Government approves 2011 Budget

The Government on Saturday approved the 2011 state budget, which provides for revenues of 19.2 billion lei, spending of 20.4 billion lei and a deficit of 1.3 billion lei, Info-Prim Neo reports. Finance Minister Veaceslav Negruta said the state budget spending would be equitably distributed to cover all areas so as to ensure the functionality of all the budget-funded institutions. The largest part of spending is dedicated to social areas: education, health care, social programs; economic expenses will also increase due to larger budget investments. “Of course, the amounts requested by the budget-funded institutions were much greater, but in order to meet these demands, the Government must promote reform so as to stimulate economic growth. However, I'd like to stress that all the budgets – the state budget, the territorial budgets, the social insurance budget and the mandatory health insurance fund – which have all been approved today, will have more money to spend, by 7% to 9%”, said Negruta. Now the Budget is to be considered by Parliament in three readings.