ECONOMY

Igor PROKLOV

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Igor Proklov, Researcher, Near and Middle East Department, Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow, Russian Federation)

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In 2005, the country’s authorities continued to implement their economic development plans under a national program known as the Strategy of Economic, Political and Cultural Development of Turkmenistan for the Period Until 2020, adopted in 2003. The Strategy formulates three priority tasks in the development of the national economy: achievement of the level of the developed countries while maintaining the republic’s economic independence and security through rapid economic growth, implementation of new technologies and lines of production, and an increase in labor productivity; steady growth of the gross domestic product per capita; and high investment activity with emphasis on production facilities.

In assessing the results of the year at an annual meeting of Khalk Maslakhaty, President Saparmurat Niyazov said, in particular, that the rate of economic growth had reached at least 20%, and income per capita, $7,500. Gross output in 2005 increased by almost 21% compared to 2004, amounting to 120.509 trillion manats (TMM). Production growth was recorded in virtually all sectors of the economy, with the highest growth rate in agriculture (20%), industry (about 20%), transport and communications (19.4%), construction (17.5%), trade (26%) and the service sector (23%).

As of 1 January, 2006, according to official data, the country’s population was 6,746.5 thousand (an annual increase of 3%). Population growth was recorded both in the cities and in rural areas. The year was marked by a significant event in the life of Ashghabat, the country’s capital: the birth of…………………

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