PULA, June 8 (Hina) - Deputy Prime Minister Slavko Linic announced on Saturday the prices of electricity and gas would go up before the summer, but stressed this unpopular government measure was for the benefit of the economy.
PULA, June 8 (Hina) - Deputy Prime Minister Slavko Linic announced
on Saturday the prices of electricity and gas would go up before the
summer, but stressed this unpopular government measure was for the
benefit of the economy. #L#
Linic spoke at a seminar on accounting, finances, and auditing in
contemporary economy held in the northern Adriatic seaport of
Pula.
He said the government continued to stand behind its economic
policy despite different assessments by the president of the
republic and economy experts.
Speaking about the positive economic effects the government has
achieved, Linic mentioned the reduced decline of Gross Domestic
Product, industrial production and investments, the increased
solvency of companies achieved through the reduction of blocked
assets, the settlement of a ten billion kuna (EUR1.35 million) debt
to the economy and citizens, and the reduced deficit of the state
budget.
Linic claimed, however, that the state budget deficit and the
external and internal debts remained high. It is necessary to
generate income from privatisation, he said, adding that incurring
debt in order to service debt instead of investing and development
was not good.
In view of that the government will insist on privatisation, Linic
said. He stressed the government would not change the fiscal policy
but work towards bolstering the income of the pension and health
funds, while reducing contributions for them.
(hina) ha