AZERBAIJAN`s GDP ‘GREW 9.3%’ LAST YEAR

Baku, January 22 (AZERTAC). Azerbaijan`s economy saw a 9.3% growth in 2009, said chief of the country`s State Statistical Committee.

Speaking to a press conference, Arif Veliyev said the Gross Domestic Product reached 34.6 billion manats or nearly $42.5 billion in the country last year.

“It is a very good figure given that 2009 marked global financial and economic crisis.”

“The GDP growth was 14.3% in oil sector, while 3.2% in non-oil sector,” said Veliyev.

On budget spending, the committee`s chairman said the largest part of it went on economy.

“Azerbaijan`s 2009 Budget saw about 3.2 billion manats (40%) spent to develop the country`s economy.”

“Some 1 billion manats (12.7%) were spent to strengthen the population`s social security,” Veliyev said.

“Education and health budget was 1.3 billion manats (16.6%) in total.”

The State Statistical Committee`s head also said the population`s incomes grew from a year ago to exceed 22 billion manats in 2009.

“Incomes of the population increased 8% against 2008 to make 22.4 billion manats.”

On the level of average monthly wages, Veliyev said it grew above 8% in comparison with 2008.

“Average monthly wages saw a 8.6% increase last year to make 298 manats.”

The commitee`s chief also announced figures concerning the poverty level in the country, saying it fell from 13.2 to 11% in 2009.