The state budget for 2024 was given a second reading by Parliament. Revenues were estimated at 66.632 billion lei, up 1.3% compared with the current year, while the expenditure was projected at 82.222 billion lei, a 2.2% decrease. The state budget deficit is 15.90 billion lei or 4.6% of the GDP. The state debt at the end of 2024 is forecast at 125.525,6 billion lei, 64.5% of which is the external state debt and 35.5% is the internal state debt, IPN reports.
According to the draft, policies to support small- and medium-sized enterprises remain a priority and over 197 million lei will be allocated for financing a number of programs designed to ensure the sustainable development of SMEs, their expansion all over the country, especially in rural areas, the creation of new jobs, more active involvement of young people and women.
A sum of 4.036,5 million was earmarked for the continuous development of the transport and infrastructure system. Out of this sum, 1.393,9 billion lei will come from external sources. Also, 2.505,6 million lei will go to repair and maintain national and local roads.
For subsidizing the agricultural sector, rural development and integrating the national agro-industrial sector into the European economy, allocations totaling 1.600 billion will be provided in 2024. Also, 322.1 million lei will be allocated for energy efficiency, 601.5 million lei - for the National Regional and Local Development Fund, while 175.0 million lei - for promoting policies in the field of environmental protection.
A sum of 11 million lei was allocated for creating a fund to support the distribution of the print media. The financial resources will be used to fully cover the increase in the newspaper distribution change.
The revenues of the national public budget are projected to increase by 4.4% compared with 2023. They will amount to 107.172 billion. The expenditure will total 122.962 billion lei, up over 1.5% compared with 2023.
