Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Oct. 22
By Huseyn Hasanov– Trend:
Turkmenistan is preparing a draft state budget for 2019, the Turkmen government said in a message.
This issue was discussed at an expanded meeting of the Turkmen Cabinet of Ministers.
Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister Gochmyrat Myradov presented a report on the preparation of the draft state budget, the main directions of the socio-economic development of Turkmenistan and the investment program for 2019.
These documents envisage special funds to finance measures for the introduction of advanced technologies in all sectors and the transition to the digital economy.
The budget for 2019 provides for a 10 percent increase in salaries and state benefits, pensions and student scholarships.
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the meeting noted the need to reduce budget expenditures for the maintenance of governing bodies, and to use the savings for construction of social facilities.
In addition, the Turkmen president instructed to increase the volume of credit funds for the development of sectors of the national economy, as well as to provide funding for measures to stimulate and develop small businesses.
Special attention was paid to the need to increase loans allocated to the population, as well as improving the quality of banking services and making affordable interest rates on loans, encouraging bank deposits and guaranteeing their reliability, the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper reported.
Among the promising tasks, the Turkmen president outlined revision of the investment program, saying that the program should annually envisage the construction growth of industrial facilities.
Turkmenistan holds one of the key positions in the supply of natural gas in the region, which is exported to China and Iran.
The revenue part of the state budget is formed, mainly, through oil and gas, chemical, power engineering and construction sectors.