Parliament Approves Increase in Budget
Parliament approved on June 8 amendments to the 2007 state budget, envisaging increases in state expenditure by about GEL 600 million (USD 357.1 million). As a result state spending has reached about GEL 4.6 billion (approximately USD 2.7 billion) this year.
The lion’s share of the increased funding ? GEL 442 million (USD 263 million) ? will go to the Defense Ministry, bringing the 2007 defense budget to GEL 955.3 million (USD 568.6 million), Finance Minister Lexo Alexishvili told lawmakers on June 8.
The amended defense budget will constitute up to 6% of the country?s GDP.
The amendments will also see the Interior Ministry benefit to the tune of GEL 114.2 million (USD 67.9 million) on top of its initial allocation of GEL 67 million.
GEL 12.4 million (USD 7.3 million) will be allocated for the Tbilisi-loyal South Ossetian provisional administration.
Other beneficiaries will include:
Road infrastructure rehabilitation ? GEL 29.1 million (USD 17.3 million);
Education Ministry ? GEL 11.7 (up from USD 7 million) for school repair projects;
Energy Ministry ? GEL 10.8 million (USD 6.4 million) for energy infrastructure rehabilitation;
Border Police ? GEL 3.5 million (USD 2 million) for border infrastructure rehabilitation;
Ministry of Environment ? GEL 370,000 (USD 220,000);
Central Election Commission ? GEL 300,000 (USD 178,000).
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