Agro Perspectiva

Ukrainian Parliament supported 2015 State Budget

29.12.2014 11:58 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) — The Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada has adopted the Law on 2015 State Budget of Ukraine (¹1000), with 233 MPs having voted for the Law, Government Portal reports. As to the report, presenting a draft budget in the Parliament, the Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk stressed: «This budget, like all previous budgets that were taken within these walls, is very far from being perfect. Therefore, we provide a clear rule on mandatory review of the State budget by 15 February of the following year. We will adjust it depending on the outcome of negotiations with international financial institutions. Also, a number of articles will vary depending on how we adjust the revenue and expenditure side and how we negotiate with our international creditors.» As to him, the purpose of this law is the financing of national security and defense, which demand «unprecedented amount» of funds: «We will spend UAH80 milliard just on security and defense. Additional UAH1.8 milliard we will allocate to all the mobilized who will be drafted into the Armed Forces of Ukraine and defend Ukraine. Additional UAH2.9 milliard — to other security and defense bodies, UAH6 milliard of government guarantees — to the State companies of Ukroboronprom for the acquisition of new military equipment and its repair for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Actually, the total amount of financing expenditures on national defense and security is worth UAH90 milliard.» «I think we will handle with this task. It will be difficult to collect revenues in modern Ukrainian economy — we have lost 20% of the State’s economy. The year of 2015 will be very difficult in terms of economic stabilization. Therefore, it will be a common task — to perform revenues and expenditures within the State budget and finance the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Ukrainian soldiers,» Arseniy Yatseniuk underlined. He also said that during the discussion over the bill with the parliamentary coalition it was raised a question about the State budget revenues from the sale of licenses for 3G. Arseniy Yatseniuk reminded that the Government announced the relevant competition and provides the appropriate budget revenues from the sale of this radio frequency resource, «The minimum amount will be UAH6 milliard. If we can get more money, then it enters the article, the total amount of which is UAH17 milliard — funds from privatization.» As to the report, another issue that was discussed with the coalition — on dividends from state-owned companies: «A total ofUAH1.78 milliard has been included into the State budget revenues in order to distribute dividends of the company Ukrnafta.» Reportedly, due to the suggestion of the coalition, UAH3 milliard from UAH4.5 milliard allocated for capital expenditure goes to the Regional Development Fund: «In the allocation of funds for the Regional Development Fund, we want to focus on infrastructure projects in rural areas that must be performed.» Besides, the PM said that, in amending the Law on State Budget of Ukraine, by February 15 the Government will take into account the subvention to Kyiv worth UAH1.9 milliard. Also, UAH30 million will be transferred to the program "Leadership and management in the field of elections and referenda "in view of local elections scheduled for 2015. Moreover, it was taken a joint decision to allocate UAH500 million for the completion of the hospital Okhmatdyt. Besides, Arseniy Yatseniuk said that, in amending the State Budget, the Government will consider the proposals made by the coalition and increase funding of the article on the treatment of children with cancer and hemodialysis. As to the report, the PM emphasized that from January 7 the Cabinet of Ministers would start working with international creditors regarding the law on State budget. Arseniy Yatseniuk noted that he would additionally inform the Parliament which changes to the budget must be made till next year 15 February.