MINSK, 21 November (BelTA) – Revenues of the state budget will exceed the planned figure by Br1.1 billion in 2017. Prime Minister of Belarus Andrei Kobyakov made the statement in his report to Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on 21 November, BelTA has learned. The report covered the national economy's performance so far this year, evaluations of this year's results, the draft social and economic development forecast, the draft budget, and the draft monetary management policy for 2018.
Andrei Kobyakov said that the central state budget had a Br3.4 billion surplus in January-October 2017, with the surplus of the consolidated budget at Br4.4 billion. This year's revenues are expected to exceed the planned figure by Br1.1 billion.
Andrei Kobyakov stated that the current conditions differ from those obtaining when the budget for the year 2017 was put together. “In January-October 2017 the average annual price for oil totaled $52 per barrel. The budget was calculated with the oil price at $35 per barrel. The target was $45 per barrel,” noted the prime minister.
The government suggests using the unanticipated revenues to give the social security fund the money it lacks to pay work pensions — about Br722 million. The rest can be spent on financing the measures and projects, which were authorized by the head of state in 2017. “The revised budget will be brought in soon,” assured Andrei Kobyakov.
