The dividends transferred to the 2010 budget by joint stock companies in which the state owns shares and by state-run companies totaled 225 million lei, by 30% more than projected, Info-Prim Neo reports. Tudor Copaci, head of the Economy Ministry's Public Property Agency, said some of the companies paid a part of the outstanding debts for the previous years. This year, the dividends from joint stock companies are projected to amount to 130 million lei, while from state-run companies - to 55 million lei Recently, the Government increased the rate that the state-owned and joint stock companies in which the state owns holdings are to transfer to the budget from their net annual profit from 30% to 50% . The rate of dividends for companies that cannot be privatized was decreased from 30% to 25%. The state enterprises or joint stock companies that are being reequipped or undergo other processes aimed at developing production will be exempted from paying dividends. There are about 300 state companies and joint stock companies in which the state owns shares in Moldova.