President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at a government meeting last Friday approved the draft State Budget for 2022 and sent it for consideration to the Mejlis.

Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Berdimuhamedov reported on the preparation of the draft State Budget-2022 and the investment program for the next year to the head of state at a government meeting held via video communication.

 As the Deputy Prime Minister noted, the draft documents were prepared taking into account the priority tasks defined in the «Program of the President of Turkmenistan for the socio-economic development of the country for 2019-2025.»

 Reporting on the envisaged expenditures on the main items of the draft State Budget for the coming year, Serdar Berdimuhamedov said that a sufficient amount of funds would be allocated for the development of the social sphere.  In accordance with the presidential decree, in 2022 the salaries, pensions, state benefits, scholarships for students and listeners will be increased by 10%.

 According to the Deputy Prime Minister, a certain amount of capital investment is planned to be directed to the construction of buildings and facilities for industrial and social and cultural purposes.  In 2022, investments are mainly planned to be allocated for diversifying the economy, establishing production on an innovative basis, and developing industries with a high share of added value.

 After hearing the report, the President noted that the State Budget -2022, first of all, should be aimed at maintaining sustainable growth rates of the national economy, industrialization, implementation of large investment projects, widespread introduction of innovative technologies, the latest achievements of science and technology in all areas.

 The Turkmen leader also said that the State Budget should provide for the adoption of measures to create opportunities for effective management of labor resources, address issues of employment of the population, and further improve the social and domestic standard of living.

 The President focused on the importance of laying in the State Budget sufficient funds for the further continuation of the construction of industrial and socio-cultural facilities, the successful implementation of programs to increase the production of import-substituting products, export-oriented goods, and the creation of an electronic industry.

 In general, having approved the draft State Budget for 2022, the President sent it to the Chairman of the Mejlis Milli Gengesh for consideration at the next parliamentary meeting.

 Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov instructed the Deputy Prime Ministers to conduct a detailed analysis of the main items of the State Budget of the country for 2022, as well as to determine the expected forecasts of GDP growth rates in current and comparable prices.