The government of Turkmenistan discussed issues related to protecting the national economy from the impact of the global financial crisis at a meeting on 26 November.

Turkmenistan managed to escape the fall in demand and slump in prices for goods, shrinkage of production and large-scale lay offs, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted in his opening remarks.

According to vice prime minister Hojamyrad Geldimyradov, "taking into account the fact that prices for natural gas have remained high and stable in the world markets, as well as the dynamic development of the leading sectors of the economy, one can forecast with a high percentage of confidence that the 2009 state budget will be met, at the same time, with a significant growth."

The president of Turkmenistan instructed heads of the ministries and organizations of Turkmenistan to analyze the situation in different sectors of the national economy based on the situation in the world markets and to come up with proposals to address pressing issues, the Turkmenistan.ru correspondent reports from Ashgabat.

The head of state instructed H.Geldimyradov "to sum up information coming from all sectors of the national economy and draft a programme of relevant measures along with a draft resolution of the president of Turkmenistan and submit them to the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan for consideration."