On July 11th President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev presided over a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on the results of the country`s socio-economic development in the first half of 2012 and further priorities. 
The President made opening remarks in the meeting, saying Azerbaijan`s Gross Domestic Product grew 1.5 per cent in the first six months of the year. He said the country`s non-oil sector increased 11.3 per cent during the period.
"This is the best economic indicator on a world scale," said the Head of State, adding development of the non-oil sector would remain one of the key priorities in the years to come.
President Ilham Aliyev noted that although the industrial output decreased 3 per cent in the first half of the year, driven by the falling oil production, the country`s non-oil industry saw a 8.3 per cent growth.
"The macroeconomic situation is stable, inflation stood at just 2.2 per cent, while the population`s incomes grew 14.2 per cent. The agricultural sector saw a 10.4 per cent increase."
The Head of State touched upon a quake, which hit the country`s northern-western part this year, saying the consequences of the natural disaster were removed. He added that thanks to immediate measures new houses for quake-hit people were built with the government funding.
President Ilham Aliyev said tremendous work had been done in Baku and adjacent districts, including infrastructure and social projects, under a State Program.
He noted 46,000 jobs, of them 37,000 permanent, had been created in the first six months of the year under a State Program for the development of the country`s regions.
The President touched upon the situation on the labor market, stressing the importance of ensuring employment of Azerbaijani citizens. He also emphasized the significance of taking necessary measures to ensure the regulation of the activity migrants and keep the situation in order.
President Ilham Aliyev said social issues had always been the focus of attention, adding the process of reimbursing citizens for Soviet-era deposits continues. He noted this boosted the social nature of the government`s policy.
The Head of State said: "Our political and economic power dictates that the population of Azerbaijan should increase." He added the country`s population already reached 9.3 million.
The President said Azerbaijan saw its international positions strengthen, adding the number of the country`s partners grew. He noted the country expanded its foreign policy.
President Ilham Aliyev spoke of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: "Our position with regard to the settlement of the problem is based on justice and international principles."
He said there was a certain halt in the peace talks, and underlined the necessity of changing the status-quo.
Finance minister Samir Sharifov, culture and tourism minister Abulfas Garayev, chairman of the State Customs Committee Aydin Aliyev made reports on what had been done in the country in the first six months of the year, and outlined further priorities.
In his closing remarks, President Ilham Aliyev said he believed "positive trends in the national economy will strengthen until the end of the year".
The President gave instructions to appropriate officials with regard to maintaining the inflation level and the manat`s rate, speeding up economic reforms, and improving the business environment in the country.
President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the necessity of putting an end to state bodies` groundless interference in businesses, speeding up the transition to electronic system, creating new industrial parks and large farms across the country, and moving old industrial facilities from the capital`s center to the outskirts.
He also noted the necessity of improving drinking water supply to some villages and towns, encouraging the use of alternative energy sources, and ensuring the energy security of Azerbaijan and its partner countries.
The President underlined the importance of TANAP project.
The Head of State said next year`s budget will be socially and investment oriented, and noted the significance of improving the environmental situation and building new and redeveloping old educational facilities in the country.
President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan`s strategic currency reserves made $44 billion, with the country`s external debt making 7 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product.
The Head of State spoke of the Eurovision-2012 song contest, which was hosted by Baku. He said the contest was perfectly organized, describing it as "the best show in the Eurovision`s history".
The President expressed regret over a slander campaign against Azerbaijan, which was carried out ahead of the Eurovision contest by the Armenian lobby and some external circles helped by anti-national forces.
"We are powerful, and our power is in our people`s support," President Ilham Aliyev concluded.

AzerTAc