Ethiopian Review

Addis Ababa – Holding its 87th Regular Meeting on Friday, the Council of Ministers held thorough discussions on the 2002 E.C National Draft Budget and passed the bill to the House of Peoples’ Representatives (HPR) for endorsement, Office of the Prime Minister indicated.

A statement from the office told ENA that the council decided to pass the drat bill for annual budget of the country, which amounts to more than 64.5 billion Birr, since the national budget for the coming fiscal year was prepared as per the priority agendas of the incumbent government.

The national budget comprises expenditures foe regular and capital budgets, expenditures for economic activities, provision of the various social services as well as for payments of loans, and other emergencies.

According to the statement, the national budget was also prepared in line with the governments’ policies and strategies aimed at eradicating poverty and bringing about sustainable development across the country.

Accordingly, it said, the regular budget allotted to the coming fiscal year will be over 14.46 billion Birr surpassing the regular budget of the previous year by 7.9 percent.

The capital budget allotted to the 2002 E.C will be more than 29.1 billion Birr, it said, adding the amount of budget earmarked to subsidize regional states will be over 20.9 billion Birr.

(ENA)