Georgia to Boost Defense Budget

The government has proposed the Parliament draft amendments to the 2006 state budget envisaging increase of expenditures by GEL 323 million (USD 182,3 million), the Finance Ministry reported on July 21.

Large portion of this sum ? GEL 212,5 million (up to USD 120 million) ? will be allocated for the Defense Ministry.

In December, 2005 when the Parliament approved 2006 budget, defense spending was set at GEL 392.2 million (at that time about USD 216,6 million).

The Finance Ministry said that increase of budgetary expenditures was made possible as a result of a surplus in the collection of tax and non-tax revenues by GEL 190 million and GEL 133,8 million respectively.

According to the Finance Ministry, increased revenues will also be distributed to the following structures and activities: Tbilisi city municipality budget will be funded by GEL 44,5 million; Social and Healthcare Ministry ? GEL 25,6 million; Interior Ministry ? GEL 11,5 million (including GEL 1,6 million for Border Police); GEL 9,5 million will be allocated for regional projects (no detailed list of activities is reported); Central Elections Commission will receive GEL 7,8 million for local self-governance elections scheduled for this autumn; Economy Ministry?s road department ? GEL 3 million.

The Parliament is expected to discuss proposed amendments to the 2006 state budget at a session on July 25.

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