REUTERS
According to Markarova, the revenue and expenditure parts of the state budget for the next year were brought in line with the recommendations of the parliament's budget committee.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the amendments to the draft law on the state budget of Ukraine for 2019 for its consideration by the Verkhovna Rada in the second reading.
The decision was taken at a government meeting on Wednesday.
According to Acting Finance Minister Oksana Markarova, there are no special changes in the draft as compared to that approved by the Verkhovna Rada in the first reading.
"All the priorities that had previously been laid were fully preserved," she said.
According to Markarova, the revenue and expenditure parts of the state budget for the next year were brought in line with the recommendations of the parliament's budget committee. She also said the revenue part takes into account the receipts from customs clearance of imported cars with foreign registration plates, taking into account the recently adopted law. The expenditure part is adjusted to reflect the initiatives of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to increase funding for education.
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Markarova paid particular attention to the fact that one of the main indicators of the adjusted draft state budget for 2019 is the constant indicator of the state treasury deficit of 2.3% of GDP. This is a guarantee that Ukraine will be able to safely pass peak payments on foreign debts scheduled for next year.
When discussing the draft budget, Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak noted the funds pledged for defense were insufficient for the purchase of new equipment and weapons required by the Joint Forces in Donbas.
Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman suggested applying to the National Security and Defense Council regarding the redistribution of expenditures within the defense sector to solve the problem.
In addition, the head of government considers it necessary for the State Audit Service to verify the effectiveness of the use of public funds allocated for the defense sector.
The draft state budget for 2019 has been approved unanimously with the condition of its finalizing within two days in accordance with the regulatory requirements, after which it will be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada for consideration.