BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Turkmenistan's
Halk Maslahaty began its latest meeting in Ashgabat today, ahead of
the country's 35th anniversary of independence.
The meeting is chaired by Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of
Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, according to the Turkmen
government press service. The agenda includes issues related to the
country's further social and economic development.
According to the report, the meeting brings together Deputy
Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, members of the Mejlis
(Parliament), heads of ministries and government agencies,
representatives of political parties and public organizations,
regional and local authorities, as well as members of the Halk
Maslahaty and representatives of the public.
In his address, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that “in keeping
with a noble tradition, the session of the Halk Maslahaty of
Turkmenistan is being held during the celebrations marking the 35th
anniversary of the sacred independence of our sovereign,
permanently neutral homeland.”
The Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan is the country's highest
representative body. Following the 2023 restructuring of the
political system, it operates separately from the Mejlis and is
chaired by Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The body brings together
representatives of central and local authorities, public
organizations and other groups. Its meetings have been used to
discuss major state policy and economic priorities.
Economic issues have featured prominently in previous meetings.
At the November 2022 meeting devoted to the draft 2023 State
Budget, the Halk Maslahaty discussed the country's investment
policy, financial market and currency stability. Proposals included
measures to increase budget revenues through privatization, the
development of the securities market, the transformation of state
enterprises into joint-stock companies and support for
export-oriented manufacturing. The meeting also addressed financing
for industrial enterprises, agriculture and entrepreneurs, as well
as the development of import-substituting production.
At the September 2024 meeting, the economic agenda included the
allocation of state budget funds and the country's investment
priorities. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said 67.8% of
investments allocated for construction were directed to production
facilities and 32.2% to social facilities. The meeting also covered
the development of education, healthcare, culture and
infrastructure, alongside measures related to the banking sector
and the national currency.
The 2024 meeting also continued the practice of linking the
body's agenda to annual socioeconomic and investment programs.
Earlier that year, its Presidium had considered the implementation
of the 2024 socioeconomic development and investment program, with
these issues subsequently forming part of preparations for the
September session.
