. Myradov reported on the work in the sphere under his supervision and draft Concept of development of digital economy in Turkmenistan for 2019 – 2025. 

The document contains seven chapters reflecting current state of national system of information and communication technologies, goals and objectives of the Concept, ways and methods of their implementation and expected results. 

It is planned to implement the Concept in three phases (the first one in 2019, the second in 2020 – 2023 and the third in 2024 – 2025). In this regard, the draft Resolution on the concept was presented for review to the Head of the State. 

Summing up the report, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted that in modern conditions, successful use of innovative technologies is an integral factor of stable economic growth providing the foundation for prosperity of the country taking into account long-term perspectivity. 

Having signed the Resolution on approval of the Concept of development of digital economy in Turkmenistan in 2019 – 2025, the Head of the State gave certain assignments to the Vice-premier on its gradual implementation, which would support further progress of the country, business and investment activity, introduction of advanced methods of government administration and creation of working occupancies. 

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers M. Meredov reported on the situation in the spheres under his supervision and on the implementation of the Programme of development of oil and gas industry of Turkmenistan until 2030. Information about the measures taken for provision of uninterrupted operation of processing technological units and improvement of export volumes of oil and its products has been presented. 

The Vice-premier also reported to Head of the State on the programme of celebration events dedicated to the Day of Petroleum Industry and Geology Personnel. It includes scientific and practical conference, concert, honouring ceremonies of the best employees of the sphere. 

Having highlighted priority directions of development of national fuel and energy complex, the Head of the State made special mention of the necessity of steadfast growth of the volumes of oil and gas processing, improvement of quality and expansion of the variety of products made of hydrocarbon materials. 

Use of latest achievements of scientific and technical progress, innovative technologies and advanced equipment is an important condition of successful fulfilment of the objectives on diversification of energy sector, the President said, 

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers K. Durdymyradov reported on the situation in the sectors of industrial sphere and on the work for solution of the objectives for formation of innovative production infrastructure in construction material sphere, increment of production volumes of import substitutive and export oriented goods. 

It was mentioned that the variety of local high quality goods is steadily growing owing to significant investments to large-scale diversification and modernization of the branch and provision of the facilities with advanced equipment with the participation of foreign partners. 

The Head of the State noted that important role has been given to innovative technologies and know-hows in the strategy of improvement of the potential of processing branches. High competiveness of local goods in local and foreign markets, including construction materials, is provided owing to these measures. In this context, Turkmen leader ordered to speed up the work for expansion of production infrastructure of production industry by establishment of new joint ventures and gave relative instructions to the Vice-premier. 

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers E. Orazgeldiyev reported on seasonal field works and continuation of the reforms in agriculture. 

Starting from next year, private producers will start cultivating cotton, wheat and other crops. At present time, the scientists and agrarian specialists carry out field consultations on introduction of advanced scientific practice and efficient management methods. 

Turkmen leader pointed out the importance of strict compliance of all agrotechnical requirements during care of the winter crops and focused that it is necessary to pick remaining cotton from the fields. 

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers D. Amangeldiyev presented the proposal on exhibition “Development of National Architecture” to the Head of the State for review. 

The event is to demonstrate the achievements, work experience and perspectives in urban construction, architecture and formation of urban infrastructure in modern Turkmenistan. It is planned to have the contest on the best architectural projects in different directions under the exposition. 

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that organization of similar exhibition has to be aimed at the expansion of business connections, exchange of practice and start of new investment project in the country, which support the improvement of the competiveness of national construction industry. The exposition has to illustrate successful implementation of urban construction policy of Turkmenistan and contribution of other branches to the implementation of the state programmes aimed at the improvement of life level of the population, creation of all necessary conditions for work and rest of people, the President highlighted. 

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Ch. Gylyjov reported on the work for filling of the markets of the country with various goods, which are on high demand on occasion of the New Year celebration. Daily work is carried out for this purpose with the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Affairs, local producers and the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of the country. Food production including fruits and vegetables is supplied to shopping network. 

The President focused the attention on the objectives of trade complex related to the preparation to the New Year celebration and gave certain instruction on establishment of trade and economic relations with foreign partners, use of the best foreign practice in trade sphere, study of the requirements of local and foreign markets. 

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, who supervises transport and communication sphere, reported on the outcomes of International transport conference in Avaza national tourist zone on November 28. 

Having listened to the report, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted that the forum, which was held under five-side Agreement, was another step toward the project implementation of Lazuli transport and transit corridor, which would support the consolidation of productive cooperation in wide geo-economic space including the region of Central and South Asia, Caspian and Black Sea basins and Mediterranean. 

The President focused the attention of the Vice-premier that the works for regulation of the traffic of passenger buses and improvement of culture of service are out carried out properly. The Head of the State gave specific order to take necessary measures for modernization of the activity of the branch and further improvement of quality of services to the population. 

Having highlighted colossal transport and transit potential of Türkmenhowaýollary Service and Turkmenabshy International Seaport, the Head of the State gave number of assignments to the Vice-premier on full involvement of the capacities of these structures. 

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers P. Agamyradov reported on the implementation of the Concept of development of digital education in Turkmenistan. This Concept is aimed at the creation of informational education system and provision of education with electronic learning resources, improvement of intellectual potential of the society, enhancement of quality and methods of education at all stages. 

There are all conditions these days in the country for modern education and training of qualified specialists. According to the first phase of the action plan for the implementation of the above-mentioned Concept, relative web portals have been designed by the specialists, professors, tutors and students. Distant lectures and video conferences with the participation of foreign partners are regularly organized in the universities owing to wide implementation of digital technologies. 

Having listened to the report, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that the Concept of development of the system of digital education has to provide all opportunities for high quality education services, which meet national and international standards and requirements of modern informational community. It will also promote the citizens to additional education, improvement of professional level using distant methods. 

The Head of the State ordered to elaborate on all organizational issues on improvement of the Concept and its practical implementation based on advanced technologies. It is obvious that implementation of digital education would provide the improvement of human capital and attraction of innovative resources to the economy and other sphere for the prosperity of the society and progress of the country, the President said. 

It is also necessary to direct the children according to their talents and abilities to the selection of future profession so they would be able to find their place in life and to become real professionals, the Head of the State said. In this context, the President of Turkmenistan ordered the Vice-premier to carry out comprehensive work for revision of educational process and to use the most effective world practice and methods in its revision, to take measures for systematic improvement of teachers’ qualification, for which special training and methodological centre is required. 

Number of other subject of the state life, on which relevant decisions were made, have been reviewed at the session of the Cabinet of Ministers.