ZAGREB, Dec 15 (Hina) - The Croatian Sabor's House of Counties on +Tuesday continued a discussion on the government's draft state +budget for 1999, which is in second reading.+ In the second reading, expenditure was cut by US$37.6
million. +According to the final draft, state revenue and expenditure in 1999 +should total 48.217 billion kuna (US$7.7 billion), instead of the +48.45 billion kuna (US$7.8 billion) from the first reading, said +Deputy Finance Minister Mijo Jukic.+ The government saved on the latest draft budget by cutting +expenditure for materials, energy, public utility and other work +services, maintenance expenses, and financial and other expenses, +and by cutting capital expenses on office equipment, the purchase +of personal computers and personal vehicles.+ Jukic also briefed the Upper House on budgetary cuts for certain +budget users. Expenses for parliament will be cut
ZAGREB, Dec 15 (Hina) - The Croatian Sabor's House of Counties on
Tuesday continued a discussion on the government's draft state
budget for 1999, which is in second reading.
In the second reading, expenditure was cut by US$37.6 million.
According to the final draft, state revenue and expenditure in 1999
should total 48.217 billion kuna (US$7.7 billion), instead of the
48.45 billion kuna (US$7.8 billion) from the first reading, said
Deputy Finance Minister Mijo Jukic.
The government saved on the latest draft budget by cutting
expenditure for materials, energy, public utility and other work
services, maintenance expenses, and financial and other expenses,
and by cutting capital expenses on office equipment, the purchase
of personal computers and personal vehicles.
Jukic also briefed the Upper House on budgetary cuts for certain
budget users. Expenses for parliament will be cut by US$113,000,
for the President of the Republic's Office by US$48,400, for the
National Security Office by US$80,600, for the government by
US$88,700.
Cuts are also envisaged for the Croatian Soldiers' Ministry (by
US$387,000), the Transport, Maritime Affairs, and Communications
Ministry (by US$1.6 million), and other users.
On the other hand, increases in budget earmarking are envisaged for
the Education and Sports Ministry (by US$1.46 million), and for
mine-clearing (by US$1.54 million).
The Economy and Finance Committee believes the budget has a
positive tendency of stimulating economy, though an insufficient
one as yet.
The Committee suggests discussing the possibility of increasing
stimulation for export economy branches, especially the textile,
footwear, wood and timber, and metal-processing industries.
(hina) ha jn