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Revenue, spending gap to narrow next year, premier says

Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) said yesterday that the gap between central government revenues and expenditures next year should fall below the NT$100 billion (US$3 billion) mark for the first time in nine years.

Chang said that central government spending next year should be NT$1.6995 trillion, up 4.4 percent from the previous year, while revenues should be NT$1.6016 trillion, up 7.6 percent. The gap between the two should narrow to NT$97.9 billion.

He attributed the narrowing gap to the government's efforts to manage its finances in line with a reform program to gradually narrow the gap between income and outlays.

Chang made the remarks after Minister of Finance Ho Chih-chin (何志欽) and Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics Minister Hsu Chang-yao (許璋瑤) reported on the central government budget for next year and the special budget for the expansion of infrastructure investment for next year.

Chang said that global economic stability would allow the nation to maintain its brisk export momentum in the next year. This, coupled with improved domestic demand as a result of a better employment market, means that domestic growth next year would likely remain at 4.5 percent.

Chang said that to improve national defense capabilities and national security, the government would also appropriate NT$349.5 billion next year. Combined with the funds set aside for the revamping of military barracks, expenditures on national defense will meet the requirement of a resolution passed by the Legislative Yuan last year that the defense budget represent 3 percent of GDP in three years.

The budget for technology research and development will be NT$88 billion next year, an increase of 7.5 percent from this year. Meanwhile, NT$400.08 billion will be set aside for infrastructure projects.

The government will also appropriate NT$248.7 billion to promote clean elections and narrow the gap between rich and poor.

Attention will also be given to caring for the underprivileged and helping protect the rights of underprivileged groups.

The government will also appropriate a NT$77.3 billion special budget for infrastructure investment.
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