OREANDA-NEWS. September 4, 2008. The draft budget 2009 will be socially oriented, Deputy Finance Minister Vladimir Amarin noted during his meeting with deputies of the House of Representatives of the Belarusian Parliament on September 4.

‘Thus, out Br67 trillion of the consolidated budget expenditures (special-purpose funds not included) over Br42 trillion (more than 60%) will be assigned for social needs,” the Deputy Minister noted.

According to him, in accordance with the draft budget 2009 basic social expenditures will be increased. For instance, the health care expenses will be upped by 35% to Br6.5 trillion (4.2% of GDP), the expenses for the education system will be increased by 36% to Br8.8 trillion (5.7% of GDP).

At the same time, some other expenditures, in particular, on the maintenance of state-financed organizations will be reduced. “Most frugal regime should be carried out in line with Directive No 3,” Vladimir Amarin noted.

He also informed that around Br100 billion will be assigned for the targeted social assistance.

One of the peculiar features of the draft budget 2009 is a significant growth of expenditures to support the residents of the Chernobyl affected regions. The total expenditures aimed at mitigating the Chernobyl consequences will be increased by 43%.

The housing construction will receive a significant budget support as well. Around Br2 trillion of budget means will be assigned for the housing construction programme. Due to this support, 6 million square meters of housing is expected to be commissioned in 2009. The budget means will be assigned for setting up the engineering-transport infrastructure in the new residential areas (more than Br860 billion).

By the end of 2009, the average salary in the country is projected at the level of USD 550.