TYMOSHENKO'S GOVERNMENT PROPOSES DRAFT BUDGET 2008 WITH USD 54.8 BN. INCOMES AND USD 58.8 BN.EXPENDITURES

UKRINFORM's photo

Prime Minister Yuliya Tymoshenko at a Wednesday session of the government presented a draft national budget for 2008, readied by her government. The draft budget envisages UAH 274.2 bn (1 USD/5.05UAH) profits and UAH 294.2 bn. expenditures (the Yanukovych government's figures stood at UAH 191.13 bn. and UAH 211.93 bn., respectively).

At this Yuliya Tymoshenko counts on budgetary corrections during a year toward increasing revenues. "Taking into consideration that we have new Chairmen of the State Tax Administration and the State Customs Service, due to de-shadowization we will achieve serious correction of the budget," she said.

The minimal wage is proposed to be raised in 2008 by 31.5% and the minimum of subsistence raised up to UAH 669, the premier said.

The financial aid at child birth is offered to be raised up to UAH 12,200 at first child, UAH 25,000 at second and 50,000 at third and next children. The amount of aid to disabled persons since childhood and disabled children is proposed to be increased, too.

Pension maintenance expected to grow by 40% or by UAH 10 billion.

Yuliya Tymoshenko announced that while drafting the 2008 draft budget the government took steps to improve the balance of Ukraine's energy system, in particular return to profitable activities of the national joint-stock company "NaftoGaz of Ukraine". As sources to profit the budget the government will apply transparent procedures of sale of non-agricultural lands and municipal property.

According to Tymoshenko, the draft budget provides for cancellation of privileges to people's deputies and public servants.

The taxation system has been left so far unchanged, but the government will propose to revise some rents and excises, with a view of "paying actual price for the use of depths and excisable goods".

The taxation system has been left so far unchanged, but the government will propose to revise some rents and excises, with a view of "paying actual price for the use of depths and excisable goods".

In general, expenditures of the 2008 budget will be oriented to increasing financing of culture, science, book publishing, social needs.

The function of the budget is social protection of people and realization of priority programs of national development. That is why all lobby business programs of the previous budget will be curtailed, Tymoshenko said. These huge sums will be re-directed to priority sectors, the PM said.

The government means to file the draft budget with the parliament on Thursday, December 27.

UKRINFORM