Azernews.Az

By Jamila Babayeva

Azerbaijan kept its dynamic social and economic development throughout 2013, Azerbaijani Prime Minister Artur Rasizade said on March 14.

He made the remark while delivering a government report on 2013 in the parliament.

"The main purpose of economic development is to raise social welfare," he said.

Rasizade further added, preserving macroeconomic stability, economic diversification and sustainable development of the regions were achieved in 2013.

"The presidential elections held in 2013 are important for strengthening the state and ensuring the continuous development of the country," Rasizade said. "The voters supported President Aliyev, who has gained public trust during his office. The high economic indices for the last 10 years prove this fact once again."

Raiszade further said that some 50.7 billion manat was allocated for the implementation of government programmes on socio-economic development of the regions, including 34.7 billion for the execution of the second state programme completed in 2013.

"The development of the region remained a focus of the government last year," he said.

Rasizade said in particular, more than 70 percent of concessional loans granted by the National Fund for Entrepreneurship Support (NFES) under the Economy and Industry Ministry of the country last year was used for regional development.

"As in previous years, attention was paid to deepening socio-economic and institutional reforms in 2013. One of the important steps in this direction is the expansion of ASAN Service activities based on the innovation founded on the personal initiative of President," he said. "Consequently, the quality of services provided by the state population has improved significantly and principles of transparency provided."

He went to say that the real GDP growth rate stood at 5.8 percent, while the non-oil sector grew by 10 percent. "Some 22 billion manats were invested in the country`s economy from all sources in 2013. Some 74.3 per cent of all investments were provided by the non-oil sector. The annual inflation rate was 2.4 percent," PM said.

Rasizade said the revenues of Azerbaijani state budget reached to 101.8 percent as of 2013. Revenue totalled 19,494 billion manat, increasing by 2.213 billion manat, or 12.8 percent compared to 2012. "Budget expenditures are executed on 96.3 percent of forecast and reached 19.112 billion manat which exceeds the previous year by 1.697 billion manat, or 9.7 percent," he noted.

He noted that last year, 32.6 percent, or 6.239 billion manat of the state budget of Azerbaijan was directed to financing socially oriented expenditure for science, education, health, culture and sport.

Rasizade further said Azerbaijan has allocated three billion manat for financing defense expenditures in 2013.

"As in previous years, the Cabinet of Ministers paid special attention to improving the country's military power, strengthening its defense capabilities and providing the Armed Forces with the latest equipment and weapons. The work to improve combat readiness and military professionalism, and strengthen the social protection of servicemen continued in accordance with the work on building the army," Rasizade said.