Berdimuhamedov briefly summed up the results of the year: we expect GDP growth by 5, 9 %
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov made a brief summary of the outgoing year at the joint meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers and the State Security Council of Turkmenistan. For us this year has stood out very heavy and difficult, the president told. But, despite the coronavirus pandemic which has caused a world economic crisis, led to closing of borders and reduction of business contacts, Turkmenistan kept the foreign policy and economic activity. So, in 2020 20 meetings of the Turkmen leader with official representatives of different countries, including with heads of states and governments, heads of diplomatic missions, the international corporations and companies, 40 telephone negotiations took place. In the conditions of the pandemic and the restrictions introduced by many countries, the great attention was given to development of trade and economic relations with foreign partners. Timely measures were also accepted in public health services system, its material basis was considerably strengthened, and this work proceeds. This year new medical objects - the International Burn Centre and the Aesthetic Centre in Ashkhabad, sanatorium and infectious hospital in Akhal were opened. Reforms in the system of the government, financial and trading spheres proceeded and market mechanisms that allowed increasing volumes of output considerably were improved. Modernisation of representative and legislation sectors of the government is carried out. The construction of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline and realisation of other international projects proceed. All plans provided for 2020 were successfully executed practically, the head of the state told, having noticed that the good state budget for the next year was also accepted. Once again the sizes of salaries, pensions, grants were increased by 10 %. As a whole, 2020 was difficult for all. Nevertheless, we expect good growth of GDP, namely by 5,9 %, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stated.
