ZAGREB, March 23 (Hina) - The Croatian National Sabor's House of Representatives on Thursday began its session by voicing its opinion on almost 500 amendments proposed to the draft state budget for 2000. Finance Minister Mato Crkvenac
said the Government had accepted a number of amendments. The government has kept the budget within the limit of 48.3 billion kuna (about US$6 billion) but it has reallocated some 500 million kuna (US$62.5 million) to some other budgetary items. "We could not accept requests which were outside of that framework," Crkvenac said. The finance minister added that the 2000 budget could not reflect the programme of the new government but was rather "the result of difficulties and limitations in which it is being adopted." Crkvenac also presented the government's stand on capital investments, which prompted a number of amendments. The government will finish buildings which "are
ZAGREB, March 23 (Hina) - The Croatian National Sabor's House of
Representatives on Thursday began its session by voicing its
opinion on almost 500 amendments proposed to the draft state budget
for 2000.
Finance Minister Mato Crkvenac said the Government had accepted a
number of amendments. The government has kept the budget within the
limit of 48.3 billion kuna (about US$6 billion) but it has
reallocated some 500 million kuna (US$62.5 million) to some other
budgetary items.
"We could not accept requests which were outside of that
framework," Crkvenac said.
The finance minister added that the 2000 budget could not reflect
the programme of the new government but was rather "the result of
difficulties and limitations in which it is being adopted."
Crkvenac also presented the government's stand on capital
investments, which prompted a number of amendments. The government
will finish buildings which "are already 90 percent completed" and
will create space for the construction of new facilities, he
added.
The government, he said, has taken into account social problems,
difficulties in reconstruction, and the position of exiled
persons, but it was not able to increase the budget item of 590
million kuna (US$73.75 million). "The Government has envisaged
numerous activities which should eliminate those difficulties, and
one of them is a donors' conference we are preparing for," he said.
The government has set aside 30 million kuna (US$3.75 million) for
local administration and self-government. Municipalities and
towns will be secured more funds through changes to the Law on
Income Tax. Crkvenac announced that local administration would
grow stronger soon, which, he said, would stimulate the
decentralisation of the state.
(hina) jn rml