ZAGREB, Nov 5 (Hina) - The ministries of labour and welfare, finances, and health account for almost two thirds or around 63 percent of all budgetary expenses in 2003. A draft budget for next year envisages total expenses of 87.879
billion kuna (EUR11.72 billion), of which 55.4 billion kuna would be allocated to the three ministries.
ZAGREB, Nov 5 (Hina) - The ministries of labour and welfare,
finances, and health account for almost two thirds or around 63
percent of all budgetary expenses in 2003. A draft budget for next
year envisages total expenses of 87.879 billion kuna (EUR11.72
billion), of which 55.4 billion kuna would be allocated to the three
ministries. #L#
The government forwarded the draft into parliamentary procedure
last week. The draft includes total state spending, as well as the
payment of foreign loans, in the amount of 87.879 billion kuna,
which is five percent more than this year's revised budget.
Budgetary priorities include science and education, reform of the
judicial system, agricultural incentives, the continuation of
reforms in and consolidation of the health system, and development
projects in the economy.
Finance Minister Mato Crkvenac said a special characteristic of
next year's budget was its social sensitivity.
The Labour and Welfare Ministry will be allocated the most funds
next year. Of a total of 24.9 billion kuna, as much as 21.6 billion
will be allocated to the Pension Insurance Fund for pensions, which
is slightly less than this year. Crkvenac also said that pensions
would not decrease next year.
The Finance Ministry should be granted 17.06 billion kuna, which is
13% more than in this year's revised budget. Of that amount, almost
7.7 billion kuna will be used to pay foreign debts. A total of 15.3
billion will be used to cover other expenses.
One of the government's priorities is the continuation of the
reform and consolidation of the health system. Next year's health
funds should increase by 3.26% and of the 13.47 billion kuna that
should be allocated to the Health Ministry as much as 13.04 billion
is to be used for health insurance and care.
The Education Ministry should be allocated 4.96 billion kuna, or
5.53% more than this year, while funds to be granted to the Science
and Technology Ministry should increase by 10.02%, totalling 2.78
billion kuna.
Funds for the defence and interior ministries will be reduced. The
Defence Ministry should be allocated around 4.03 billion kuna, or
330 million less than this year, while the Interior Ministry should
have around 200 million less at its disposal (2.99 billion).
The War Veterans Ministry will be granted 2.7 billion, or 1.78% more
than this year.
The Agriculture and Forestry Ministry expects a more significant
increase in budgetary funds, with the government placing emphasis
on its reform tasks. The funds for this ministry should increase by
20.06%, totalling 2.3 billion, of which 1.9 billion would be used
for subsidies.
The Justice Ministry should receive 18.27% more funds than this
year or more than 2.2 billion kuna, to be used for the employment of
more than 1,000 workers, for land registers and computerisation.
Budgetary funds will also be set aside for infrastructure
investments, primarily for the construction of the Zagreb-Split
highway, the modernisation of Croatian Railways, water supply
infrastructure, infrastructure on islands and in areas of special
state concern, and the reconstruction of Vukovar.
This is why budgetary funds for the Public Works Ministry are 15.22%
higher than this year, totalling around 2.18 billion kuna.
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Communications
should be allocated 2.17 billion kuna or 6.21% more.
The Economy Ministry should be allocated 33.56% more funds or
around 600 million kuna, a significant part of which would be used
for shipbuilding subsidies. Funds to the Tourism Ministry should
amount to 182 million kuna, which is 14.77% more than this year,
while the Trades, Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises Ministry
should be allocated 156 million kuna, an increase of 17.38%.
Two funds established last year - for development and employment,
and for regional development, should be given 403 million and 123
million kuna respectively.
The Counter-Intelligence Service and the Intelligence Service
would be given 106 million and around 49 million kuna
respectively.
The Foreign Ministry's funds from next year's budget will drop by
2.55% to 353 million kuna. The European Integration Ministry's
funds will increase by 47.58% to around 34.8 million kuna.
The parliament will be allocated 99.3 million kuna, an increase of
1.47% compared to this year. The President's Office will be
allocated 39.2 million kuna and the government 189.9 million kuna,
or five percent less than this year.
(EUR1 = 7.49 kuna)
(hina) rml sb