GOVT CO-ORDINATING BODIES DISCUSS BUDGET

ZAGREB, Nov 2 (Hina) - Three government co-ordination bodies on Thursday held a joint session opening a debate on a draft budget for the next year, budgetary projections for the next three years and a 2000 draft budget revision. According to unofficial information, the co-ordination bodies, which are in charge of economy, social affairs and internal and foreign policies, have reached an agreement on this year's budget revision, whereas the draft budget for the next year is expected to be tackled in a debate to last several hours. Information about the draft budget for 2001 is not known yet but according to the latest statements by Finance Minister Mato Crkvenac the government plans to keep the budget in its current framework, i.e. at some 50 billion kuna. Unofficial sources, however, say that the draft budget for the next year would be somewhat higher than this year's and amount to some 50.8 billion kuna. Unofficial sources also say the ministries of defence and interior could be given less funds next year, whereas those who could expect more budgetary funds include the ministries of agriculture, tourism, culture etc. Efforts have been made to make cuts wherever it was possible in the budget revision for this year, especially as regards the ministries of defence and police and current costs, and allocate more funds to social care, farming and reconstruction. The revised budget would increase budgetary spending by 173 million kuna, which would make the entire budget amount to some 50 billion kuna. In the next three years the government wants to keep the budget at some 50 billion kuna. The government is oriented towards facilitating economy and entrepreneurship and building a socially just state. This is reflected in the budgetary projection for the next three years, which includes continual reduction of the budget share in Gross Domestic Product, said Crkvenac. Prime Minister Ivica Racan recently said that along with the draft budget for the next year and the budgetary projection for the next three years the government would also send a draft framework strategy of economic development and stability into parliamentary procedure. The budget revision for this year will be discussed by the government at the open part of tomorrow's session, whereas the draft budget for the next year should be submitted to the co- ordination bodies for another round of assessment before it is sent to the government for consideration. This would most probably happen next week. (hina) jn rml