Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 26
Trend:
A strong social policy is held and will continue in Azerbaijan and all the social programs will be expanded if possible, President Ilham Aliyev said at the conference dedicated to the results of the second year of implementation of "State program on socio-economic development of districts of Azerbaijan Republic in 2014-2018".
The head of state said that infrastructure projects in the districts scheduled for this year should be implemented.
"Many of the projects have already been implemented," he said. "But a lot still remains to be done regarding provision of electricity and gasification. I believe that this year, a lot of money should be additionally allocated in particular for the construction of rural roads, because there is necessity in that first of all."
The president added that at the same time, people in the districts will be attracted to work, thus eliminating the unemployment. Ilham Aliyev said that in recent years Azerbaijan has been carrying out a very active work against unemployment.
"As a result of that, the unemployment level in Azerbaijan in recent years dropped down to five percent," said the president. "This is really our historic achievement."
The president went on to add that along with unemployment, poverty level also decreased to five percent. However, President Ilham Aliyev said that in the current situation, the unemployment rate could rise.
"New jobs open, but close as well," he said. "In 2015, over 80,000 permanent jobs were opened and 40,000 jobs closed in the country. This year we should get the statistics right. Greater work should be done in those places, districts where jobs were closed. This issue should be in the focus of both government agencies and the private sector."
He said that the construction of rural roads is an important step in this direction.
It has two objectives - improving infrastructure and attracting people to work, Aliyev said.
"We don't need foreign components for construction of rural roads," said the president. "All the necessary materials are produced in Azerbaijan. This is very important in the current situation."