Azernews.Az

President Ilham Aliyev has set out a goal for the Azerbaijani government to at least double the fast-growing country’s gross domestic product over the next ten years.

Aliyev told a cabinet meeting on Monday, dedicated to the outcomes of Azerbaijan’s economic development in January-September, that citizens’ incomes increased 19 percent in this period, double the inflation level in the country.

He noted that Azerbaijan’s strategic currency reserves increased $11 billion in the first nine months of 2011 to exceed $40 billion, the state television channel AzTV reported.

In 2012, the president said, state budget revenues are forecast at $22 billion.

Aliyev went on to say that it is important to implement the main infrastructure projects in 2012-2013. Also, he said, generation of electric power in Azerbaijan is expected to increase in the coming years; the potential will be created for exports of industrial goods; food safety provided and new refining facilities established. The president also pledged to boost entrepreneurial development and improve the business environment to further draw foreign investments to the country.

Aliyev also said the fight against corruption should be further stepped up.

According to him, unemployment is currently at 5.5 percent in Azerbaijan. 74,000 jobs were created in the country in January-September. In the past eight years, 950,000 jobs have been created, Aliyev said.

The president also pointed to major accomplishments in the domestic agriculture sector. Agricultural production rose 7.6 percent in the nine-month period, he said.

Aliyev added that large-scale agricultural programs will be implemented in Azerbaijan next year.