Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Azerbaijan's real GDP growth increased to 57 billion manat and reached 5.8 percent, while the GDP growth in the non-oil sector was 9.8 percent in 2013.

The news was announced by Azerbaijan's Finance Minister Samir Sharifov at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers chaired by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and dedicated to the socio-economic development in 2013 and the challenges for 2014.

The minister said GDP per capita increased by 4.4 percent, reaching 6.132 manat (about $8,000).

"The dynamics of macroeconomic indicators in 2013 demonstrates the successful implementation of the policy aimed at diversifying country's economy," Sharifov said.

Positive dynamics can also be seen in improving the welfare of the population, the minister said.

He also said average monthly salary increased by 6.2 percent, reaching to 423 manat, and the volume of paid services increased by 8.2 percent (up to 6.5 billion manat) in 2013 compared to the previous year.

"During the reported period, the manat's value remained stable," the minister said. "The inflation hit 2.4 percent, which is less than the population's income growth. The amount of the population's deposits in banks increased by 34 percent, reaching 6.8 billion manat in 2013."

Sharifov also said the revenue side in the Azerbaijani state budget was executed by 101.8 percent in 2013. The country's revenues amounted to 19.494 billion manat, increasing by 2.213 billion manat or 12.8 percent compared to 2012.

He added that revenues from the country's non-oil sector increased by 584 million manat or nearly 13 percent. Azerbaijan's Taxes Ministry the State Customs Committee provided 6.664 billion manat (a 10.6 percent growth compared to 2012) and 1.383 billion manat (a 14.5 percent growth) for the state budget.

"The budget expenditures were fulfilled by 96.3 percent according to the forecast and reached 19.112 billion manat, which exceeds the previous year's index by 1.697 billion manat or 9.7 percent," Sharifov said.