Concluding the expanded government meeting held on February 7, the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, summarized the work of the economic sectors over the past year and clearly defined the priority tasks for 2025.

First of all, the head of state gave an overall assessment of the work done last year, noting that great successes had been achieved, the planned plans had been fulfilled, and work had continued on the development and implementation of modern laws.

While supporting his arguments with specific figures, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that the growth of the gross domestic product for the calendar year amounted to 6.3%, including 10.1% in the trade sector, 5.3% in agriculture, and 1.5% in the industrial sector, and the volume of investments was increased by 9.1%.

It was particularly emphasized that the volume of exports of products manufactured in the country reached $12 billion.

In 2024, 5,735 new jobs were created in the country. At the expense of all sources of financing, 86 production and socio-cultural facilities were opened, 1 million 145 thousand square meters of housing were commissioned, and thanks to this, thousands of families celebrated housewarmings.

"Last year, the construction of the second phase of the "smart" city of Arkadag, built for the first time in the history of the country on the initiative of the Hero-Arkadag, was continued"-stated the President of Turkmenistan.

Among the undoubted achievements were mentioned large projects in the oil and gas industry. Among them is "the start of construction of the Serhetabat-Herat gas pipeline, which is the main link of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline".

Along with this, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted the commissioning of the second phase of the Baharden and Lebap cement plants, the Balkan-Dashoguz power transmission line and power plants, and modern facilities for drinking water purification.

Among the significant facilities opened in 2024 were named the cultural and park complex and a monument dedicated to the great Turkmen poet and thinker Magtymguly, a complex of new buildings of the Specialized Military School named after Berdimuhamet Annayev, international medical centers, and others.

In his speech, the head of state paid tribute to the courageous farmers who, despite difficult natural and climatic conditions, thanks to their experience, knowledge and skills, collected high yields, ensuring the country's food security.

Last year, the State Budget for 2025 was adopted, in which the size of wages, pensions and benefits was once again increased. In honor of the 300th anniversary of the glorious son of the Turkmen people Makhtumkuli, a number of memorable events were held in our country and abroad, one of which was the International Conference "The Interconnection of Times and Civilizations - the Basis of Peace and Development".

An important event in the calendar of international life was the announcement of our Turkmen city of Anau as the cultural capital of the Turkic world.

The steady growth of Turkmenistan's authority as a neutral state is evidenced, as President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted, by the consistent development of cooperation with the United Nations.

The UN General Assembly in 2024 adopted several resolutions initiated by Turkmenistan, which, as the head of state noted, "is a clear confirmation of the broad support from the world community for the proposals of universal significance put forward by our neutral country".

Turkmenistan is also developing mutually beneficial partnerships with other authoritative international and regional organizations.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, mentioning the motto of 2025, declared "The International Year of Peace and Trust" emphasized that "this motto is of great importance, inspires the work aimed at further enhancing the authority of independent, permanently neutral Turkmenistan, the prosperity of our native Fatherland".

Turning to the priority tasks, the head of state stressed that in accordance with the "Program of socio-economic development of Turkmenistan and investments in 2025" it is planned to "build and commission residential buildings with an area of about 500 thousand square meters, general education institutions for 4,620 places, preschool institutions for 2 thousand places".

In the regions and the capital of the country this year, as the aforementioned Program is implemented, the construction of a number of new buildings will start to improve the welfare of the Turkmen people, along with this, it is planned to complete the construction of a number of facilities and buildings.

"This year," President Serdar Berdimuhamedov stated - "it is planned to "commission modern villages in the gengeshliks "Öňaldy" in the Ak Bugday etrap and "Gowşut" of the Kaka etrap of the Ahal velayat, new modern villages in the Gyzylarvat etrap of the Balkan velayat, a new modern settlement in the Koneurgench etrap of the Dashoguz velayat, a road bridge across the Garabogazkol Bay in the Balkan velayat, and the International Airport Terminal Complex in the Jebel settlement of the Balkan velayat".

In addition, it is planned to put into operation the Mary-Turkmenabat section of the Ashgabat-Turkmenabat high-speed highway and the university of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan.

In order to improve the socio-economic conditions of the population, significant funds will be allocated for the construction of roads, communication systems, water, gas, energy supply and the construction of treatment facilities.

The head of state instructed, in connection with the holding in Turkmenistan and abroad of a number of international events dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust, as well as the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality, to prepare proposals for awarding citizens of our country and foreign countries.

The program adopted for 2025 includes a very large amount of work. And "our main goal is the further prosperity and development of our native Turkmenistan!".

And concluding his speech, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov stated that he "firmly believes that together with the people, through united hard work, we will reach all the new frontiers planned for 2025!".

ORIENT