OREANDA-NEWS  On 07 October was announced, that Belarus’ Finance Ministry posted a republican budget surplus of 3.267 trillion Belarusian rubles (Br), or 4.2% of the gross domestic product (GDP) in January-August.

The republican budget indicates spending and revenues of the central administration, whereas the consolidated budget also includes local budgets.

Republican budget revenues amounted to 31.424 trillion rubles in January-August, or 98% of the target for the first nine months.

Profit tax revenues reached 2.125 trillion rubles, or 97.8% of the target for January-September, VAT revenues were at 5.266 trillion rubles, 91.2% of the target, and excise tax revenues at 2.48 trillion rubles, 96.9% of the target. Foreign economic activity revenues amounted to 6.5 trillion rubles, 73.6% of the target.

Republican budget expenditures reached 28.157 trillion rubles, 83.5% of the target for 2008.

Expenditures on welfare, science, culture, healthcare, mass media, sports, education, etc. amounted to 10.982 billion rubles, 84.9% of the target for January-September, national economy expenditures were at 8.515 trillion rubles, 84.7% of the target, and general state expenditures at 6.3 trillion rubles, 79.9% of the target.

Expenditures of the republican agriculture support fund were 90 billion rubles above the revenues of the fund in the period.

Underfinancing from the budget reached 68.5 billion rubles as of September 1, 2008, up from 56.5 billion rubles on August 1. Budget arrears totaled 103 billion rubles, down 30% from January 1.

Republican budget revenues are expected at 38.152 trillion rubles, and expenditures are to reach 40.255 trillion rubles in 2008. Budget deficit is projected at 2.102 trillion rubles.