Cabinet to Submit 2005 Draft Budget

KIEV, Ukraine -- President Victor Yushchenko said that on March 15, 2005, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine will submit to the nation's parliament the new 2005 draft budget. According to Victor Yushchenko, it will be "the most social budget" enabling him to keep his pre-election promises. "We are now going to translate our promises into actions." The President added that the former government's commitments, especially those in social sphere, would also be met.


Cabinet of Ministers Meeting
Victor Yushchenko pledged that the new government would revise the policy of free trade and priority development areas where, according to him, Hr 7 billion of budget receipts are lost annually, as well as the policy of managing such enterprises as Ukrnaftogaz, Ukrtelecom and Ukrainian Railways where Hr 5-9 billion are lost per year.

Thus, Victor Yushchenko is going to fill up the budget by Hr 15-18 billion. "Through stocktaking of objects privatized in non-transparent way, Hr 20-25 billion will be raised to the budget. By drawing these funds it will be possible to put the 2005 budget in the black and to meet the government's engagements," the President pointed out.