Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated at a public meeting in Gadabay Region, West Azerbaijan, on 1 November, that over the past 3 years 500,000 jobs have opened in Azerbaijan, Trend Special Correspondent reports.
The Head of State said that the key objective of the Azerbaijan authorities is to ensure widespread development in the Country and there are many opportunities in this respect. The rate of Azerbaijan's economic development is unrivalled and takes first place in the world in this respect.
Regarding the social issues, President Aliyev stated that over the past 3 years 700 schools were built in Azerbaijan and this progress continues. Two regional heath centers will be put into exploitation in Gazakh and Ganja shortly and similar facilities will open in every region of the country in future. He pointed out a rise in salaries throughout the country, though they are still low in the budget organizations.
The President noted the necessity to develop the agricultural sector of the economy to enable the Country to become self sufficient. We have still to achieve this objective and at present a major part of the food supply is imported. It should be noted, however, that recently the correlation between the Azerbaijani product and import increases, he stated.
The Head of State commented on the intensive repairs being made to a road connecting Shamkir District with Gadabay District which will be in line with international standards. The Government approves the projects and oversees the development of regions. However, all executive organizations should work effectively in this respect. We put all our energy into the region so that we can become stronger. Aliyev emphasized. Azerbaijan has all the necessary ingredients, both geographically and rich in mineral reserves.
The Azerbaijan President visited the geological exhibition and the Gedebey Sports Complex on 1 November.
The President also visited the Slavyanka village, densely populated with Russians, to observe the construction of a school which has been built at the expense of the Heydar Aliyev foundation.