Today, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov left for the Balkan Velayat on a holiday trip.

At the International Airport of the capital the head of state was seen off by officials. In a while, the airplane of the President of Turkmenistan landed at the airport of Turkmenbashy city.

On the occasion of the holiday trip of the head of state to the Balkan Velayat culture and art figures of the region gave musical performances.

At present, with the state support, large-scale projects are carried out throughout the Homeland, including the Balkan Velayat, aimed at socioeconomic development of the regions, which is a unique example of our country’s innovative growth.

In this regard, a modern production, transport, logistics and social infrastructure is created in the Balkan Velayat. This will promote the growth of the economic potential of the velayat and further strengthening of the population’s social security.

During a trip to the western region, the head of state for the first time held an on-site meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers in the Congress Center building, located on the Caspian coast.

Then the President of Turkmenistan visited the International Seaport, where the head of state was greeted with great enthusiasm and joy by the staff of the Turkmenbashy Seaport.

Director General of the Transport and Communications Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers M. Chakyev reported to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the port’s operation and equipment of its terminals.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov got acquainted with the work of the customs and border services. As was noted, all work is carried out taking into account modern best practices and using a digital system, which ensures a precise, prompt and high-quality implementation of the goals set.

The head of state got familiarized with the operation of the cargo terminal of the seaport. Goods are received, processed, stored and shipped in accordance with modern best practices and the latest methods.

Deputy Prime Minister E. Orazgeldiyev reported on the work at this terminal to receive food and export agricultural products.

The head of state ordered to continue work to increase the capacity of the terminal.

In view of the increased demand for the transportation of bulk cargo, 2 million 800 thousand tons of such products were shipped at this terminal last year, which accounted for 94 percent of the terminal’s capacity utilization.

The President of Turkmenistan also inspected the warehouses located within the seaport with a capacity of 35 thousand tons, which are intended for the storage of grain products. These warehouses are capable of storing on average 2-3 million tons of agricultural products per year.

The capacity of the general cargo terminal is 4 million tons per year, where the Liebher brand cranes are operating, designed to unload large size and weight cargo. In the first quarter of this year, 221 thousand tons of cargo were handled at this terminal, which increased by 140 percent compared to the similar period last year.

The Turkmenbashy International Seaport is located at the crossing of Asia and Europe. On average, 1500-1600 ships enter its water area annually and this figure is growing. Considering that sea, road and rail transport operate smoothly in this place, this seaport is an independent transport and logistics center.

Deputy Prime Minister Ch. Gylyjov reported that domestic entrepreneurs are effectively using the port’s capabilities.

Speaking about the importance of the Turkmenbashy Seaport in building up the country’s export potential, the head of state gave specific instructions for the effective organization of transit corridors in the export-import operations.

Then Deputy Prime Minister M. Muhammedov reported on the program of transport and logistics activities in our country, as well as on the plans for its implementation.

Noting that the International Seaport, along with the development of international relations, also has an important role to play in increasing the potential of the national economy, the President of Turkmenistan instructed to analyze its economic profitability on a scientific basis.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs R. Meredov pointed out that with the establishment of an efficient operation of the seaport, international partnerships in our country have been brought to a qualitatively new level.

Further, the head of state visited the Balkan Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Plant. Being a new production structure in the national economic complex of the country, the plant in the Balkan Velayat has opened up wide opportunities for active shipbuilding, where, along with shipbuilding, a full cycle of work is carried out to repair tankers, bulk carriers, tugs and other vessels.

In this context, the adoption in 2017 on the initiative of the Hero Arkadag of the UN General Assembly Resolution “Strengthening links between all modes of transport to achieve Sustainable Development Goals”, co-authored by 74 countries, is another confirmation of the universal significance of the proposals put forward by Turkmenistan and the Hero Arkadag. It is gratifying that, on the initiative of the Hero Arkadag, the UN General Assembly adopted four Resolutions in the field of transport and transit communications.

Emphasizing the great importance of ensuring the coherence of maritime traffic in the development of transport services, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized the need to take targeted measures aimed at further upgrading the seaport economy. The sea gates of Turkmenistan not only satisfy the demands for maritime traffic, but also activate the cargo flow throughout the Eurasian space.

Wishing the audience further success in the work of the shipbuilding enterprise and the seaport as a whole, the head of state left the venue.

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In the afternoon, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, together with his associates, took a walk along the picturesque coast of the Caspian Sea.

The world-class seaside resort, located on the ecologically clean coast of the Caspian Sea, has a significant role to play in development of tourism and leisure activities. Modern comfortable hotels, children’s health resorts, cottage complexes, parks and squares, cultural and entertainment centers, sanatoriums with the equipment that meets international standards, offer high-quality services to vacationers.

Then President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and his associates continued a trip by riding bicycles around the local area. As was noted, Avaza, where there are conditions for world-class recreation, has become a favorite place for recreation and useful leisure of the Turkmen people.

Stressing that the summer season is approaching, the head of state focused on the importance of highly organized preparation for the upcoming vacation period. Golden sandy shores, the sea, the sunrays, an ecologically clean environment, in aggregate, have a wholesome effect on human health, and are the main factor for uplifting the spirit and promoting an active lifestyle for people.

The large-scale activities, ongoing in Turkmenistan to develop cycling, which is considered an environmentally friendly sport, are widely supported by the world community. On the initiative of the Hero Arkadag, the UN General Assembly adopted a special Resolution, according to which June 3 was declared World Bicycle Day. This is a striking illustration of the universal recognition of creative proposals of universal significance.

During the bicycle ride, the head of state emphasized the importance of keeping under constant control issues related to maintaining the ecological wellbeing of Avaza, creating new forest zones within it.

Then, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, together with his associates, arrived at the Avaza multidisciplinary sports complex, where all the necessary conditions have been created for doing various sports, and which gyms allow training in many sports.

Each of the sports gyms in the Multidisciplinary Sports Complex “Avaza” has specific characteristics. These have a positive effect on the human body.

Having divided into teams, the associates of the head of state organized sports competitions, which became another demonstration of the country’s comprehensive approach to strengthening the principles of a healthy lifestyle, a consistent increase in the number of its supporters.

At the end of the sporting event on the Caspian coast, the President of Turkmenistan highlighted the importance of carrying out relevant work to gain the universal and regular nature of mass physical training and sports. Wishing success to his associates, Head of State Serdar Berdimuhamedov left the venue.