Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev chaired a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on the socio-economic development in the first half-year and challenges for 2012. During his speech President Aliyev spoke about successful fulfilment of all economic tasks before the country in the first-half 2012 and realization of all plans. Over the first six months GDP in the country grew by 1.5 percent, non-oil sector - 11.3 percent, which is the highest indicator in the world economy, and in the subsequent years the main attention will be paid to development of this sector.
Although as a result of lower oil production the total industrial production over the past six months declined by 3 per cent, the growth in non-oil industry was 8.3 percent. The macroeconomic situation is stable, inflation hit 2.2 percent, while income increased by 14.2 percent. In agriculture, 10.4 percent increase was observed, Aliyev said.
President Aliyev said that the consequences of the earthquake that hit north-western region of the republic were eliminated, and as a result of operational activities, a new housing for suffered people has been built at the expense of public funds.
In addition, in accordance with the State Program on development of Baku and its settlements great work is carried out, infrastructure and social projects are implemented. As a result of fulfilling the State Program on socio-economic development of regions, 46,000 new jobs, including 37,000 - permanent jobs were created within six months.
The head of state, drawing attention to employment of Azerbaijani citizens first of all, stressed the importance of taking measures to regulate activities of migrants and establishing order in this sphere. Addressing social issues is always in the spotlight, President Aliyev said stressing the continued issuance of deposits remained from the Soviet times, and targeted social assistance.
According to the head of state, this serves to strengthening of the social orientation of the state's policy. The number of population has reached 9.3 million people.
President Aliyev stressed that the country's international position has heightened, the number of foreign partners has increased and activity in the sphere of foreign policy has expanded.
Stressing that Azerbaijan's position on resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is based on fair international principles, President Aliyev said that a certain stagnation is observed in the negotiation process, and stressed the importance of changing the status quo.
President Aliyev expressed confidence that by late year a positive trend in the economy will amplify. He gave orders to preserve the inflation level and exchange rate of manat, accelerate economic reforms and improve the business climate.
President Aliyev stressed the need to end groundless interference of government bodies in activity of business entities and take important steps to accelerate transition to an electronic system, creation of new industrial parks and large farms, to move obsolete industrial enterprise outside the city center.
Giving orders to improve drinking water supply to the population in some settlements and villages, encouraging use of alternative energy sources, ensuring energy security of Azerbaijan and partner countries, the President stressed the importance of the Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline.
Giving instructions to improve the environmental situation in the capital, construction and reconstruction of educational institutions, President Aliyev said next year's budget will be social investment-oriented. He stressed that Azerbaijan's strategic currency reserves now amount to $44 billion, and the country's foreign public debt - 7 percent of GDP.
The President underlined that Eurovision Song Contest held in May this year in Azerbaijan was organized at a high level and it was the most wonderful contest held in the history of Eurovision.
President Aliyev said the dirty campaign, held on the eve of the contest against Azerbaijan by some circles in the world with the participation of the Armenian lobby and anti-national forces, it is regrettable.