A meeting of the Azerbaijani government on socio-economic development in 2015 and the upcoming challenges chaired by President Ilham Aliyev took place today in Azerbaijan.
Speaking at the meeting, the head of state noted that last year Azerbaijan's GDP grew by more than 1%, and its industrial production by 2.4%. "It makes me very happy, because it confirms the development of the non-oil sector during recent years. This is the result of reforms, and the growth of the non-oil industry by 8.4% is our main index. Last year about $20 billion about $20 billion was invested in the Azerbaijani economy. Half of it was foreign investment, and this is also a positive factor. Azerbaijan is an attractive country. It has potential for foreign investors. And other economic indicators also show a positive trend. Taking into account all of these geopolitical and economic factors, it is a great achievement to see such economic development,’’ Trend cites him as saying.
Speaking about the tasks for this year, Ilham Aliyev named diversification and development of the non-oil sector as the main priorities in the economy. "I am sure that this year we will achieve great success in this direction. In general, our GDP structure is changing in a positive way. The share of the non-oil sector is growing. This is a positive factor,’’ President said.
The President also pointed to the need to maintain strict control over the prices of goods in the country. "The recent increase in prices is obvious not only in respect of locally made products. It necessary to control consumer prices strictly. In connection with the change of the exchange rate of the manat, some businessman intend to raise prices artificially,’’ APA cites Ilham Aliyev as saying.
The Azerbaijani President also ordered the government "to prepare proposals on the increase of pensions and salaries’’ this year.
In addition, he instructed to extend reforms in agriculture, continuation of drainage works, further improving access of the population to water, gas and electricity, accelerating the process of creation of industrial zones in the region, increasing the economic efficiency of subsidized areas.
The chief executive set the task of reporting about the results of each quarter. Ilham Aliyev underlined the importance of developing information and communication technologies in order to ensure transparency in the sector.
The head of state also spoke about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, complaining that there was no progress in the resolution process in 2015.
This is due to the fact that Armenia doesn’t want peace, trying to maintain the status quo as long as possible. It doesn’t intend to liberate the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. "Armenia is playing for time, trying to see negotiations as a never-ending process in future. Our position is quite different, we want to resolve the conflict. The OSCE Minsk Group has repeatedly stated that they want to achieve a solution to the conflict. This is the duty of the intermediaries. It is regrettable that there is no serious pressure in this direction of the occupant,’’ Ilham Aliyev said.
