ZAGREB, March 2 (Hina) - A draft budget for 2000 was on Thursday again a topic on which long discussions were held in the Croatian Government. Three governmental coordinations - for social activities, for economy and for internal and
foreign policy - started to consider the draft budget on Thursday afternoon, but it is unknown when the document will be again forwarded to the Government. After three hours of this debate at the coordinations' session chaired by Premier Ivica Racan, reporters were briefly told that the discussion is likely to last until late this night. According to first announcements given by Finance Minister Mato Crkvenac recently, the budged for this year could amount to 45-46 billion kuna (approximately 5.8 to 6 billion US dollars). It would be five percent less nominally, but 12 percent less virtually compared to the state budged in 1999. According to first drafts, cuts will be made i
ZAGREB, March 2 (Hina) - A draft budget for 2000 was on Thursday
again a topic on which long discussions were held in the Croatian
Government.
Three governmental coordinations - for social activities, for
economy and for internal and foreign policy - started to consider
the draft budget on Thursday afternoon, but it is unknown when the
document will be again forwarded to the Government.
After three hours of this debate at the coordinations' session
chaired by Premier Ivica Racan, reporters were briefly told that
the discussion is likely to last until late this night.
According to first announcements given by Finance Minister Mato
Crkvenac recently, the budged for this year could amount to 45-46
billion kuna (approximately 5.8 to 6 billion US dollars).
It would be five percent less nominally, but 12 percent less
virtually compared to the state budged in 1999.
According to first drafts, cuts will be made in usual costs of the
state, some expenditure of the Defence Ministry and some subsidies.
On the other hand, science, technology, education, culture and
judiciary can expect more money than before.
The draft budget was for the first time on Saturday before the
Government to discuss it. The debate then took six hours.
Government officials considered basic parameters, the amount of
the budget, possibilities for cutting taxes and 5.7 billion kuna
(some $730 million) of the budgetary debts to budget users.
After Saturday's session, Finance Minister held separate talks
with each minister on needs and financial possibilities of their
ministries.
Only after items for each ministry are made known and coordinations
harmonise their stands, the Government will resume a debate on the
budget.
The Croatian National Parliament must adopt the budget by the end of
March. Until that time, the state is being financed in line with a
temporary budget for the first three months of 2000.
(hina) jn ms