The title of Honorary Doctor of Economics conferred by the High School-Institute of Privatization and Entrepreneurship (Russian Federation) on the Turkmen leader evidences the recognition of President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov’s great services in creating the new economic model of the Turkmen state. The Institute is the United Nations partner in improving public finance and property administration activities in the CIS states. Moreover, the specialists of the Institute have been closely collaborating with the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Turkmenistan for many years and designed a number of the joint programmes. President of the High School-Institute of Privatization and Entrepreneurship Vitaliy Koshkin commented upon the decision of the Institute Academic Council.

“As a scientist I am convinced, your President’s policy marks a new epoch in the history of economic development and social relations in Turkmenistan. His ideas are bold and outstanding for the whole post-Soviet space. I am sure if this strategy is successfully implemented we can anticipate the Turkmen economical miracle.

“I would like to mention establishment of the Institute for Strategic Planning and Economic Development of Turkmenistan among the positive steps the President has made. This step, in my opinion, is not only timely but also necessary. After the Soviet Union collapsed we lost the centralized, directive planning and moreover, neither Russia nor other countries managed to establish the institution of programme goal-oriented planning. I am speaking responsibly that Turkmenistan was the first to establish such institution called upon to a larger extent to promote the reforms initiated and successfully implemented by the President of Turkmenistan.

“Before my coming here I got acquainted with the President’s statements related to his vision of further national economic development. Our today meeting has showed Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov having no economic background is clearly aware of the prospects of his country’s development and realizes the importance of developing market relations. I completely share his viewpoint that there is no need to stake on big capital, what is needed is to support the middle class so that a majority of the people will live in plenty.

“Along with the proper understanding of the social issues as well as the issues related to the use of abundant natural resources the awareness of how to tackle these issues is obvious. President knows perfectly well that Turkmenistan should not live at the expense of its natural resources but should diversify production in different sectors of national economy at that.

“I completely agree with Turkmenistan’s position – in our time it is necessary to stand steadfast for the interests of one’s own country and to build partnership taking account of the changing market conditions. The Turkmen leader’s concern for improvement of the national education standards, first of all, training well-qualified specialists of a new formation, without whom the designated goals cannot be accomplished, impresses.

Turkmenistan is on the right way, and God grant, your will accomplish all your goals. Everyone – and your people, and your true friends sincerely rejoicing at your prosperous country’s achievements will benefit from it.”