[Azerbaijan] Poverty Level in Azerbaijan Constitutes 40%

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Baku Today 13/05/2005 11:36

Poverty level has decreased in Azerbaijan and constitutes at present 40%, said Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

He said yesterday at the conference devoted to implementation of the state program of poverty level reduction and economic development that in the future poverty level "will go on declining" in Azerbaijan and “will disappear”, according to Turan news agency.

He said the country faces "a rapid economic growth." During the first four months this year GDP increased by 11%, while industrial production by 15%.

Ilham Aliyev said half of Azerbaijani population is involved in the agrarian sector, where positive changes are also noticeable.

President said a total of 200,000 new working places have been opened in the country, mostly in the non-oil sector.

Azerbaijani population is worried about gas and electric energy supplies. Aliyev said construction of two electric stations would begin on south of Azerbaijan in the near future. He said similar electric stations will also be built in other regions. “These stations will resolve the problem with regular supply of population with electric energy,” he said.

Azeri President also spoke about situation of refugees. He added that new district is being built for them in Aghdam region and there will be no refugee camps in the country in the near future.

Ilham Aliyev said education and health would be among priority sectors. This year 25% more funds has been allocated from budget for education development and 44% more against last year for health.

The rise in salary still remains the order of the day. Aliyev promised that minimum salary, pensions and hardship allowances would be increased.